The next day, Alex and Emily found themselves back in the guild's training grounds, though this time in a smaller, quieter area. Darren was there to greet them, but today he wasn't alone. A robed woman with striking silver hair and piercing violet eyes stood beside him, her posture calm but her presence commanding.
"This is Aria," Darren said. "She's an ability specialist and will be your instructor today. If anyone can help you unlock and control your abilities, it's her."
Aria nodded. "Abilities are not like magic or techniques. They are deeply personal—an extension of who you are. To use them, you must first connect with your mana core and understand the essence of your gift. Let's begin."
She gestured for Alex and Emily to sit cross-legged on the ground. "Close your eyes and focus inward. Feel the flow of energy within you. Find the thread that feels different—a deeper pulse."
Alex did as instructed, shutting out the world around him. At first, he struggled, his mind flitting from one thought to another. But as he focused, he began to sense something faint and elusive, like a star blinking in the distance. It wasn't the warmth of mana he'd felt during strengthening training—it was cooler, ethereal, and boundless.
"What do you feel?" Aria's voice was soft but firm, guiding him.
"A… pull," Alex murmured. "It's faint, but it's there. Like something's calling me."
"Follow it," Aria said. "Let it draw you in. Your ability lies beyond that door."
Alex took a deep breath and allowed the pull to guide him. Suddenly, his surroundings seemed to blur, and for a moment, he felt weightless, as if his body and mind had split apart. He opened his eyes—or at least, he thought he did—and found himself standing in an empty void. Colors and shapes swirled around him, formless and infinite.
"What… is this?" Alex asked, his voice echoing.
Aria, standing nearby in the real world, smiled knowingly. "You've stepped into the Astral Plane. It's part of your ability—Astral Nomad. You can separate your consciousness from your body and traverse planes of existence. This is your gift."
Back in the void, Alex felt a surge of wonder but also fear. The space felt endless, filled with untapped potential but also lurking danger.
"What can I do here?" he asked, his voice now a whisper.
"In time, much," Aria answered, her voice cutting through the void like a tether. "For now, focus on returning. You've taken the first step—connecting to your astral self. That's enough for today."
Alex nodded, pulling himself back to the physical world. When he opened his eyes, he was still seated on the ground, Emily looking at him with concern and curiosity.
"What happened?" she asked.
"I… saw something," Alex said, still processing. "Another place, or maybe another plane. It's hard to explain."
Meanwhile, Aria turned her attention to Emily. "Now, your turn. Your ability will feel different—nurturing, restorative. Search for it the same way Alex did."
Emily closed her eyes, her breathing steady as she focused inward. At first, it was difficult, her mind clouded with self-doubt. But then, like a spark catching fire, a warmth spread through her chest. Slowly, a soft, golden glow began to radiate from her hands, surrounding her with a gentle aura.
"That's it," Aria said, her tone encouraging. "You're a healer, but your energy isn't limited to mending wounds. It restores, nurtures, and even empowers. Let's see it in action."
Aria pricked her own finger with a small needle, holding it out to Emily. "Heal this."
Emily hesitated but reached out, focusing on the glow in her hands. As she touched Aria's finger, the wound closed almost instantly, leaving no trace of the injury.
Emily's eyes widened. "I did it."
"You did," Aria confirmed, smiling. "Your ability will grow with practice. For now, you've taken the first step."
The rest of the session was spent practicing. Alex worked on controlling his astral separation, learning to slip in and out of the Astral Plane more fluidly. Aria explained that as his ability is very mysterious, and that there have been cases of people entering different planes but it is very few, and there is no evidence information on it.
Alex absorbed her words, eager yet determined to figure out the mysteries behind his ability.
Emily, meanwhile, practiced using her healing aura on minor injuries Aria simulated, gradually building her confidence and mana reserves. Her glow became more consistent, and she even began to feel other people's emotions. But the feelings were so faint she barely noticed.
By the end of the day, both Alex and Emily were exhausted but exhilarated. Their abilities, once mysterious and unreachable, now felt like a tangible part of them.
As they walked home, Emily turned to Alex. "Do you think we're ready for what's next?"
Alex grinned, his confidence growing. "Not yet. But we're getting there. One step at a time."