A week of relentless practice and determination culminated in a momentous achievement for Ashlyn – she successfully summoned her first ring. This new structure, composed of semi-geometric symbols that encircled the zero ring, was a physical manifestation of her interaction with the nearby pile of soil. To her, the symbols were cryptic, their meaning and structure beyond her current understanding. The Neuroenhancer explained that comprehending these symbols was crucial for advancing to higher rings. For now, though, Ashlyn was content with her accomplishment, considering the complexities of a third ring as a challenge for her future self.
With the first ring stabilized, Ashlyn cautiously maneuvered it over the soil pile. Her heart raced with anticipation as she slowly lowered the ring. Upon contact, the field within the ring glimmered brightly, transforming the soil into... a grey rock. The result was anticlimactic, far from the dramatic magical transformations she had envisioned.
Dismissing the ring, Ashlyn picked up the newly formed rock, examining it for any hint of magical properties. It wasn't quite like any rock she knew; it was oddly reflective and slightly translucent, resembling some kind of ore. Firm to the touch, it resisted her attempts to crush it. She sniffed it, finding no distinct smell, and even hesitantly tasted it, but it was flavorless. Defeated in her attempts to understand the object, she turned to the Neuroenhancer, something she had been increasingly reluctant to do. Relying too heavily on the tool reminded her too much of the guidance she had lost.
[The object is formed by a new structure unique to your natural ring. There will be no equivalent structure unless you create it. Consequently, you may name it as you see fit.]
"Really? How about other resonants?" Ashlyn asked, her confusion evident.
[According to the records, only another resonant managed to compose a unique structure. It was named after him as the Turner Structure or TS.]
"That doesn't sound very reliable... How can there be only one resonant who managed to do something so simple? Are your records wrong?" Ashlyn's skepticism was clear.
[Indeed. The records could be inaccurate or outdated. Furthermore, information on supreme-level resonants is limited.]
The revelation was both intriguing and frustrating. The uniqueness of her creation was proof of her potential, but the shortage of information and precedent left her with more questions than answers.
"Supreme level? What about beginners? They can't be much worse than me, right?" Ashlyn mused, a hint of skepticism in her voice. The explanation had left her puzzled.
[To compose a structure, a resonant with properties between Consistency and Alignment must achieve supreme mastery of the rings. Your perfect balance is unique.]
Ashlyn absorbed this information, her shock giving way to understanding. It made sense now why there was only one previous record. If she was the only recorded resonant with a perfect balance and others needed to reach the apex for such feats, the lack of such achievements was logical. Her previous queries revealed that the European Hold had only one supreme tier resonant, while the other Holds collectively had eleven, totaling just twelve at that level.
She scrutinized the grey rock again, pondering its significance. Why would mastering manipulation be required to create something like this?
[The ability to compose a structure doesn’t necessarily equate to power. The manipulation technique controls the effect, but other aspects such as use, detail, versatility, and intensity also play a role. A perfectly balanced technique could be outmatched by an upper ring.]
Ashlyn contemplated this explanation. She had access to a rare capability, but without proper application and the integration of upper rings, it was merely an anomaly.
Determined to further test her first ring, Ashlyn selected a leaf from the ground. With the leaf clasped between her teeth, she summoned the zero ring, and then struggled for over a minute to add the first ring. When she finally succeeded, she let the leaf fall into the ring. Prepared for an unremarkable outcome, she was nonetheless taken aback when the leaf transformed into another tiny grey rock.
"This..." Ashlyn let out a sheepish smile, realizing her misunderstanding of the ring's effect. "I was just checking," she said aloud, addressing an imaginary critic, her tone laced with feigned justification.
She couldn't help but acknowledge that the modest transformation of the leaf was a logical outcome. Given its small size and negligible weight, expectations of a dramatic change were stupid. Despite her upbringing in the wilds, her education had not been neglected. Her elders, particularly her mother who had once been on the cusp of attending the prestigious Academy before fleeing, had ensured she and her cousins received a foundational education in math, science, and language. Their resources might have been limited, but their determination to impart knowledge was boundless.
With this background, Ashlyn was familiar with the law of conservation of mass. Magic – or more accurately, the interference field – was extraordinary, however, it couldn't defy fundamental scientific principles. Reflecting on her experiments, she realized that transforming the soil had been more taxing than the leaf, possibly indicating that the mass of the object being transformed played a role in the effort required. Eager to test this hypothesis, Ashlyn scooped up another pile of soil roughly equal to the first and began her magical manipulation.
Once again, she successfully formed the first ring composition and transformed the soil into the same grey ore. This attempt was easier than her initial endeavor with soil, suggesting her skills were indeed improving. However, it was still more strenuous than her experiment with the leaf, supporting her theory about the influence of mass.
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Excited by these revelations, Ashlyn continued her experiments with various objects, determined to understand the full extent of her first ring's capabilities. A pessimistic voice in the back of her mind nagged at her, questioning the utility of this newfound power. Nevertheless, she pushed those doubts aside, choosing instead to focus on the potential of her unique ability. After all, this was a feat that, according to the enhancer's records, only she and a supreme tier resonant had achieved.
Each test, each transformation, though seemingly minor, was a step forward. She understood that the true power of her ability might not be immediately apparent, but its potential was vast.
As hours melded into days and days into weeks, Ashlyn found herself entrenched in a monotonous routine of conjuring grey rocks. Despite the monotony, this practice was not without its merits. She had honed her skills to the point where summoning a first ring took her merely three seconds – a feat the Neuroenhancer acknowledged as significant progress. Her disciplined training ethic, instilled in her from a young age, kept her focused through the repetitive exercise, and the visible improvement in her abilities served as a motivating factor.
During one of her routine morning jogs, Ashlyn was pleasantly startled to come across a hare nibbling on sprouts near the stream. She froze for a moment, her instincts momentarily dulled by surprise. The incident evoked a bittersweet memory of her father's stern lectures following similar lapses in her earlier training. She quickly shook off the wave of nostalgia, focusing on the task at hand.
With practiced stealth, she reached for the bow and quiver she always carried outside and nocked an arrow soundlessly. The hare, blissfully unaware of the impending danger, was an ideal 30 meters away – not so close as to be spooked by her movements, but not so far as to be out of range. It presented a perfect opportunity. Since being on her own, Ashlyn's diet had consisted mostly of vegetables and fruits, supplemented by a small fish she had managed to catch nearly two weeks ago. The prospect of adding fresh meat to her diet was more than just a welcome change – it felt like a godsend to her protein-starved body.
Ashlyn steadied her breath, feeling the gentle caress of the wind against her skin. She meticulously adjusted her aim and draw, recalling the foundational lessons of archery. Memories of her father guiding her hand, correcting her posture and aim, flooded her mind. A single tear betrayed her stoic resolve, but she released the arrow before she could succumb to further emotion. The arrow whistled through the air, and although the hare attempted to flee, it was swiftly impaled, its brief cry echoing in the stillness.
What followed was a familiar, albeit somber ritual: bleeding, gutting, cleaning, and skinning the hare before roasting the meat. Ashlyn offered a perfunctory salute to both an unknown deity and the fallen animal, more out of habit than devotion. As she devoured the meat, enhanced with a few seasoning herbs, she couldn't help but compare the flavor to the meals her mother used to prepare. This time, she didn’t push away the memories of her family, likely lost to her forever.
After the episode during the hunt, Ashlyn realized she could no longer outrun her grief. It was beginning to seep into every aspect of her life, threatening to undermine her at the most critical moments. Despite her resentment towards her parents, she knew she couldn't let their sacrifices be in vain due to her inability to confront her emotions. Whether indulging in these memories would help or worsen her situation was uncertain, but continuing to ignore them was clearly detrimental.
That night, the cave became a sanctuary for her pent-up emotions. Loud cries, screams, and the sound of fists against stone filled the space. The next morning, she emerged exhausted, with a sore throat, swollen eyes, and a sullen demeanor. However, amidst the physical discomfort, there was a sense of relief, a lightness that hadn't been there before. The outburst of grief had been cathartic, a necessary step in her journey towards healing and strength. Now, she felt a renewed sense of purpose, a clarity that had been obscured by her unacknowledged sorrow.
Xxxx
In the secluded embrace of a small cave, nestled deep within the woods and far removed from the vestiges of civilization, a young woman with fiery red hair stood resolute. Her eyes sparkled with a newfound confidence and purpose. With a graceful motion, she brought her hands in front of her, as though holding an unseen orb. Suddenly, a series of golden rings materialized, spinning clockwise, their luminous bands unveiling the interference field they contained.
With a deft crouch, Ashlyn thrust a mound of dirt, placed atop a makeshift stand, through the shimmering rings. In an instant, the ordinary soil transformed into a reflective grey rock, its mundane origin completely gone.
Without pausing, she pivoted gracefully and conjured another set of rings, this time oriented horizontally and noticeably narrower. She then guided a wooden stick, half her height and firmly embedded in the ground, through these rings. As the wood passed through the golden circles, it reshaped into a slender grey cylinder, reduced in size but retaining its original form.
Lastly, Ashlyn turned towards a large rock embedded in the cave wall. Summoning another set of rings, broader this time, she pressed them against the stone. A slight strain appeared in her features, proof of the effort required, but the rings held firm, transforming the rock into a smaller, spherical grey object.
Stepping back, Ashlyn allowed herself a moment of pride, a smile playing on her lips as she awaited the Neuroenhancer's assessment.
[The results reached the basic standard for the first ring manipulation. You may proceed with learning to summon the second ring.]
Ashlyn couldn't contain her elation. "YAY!!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing through the cave as she indulged in a spontaneous and admittedly awkward dance. The acknowledgment was more than just a validation of her skills; it was a recognition of her growth and perseverance.
The moment of unbridled joy was a stark contrast to the gloomy reflections she had recently endured. Since allowing herself to grieve fully for her lost family, she had found moments where she could embrace a carefree youthfulness, a brief escape from the weight of her circumstances.
Achieving the so-called basic standard – the ability to summon both the zero and first rings with varying diameters and orientations in mere seconds – had been a journey marked by gradual progress and intense dedication. The initial phases of improvement had felt smooth, almost natural, but reducing the summoning time for the larger, more complex rings to just a few seconds was a feat that had taken weeks of rigorous practice.
This stringent training, however, had significantly deepened her understanding of the properties and effects of her rings. The zero ring served as the vessel for her natural field, while the first ring linked this field to a target. Now, the much-anticipated second ring would introduce an additional layer of control, refining the effect of the manipulation.
The enhancer had explained that most resonants were only deemed acceptable after mastering the second ring. Before this milestone, their abilities were akin to those of infants learning to walk. With the second ring, Ashlyn’s magical manipulations would finally start to yield practical applications – or so she hoped.
Juggling multiple rings simultaneously was akin to constructing sentences in different languages at once. The second ring needed to be formed around the first, all while maintaining the concept of the first ring and establishing a new one for the second. This intricate balancing act proved to be a formidable challenge, one that weeks of practice couldn't surmount.