"Well it would've been much better if Darius actually taught you rather than me having to throw you in the deep end. Though I'm surprised you picked it up quickly enough. Usually, people go insane after experiencing the side effects for too long."
I couldn't help but feel a mixture of relief and annoyance, he could've warned me prior not only about insanity but about the glass bowl method too. "Insane? Is it really that dangerous?"
Alexei nodded gravely. "Yes, Elias. The untamed power of arcanists can overwhelm the mind and drive one to madness if not properly controlled. That's why the glass bowl method is essential. It acts as a focal point, a container for the power, allowing you to harness and direct it without being consumed by its chaotic nature."
I took a moment to gather my thoughts, the weight of the power I possessed becoming more apparent. Darius did mention that part of what makes us human is lost, as arcanists have the possibility of losing it completely and becoming a shell of our past selves. "So, this glass bowl method is a mental exercise, a way to maintain control and prevent the power from spiralling out of hand?"
"In theory," Alexei explained. "Think of it as the bowl is our self and the water as the power we possess. The more power we take on, such as progressing through tiers, the bigger our bowl will have to be. This means more concentration. It's a lot easier to go insane and lose yourself the stronger you get."
I absorbed Alexei's words, the gravity of the situation sinking in. The power I had obtained was not to be taken lightly. It required not only skill but also a strong mental fortitude to wield without succumbing to its overwhelming influence. A perfect fit for someone like me perhaps.
"Is there anything else I should know about controlling this power?" I asked, determined to gather as much information as possible.
Alexei paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face."To further your understanding as I see you're lacking, you'll need to study these texts on arcanists and their powers. They contain knowledge that will help you grasp the intricacies of your abilities and how to progress," he said pulling a few books out of one of the bookshelves in the corner.
Finally, I have something I can actually study rather than blindly wandering the library without a clue what I'm looking for. "I'll be sure to study them diligently." Seeing as this power was a lot more mental than physical than I expected, I would have to spend every spare minute of free time with my head in these books.
"You better," Alexei said with a hint of a smile. "Knowledge is the key to unlocking the full potential of your abilities. And speaking of which, remember that the Watcher doesn't have any offensive capabilities. So, you'll need a weapon if you want to keep up during encounters."
"Understood," I replied. "I'll need to be prepared some way won't I."
"Good. I'll get Darius to issue you a revolver later. It should be reliable enough," he said. "Now moving onto this new ability of yours."
With that settled, Alexei turned his attention to the practical aspect of my training. He guided me to a small table in the corner of the office, where a few objects were arranged messily. Among them was a simple wooden box.
"Leaning to control your new Watcher ability requires more than just concentration," Alexei began. "You need to learn how to imbue your energy, your spirit, and your will into the objects you touch. It's similar to the concept of the Glass Bowl Method, where you visualize and control the power. But this time, you'll be extending your perception into the object itself."
He picked up the wooden box and placed it in front of me. "Close your eyes and imagine the glass bowl again Elias. Focus on the feeling of your energy flowing into it, like a current of water filling the bowl, like you're willing into existence. Hold that image in your mind."
I followed his instructions, envisioning the glass bowl and the energy within it. I let my consciousness merge with the image, feeling the weight and texture of the bowl. Then, I slowly extended my hand, imagining it touching the wooden box.
As I reached out, I felt an indescribable connection. It was as if my consciousness was flowing out of my glass bowl and into the object. The roughness of the wood, the coolness of its surface, all became vivid in my mind's eye. I could sense the box's history, the moments it had witnessed, and the stories it held.
I opened my eyes, and to my astonishment, I saw fragments of images floating in the air around the wooden box. Fleeting glimpses of its past and potential futures danced before me, like ghostly threads woven into the fabric of reality.
I could see a fragment of its past from its point of view, Alexei walking into the room from earlier this morning. And another moment of the future. Both Alexei and I, shaking hands after finishing up for the morning. Somewhat of an unusual action for me, shaking somebody's hand I had yet to trust.
It was a surprisingly unsettling feeling, seeing what could be, or what will be our future. Even if just moments later.
"This is your Watcher ability at work, well, not that I can see it," Alexei said, with a hint of approval. "You should be able to see what the object has seen, whether it be in the past or the very near future. It's a powerful tool for gathering information and understanding your surroundings."
I nodded, overwhelmed by the possibilities that lay before me. This ability, if honed and mastered, could grant me insights into secrets and mysteries that others couldn't fathom.
Alexei continued, "Practice this exercise regularly, and it will become second nature to you, like turning a light switch on or off. As you progress, you'll be able to extend your perception further and see through more complex objects. But remember, it requires concentration and control. Don't let yourself be consumed by the visions or lose touch with reality. There are others with far greater abilities that could alter what you see, not every future or past is real. Remember that."
I was somewhat awestruck, at a loss for words and could only muster up a couple of words in the moment. "That you, Alexei."
Alexei nodded, a faint smile on his lips. "You're welcome, Elias. But there's something else you need to understand about your new role." His expression grew serious, and he leaned in closer. "You must keep your power and title as a Watcher a secret, even from those close to you. You never know who you can trust. Again, this goes for those closest to you too."
Confusion washed over me as I tried to process his words. "But I just told you about my power, and you seem to know about it already?"
Alexei's gaze held mine, unwavering. "Yes, and that's because I am your inductor. When new official arcanists are inducted, the church assigns other arcanists with abilities… similar to theirs to perform the initiation. Only the church knows who has what ability at all times. And there's a reason those who induct are not allowed to be close, or even from the same area."
"You mean... you were assigned to induct me because of my Watcher ability? Were you a Watcher too?" I asked, feeling a mix of surprise and concern. How would the church perfectly pick someone with similar abilities to mine, when I hadn't even told a soul about my choice? It was as if they knew my move before I could make it.
Alexei's expression remained enigmatic, and he placed a finger to his lips, signalling for me to keep quiet. "I can't tell you, Elias," he said softly. "But know that the church has its ways of doing things. We don't have to worry about it."
I stared at him, a mix of curiosity and trepidation swirling within me. There was so much I didn't understand about the church and its workings, and it seemed that they were more deeply integrated in this than I had first imagined.
With that, he stood up and walked over to a rack where a pristine white trench coat hung. He slipped it on, the fabric flowing gracefully around him. Alexei then turned to face me, extending his hand.
"Welcome, Elias, to the ranks of the arcanists. May your journey be filled with knowledge, wisdom, and strength."
Usually, I wouldn't have but I shook his hand firmly, a sense of purpose enveloping me. "Thank you once again, Alexei."
With our induction complete, we left the small chemistry room behind and made our way back through the Hunters Den.
As we walked, Alexei mentioned that he had some matters to attend to and that he would be leaving soon.
We arrived at a familiar meeting room where Darius was waiting. The room was adorned with new maps and charts, a testament to newer investigations from the rest of the crew.
Alexei exchanged a few words with Darius, their conversation hushed and brief. I caught snippets of their discussion—something about a gun for me. Darius nodded and assured Alexei that it would be arranged by tomorrow.
Turning to me, Darius wore a weary smile. "Elias, the induction must have taken a toll on you. You should take the rest of the day off, get some rest. We will continue tomorrow."
I hadn't realised how drained I felt until Darius mentioned it. The weight of the induction and the revelations that had unfolded had left me mentally and emotionally exhausted.
"Thank you, Darius," I replied gratefully. "I'll make good use of the time."
With a nod of acknowledgment from Darius, he turned his attention back to the maps on the table, leaving Alexei and I to ourselves.
As we both exited the meeting room Alexei nodded at me too, acknowledging the secret he had to keep about my ability, so I obliged and nodded back.
With our farewells exchanged, I made my way through the entrance of the den, the cool morning of the city outside beckoned as I looked forward to the rest back at Caius' house.
Upon reaching the house after a short carriage ride—knowing fully well I was too tired to walk—I was a little surprised when I found the front door locked. It meant Caius was probably not home.
My exhaustion made the idea of waiting for him by going out unbearable so I decided to go around and try the back door.
The narrow alleyway behind the house was dimly lit, and the air was cooler there, away from the main streets. With a sigh of relief, I discovered the back door was unlocked.
Stepping inside, I closed the door softly behind me and went straight up to my room to rest my exhaustion.
After taking off my suit, I hopped briskly into bed and fell straight to sleep.