Chapter 11 – Aric
Morning sunlight filtered through the narrow window of Aric's small training room, casting long, golden beams across the wooden floor. The smell of ink, parchment, and faintly burned candles lingered in the air—a testament to nights spent studying alongside his father. But today, study would be replaced by action.
Aric's small fists clenched as he faced a simple magical construct hovering in the center of the room—a floating orb of pale light, no larger than a fist. His father had created it as a training tool, but it represented far more than a simple exercise. It was an introduction to control, to focus, and to the subtle art of weaving magic into his body and mind.
He focused, drawing the ambient mana from the room into himself. It was faint but palpable, like the hum of a hidden current just beneath the surface of reality. He extended his hands toward the orb, willing the mana to move, to react. A faint ripple passed through the orb, causing it to wobble slightly.
"Good," Daren said from the doorway, arms crossed. "Now, don't just force it. Learn to listen to it. Magic is not only about strength—it's a conversation between your will and the world's mana."
Aric nodded, inhaling sharply. He lowered his stance, closing his eyes briefly to better sense the flow of energy around him. Slowly, deliberately, he guided the mana into a thin ribbon of light, connecting it to the orb. It quivered once, then steadied. A grin spread across his face.
"Better," Daren said, stepping closer. "Now add intent. Don't just move it—make it feel your presence, your purpose."
Aric tightened his concentration, imagining the orb as an extension of himself. He guided it in a circular pattern, then back and forth, experimenting with speed and direction. The construct responded, matching his movements with surprising precision. The first time he felt true control over it, a thrill ran through him.
"Excellent," Daren said. "Remember this feeling. Control, not force. Observation, not chaos. A great deal of what you will face in the future—other mortals, transcendent beings, divine-level threats—will test not only your power but your understanding of the subtle currents around you."
Aric smiled, his confidence swelling. He had struggled with small magic misfires before—lights that sputtered out, mana that flickered or misbehaved—but today was different. For the first time, he felt a connection to the energy itself, as if it were acknowledging his presence, answering to his will.
The orb floated higher, spinning rapidly, and Aric directed it toward a target marked on the far wall. With a sharp gesture, he released the ribbon of mana, sending the orb toward the mark. It struck dead center, shattering into tiny fragments of light that fizzled harmlessly into the air.
Daren clapped once, a rare smile breaking his usual stoicism. "Not bad for a morning exercise. You're learning faster than I anticipated."
Aric laughed, wiping sweat from his brow. "It's fun! It's like the mana is… listening to me, not just following orders."
"Good," Daren replied. "That's exactly what I want you to feel. Control doesn't come from dominance; it comes from understanding and respect. Remember this. Every Taboo breaker, every transcendent, every god who has risen above the ordinary—they all mastered this lesson in some form."
Aric nodded, still grinning as he watched the fragments of light dissipate. He knew the path ahead would be difficult, filled with dangers, challenges, and powerful opponents. But for the first time, he felt a spark of something greater—an inner certainty that he could face it. That one day, he might even surpass the limits imposed by the system.
"Next," Daren said, raising an eyebrow, "we move to dynamic exercises. You'll need to control multiple constructs simultaneously, while maintaining awareness of everything else around you. Are you ready?"
Aric's grin widened. "Always ready."
As the constructs reformed and floated into position, Aric's focus sharpened. Each movement, each flow of mana, each subtle shift in energy was now a part of him. Today, it was an orb. Tomorrow, it would be far more.
And in that quiet room, under the watchful eye of his father, the first sparks of a future transcendent being began to ignite.