A Good Man Awakens

Chapter 34: Wind Training

After the incident in the library, I had promised Trendil that I would refrain from any more bloodburning. In exchange, he agreed to begin training me as a Windgeist, emphasizing the importance of control and restraint. The key to understanding Elithria—life—lay in mastering its limits. I understood that now. Learn the subtleties of one force, and it would prepare me for others.

"Alright, let's start small, very small. Baby steps, as they say, lad," Trendil said with a wry grin, his voice echoing across the training hall.

A table stood at the far end of the room, stark against the stone walls. On it sat a cup filled to the brim with water, glistening in the pale light.

"You see that cup?" Trendil continued, pointing toward it. "I want you to push it toward me, but—and this is crucial—don't let it fall. I want you to tap into that feeling inside you, let it build in your lungs, but only release a trickle. Just enough to nudge the cup forward a fraction."

I focused on my breathing, the slow expansion and contraction of my lungs, feeling the familiar presence of Elithria seeping through my body with every breath. It was a strange sensation, like holding a breath after a long swim, then finally inhaling—air filling your chest, both a relief and a rush. It was there, in the air I breathed, waiting to be harnessed.

Trendil's eyes glinted as he watched me closely. "Of course, you'll no doubt push too hard. They all do the first time. Care to make a wager?"

A smile tugged at the corner of my lips. Was he challenging me? Did he think I was just a naive boy? He didn't know the half of it. I'd lived lifetimes and fought in wars—this would be no different.

"And what's the wager?" I asked, teeth gritted as I focused on keeping the rising energy in check.

"Oh, something simple. If I win, you'll tell me where you really learned to wield a sword like that. And if you win, well—name your prize."

I saw the gleam in his eye, a challenge and a dare wrapped in the guise of a lesson. "If I win, you tell me why you're helping me. What's in it for you, Trendil? There's more to this than some vendetta against the Arcana."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "A cynical mind for someone so young. Very well, lad. Deal. Now, focus. Remember—not a single drop of water spills."

I could feel the Elithria building within me, a warmth that spread from my lungs, through my chest, and into my arms. It hummed beneath my skin, waiting to be released. But controlling it—that was the challenge. I imagined it like holding the reins of a horse, keeping the power in check, letting only the smallest sliver escape. The sensation was intense, the pressure almost unbearable, but I kept my focus.

I extended my arms, directing the energy toward the cup. A whisper of wind followed, invisible but palpable. The air shimmered as I willed it forward, aiming to nudge the cup just enough. The tendrils of power reached my palms, too strong. Too fast.

I tried to pull back, to rein in the surge, but it was like trying to hold a flood behind a thin dam. The Elithria snapped from my control, rushing forward with a force I hadn't intended.

The cup slid forward, teetering dangerously at the edge of the table. My heart raced. I'd almost done it, almost stopped it just in time. But as I exhaled, the release of breath sent the cup over the edge, tumbling to the ground with a soft thud.

"Well done, lad. Well done indeed," Trendil chuckled, walking over to retrieve the cup. "I honestly thought that cup was going to smash into the wall. You did better than most on their first attempt." He glanced at me with a raised eyebrow. "I like to challenge my students, push them to prove me wrong. Seems that worked here."