Challenges of the Aether: Call of the Abyss

Chapter 3: Blossoming Willow

He also asked us to practice controlling our mana before arriving at our next resting point. We made sure to have our things together and a drink of water before picking back up.

We continued on the trail for around two hours before coming to an opening in the forest where a mesmerizing blooming cherry willow tree stood overlooking a crystal lake.

"Alright everyone, let's pause for a moment, just a short fifteen-minute break. We've been traveling through the forest for around three and a half hours total now, so we're going to take some time while we decide what trail to take to get us to the neighboring village.

If any of you have questions or concerns, don't hesitate to approach me or any of the valiant knights standing here by my side, We're here for your protection."

Pearl, Edger, and I make our way to the base of the tree setting our things down and taking a much-needed water break, As we sit there I remember the fact that I had stashed a small cash of money in case something happened and I needed to leave the village.

Scrounging around one of the roots I found my old coin pouch containing two silver coins alongside a few copper and bronze ones. I slipped the coins in with my other ones and put the old pouch into my bag, looking up from my bag I noticed Nytsul walking our way.

"Are you guys ready to see what attributes you connect with?" Nytsul said with a smile.

"Yes!" the three of us said in unison, our voices filled with excitement

"Okay, so as I mentioned before, I want you to gather some mana to your hand and begin thinking of the different attributes," Nytsul instructed"And while you do so, pay attention to the mana in your hand, so when it flashes colors, you'll know what attributes you have."

I gathered my mana into the palm of my hand and began reciting the different attributes in my head. As I thought of the Fire attribute, a warm, orange-reddish color spread through the mana in my hand flickering between a darker and lighter color.

Continuing down the list of attributes, I came to the Dark attribute and the mana in my hand transformed into a deep, mysterious shade of dark purple.

Moving on to the intermediate attributes, I took a deep breath and focused my mind. One by one, I went through them when I reached the lightning attribute, a brilliant flash of blue, purple, pink, and white illuminated my hand.

Confused yet intrigued, I turned to Nytsul, "Hey Nytsul, why did the lightning attribute turn out to be multi-colored?"

"That's amazing! Normally, people develop their basic attributes into higher versions, but having the lightning attribute from the beginning is truly remarkable.

And the reason it's multi-colored is that lightning can take on different hues when it strikes, each color representing its power."

After a little while, we were all able to figure out are attributes, Pearl who worked with her parents in their botony shop had a connection with Water and Nature. Edger who always got himself hurt working with his father as a Blacksmith had an innate connection with the Earth and Fire.

Finally, always Hunting lurking in the shadows hiding myself from my prey, and discovering new things about the world around me find myself having a mix of Fire, Dark, and Lightning attributes.

"Now that we have that figured out I would like to assess the three of your control over your mana with the knowledge you have. Now, place your hand's palm up in front of you and recite the spell after me."

The three of us follow his instructions and begin chanting the spell." Oh great flame, grant me your power, Fireball." After following his instructions a tiny flicker of flame began to grow in our hands.

While both Pearl and my Fireball grew to a size roughly the same size as a baseball Edger's kept steadily growing in size and intensity, thankfully Nytsul was able to quickly dissipate the fireball that was growing out of control in his hand.

"The three of you show good potential with your control over your mana, I still want the three of you to work on your mana circulation and control before we try that again.

Unfortunately, I have to help with the planning of what route will be taking so spend the rest of the time practicing and making sure you eat and drink something."

With the few minutes we have left, I make my way to the edge of the lake taking my shoes off and dipping my feet in helping to cool myself down as I have a piece of jerky that I stored away while practicing my mana control as Nytsul instructed us to do.

Pearl and Edger join me at the edge of the lake looking out into the depths and enjoying the clearness of the lake before Nytsul calls us over for the next leg of the journey.

Upon making our way over to the group the Captain addressed us. "Everyone grab your things we are going to continue heading to the next village on the other side of the mountain."
"What do you think the academy will be like Pearl?"
"I'm not exactly certain myself, I read that there is this huge library there with everything from magic theory and spells to what used to be before Gaia and Aether fell. I look forward to learning more about that."
"There's definitely some fun in that. It would be interesting to find out about the other types of magic and how they correspond with one another. The thought of it makes me dizzy."
"Yeah, I'm really interested in seeing what type of forges they have there. Most of the weapons and armaments are made there, and I heard they offer it as a course." Edger jumped in
"That sounds right up your alley Edger, you've always been hands-on when it comes to working in your father's smithy."

As we approached the group, the Captain addressed us. "Everyone, gather your belongings. We're pressing onward to the next village, located on the other side of the mountain."
As we began walking I looked over to Pearl asking her what she thinks the academy is like. "I'm not sure what to completely expect but I heard they have an extraordinary Library filled with books from all over the world, definitely something you would find interesting Rune.
I also heard they have a rather large blacksmithing shop filled with loads of different metals and materials that you have to order from the other side of the continent."
"That sounds amazing for you Edger, we both know how much you enjoy working in the shop with your father."
I look over to Edger as a grin builds on his face and he pulls out the sword from its sheath."
"It took me a long time to save up enough money for the dwarvish steel from the trader's hall to make this blade, so I'm just happy it turned out well. It took me four days of non-stop working just to make the blade just right."

After a bit of walking, I begin thinking of the academy and what I want to do when I get there, There are so many possibilities that I'm not sure where to start. As I'm lost in thought I zone back in to hear Pearl calling my name
"Rune...Rune are you with us?"
"Yes, I'm here sorry I just got lost in my thoughts, thinking of what I want to do once I arrive at the academy, Im not sure if ill be able to handle it all."
Both Pearl's and Edgar's arms wrapped around me. "There's no question you'll succeed at what you want to do, you have never backed down from a challenge that you have been given" Edger stated
Edger then tells us about his worries about being a blacksmith and if he will ever be good enough to succeed in what he wants to accomplish, even though there's always a sense of doubt lingering around.
That you have to keep working hard to accomplish your desires, and if it's something you truly want to do you'll do everything you can to accomplish that.
"Edger you've done an amazing job working as a blacksmith you've made your own sword out of dwarvish steel, I've read that it's a complex and difficult metal to work with.
And even still you spent days on end working on that blade making sure the edges were just right and that's not including the time you spent sharpening and polishing the blade."