“Sit down,” ordered Eryndar, his tone firm but not unkind.

Without hesitation, all four students complied, sitting cross-legged in a semi-circle before their teacher.

“You know what the flow of essence is, right?” he asked, his piercing gaze scanning their faces.

“Isn't it the direction in which the essence goes?” replied Elliot, his voice steady but curious.

“Exactly,” Eryndar confirmed with a small nod.

Eryndar paced slowly in front of them, his presence commanding their full attention. “What you’ve learned so far is how to manipulate the natural flow of your essence—its path as it circulates through your body. However, there is a way to alter the flow completely, redirecting it in a manner that defies its natural course. This technique can fundamentally change how your essence works within you.”

“What does it change?” Towan asked, leaning forward with a furrowed brow.

Eryndar paused and clasped his hands behind his back. “Depending on how you alter your flow, you could become faster, stronger, or more resilient. It enhances whatever trait you choose to focus on, sometimes to extraordinary levels. But make no mistake, this is not a simple feat. Mastering this requires an intricate understanding of both your body and your essence.”

“That’s what we’ve been working on,” Rhys interjected, glancing at Towan and Elliot. “But we haven’t been able to develop a flow of our own yet. So far, we’ve only managed to briefly imitate some of Master Eryndar’s techniques.”

“Is it really that hard?” Elliot asked, his voice tinged with doubt.

“Trust me, it is,” Kade replied with a sigh, shaking his head. “Even after months, we’re still at the beginning stages. And Eryndar makes it look effortless.”

Eryndar smirked faintly but quickly hid it behind a serious demeanor. “There are prodigies—few and far between—who can learn this skill naturally. They don’t need to study it like you do; they simply resonate with their essence in a way most people cannot. I sensed a few of them during the tournament announcement. Their flows were already uniquely developed, despite their age.”

Elliot’s eyes narrowed slightly. “So… we’re not the strongest around?”

Eryndar turned to him, his gaze unwavering. “Not yet. There will always be someone stronger until you push past your limits.”

“I expected as much,” Elliot admitted with a small shrug, though there was a glint of determination in his eyes.

Kade crossed his arms and muttered, “Doesn’t mean we’re not capable. It just means we have more work to do.”

Eryndar nodded approvingly. “That’s the right attitude. The path to mastering essence is long, and few ever reach the end. But the flow of essence… that is the gateway to discovering your true potential. If you can learn to manipulate it, you will find yourselves capable of feats you’ve never imagined.”

“Have you altered your flow before?” Towan asked suddenly, his curiosity now fully piqued.

Eryndar stopped pacing and turned to him. “I have. In battle, understanding and controlling my flow has saved my life more times than I can count. There are situations where brute force alone will fail you, and only precision—only mastery—can see you through. That is what I will teach you.”

The four students exchanged glances, the weight of the lesson settling in. Rhys, usually the most confident, seemed a little more serious. “What happens if we fail to control it?”

Eryndar’s expression hardened. “If you force your flow without control, it can overwhelm your body. The strain could damage your essence channels, leaving you weaker—or worse.”

Silence fell over the group as the gravity of his words sunk in.

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“And yet,” Eryndar continued, his voice steady, “those who succeed find themselves capable of reshaping their very limits. This will not be easy, and it will not be quick. But if you are willing to push yourselves, I will guide you.”

“Then let’s start,” Elliot said firmly, his earlier doubt replaced by determination.

The others nodded in agreement, and Eryndar allowed a small, approving smile. “Good. Then prepare yourselves. This is only the beginning.”

“Close your eyes and focus,” Eryndar instructed, his voice calm yet commanding. He walked slowly around the four students, his steps deliberate, the faint rustle of his robes the only sound breaking the stillness. “Feel your essence flowing within your body. Don’t try to control it—just observe it. Let it reveal itself to you.”

The boys obeyed, sitting cross-legged with their eyes closed. Their breathing steadied as they concentrated, their expressions reflecting varying levels of focus.

“As you know,” Eryndar began, his tone taking on a lecturing cadence, “every living being has a unique essence flow. This flow is as distinct as a fingerprint, shaped by your body, your spirit, and even your experiences. It determines not only how you channel essence but also how you fight.”

He stopped behind Towan, who furrowed his brow in deep concentration. “Take Towan, for example. His natural flow is centered on strength, giving his punches incredible force. However, his flow is inefficient. It wastes a significant amount of energy, energy that could otherwise amplify his power further or sustain him longer in battle.”

Towan’s eyes fluttered open for a brief moment as realization dawned on him. “Ohh, so that’s why I’ve always had stronger punches than Elliot,” he thought, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. He quickly closed his eyes again, eager to continue.

“Focus on how it’s flowing,” Eryndar continued, addressing Towan directly, “and think about how it should flow. Imagine correcting those inefficiencies. Picture your essence moving with precision, without leaks or wasted motion. That is your goal.”

Eryndar moved on, pausing near Rhys, who sat with his arms resting on his knees, his usually confident demeanor replaced with quiet concentration. “Rhys’s flow is sharp and reactive, like a coiled spring. It grants him speed and adaptability, making him a natural at counterattacks. However, this same quality makes his flow unstable. It can fluctuate too easily under pressure, leaving gaps in his defenses.”

Rhys frowned slightly but didn’t open his eyes. “So that’s why I always have to keep moving,” he thought. “If I stop, it all falls apart.”

“You must learn to stabilize your flow, Rhys,” Eryndar said. “Anchor it, so it remains consistent even in the heat of battle. Once you master this, your speed will become an unshakable advantage.”

Eryndar’s gaze shifted to Kade, who sat with his hands resting on his lap, his posture relaxed but focused. “Kade’s flow is balanced, perhaps the most even among you. This gives him versatility, allowing him to adapt to various situations. However, balance can also mean mediocrity if it’s not refined. Without specialization, you risk being outmatched by someone who excels in one area.”

Kade’s lips pressed into a thin line, but he nodded slightly. “So, I’m a jack of all trades, master of none,” he mused to himself.

“To surpass your limits, Kade,” Eryndar said, “you must decide where to direct your flow. Do you want to strengthen your offense? Enhance your defense? Improve your endurance? Choose your path, and your flow will evolve to support it.”

Finally, Eryndar stopped before Elliot, who sat perfectly still, his breathing slow and measured. “Elliot’s flow is calm and deliberate. It moves like water, steady and composed, making him a natural strategist. This gives him remarkable control, even when under stress. However, this flow also lacks urgency. It doesn’t respond as quickly to sudden changes, leaving him vulnerable to surprise attacks.”

Elliot’s brow furrowed slightly, but he kept his focus. “So that’s why I always have to predict my opponent’s moves,” he thought.

“To overcome this, Elliot,” Eryndar advised, “you must learn to quicken your flow when needed. Imagine your essence surging like a river during a storm—calm when undisturbed, but ready to flood with power at a moment’s notice.”

Eryndar stepped back, observing the boys as they processed his words.

“Each of you has a natural aptitude for a particular fighting style,” he continued. “Your essence flow reflects this. Some people, like Towan, are built for raw strength. Others, like Rhys, excel in speed and precision. Kade, your balance makes you a versatile fighter, while Elliot’s composure gives him unmatched control. These are your foundations, but they are not your limits.”

The boys opened their eyes, looking at each other with newfound understanding.

“Your task now is to refine your flow,” Eryndar said, his gaze sharp. “Identify your weaknesses and work to correct them. Embrace your strengths, but do not let them define you completely. A true master of essence can adapt their flow to any situation, combining power, speed, and control as needed.”

Rhys smirked, his confidence returning. “All right, I get it. Time to step it up.”

Towan clenched his fists, determination gleaming in his eyes. “Let’s see how much stronger I can get.”

Kade nodded thoughtfully. “Balance isn’t enough. I need to choose my path.”

Elliot remained quiet but resolute, his mind already envisioning how to quicken his flow without losing control.

Eryndar allowed himself a rare smile. “Good. You’ve taken the first step. Now, let’s see if you’re ready to move forward.”