Training started as usual. They all sat in the center of Bronzehenge, surrounded by rich stones and rare flowers as they tirelessly worked to absorb the Ambient-Mana in the air.
Only now, they were joined by a new student. Logan Peltwalker, Beast-Slayer and Tamer evidently. Even more so, a talented cultivator of Ambient-Mana.
The greenery hummed with power around him as he absorbed the Ambient-Mana in the air and returned bursts of Inner-Mana back into the grass. The sun's rays seemed hyper-focused on where he sat. As if the goddess Solari-RaLug found his statuesque nature riveting.
"Well done, Logan! You are Rooting expertly-- I can feel it in the ground!." Professor Switch said as he walked through the seated mass of junior initiates.
Logan didn't respond. Not a braided hair moved on his head. Or on his Wolf who curled around him and slept.
Professor Switch continued walking and instructing, though it felt more like he just enjoyed the sound of his own voice to Murciel.
"Remember everyone, absorbing Ambient-Mana should be as easy as breathing. It was made for us. Mother Nature demands it. When The Pulse came from Earth's core, it's magical essence was supposed to decimate us, leave what remains to be changed into Bone-Wraiths and Ashen-Ghosts. But the roots-- the trees and leaves and plants, filtered and transformed the essence, allowing us a fighting chance against greater threats. There's balance in that, wouldn't you agree? Nature saved us, so we must return the favor."
Murciel snarled under his breath, "Can I get at least a moment of silence!?"
Olivander sighed, "Some days I think the reason I haven't reached the next Cultivation Stage is because I'm never able to fully focus with Mr. Flappinggums over here--"
Murciel failed to hide his chuckle at the visual of Professor Switch with giant flapping gums.
The older wispy man spun around from across the clearing. His dark grey robe twisted and folded as he shifted into a twelve foot tall grizzly bear and roared at them.
"My apologies..." Olivander and Murciel grumbled.
With nothing more to do but hours of Ambient-Mana Absorption training, Murciel dug in.
He tried to ignore how weird his body felt since the battle earlier in the morning. His hand still stung. He still felt for the hair on his knuckles. He still wondered what his mother would say when she saw him. Or vise versa.
The mind was an annoying thing more often than not. He pushed the thoughts aside and felt for the roots beneath him. Where the Ambient- Mana was fresh and hot like fire.
He dug his feet into the grass and combed through it with his fingers.
Air entered in through his open mouth, with it he rose, straightening and flexing his muscles, becoming firm like a strong tree. Then, he exhaled and sank into the earth, spreading his itchy fingers and widening his back.
"Become one with the grass on that exhale. Become what you desire. Get close to the roots, whisper a prayer. Then, return." Professor Switch said, still in his bear form.
After the exhale, Muriel felt heavier. Almost glued to the grass and flowers-- like if he tried to stand, they'd all rip free and rise with him, or he'd break under their connection to the ground.
He was rooted. Connected to his source of power.
On the next inhale, his world transformed as Ambient-Mana flooded his very being.
His hearing magnified, he could hear worms miles beneath the earth twisting madly in damp earth. It took him a moment to realize the sudden shapes in his vision. He was seeing them. Somehow....?
He could smell the blood of a freshly hunted deer up north. He could see them too. Even closer, he could smell Olivanders blood as a mosquito dined on his neck.
Murciel shook off the thought.
Every inhale felt like it was filling him with twice as much oxygen as before. The energizing effect made his body warm all ov-
His vision went red. Only for a flash, but when his vision returned, the students were standing and dusting themselves off. He was sweating bullets.
"Woahhhhh, Mercy. Shape-shifting is a High-Mortal Cultivation Stage Druid Skill! There's people in Silverhenge that still struggle with it. Howd you manage that?!" Olivander looked down at Murciel's hand.
Murciel followed his eyes and found what the man was referring to.
It was just like before. Claws extended from each finger, not exactly talons but similar. Like he was working to assume the form of some winged creature. Only he had no feathers. Just a thin covering of dark fur.
It faded at the sound of Professor Switch's voice.
"Alright, young seeds. Your work here was satisfactory-- at least for most of you. Now you'll learn the importance of being able to Absorb Ambient-Mana. Partner up, it's time to spar."
Murciel shook off the bizzare shapeshift and turned to make his way across the clearing. His target stood alone, none of the other students seemed interested in sparring him after he already showcased his talent for Druidry.
Before he could reach him, the wolf hybrid once sleeping burst to it's feet and stood in front of Logan. The black strip of fur running down it's back stood on end, making the wolf seem even larger. And spikier.
Murciel leaned to the side to see Logan standing carelessly in his brown travelers cloak.
"Fight me."