The "Palms of Flare" technique, as described on the worn parchment, conjured a concentrated burst of flame that enveloped the palm in a vibrant orange glow. Morris had explained it was primarily a close-quarters offensive maneuver, a fiery punch meant to deliver both impact and searing heat. For two days, Adrian had poured his focus into mastering it, his youthful determination burning as brightly as the nascent flames he struggled to command. He practiced relentlessly against training dummies Morris had hastily constructed, the air around him often smelling faintly of burnt wood and ozone.
Finally, with a surge of focused energy, Adrian faced a sturdy oak in the grove. He channeled his zin, the familiar warmth spreading through his limbs, and brought his fist forward, shouting the activation phrase Morris had taught him: "Flame Technique: Palms of Flare!"
A burst of vibrant orange light erupted from his palm as his fist slammed into the tree's trunk. The impact wasn't a clean punch; instead, the fiery energy exploded outward. The bark where his palm hit instantly turned black and seemed to vanish, and a wave of force shook the leaves on the branches. The tree cracked loudly, a long split appearing in its trunk before it broke into several large pieces that fell to the ground with a heavy thud, leaving behind the smell of burnt wood.
Adrian stared at the destruction, his silver eyes wide with a mixture of shock and amazement. He had done it. He had actually done it.
Watching from a short distance, Morris nodded slowly, a flicker of satisfaction in his gaze. Two days… for such a demanding beginner technique. That's a commendable pace, especially considering it's not a natural extension of his basic seal. The effect was still raw, the explosive force less controlled than the focused burn of the original "Flames of Spark," but the potential was evident. With more training, Adrian could undoubtedly refine the technique and harness its true power.
"Not bad, Adrian," Morris called out, his voice carrying through the quiet grove. "Not bad at all. You have the raw power. Now comes the discipline to shape it."
Morris continued to guide Adrian in the intricacies of the "Palms of Flare" technique. He emphasized control, focusing on channeling the explosive energy into a more concentrated point of impact rather than a widespread blast. Alongside this, Morris maintained Adrian's rigorous physical training. Mornings began with long runs through the surrounding woods, their pace gradually increasing as Adrian's stamina improved. The nearby lake became their afternoon training ground, the resistance of the water adding a new challenge to Adrian's movements and further building his endurance. Evenings were reserved for meditation, Morris guiding Adrian to focus on the flow of his zin energy, visualizing its pathways and strengthening his internal control.
Days turned into a week, and Adrian's command of "Palms of Flare" steadily improved. While still not as refined as Morris's demonstration of "Flames of Spark," his fiery punches now carried a more focused heat and impact, capable of leaving deep scorch marks on the training logs.
Meanwhile, in his elegant yet cluttered home, Yohan Rosen penned a reply to Chief Zidan. His brow was furrowed in thought as he dipped his quill into the inkwell. The letter conveyed a sense of cautious intrigue. He wasn't ready to commit to taking Adrian as a disciple based solely on Zidan's description. The boy's unusual circumstances piqued his scientific curiosity, but Yohan's standards were notoriously high. The letter concluded that he would only make a decision after meeting Adrian in person.
Chief Zidan, upon receiving Yohan's reply, was more surprised than disappointed. Knowing Yohan's reclusive nature and his history of dismissing countless aspiring disciples without a second thought, the fact that Adrian had even warranted a personal meeting was a significant victory in itself. He wasted no time and set off immediately towards the Haven to deliver the news to Morris.
Morris was observing Adrian as the boy sat in quiet meditation beneath the shade of an ancient tree, his silver eyes closed, a faint white aura shimmering around him as he circulated his zin energy. Suddenly, Chief Zidan's voice boomed from behind, startling a flock of birds into flight.
"Morris! I have quite good news!"
Morris opened his eyes, a slight frown creasing his forehead at the sudden interruption. "Is that so, Chief?"
Zidan beamed, his elderly face alight with excitement. "Yohan has responded! He's agreed to consider Adrian! For someone like Yohan, who usually dismisses everyone outright, this is practically an acceptance! We must seize this opportunity, Morris!"
A small smile touched Morris's lips. "I see." But beneath the surface, a pang of sadness resonated within him. He and Adrian had been together for so long, their bond as strong as that of a father and son. The thought of entrusting Adrian to the eccentric Yohan, of potentially separating from him, tugged at his heart. Yet, he knew, deep down, that this was for Adrian's sake. In a world where strength dictated survival, Adrian needed the best possible guidance to overcome the limitations of his basic seal. Yohan, despite his peculiarities, represented that potential.
Zidan, still energized by the news, turned towards Adrian, who had paused his meditation and was looking at them with a curious expression. "Adrian, my boy! I have some interesting news for you."
Adrian tilted his head slightly. "News, Chief Zidan?" His silver eyes held a hint of something else, though – a subtle cloud of uncertainty that Zidan, with his perceptive gaze, didn't miss.
"Indeed! A… rather unique individual, a very knowledgeable Seal User named Yohan Rosen, has agreed to meet you. He's considering taking you on as a disciple!" Zidan clapped his hands together, his eyes twinkling. "This is a great opportunity, Adrian. Yohan is… well, he's different, but he knows his stuff."
Adrian's silver eyes widened slightly, but the initial curiosity was quickly followed by a more subdued expression. He glanced at Morris, a flicker of unspoken question and perhaps even a touch of sadness in his gaze. A new teacher? Someone other than Uncle Morris? The thought brought a strange mix of anticipation and a quiet sense of loss.
Zidan, noticing the boy's slightly downcast demeanor, softened his tone. "It's alright to feel a little unsure, Adrian. Change can be daunting. But trust me, this could be a very good thing for you. Yohan… he sees things others don't." He placed a reassuring hand on Adrian's shoulder. "Think of the knowledge you could gain."
"So… this Yohan Rosen will teach me?" Adrian asked, his voice a little softer than usual, the underlying sadness still present.
"He might, if he deems you worthy after your meeting," Zidan clarified. "It's a big step, Adrian. A chance to learn from someone with… unconventional wisdom."
As Zidan continued to elaborate on Yohan's reputation for brilliance and eccentricity, Adrian tried to focus on the potential benefits, pushing down the quiet ache of possibly leaving Morris's direct tutelage. Unconventional wisdom… maybe that's what I need. Someone who won't just see a basic seal and dismiss me. Someone who can help me find a way to use my energy, despite everything. A fragile spark of hope began to grow amidst his apprehension. He would meet this Yohan Rosen, for Uncle Morris, for Chief Zidan, and for his own burgeoning dreams.
After a moment, Adrian looked up, a newfound resolve hardening his silver eyes. "If meeting this Yohan Rosen can truly help me get stronger, then I would gladly make use of that chance."
A wide smile spread across Chief Zidan's face. He turned to Morris, his eyes conveying a silent message of pride and satisfaction. Look, Morris. Look how much he's grown. He's thinking for himself now.
Morris, watching Adrian's determined expression, felt a familiar warmth spread through his chest. Despite the sadness he felt at the prospect of Adrian leaving his direct care, he was undeniably proud of the boy's maturity and his willingness to face the unknown for the sake of his own growth. He offered Adrian a small, encouraging nod.
Meanwhile, within the eccentric confines of Yohan Rosen's research chamber, the air hummed with a subtle magical energy. The room was a fascinating blend of the arcane and the meticulously scientific, resembling a scholar's study crossed with an alchemist's laboratory. Walls were covered in sprawling charts and diagrams, not of constellations or human anatomy as one might expect, but of intricate seal arrays, flow patterns of zin energy, and theoretical models of elemental interactions. Notes scribbled in elegant script were pinned haphazardly alongside precisely drawn geometric shapes and complex equations that seemed to defy conventional mathematics. Strange crystalline structures sat on shelves next to carefully labeled jars containing glowing liquids and inert powders.
At the center of the room, Yohan stood, his brow furrowed in concentration. Wisps of emerald green zin energy emanated from his fingertips, carefully being poured into a dull grey stone held aloft by an unseen force. The stone slowly transformed, its rough edges smoothing into a perfect sphere that floated serenely in the air. Four circular arrays, glowing with the same vibrant green as Yohan's energy, rotated around the sphere, one on each cardinal side. The stone itself began to emit a soft, pulsating green light as it absorbed Yohan's energy.
The door to the chamber creaked open, and Darnel entered, his usual composed demeanor softening into a hint of curiosity. "Sir, how is the creation of the zin stone progressing?"
Yohan sighed, finally ceasing the flow of his energy, causing the green glow to fade and the stone to drop gently into his waiting hand. "It's going… adequately, Darnel. However, the process requires significantly more refined resources than I initially anticipated." He placed the stone carefully on a nearby table. "And the preparations for meeting young Adrian?"
Darnel offered a small smile. "Nearly complete, sir. Are you… perhaps a touch eager to meet this unusual boy?"
A faint blush crept onto Yohan's cheeks. "Ahem. Eagerness is hardly the correct term, Darnel. I am merely… curious. To assess his potential, to ascertain if he possesses any… unique applications that might prove… useful."
Darnel chuckled softly. "Of course, sir. Purely scientific curiosity." He then turned serious. "However, I do have some rather significant news to report."
Yohan, already stepping towards the exit of his chamber, now donned a long robe of deep forest green, its fabric shimmering with subtle arcane threads. Darnel followed closely as they walked. "Speak your news, Darnel."
"It appears," Darnel began, "that Prince Ralphin of Nainveil is actively pursuing the Emberred Dragon. He has also secured considerable support from the Hanveil Family, with Seraph personally leading their forces."
Yohan's steps faltered slightly. "Ralphin, you say?"
"Indeed, sir. Furthermore, my sources indicate that Prince Ralphin recently held a meeting with the King of Velmora, seeking their official support in this endeavor. However, the Velmoran King has yet to issue a response."
Yohan resumed walking, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Nainveil certainly possesses an… ambitious heir this time. Hunting the Emberred Dragon… I have a strong suspicion as to their true objective. Securing the backing of the Hanveil Family, especially with Seraph at the forefront… yes, he is undoubtedly positioning himself for the throne, effectively sidelining his other siblings. And Seraph…" A distant look entered Yohan's eyes. "It has been a considerable time since I last heard that name."