Following Miss Xirenia's advice, Jaylen carefully stored his practice katana before settling onto the ground and crossing his legs. Delving into deep thought, he contemplated the nature of lightning.
What was lightning, he wondered? Was it merely the flash of energy in the sky, or something more profound? Where did it originate? What defined its unique properties, distinct from electricity?
Jaylen was engulfed in a whirlwind of questions, each one dancing like a wave on the surface of his mind. Though the answers seemed straightforward, they were entangled in a web of complexity that made them anything but simple.
Realizing his introspection was yielding more queries than solutions, Jaylen focused on one fundamental question: What were its properties?
He believed that unraveling the various forms of lightning and comprehending their impact on the surrounding environment would bring him closer to grasping its essence.
As a member of one of the four ancient families, Jaylen had encountered numerous formidable individuals, many of whom wielded astonishing lightning spells, techniques, and abilities. Through these encounters, he had witnessed lightning in its diverse manifestations.
The most common type he had encountered was light blue lightning, its natural hue resonating with the sky above. Its effects on the environment were relatively benign, causing little destruction and leaving no lasting impact.
Following closely was yellow lightning, almost as prevalent as its light blue counterpart but exhibiting slightly stronger effects.
Then there were the rarer variants, only made possible through spells or innate abilities, as it was nearly impossible to find someone with an affinity to any of these variants.
Black lightning, notorious for its destructive force, left scorched earth in its wake.
In stark contrast was white lightning, renowned for its nurturing properties, capable of revitalizing barren landscapes and breathing life into desolation.
Lastly, there was silver lightning, known for its incredible speed and elusive nature. Typically used to bolster the body and weapons, its unpredictable trajectory made it difficult to wield as a projectile.
While Jaylen had witnessed other variations, he understood that their mastery required exceptional skill and rare affinities.
Drawing from Miss Xirenia's advice, Jaylen embarked on a journey to experience the unique qualities of each type of lightning firsthand.
Jaylen rose to his feet, scanning the room for Brandon, who possessed the ability to wield three types of lightning: light blue, yellow, and black. Confident that Brandon would readily engage in launching lightning spells at him, Jaylen set out to find him.
As he wandered around in search of Brandon, Jaylen stumbled upon him engaged in a heated exchange with Sarah.
"It's always human this and human that with you. You do realize that your fiancée is a vampire, right?" Sarah nagged at Brandon in annoyance. Her voice was so loud that Jaylen could hear it clearly from where he stood.
"And what does that matter, in the end, what makes a vampire any different from a normal human except that you drink blood" Brandon answered back, his voice monotone as always.
"Of course, it matters" Sarah retorted, crossing her arms as she rolled her eyes.
"Look, Sarah, I'm making the mother of all omelets here. Can't fret over every egg," Brandon reassured Sarah, though a small smirk could be seen on his face, reflecting that he was not taking this seriously.
Despite the temptation to observe from afar, Jaylen recognized the impending end of the class and opted to intervene.
"Hey, sorry to interrupt your conversation, but can I ask a favor of Brandon?" Jaylen interjected politely.
"No," Sarah yelled firmly, clearly not willing to let Brandon escape from this conversation.
"Every time I start this conversation with Brandon, someone always interrupts, allowing him to get away. And I refuse to let it—"
Sarah's words were abruptly cut off as Brandon pushed her out of the way.
"What do you need, Jaylen?" he asked, addressing Jaylen directly.
Containing his laughter from their antics, Jaylen responded, "I was hoping you could help me out with learning this new technique. You see, I need to understand lightning for the technique."
"Hmm, go on," Brandon nodded, indicating for Jaylen to continue.
"Well, do you think you could hit me with your lightning spells?" Jaylen asked.
"Huh... No way. Instead, I can channel small amounts of my lightning affinity into you through my hand," Brandon offered.
Due to Brandon's lineage changing to a prime human, he possessed a unique affinity with the five fundamental elements and their derivatives.
This lineage bestowed upon him extraordinary abilities beyond those of ordinary humans. However, prime humans were exceptionally rare, with few either existing or surviving in the present age.
"But we're not at the level necessary to wield our natural affinities without the help of spells, abilities, and techniques," Jaylen responded.
To harness any affinity effectively, one must attain the pinnacle of Elemental Attunement, ensuring a harmonious connection between one's affinities and their Crystal sapling. This fundamental principle was instilled in every child on Yonus from the moment they began to wield mana.
"It'll be fine. Just give me your hand," Brandon nonchalantly disregarded Jaylen's worries and stretched out his hand.
With a sigh escaping his lips, Jaylen clasped Brandon's hand firmly. Locking eyes with Brandon, they exchanged a meaningful nod, a wordless acknowledgment of their mutual understanding.
As Brandon channeled his mana, the air around him seemed to crackle. Light blue sparks erupted from his being, dancing with raw energy, a tangible display of the essence of Lightning.
"Stop right there, what do you two think you're doing!" A voice roared, disrupting Brandon's concentration and causing him to lose control over his mana.
The lightning mana, previously calmly coiled around Brandon, surged out with immense force, crackling and writhing in chaotic arcs.
Tendrils of lightning lashed out uncontrollably, each collision with the ground leaving charred markings on the metal floor around them.
Jaylen, who had remained in the same position, found himself suddenly engulfed in a dangerous embrace of lightning as one tendril flew towards him at an incredible speed.
The tendril, its color a striking silver, collided with his figure, enveloping him in a volatile aura of untamed energy.
The lightning raced through Jaylen's body, coursing along his veins like a torrential river, unstoppable and unforgiving.
With his Draconic eyes, Jaylen could see the silver lightning vividly, its movements clear and distinct within his body. It danced along his nerves, sending agonizing jolts of pain radiating throughout his being.
Gritting his teeth against the searing pain, Jaylen fought to maintain control, his mind racing as he struggled to contain the lightning surging within him.
With every heartbeat, the lightning pulsed, threatening to overwhelm him entirely. Yet, through sheer willpower, Jaylen held on, determined to endure the torment until the storm of energy subsided.
With his body still trembling from the aftershocks of the lightning, Jaylen struggled to regain his composure, his mind reeling with the consequences of his decision.
As he collapsed onto one knee, his breaths came in deep and labored, each exhales a testament to the ordeal he had just endured. Sweat drenched his back, mingling with the remnants of the storm that had ravaged his body.
Amid his physical and mental exhaustion, Jaylen couldn't help but question his own judgment. Why had he thought it wise to seek assistance from someone who couldn't control their elemental affinities?
The consequences of that decision were now painfully evident, etched into every fiber of his being.
"What the hell were you two thinking? You could have been seriously hurt! I expected better from you both! This kind of foolishness will not be tolerated," Miss Xirenia berated them, her facial features twisted in anger.
Yelling out loud, Miss Xirenia addressed the whole class. "Class is over, everyone! Bug off!"
Miss Xirenia's scolding echoed through the air, a harsh reminder of the gravity of their actions. Jaylen and Brandon exchanged glances, both realizing the severity of their mistake.
With heavy hearts, they watched as their classmates dispersed, leaving them alone in the aftermath of their recklessness.
As she finished yelling, she turned her attention back to Jaylen and Brandon. "I am utterly disappointed in your lack of judgment! This is not a game! This behavior reflects poorly on both of you! I want you both in my office in 20 minutes."
Without awaiting a response, Miss Xirenia turned on her heel and strode away. Each step she took exuded lingering anger, palpable in the fiery aura enveloping her.
As the class dispersed, Jaylen and Brandon exchanged a wordless glance, both knowing they had made a grave mistake.
With a shared sense of determination, they nodded silently to each other before parting ways to prepare for their meeting with Miss Xirenia.
As they made their way to her office, the looming sense of unease hung heavy in the air, each step a testament to the gravity of the situation they now found themselves in.
It wasn't until an hour later that they both finally left her office, their expressions wary and exhausted from the stern talking-to they had received.