The next morning, David's eyes snapped open, filled with excitement and anticipation. The warm sunlight filtering through the forest canopy above danced across his face, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The gentle morning breeze rustled the leaves, releasing the sweet scent of blooming wildflowers. Birds chirped their morning songs, filling the air with melodic harmony.
As David stretched, the soft earth beneath him yielded to his movements. Xandros emerged from the underbrush, his weathered face creasing into a nod of approval. "I can see you're up early, young prince. That's a good sign."
David's enthusiasm spilled over. "Yeah, I'm pretty psyched about our training today."
Xandros's gaze held a hint of intensity. "That's good. Let's get going. We have no time to waste. Vonhelsine's forces will reach your kingdom in two weeks."
David's grip on his fists tightened, his jaw clenched. "I won't let that happen."
Xandros's eyes lingered on David's clenched fists but remained silent.
"Pack your things; we're moving higher into the mountains," Xandros instructed.
David swiftly gathered his belongings and cast the Leviticus spell, levitating his bag with ease. "Let's go," he said to Xandros.
Xandros replied, "Okay."
As David moved forward, he turned, uncertainty creeping in. "Which way are we going?" he asked Xandros with a hint of laughter in his voice.
Xandros tapped his forehead in slight disappointment. "Have you forgotten that you have the map etched in your mind? Just focus on your mark, and it will show you the way."
David's eyes dropped, his breath slowing as he centered himself. "Oow, sorry; I forgot about that." He gently took a pause, breathing gently, murmuring to himself, "Focus, focus." He breathed and closed his eyes.
The forest around him dissolved into stillness, the sounds of nature fading into the background. The soft rustle of leaves, the chirping birds, and the distant rush of a waterfall all blended into silence. David's heartbeat became the only sound.
He focused, and his mark began to glow, illuminating the path ahead in his mind's eye. The vision flashed through his mind like a beacon, guiding him through the dense forest.
He slowly opened his eyes as the glow in his eyes and on his forehead started fading gently. "Let's go," David said to Xandros, confidence restored.
Xandros fell into step behind David, who confidently led the way, his senses attuned to the hidden path.
As the duo traversed the rugged forest, navigating treacherous rivers and scaling steep hills, they finally reached a flat clearing atop a hill. David's exhaustion caught up with him, and he stumbled, collapsing to the ground with a dramatic groan.
"Xandros, please...wait," David pleaded, his voice barely above a whisper. "Can we take a break?"
Xandros nodded sympathetically, settling onto the ground with a serene smile. "Of course, young prince."
As Xandros meditated, David's eyelids grew heavy, and he surrendered to sleep. His body relaxed, contorting into a ridiculously comical pose. His legs splayed apart like a frog, while his arms wrapped around his head like a pillow. His mouth hung agape, and his tongue lolled out, dripping with drool. A faint snore rattled his nose, making his upper lip flutter like a butterfly.
Xandros opened his eyes after an hour of meditation and gazed at David's slumbering form. A hint of amusement danced in his eyes. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a gentle cascade of water, courtesy of his Aqua Surge magic.
The cool droplets rained down on David, startling him awake. David's eyes snapped open, and he leapt up, looking like a startled rabbit.
"What did you do that for?" David demanded, shaking off the water.
Xandros's expression remained stoic, but a mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes.
"Get ready to begin your training?" Xandros asked, ignoring David's question.
David rubbed his eyes, still disoriented. "What? No warning? You could've just woken me up normally!"
Xandros rose to his feet, his gaze unwavering. "Life doesn't give warnings, David. You must always be prepared."
David sighed, scrambling to his feet. "You win this round, Xandros."
Xandros nodded curtly. "Let's begin."
Xandros pondered, "What should I teach you first, David? Hmmm...let me see." His eyes sparkled with a hint of excitement. "Okay, I've got it! How about Earth magic?"
David nodded enthusiastically. "That sounds amazing!"
Xandros smiled. "Watch closely, David."
With a deep breath, Xandros's eyes gleamed with intensity. He raised his hands to the sky and shouted, "Terra Defendio!"
The air around Xandros began to distort, as if reality itself was bending to his will. The ground trembled, and the sound of shifting earth filled the air. David's eyes widened as a massive boulder burst forth from the ground, hovering obediently above Xandros's outstretched palm.
The boulder began to morph, its surface etching intricate patterns of leaves and vines. David gasped, awestruck. "How...how are you doing this?"
Xandros's gaze remained fixed on the boulder. "Earth magic is not just about moving rocks, David. It's about understanding the heartbeat of the land, its rhythms, and its pulse."
With a flick of his wrist, the boulder disintegrated into a shower of pebbles. Xandros raised his hands again, shouting, "Terra Defendio!" A massive fist made of solid stone erupted from the ground, its surface etched with ancient runes.
Xandros projected the fist forward, and it hurtled through the air, striking a nearby tree with incredible force. The trunk shattered, splintering into a thousand fragments. The sound of crashing wood echoed through the forest, sending birds fleeing in terror.
David stumbled backward, awestruck. "Wh…what is going on here?"
Xandros turned to David, his expression serious. "Now it's your turn. Focus your energy, connect with the earth, and call upon its power."
David took a deep breath and raised his hands. "Terra Defendio!" he shouted.
Nothing happened.
Xandros offered no words of encouragement, only a stern nod. "Again."
David tried repeatedly, each attempt ending in failure. Sweat dripped from his brow, his arms trembling with exhaustion.
Xandros's voice remained unwavering. "You're not listening to the earth, David. Feel its pulse."
As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow across the landscape, David's determination ignited. He closed his eyes, focusing on the earth's energy.
As David concentrated on the land, his mark began to glow with a soft blue light. His eyes shimmered, radiating an ethereal intensity.
With a newfound sense of connection, David raised his hands once more. "Terra Defendio!"
The ground shuddered, and a small rock levitated above David's palm. He opened his eyes, awestruck.
Xandros nodded, a hint of a smile. "You've taken the first step, David. Now, let's refine your technique."
As night descended, David practiced tirelessly, his mastery of Earth magic growing with each passing moment.
David's frustration mounted as his spells fizzled, but he refused to give up. With a deep breath, he focused on the earth's pulse.
As David connected with the land, his mark pulsed brighter, illuminating his surroundings. His eyes gleamed with an otherworldly light.
Finally, after countless attempts, David's magic surged. A massive stone pillar burst forth from the ground, towering above the trees. David's eyes snapped open, awestruck.
Xandros nodded, pride etched on his face. "You've finally listened to the earth, David."
Emboldened, David projected his own stone fist, shattering a nearby boulder. The sound of crashing stone echoed through the forest.
Xandros smiled, his eyes gleaming. "You're ready for the next level, David."
As the moon reached its zenith, David's magic continued to grow, his connection to the earth deepening.
David collapsed to the ground, exhausted. "Huuuh...I did it."
Xandros approached, his expression stern yet proud. "I see you're also getting used to using your mark."
David smiled, still catching his breath. "Yeah, you can say that."
Xandros offered a nod. "Okay, get up. Let's find a suitable place to rest for the night."
David rose to his feet, gesturing toward a nearby cave. "Let's take our rest there."
Xandros turned, startled. "I didn't notice there was a cave around. Okay, let's go."
As they settled into the cave, David gathered wood from the broken tree, shattered by Xandros's earth fist. He arranged the wood for a campfire.
"Well settled in," David said, his voice gentle. "Ignis Eximious."
A small ball of fire erupted from his finger, illuminating the cave. Xandros stared, unreactive.
"You're a quick learner, I like that, young prince," Xandros said.
David smiled. "It's just because you're a great teacher."
Xandros nodded. "Thank you for the compliment. You had a rough day, so rest. We have more training tomorrow."
David snuggled into his cover, while Xandros sat upright.
"What shall I teach you tomorrow?" Xandros asked.
"I'd like to know air magic," David responded.
"Good idea," Xandros said. "Okay, good night."
David reached for his bag, he removed the scarf Serena gave him and smelled it, wrapping it around his neck. Slowly, he surrendered to sleep.
The night was quiet, moonlight illuminating the forest. Wolves howled in the distance, and midnight creatures made soft rustling sounds.
David's sleep was filled with visions of his kingdom: destroyed, burned to the ground. He saw Serena and his father's bodies hanged on stakes in front of the castle.
David woke with a start, gasping. His head throbbed, and his mark glowed. The campfire wood and nearby rocks hovered in the air, suspended as if by an unseen force.
Xandros's voice cut through the tension. "Calm down, young prince."
As David regained his senses, the suspended objects fell to the floor.
"We have no time," David said, urgency etched on his face. "I feel Vonhelsine is close."
Xandros nodded gravely. "You're right, David. Vonhelsine is close to Adia."
David's determination ignited. "Let's go Training."
As they stepped out of the cave, the morning sun shimmered, casting a golden glow across the landscape. The air was crisp, filled with the scent of blooming wildflowers.
"Today, we master air magic," Xandros declared.
David nodded, his eyes burning with resolve.
Xandros stood tall, his eyes blazing with intensity. "David, focus on me!"
David snapped to attention, his mark pulsing with anticipation.
"Today, we'll master the art of air magic," Xandros declared. "Specifically, the spell 'Aeropex Aegis'."
David's eyes widened. "Aeropex Aegis? What does it do?"
Xandros smiled. "It creates a shield of swirling air, deflecting attacks and protecting the caster. Watch closely."
Xandros raised his hands, and the air around him began to ripple. "Aeropex Aegis!" he shouted.
A whirlwind erupted, encasing Xandros in a vortex of swirling air. The wind howled, whipping up dust and debris.
David stumbled backward, shielding his eyes. "Whoa!"
Xandros stepped forward, his voice carrying above the wind. "Now, amplify it!"
Xandros's eyes gleamed with intensity. He raised his hands higher, and the whirlwind expanded, growing more turbulent.
"Aeropex Aegis, Hurricane!" Xandros roared.
The whirlwind transformed into a colossal hurricane, its eyewall swirling with ferocious power. David stumbled, awestruck.
The hurricane raged on, its winds shrieking, and its rains pounding against the ground.
"Now it's your turn, David!" Xandros shouted.
David took a deep breath and raised his hands. "Aeropex Aegis!"
Nothing happened.
Xandros offered no encouragement, only a stern nod. "Again."
David tried repeatedly, each failure fueling his resolve.
As the morning wore on, David's frustration boiled over. "I can't do it!"
Xandros's expression remained unyielding. "You can. You must."
David's eyes blazed with determination. "Aeropex Aegis!"
The air around him shimmered, and a weak whirlwind formed. David's eyes snapped open, hope igniting.
Xandros nodded. "Good. Now sustain it."
David focused, pouring his energy into the spell. The whirlwind strengthened, swirling around him.
As the sun reached its zenith, David's control improved, his mastery growing stronger.
Finally, at mid-day, Xandros nodded. "Well done, David. You've mastered Aeropex Aegis."
David's exhaustion gave way to elation. "I did it!"
Xandros smiled. "Take a break. We'll continue with voltaues magic (electric element)this afternoon."
David collapsed onto the ground, his mark pulsing with satisfaction.
"This is going to be Exhilarating" David said gasping for air.
[Hello guys, author speaking (¬_¬)ﾉ pls don't forget to like and comment, pls say anything, be it positive or negative, I will learn from my mistakes and grow through you. Love you guys (´∀｀)♡]