Evan sat cross-legged in the quiet expanse of the Shadowed Palace, a place as vast as his thoughts yet bound entirely to his essence. The air here was thick with magic, each breath a reminder of the connection between his core and the swirling currents of energy around him. At the very center of this dark yet luminous realm floated his core, pulsating with a steady rhythm, casting faint ripples of light. For the first time, an orb hovered near it—a soft, radiant sphere of energy, a testament to his recent progress.
The orb circled the core in a slow, deliberate orbit, its glow resonating with the core's pulse. This wasn't a tool or a separate entity; it was part of him, a tangible representation of his growth as a mage. Every apprentice dreamed of creating their first orb, yet experiencing it firsthand left Evan in awe. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to sink deeper into the flow of this place, his thoughts quieting as he attuned to the energy surrounding him.
Evan opened his eyes within his mind, focusing on the interplay between the core and the orb. The connection was unmistakable; the energy from the core flowed naturally into the orb, and the orb seemed to reflect and amplify it. It was a cycle, an evolving rhythm that felt both empowering and humbling.
He extended his awareness toward the orb. Unlike the fragmented studies of runes he had performed in the physical world, the energy here felt complete, as if every piece of knowledge he'd gained was woven into this glowing sphere. The orb didn't just enhance his connection to magic—it represented the depth of his understanding. As he reached out to it, the orb pulsed softly, as if acknowledging his presence.
"It's not about learning spells or casting them faster," Evan thought. "It's about refining the core, understanding the essence of my magic."
Evan's gaze fixed on the orb as it pulsed rhythmically before his core. Without hesitation, he allowed himself to dive deeper, immersing his thoughts and awareness into the orb's glowing presence. The sensation was unlike anything he had experienced in the physical world. The orb wasn't just a tool; it was a reflection of his progress, a gateway to a profound understanding of his abilities.
As he focused, the light of the orb seemed to envelop him, pulling him into a space where the runes and patterns he had studied in fragments became whole. The energy radiating from the orb was alive, dynamic, and constantly shifting. Within its movements, Evan could sense the essence of Runic Forging, the unique art tied to his core. It was as if the orb was guiding him, revealing not only the mechanics of the skill but also the philosophy behind it—the balance, the precision, the intent.
"This is why magi come to the Shadowed Palace," Evan realized. "It's not just about reflection or rest. It's about refinement. About delving into the essence of what makes us magi."
He noticed how the orb's energy flowed seamlessly back to his core, like a conversation between two parts of himself. Every time he explored the orb's patterns, his core responded with a faint, approving pulse, as if it were sharpening itself, refining its structure in response to the knowledge he absorbed. This wasn't an external process—it was deeply internal, an intimate connection between his core, his orb, and his evolving understanding of magic.
The deeper Evan navigated the orb's energy, the clearer it became: this was how magi deepened their mastery. Each meditation, each session spent within the Shadowed Palace, wasn't just an exercise in control or endurance. It was a practice of alignment. The orb served as a teacher, and the core, in turn, grew sharper with every lesson.
The Runic Forging patterns he explored within the orb felt more intuitive with every moment. What had once been a complex web of symbols now unfolded naturally before him. He began to see connections that weren't apparent before—how the balance of Compression and Flow dictated stability, how Heat added intensity without overwhelming the structure. These weren't just abstract lessons; they were truths he could feel echoing through his core.
Evan's focus intensified as he pushed further, exploring the limits of what the orb would reveal. He felt the faint resistance of his core as it adjusted to the influx of understanding, like a blade being honed on a whetstone. The sharper his insights became, the more responsive his core grew, as though it approved of his efforts.
"Every time I return here," Evan thought, his mind calm yet focused, "I don't just learn—I grow. The orb isn't just a guide; it's a crucible. It's forging me, just as I'm learning to forge with runes."
The realization left him awed. This process wasn't unique to him; it was the foundation of how magi evolved. Every mage who entered the Shadowed Palace and meditated with their orb was doing the same—refining their connection, deepening their understanding, and sharpening their core.
Evan allowed himself to drift further into the orb's patterns, letting its energy guide him through another intricate sequence of runes. Each thread of light felt like a revelation, and with every passing moment, he could feel his core pulse stronger, more focused.
When he finally pulled back, returning his attention to the broader expanse of the Shadowed Palace, Evan felt a subtle difference. His core glowed slightly brighter, its rhythm steadier, its presence sharper. It wasn't a massive change, but he could feel it—a sign of growth, of refinement.
Smiling faintly, Evan rested his gaze on the orb. This was only the beginning. Every visit to this place would bring him closer to unlocking his full potential. Every step would make his core sharper, his magic deeper, and his connection stronger.
And for the first time in a long while, Evan felt completely aligned with the path ahead.
Evan focused on the orb as it floated steadily before his core, its glow soft but persistent. His senses were completely immersed in its presence, as though the rest of the Shadowed Palace faded into nothingness. This orb, his first, represented his progress and mastery over Runic Forging. By meditating on it, he didn't just refine his understanding of the craft—it allowed him to explore the very essence of the ability. Every mage came to the Shadowed Palace for this reason: to deepen their connection with their core and grow in alignment with their magic.