After finishing my grueling training and finally eating my fill in the mess hall, I found myself back in the relative silence of my room. Today was an important day. Nochtaris had promised to teach me something monumental—how to manipulate mana to control elements directly.
The small, scaled form of Nochtaris hovered before me, his wings flitting with barely audible beats. Despite his tiny stature and adorable appearance, the weight of his presence filled the room. He wore an expression of complete seriousness, a far cry from the mocking tone he often adopted. Still, it was hard to associate such a cute creature with the most feared entity in existence, a being whose name was etched into legends of destruction.
"Listen carefully," he began, his tone sharp and clear. "You've mastered controlling the flow of mana essence in a 100-meter radius—a respectable feat for a mortal. Now, you'll take the next step. You must learn to transform that mana into a particular element of your choice."
I frowned, leaning forward slightly. "How am I supposed to do that?"
"It's simple," he replied, his crimson eyes fixed on mine. "We are not directly using the elements, Kael. Instead, we're creating them. Every element has a unique frequency, a distinct nature. By understanding that nature, you'll be able to alter the mana you control and convert it into the desired element."
"So... you're saying we don't manipulate the elements themselves. Instead, we're forcing the mana to mimic their properties?" I asked, piecing his words together.
"Exactly." He nodded. "Until now, the magic you've used has involved drawing upon existing elemental forces. This, however, requires more precision. You will shape mana into an entirely new form. The element becomes an extension of your will."
I took a deep breath. "Alright, I'll try."
Closing my eyes, I extended my senses outward. The mana in the room felt like a subtle current, flowing lazily but bending easily under my command. As I concentrated, I called the mana toward me. The essence around me responded almost immediately, swirling in an invisible vortex that condensed in front of me.
"Good," Nochtaris said, his tone approving. "Now, focus. Imagine fire. Envision its essence and try to shape the mana into it."
"How am I supposed to do that? What even is fire?"
Nochtaris smiled faintly, as if amused by my ignorance. "That's for you to decide. Fire means different things to different people. It's not just heat and light—it's a concept, a force, an identity. Ask yourself: what is fire to you?"
His words struck something within me. Fire... what was it? I closed my eyes again, pushing away every distraction as I thought. Fire wasn't just warmth or illumination. It wasn't just the destruction of wood or the flicker of a candle. To me, fire was chaos—an untamed force of destruction that consumed everything in its path. It was rage, unstoppable and unrelenting. A force of creation through annihilation.
As I focused on that image, the mana in front of me shifted. A faint heat began to spread through the room, causing beads of sweat to form on my forehead. It grew stronger and stronger until it felt like the air itself was warping around me.
"Open your eyes," Nochtaris commanded.
I obeyed, and the sight before me made my breath hitch. A tiny flame flickered in the air, no larger than the flame of a candle. It burned steadily, though it seemed fragile—on the verge of extinguishing. I instinctively reached out, drawn to the warmth, and touched it.
Surprisingly, it didn't burn me. Instead, it danced across my fingers, swirling gently as if it were alive, almost playful.
"It's... so small," I said, my voice heavy with disappointment. "It's weak. Barely worth anything."
Nochtaris scoffed, folding his tiny arms. "For a creature like me, it's pitiful. But for you—a mortal—this is remarkable progress. No other human in existence could summon fire with such intensity from pure mana alone."
I watched the flame flicker across my fingers, its movements smooth and deliberate as if it had a mind of its own. "You call this strong?"
Nochtaris ignored my question, instead giving me another instruction. "Fetch something made of metal."
Confused but obedient, I rummaged through my belongings until I found a throwing knife hidden under my bed. I'd neglected to use it since I lacked proficiency in wielding it, but Korin had promised to train me with it eventually. I brought the knife to Nochtaris.
"Now," he said, gesturing with his tiny claw, "direct that flame toward the blade."
I focused again, sending the flame toward the knife as instructed. It flickered hesitantly, as though it were uncertain, but eventually, it latched onto the blade.
What happened next left me speechless. The knife began to glow red-hot, and within moments, the edges started to warp and deform. I gawked in disbelief as the once solid blade melted and dripped onto the floor, forming a molten pool.
"How is this possible?!" I exclaimed, staring at the remains of the knife.
Nochtaris hovered closer, his crimson eyes gleaming. "This is the true power of elemental control. That 'small flame,' as you called it, carries more destructive force than anything you've seen thus far. Because it isn't ordinary fire—it's your fire, created entirely from the raw essence of mana."
I stared at my hands, where the fire had disappeared moments ago, and swallowed hard. If this was the beginning, I couldn't imagine the heights I could reach with time and mastery.
Nochtaris gave me a knowing smirk. "Don't get complacent, boy. This is only the first step. You have much to learn."
I nodded, determination sparking within me. For once, I felt like I was moving forward, no longer confined by the limits imposed on me. With Nochtaris guiding me, I would break through those limits entirely—and burn away anyone who dared stand in my path.