As the energy of the Heart of the Elements surged through him, Lassim felt a profound transformation taking place within his being. With each passing moment, the power within him grew stronger, surging through his veins like a raging river. And then, as suddenly as it began it's relentless surge, the sensation subsided, leaving him still seated in the midst of his meditation room, his chest heaving with exertion and back covered in sweat.
Slowly, he became aware of a profound change that had taken place within him. His senses felt heightened, his awareness of the elements sharper than ever before. It was as if a veil had been lifted from his mind, revealing a world of colors that stretched out before him.
With a sense of wonder, he reached out with his consciousness, feeling the elemental energies that pulsed through the air around him. And to his amazement, he found that he could now control them with a newfound ease, more capable of pulling them towards himself using his will with a mere thought.
"It's as if I've unlocked a whole new level of power," Lassim mused to himself, marveling at the strength that now coursed through his veins.
With a flick of his wrist, he summoned forth a crackling bolt of lightning in one hand, and a gentle stream of water in the other, the energy dancing along his fingertips with a dazzling display of power.
But even as he reveled in his newfound abilities, a sense of unease gnawed at the edges of his consciousness. This sudden surge in power was unlike anything he had expected, and he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something deeply unnatural about it.
Most youth in the Spirit Incubation phase only would naturally reach the Spirit Growth phase in the year they turned 15, as if bound by some unspoken law of the universe. Only reaching each increased level at set points as they aged. At it's peak upon reaching the Spirit Growth stage, that was when he would have to graduate from the academy.
And yet here he sat, on the second day after awakening, barely his first day as a 1st year student, already wielding the power of a Spirit Incubation 3 level Spirit warrior. A level he would have reached slowly, with mindful accumulation, after another year and a half.
It was a troubling thought, one that left him with more questions than answers. Was it possible that he had somehow bypassed the natural order of things? And if so, what did that mean for his future as a spirit warrior?
This couldn't have just been the Heart of Elements alone. Something more was at play here, more powerful than just a simple reward, as if his body was free of some restrictions that bonded most spirit warriors.
With a furrowed brow, Lassim pondered over the implications of his newfound power, his mind racing with thoughts and possibilities.
With a racing mind, he turned his thoughts to the low-grade elemental source stones that he had obtained during his trial in the forest.
He had collected a total of 47 stones, each brimming with untapped elemental energy. Normally, if he was without worry, he would have eagerly absorbed them to further enhance his abilities, but now he hesitated, uncertain of the consequences of such a decision.
He knew that he needed guidance, someone who could help him make sense of his situation and offer counsel on how to proceed. Perhaps one of the teachers or Elders could shed some light on the matter, provide him with insight into the true nature of his powers and potential.
For now, he decided to hold off from absorbing any more stones, at least until he had a chance to speak with someone more knowledgeable. With a sense of resolve, he made a mental note to seek out guidance at class the next day, hoping that someone would be able to offer him some clarity.
As he pondered, a nagging worry crept into his mind—what if his rapid progress continued unchecked? Would he be forced to graduate early, his journey as a spirit warrior at the academy cut short before it had even truly begun? The thought filled him with a sense of dread, driving home the realization that there was still so much he had yet to learn and master.
There were gaps in his knowledge, weaknesses in his abilities that needed to be addressed if he hoped to stand a chance against the looming threat of the Abyss. He needed to delve deeper into the mysteries of the world, to study military strategies and martial techniques, to hone his skills and strengthen his resolve. He was truly lacking in many areas.
As Lassim's exhaustion weighed heavily upon him, he decided to briefly consult his jade bracelet for the start time of his upcoming lesson. With just over 8 hours until the lesson began, he knew he had enough time to take a quick bath and catch some much-needed rest before the next day's activities.
After a refreshing bath to wash away the sweat and grime of the day's trials and integration of the heart, Lassim settled into his silken sheet bed, his thoughts still swirling with questions and uncertainties.
With a weary sigh, he stored his halberd back into his now larger heart world, its presence offering him a sense of security and comfort as he drifted off into a fitful sleep.
Thirty minutes before the lesson was set to begin, Lassim awoke from his slumber, his mind still groggy from the effects of sleep. Hastily rising from his bed, he quickly dressed himself in his newly acquired martial attire, the regal blue and golden robes fitting snugly against his frame.
With a sense of purpose, he made his way to the classroom designated as "Cultivation Basics." The building, covered in ivy and leaves similar to the main building he had seen upon his arrival, exuded an air of tranquility and serenity.
Upon entering the classroom, he found himself in a small auditorium, its seats arranged in neat rows to accommodate roughly 20 students. As he glanced around, he noticed that the top 20 students, including himself, were all in attendance, their expressions ranging from eager anticipation to mild curiosity.
As he scanned the room, his eyes fell upon Sirium seated near the front. With a small smile, he made his way over and took the empty seat beside him.
"Hey," Lassim greeted warmly, nodding in acknowledgment. "Congratulations on your rank from the first trial. You really recovered quickly and held your own out there."
Sirium looked up, surprised by the sudden company, but returned the smile with a nod of gratitude.
"Thanks," he replied, his tone a mix of appreciation and determination. "It was tough, but I'm just glad to have made it through in one piece after what happened with those annoying flies."
Lassim nodded in understanding, the camaraderie between them growing.
"Yeah," he agreed, recalling the trials they had faced together. "But we both made it through to the top class, and that's what matters."
As he sat, he mentally prepared himself for the lesson.
A few moments later, as the students had all settled into their seats, the atmosphere in the classroom shifted with the arrival of a scholarly woman adorned in the prestigious robes of an academy elder. Her presence commanded attention as she greeted the class with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with wisdom and knowledge.
"Good morning, young warriors," she began, her voice carrying a soothing tone that filled the room. "I am Elder Linara, and today, we will delve into the fundamental principles of the spirit warrior's journey."
Her words captivated the students, who listened intently as she continued to explain the stages of a spirit warrior's development, starting from the awakening they had just experienced.
"The journey of cultivation for all spirit warriors begins with the Spirit Incubation stage," Elder Linara elaborated, her gaze sweeping over the attentive faces before her.
"During this stage, your spirits will naturally rank up as you age, gradually accumulating power and strength until you reach the age of 15. Each section of the stage marked by 9 levels of varying power, as you should already be familiar with, yet please note that every stage that follows also has 9 levels contained within to mark your strength."
Lassim's interest piqued at her words, recalling the recent surge of power he had experienced after absorbing the Heart of Elements. His journey was progressing at an unusually rapid pace, a fact that concerned him.
"The next stage is the Spirit Growth stage," Elder Linara continued, her voice steady and confident.
"At this point, your spirit after condensing into a solid egg from it's blurry state, will emerge from its mote egg and undergo a profound transformation. With proper guidance and training, you will unlock new abilities and powers as you harness the full extent of your spirit's potential. This can include some unique qualities to your element that you currently do not have access to."
The elder pausing for a moment before continuing, "Everyone is unique so we'll save the speculation until the moment your mote actually hatches. If you want to learn about the possibilities and day dream, please visit the library and borrow the tome: My Spirit Egg and Me. However, I'd advise not getting your hopes and just avoiding it all together."
Lassim listened intently, his thoughts racing with excitement.
"And beyond Spirit Growth," Elder Linara continued, "lies the Spirit Transformation stage. Here, your spirit will accumulate enough energy to evolve further, unlocking innate powers that are yours to command.
This includes the natural ability to command the elements to fly for all spirit warriors."
Lassim's mind buzzed with excitement at the prospect of reaching such heights of power.
Finally, Elder Linara concluded, "The next and final stage of what we consider the mortal stages ends with the Spirit Ascension stage, where spirit warriors gain the ability to fly by controlling their elemental power. While many still preferred to ride wild beasts as mounts, the ability to take to the skies offered unparalleled advantages in combat, particularly against formidable foes like the Dragal. It is much to early to discuss stages after that, but understand that every elder in this academy is at least at the Spirit Ascension stage."
Lassim was awed at her words.
"Now that I think about it, I don't know what stage father and mother are at. I should ask them in the letter I was thinking of sending them to let them know I arrived safely."
Next, with a wave of her hand Elder Linara tossed a small disk onto the floor and out popped a hologram of the world of Nexaria's most dangerous enemy—a Dragal….