The Grind Starts

With the prospect of choosing his subject for the upcoming test in his mind, Scion couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and curiosity. The options presented to him were enticing, and each held the promise of enhancing his mystic abilities.

As he sat in his room, surrounded by his study materials, Scion pondered his choices. Should he focus on mystic combat, delving into the intricacies of battle and strategy? Or perhaps mystic theory, to gain a deeper understanding of the mystical world he had become a part of? The options for survival strategies or mastering mystic control were equally tempting.

In the end, Scion decided that he needed guidance in making this crucial decision. Who better to consult than his mentor, Mik Nightshade, the enigmatic mystic master who had introduced him to the mystical realm? It was Mik who had guided him through the Enchanted Realm and who now held the key to his training.

Scion reached for his messaging device and quickly composed a message to Mik. "Master Mik, I have a question about my subject choice for the upcoming test. Could we meet?"

Almost immediately, a response appeared on his device. "Of course, Scion. I'll be at my home. Come over whenever you're ready."

Scion was slightly surprised by Mik's prompt response but wasted no time. He closed his study materials, donned his jacket, and made his way to Mik's home. As he walked through the familiar streets of Luminaris, he couldn't help but reflect on the whirlwind of events that had brought him to this point.

Upon reaching Mik's home, Scion hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door. It was a simple, unassuming house that blended into the neighbourhood. But Scion knew that within these walls resided a mystic master of unparalleled power and knowledge.

The door opened to reveal Mik, who greeted Scion with a friendly smile. "Scion, I'm glad you could make it. Come on in."

Scion was, however, taken aback as he stepped inside and noticed that his mother and younger sister were sitting in the living room, chatting with Mik as if he were an old family friend. They seemed entirely at ease in his presence.

"Scion, you're home early!" his mother exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with joy.

His sister chimed in, "This is Scion's teacher, Mom! He's really nice."

Scion clenched his jaw to suppress his annoyance. He couldn't fathom how Mik had seamlessly integrated himself into his family life, and the friendly facade Mik was putting on in front of his mother and sister grated on his nerves.

"Hello, Scion," Mik said with an air of playful amusement. "Your family has been delightful company. It's good to see you."

Scion couldn't get mad in front of his family, and so he masked his irritation with a strained smile. "Yes, it's quite the surprise. But I need to have a private conversation with Mik, if you don't mind."

His mother and sister seemed unfazed and excused themselves to leave the room. As soon as they were gone, Scion dragged Mik outside to the front porch, far from any prying ears.

Once outside, Scion wasted no time. "What the hell are you doing here, Mik? And how did you even know where I live?"

Mik leaned against the porch railing, his expression calm and unruffled. "I just wanted to meet my disciple's family. They're lovely people, by the way."

Scion's agitation was growing, but he decided to set it aside for the moment. "Fine, but let's get to the point. My midterms are coming up, and I need to know if there's any specific training or techniques I should be working on."

Mik nodded, his eyes sparkling with hidden knowledge. "Ah, the midterms. The perfect time to show off your newfound abilities. I do have a technique in mind for you, one that can significantly boost your control over mystic energy."

Scion leaned in, eager to hear more. "Tell me about it. What do I need to do?"

Mik held up a finger as if to emphasize the importance of his next words. "You'll be learning a technique that focuses on controlling mystic energy internally within your body. It's a foundational skill that will serve as a stepping stone to greater abilities."

Scion nodded, hanging on to Mik's every word. "That sounds great. What should I do first?"

Mik's smile widened as he boasted with a hint of comedic flair, "Well, my dear disciple, you're in luck. I'm known for my incredible strength, and I can teach you the best technique for this purpose."

Scion couldn't help but chuckle at Mik's ego. Despite his irritation, he appreciated his mentor's confidence. "Alright, Master Mik. I'm ready to learn."

Mik went on to explain the basics of the technique, emphasizing the importance of cultivating one's mystic powers, as recommended by the professor. The technique required the use of all human senses, as well as underdeveloped senses associated with mystic energy. By doing so, Scion would be able to boost the speed of his power growth significantly.

Scion listened carefully, committing the instructions to memory. As Mik spoke, Scion was struck by the depth of his mentor's knowledge. He had so much to learn from this mystic master, and he was determined to make the most of it.

Once the explanation was complete, Scion was eager to get started. "Thank you, Mik. I'll make sure to cultivate my mystic powers and apply this technique as you've shown me."

Mik clapped him on the back with an air of camaraderie. "Excellent, Scion. You're a quick learner. Just remember, with great power comes great responsibility."

Scion couldn't help but roll his eyes at the cliché, but he took Mik's advice to heart. It was time for him to get to work and harness his mystic potential.

Mik soon took his leave, promising to check in on Scion's progress shortly. As Mik departed, Scion went back inside, determined to make the most of his newfound knowledge.

Scion's mother was still in the living room when he returned. She looked up with a warm smile. "Scion, I'm so glad you're getting help from such a nice teacher. He even gave us his contact information. Isn't that wonderful?"

Scion fought to keep a straight face and went along with it. "Yes, Mom, he's great. I'm really lucky to have him as a teacher."

With his family none the wiser, Scion retreated to his room, eager to begin his training. He took out the piece of paper that Mik had given him, which contained detailed instructions for the mystic technique.

As he read through the instructions, Scion felt a surge of determination. He was on the path to mastering his mystic abilities, one step at a time. With Mik as his mentor and this new technique in his arsenal, there was no limit to what he could achieve.

The first step was to control his mystic power, and as Scion focused his thoughts, he concentrated on channelling his energy. However, it wasn't as easy as it sounded. As he attempted to control the flow of mystic energy within him, it burst out uncontrollably, creating a sudden, loud sound that resonated through the room.

The unexpected noise caught his mother's attention, and she rushed to his room. "Scion, are you okay? I heard a loud noise."

Scion winced, feeling a surge of pain from the attempt. "I'm fine, Mom. I just tripped and made a mess."

His mother seemed satisfied with the explanation and left his room, though her concern lingered in her eyes.

Undeterred, Scion resumed his efforts to control his mystic power. With painstaking precision, he attempted to guide the energy within, visualizing it as a river flowing through his body. The process was both mentally and physically taxing, but Scion was determined to succeed.

Hours passed as he persisted, and eventually, he began to experience a breakthrough. It was as if a dam had been breached, and mystic energy coursed through him with newfound clarity and precision. Scion couldn't help but smile in triumph. He was on his way to understanding the technique.

As he continued to practice, Scion marvelled at the untapped potential within him. With Mik as his mentor and this powerful technique at his disposal, he was ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth.