[Before reading: I hope my writing style suits you, as I can easily understand that some readers might be confused by the fact that it is indeed very descriptive and primarily recalls certain basics of the Tower of God universe. However, all of this is to help each reader easily follow the story without needing to consult the Wiki. I also thank you for your feedback, and I hope you enjoy this chapter!]
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Even when Yeong turned 15 and was extremely skilled in wielding the two flames inherited from his mother at birth, he continued to train under Yirang's guidance, facing numerous Shinheuh to ascend the tower as quickly as possible and try to beat Urek Mazino's previous record. However, he needed a Shinsu control style that wasn't just a mere copy of his mother's, from which he also couldn't fully draw, as most of his mother's techniques required an immense mastery of Shinsu that he did not yet possess.
And nothing is better for perfecting his endurance and flames than practising in extreme conditions where the Shinsu is highly dense. That's why we find our main character on a high floor with constant snowfall. This floor is located in the outer tower, where those born inside the tower usually reside, eagerly waiting to be selected by Headon to ascend to the inner tower afterwards.
Faced with a cave carved into the mountain, from which emerged a large number of monstrous giant wolves, the heir of the Yeon showed no loss of courage in the face of such danger. On the contrary, he drew his needle, infused with a blazing flame of pink and white despite the surrounding Shinsu pressure, and effortlessly cut down more than ten wolves charging at him. Yet, despite this feat, he remained unsatisfied.
"I must admit, your handling of the needle is as graceful as it is deadly. And your intelligent use of your flames, even in this environment, is certainly not diminished; you would make an excellent fisherman, no doubt. However..." His mother, who was observing him, began to speak, adding a point that resonated with his deepest dissatisfaction. "You know perfectly well what I'm going to say, but you can never be a wave controller if your mastery of Shinsu outside of yourself is as weak or even nonexistent as it is. If you want to be like me and surpass me in the future, you need to learn my positions from when I was active within the tower"
Frustration was evident on Yeong's face. "I know it better than anyone, Mother! But despite all my efforts and your advice, I still can't form a single sphere of Shinsu! So to address this problem, I decided to focus solely on enhancing my flames, my body, and finally my weapon handling, because I don't want to become weak. Moreover, from what I've heard, Urek Mazino's entire fighting style relies on body enhancement through Shinsu, which I can also partially achieve through our flames."
But Yirang scolded him angrily "But you are not Urek Mazino, Yeong. You are a Yeon. Your flames could spread across an entire floor if you knew how to master the Shinsu around you. Don't waste your talent that can take you to great heights!"
Yeong also grew angry in protest. " But I simply can't do it! Even when you tell me that Shinsu is like air outside the tower, I don't understand anything, because I entered the tower when I was just an infant! But if, Mother, you have a magical solution, then give it to me urgently!"
As usual, Yirang paid little attention to her son's tantrum but instead contemplated the present problem to find a solution. "Mmm, this may be since you were a baby, you've always been immersed in Shinsu, and until now, you've only used the innate gift I bestowed upon you. Consequently, your body must not be accustomed to wanting to control Shinsu that isn't part of you. The only possible solution to resolve your issue, which I initially wanted to avoid, would be to make a contract with an administrator of the tower so that they could grant you the ability to wield Shinsu outside of yourself. But this would create chains that could limit your full potential."
"I want this, Mother! It's the only way to achieve my goal. No matter if I have chains; the chains of weakness are even worse!" Yeong exclaimed loudly before asking a question about his situation. "But am I the only irregular one to have such a problem? And is it really because I've been immersed in Shinsu since I was little that I have these issues?"
"Indeed, you are the first irregular to have such a problem, although you should not be discouraged. This proves that even we great warriors needed a contract to use the basics of Shinsu that we did not know, which created chains that still bind us even after all these millennia. But to answer your other question, I can only make hypotheses about the reason that prevents you from wielding Shinsu, my son, because it may also be that my advice does not apply to you, who has been able to use Shinsu since your earliest childhood. As I have told you many times, in the form of a maxim, if you don't understand how Shinsu works, you will never be able to control it outside of yourself."
But when she uttered these words, she paused, thinking of someone from her past who had a way of wielding Shinsu like no one else. "However, there is an anomaly that breaks this principle, Blossom. She was the best among all of us at controlling Shinsu, yet she never taught us how she accomplished all her feats because even she didn't know how she controlled Shinsu... Perhaps she is the only one who could help you, but she would have no interest in doing so, and above all, she is extremely lazy. Right now, she is probably sleeping..."
But at the same moment she was speaking, a powerful presence made its appearance on the floor, unleashing a wave of purple Shinsu so strong that it killed most of the Shinheuh. The source of this wave turned out to be a beautiful woman with flowing pink hair, hovering in the air just above the Head of the Yeon family.
This woman spoke in a voice that was both tired and relaxed. "Well, Rang, I never thought you would dare to slander me, but in any case, we have all changed..."
"Indeed, we have all changed, but you can't hold my comment against me, knowing that if there's one thing that hasn't changed about you, it's your laziness, Blossom," said Yirang, dissipating the flame shield around herself and her heir.
Blossom was unfazed by the criticism she received so frequently and simply yawned in response. "Hooahh... I'm tired; that nap lasted only five centuries..." she said before turning her eyes toward Yeong. "So, the information I received upon waking was true; you do have a son. I wouldn't have believed it until I saw him in the flesh before me today."
Yeong felt uncomfortable under the gaze and the Shinsu emanating from the head of the Eurasia family, but his mother reassured him by placing her hand on his shoulder. Then she became suspicious of her former companion's presence. "Blossom, while I don't mind revisiting the past with you, I have serious doubts about your presence here. I wonder what exactly prompted you to wake up and come to this floor to meet us."
Faced with this accusation, Blossom shrugged and created a bed with her Shinsu simply by imagining it. She lay down on it before replying honestly "Don't attribute any bad intentions to me, Rang. I didn't even know you would be here when I came. It's all that old fool Tperie's fault for daring to wake me from my sweet slumber. He told me that the only key to freeing my daughter Enne would be on this floor. I didn't think he was speaking metaphorically about your child."
"So after Zahard, Tperie is also highly interested in my child for his projects. That doesn't bode well..." Yirang thought to herself.
Blossom snapped her fingers to summon a drink into her delicate hands before taking a sip. "But enough about Tperie. Tell me more about that young boy, because if you're so concerned about him, he must be much more than just a simple irregular, am I right?"
"To briefly introduce him, he is a kind, even very naive young boy who has a dream that may seem insurmountable, to change the 10 great families at their roots by recovering what each of us has lost, Blossom." she summarized with a hint of pride.
Blossom was surprised for a moment, but upon hearing her former friend speak, she responded with an unusually serious tone "You know, Rang, Enne was also considered naive throughout her ascent because of her pacifism. But in the end, what everyone remembers is her madness, so I sincerely think you should cherish his naivety while you have him near. And you know, I like this child because I understand better than anyone that dreams are what matter most. It's precise because we had fewer dreams like his that we have become these monstrous beings"
The head of the Yeon family began to consider the words she had heard from Blossom's mouth as the most powerful wave controller in history got out of her bed and lazily approached Yeong. "Child of Rang, I propose a deal: if you free my daughter Enne during your ascent of the tower, I will agree to recover my lost memories. And know that I am certain another head of a family will do the same if you succeed."
"I accept your deal, Lady Blossom! I will go save your daughter, Enne, so you can recover your memories, even if it makes me an enemy of the king of the tower!" Yeong exclaimed with conviction, not even waiting for his mother to wisely advise him to consider the proposal before accepting.
"Ha ha ha, your child amuses me greatly, Rang," Blossom laughed sincerely. "He dares to utter such words that could cost him his life, with such conviction. In that regard, he ironically reminds me of Zahard or even V."
"I understand why you like him; you're similar to him in mentioning the taboo name of our former friend, then enemy, with such ease," Yirang said seriously, while the heir of the Yeon family called out to Blossom to make a bold request.
And so, Yeong bowed respectfully. "Lady Blossom, allow me to learn Shinsu by your side so that I can defeat my future enemies who would prevent me from rescuing your daughter."
"It seems that Rang has not only taught you to wield flames but also words," Blossom replied. "But you must certainly know that during all my millennia of existence, I have never had a single student, not even among the irregulars. Because my handling of Shinsu is intuitive and not intellectual, unlike Gustang or all the others."
But this didn't discourage him in the least. "That's exactly why I want to be taught by you, the best because intellectual methods don't work for me. I want to be able to use the ambient Shinsu and ultimately control the course of every battle, as is required of the Wave Controller position."
"I accept, however, if you complain, or if I am dissatisfied with your results, then you will immediately return to your mothership. I do not wish to make any unnecessary efforts, as that is far too tiring for me. Even now, all I want is to return to my bed and get some rest," she said to him in a brusque tone.
Yeong couldn't be happier at that moment, and then he turned to his mother for her approval, which she gave with a silent nod. "Yes, I will do my best to meet your highest expectations, Lady Blossom."
Blossom, seeing that Yirang accepted her son's request, took Yeong's hand while yawning cheerfully. "Since your child seems willing to part from you for a while to train, we have no time to waste, Rang." Then she turned to her future student. "Dear child, let's go to my family's mothership. I can't wait to get back to my bed; this journey has already exhausted me," she said before opening a Shinsu portal to her home."
Yirang couldn't help but feel slightly nostalgic as she watched her child leave with Blossom through the portal, but she was also proud that he could live without her help and take his initiative. She hoped with all her heart that her colleague would help with the problems Yeong faced with the Shinsu so that he could overcome all the future obstacles that would come his way.
And her wish will certainly be fulfilled in the best possible way.