The air inside Eldrin's cabin felt heavy, saturated with an unspoken tension. Isla stood in the center of the small training room, her sword drawn and glowing faintly with the mana she struggled to control. Eldrin circled her, his sharp eyes scrutinizing every movement, every flicker of power that pulsed from her blade.
"Again," he commanded, his gravelly voice cutting through the silence.
Sweat dripped from Isla's brow as she tightened her grip on the hilt. She took a deep breath, focusing her thoughts on channeling her mana—just as Eldrin had instructed. Slowly, the glow of her blade intensified, but before she could stabilize it, the energy wavered and fizzled out.
"You're trying to force it," Eldrin said, shaking his head. "Mana isn't about brute strength. It's a balance of control and release. If you can't master that, the forbidden techniques will destroy you."
Isla's frustration boiled over. "I'm trying! It's not like I've had years to practice like everyone else!" she snapped, her voice tinged with the insecurities she fought to hide.
Eldrin's gaze softened for a moment, but his tone remained firm. "Excuses won't protect you in battle. Again."
Isla growled under her breath but obeyed. She steadied her stance and drew on her mana once more. This time, the blade's glow surged brighter than before, sparking with raw energy that crackled in the air around her. She felt a rush of exhilaration—the forbidden power responding to her will—but it came with an overwhelming heat coursing through her veins.
"Stop!" Eldrin shouted, his voice laced with alarm. But it was too late.
The power within Isla erupted. A blinding wave of energy burst from her sword, shattering a nearby table and sending Eldrin stumbling backward. The runes etched into the cabin's walls flared as if reacting to the surge, and the entire room shook with an unnatural force.
When the light faded, Isla stood in the center of the chaos, her breathing ragged and her sword's blade now glowing an ominous red. Her hands trembled as she stared at the destruction she'd caused.
"What did I just do?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Eldrin recovered quickly, his expression grim. "You tapped into the forbidden power too deeply. You've unleashed its full force without understanding its limits. That…" He paused, pointing at her sword. "That glow is a warning. If you lose control like this again, it could consume you entirely."
Tears welled up in Isla's eyes. She'd been so eager to prove herself, to show that she wasn't a failure, but now she'd put everyone around her in danger. "I'm sorry," she choked out. "I didn't mean to…"
Eldrin's expression softened. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Power like this comes at a price, Isla. The question is whether you're willing to pay it. If you're serious about mastering this, we'll need to take your training to the next level."
"What does that mean?" Isla asked, wiping her eyes.
"It means we'll have to go beyond the basics," Eldrin said. "You'll have to learn to harmonize with the forbidden techniques, not just control them. And that will require facing the source of your power directly."
Troy, who had been silent during the commotion, stepped forward. "What source? What's he talking about?"
Eldrin hesitated, his gaze shifting between Isla and Troy. "The forbidden scroll—its techniques aren't just knowledge. They're tied to something greater, something ancient and alive. If she's to master it, she'll need to confront the essence of the power itself."
Troy's eyes widened. "You're not suggesting…"
"I am," Eldrin said firmly. "The only way forward is through the Mana Rift."
The room fell silent, the name hanging heavy in the air. Isla looked between them, confusion etched on her face. "What's the Mana Rift?" she asked.
Eldrin sighed. "It's a tear in the fabric of our world, a place where pure mana flows unchecked. It's dangerous beyond measure, but it's also the only place where you can truly understand the power you've awakened."
Isla's heart pounded. The thought of venturing into something so dangerous terrified her, but it also sparked a flicker of determination. "Then let's go," she said, her voice steady despite the fear she felt. "I need to do this."
Eldrin nodded. "Then prepare yourself. The journey to the Mana Rift will test you in ways you can't imagine."
As the three of them began to plan their next move, the ominous red glow of Isla's sword flickered faintly, as if the power within it was watching—and waiting.