Passive Hatred

Training

As he left the library, Alex pulled up the hood of his jacket, making sure his face was well hidden. The streets of Snowdin were busy with monsters going about their day, and he didn't want to risk scaring anyone or causing a scene. He kept his head down and walked quickly ,looking for an area for a suitable place.

After a few minutes of wandering, he spotted a narrow path leading away from the main road. It was partially hidden by a row of trees, and Alex had some hope that it might lead to a more private area. He followed the path, his boots crunching on the snow, until he came to a small clearing surrounded by dense trees. The area was quiet, and the thick canopy above blocked out much of the light, creating a dim, secluded atmosphere.

Alex took a deep breath, feeling the cold air fill his lungs. This spot was perfect. He glanced around one last time to make sure he was alone, then pulled out the book to review the steps again. The first step was channeling his energy.

"Focus on your soul, channel your emotions, and visualize the magic taking form," Alex muttered to himself.

He closed the book and stood up straight, concentrating on his soul. He took a deep breath, trying to recall the sensation of his hand transforming when he was in danger. Fear and desperation had triggered it before. He tried to evoke those emotions again, remembering the panic of nearly falling into the abyss.

Slowly, he felt a faint tingling in his hand. He focused harder, willing the magic to manifest. The tingling grew stronger, spreading up his arm. His hand began to morph, dark goopy tendrils emerging from his fingertips. They writhed and twisted, extending outward.

But maintaining them was a struggle. The tendrils flickered, wavering and losing form. Alex gritted his teeth, trying to force them to stay solid. The effort made his head ache, and the tendrils dissipated almost as soon as they appeared.

Frustrated, he clenched his fists and tried again. This time, he focused on the feeling of the tendrils, their texture, and the way they moved. He concentrated on controlling them, imagining them as an extension of his own body. He tried to channel his fear and desperation, but the emotions felt forced and hollow.

The tendrils reappeared, but they were unstable, flickering in and out of existence. Alex felt his frustration mounting. He needed to get this right. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to calm himself. He tried to visualize the tendrils more clearly, their dark, goopy form solid and strong.

Again, the tendrils emerged, more stable this time. They stretched and curled, responding to his thoughts. But as he tried to move them, they wavered, losing their shape. The strain was immense, and he could feel his energy draining rapidly. The tendrils vanished again, leaving him panting and exhausted.

He sat down, wiping sweat from his brow. This was harder than he had anticipated. He knew it would take time , but he hadn't expected it to be this difficult. His hand felt heavy.

"I can do this," he told himself, looking at his hand. "I just need to figure out how."

Determined, Alex stood up and tried again. He spent the next few hours repeating the process, each attempt bringing him a little closer to controlling the tendrils. He focused on the feeling of the magic, the way it moved through him, and the sensation of the tendrils forming.

Finally, he managed to sustain the tendrils long enough to pick up a small rock. He felt a surge of triumph as he lifted it, the tendrils holding it steady. But the strain was too much, and the tendrils vanished again, the rock dropping to the ground.

Panting, Alex sat down, exhausted but satisfied with his progress. He knew it would take time to master this power, but he was determined. This magic was his only defense in this strange new world, and he needed to master it.

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£££££ pov

From the shadows of the trees, someone was watching Alex. The boy had found a secluded spot, and his observer remained hidden, barely daring to breathe. They watched as Alex opened a book with the title "Soul Magic for Dummies" and began reading out loud.

Alex stood up, taking a deep breath. The observer could see him concentrating hard, his eyes closing as he focused. After a few moments, something started happening. Alex's hand began to tingle, and then, to the watcher's astonishment, dark, goopy tendrils began to emerge from his fingertips. They flickered and wavered, and Alex looked frustrated as they disappeared.

The hidden figure leaned forward, intrigued. They watched Alex try again, and again. Each time, the tendrils appeared, flickering and unstable, only to fade away. The boy's face showed his determination, even though he seemed exhausted.

The watcher saw Alex sit down, panting and wiping sweat from his forehead. They felt a strange mix of curiosity and empathy for him. Whatever Alex was trying to do, it looked difficult. After a short rest, Alex stood up and tried once more. This time, the tendrils were more stable, and he even managed to pick up a small rock with them before they vanished again.

Hours passed, with Alex repeating the process over and over. The observer noted how he gradually improved, his tendrils lasting a little longer each time. Finally, as the tendrils disappeared one last time and Alex sat down, looking both tired and satisfied, the watcher stayed hidden. They had seen enough.

Alex got up and started heading back to Snowdin, determination still evident in his posture. The hidden figure stayed in the shadows, thinking about what they had witnessed. They didn't fully understand what Alex was doing, but they knew it was something special. They decided to keep watching, curious to see what would happen next.