Chapter 11: Awakening the Elements

I woke up to a familiar yet disorienting sensation—the feeling of weightlessness as I drifted back into consciousness. 

My room was dimly lit by the early morning light filtering through the curtains. The events of the previous night came rushing back to me, and I instinctively checked my body for any lingering pain or injuries. To my relief, I felt stronger and more invigorated than ever before.

The green, glowing seed floated in front of me, its gentle energy radiating a soothing calmness. I reached out and touched it, feeling a connection form between us. The seed pulsed with life, and I knew it was now a part of me, an integral element of my cultivation.

I took a deep breath, allowing the calming energy to wash over me. I felt the urge to test my new abilities and see what transformations had occurred. Standing up, I focused on the green seed in my hand, willing it to merge with my body. Instantly, a breeze swirled around me, lifting my hair and clothes. Without a fuzz, pain, or whatnot, the seed took its place orbiting around the black hole that was my dantian.

Excitement surged through me as I realized the potential of this new power. I could feel the wind passively affecting my movements, giving them a natural feel. The wind seemed to guide my movement to become even faster, facing less obstruction as I flung a palm. I practiced for a few minutes, seeing if the effect was constant. The sensation was exhilarating, and I couldn't wait to see how this would enhance my combat abilities. 

As I prepared for the day, I thought about the flaming orb still waiting in my storage. If the wind orb had such a profound effect, what would the flame orb do? The anticipation was almost unbearable, but I knew I had to take things one step at a time. I might not be so lucky, as to be in one piece, next time.

At breakfast, Elaine immediately noticed the change in my aura becoming more attuned with nature. "Big Brother, you look different today. Did something happen last night?" she asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.

I forced a casual smile and shrugged. "Just had a really good night's sleep. I guess it helped with my cultivation."

My parents exchanged worried looks, but my father spoke up. "Be careful, Victor. These breakthroughs are not to be taken lightly. Make sure you're prepared for any consequences. Damaging the foundation is a serious issue"

"I will, Dad," I assured him. "I'll be cautious."

Only I knew the pain I went through, to be where I am now.

After breakfast, I headed to school, eager to test my new enhancement in a more controlled environment. The walk was brisk, the wind at my back pushing me forward as if eager to show off its newfound connection to me.

Classes were the usual blend of academic lessons and combat training. 

As I made my way out of class after learning that it was a free period I went past a group of Students talking about the exam. 

" Did you hear, they will change the practical part of the exam to an excursion to Planet Kyryo" 

"That Planet filled with ferocious beasts, used by the Hunter Association to get monster materials to sell?"

"Yeah that one"

"No that's new, wasn't the original practical part a fight with the beast in the virtual space?"

" Apparently, or so rumors say, the military is recruiting more talents, to be trained to fight on the front line."

"Scary, good thing we're still two years away from graduation."

"Yeah, I think so as well. Im way to young to die at he frontlines."

" Haha, don't let Mr. Anderson hear you, I swear he'll gut you for avoiding military service."

Their voices went farther and farther down the hallway. 

Even though I felt bad hearing their disregard for the military. I could not blame them. After the Flaming Martial Saint Drayton sacrificed herself for the good of mankind, the people admired the remaining Saints. And copied their behavior of not helping the military and instead remaining in the peaceful parts of the Federation and cultivating. 

During the free period, I found a secluded spot in the training yard and focused on my new abilities.

The wind responded overjoyed at my attempt to communicate with It. 

At least that is how I interpreted its stirring at my attempt to actively call upon it. Which failed. A passive boost to my abilities is more than enough.

After a few detailed tests, mainly going through my usual Attack technique and movement technique. I noticed that I had surprising precision, being guided by the wind allowed me to enhance my movements and attacks. I continued to practice my "Swift Shadows Palm" and "Blurr Step" techniques, noticing a significant improvement in speed and agility. As a bonus, my steps became more silent as well. 

It's like putting wings on a tiger.

During my training, I felt like the wind was trying to help me comprehend a new movement technique. Needless to say, my attempt failed. It seems like, I will need a couple of purple orbs to get a breakthrough on that. My failed attempt brought about the end of the period. 

I made my way back to class. Still think about the insides into my movements.

Emily, my sparring partner, noticed the change as well, at our, now almost daily, sparring. "You've improved a lot since yesterday," she remarked, wiping sweat from her brow after our sparring session.

 "What happened?"

I hesitated for a moment before deciding to tell a partial truth. "I've been working on some new tricks for my movement techniques. I guess it's finally paying off."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "That's incredible! No wonder you were so fast. I nearly lost track of you a few times, because of your silent steps. You'll be unstoppable at the entrance exam."

"Thanks, Emily," I said, feeling a sense of pride. Her praise for my hard work felt different from my family, it felt oddly nice. At that, I could not help smiling to myself.

The rest of the school day passed quickly, and soon I was back home. After dinner, I retreated to my room, my mind filled with thoughts of the flame orb. I knew I had to be cautious, but the potential power it could offer was too tempting to ignore.

I knelt on my meditation mat, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves. "Storage," I whispered, and the red-black screen appeared, showing me the remaining orbs. I selected the flaming orb, feeling its sweltering heat radiate through the screen.

"Do you wish to put a sound barrier around the meditation mat?"

 "Yes" "No"

I chose yes, bracing myself for what was to come. The flaming orb glowed a brilliant red, and I could feel its intense energy pulsing in my hand. This time, I was prepared for the pain. I let the black hole within me begin to absorb the orb's energy.

The pain was immediate and excruciating, a searing heat that felt like my insides were being scorched than backed, over and over. I gritted my teeth, determined not to scream, thanks to the experience from the wind orb I could bearly keep up with the pain. The black hole worked furiously, trying to contain and purify the raging flames. I pulled out another large red orb from my storage, the last of its kind, hoping to ease the process as It had done before.

The energy from the red orb merged with the black hole, creating another complex glyph within its event horizon. The glyph glowed brightly, raging forward the flames like the rage of the Gods flooding them, and the flames seemed to calm, becoming more manageable. Slowly, the pain began to recede, replaced by a warmth that spread through my entire being.

As the last of the flaming orb's energy was absorbed, a surge of fiery energy shot out from the black hole. Healing my scorched insides, making them even tougher. It condensed into a small, glowing ember that floated in front of me. The ember pulsed with a steady, intense heat, ready to be harnessed. And harnessed I did. Creating a heatwave with me as Its center.

Exhausted but triumphant, I watched as the ember integrated itself into my inner orbit, settling at a distance from the green seed. The transformation was complete, and I could feel the power of both the wind and the flames complementing each other. Little bits of the gusts of wind touched small sparks, giving them a renewed strength.

They seemed to help one another with their growth.

I still didn't know the embers enhancement but I was sure that I would find out about it eventually. 

I lay back on the mat, but before I let the exhaustion wash over me. I dragged my tired body to the shower taking a long relaxing bath. The journey had been long and painful, but the rewards were undeniable. With the entrance exam fast approaching, I knew I was more prepared than ever.

As I drifted off to sleep in the healing softness of my bed, I couldn't help but wonder what other challenges and adventures awaited me on this path. One thing was certain: I was ready to face them head-on, no matter what.