EPISODE 91: THE ELEMENTAL BALANCE PART I: LIGHT, DARKNESS, FIRE AND ICE
A MONTH LATER IN THE BOOK OF JO-LAN…
The Students had spent the past month exploring the new islands within the Book Of Jo-lan. On this particular day, they stood in the presence of the three elders of the Phoenix Clan and the Masters.
"Josec, Harry, Buern, Estelle, Jason, how would you like to resume classes here?" William Fenix asked.
"Our previous lessons were quite exciting. If we can become even stronger before our confrontation with Souryu, we don't particularly mind. Right guys?" Buern asked the others.
They nodded.
"Good, I have already organized special lessons for you five. You will be undergoing lessons under the tutorship of a new teacher" William Fenix said.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in" Lucas Bane instructed.
In walked a lady about as old as Master Pheisl.
"K-K-Kyla?!" Josec, Harry, Buern and Master Pheisl exclaimed in shock.
"So this is where you've been all along Reis" Kyla said with a smirk.
"Uh-um…" Master Pheisl cleared his throat.
"I don't think I've ever seen Master Pheisl this nervous before" Estelle whispered to the others.
"Aurora sends her regards" Kyla said with a sigh.
"What are you doing here?" Master Pheisl asked.
"I came here under directives from Ryu to aid your students with a set of Ryugaeian lessons" Kyla said.
"It's good to see you" Master Pheisl said.
"It's good to see you too" Kyla said.
The following day, classes resumed and the Students found themselves in class. They were glad to discover that Fleur was present as well. They exchanged greetings with Fleur and shortly after, Kyla walked into the classroom.
"Good morning class. I am your new teacher. You can call me Kyla Ayenhayze" Kyla greeted the students.
The students introduced themselves as well.
"Today, we'll be studying a concept referred to as the Elemental Balance. It is a concept originating from a distant world called Ryugaeia" Kyla explained.
"The Elemental Balance? What's that?" a student asked.
"It is a concept that describes an element's dominance over another element as well as the interaction amongst elements" Kyla explained.
"What does that mean?" a student asked.
"I'll begin by saying that Ryugaeia's concept revolves around nine dominant elements which are indicative of nine Dragons or Psychorages, as you refer to them in your homeworld, as well as their domains. The interaction amongst the elements is best described as circular" Kyla said.
She watched the faces of the students for signs of understanding. It seemed like this was going to be a difficult topic to understand.
"This circular property of the elements, when it factors in the borders or limitations of the elements and their unique characteristics is referred to in another primeval world called Kolmnid, as…the Dragon Zone, the sacred ground from which the Dragons draw their strength. The equivalent of the Dragon Zone in this world is the Book of Jo-lan which contains the domains of all the Psychorages from your homeworld" Kyla explained.
"I see! Why didn't you just explain it like that earlier!" a student exclaimed in excitement and everyone laughed.
Kyla smiled.
"It looks like they successfully bypassed the first hurdle to comprehending the concept" Kyla thought silently to herself.
"This circular interaction amongst the elements connote that the elements are without beginning or end. However, depending on how the elements are utilized, one element may have the capacity to nullify the effects of another element, to amplify the effects of another element or to transform into a completely new element. This is the concept termed 'The Elemental Balance'" Kyla explained.
"It's just like Master Ken said except he termed them under Amplification, Catalyst and Transformation Dual or Delta Type Techniques" Buern realized.
"We'll begin our lesson by studying four elements that possess a unique relation to one another" Kyla said.
"What elements are those?" Estelle asked.
"They are the elements of Light, Darkness, Fire and Ice. Of all the elements, Light and Darkness are the most dominant" Kyla explained. "I'll begin by describing the most dominant element out of all the elements. The most dominant element is Light. It possesses the capacity to exert dominance over all other elements. It is through Light that the elements are given form. In the absence of Light, all elements are invisible. Light also defines the unique characteristics of each element allowing us to distinguish one thing from another. The movements of Light on the surfaces of objects give the objects form as well as unique features. Do you understand?" Kyla asked.
The Students nodded.
"An element's unique characteristics may also connote the characteristics of people that possess an affinity for that element. Thus by understanding the unique characteristics of the elements, one may be able to come to a comprehension of the abilities, tendencies and characteristics of people who possess an affinity for a particular element. This is the reason why it is believed that when one can utilize an improvisation of an element different from one's elemental affinity, it connotes an affinity for and an understanding of people of that element's affinity" Kyla explained.
"How so?" a student asked.
"I've explained Light's characteristics so you may have inferred that one property of Light is the capacity to grant vision. The effect of Light on one's eyes allows one to see. As such, Light Element Users are believed to possess the ability to enhance vision and to alter vision. The ability of Light to penetrate almost every corner, to permeate all objects and thus make visible the invisible is also believed to grant Light Element Users the ability to uncover all secrets. This ability also makes Light Element Users impervious to attacks by means of stealth. They are believed to possess the ability to comprehend and utilize all elements. The immense rate of speed at which Light travels is also believed to grant them unlimited speed and mobility as well" Kyla explained.
"I see" Harry realized what Kyla was getting at.
"Light is thus believed to symbolize 'Truth'" Kyla said.
"The next dominant element is Darkness. Darkness can exert dominance over all elements but is subservient to Light and can be repelled by Fire. Unlike Light, Darkness takes away form, however it disappears in the presence of Light. As such, Dark Element Users are believed to possess the ability to conceal form as well as to alter form and are thus noted for the ability to play all sorts of nasty tricks with the minds of their opponents. In contrast, they do not possess great physical strength and prefer to attack from a distance. They possess a great capacity for stealth and the ability to conceal secrets. They also possess the ability to absorb all other elements except for Light and Fire" Kyla explained.
Buern shivered.
"Just like Souryu" she commented silently.
Those that heard her burst into laughter.
"But why can't Darkness exert dominance over Fire?" Buern asked.
"I'll explain the traits of Fire now. Fire shares a relation with Light, in that, Fire can emanate Light. This ability and relation of Fire to Light grants Fire the ability to nullify the effects of Darkness. Fire can exert dominance over Earth thus refining it into high quality materials like Metal. However, Water exerts dominance over Fire possessing the ability to quench it. Fire can exert dominance over Wind, greatly amplifying itself in the presence of Wind. Strong heat can exert dominance over even Water transforming Water into vapour. Heat can also exert dominance over Ice thus melting it. As such, Fire Element Users are believed to possess the ability to dispel the abilities of Dark Element Users, to withstand attacks on the mind which are characteristic of Dark Element Users. They can cause objects to combust, can alter air current flows to generate storms and enhance their mobility through propulsion techniques. When Fire Element Users and Light Element Users combine their abilities, they can enhance plant growth as well. Fire Element Users also have the ability to refine or alter Earth attributes into forms such as Metal or Magma" Kyla explained.
"Very interesting" Estelle noted.
"I do know that it is possible to enhance mobility through flame propulsion techniques. I have never attempted it though" Estelle said.
"Fire is believed to be symbolic of 'Fortitude'" Kyla said.
"I will conclude the day's lesson with Ice. Ice can exert dominance over Water, freezing it. When Light exerts dominance over Ice, Light's characteristics undergo alteration giving Light the ability to diffract into multiple spectrums. Heat as I said earlier can exert dominance over Ice melting it. When Ice exerts dominance over Wind, a normal storm can be transformed into a Snowstorm. Ice is a state of Water so Ice Element Users are believed to possess all the abilities of Water Element Users and vice versa. Ice Element Users possess the ability to amplify the abilities of Light Element Users. They can refract and reflect Light to create the illusion of invisibility, can alter perception of distance and can diffract Light to alter vision. They are highly capable in the utilization of stealth, a trait Light Element Users possess as well. They also possess the capacity to amplify the capabilities of Lightning Element Users" Kyla explained.
All the students were paying rapt attention.
"That's it for the theoretical explanation. Now it's time for some actual practice" Kyla said as she began to shut the windows and doors of the classroom.
"What's she up to now?" Buern wondered.
"We'll begin by experimenting with Light, Darkness and Fire" Kyla said as she suddenly generated a gust of wind that snuffed out all the candles.
In an instant, the entire classroom became dark.
"Can you see anything in the darkness?" Kyla asked.
"Nope" the students replied.
"That's darkness for you and its ability to conceal form" Kyla explained.
"So this is what you meant" the Students exclaimed.
"Now will a Fire Element User kindly generate a flame?" Kyla requested.
In an instant, multiple students with an affinity for Fire generated sparks of Flame lighting up the classroom in the process.
"That there is Fire's unique relation to Light and its ability to dispel Darkness as a result. I'm sure most of you understand the characteristics of Light because it's something we're all familiar with" Kyla said.
The Students nodded and relighted the candles. Kyla opened the windows as well.
"Now we'll study the relationship between Ice and Light" Kyla said.
She instructed some students with the Ice affinity to create special lenses made of Ice. The Students observed the ability of Ice to magnify objects through refraction as well as its ability to alter perception of distance. Next, they observed the ability of Ice to diffract Light. The classroom was filled with many colours just like the colours of the rainbow. The students observed this phenomenon with wonder.
"Finally, we shall observe a tricky property of Light and Ice. The property to render objects invisible" Kyla said. "For this I'll need a number of students skillful enough to create two sets of ice. One set with the capacity to reflect Light and another set with the capacity to refract Light" Kyla said.
"Sweet!" the Ice Element Users exclaimed happily.
"And I'll need a volunteer" Kyla said.
Fleur raised her hand.
"Okay Fleur" Kyla called.
Fleur walked to the front of the class.
"Okay, Ice Element Users. I want you to create a wall of Ice in front of Fleur with the ability to refract Light at a forty five degree angle to the right from Fleur's position. Next, set up the reflective walls of Ice all around Fleur with the capacity to reflect the Light flowing from the refractive wall of Ice at a forty five degree angle to the right from Fleur's position. If my calculations are right, the Light flowing into the refractive wall of ice should be refracted from Fleur, then reflected all around her without actually reaching her till it is finally reflected into the refractive wall of ice it originally flowed into to create the illusion of invisibility" Kyla said.
The Students obeyed doing their best to follow Kyla's instructions and adjusting the walls of ice whenever the setup didn't work. As a result, they eventually achieved the ability to render Fleur completely invisible. It was an amazing discovery for Ice Element Users.
"Thanks a lot Mistress Kyla!" the students said gratefully.
"For this reason, Ice Element Users are believed to be Magnifiers Of Light and by implication, Magnifiers Of Truth. Okay, classes are over for today. Tomorrow, we'll study the properties of other elements and their applications" Kyla said.