After a few days of intense training, Flora and I had significantly improved our energy control and flow. We were casting spells with greater precision and using some of them to enhance our physical strength and agility. It was exhilarating; it felt as if an entirely new world had opened up before us. We had also unlocked our next halo, the Ethereal Halo. According to Jinvolo, the Ethereal Halo grants the ability to manipulate intangible forces like light and spirit. It also allows for limited control over ethereal planes and enhances the user's ability to sense and interact with otherworldly entities, essentially ghosts.
"Let's do a practice match," I suggested to Jinvolo, feeling a surge of confidence.
"Why not," he replied with a grin.
I knew Jinvolo wouldn't have the same raw strength and speed as I did, but his Arcane Halo gave him access to an arsenal of ancient objects and spells, some even forbidden. This practice match wouldn't be easy for me, especially if I didn't close the gap quickly.
We took our positions on opposite sides of a clearing, the air around us crackling with anticipation. Flora stood off to the side, her eyes alight with excitement as she watched us prepare. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, a mix of nerves and adrenaline coursing through my veins.
"Remember, Nova," Jinvolo called out, his voice steady, "This is just practice. Focus on control and strategy, not just raw power."
I nodded, taking a deep breath to steady myself. I could feel the energy of my Ethereal Halo humming beneath my skin, ready to be unleashed. I clenched my fists, gathering my strength, and then launched myself forward, aiming to close the distance between us as quickly as possible.
Jinvolo was quick to react. With a swift movement of his hand, he conjured a barrier of shimmering light between us, its surface rippling like water. I slammed into it with all my might, feeling the resistance push back against me. The barrier was stronger than I had anticipated, but I wasn't about to let that stop me.
I summoned the power of my Ethereal Halo, focusing on manipulating the intangible forces around me. I visualized the barrier weakening, the light dissipating like mist in the wind. Slowly, I could feel the resistance lessening, the barrier starting to give way. Jinvolo's eyes widened slightly, clearly impressed by my progress.
"Good, Nova! Keep it up!" he encouraged, but I could see the concentration on his face as he prepared his next move.
With a flick of his wrist, Jinvolo sent a bolt of arcane energy streaking toward me. I barely had time to react, dodging to the side just as the energy blast whizzed past me, sizzling through the air. I knew I couldn't let him get the upper hand, so I focused on my own magic, summoning a burst of light to disorient him.
Jinvolo staggered back, momentarily blinded by the sudden flare. I seized the opportunity, closing the distance between us in a flash. I aimed a swift punch at his midsection, but he countered with a shield spell, deflecting my attack at the last second.
"You're getting better," Jinvolo remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice. "But you'll have to do more than that to beat me."
I grinned, the thrill of the fight spurring me on. "Oh, I'm just getting started."
We continued to exchange blows and spells, the air around us filled with the crackling of energy and the clash of our auras. Each move we made was a test of skill and strategy, a dance of power and precision. I could feel myself growing stronger with each passing moment, my confidence building as I matched Jinvolo's moves with my own.
Flora cheered from the sidelines; her excitement palpable. "Go, Nova! You've got this!"
I knew this practice match was just the beginning. With Jinvolo's guidance and the newfound abilities of our halos, Flora and I were on the path to becoming even stronger. And with Lohto still out there, we would need every bit of strength and skill we could muster. But for now, I focused on the fight, determined to give it my all.
Jinvolo and I continued to trade blows, each attack a careful blend of strength and strategy. My heart raced as I tried to anticipate his next move, but Jinvolo was an expert in unpredictability. He moved with a fluid grace, every step and gesture calculated to keep me on the defensive.
I launched a barrage of ethereal strikes at him, each one crackling with the energy of my newly unlocked halo. The light around my fists blurred as I swung, aiming to break through his defenses. Jinvolo parried most of my strikes, using quick bursts of arcane energy to deflect my blows. I managed to land a few hits, but they seemed to barely faze him.
"Nice try," Jinvolo said, smirking as he stepped back. With a swift gesture, he conjured a whip of pure energy from his Arcane Halo, lashing it toward me. I barely had time to react, dodging to the side just as the whip cracked through the air where I had been standing.
I focused on my Ethereal Halo, reaching out to manipulate the intangible forces around me. I willed the energy whip to unravel, its strands of magic dispersing into the air. Jinvolo's eyes widened slightly, clearly impressed by my progress, but he didn't let up.
"Not bad, Nova. You're getting better at this," he said, his voice calm despite the intensity of the fight.
I didn't reply, focusing all my energy on the battle. I could feel my strength waning, but I wasn't about to give up. I summoned a wave of light, sending it crashing toward Jinvolo. He countered with a shield spell, the energy flaring around him as he braced for impact.
The force of our clashing spells sent a shockwave through the air, rattling the ground beneath us. I pressed forward, refusing to let Jinvolo regain his footing. I channeled my halo's power, launching a flurry of ethereal orbs at him. Jinvolo dodged and weaved through the barrage, but one of the orbs clipped his shoulder, causing him to stumble.
"Gotcha," I muttered under my breath, feeling a surge of confidence.
But Jinvolo wasn't done yet. He raised his hand, and the air around us seemed to grow heavy with a dark, foreboding energy. I watched as a complex pattern of runes appeared around him, glowing with an eerie, black light.
"What is that?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, my instincts screaming at me to be careful.
Jinvolo's expression was serious, his eyes focused as he chanted under his breath. The runes pulsed, growing brighter with each word. "This is a forbidden spell," he said, his voice echoing with a strange resonance. "Something I learned a long time ago. It's not something I use lightly, but I think it's time to show you what real magic looks like."
The air around us crackled with raw energy as Jinvolo finished the incantation. The ground beneath him darkened, shadows pooling at his feet like ink. I could feel a cold, creeping sensation washing over me, my breath catching in my throat.
Then, without warning, the shadows surged forward, twisting into the shape of a massive serpent made of pure darkness. Its eyes glowed with an unholy light, its scales shimmering with an unnatural gleam. The serpent hissed, its mouth opening to reveal rows of sharp, obsidian teeth.
I barely had time to react as the serpent lunged at me, its massive form moving with a speed that defied its size. I rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding its snapping jaws. I could feel the chill of its breath on my skin, the darkness seeping into my bones.
I tried to counterattack, channeling my Ethereal Halo to summon a barrier of light. The serpent crashed into the barrier, its form distorting and writhing against the blinding radiance. I poured all my energy into maintaining the shield, my arms trembling with the effort.
Jinvolo watched, his expression unreadable. "You're strong, Nova, but this is a different level of magic. Forbidden spells aren't just about power—they're about control and sacrifice. You have to be willing to give something up to use them."
I gritted my teeth, pushing back against the serpent's relentless assault. I could feel my strength waning, my energy reserves depleting rapidly. I knew I couldn't keep this up for much longer.
Desperate, I tried to think of a way to turn the tide. I focused on the serpent, searching for a weakness, a flaw in its form. But it was too strong, too overwhelming. I realized, with a sinking feeling, that I wasn't going to win this fight.
Jinvolo's eyes softened slightly as he watched me struggle. "You've done well, Nova," he said, his voice carrying a note of respect. "But it's time to end this."
With a flick of his wrist, Jinvolo recalled the serpent, the dark energy swirling back into the ground beneath him. I collapsed to my knees, gasping for breath, my body trembling from the exertion.
Flora rushed over; her face etched with concern. "Nova! Are you okay?"
I nodded weakly, still trying to catch my breath. "Yeah... I'm fine," I said, though my voice was hoarse. "Just... a little tired."
Jinvolo approached, offering me a hand. "You did great, Nova. You've got a lot of potential. With more training, you'll be able to handle anything—even forbidden spells."
I took his hand, allowing him to pull me to my feet. Despite the loss, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. I had held my own against Jinvolo, even if only for a while. And with Flora by my side and Jinvolo's guidance, I knew I would only get stronger.
As we made our way back to the shelter, I couldn't shake the image of the serpent from my mind. The power of forbidden spells was terrifying, but it was also a reminder of how much more there was to learn. I was determined to master my abilities and unlock the full potential of my halo, no matter what it took.
The next few days were a whirlwind of training. Jinvolo pushed Flora and me harder than ever before, increasing the intensity of our sessions. It wasn't just about refining our energy control or learning new spells; he also had us focus on raw physical strength and endurance. The training was grueling, but I welcomed the challenge. I knew that if we were going to face Lohto, we had to be at our absolute best.
Each morning, Flora and I would rise early, the cold air of the training grounds biting against our skin. Jinvolo wasted no time getting us started. He had constructed a series of makeshift weights using fragments of broken asteroids and other celestial debris that floated around the star. They were crudely assembled but effective, each one heavy enough to test our limits.
"Alright, Nova, you're up first," Jinvolo said, nodding toward the largest of the weights. "I want you to press this overhead ten times, then we'll increase the weight."
I nodded, stepping up to the massive chunk of rock. It was rough and uneven, making it difficult to grip. I braced myself and summoned the power of my Ethereal Halo, letting its energy flow through my muscles. With a grunt, I lifted the weight, my arms straining under the effort. I could feel every muscle in my body protesting, but I pushed through, determined to meet Jinvolo's challenge.
As I pressed the weight overhead, I could feel the energy from my halo strengthening my body, making each lift a little easier. By the time I reached the tenth rep, my arms were burning, but I felt a rush of exhilaration. I lowered the weight with a controlled motion, panting slightly from the exertion.
"Well done," Jinvolo said, a hint of approval in his voice. "Flora, you're next."
Flora stepped forward, her face set with determination. She approached a slightly smaller weight, but still heavy enough to be challenging. She had been working hard over the past few days, and I could see the improvement in her strength and confidence. She placed her hands on the weight, taking a deep breath before lifting it with a grunt of effort.
Her Ethereal Halo glowed softly around her, its light mingling with her own aura as she powered through the lifts. I could see the strain on her face, but she didn't falter. She completed her set with a fierce determination, lowering the weight back to the ground with a satisfied exhale.
"Great job, Flora," Jinvolo said, nodding approvingly. "You're both getting stronger. Now, let's move on to spell training."
We shifted our focus to magical training, Jinvolo leading us through a series of intense exercises designed to push our limits. He had us practice creating complex spell formations, manipulating energy flows, and casting spells while under physical stress. It was exhausting, but I could feel myself growing more adept with each session.
"Alright, Nova, Flora," Jinvolo called out after one particularly grueling exercise. "I want you to create a barrier using your Ethereal Halo. Make it as strong as you can and hold it for as long as possible."
I nodded, focusing my mind on the task. I reached deep within myself, drawing on the energy of my halo. I felt the familiar surge of power as it flowed through me, coalescing around my hands in a shimmering barrier of light. Flora did the same beside me, her own barrier forming with a brilliant glow.
Jinvolo watched us closely, his eyes narrowed in concentration. "Good. Now, I'm going to attack. I want you both to maintain the barrier and keep it strong."
Without warning, he unleashed a barrage of energy blasts, each one crackling with arcane power. They struck our barriers with a force that sent shockwaves through the air, but Flora and I held firm, focusing all our energy on maintaining the shield.
The blasts came faster and harder, each one more powerful than the last. I could feel the strain in my arms as I fought to keep the barrier intact, my muscles trembling with the effort. Beside me, Flora was doing the same, her face set in a determined expression as she channeled all her energy into the shield.
"You're doing great!" Jinvolo shouted over the roar of the blasts. "Keep it up!"
The next blast hit with a particularly fierce force, and I felt my barrier flicker, the energy wavering under the impact. I grit my teeth, pushing harder, willing the barrier to hold. Flora glanced at me; her eyes filled with determination.
"We've got this," she said, her voice steady despite the strain. "We just need to hold on a little longer."
I nodded, focusing all my energy on the barrier. I could feel the power of my Ethereal Halo flowing through me, its energy bolstering my strength. I pushed harder, reinforcing the shield, and felt Flora doing the same beside me. Together, we held the barrier strong, deflecting each blast as it came.
Finally, Jinvolo lowered his hands, the barrage ceasing. He smiled, nodding approvingly. "Excellent work, both of you. You're getting stronger every day. Keep this up, and we'll be ready for Lohto in no time."
Flora and I both relaxed, letting our barriers dissipate. We were exhausted, but there was a sense of accomplishment in the air. I could feel the improvement in our strength and magic, and I knew that with each passing day, we were getting closer to our goal.
"Alright, take a break," Jinvolo said, clapping his hands. "We'll continue in an hour. You both need to rest and recover your energy."
I nodded, grateful for the respite. I could feel my muscles aching from the intense training, but it was a good kind of pain. It meant we were getting stronger, and that was all that mattered.
As Flora and I sat down to catch our breath, I glanced over at her, seeing the determination in her eyes. "We're getting better," I said, smiling. "I can feel it. We're going to be ready for Lohto."
Flora nodded, a small smile crossing her lips. "Yeah, we will. Together, we can do anything."
I reached out, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Absolutely. We've got this."
As we sat there, resting and recovering, I couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of hope. With each day, with each training session, we were getting closer to our goal.
"I am starving," I said to Flora. "What should we eat?"
"I don't know, check the pocket dimension," she replied.
I reached into the pocket dimension, searching through the variety of foods stored there. Mostly proteins—things like nuts, beans, and some carefully prepared non-meat options. I pulled out a few dishes, settling on some hearty vegetable stew and a side of quinoa. I avoided the meat. Even though I was of vampire lineage, the taste of blood still on the meat made me crave more, an unquenchable thirst that was almost impossible to control. After that one slip, I decided it was best to avoid meat altogether.
As I started eating, Jinvolo approached us, a curious look on his face. He studied me for a moment, his eyes narrowing in contemplation.
"I've been meaning to ask you something," he began. "I know you're a vampire, or at least part of the lineage. When I first met you, I wasn't sure if you were truly their son, but after seeing who your sister was, my suspicions were confirmed. If you really are their son, then you must already know a few things that vampires can do. And if that's the case, your fangs… let me see your fangs."
I hesitated for a moment, unsure of where this was leading, but Jinvolo's serious tone compelled me to comply. I bared my fangs, revealing them in full.
Jinvolo's eyes widened, and I could see a flicker of recognition and something like fear in them. He seemed to know more than he was letting on.
"What's wrong?" I asked, sensing the gravity of his reaction.
He took a deep breath, his expression shifting from surprise to a kind of solemn respect. "Your fangs indicate that you are truly their son—the son of the almighty King and Queen of Vampires. Essentially, you're royalty, Nova. Your parents are gods among your kind, the absolute rulers of the vampire race. That makes you incredibly powerful, potentially even more than you realize."
I felt a jolt run through me. I had known my parents were powerful, but I never fully grasped the magnitude of what that meant. "So, what does that mean for me?" I asked, trying to understand the weight of his words.
"It means," Jinvolo continued, "that you have abilities and powers that you've only just begun to tap into. You're stronger and faster than most, but there's so much more you could learn—skills and powers that are unique to your lineage. If you can unlock those, it could change everything."
Flora looked at me with wide eyes, her expression a mix of awe and concern. "Nova, this is incredible."
I nodded, feeling the weight of my lineage settling on my shoulders. I had always known I was different, but this revelation brought a new level of responsibility. If I was truly the son of the King and Queen of Vampires, then I had a legacy to uphold and powers to master.
"Well then," I said, trying to mask my uncertainty with a determined tone. "I guess we have even more training to do."
Jinvolo nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, and we'll need to focus on honing all your skills—physical, magical, and vampiric. You have a lot to learn, Nova, and not much time to learn it. But I'm here to help you unlock your full potential. We all are."
Flora squeezed my hand again, her support clear in her eyes. "Whatever it takes, we're in this together. We'll figure it all out, one step at a time."
I looked at them both, feeling a deep sense of gratitude and resolve. With friends like these, I knew I could face whatever challenges lay ahead. And with their help, I would unlock the secrets of my lineage and prepare for the battles to come.