After a moment, the heavy iron-bound door opened the master chronomancer smiled at the sight of Von. "I was wondering if you were going to see me tonight or in the morning. I'm glad it was tonight."
"Thank you for seeing me, Master Poralis," Von said, his voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in his chest. "I felt it was important to speak with you tonight, while the events of the day are still fresh in my mind."
Master Poralis nodded, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Of course, my boy," he replied, gesturing for Von to take a seat opposite him. "I'm always here to lend an ear to those in need. Now, what is it you wish to discuss?" Of course, he knew full well what the boy needed, but he wanted Von to understand the gravity of his lack of knowledge. He may have power and some incredible skill, but if he didn't learn what he lacked, he would find himself aging to death prematurely.
Looking to his feet and turning red, the young boy replied. "Master Poralis, I need to learn how to not age while speeding myself in time or slowing time around me. I am physically twelve years old, but a few days ago, I was only seven. It's because of my lack of knowledge I am aging, and I need your guidance to prevent something bad from happening."
Master Poralis listened attentively to Von's words, his expression growing more serious as the young mage explained his predicament. He nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of the situation.
"I see," Master Poralis said, his voice gentle but firm. "What you seek to learn is indeed a delicate matter, one that requires great care and precision. But fear not, my boy, for I am here to guide you through the intricacies of time magic."
He paused for a moment, his gaze searching Von's face for any signs of hesitation or doubt. Seeing none, he continued, his tone filled with reassurance.
"Time magic is a complex and powerful discipline, Von," Master Poralis explained. "And you have done well in mastering it so far, so I have no doubt that you will master this as well. However, it is not something to be taken lightly. Your aging proof that time is a fickle mistress, and tampering with its flow can have unforeseen consequences. You show a lot of skill, but your lessons will never be over."
Von nodded solemnly, his determination unwavering despite the weight of the task ahead. He knew that mastering time magic would not be easy, but he was willing to do whatever it took to protect himself from the ravages of premature aging. "Thank you, Master Poralis," Von said earnestly. "I am ready to begin my training."
Master Poralis smiled, a glimmer of pride shining in his eyes. "Very well, then," he said, rising from his seat. "We shall begin at once. But remember, Von, with great power comes great responsibility. Use your newfound knowledge wisely, and never forget the lessons you learn."
As Von delved deeper into his studies with Master Poralis, he found himself utterly absorbed in the mysteries of time magic. New revelations and challenges pushed him to expand his understanding of the arcane arts. With each lesson, he felt himself growing stronger and more attuned to the subtle rhythms of the temporal continuum.
As Von enhanced his skills, he marveled at the sheer complexity of time magic and the profound impact it could have on the world around him. He learned there were several methods to prevent his premature aging, whether temporal synchronization or quantum time entanglement, he knew he needed to learn them all to unlock his full potential.
"Alright," Master Poralis began, his voice resonating with wisdom and authority. "Let's delve into the intricacies of keeping you alive for a long, long time. Tonight, we'll be exploring advanced techniques most students never need in order to deepen your understanding of time magic."
Von listened intently as Master Poralis outlined their lesson plan, his mind buzzing with anticipation. This was the moment he had been waiting for – the chance to unlock the full extent of his abilities and harness the power of time itself. With a newfound sense of purpose, he eagerly awaited the knowledge that awaited him.
"The first method I am going to explain is temporal synchronization. Temporal synchronization is the art of harmonizing your internal rhythm with a fixed reference point in time. It's akin to tuning your instrument to the beat of a metronome. Now, to truly master this skill, it's important to immerse yourself in the chosen moment. Close your eyes and envision a specific memory or historical event. Feel the cadence of that moment resonate within you, syncing your internal clock with the rhythm of the past or future."
He worked with Von guiding his threads of temporal essence until they were perfectly aligned with his desired memory. Then made him continue to practice until he could do it with no assistance, then continue more until he could perform the task without thinking about it.
Once Von adequately mastered temporal synchronization, he continued with the next lesson, "Moving on to quantum time entanglement. This is very similar to the last ability. Think of this as forging a connection between two points in time, allowing for instantaneous communication and synchronization. To practice, focus on a significant event in your personal timeline. It could be a milestone achievement or a moment of profound insight. Visualize a thread of energy extending from that particular event to your present moment, binding you to the specific point in time. Feel the connection grow stronger with each breath, bridging the gap between past and present."
Von found this to be very much like the last one, but instead of an external synchronization, it was something within his own life. As such, he was able to grasp it much more quickly than the first method. As he continued to practice, Master Poralis smiled in approval before continuing to the third method.
"We will now explore temporal shielding. This is your protective barrier against the tumultuous currents of temporal manipulation. Picture yourself cocooned within a shimmering aura of energy, impervious to the distortions of time. To strengthen your shield, focus on reinforcing its structure with your intention and willpower. Visualize it as an impenetrable barrier that shields you from unwanted temporal effects while allowing you to navigate the temporal landscape with ease."
As Von was quite skilled with apotropaic magic, his protective shields were already quite strong. He simply substituted temporal essence for protective and declared after his first attempt, "okay, what's next."
Master Poralis observed Von's confident demeanor with a hint of amusement, recognizing the young mage's proficiency in apotropaic magic. However, he knew that temporal shielding presented unique challenges that required a different approach.
"Very well, Von," Master Poralis replied, his voice tinged with a note of caution. "Let us put your skills to the test."
With a wave of his hand, Master Poralis conjured a barrage of temporal anomalies, each one more chaotic and unpredictable than the last. Von's shield shimmered and wavered under the onslaught, the distortions of time testing its resilience to the limit.
Undeterred, Von focused his willpower, reinforcing the structure of his shield with a newfound determination. He visualized the shimmering aura of energy surrounding him, channeling his intention into strengthening its defenses against the relentless assault.
As the temporal anomalies grew more intense, Von gritted his teeth, his concentration unwavering despite the mounting pressure. With each passing moment, he felt the strain on his shield increase, but he refused to yield to the chaos around him.
Master Poralis watched with keen interest as Von's shield held firm against the onslaught, its protective barrier standing strong in the face of adversity. He nodded approvingly, impressed by the young mage's resilience and determination.
"Very impressive, Von," Master Poralis remarked, his tone filled with admiration. "You have a natural talent for temporal shielding. But remember, mastery comes not from mere proficiency, but from relentless practice and unwavering focus. There is always more to learn, always room for improvement."
With a nod of understanding, Von acknowledged Master Poralis's words, his determination burning brighter than ever. Seeing the master's attacks had stopped, he bowed before his instructor. "Thank you. I shall keep practicing." Despite saying this, Von knew his system already memorized the abilities and could call it up in a fraction of a second, but he really would try not to rely on the system when he didn't have to.
Seeing the boy was, in fact, ready to move on, he moved to the final of the four methods. "Next up, is chrono-regeneration. This technique taps into the restorative powers of temporal energy to rejuvenate your body at a cellular level. I saved it until next to last as it's not only the most strenuous, but because with this, you will be able to restore your body's timeline to its proper place. Depending on how far you are out of sync with your desired age, it can be quite painful. Let me know when you are ready to begin."
As Master Poralis spoke of chrono-regeneration, Von felt a knot tighten in his stomach. The prospect of tapping into the restorative powers of temporal energy was both daunting and exhilarating. He knew that this technique held the key to restoring his body's timeline to its proper place, but the potential pain involved gave him pause. He gulped as he thought about how painful it could be. He was nearly half his age away from his physical age. This could not be a good thing.
Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Von met Master Poralis's gaze with a determined expression. "I am ready to begin," he said firmly, steeling himself for the challenges that lay ahead.
With a nod of approval, Master Poralis began to guide Von through the intricacies of chrono-regeneration. Together, they harnessed the restorative powers of temporal energies to rejuvenate Von's body at a cellular level.
"Close your eyes and envision a cascade of radiant light flowing through you, infusing every cell with vitality and vigor. With each breath, feel the energy replenish and revitalize your body, reversing the effects of aging and promoting overall well-being. Remember, consistency is key to mastering chrono-regeneration, so make it a regular part of your practice."
As the process began, Von felt a surge of energy coursing through his veins, filling him with a sense of vitality and vigor. But as the temporal energy worked its magic, he also felt a sharp, searing pain rip through his body, each wave of agony threatening to overwhelm him.
Gritting his teeth against the pain, Von forced himself to focus on the task at hand. Tears poured down his eyes.
* * * * *
Monica stood watch through the whole lesson, but now, she felt she needed to do something. She could see the pain wracking Von's body, and she felt helpless to stop it. Using a technique shown to her by Hellyne, she forces some of her own raw essence toward her friend in order to allow him to borrow her strength. When it was almost upon him, a flash occurred sending it spiraling back to her causing a slight and momentarily stinking effect on her body.
Feeling this, she could only watch as Von continued to try to restore himself to the age he wanted to be.
* * * * *
Von could almost see the tendril of essence drawing closer to him from Monica, but he felt it was out of sync with the time he was passing through. He felt something happen as it got too close and a brief flash occurred and Monica staggered backward. He saw she had aged several weeks, but not enough to genuinely be bad for her. Besides, he knew he couldn't stop now.
He continued to rejuvenate his body with the painful weave of temporal energy, each passing moment, the effects of chrono-regeneration intensified, as his body slowly but surely returned to its proper age.
Despite the pain, Von refused to falter, drawing on his inner reserves of strength and determination to see the process through to the end. As the final wave of temporal energy washed over him, he felt a profound sense of relief wash over him, knowing he succeeded in restoring his body's timeline to its rightful place.
As the pain subsided and Von's body settled into its newly restored age, he looked up at Master Poralis with a mixture of exhaustion and gratitude. "Thank you," he said hoarsely, his voice tinged with relief. "I couldn't have done it without your guidance."
Master Poralis smiled, a sense of pride evident in his gaze. "You have done well, Von," he said warmly. "Mastering chrono-regeneration requires not only strength of body, but strength of mind. Keep practicing, keep pushing yourself and at the same time, protect yourself in hopes you never have to do it again."
Von, still breathing heavily, nodded in understanding. "I hope to never have to do it again." Every inch of his body ached. He tried infusing healing essences into his body, but it did little to squelch the aches he was feeling.
Master Poralis nodded in agreement, understanding the toll that chrono-regeneration had taken on Von's body. "Indeed, let us hope that you never have to endure such a trial again," he said, his voice filled with empathy. "But remember, the ability to restore your body's timeline is a valuable skill to possess, one that may prove invaluable in times of need."
As Von continued to catch his breath, Master Poralis offered him a reassuring smile. "Take your time to recover, Von," he said gently. "Your body has undergone a significant transformation, and it will take some time for it to fully adjust. In the meantime, I have one more skill you need to learn, then you can focus on nurturing yourself and replenishing your strength."
Von nodded gratefully, his muscles still trembling from the exertion. He closed his eyes and focused on deepening his breaths, willing the lingering pain to subside. With each exhale, he felt a measure of tension leave his body, replaced by a sense of calm and serenity.
After a few moments of rest, Von opened his eyes and met Master Poralis's gaze once more. "Thank you, Master Poralis," he said earnestly. "I think I am ready as long as it doesn't hurt."
Master Poralis nodded in approval, a sense of pride swelling within him at Von's resilience and determination. "That's the spirit, Von," he said warmly. "I am now going to help you learn about temporal resonance. Temporal resonance is about attuning yourself to the natural rhythms of the temporal continuum, allowing you to flow with the currents of time rather than against them."
He looked at Von to ensure he was ready then continued. "Take a moment to center yourself in the present. Feel the subtle pulsations of time coursing through your being, guiding you with their gentle cadence. Embrace this sense of harmony and balance, allowing it to guide your actions and decisions as you navigate the ever-shifting tides of time."
He restated it a little differently. "Allow yourself to become one with this energy, synchronizing your own rhythm with its cadence. With mastery, you'll experience a profound sense of alignment and equilibrium, enabling you to navigate the currents of time with grace and precision. It will also help keep you from being thrown about and if properly aligned, you are less likely to be aged or devolved. It takes almost no energy, unlike the previous methods, but it is much less effective when you are creating the time disturbances."
He allowed Von to practice several times as he threw time vortexes at the boy. Seeing he was able to maintain his place he smiled. "If you have any questions or need further guidance, don't hesitate to reach out. You know where to find me."
"Thank you again, Master Poralis," he said earnestly. "I will heed your advice and take the time to recover properly. And when I am ready, I will resume my practice with all of these skills."
Master Poralis nodded in approval, a sense of pride swelling within him at Von's resilience and determination. "That's the spirit, Von," he said warmly. "Remember, true mastery comes not from avoiding challenges, but from facing them head-on and emerging stronger for it. I have no doubt you will continue to excel in your mastery of time magic, Master Von."
With a final nod of affirmation, Von settled into a comfortable position, allowing himself to fully embrace the healing energies that surrounded him. As he drifted into a state of deep relaxation, he knew he still had much to learn about mastering time magic, but with each obstacle he overcame, he grew one step closer.