The next morning, Yuuto woke early, eager to begin his training. The stone cottage was quiet, the only sound being the gentle rustling of leaves outside the window. The night before, Yuuto had spent hours poring over the tome Thalia had given him, absorbing as much information as he could. The book outlined the fundamental principles of magic in Aetheria—how mana flowed through the environment, the basics of spell formation, and the different schools of magic that governed the elements.
But today wasn't just about theory.
Thalia had promised him practical training, and Yuuto couldn't wait to get started. He had learned powerful spells from the Ascendant System, like Fireball and Arcane Bind, but his approach had always been instinctive. Now, with Thalia's guidance, he hoped to truly understand the mechanics behind those spells—and learn new ones.
Thalia was already outside when Yuuto stepped into the morning sunlight. The garden surrounding the cottage was a sea of vibrant, glowing plants, their magical energy pulsing in time with the natural flow of mana. Thalia stood in the center of the clearing, waiting for him, her arms crossed and her sharp eyes assessing him as he approached.
"You're up early," she said with a hint of approval in her voice. "Good. We've got a lot to cover today."
Yuuto nodded, eager to begin. "I've been reading through the tome you gave me. It's a lot to take in, but I'm ready to start practicing."
Thalia smirked and waved her hand, summoning a small, glowing orb of mana into existence. It hovered in the air between them, its light flickering like a flame. "Before you start throwing around powerful spells, you need to master the basics. We'll begin with something simple but fundamental: Elemental Bolt."
Yuuto's eyes lit up. He had heard of Elemental Bolt before—an entry-level spell that allowed mages to channel different elements into a concentrated bolt of energy. It was a versatile spell, and learning to control the elements was one of the first steps on the path to becoming a true mage.
"Elemental Bolt," Thalia began, "isn't just about firing magic at your target. It's about learning how to channel the elements—fire, water, earth, and air—and using your mana to shape them into a single point of focus. If you can master this, you'll be able to combine different elements in more complex spells later on."
She gestured to the orb floating between them, and it flickered before shifting from a warm orange glow to a deep blue, then to a vibrant green, and finally to a pale, wispy white.
"Each element has its own properties," Thalia explained. "Fire burns, water flows, earth is solid, and air moves freely. To cast Elemental Bolt, you need to connect with one of these elements, gather its mana, and then release it in a focused attack. But first, you need to choose which element to start with."
Yuuto considered her words carefully. His natural affinity leaned toward fire, as Fireball had always felt the most intuitive to him. But he also knew that mastering other elements would give him greater versatility in combat. After a moment, he nodded to himself.
"I'll start with fire," Yuuto said, his voice steady.
Thalia raised an eyebrow, a slight smile tugging at her lips. "A bold choice. Fire is powerful, but it's also dangerous. Control is key. If you let your emotions get the better of you, fire can consume you as easily as it does your enemies."
Yuuto nodded, fully aware of the risks. He had seen firsthand how easily fire could spiral out of control, but he was confident in his ability to focus.
Thalia stepped back, giving him space in the clearing. "All right, let's see what you've got. Focus on the mana inside you, and then channel it through your staff. Visualize the fire taking shape—feel the heat, the energy, and then release it in a controlled burst."
Yuuto took a deep breath, steadying himself as he closed his eyes. He reached inward, focusing on the flow of mana in his body, the warmth of energy pulsing through his veins. Fire was raw, untamed, but also powerful. He visualized it as a roaring flame, contained in the palm of his hand, ready to be unleashed.
With his mind focused on the element of fire, Yuuto raised his staff and began channeling his mana into it. The tip of the staff glowed faintly at first, but the light quickly intensified as the heat of the fire began to build. Yuuto's eyes snapped open, and with a flick of his wrist, he released the energy.
A bolt of fiery orange shot forward from his staff, streaking through the air and slamming into a tree on the far side of the clearing. The impact left a scorch mark on the bark, but the fire dissipated quickly, leaving only a wisp of smoke behind.
Yuuto lowered his staff, a satisfied grin on his face.
Thalia nodded approvingly. "Not bad. Your control was steady, and the mana flow was smooth. But remember, fire is unpredictable. You need to be able to adjust on the fly, especially if you're using it in battle."
She gestured toward the tree again, and this time, the ground beneath it shifted, small rocks rising up from the earth. "Try it again, but this time, I'll make things a little more difficult."
Yuuto's grin faded as he realized what she was doing. The small stones began to whirl around the tree, creating a protective barrier of sorts. He would have to time his attack perfectly, threading the fire bolt between the gaps in the rotating stones.
"All right," Yuuto muttered to himself. "Focus."
He raised his staff again, this time taking a few moments to concentrate more deeply. The swirling stones made the target more difficult, but Yuuto wasn't deterred. He could feel the fire inside him, waiting to be unleashed. He just needed to direct it with precision.
Closing his eyes briefly, Yuuto visualized the path the fire would take, the timing of the stones, and the moment when the gap would open. He channeled his mana into his staff, feeling the heat building once more, and then—
"Elemental Bolt!"
A second bolt of fire erupted from his staff, faster and more controlled than the first. It streaked through the air, twisting between the moving stones, and struck the tree with pinpoint accuracy. The impact sent a burst of flame across the bark, leaving a smoldering scorch mark.
Thalia clapped her hands once, clearly impressed. "Well done, Yuuto. You've got the basics down, and your control is better than most novices I've seen. But fire isn't the only element you need to master."
Yuuto let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, feeling a surge of pride at her praise. "I'm ready for the next one."
Thalia smiled and stepped forward, her hands glowing with mana as she summoned a swirling orb of blue water into existence. "Let's see how you handle Water Bolt."
The next few hours were spent cycling through the elements, each one presenting its own unique challenges. Water Bolt was fluid and required precise timing to strike with the full force of the current. Earth Bolt demanded focus and grounding, the weight of the earth making it slower but more powerful. Air Bolt was light and quick, but hard to control due to its unpredictability.
Yuuto struggled with each element at first, but as he practiced, his connection to the mana around him deepened. He learned to adapt to the shifting nature of each element, feeling their strengths and weaknesses and using them to his advantage.
By midday, Yuuto was drenched in sweat, but a sense of accomplishment filled him. He had successfully cast each Elemental Bolt and had gained a better understanding of how mana interacted with the natural world. His body was tired, but his mind was sharper than ever.
Thalia watched him closely, her expression thoughtful. "You've made excellent progress, Yuuto. But remember, these are just the basics. You're only beginning to understand the true depth of magic in Aetheria. The path ahead is long and dangerous, but with discipline, you'll master far more than just the elements."
Yuuto nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. He had taken the first step on the arcane path, and though there were many challenges ahead, he was ready to face them.
As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting a warm glow over the clearing, Yuuto knew that his journey as a mage was truly beginning. And with each new spell he learned, he was one step closer to mastering the magic of Aetheria.