Seventeen years had flown by, shaping the tranquil village into a picturesque haven. Amidst the serene backdrop of the village, a woman with resplendent purple locks carefully tended to the laundry when a familiar voice echoed behind her. Akihiro, with his striking snow-white hair and piercing red eyes, approached her.
"Mother, where's Amelia and Noah?"
"Ah, Aki, they've gone off to fetch some vegetables from Uncle Tom's,"
"I guess I should head out and chop some wood then,"
"Take care not to overexert yourself," she lovingly warned him, concern evident in her gaze.
"Don't worry, I've got this under control. I'll manage just fine," he reassured her.
"I trust you. And don't forget, I'll prepare your favorite dish," she said.
"Absolutely can't wait," Akihiro exclaimed eagerly, grabbing the nearby axe. "Off I go then!"
But before he could leave, his mother's voice, filled with apprehension, halted him. "Akihiro, your eyes… they seem to have completely turned red."
"Don't worry, Mother. They're better than before. I can see even more clearly now."
"I'm glad to hear that. If it happens again, you must promise to—"
"I got it, Mother," Akihiro interrupted gently, understanding her concern. With that, he made his way to the nearby forest to commence his wood chopping duties.
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Meanwhile, on the southern fringes of the village, a spirited girl with violet tresses eagerly inquired, "Huh, where's the watermelon, Uncle Tom?"
Calmly, a boy with blue hair intervened, "Amelia, it's not time yet for watermelons. Take it easy."
"Stay out of it, Noah," she retorted, visibly perturbed by the delay.
Observing the scene, the old man let out a weary sigh. "You're quite the handful, unlike Akihiro," he muttered under his breath.
"What was that, Uncle?"
Noah tried to defuse the tension. "You really shouldn't let a petty matter escalate, especially in this heat."
Seating himself, the old man ran his hand through his long, gray beard, as if to collect his thoughts.
"Phew, you'll get those watermelons soon enough, once Finn and Loki return. Those twins do have a knack for being tardy."
Amelia warned, "You better not forget!"
Rolling his eyes, Noah swiftly stepped in, collecting the bag of vegetables. "Thank you, Uncle Tom. We'll be on our way now."
"Remember to give your regards to your mother and brother," their uncle reminded them as they departed.
"What a pain," He muttered.
As they traversed the path homeward, Amelia turned to Noah, her eyes reflecting the uncertainty that lingered within her. "I heard from Dad that the kingdom Academy will start allowing commoners. Perhaps we should venture there."
"True, that would indeed be remarkable. However, our initial step should involve discussing this with Dad and ensuring we've honed our skills."
Amelia chuckled softly, teasingly remarking, "As though you could ever surpass—"
Noah interjected, "Just because you can control two spirits doesn't mean I can't surpass you. Watch me! And don't mock me."
Sporting a mischievous grin, Amelia declared, "We shall see about that."
Upon reaching home, they called out, "Mother, we're back!" only to find their mother diligently tidying up the house.
"You're back so soon! Place those vegetables on the table,"
Curious about his brother, Noah inquired, "Where's Akihiro?"
"He's gone to chop wood,"
Smiling in response, Noah remarked, "Our brother never seems to tire. Perhaps we should go check on him."
Amelia nodded in agreement, and their mother handed them a bottle of water. "Here, take this to him. He must be tired," she suggested, her love for her children palpable in her actions.
Accepting the water, Noah and Amelia left the house, heading towards the nearby forest, eager to check in on their diligent brother.
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As the sun gently cast its warmth upon the village, Noah and Amelia approached the nearby forest. They found Akihiro, shirtless and glistening with sweat, diligently engaged in chopping wood. His sinewy muscles flexed with each swing of the axe.
Panting.....
"Amelia and Noah, I didn't expect you to come," Akihiro greeted them, taking a brief pause from his task.
Reveling in the opportunity to tease his brother, Noah marveled, "You've got quite the physique there, with those muscles and that six-pack. I wish I could boast such strength."
"As If you could," Amelia teased Noah.
"Don't ridicule him. With enough dedication, you might just achieve it."
As Akihiro continued with his rhythmic chopping, Amelia's eagerness bubbled over. "Speaking of training, Brother, please teach me," she implored.
"No, Amelia, he's occupied at the moment," Noah interjected.
Pausing momentarily, Akihiro wiped the sweat from his brow. "Patience, sister. Just a few more logs, and I'll be at your service."
Eager to assist, Noah chimed in, "I can train you just as well, Amelia. Let Akihiro work in peace."
"Your approach is as thrilling as mud, Noah. I'd rather perfect our combined style with Akihiro."
Finally completing the woodpile, Akihiro stretched his fatigued muscles. "There, all done. Come, let's refine your skills in the forest glade while the afternoon air still holds its vitality!"
As they ventured deeper into the forest, the conversation turned to the prospects of leaving their village for the kingdom. Amelia, always the optimist, painted a bright picture. "Just imagine, Akihiro, the academy in the kingdom could turn us into renowned warriors. We'd be swimming in gold and jewels!"
Akihiro pondered this with a chuckle, "You know, they say the path to fame and fortune is paved with perils, but I've always been curious about the kingdom. Maybe we should give it a try."
Noah chimed in, "And I'll finally get a chance to prove I'm the strongest of the three of us."
As they continued, The forest grew denser as the siblings ventured deeper. Akihiro, turned to Amelia and Noah.
"I've been thinking about your training, and I've come across something that could greatly improve your abilities."
Amelia and Noah exchanged curious glances. "What's that, Akihiro?" Amelia asked, her curiosity piqued.
"It's called meditation. It's a technique to help us control your Divine energy better. We've focused so much on physical training, but the mind plays a crucial role in harnessing your powers."
Noah raised an eyebrow, scratching his head. "Meditation? I've heard the word, but I never really understood what it meant."
Akihiro continued, "Meditation is about finding inner peace and balance. It allows us to connect with our Divine energy more deeply. Think of it like fine-tuning an instrument. When we meditate, we can refine our control over these energies."
Amelia nodded thoughtfully, "So, how does it work? And how can it help me with my spirit control?"
Akihiro smiled. "For you, Amelia, meditation can help you attune to the spirits. It allows you to focus your spirit control with clarity, making it easier to communicate with them."
"And what about me? How can meditation improve my lightning control?"
"Well with meditation, you can learn to harness lightning's raw power more precisely. It's like guiding a wild river through a narrow channel. You'll be able to control it with finesse."
Amelia looked intrigued but somewhat uncertain. "But how do we meditate? What do we do exactly?"
Akihiro demonstrated, sitting down on a mossy rock. "Find a comfortable spot, like this. Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Clear your mind of distractions. Feel the flow of your Divine energy within. Try to sense its ebb and flow, like a river running through you."
Noah tried to mimic Akihiro. "So, do we just sit here and become one with the forest, like a tree?"
Akihiro chuckled, "Not quite, Noah. You're not becoming a tree. But you're learning to be still and focused, like a calm lake. It takes time and practice."
Amelia closed her eyes, attempting to meditate, while Akihiro offered guidance. "Breathe deeply. Relax. Imagine the spirits around you. Let your Divine energy flow naturally. You'll find that it becomes easier with time."