Chapter 129: Inner power
Scene: In a clearing within the island's dense forest, Kirito and Ryu stand before the group, ready to teach them the long-hidden secrets of Elemental Mana. The excitement among the heroes is palpable as they prepare to unlock their unique powers, a crucial step in preparing for the dangerous journey ahead. The wind rustles through the trees, adding a sense of anticipation to the moment.
Narrator: Elemental Mana—the ancient power that lies dormant in most people, waiting to be unlocked. While most have only ever harnessed raw mana, the true potential of one's power comes from their connection to one of the five elements: Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, and Lightning. Today, the group will discover which element lies within them.
Kirito steps forward, his eyes scanning the eager faces of Eren, Rylan, Aria, Asher, Zarek, and Commander Elara. With a calm but serious tone, he begins explaining the origin of Elemental Mana.
Kirito: (seriously) Every living being has mana—it flows through all of us, but most have only ever used it in its raw form. That's why most people can use similar abilities. But Elemental Mana is different. It's more primal, more attuned to the natural forces of the world.
He gestures toward the surrounding forest and the wind that rustles through the trees.
Kirito: (explaining) Each person can harness one of the five elements—Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, or Lightning. But it's a unique process, and not everyone has unlocked this deeper connection.
Rylan, curious and always ready to learn something new, raises his hand, his expression thoughtful.
Rylan: (curiously) How do we know which element we possess?
Ryu, visibly excited by the upcoming exercise, steps in with a grin, eager to explain.
Ryu: (excitedly) That's the fun part! The quickest way to find out your element is through a basic Leaf Test. It's simple but effective. You take a leaf, focus your mana into it, and the way the leaf reacts will reveal your element.
The group looks intrigued, and Ryu continues, walking them through the process.
Ryu: (demonstrating) If the leaf becomes stiff and heavy, you've got Earth. If it burns, you've got Fire. If it flutters and becomes cold, you've got Wind. If it flows in your hand and stretches, that's Water. And if it becomes sharp like steel, that's Lightning.
The group exchanges excited glances. Each of them is eager to see which element they'll unlock. Without wasting time, they all head into the forest, gathering leaves from the trees that surround their temporary camp.
Narrator: The test is simple, but the implications are profound. As the group returns to the clearing with their leaves in hand, they can feel the anticipation building. This is the moment where they'll discover their true potential.
Kirito watches as they all sit down in a circle, leaves in hand. He steps forward, his voice calm and instructive.
Kirito: (calmly) Now, focus on your mana as raw as it is. Channel it into the leaf and concentrate on your core. Let your element reveal itself to you.
Aria is the first to try, sitting cross-legged as she closes her eyes, focusing her mana. Her leaf flutters lightly in her hand before it grows cold, a small breeze swirling around her.
Ryu: (impressed) Wind! That suits you, Aria.
Aria opens her eyes, smiling as she feels the cool air around her. Commander Elara, ever the leader, is next. She channels her Flame Mana with ease, and as expected, her leaf quickly bursts into flames before disintegrating in her hand.
Commander Elara: (confidently) Fire. No surprises there.
Asher sits quietly, concentrating deeply. His leaf doesn't burn or stiffen, but instead begins to flow and stretch as though it were turning into water. The leaf molds around his hand like liquid.
Asher: (smiling) Water. Interesting.
Zarek's turn follows. His leaf ignites, burning brightly in his hand, confirming his connection to Fire like Commander Elara. He seems pleased, though a bit surprised.
Zarek: (quietly) I didn't expect that.
Finally, Eren and Rylan both close their eyes and focus. Their leaves begin to shift almost immediately, becoming sharper, their edges gleaming like blades. The leaves harden, glowing faintly as they take on a metallic sheen.
Rylan: (surprised) Lightning… we both have Lightning.
Eren looks at his hand in awe, feeling the power of Lightning Mana buzzing through his veins. The energy feels electric, wild, and untapped. He exchanges a look with Rylan, a mutual understanding forming between them.
Kirito: (impressed) Two lightning users. That's rare. You both possess immense potential.
Narrator: The results of the Leaf Test reveal the group's hidden potential. Each of them is connected to a primal element, a force that they've yet to fully understand. The excitement of unlocking their elemental abilities is tempered by the knowledge that harnessing this power will take time and effort.
Kirito and Ryu exchange glances, clearly impressed by how quickly the group adapted to the test. Their battlefield experience has honed their abilities, making the process of unlocking their elemental mana smoother than most.
Kirito: (nodding) You've all adapted quickly, and that shows your experience. But unlocking your element is only the first step. The next phase will be learning to harness it within your core. It's what will change the nature of your mana.
The group listens intently, knowing the journey to mastering Elemental Mana will not be easy. Commander Elara steps forward, her authoritative tone cutting through the excitement.
Commander Elara: (seriously) We've made progress, but don't get ahead of yourselves. This is only the beginning. We still have to harness these elements properly if we're going to survive the challenges ahead.
Ryu claps his hands together, his grin infectious as he addresses the group.
Ryu: (excitedly) Exactly! So, let's take a break, gather our energy, and we'll move on to the next lesson. Trust me, you'll need it.
Narrator: The group takes a moment to rest, the weight of what they've just learned settling over them. The road ahead is long, and the dangers are real, but with their Elemental Mana awakened, they're one step closer to reaching their full potential—and one step closer to stopping the Aquarians.
The chapter ends with the group sitting quietly, each lost in thought as they contemplate their new abilities. The path to Zisteria is still ahead, but with the power of the elements at their fingertips, they may finally be ready to face what lies beyond.