Tenzen - a power passed down from great Aethrauzon, onto the world. The world lives by tenzen, with tenzen, and for tenzen.
Every single thing - from the smallest indivisible particles to the largest indescribable objects.
They are all made of tenzen.
This power gave rise to the art of sorcery - the use of tenzen to do things that are normally impossible.
From creating theories, to profounding laws to implementing rules, to creating life, nonliving and abstracts.
They are all bound by the art of sorcery.
And through the use of this art, stands sorcerers. Beings who make use of tenzen in maintaining peace, and battling unclean beings - demons.
There are four known attainable stages in sorcery:
First, is the flow phase. The first phase of sorcery, where ones tenzen affinity is conceived. Through focus, and concentration, one perceives the tenzen energy flowing through his being. From his core - the heart - to the brain, to every other part of his body.
Mastering the flow phase, grants great physical prowess, by amplifying ones internal energy and stamina depending on ones Tenzen affinity.
Second, is the emission phase. This stage, depends immensely on mastering the flow phase.
The emission phase, involves flow, and release. After one has perfected the flow phase, he then interacts with ambient tenzen particles, and then emits his own tenzen into the atmosphere.
Third, is the manipulation phase. This phase is also known as the climax of sorcery. In this stage, one harnesses the power to control atmospheric tenzen at will.
And last, is the rebirth phase. Believed to be unattainable by most, this phase is reserved to the blessed, and those who complete this phase become superior humans - 1stgrade sorcerers.
***
"Arrrgh!!" Nara yawned loudly, punctuating the peaceful silence that filled the room.
Van threw him a crossed gaze.
Apparently, he was reading the tome on sorcery and tenzonology to Code, who was barely keeping his eyes open.
"Oi!" Van yelled, jolting Code back from lala land.
"Uh," he jerked awake.
"Boy, oh boy," Nara sighed. "This is so boring. Sorcery isn't something you read, y'know," he said to Van.
"Ahem!" Van cleared his throat. 'Shit, this idiot, I don't know how to teach,' Van thought to himself.
'Sheesh, after all I said about a tough training?' Van sighed.
"Arrgh," Nara sighed again. He had noticed the confusion in Van's eyes.
"You don't know what to do, do ya?" He asked, tone mocking.
"Tch." Van gritted his teeth.
Nara jumped to his feet, turning away. "Just do what you always do," he said.
"I'm gonna go get a book that could help," Nara added, as he walked away.
"Good grief," Van shook his head.
Snore...snore...
His gaze slowly shifted back to Code, who had fallen into another slumber.
'This...' Van's brow raised.
"Wake up, will ya!!" Van instantly yelled.
"Yes sir!!" Code screamed subconsciously, as he jerked awake, eyes wide.
...
"Wha-what's this?" Code muttered, eyes fixed on a cold metal rob in his hands.
He was standing, and opposite him sat Van, on the table edge.
"What does it look like?" Van replied flatly.
"A m-metal rod?" Code said, tone sceptical.
"That's right," Van nodded, standing up from the table.
"Metals are good conductors of heat, electricity, light, and sound," Van began explaining.
"However, these phenomena are bound by something..."
Code's gaze raised. "Tenzen!" He smiled.
"Yeah," Van nodded.
"Haha," Code chuckled. "You somehow feel like an highschool teacher," he said.
"Can it!" Van cut in, tone cold and dry.
"Y-yes sir!" Code replied, stammering.
"Since they're bound by tenzen, then that means metals are good conductors of tenzen!" Van continued, taking a step towards Code.
"And that's why we're using it for this training, in which we're starting with the flow phase."
"Flow Phase?" Code smiled. "Finally...!" He whispered.
Van didn't smile back. "As I read to you earlier, the flow phase involves you focusing and concentrating on your inner self..."
"Hmm," Code hummed, as he held the rod on both sides, trying to do what Van was saying.
"Your mind, blood flow, your heart beat, your nervous system, and every movement within your body."
Van's words went directly into Code's mind.
But suddenly, he stopped.
"What the hell are you doing?" He asked flatly.
"Huh?" Code's eyes snapped open. "Doing what you said I should," he explained.
"Hughh?" Van tilted his head.
"That's what the book says, not what your being says," he finally said, after seconds of awkward silence.
"My being?" Code repeated.
Then, Van continued. "You're a Zero, Code. The training written in that tome is for normal humans, not you," he said.
"S-so which one's for me?" Code asked, his heart racing with anticipation.
Then, Code suddenly noticed it.
The suffocating aura emanating from Van.
"Since you're different, your training will be more intensive. Remember we have to break the balance between your tenzen and anti-tenzen? We can't do that by following this book only," Van said.
"Y-yeah, so what're you saying?" Code asked, his heart that was racing with anticipation was now racing in fear.
Van slowly raised his palm to Code's chest.
Code swallowed hard.
"In order to break the balance through flow phase, an external force is required to counterbalance the internal force you're going to create, or you'll short-circuit," Van warned.
"So, while trying to master the flow phase, I'll help you maintain the external balance," Van nodded.
"Um...so, what you're saying is..." Code still didn't understand.
"All I'm saying is, I'll hit you with tenzen waves," Van finally explained.
"Uh?" Code staggered backwards, sweat pouring down his cheeks.
"So, while I do that, make sure to master the flow phase," Van said, as his eyes turned cold.
'I don't like that look in his eyes,' Code shivered.
"W-wait, I'm not ready," Code tried to protest, as he heard the next word.
"Three."
Code's eyes instantly went wide.
"Two."
"Oh-oh, shit," Code held onto the rod tightly.
"One!"
Shwaaamm!
Code first felt the massive haul of energy collide with him.
It seemed like every particle of his being was hit, before...
Swoom!! Boom!!
Code was instantly hurled through the air, as he rammed into the wall far behind him with a sickening crunch.
The whole room shivered again.
...
"Looks like they've started," Nara whispered, eyes scanning through a row of tomes on the shelf.
...
"Awww," Code groaned intensely, as the sand and debris fell upon him.
"What the hell?" He muttered, teeth gritted, as he staggered up.
His leg was right elbow was fractured.
"Shit, what kind of training is this?" He stammered.
"Hehehe," a low ominous chuckle seeped into Code's ears.
"That's the spirit!" Van's voice boomed, as he stretched his palm again, directed towards Code.
"Oh, no, please..." Code wailed, as blood dripped down his face.
"If you keep begging everytime. Everytime someone's in trouble, or someone needs your help, and all you can do is beg? How pathetic," Van said.
Code's gaze lifted up slightly. He could sense it. The change in Van's demeanor.
He was having fun.
"You shitty sucker!" Code said, raising his head fully. His two hands tightened on the rod.
He closed his eyes, as Van's words flushed his head.
"Feel your inner self. Your mind. Your blood flow -"
"Haha! Here it comes," Van cut into his thoughts, and before he could react...
Swooom!!
Another massive haul connected with Code, slamming him into the wall with even greater force.
...
"Gyaaahh!"
Code's scream sounded all the way into the dining room, where Hina was seated quietly.
"Arrgh, good grief," she sighed. "How can I possibly I read with all these noise and distractions?" She said, slapping the book onto the table, as she stood up.
"I guess I'd just make some coffee," she whispered, walking to the cabinet.
"I just hope Van doesn't go too far though," she shook her head.
...
'God, I'm gonna die, no, I'm already dead,' Code thought, as blood poured all over his face.
His eyes opened weakly, as his gaze caught Van's steady footsteps towards him.
"Is that all you've got? Even after all your determination? Huh?" Van teased.
"Tch." Code hissed, using all his might to stand up, supporting himself with the wall.
"I never said I was done," Code replied.
"Oh? I like your determination!" Van chuckled. "Powers don't just come onto those who will it. You earn power. Not through mere determination, but you work for it," he said.
"Shut yer yapping," Code cut in. "That doesn't seem the case for you."
"Well, I'm a god, and gods don't live by rules!" Van replied with a smirk.
'I'm not giving up here. Not now. Not ever!" Code thought, as he fixed his gaze on the rod.
"Focus!" Van's voice chimed in.
"Your entire being, your soul, you bra-"
Shwaannn!!
Another immense force rammed into Code, but this time, instead of slamming him into the wall, it sent him sideways, ramming into a shelf.
"Ahh. Ahh." Code exhaled compressed air, as he looked from one eye, blood pouring freely from the other.
"Oi, you sure you don't wanna give up? I mean, you can always continue this later."
Code's gaze shifted to Nara, who stood some shelves away by his left.
Nara's eyes were fixed on the shelf, not even sparing Code a glance.
"Nah!" Code replied sharply. "If I give up here, I'll never be able to stand up again. This is my chance to be finally free - from weakness and torment," Code said.
"I won't give-"
Swooooooosh!!
Before he could finish his statement, his torso caved in, as a gut wrenching tide slammed into him.
"You shouldn't look away from your foe," Van said, his footsteps echoing.
Nara looked behind his back, watching as Van walked away.
"Eeek!" He shivered. "I still remember my own training," he whispered.
"If not for that mask that reduces his powers by millions of factors, he could easily blink Tenebrous away," Nara shook.
***
To Be Continued...