Liam sat alone in the quiet sitting area as the hours of the night deepened. Cecily had stayed until after dinner. Queen Elara hadn't allowed her youngest daughter outside the imperial palace for long, leaving Liam to study alone.
The Stormcaller's Guide lay open before him, The book was divided into five sections, each representing a progressive mastery of lightning magic:
First Section: Lightning Heart – Harnessing the faint mana pulse of lightning, a skill designed at mana capacicty of late Initiates to practice elemental tempering, control and precision.
Second Section: Sparks – Creating tiny palmar discharges, an exercise with mana requirement of early Apprentices.
Third Section: Arcs – Channeling electricity in short, visible bursts, with a power of mid Apprentices.
Fourth Section: Zaps – Casting a focused stream of lightning, achievable only with a mana resource of late Apprentices.
Fifth Section: Bolts – Summoning a bolt of raw lightning, the first real taste of mastery over the element, designed for early Adepts.
Each section built upon the previous, emphasizing not just raw power but the foundations of control, precision, and endurance. Although the first section required the mana of late Initiates. The text explicitly cautioned that lightning, as a primary element, was impossible for Initiates to wield.
Even talented Apprentices were encouraged to secure a simpler element like fire or water before attempting the lightning's fury. Lightning was the most volatile of elements, unforgiving to those without a strong mana heart and an unyielding will.
For most, this book served as a long-term guide, laying the groundwork for mastery over the years. But for Liam, it was a treasure trove of knowledge that worked wonders on his unique condition.
Liam exhaled slowly, focusing on the instructions in the first section, Lightning Heart. The text detailed the process meticulously:
"To summon the faint glow of lightning, an Initiate must first temper their mana heart through controlled breathing. Direct the mana flow inwards, mimicking the subtle factors of lightning. Do not force the element; allow it to emerge naturally, like a spark waiting to ignite.
Temperance is key. The glow is not about power but precision. A steady rhythm of mana breathing, guided by the element's knowledge, will awaken the light within, without overburdening the heart."
Liam closed his eyes and began. His breathing slowed as he guided his mana inward. Unlike the basic mana breathing he had practiced before, this method required him to attune it with lightning's energy, its restless hum vibrating faintly within his core.
He visualized the glow described in the text, a faint pulse of energy forming in his mana heart. The sensation was strange — different from the raw arcs he had made before. It was controlled, deliberate, and… exhilarating.
As he continued, his mana heart responded. The faint flicker of a glow appeared, pulsing in rhythm with his breaths. A surge of excitement coursed through him, but he quickly steadied himself. The text warned against overexertion; the lightning would grow volatile if pushed too far.
Liam had succesfully tempered his heart while wielding lightning.
He further tempered his mana heart — sharpening it with the volatile energy of lightning itself.
What should have been a preparatory technique for talented Adept-level individuals had become his method of refining his Initiate mana heart .
The glow intensified, and Liam felt the edges of his mana heart quiver under the strain. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he focused, his breathing steady but labored. It's working, he thought, the realization both thrilling and daunting.
With each pulse, his mana heart grew stronger, adapting to the rhythm of the storm. He was forging something unique — a foundation that defied the conventions laid out by the book.
As the night wore on, Liam's determination only deepened. His focus sharpened, his mana heart pulsing steadily as he tempered it with the first techniques from Stormcaller's Guide. For most, this method would prepare them for lightning as a secondary element years down the line. But for Liam, it was the key to shaping his very foundation. Lightning was his primary element, the power brimmed into his pulse.
The hours crept by, and exhaustion tugged at his body, but Liam pushed through. He wasn't just practicing now — he was chasing greater realms. He didn't want another fleeting memory or a headache-induced revelation. What he wanted was a breakthrough.
As dawn approached, Liam felt it — the culmination of his efforts. The flickering glow in his mana heart grew steadier, brighter, until it burned with a brilliance that consumed his entire core. His breathing hitched as a surge of mana coursed through him, his body trembling under the intensity.
And then, with a final pulse, his mana heart surged.
Liam gasped, the sensation overwhelming yet invigorating. He had done it. He had broken through. The faint light of the rising sun filtered through the window, painting the room in hues of gold and crimson as Liam steadied himself.
He sat there, stunned, his mind racing. I am a tenth-blaze Initiate… He closed his eyes, feeling the changes in his mana flame, the strength of his mana heart. A Dawn of Apprentice.
The sun peeked over the horizon, and the first chime of the clock tower echoed across the imperial palace. Liam had time before the day fully began, but his excitement didn't allow him to rest. One more thing, he thought, his determination rekindling.
Sitting cross-legged, he focused his mind and began practicing Heart Frailty. With his breakthrough fueling him, he felt a renewed confidence.
His breathing slowed, his mana flame steady and controlled as he visualized the steps: reducing his breathing, ignoring the mana in the air, and resisting the body's retaliation. His heart slowed, and the mana his body released in response was redirected to cool his mana flame, lowering its intensity.
Liam's focus wavered as his body resisted, the flame flickering back to its natural radiance. He was at unease, pulling himself back, deliberately dulling the flame's color.
Finally, Liam opened his eyes. His mana flame flickered weakly within him, its radiance dulled. He had done it. He had successfully mimicked the aura of a ninth-blaze Initiate in first try.
A faint smile crept onto his lips as he leaned back, exhaustion finally catching up to him. I did it.
For a moment, he simply sat there, reveling in his accomplishment.
But as his breathing steadied, a thought stirred within him, unbidden yet deliberate. My memories… they're projections of my thoughts.
He realized now that they weren't mere coincidences. They manifested when he needed them most — sometimes guiding him, sometimes answering the questions he dared to ask. The first time was during the Rite of Recognition. For years, Liam had watched his four elder brothers undertake their rites, their mana blazing with intensity that left a lasting impression on his young mind. It was only natural that when his own time came, his subconscious would reach into the depths of his being and pull forth the memory of Mana Stasis, a dark spell that allowed him to endure the enormous surge of mana.
Later, when the headaches began to plague him and the questions about their origins consumed him, the memories shifted again. He recalled the meeting between Archmage Caelus, his mother, and King Elijah — a conversation that unraveled pieces of the enigma surrounding his condition. It all aligned, each memory arising from his thoughts and needs.
And now when he didn't need them, the mana forged his mana heart, making him a tenth-blaze Initiate.
But not everything made sense. There was still the soothing feeling that had washed over him after Edwin brought him that meal. No memory accompanied it, no surge of recollection. It had been an anomaly, an exception to the rule. And now, Liam was sure of it: That was no ordinary meal.
Shaking off the thoughts for now, Liam left the library and made his way to breakfast. Cecily, ever-cheerful, caught up with him as he entered the dining hall.
"Brother! Can I come with you again after breakfast?" she asked, finishing her food quickly.
He glanced at her, a slight smile on his lips. "Not today, Cecily. I'll be sleeping. I came straight here from the Arcanum — didn't even rest after my studies."
Cecily's eyes widened with admiration. "You studied all night?!"
"Something like that," he replied, ruffling her hair. "You should go study. If you need help with anything, let me know later."
"Okay!" she chirped, determined to follow his advice.
After breakfast, Liam returned to his room, a sense of relief washing over him. Nobody saw through my breakthrough, he thought, his mind circling back to his mother. She, at least, was sharp. A Specialist mage, without question, and her nobility lineage of Arden gave her enough talent to hold her position as Queen of Ironhelm. If she didn't notice, I should be fine.
Relief struck his face. If it's like this, then I don't mind another breakthrough.
Liam summoned Edwin before shutting himself away. "I won't be coming down for lunch," Edwin left without question.
Closing the door behind him, Liam let out a long breath. His gaze swept over the room as he extended his hand, using Telekinesis to shut every window and secure every opening. As the room darkened, the faint glow of mana emanating from within him cast flickering shadows.
But the moment the Telekinesis took effect, Liam felt the shift. The delicate suppression he had maintained earlier shattered instantly, and his mana heart surged back to its true state. The blazing intensity of a tenthth-blaze Initiate burned within him, untamed and undeniable.
Of course, he thought, a mix of frustration and resignation. Any use of mana art resets everything.
Sitting cross-legged, Liam closed his eyes and exhaled deeply, focusing inward. Lightning Heart, he thought, the elements crackling energy already resonating within his mana heart. His dedication unwavering, he began tempering his heart anew.
The strain was immense, far beyond anything Liam had anticipated. The barrier separating the realms was like an impenetrable wall, mocking his efforts. His mana heart pulsed steadily, his mana flame burned fiercely, and his mana pulse radiated outward in a rhythmic cadence — but none of them showed signs of transformation.
Sweat beaded on his brow as he poured his focus into the process. The mana flame demanded far more fuel than it ever had while ascending minor realms, draining his reserves at a staggering rate. This was no ordinary hurdle — it was a major realm, the divide between Initiate and Apprentice. Liam calmed his nerves, steadying his breathing. He knew this wouldn't be easy, but he had no intention of stopping now.
Merging Mana Breathing with the raw power of Lightning Heart, Liam pressed forward. The pressure was crushing, each surge of lightning coursing through his body like a trial of endurance. His mind reeled, his body screamed for reprieve, but he refused to give up.
Two days passed, the hours blurring together in his relentless pursuit. Exhaustion clawed at him, but then, at last, there was a shift. His mana flame began to flicker, subtle changes spreading through the vessels surrounding his heart. The faintest hue began to emerge, a golden-yellow glimmer — a citrine light — forming at the edges of the flame.
Liam's heart raced as he recognized the sign of progress. Grabbing hold of this change, he pushed harder, amplifying the intensity of Lightning Heart. Sparks danced within him, the energy surging with newfound strength.
The transformation began in earnest. The mana heart quaked, its surface fracturing ever so slightly as golden veins of citrine light wove through it. The mana flame, once crimson, ignited with a radiant citrine brilliance . His mana pulse, contained surged outward power and authority.
Then, with a final push, the barrier shattered. A rush of energy flooded his being, his mana heart stabilizing into its new form. The flame burned bright and steady, no longer flickering. His mana pulse settled into a rhythm far more potent, marking the shift in his essence.
Liam opened his eyes slowly, the power of an Apprentice Mage coursing through him. He exhaled, his breath a mix of relief and exhilaration. He had done it — he had crossed the divide and ascended to a new realm.