A tremor echoed within the cavern, a low rumble that vibrated through Aether's bones even as he stood at the water's edge. The ethereal glow of the pool danced on its surface, rippling outwards as Aether assumed a pose of focused power. Sweat and water clung to his lean, bare chest, each glistening droplet catching a flicker of the cavern's light.
He moved with the practiced grace of a predator, his hand tracing a precise pattern through the air. Golden mana, his very lifeblood, materialized like a phantom limb, mirroring his movements in a mesmerizing display. Suddenly, with a swift intake of breath, it coursed inwards, vanishing into the depths of his chest.
Aether's calm demeanor masked a wellspring of power. He launched himself into a powerful leap, one leg extended in a balletic kick, the other bent for leverage. His arms twisted and twirled, not in a random dance, but in a language understood by the very air itself. A vortex materialized around his outstretched foot, a swirling tempest of wind drawn from the cavern's vastness.
Mid-air, his body transitioned seamlessly into a sweeping kick, the vortex shifting seamlessly with him. His arms, like the branches of a giant oak, guided the flow of wind, wrapping his body in a protective embrace. The kick unleashed a spiraling gust, a sonic boom that echoed through the cavern as it crashed down onto the water's surface, sending a wave rippling outwards.
Aether landed with barely a splash, the impact absorbed by his masterful manipulation of the air. Grounded, he adopted a wide stance, a living statue channeling the very essence of the wind. His arms wove an intricate tapestry of gestures, each movement a command to the invisible forces that surrounded him. The air swirled and danced, a protective barrier coalescing around him, a force waiting to be unleashed.
His focus was unwavering, his gaze reflecting the calm yet assertive nature of the wind itself. With a deep breath, he rose from the water, a triumphant smile splitting his face. This feat, this dance of power, he had achieved on his own, without the crutch of Dual Cognition.
Satisfaction washed over him, a well-deserved reward for his relentless pursuit of mastery. Yet, even in this moment of triumph, a grounded awareness remained. He was on a long and arduous journey, and the full potential of his mana still remained a mystery.
He scooped a handful of water from the pool, a cooling refreshment after his exertions. As he brought it to his face, Lumi's voice, a disembodied echo in the cavern, pierced his thoughts: "[Host has comprehended the flow of mana by 5%]"
Aether exhaled, a surge of pride warming him at his progress. "That brings me to a total understanding of 15%," he mused, settling cross-legged on the cold stone at the water's edge. With renewed focus, he delved deeper into his wind magic, his improved mana vessels – an achievement of his tireless training – allowing him to refine his control with greater precision.
Aether glanced at the status window that only he could see – a transparent, ethereal display etched into his vision:
Name: Aether Ilon
Race: Human, ???
Bloodline: ???
Physique: ???
Status Class: Awakened
Empirical Mastery: Dual Cognition
HP: 500/500 >> 700/700
Strength: 100 >> 120
Agility: 70 >> 100
Intelligence: 105 >> 115
Charm: 70
Mana: 50/50 >> 45/100
A furrow creased Aether's brow as he touched his fingertips to his forehead, a gesture now synonymous with deep contemplation. He reviewed the performance of his newfound abilities. The concern gnawing at him was the mana expenditure – a hungry beast devouring his reserves with each flourish.
"I can't afford to be a flashy fighter with an empty tank," he muttered, a grim realization settling in. "Gotta find a way to use the least amount of mana possible. No flashy fireworks if I want to stay in the fight."
Despite the lingering concern, a flicker of satisfaction warmed him. "At least my core stats seem to be leveling up," he mused, his gaze flitting across the ethereal status window only he could see. But a new question snagged his attention, a nagging itch that had plagued him since his first glimpse of the "Charm" stat. "Why in the world is that even there?" Aether scratched his head, the mystery as vexing as ever. Shrugging it off for now, he gathered his meager belongings, his stomach growling a reminder of his neglected needs. Tonight was moonlight hornbristle night.
With his heightened understanding of wind magic, hunting was child's play. He didn't need the crude traps he'd used before. A well-placed gust of wind sent a tremor through a nearby burrow, flushing out a plump moonlight hornbristle in a flurry of panicked squeaks. Aether reacted with practiced swiftness, his hand a blur as he snagged the startled creature. Dinner was secured, and he retraced his steps back to his slumbering companion, a comforting presence in the vast cave.
The cave's bright luminescence dimmed, replaced by an ethereal blue glow that cast long, otherworldly shadows. The mystery of its origin eluded Aether momentarily, his focus stolen by the succulent moonlight hornbristle meat clutched in his hand. Each bite was a burst of savory satisfaction, a reward for his successful hunt. The fire in the center of the cavern crackled merrily, casting dancing reflections off the slumbering dragon's ember-pink scales.
With a contented sigh, Aether rose to his feet, a familiar warmth blooming in his chest – it was time for his nightly routine of mana circulation on his colossal companion. While his understanding of mana manipulation had undeniably grown, it was still a steep climb. Performing complex spells like this on his own remained a distant dream. He relied heavily on Lumi's assistance.
Approaching the dragon, his steps echoed in the vast chamber. Reaching the centre of the Sol Gate, the ancient pedestal before him pulsed with an unseen energy. For a moment, the cavern shimmered, blinding Aether in its ethereal glow.
Panic stabbed at him as a realization dawned on him, a dark confirmation of his unspoken dread. Lumi's voice, devoid of its usual calm, echoed through the cavern, "[Host has reached sufficient mana capacity to open Sol Gate]." Aether's breath hitched. The very foundation of the cavern seemed to tremble, the air thick with an anticipation that sent shivers down his spine. He knew, with a chilling certainty, that something momentous was about to happen, something he might not be prepared for.