As the weight of Elliot's words settled, Vas took a deep breath, ready to apply what he had learned. The room, once filled with conversation, now seemed to hold a palpable tension—like the air itself was waiting for the flow of energy.

"Alright," Elliot said, stepping aside to give Vas space at the center of the room. "Let's see how much you've absorbed. We'll start with something simple—a binding sigil. Nothing too advanced, just enough to get your feet wet."

Vas felt Elliot's watchful gaze, like a weight pressing on his shoulders. His mentor's presence loomed, not in a suffocating way, but in a way that reminded Vas of the standards he was expected to meet. He took a steadying breath, pushing away any creeping doubt. Focus. Just focus.

Elliot's voice, calm but edged with a firm undertone, cut through the quiet. "Remember, this isn't just about technique—it's about intention. Focus your Anima. Feel the Amrita in the air, let it flow through you. The sigil is merely the vessel for that energy."

Vas knelt on the floor, grounding himself. He inhaled deeply, centering his mind as he extended his hands before him. The space seemed to hum with anticipation, the energy stirring around him, faint but present. Closing his eyes, he reached inward, drawing from the well of his Anima, connecting to the flow of Amrita that surrounded him. Slowly, his fingers began to trace intricate, invisible lines in the air. Each stroke was purposeful, every curve deliberate, forming the delicate framework of the sigil.

He could feel the subtle pull of the Amrita particles, like a current beneath the surface, guiding his movements. There was something soothing in the flow of it, as if he was learning the language of the universe, one symbol at a time.

Elliot stood nearby, arms crossed in a stance that looked casual but held the intensity of a seasoned master. His sharp eyes followed every movement, studying the way Vas connected to the unseen forces around him. "Good," he said, his tone measured. "Now focus. Bind it to the ring on the table."

Vas opened his eyes, hands trembling slightly as he completed the final stroke. His pulse quickened as the energy coalesced, shimmering faintly in the air before it flared to life. The sigil wrapped around the simple silver ring resting on the table. For a moment, the glow brightened, and then it dimmed, leaving behind only a faint, almost invisible mark.

Vas exhaled sharply, relief and nervous energy releasing all at once. A bead of sweat trickled down his forehead. "Did I—?"

Elliot's lips curved into a small smile, a rare show of approval. "Not bad. You're picking it up quickly. The lines were a bit shaky, but that'll come with practice." He walked over, picking up the ring to inspect it closely. "The binding is solid. It's stable. Most importantly, you didn't overextend your energy."

"I'll work on the lines," Vas said, his tone resolute.

"You'll have to," Elliot replied, his teasing smile softening the critique. Then, his expression shifted, becoming more serious. "You're doing well, Vas. Better than most at this stage. But remember—sigils aren't about raw strength or how much energy you can throw at them. It's about control. Precision. That's where the real power lies."

Vas, now standing, wiped his brow and met Elliot's gaze. There was a moment of silence, but it wasn't awkward. It was a silence filled with mutual understanding. Vas could feel it—the bond between them was growing. This was more than a simple teacher-student relationship. There was respect here, trust. Elliot wasn't just instructing him because it was his duty—he genuinely cared about Vas's progress, about him succeeding.

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"Thanks," Vas said softly, his voice sincere, almost vulnerable.

Elliot's gaze softened in response, his mentor role settling into place with a kind of gentle weight. "You've got talent, Vas. Don't let self-doubt cloud that. But talent alone isn't enough. Discipline, patience—those are the real keys. And I'll make sure you get there, one step at a time."

Vas smiled, feeling a rush of gratitude and determination. The bond between them felt tangible now, like a thread tying them together, mentor and apprentice. In that moment, Vas realized Elliot's faith in him ran deeper than he had thought. Elliot wasn't just teaching him because he had to—he genuinely believed in him.

Elliot clapped a hand on Vas's shoulder. "Alright, let's take it up a notch."

Vas grinned, the weariness from the previous exercise fading as adrenaline surged through him. "I'm ready."

Elliot nodded, his eyes gleaming with a challenge. "Good. Because next, we're going to attempt a dual-layered sigil. Twice the complexity, twice the focus. It'll push you, but I know you can handle it."

From her perch, Morrigan cawed in approval, feathers ruffling as she shifted her form. "And if you mess it up," she added, her sharp beak snapping playfully, "I'll be here to peck some sense into you."

Vas smirked, shaking off the tension. "I'll keep that in mind."

With renewed focus and confidence, Vas squared his shoulders, ready to dive back in, knowing that with Elliot by his side, he wouldn't be facing the challenges alone.

Elliot stepped back, giving Vas the space to prepare for the next challenge. The air in the room thickened as the weight of the task ahead settled over them both. A dual-layered sigil wasn't just a step up in complexity—it required absolute precision. Missteps here could unravel the work, or worse, backfire.

"Alright, Vas," Elliot said, his voice carrying an unspoken reassurance. "For this, you'll need to balance two streams of energy. You've got to construct one sigil, then weave another into its core without disturbing the first. Think of it like a thread going through a needle—smooth, careful, and deliberate."

Vas nodded, his hands already flexing with anticipation. His heart was steady, but the pressure of the task gnawed at the edges of his calm. He wasn't just trying to prove something to Elliot—he wanted to prove it to himself. His earlier success had lit a fire in him, but he knew this was a different kind of challenge.

"Focus on your breathing first," Elliot instructed, his tone firm but patient. "You're controlling two forces, so your mind needs to be clear, your energy steady."

Vas closed his eyes, inhaling deeply as he centered himself. The room fell away, the ambient sounds dimming to a faint hum as he drew inward. The well of his Anima, once a distant source of power, now felt more tangible, like a current he could direct with purpose. Slowly, he began the first layer of the sigil, his fingers moving with more confidence now, tracing symbols that seemed to pulse with life as they formed in the air before him.

Elliot watched in silence, his sharp gaze taking in every movement, every flicker of hesitation that passed through Vas's hands. His arms were still crossed, but there was a palpable shift in his stance—he was fully invested in this moment, knowing how important it was for Vas's growth.

The first layer of the sigil began to take shape, glowing faintly as it hovered in front of Vas. The lines were more stable this time, smoother, and they held their form with greater consistency.

"Good," Elliot said, his approval like a quiet rumble in the background. "Now for the second layer. You're going to intertwine it—don't let the energies clash. They need to work together, harmonize."

Vas nodded again, feeling the strain beginning to creep into his limbs. His fingers moved slower now, more cautiously as he started the second layer, drawing delicate strokes that wove through the first sigil without disrupting its structure. The air around him felt thicker, heavier, as if the energy he was manipulating carried a weight all its own.

For a brief second, his focus wavered. The lines of the first sigil trembled, and the second layer flickered dangerously.

"Steady," Elliot's voice cut through the tension, calm but with enough force to ground Vas. "Don't rush. Let the flow guide you."

Vas exhaled, releasing the tension from his shoulders, and refocused. He could feel the energy coursing through him, demanding his attention, but he didn't let it overwhelm him. Slowly, carefully, he completed the second layer, the lines locking into place as the two sigils merged into a cohesive form.

The sigil pulsed, glowing brighter now, its form solid and intricately intertwined. Vas lowered his hands, watching as the dual-layered sigil hovered before him, its power humming in the air.

Elliot stepped closer, his eyes scanning the work with a critical, but approving, gaze. "Impressive," he said, his voice quieter now, almost reverent. "You've managed it. The binding is clean, the energies are balanced. It's stable."

Vas let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. His hands trembled slightly, but there was a deep satisfaction welling up inside him. He had done it. He had managed something far beyond what he had thought possible just hours ago.

Elliot turned to him, his expression softened by the pride Vas had rarely seen. "You're pushing yourself, and it's paying off. I can see the progress."

Vas smiled, the weight of the accomplishment sinking in. "Thanks, I—"

But before he could finish, Morrigan swooped down from her perch, landing gracefully on the table beside the glowing sigil. Her sharp eyes gleamed with mischief as she eyed the intricate creation. "Not bad, Vas," she cawed, her tone approving yet teasing. "Looks like I won't have to peck sense into you after all."

Vas chuckled, wiping sweat from his brow. "Glad to hear it."