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"I…am a genius."
Looking at Aiden's punchable face, Mira's veins popped out on both sides of her skull as she battled her innermost desire of throwing that punch.
His stupidity aside, it was his healing factor that truly caught her attention.
"How did you do that? Is it also a perk of the Force?" Mira asked as she grabbed his palm to inspect.
"Exactly." Aiden replied and pulled his hand back. "Anyways, what are you doing here?"
"The same thing you are." Mira replied and pulled a chair beside him and sat down . "Looking for ways to get stronger."
"That…isn't exactly what I'm doing." Aiden said with a wry smile. "I was barely trying to understand why…I am a genius." He finished with a furrowed brow.
He had intended on telling Mira about his access to other Elemental Magic but decided to just settle for the one he'd already shown her. He wouldn't want to overload her with a series of shocks.
"Ha-Ha." Mira laughed sarcastically and rolled her eyes. "If you're that much of a genius, why don't you help me get stronger?" Upon asking that, she stood up and made to walk away.
"Is that all?" Aiden asked softly which caused her to pause. "Is that all you want from me?"
"It'll be a start…" she said, not knowing what Aiden was thinking about now.
In the magic tower, other than the academy teachers, it was rare for magicians of the sorcerer rank and below to share their secrets or knowledge pertaining to the arcane arts.
"Hmm. A minor challenge." Aiden said and stood up from his chair and walked towards a peculiarly designed bookshelf a distance from his initial seating position. "Spirit Magic."
"Spirit Magic? Isn't it that ridiculously hard branch of Magic that's not even taught extensively these days..?" Mira asked while shooting him a confused gaze. "How's that supposed to make me stronger?"
"What do you know about spirit magic?" Aiden asked as he went through the books on the shelf."
Mira rolled her eyes in annoyance before replying. "It's the branch of magic that deals with the summoning of various spirits from the astral plane of existence."
"Hmm. That's what the Tower has documented from years ago, but due to no significant Mage majoring and bringing out the true potential of the art, it was discarded." Aiden said and picked a book and flipped it open.
"Spirit Magic is the practice that involves interacting with spirits, entities that are non-physical and ethereal in nature. It encompasses the ability to summon, communicate with, bind, and harness the powers of spirits for various purposes, such as protection, guidance, healing, or combat."
Aiden looked up and saw that Mira was paying attention, but these were all things that she already knew as they were taught in the Tower. Nonetheless, he continued.
"Spirit Magic can involve a wide range of spirits, including elemental spirits, ancestral spirits, nature spirits, or even the spirits of the dead, depending on the setting."
Mira sighed at this point and asked. "Aren't you just repeating what's on the page of that book?"
"Hmm. But wait, I'm getting at something." Aiden gestured for her to be quiet for a moment and continued. "These spirits are embodiments of natural forces such as earth, fire, water, air, wood, and metal, among many others.
Mira groaned and continued exactly where Aiden was about to continue from. "When a practitioner makes a contract with one or more elemental spirits, they become Elemental Avatars, champions or representatives of the elemental forces."
"Wow. You're right." Aiden rolled his eyes and said sarcastically.
"What are you getting at?" Mira asked.
"Simple." Aiden said and casually waved his hand, causing the book to flip furiously before coming to a stop just as Aiden brought his hand back down on it. "Become your own Avatar."
"What? Become my own Avatar?" Mira asked, perplexed, to which Aiden shrugged and replied. "Yes. Let your body become the Avatar to your Spirit."
Mira blinked, her mind trying but struggling to process his words. "You're not making sense, Aiden. An Avatar is supposed to be a separate entity or form, not me. What does that even mean?"
"Let me explain," Aiden said, "As you are already aware, Spirit Energy is the bridge between your body and your Soul, the very essence of your being," he began, his voice steady and precise. "Every living being has a Soul. It's the heart of their potential, housing not just their life force, but the connection to the Astral plane. By tapping into it, you can unlock abilities that surpass the scopes of magic."
Mira crossed her arms, skeptical. "And how does one tap into their Soul? You're making it sound way too easy."
Aiden chuckled. "It's not easy. Far from it. Spirit Energy doesn't regenerate like mana or aura. It comes from your Soul and is tied to your very existence."
"Overuse it, and you'll damage yourself—physically, mentally, and spiritually. The Soul is fragile. If it shatters…you'll either die or…well, you die." Aiden finished with a shrug.
There was no saving someone with a shattered soul was there?
Mira's eyes narrowed. "So, what? This Soul is some sort of bomb inside me?"
"If you put it that way, then there is a bomb in everyone," Aiden said, leaning back. "It's more of a reservoir. Spirit Energy replenishes through rest basically. When your mind, body, and Spirit are in balance, it regenerates naturally. Meditation, communion with your Spirit, and certain spiritual techniques are also ways to accelerate its recovery."
She raised an eyebrow. "And if you run out? What happens then?"
"You collapse. Your body breaks down. Your Spirit detaches from your physical form. Worst case? You die. That's why Spirit Magic is dangerous."
Mira swallowed hard, a cold sensation creeping up her spine. "And you're suggesting I use this dangerous power? Are you insane?"
Aiden's grin widened. "No. I'm suggesting you master it. Become your Spirit."
---
Mira stared at him as though he'd lost his mind. "How does one become their Spirit? Is this some poetic nonsense, or do you actually have a point?"
Aiden held up a finger. "Your Spirit is you—your truest self. The Spirit Core within the Soul is its anchor, while your body is its Avatar. If you can awaken your Spirit Core and learn your Spirit's name, that name is the key to unlocking your Spirit's power and forming a perfect bond."
"You're still not making sense," Mira said, her frustration mounting.
Aiden sighed and flipped to another page in the book. "Alright, think of it this way. Your Spirit isn't just some external entity—it's the manifestation of your essence. Every Spirit has a form, a shape that reflects who you are. When you call upon that form, your body becomes its Avatar. You gain abilities tied to your Spirit's nature. You become it, in a way."
He pointed at an illustration in the book. It depicted a mage surrounded by ethereal flames, their body glowing as though it were made of fire. "See this? That mage isn't summoning a spirit to fight alongside them. They've bonded with their Spirit and become its physical representation—its Avatar. That's the essence of Spirit Magic at its highest level."
Mira's skepticism reduced by a bit as she studied the image. "That sounds…powerful. But also incredibly risky."
"It is," Aiden admitted. "When you become your Spirit's Avatar, you're channeling its full power through your body. If you lose control or overextend yourself, the Spirit Core can crack under the strain. That's why this practice was mostly abandoned—too many died trying to master it."
"And you think I can do it?" Mira asked, her voice softer.
"I know you can," Aiden said, his tone unwavering. "But only if you're willing to take the risk and trust me to guide you."
---
Mira's fingers tightened around the chair's armrest. The thought of stepping into such uncharted, dangerous territory was daunting. Yet, the promise of unparalleled power was tempting. "Alright," she said, her voice steady. "What's the first step?"
Aiden smiled, closing the book. "We need to awaken your Spirit Core. For that, we'll need meditation, focus, and…" He glanced at the clock. "…probably a whole lot of patience. You ready?"
Mira took a deep breath, her eyes filled with determination. "Let's do this."
…
By making contracts with elemental spirits, Elemental Avatars gain extraordinary abilities based on the elemental spirit they have bonded with.
These abilities typically include an increased output in the manipulation of said element, shape-shifting to embody their element, healing and regeneration.
There was also an added perk of being able to blend with their element, becoming impervious in an environment dominated by their elemental force.
A fire avatar can thrive in fire, while a water avatar can survive underwater indefinitely. The same was the case for the Plant Avatar.
"So..? What do you think?" Aiden asked with a deep voice which Mira recognised.
This was the tone Aiden always used when he was confident about something that any rational human would see as a potential failure. "There's the risk of death upon failure."
"Keyword being…Failure." Aiden said and sat up. "Do you intend to fail?"
Mira narrowed her eyes at him before resolutely snapping the book shut and picking it up. Placing it under her arm, she stood up and gazed down at Aiden. "Seems like I'll be having that first win after so long."
"You'd have to come back safely to request the match in the first place." Aiden said sarcastically, and just as she was about to leave his voice area, he added. "Please come back."
"...Humph." Mira who heard the last part harrumphed coldly and walked away, her eyes steeled as she reaffirmed herself of her victory. Whatever it may be, she would be sure to come back as an Avatar.
It was only in this way that she could gain an advantage over him.
…
Aiden watched as Mira walked away and let out a deep, almost imperceptible sigh before leaning back in his chair. The sound of the heavy door closing behind her seemed louder than it should have been, and for a moment, the library was eerily quiet.
He stared at the empty space where she had sat, feeling a subtle unease wash over him. "Idiot," he muttered to himself, rubbing the back of his neck. "Please, do take care?"
He did not truly know what Spirit Magic had in store for Mira, but he truly hoped that she would try her luck at the chance of a power boost before the coming apocalypse.
With the looming arrival of Darkseid, Aiden could only hope that his friends make it out alive.
He already knew they would win.
In the movies, it was shown that the Old Gods managed to drive him off.
What was not mentioned however, was the amount of people who died before that could happen.
Aiden was not foolish enough to believe he could survive whatever would come his way on the battlefield, not to mention worrying about others.
Aiden shifted his gaze to the bookshelves lining the walls, thinking about the dangerous path he had just nudged Mira toward.
He knew she was capable, but the risks involved with becoming a Spirit Avatar were significant.
Death wasn't just a possibility; it was almost a certainty if she botched the process
And yet, something in him refused to stop her.
Perhaps he knew that Mira wouldn't listen even if he did. The look of determination in her eyes weren't ones he could turn down. Doing so may lead her down a path more dangerous than his.
With a resigned shake of his head, Aiden stood up, pushing his chair back before making his way toward the exit. He had his own goals to focus on, his research into other elemental magic and the mysterious workings of the Force.
Just as Aiden stepped outside the library into the bustling courtyard, a loud chime reverberated through the air, causing him to stop in his tracks.
His head snapped up in alertness at the unfamiliar sound alert that filled the tower grounds. A glowing orb of energy, hovering mid-air, broadcast a single message to all Mages:
"All Mages of the Central Tower, report immediately to the Central Assembly Hall. This is a high-priority command. I repeat, all Mages must report to the Central Assembly Hall without delay."
Aiden's brows furrowed as the message repeated itself. Something was happening. And from the tone of the broadcast, it wasn't good. "Great timing," Aiden muttered, he could already surmise what could have led to such an urgent message.
As for Finn and Jaxon…'They will manage.'
He turned toward the direction of the Central Tower, where the assembly hall was located. The courtyard was quickly filled with Mages of varying ranks, all moving with purpose, their robes fluttering as they made their way to the gathering.
Aiden advanced forward, stepping apace as he moved as he moved.