Silas sat in the stone chair, his back straight and hands gripping the armrests. Master Draven's golden eyes bore into him with an intensity that made the air feel heavier. The hum of magic in the room vibrated through his chest, amplifying the gravity of the moment. He had made his choice and prepared carefully.
Ice would come first. He felt a natural affinity for it and saw its potential as a foundation for something greater. He'd left space in his attunement slots for the Royal Magic, knowing he'd need both to create the fusion he envisioned.
Master Draven raised his hands, his voice calm but commanding. "Focus, Silas. Let the energy flow, let it guide you."
Silas nodded, inhaling deeply. The room seemed to embrace the cold, the chill from the stone floor creeping up through his boots. He centered himself, feeling the pulse of energy low in his chest. It was faint, but steady, like a heartbeat waiting to be awakened.
Carefully, he reached for it. The energy stirred as he drew it upward, spreading through his body in a cold, focused wave. The frost in his breath coiled in the air, proof that he had summoned it. The magic felt sharp and deliberate, a biting force waiting to be shaped.
"Now, direct it. Shape it," Draven instructed, his tone steady.
Silas exhaled and pushed the energy outward, guiding it with precision. In his mind, he visualized Ice, pure and crystalline. Slowly, the shard materialized before him—a small but perfect representation of the magic he sought. It hovered in the air, catching the dim light and refracting it like a prism.
He smiled faintly, but he wasn't finished. This was only the first step.
Draven studied him closely. "You've attuned to Ice. It will respond to you now, but your true challenge lies ahead."
The shard of Ice shimmered and dissolved as Silas released the energy, his chest rising and falling with deep breaths. He nodded, determination settling in. Ice was his foundation, but his true goal was still ahead.
Higgs found Silas shortly after, her expression unreadable as she led him through the quiet halls. "You'll meet your special mentor now," she said. Her tone was clipped, and her pace brisk, but there was a note of significance in her voice.
They stopped at a grand door engraved with intricate designs. Higgs turned to him. "Be respectful." With that, she pushed the door open.
Silas stepped inside, his breath catching. The room was thick with magic, alive with a power that made the air hum. At its center sat King Argos, his presence dominating the space. The golden light from the walls seemed to bend around him, casting shadows that flickered like living things.
Silas straightened, his nerves threatening to overtake him. But he had prepared for this moment, and he would see it through. Bowing deeply, he said, "Your Majesty. My name is Silas."
Argos's sharp gaze fell on him, scrutinizing. Silas felt the weight of it, like a tangible force pressing down on him.
The room shifted suddenly, and Silas's pulse quickened. Argos activated his Wind King Magic without a word, and the atmosphere grew dense with power. The air seemed to warp, charged with energy that pressed against Silas from all sides.
Silas clenched his fists, grounding himself as the pressure mounted. His body trembled, but his resolve held firm. He had chosen this path and prepared for its challenges.
"I am King Argos," Argos said, his voice cutting through the charged air. "You've awakened to the Royal attunement, and you've chosen to fuse it with Healing and Ice. This is... unusual. You understand this is going to be quite the undertaking, don't you?"
Silas nodded firmly, his voice steady. "I do, Your Majesty. I've left space in my attunement slots because I believe fusing these powers will unlock something entirely new. I want to see what I can create with this combination."
Argos studied him, his expression unreadable as the energy in the room settled slightly. "Good," he said after a pause. "You've thought this through. I'm here to train you—not just as a king, but as someone who understands the dangers of this power. You'll learn to control it, to use it—and to not let it control you."
He raised his hand, summoning a swirling orb of Royal Magic. The golden energy radiated warmth, pulsing as though alive. "This is the essence of Royal Magic," Argos said. "Focus on it. Try to replicate it, and show me what your fusion can achieve."
Silas reached out, his hands steady as he drew on his Ice affinity and prepared to integrate it with the Royal Magic. The orb's light brushed against his energy, blending with his magic. Slowly, a faint golden glow appeared in his hands, flickering like a candle.
Then, he summoned the Ice. The cold energy twisted through the orb, fusing seamlessly with the Royal power. Frost began to weave into the golden glow, the two energies intertwining like strands of silk. The orb pulsed brighter, reflecting the unique combination of powers Silas had envisioned.
Silas let out a shaky breath, his hands trembling as he held the fused energy. He'd done it—he'd created something new, a union of Ice and Royal Magic that pulsed with potential.
Looking up, he met Argos's gaze, his yellow eyes burning with determination. "I won't disappoint you, Your Majesty."
Argos's expression remained unreadable, but he nodded once. "Finish your final attunement with the academy—Healing. Then return to me. I will oversee your training personally. Don't disappoint me."
With that, Argos turned and left, leaving Silas standing in the center of the room, the faint chill of his Ice king magic still lingering in the air.