The forbidden magic knowledge that Yuuto had unlocked from the Ascendant System weighed heavily on his mind. Though the information granted him a deeper understanding of the dark forces lurking in Aetheria, he was cautious of the potential dangers that came with it. However, with each passing day, Yuuto grew more certain that in order to fight the corruption spreading across the land, he needed to expand his magical repertoire, especially in areas of magic that could counter the darkness.
One type of magic had always fascinated Yuuto: Elemental Magic. While he had dabbled in basic spells like Fireball and Earth Barrier, he knew that his mastery of elemental magic was still in its infancy. He could sense that elemental forces were key to maintaining balance in Aetheria—forces that could not only empower him but also serve as the perfect counterbalance to the dark, corrupted magic he had learned about.
It was time to dive deeper into the elemental arts, to harness the raw power of fire, water, earth, and air. And for that, Yuuto needed guidance.
He sought out Aethir the next morning, finding the Elf in the grove as usual, practicing his own intricate manipulation of air and earth. Yuuto watched in awe as Aethir raised his hands, effortlessly shifting the wind to create swirling gusts, while at the same time summoning stones from the ground to hover weightlessly around him.
Yuuto had learned much from Aethir, but now he needed to take his mastery of elemental magic to the next level.
"Aethir," Yuuto called, stepping into the clearing. "I want to focus on mastering Elemental Magic—to take my abilities with the elements further than I've gone before."
Aethir turned, his eyes reflecting the serene calm of the wind he commanded. "Elemental Magic requires not only control but a deep connection to the forces of nature. It's not simply about summoning fire or moving the earth—it's about becoming one with the elements themselves."
Yuuto nodded. "I've been using basic elemental spells, but I feel like there's so much more to it—something I haven't tapped into yet. Can you teach me?"
Aethir considered Yuuto for a moment before nodding. "Very well. You've proven your skill in Mana Manipulation, and you've learned to respect the balance of magic. But elemental forces are ancient and powerful. To wield them effectively, you need to understand their nature."
He gestured to the grove around them, where the trees swayed gently in the breeze, the earth beneath them solid and unyielding, and the faint scent of water from a nearby stream filled the air.
"Fire, water, earth, air," Aethir began, his voice steady. "Each element represents a fundamental aspect of life and creation. Fire is destruction and rebirth. Water is adaptability and flow. Earth is stability and strength. And air is freedom and change. To master these elements, you must not only control them—you must embody them."
Yuuto listened closely, feeling a spark of excitement growing within him. He had felt glimpses of what Aethir was describing in his previous training—how fire roared through him, how the earth provided strength beneath his feet. But he knew there was so much more to learn.
Aethir stepped closer, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Before we begin, I need to ask you something, Yuuto. What drives you to seek mastery over the elements?"
Yuuto paused, searching for the right words. "I want to protect the people I care about. But more than that, I want to understand the power of magic in this world. If I can master elemental magic, I can fight back against the darkness that's spreading through Aetheria."
Aethir studied Yuuto's expression for a moment before nodding. "A noble goal. The elements can be powerful allies in your quest. But remember, they are forces of nature, not tools to be used recklessly."
With that, Aethir stepped back and raised his hand, summoning a swirl of mana around him. "We'll start with Fire—the most volatile of the elements. Fire consumes, but it also gives life. Without fire, there would be no light, no warmth. To control fire, you must understand its dual nature."
Yuuto focused, extending his own mana toward the flicker of fire Aethir summoned between his hands. He felt the heat immediately—the familiar burn of power—but this time, he allowed himself to truly feel the energy of the flame. It was alive, dancing between Aethir's fingers, crackling with raw intensity.
"Feel the fire," Aethir instructed. "Don't just summon it—become part of it."
Yuuto concentrated, letting the warmth of the flame flow through him. Slowly, he reached out with his own magic, guiding the fire into his own hands. For a moment, the flame hesitated, as if testing him, but then it obeyed, settling into his palm.
It was small—just a flickering flame—but Yuuto could sense the power behind it. He focused harder, trying to maintain control as he drew the fire's energy into himself. The flame grew brighter, more intense, but it didn't burn him. It felt as if the fire recognized him, accepted him.
"Good," Aethir said, his voice calm. "Now, expand it."
Yuuto took a deep breath, pushing more of his mana into the flame. The small flicker of fire burst into a roaring flame, spiraling upward into the sky. The heat was intense, but Yuuto remained focused, guiding the flame with his mind, feeling its movement like a heartbeat.
He had summoned fire before, but this was different. This wasn't just casting a spell—this was a connection to the element itself, a deeper understanding of the force that burned within him.
Aethir watched with approval as Yuuto maintained the control. "Now, extinguish it. Fire burns quickly, but you must know when to let it fade."
Yuuto nodded, drawing his mana back and allowing the fire to shrink. It flickered one last time before disappearing, leaving only a wisp of smoke in the air. He lowered his hands, breathing heavily but feeling exhilarated.
"Good," Aethir said. "You've begun to understand fire. But remember, fire can be dangerous when left unchecked. It can destroy just as easily as it can protect."
Yuuto nodded, still feeling the residual warmth of the flame in his hands. The power of fire was intoxicating, but Aethir's words reminded him of the balance he needed to maintain.
"Next," Aethir said, turning toward the nearby stream. "We move to Water."
The cool, flowing water of the stream was a stark contrast to the wild heat of fire. Aethir knelt by the stream and motioned for Yuuto to join him. "Water is about adaptability and flow. It can be gentle, but it can also be overwhelming. To control water, you must learn to flow with it, to let it guide you as much as you guide it."
Yuuto knelt beside Aethir and extended his hand over the stream. He reached out with his mana, feeling the cool energy of the water beneath his palm. It moved constantly, never still, and yet, there was a rhythm to it.
"Feel the water's movement," Aethir instructed. "Don't try to force it—just let it guide you."
Yuuto closed his eyes, focusing on the sensation of the water beneath his hand. He could feel the flow of the stream, the gentle push and pull of the current. Slowly, he allowed his mana to merge with the water, and to his surprise, the water responded, rising slightly under his hand.
He opened his eyes and watched as a small sphere of water floated above the stream, suspended in the air by his magic. It was calm, serene, and unlike the fire, it didn't feel volatile. It felt… natural.
"Good," Aethir said quietly. "Water is patient. It moves slowly but surely. It can erode mountains given enough time. Remember that."
Yuuto nodded, maintaining the sphere of water for a few more moments before allowing it to fall back into the stream. The sound of the water returning to its natural course was soothing, a reminder of the element's gentle but relentless power.
Over the next few hours, Aethir guided Yuuto through the mastery of Earth and Air. Earth was about stability and strength, a force that grounded him and gave him power over the physical world. Air was about freedom and change, a light, invisible force that could lift him and carry him forward.
By the end of the day, Yuuto felt more connected to the elements than ever before. Each one had its own unique energy, its own purpose in the natural world. And now, Yuuto understood that his mastery of magic didn't come from controlling the elements—it came from working with them.
As the sun set over Elandrial, casting long shadows through the grove, Yuuto stood before Aethir, his body and mind buzzing with the power of the elements.
"You've done well today," Aethir said, his tone filled with approval. "But remember, mastery over the elements is not about dominance. It's about balance. You are a part of this world, just as fire, water, earth, and air are. Respect them, and they will serve you well."
Yuuto nodded, feeling a deep sense of fulfillment. He had taken a significant step in his magical journey, but he knew this was only the beginning. The power of elemental magic was vast, and now that he had tasted it, he was eager to continue learning, to grow stronger in both mind and body.
As he returned to his quarters for the night, Yuuto couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. He was becoming more powerful, more connected to the world's magic. But with that power came greater challenges—and greater dangers.
And somewhere, beyond the safety of Elandrial, those dangers were waiting for him.