Arden's awakening in the ancient stone chamber was marked by the thick, old aroma of earth. A prickling sense of frustration contrasted with Ava's happy cheer. Despite spending two days within the dim confines of the chamber, a key facet of his magical training remained elusive. [Mana Sight] had come to him as easily as breathing once he'd comprehended Ava's explanation—visualizing mana as a spectrum of prismatic light, each hue denoting different elements. However, the task of controlling and steering this vibrant force presented a formidable challenge.

Ava, a beacon of optimism, shone against the gloom of Arden's struggle. Her hazel eyes flickered in the soft candlelight illuminating their surroundings, her exuberant "Good morning, Arden," and playful grin expressing her faith in his capabilities. "Third day's the charm, yes?"

Arden scowled, frustration bubbling within him as he tried to grasp the delicate art of [Basic Mana Manipulation]. The benefits of the skill were promising; enhanced spellcasting, economical mana use, and crucially, camouflage from mana-sensitive creatures. But mastering the skill seemed just out of reach. The memory of his near-fatal encounter with the Roc—a chilling reminder of the risk of his deficiency—echoed Lila's directive not to venture outside until he mastered this skill.

Ava's teachings advocated a gentle coaxing and guiding of mana, a nurturing dance between the user and their essence. Arden's current and only textbook supported the same principle, the book was one of Lila’s hidden troves. The [Basic Mana Manipulation] technique within this book was identical to a skill on his skill tree, triggering an animated debate between them. Ava championed adhering to the book's skill, skeptical of Arden’s expansive list, while Arden felt a pull towards his inherent skill. Eventually, he conceded to Ava's reasoning, agreeing to heed her counsel. However, he had yet to delve into the wealth of skills lying dormant within him.

Arden's perception of mana deviated from Ava's set of guidelines. Instead of treating mana as a docile life force needing gentle persuasion, he saw it as unrestrained, raw energy eager for liberation. His mana didn't respond to a gentle touch; it seemed to demand assertive direction. He envisaged his mana as an array of elemental forces, reminiscent of the fundamental energies from his old world. This view almost felt like going against the accepted belief that mana was a part of life. However, Arden regarded it as pure, uncontrolled elemental power. This significant difference presented a puzzle, and Arden was certain that solving it was the key to mastering the skill.

As he sat on the cold, hard floor, eyes closed and mind focused inward, he pondered the contradictions within his energy. And noticed that a small portion of his mana behaved as Ava described — like a gentle stream flowing with delicate finesse. So subtle and faint, he might have missed it entirely if he weren't so attuned to his inner world. But this calm flow was a mere whisper against the roaring storm of his predominant force, a force that raged tempestuously within him.

This contrast was more than perplexing; it was a dichotomy that challenged his very understanding of his power. He tried to dissect the two distinct behaviors, to separate the gentle stream from the thunderous roar, but they coexisted, intertwined in a complex dance. The gentle stream seemed so easily lost amidst the violence of the storm, yet both were unmistakably there.

He felt an internal tug-of-war. The books described mana as a calm and nurturing energy that required finesse and understanding. Ava's teachings were in line with this, gentle coaxing rather than firm direction. But Arden's mana did not respond to such subtleties. It was a raw, unbridled force that seemed to crave command and control.

Hours passed. Arden's forehead glistened with sweat, his body tense as he sought to reconcile the two different natures of his mana. Frustration built within him, his every effort to mold his understanding met with resistance. The ancient texts seemed to mock him from their place on the wooden table.

Arden tried to apply the techniques described in the book, attempting to gently persuade his mana to obey. He visualized it, reached out to it, but it slipped through his mental grasp like water through fingers. It was a battle of wills, his innate understanding of his power clashing with the learned wisdom of centuries.

As he pushed his [Mental Focus] skill to its limits, his mind began to tire, his concentration waning. But he pressed on, the stakes too high to allow defeat, the skill's demands weighing heavily on him. He felt a growing connection to his mana, a bond that was both personal and alienating. It was a part of him, yet it defied him. It was his strength, yet it became his weakness.

Finally, as the candles burned lower, casting long, dancing shadows on the walls, Arden's mind began to wander, fatigue pulling his thoughts in unexpected directions. His struggle with mana manipulation took on a new dimension, and he found himself viewing it through the lens of wave-particle duality, a concept he had once read about in the context of quantum mechanics.

The gentle mana, the one he could coax and nurture, began to feel like the wave aspect of this duality, a creation of his own soul, flowing and continuous. In stark contrast, the raw, unrestrained mana felt like the particle aspect, a powerful, discrete force from the world around him, ever-present and eager for liberation.

Suddenly, the pieces fell into place. The dichotomy wasn't a conflict; it was a dual nature, a subtle and profound distinction that resonated with the very fabric of the universe. His understanding shifted, and the chasm between his intuitive feel for mana and the teachings of the book bridged in an exhilarating eureka moment.

He opened his eyes, and the room seemed brighter, the weight of his struggle lifting. This new insight opened a fresh path in his understanding, hinting at a complex relationship between his internal self and the external energies, a relationship he now felt equipped to explore.

He was deep in this revelation, feeling a mixture of triumph and exhaustion, when Ava suddenly winced, her hands reaching up to massage her temples. Arden's attention was immediately drawn to her, the momentary victory forgotten as concern washed over him.

"What's wrong?" Arden asked, his focus shifting from his training to her apparent discomfort.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Ava's eyes went distant, her brow furrowing in concentration. "Someone's reaching out to me," she murmured, her voice strained with the effort of grasping an ethereal connection. "In my mind..."

Arden watched her with a blend of surprise and curiosity. He'd never witnessed such a form of communication before, but considering magic was real in this world, it seemed a fitting.

After a moment, Ava's eyes fluttered open, meeting Arden's gaze with a sense of urgency he hadn't seen before. "It's from my mother," she explained, "Chandler is returning. He's traveling with a mage and a prisoner wagon."

Arden's brows furrowed in confusion, "Chandler?"

"Chandler Latimer. I did tell you about him," Ava clarified. "It's unusual for him to visit our area twice in quick succession. This... This is alarming."

Arden picked up on the undertones of concern in Ava's voice, but he wasn't quite sure why she was distressed. Sensing his confusion, Ava explained further, "All healers, like me, are required to register with the Tower. I haven't... If Chandler has a mage with him, and a prisoner wagon... they might be enforcing registration."

"We have to leave, Arden," Ava said, her voice carrying a mix of fear and resolve.

Arden sat, his heart pounding with the disturbing news Ava shared. The urgency in her voice was apparent, turning his enhanced need to trust, and apparently protect, Ava into overdrive. Ava's hazel eyes, filled with determination, met his gaze, and he knew he had to succeed in mastering his [Basic Mana Manipulation] for both their sakes.

Taking a deep breath, Arden released the rigid textbook method that had constantly undermined his confidence. Instead, he embraced the duality of his mana, recognizing both its gentle, nurturing wave-like nature and its raw, tempestuous particle-like force. He closed his eyes, reaching inward, visualizing not only the gentle life force that demanded coaxing but also the elemental energy that demanded control.

He felt the dual aspects intertwining, each part of a greater whole, and he began to move with them, to guide them, the previous barriers falling away. The dance between the user and their mana that had once seemed like taming a tumultuous tempest now made sense, a complex but natural harmony of forces that were once at odds.

"What are you doing? Did you not hear me? We need to leave!" Ava's voice broke through his concentration.

"I'm trying something different," Arden replied, his voice steady despite the internal turmoil. "We can't leave without me getting a hold of my mana signature, right?"

Ava sensed the change. Her intuition as a healer allowed her to feel the shift in his mana, and although she felt the urge to leave right away, her curiosity got the better of her. "It's working, isn't it?" she asked, wonder in her voice. "Your mana is responding to you."

To his surprise and relief, Arden found that the mana did respond to his assertive approach, flowing and bending to his will. It was as if a dam had burst, his once restrained mana now surging freely under his command.

He shared his insights with Ava, describing the two distinct sources of mana. One was a gentle flow, likely his own creation, while the other was raw and uncontrolled, seeming to emanate from the world around him. Ava listened intently, her expression betraying both interest and confusion.

After a moment of silence, Ava's eyes widened, a spark of realization in them. "There might be a way for me to help you with your challenges, Arden. Something my mother and I once shared. It's called a Master-Apprentice Bond."

Arden looked at her inquisitively. "A what?"

"It's a magical connection between two individuals," Ava explained. "The master passes down knowledge, skills, and expertise to the apprentice. It even includes a shared mana pool. My mother, Lila, and I had such a bond in the past. We could try it. I would be the master, and it could help you harness your mana."

Arden's brows furrowed as he took in Ava's proposal, his heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and dread. The idea of such an intimate connection was daunting, and the thought of linking his very essence, even though it was a new sense, with another person overwhelmed him. His mind raced with questions and fears: What would it entail to be an apprentice? How much control would he give up?

But amid these swirling doubts, he also felt a strong pull towards the idea. The urgency of their situation was impossible to ignore, and this bond offered a chance. Moreover, he trusted Ava, and her confidence in the method was reassuring.

His voice wavered as he finally spoke, the internal struggle evident in his eyes. "Alright. Let's try it. But Ava, are you sure about this? I mean, what does it truly mean to be connected in this way?"

Ava reached out, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I know it's a big step, Arden, but I believe it's the right one. We need every advantage we can get, and I trust you. We can do this together."

Arden looked into her hazel eyes, seeing her determination and faith. With a deep breath, he nodded slowly, trying to steady his trembling nerves. "Okay, let's do it."

They began the process, Ava's voice soft but firm as she guided him through the intricate steps required to initiate the [Master-Apprentice Bond] skill. She began by invoking the skill, her eyes locked onto Arden's, full of focus and determination. Arden saw a notification to accept a bond with Ava Wildwood, accompanied by a warning that she was on a lower level than him.

"I see the request," Arden said, his voice tinged with both excitement and apprehension. “But there's a warning.”

"That's normal," she explained. "You need to accept it to grant me access to your skills."

He closed his eyes, focusing on the screen. There was a pause, a moment where the world seemed to hold its breath, and then he felt it—an immediate connection, a gentle intertwining of their essences, like two streams becoming one.

A surge of power, an unexpected twist in the mana flow, and suddenly Arden felt a pull, a profound shift in the connection. He gasped, his eyes snapping open as he tried to understand the sensation.

The room seemed to tremble, the very air vibrating with unseen energy as the bond recoiled. Ava's face paled, her expression filled with disbelief and shock.

"What's happening?" Arden cried, feeling an overwhelming rush of emotions and sensations that weren't his own.

"I don't know," Ava whispered, her voice trembling. "This isn't supposed to happen."

They tried to stabilize the connection, their hands clasped together, sweat beading on their foreheads as they struggled with the unruly mana.

Then Ava's expression changed, a look of realization and horror dawning on her face. She glanced at her skill tree, her breath catching in her throat.

"What is it?" Arden asked, his voice edged with panic.

"The system... it's reset my [Basic Mana Manipulation] skill," Ava stammered, her eyes filled with confusion and fear. " I can't access it. All my healing skills depend on that one, and now they're gone."

A heavy silence filled the room as the implications settled in.

"We can break the bond, right?" Arden asked, his voice hopeful yet uncertain.

Ava's eyes widened, and she shook her head, her face pale. "I... I don't know. Without my skills, I'm not sure what we can do."

Arden's mind raced, the panic mounting. Then, a strange calm washed over him, as if an intuitive understanding was taking root. He glanced at his own skill tree and found that his [Basic Mana Manipulation] was still active, a realization that brought a glimmer of hope. Then, something else caught his eye—a detail that made his heart skip a beat.

"Ava," he said, his voice thick with disbelief, "the bond... it's changed. I'm the master."

"What?" Ava's voice cracked, her stunned expression and surprised demeanor saying it all. "That's... that's impossible. " Tears welled in Ava's eyes, a mixture of fear, confusion, and awe. "This can't be," she whispered, her voice trembling. "How did this happen? You were supposed to be the apprentice."

"I don't know, Ava," Arden admitted, his own confusion mirroring hers. His [Mental Focus] skill seemed to kick in, giving him a clarity and calm he hadn't expected. "But we have to focus. We can figure out what went wrong later. Right now, we need to share the skill so you can regain your abilities."

Ava nodded, a determined look replacing her horror. "Yes, you're right. Guide me through your thoughts, visualize the connection, and we can do this."

As Arden closed his eyes and focused, he could sense Ava's presence in his mind, a soft whisper guiding him through the process. Together, they navigated the intricate pathways of their bond, each step fraught with uncertainty.

Finally, they found the option to share the [Basic Mana Manipulation] skill. With a mental push, Arden initiated the transfer, feeling a surge of energy as the skill flowed into Ava's being.

Ava's gasp of relief was short-lived, her joy shifting to a look of absolute horror. "No, Arden, something's wrong. The bond... it's not just a simple Master-Apprentice connection. It's deeper, and more binding. We're... we're linked in a way I've never seen before."

"What do you mean?" Arden asked, his heart pounding in his chest.

Ava's voice was a broken whisper, her eyes wide with terror. "I don't know. But I feel you, Arden, in a way that's not supposed to happen. It's as if our very souls are intertwined. This isn't just a skill-sharing bond; it's something more, something far more intimate."