"Greetings, Master Yan."
E-Sumi-Yan had returned from wherever he went to. Maybe on a date? 200 years on and the old man's still got it. Good for you.
"Greetings, Winter. I noticed your...spell."
It felt like a silent probe into what I had done, but I couldn't be certain. E-Sumi-Yan's face was famed for remaining as passive as it was plain. I adjusted my stance slightly, preparing for the eldritch monster to reveal that I was using a dark art that was hidden away from the world.
"Yes sir. I created it today. Cold Snap..."
I began to explain the intricacies of Cold Snap and how I came about learning it. I also explained my troubles with Stone and Aero. E-Sumi-Yan claimed that it was normal. Thaumaturges had long held the advantage in terms of offense. From what he heard, he believed me to be using them correctly.
I still couldn't use Cure without the blessings of the Twelveswood, but I hoped to remedy that after my time in Gridania. I could not rely on the elements to aid me when I knew the Calamity they would suffer.
His face was impassive, as is usual, and the relic of a man walked around the training grounds, picking up shattered pieces of Damien and looking at Jaymien's broken and horrified face.
"You say that you struggled to cast it twice?"
"As you can see master, despite using the same technique, Jay- the second dummy had only broken in half. I'm still not sure what I had done wrong."
E-Sumi-Yan stood still in a peaceful and contemplative silence. I waited patiently for his words. If anyone knew what was happening, it was him. Damien's guts were splayed across the ground, reminding me of the awesome, yet conditional power, I yet hold.
"When you cast Thunder before, you stretched to do something...didn't you?"
"Yes?"
Was he referring to Riot Blade? It was a useful skill that I anticipated using often.
"Yes sir. I restored my Aetherpool with a Gladiator technique called Riot Blade. I simulated the motions of the weaponskill's energy and it came out like that."
"Hm... Pray, do it again."
"Hm, okay..."
I didn't understand the point of it, but I did what he asked. I focused my attention on the point sitting just between my ribcage and-
crack - vhoooooosh
It "consumed" a mouthful of Aether once more.
E-Sumi-Yan stood next to me and summoned, a new dummy for me to target.
"Now try using... Cold Snap...?"
"Before I do, pray tell Master, how did you do that?"
The ancient monster tilted his head, questioning me, or perhaps my common sense, and then broke into a small smile.
The first time I had seen one on his eternal face.
"Once your control of Aether becomes fine and true, one can use it to construct as well as move."
E-Sumi-Yan moved his thumb carefully along the grooves in his staff. The dummy behind him started to tilt along his thumb's manipulation.
"During the Sixth Umbral Era, a collection of mages dropped their badges of Black and White and, in their stead, took upon the badge of Red. These new mages specialized in both sorts of magicks, however what truly made them excel was their specialized control of Aether. It is said that their control was so granular that they could summon weapons from the air and shoot them off, as one would an arrow."
Red Mages. Was that how they did it? Just when I was ready to disregard all Classes, as it turned out, they still had many things to teach me. Maybe there was a hidden wisdom in Stone and Aero yet? Damn it. I needed to be more patient.
"Interesting. So, it's not a spell? Is it similar to what I'm doing perchance?"
"Not quite."
E-Sumi-Yan shook his head gently then continued to speak.
"The creation of this dummy works more like a stand-in. It's not actually a wooden dummy. It's a construct."
A word that I had been thinking on plenty as of late.
E-Sumi-Yan waved his finger and the dummy he summoned started to lose it's color and turn blue. It matched the color of the blue swords that Red Mages would shoot out during their attacks. He then snapped his fingers, and the dummy regained it's wooden appearance.
"I've heard that you've studied conjuration in my absence. Have you yet encountered Lucid Dreaming?"
I knew the skill. It was something that came with every casting class as a role action. It's sole purpose is to restore MP.
"I have, but I fear that I have not mastered it."
"It's no matter. What I seek to inform you of is that Lucid Dreaming is the cause behind constructs taking form. It's through Lucid Dreaming that the construct transforms from raw Aether, into wood."
"So it's an illusion?"
"Mm. A glamour."
E-Sumi-Yan's face once again sported a small smile. He had a passion for teaching.
"However Winter, what you do, is truly bring those things into the world. Your...Cold Snap, is not simply a construct of Aether. It's a real manifestation of Ice that you channeled by yourself."
I looked down at my fingers. So if I want to tilt my head and summon constructs, I'll need finer control? I thought I was already rather flexible with my "fingers", however I realized that maybe I was being a bit naive.
You can't gain muscle forever if you only lift the same weights, for the same rep count, with the same force and the same technique. You need to overload. You have to strain and stress. From recovery is growth.
So I need to overload my "fingers". My ability to manipulate the strings of Aether is refined and comfortable, but it can be so much more. I supposed.
"I see. Thank you, Master Yan."
I bowed deeply to him. I wasn't sure if I could have figured that out on my own. Having a teacher truly is valuable.
"It is no matter, Winter."
I turned back to my original objective. The summoned dummy. I began to weave the Aether above my head and put my fingers together. Master Yan watched in silence.
[Cold Snap]
snap
'Ah!'
ZEW ZEW ZEW ZEW ZEW ZEW PLUCK PLUCK PLUCK
'IT WORKED?! WHAT HAPPENED?'
SHATTER - FWOOOOOM - CRAAAAACKK
It was somewhat stronger than before.
The blast of cold air stung my skin a bit.
I glanced at Master Yan in a bit of a daze. I hoped that he knew what was going on.
"Hmm. Winter, pray, walk with me for a while."
---
Minfilia tagged along with Kan-E towards the Carpenters' guild within a building called the Oak Atrium. There, they were to have a consultation from a Carpenter named Zezekuta. They had largely settled on the style and general size of the manor, however neither woman was an architect. Professional help was needed to finalize the design and turn it into something livable.
They received many stares and bows along the way, or rather, Kan-E did.
"You're truly beloved within Gridania aren't you?"
Kan-E had a mixed smile on her face.
"They love the Seedseer I'm afraid. I have yet to prove myself to be more than my title in their eyes."
Such a thing slightly upset Minfilia. Her sister was easily one of the most pleasant and intelligent women she had ever met. And yet, no one could see past her title? No one knew the woman that wore the mantle of Seedseer?
"That's terrible."
Minfilia stated. Some venom had leaked into her voice. She suddenly felt a warm hand grasp hers.
"Do not be angry. I was mad for many years, chasing their recognition. Training harder, studying more, taking up more responsibilities and letting the burden grow heavier."
Kan-E paused and Minfilia squeezed her hand in reassurance.
"It was for not. There is a definitive line in the earth that is destined to keep the peoples from seeing behind the mask they have donned upon me."
Kan-E lead Minfilia by the hand, continuing to walk slowly.
"But that is okay. Even if they cannot see my struggle, I fight for the good of Gridania all the same. I do not hate them for seeing what their eyes reveal."
Kan-E showed a radiant and saintly smile. It almost blinded Minfilia who was thinking of retribution for her new sister. She was too cool! Too mature! Wow!
"You stand so tall Kan-E. It is beyond me."
"Surely you jest?"
Minfilia looked befuddled. Of course she wasn't joking. Kan-E was truly amazing.
"Minfilia, besides my mother, I am not sure if I have ever seen a woman as strong as you are. Not once have I seen you doubt. Not once have I seen you flinch or falter. To be honest, I was somewhat scared of your bravery when we first met. You were so forward. So strong. So curious and open. I thought you to be made of Ironwood."
Minfilia's mind fizzled to a halt and she gaped at Kan-E's somewhat flushed face.
"AHHHHHH!!!! YOU'RE TOO MUCH!!!!"
"Kyaaaaaa~"
And hugged her tightly. Her sister was too cute. Minfilia knew all to well that bravery Kan-E spoke of. It was an old memory that continued to echo in her very soul. It caused ripples that were unending and would continue to shake until she left this world behind.
I want you to be brave for me. Be the bravest little girl on this star.
The words echoed once more and a rich warmth spread in Minfilia's heart. She would be brave. Come what may, she would be the bravest woman on this star.
---
E-Sumi-Yan had purified Winter with a snap of his fingers, an act that took the young man by surprise.
"The ritual is ceremonial in nature. It pleases the elements for things to follow their will. However, I wish to go on a walk today. They shall humor my desire this time."
After he was finally able to stop gaping in astonishment, Winter followed E-Sumi-Yan on their walk through the Northern Shroud. The sounds of waterfalls and chirps of wood critters helped to ease his mind. This young man had given the wizened guild master many surprises as of late.
At first, he was very resistant to the idea of teaching Winter. In fact, he was almost determined to kill the young man. But reflection granted sight. He wished to know more. To understand where a young man like this had come from. What is it that he chases after or perhaps is running from?
"It's beautiful out here."
Winter spoke first. Indeed it was. 200 years on and the Twelveswood was just as beautiful today as it had always been.
"How does it compare to your home?"
"Far better I fear. I have no love for the hot weather and sands of Ul'dah."
"Truly? It is unusual for one to not feel a kinship with from whence they came."
"I have ties of course. People that I love and hold dearly. But I have no fondness for the sands that ever shift."
And the delivery-
"Perchance, did you not originate from Thanalan's sands?"
Winter shook his head gently. Staring off in the distance. He then told his story.
It was the story of a young man who woke up in the desert. Dazed, confused and covered in blood. The kind peoples of Ul'dah took him in. They permitted him succor, allowed him to start his life anew. His talents were simply things that he felt he was born with.
It was quite the tale. If E-Sumi-Yan hadn't seen Winter for himself, perhaps he wouldn't have as easily believed him. But the young man did not lie at any rate.
"In the end, these talents are not my own."
"Nonsense."
Whoops. He spoke too strongly. But E-Sumi-Yan continued.
"Even if the mind forgets, the heart remembers. Those talents belong to you now just as they did back then. No matter who you've become, this form is still yours. That mind is still yours. That heart is still yours. Perhaps it changed, but it's all yours, as it always has been."
E-Sumi-Yan looked on. Water Sprites floated above a creek and juggled their strange appendages. He could never get used to the sight.
"You limit your abilities Winter. As I am your teacher for this fortnight, pray allow me to explain the nature of your problem and perchance what I believe to be the solution."
"By all means, Master Yan."
They continued to walk in peace.
E-Sumi had told himself to not pry too far into the young man's talents. To be quite frank, it slightly frightened him. They were unknown. Mumuepo expressed doubt in the spells he cast.
The letter wrote -
"He came through those doors at first, firmly sapped of Aether. As you know, if one lacks the Aether within their Aetherpool, the spell simply can not be cast. And yet he did. The boy cast Blizzard, three a-time, and through a curse of the six hells, was drained."
While not as light on draw from one's Aetherpool as Conjuration spells, Blizzard was the first spell any Thaumatuge learned. It was chosen for its safety and ease of use within the guild's handbook. But after only 3, a young Winter fainted.
"He learned to cast Fire on his own. The child claimed that he could cast it once. I measured his Aetherpool. He shouldn't have the capacity to cast Fire at all. Let alone Blizzard. His capacity for Magicks should be close to null."
E-Sumi-Yan witnessed this as well. And could even confirm Mumuepo's careful words. Winter casted Thunder without touching his minuscule Aetherpool. Then he drew in Aether from nothing to replace what he had "lost".
The Rune Knight. It was said that his power defied reason. Perhaps this was it? Something beyond Aether? E-Sumi-Yan was no Sharlayan. His world was one of elements and their stories. They had never heard of such a thing. Tis why it caused them much distress.
"As noted within our previous correspondence, I've sent that child to visit you, Master K'rhid, assuming he hasn't once again fled-"
Black lines covered E-Sumi's head. He indeed had a student walk in with surprise to see a guild master actually within the halls of his guild.
That student had seen a building within Limsa Lominsa with symbols of the Arcane displayed outside its doors. Upon walking in, the members of said "guild" would swear up and down that they were apart of one and that it was normal for a master to be absent.
Where else would E-Sumi-Yan be? The Gold Saucer? Master K'rhid gave all guilds across Hydaelyn a poor reputation.
"- and Master Louisoix. I do believe that you all should have insights that could contribute to solving the mystery we face."
It all came down to the question of the age. If Winter wasn't tapping into his Aether, what was he tapping into? And how would he communicate to the young man? The wrong lesson could shatter a path. The wrong knowledge could leave one stupid.
Whatever Winter was doing, worked. He must be guided, but not overridden.