As Lassim, Sirium, and Lustria entered the inner martial library, passing through the glowing door, they were greeted by a vast and imposing space, its walls lined with towering bookshelves that stretched up to the ceiling.
The trio separated to find their own techniques. Lassim marveling at the diverse types of techniques he came across.
There were movement techniques that focused on speed and agility, cultivation techniques that enhanced one's inner energy and strength up to the Spirit Growth stage, elemental weapon techniques that utilized specific elemental types in powerful and destructive ways, and even miscellaneous techniques like the wind elemental spirit user's beast communication skill that he saw Elder Tom use.
However, Lassim was unable to decide what he should do. He had always been a bit indecisive, and the sheer number of options before him was overwhelming. He felt a bit lost and unsure of where to start.
Suddenly, he was joined by a striking woman whose beauty was matched only by her commanding presence, appearing behind him. Her curves swayed gracefully as she approached, accentuated by the form-fitting attire she wore. Her beauty was undeniable, with lustrous locks of midnight-black hair cascading down her back in silky waves. Her features were striking, with high cheekbones, full lips, and piercing eyes that seemed to hold a hint of mystery and intrigue.
"Ah! Vice-Headmaster Nightshade!" Yelped Lassim.
She saw his troubled expression and chuckled. "Please, call me Evelyn," her velvety voice almost whispering, sending a tingle up Lassim's spine.
"I see you're having trouble deciding on a technique," she said, her voice calm and reassuring. "Perhaps I can help. Might I offer a suggestion?"
Lassim was taken aback by her sudden appearance, but he nodded eagerly. "Yes, please," he said. "I'm not sure where to start."
She smiled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, let's start with what you know," she said. "You are a Vanthar, so I'm sure you have studied a fire based technique from your family's library, correct?"
Lassim nodded, a bit surprised that she knew about his family's techniques. "Yes, that's right, the [Fire Halberd] technique," he said. "It's a powerful technique that focuses on using fire elemental energy to enhance the power of the halberd."
Vice-Headmaster Nightshade nodded, her expression thoughtful.
"Well, why not use that as a basis for a brand new technique?" she suggested. "You have the muscle memory down, like an empty cup, so now you just need pour in the element. To fill your cup, why not use some of our lightning and water based cultivation techniques first? That way you gain experience utilizing, and the knowledge of, your body's combined elemental pathways. Then you can figure out how best to mix them inside your "cup" so that together they turn into a unique mixed elemental halberd technique." Her eyes stared into Lassim's as she was fantasizing the delicious cocktail of a technique that could be created by mixing these two powerful elements; his potential unrivaled and appealing.
Lassim's eyes widened in surprise. "That's a brilliant idea," he said, his voice filled with excitement. "I never thought of that."
Vice-Headmaster Nightshade smiled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Of course. You're the first twin spirit user in all of time. Here at Myriad Spirit Academy, we'll do our best to ensure your potential is not wasted. I'm glad I could help," she said. "Now, go and find the tomes you need. I'm sure you'll find something that will be of use to you."
Lassim thanked her and was about to turned to leave, when he remembered he only had one token and could only choose one book. Before he could take a step, Vice-Headmaster Nightshade had already disappeared.
Magically, in his ears, that gorgeous voice sounded again, "I look forward to seeing what you create," her voice low and mysterious.
Lassim looked down at his hands, and to his surprise, he saw that he was holding two tokens instead of one.
Lassim was shocked by what had just happened, smiling from ear to ear he decided he really was interested in this beautiful Vice-Headmaster of his. He quickly shook off his grin with a wry smile and made his way over to the lightning and water cultivation technique sections. He browsed them to see what he might like best.
[Lightning Flash Technique]: This technique focuses on harnessing the power of lightning to enhance the user's speed and agility. By channeling lightning energy through the body, the user can not only increase their connection with the lightning element, but allow the passive affect of being able to move at incredible speeds, allowing them to dodge attacks and strike with lightning-fast precision. This technique is particularly useful for evading enemies and launching surprise attacks.
[Thunderbolt Strike]: This technique is a powerful cultivation technique that allows the user to unlock the destructive potential of lighting, it allows the user to connect deeper with the element and empower all lightning based battle arts to have more devastating strikes. By concentrating lightning energy into a specific point, the user can unleash a powerful bolt of lightning that can pierce through even the toughest defenses. This technique allows the user to be particularly effective against heavily armored opponents.
[Thunderstorm Formation]: This technique allows the user's energy pathways to store excessive lightning energy. This creates a passive effect that allows the user to build up static electricity in the surrounding with each movement or weapon swing. This builds to create a powerful storm of lightning energy around the user. The overcharging of lightning energy affects the muscles, providing them with enhanced speed, agility, and strength. The static electricty builds into a storm, generating a powerful magnetic field that can disrupt the movements of enemies, making it difficult for them to land a solid blow. This technique is particularly useful for overwhelming opponents with a barrage of lightning empowered strikes.
[Water Surge]: This technique allows the user to connect deeper with the water element. By using the power of water's ability to change shape and fit the form of different vessels, it provides the user with better control of water within their elemental weapon. The passive effect will allow a channel of water energy through their body and into their weapon, enhancing its cutting power and range. By infusing their weapon with water energy, the user can gain a large distance added to their attacks in the form of a water slice. This slice can go through even the toughest materials with ease, similar to sword metal elemental spirit's sword qi. This technique is particularly effective against ranged enemies.
[Aqua Shield]: This technique embraces the user's connection to the strength of a wall of water. It naturally allows a passive protective barrier of water energy around the user at all times, providing them with enhanced defense against physical and magical attacks. The shield absorbs and disperses incoming energy, like a ripple on a calm lake, making it difficult for enemies to land a death blow. This technique is particularly useful for defending against all attacks and magical spells.
[Tidal Wave]: This technique forces the user to become like a tidal wave, forcing elemental energy roughly and swiftly through the pathways, it creates a powerful wave of water energy to be used in battle. This enhanced energy provides a powerful passive effect useful to knocking enemies off their feet and sweep them away. Repelling them with the force of a tsunami, but also, like the tide of the moon, pulling them towards the user to be in attack range of their elemental weapon. Additionally, by channeling water energy through their hands, the user can create a massive wave that can be used to incapacitate or disorient large groups of opponents by soaking them in this powerful water elemental attacked. This technique is particularly useful for controlling the battlefield and creating openings for attacks.
Lassim's eyes sparkled with excitement as he made his choices. The [Thunderstorm Formation] and [Tidal Wave] techniques seemed to complement each other perfectly. The static charge of powerful lightning paired nicely with the [Tidal Wave]'s control over water, creating a deadly combination that would surely take his enemies by surprise.
He imagined the swinging of his halberd creating a light storm of water and lightning, drenching and shocking his foes as he used the water to group them together before shockingly slaying them in waves. The thought of wielding a literal storm at his command filled him with a sense of exhilaration and determination.
With his choices made, Lassim turned to leave the inner library, eager to begin his training. He couldn't wait to put his new techniques to the test and see just how powerful they could be. As he walked through the golden door, his two tokens disappeared in a glowing light, the Elder Thalos' voice reaching him, "You'll be able to borrow those books for two weeks. Study them quickly and memorize them during this time. When you've finished, store them inside the jade bracelet's inner space. It's small, and similar to your magic pouch, but enough for the books and is connected to the library's system. After the two weeks is up, they'll automatically be teleported and returned to our shelves."
Amazed, he walked out of the library, greeted by the sight of Sirium and Lustria, who had been waiting for him. Their eyes sparkled with curiosity as they looked at him.
"Ah, Lassim," Sirium said, his voice eager with excitement. "I see you've made your choices. What'd you get?"
Lassim nodded, a smile spreading across his face. "Thank you, Sirium. I got the [Thunderstorm Formation] and [Tidal Wave] techniques. I think the combination might be super strong. I'm eager to begin my training and see what I can do with these techniques. What about you?"
Lustria smiled, her eyes twinkling, "I have no doubt that you'll do well, Lassim. I'm sure you'll master these techniques in no time. Good luck!" She continued, "I've got plans to become a type of combination between scout and long range assassin, so I got the [Dark Veil] cultivation technique. It connects my night energy through my pathways to oversaturate my body with the void power. It has the passive effect of creating a thick fog of darkness around me, obscuring my movements and making it difficult for opponents to see or target me once I learn it. The more I circulate the technique, the more powerful and thick the fog becomes. Also, there's still several others that I want, like the battle arts [Nightmare's Grasp], [Shadow Strike], and movement technique [Moonlit Dance]." With a sigh she continued, "However, I need to earn more tokens if I want them."
Sirium added his choice, "I got the movement technique [Whirlwind Step]. It will allow me to move incredibly swiftly and silently, with my wind elemental energy leaving behind a trail of swirling wind that confuses and disorients opponents. Also, it helps train muscle reflexes, allowing them to be extremely quick. Not only will I be much faster, this should give an upper hand when fighting up close with my twin daggers. The more disorientated they are, the easier I'll be able to slice and dice."
Sirium gave a slightly creepy smile from ear to ear, especially since he was also still only 8 years old like the rest of the group.
Shaking his head and then giving a thanks for accompanying each other during their exploration, Lassim turned and walked away as they were all too eager to begin training, his mind already racing with ideas for how to use his new techniques. He couldn't wait to put them to the test and see just how powerful the combination of the two could be. He rushed back to his cave after the fun afternoon of exploration together.