The Awakening of RealmHeart

February 28th, 1809

It was a bright yet breezy day, with leaves rustling in the wind as birds chirped from the tree branches, filling the air with their melodies.

Xavier stood in the training grounds of his family's estate, beads of sweat dripping down his face as he struggled to maintain RealmHeart. Alcmena watched over him, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable. They had been at this for weeks, but Xavier could barely keep the transformation stable for more than a few seconds.

With an exhausted sigh, Xavier collapsed onto the ground. "This is impossible, Master!" he groaned, frustration lacing his voice.

Alcmena scowled. "Stop whining and focus."

Xavier gritted his teeth. "We've been at this forever! A whole year in your realm and weeks here, and I still can't hold RealmHeart for more than a moment."

Alcmena sighed, his irritation giving way to understanding. "I get it, kid. It's frustrating. But not everything in life comes easy. If it did, it wouldn't be worth much. Now get up."

Still lying on the ground, Xavier muttered, "Can't we try another method? Forcing draconic energy out of my Dragon Seed just isn't working."

"There's a reason I'm having you do it this way," Alcmena replied, his tone even. "You're terrible at extracting ethereal energy. And, well… you don't even have an ethereal core, which makes things ten times harder."

Xavier scowled. "It's not my fault I was born like this!"

Alcmena pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled. "Look, every being is born with an ethereal core—a boundless well of energy. But just because one's ethereal core possesses an unlimited amount of energy doesn't mean one can tap into it fully and access it. There are limits"

"And since you don't have an ethereal core, but an endless formless pool of ethereal energy flooding around like a heavy stormy sea in your being. It's incredibly hard for you to extract energy from it like how other people with a core do".

Xavier frowned. "So that's why I can't use RealmHeart properly?"

Alcmena nodded. "Exactly. I figured if I made you force energy from your Dragon Seed, you'd eventually get the hang of drawing from your own energy the same way. But…" He sighed, scratching his head. 

Struggling to admit his mistake due to his dragon pride, Alcmena added with an annoyed expression, "But I must admit, it was a very bad idea on my part".

"So don't blame yourself for failing—blame me," he continued.

With a little giggle, Xavier smirked and jokingly said to Alcmena, "Wow! This is the very first time I've seen you put your pride away. Ark, is that really you?".

"It's the first time you've actually explained things in a way that makes sense using that all-knowing mind of yours. Maybe I really did break your pride."Alcmena flushed. "Don't mess with me, brat! I just thought it was the best option at the time! Plus, I'm not even nigh-omniscient anymore!"

A bit confused, Xavier asked, "What do you mean by that, Master?".

Alcmena answered, "What I meant is that, though I possess the great wisdom since I've lived for so many years, I do not possess the nigh-omniscient level of intelligence I did before".

Xavier questioned, "Oh! So did you become dumb?".

"No, I didn't, you annoying brat!", Alcmena retorted utterly flustered. "What I meant, was that though I possess all of the abilities of my original body. I am actually at the same level of power and ethereal core stage as you".

"Or to simply put it, I am as weak as you. Plus, only Grand Herrschers are given a nigh-omniscient source of intelligence and power".

With a frown on his face, Xavier replied, "To bluntly call me weak in my face... it's a bit mean".

Gently petting Xavier's head, Alcmena responded to him, "Don't get all sad kid, I'm only stating the truth".

"You big meanie," Xavier retorted, puffing his cheeks adorably.

Alcmena chuckled, and continued his explanation, "Anyways, I won't stay weak for long. For as long as you grow in power and advance your core stages, I will grow alongside you until I reach my original strength".

"That's a bit reassuring", Xavier replied. "Means I won't have to worry about being killed by strong enemies in the future, with you by my side".

Alcmena laughed, and said to him, "I'll make sure to get you as strong as possible to fight without me being there".

"I don't want you getting all lazy just because I'm there with you".

Xavier retorted, "You sure know how to bring down somebody's happiness, huh?".

"Don't be like that, Xavier", Alcmena answered. "It's for your own good".

At that moment, Anastasia walked into the immense training ground, carrying a service trolley filled with food and snacks, for both Xavier and Alcmena to eat after Anastasiaeir training.

"Greetings Young Master and Dragon Lord, Alcmena", Anastasia greeted, bowing her head.

"What's up, Miss Anastasia!" Xavier called, instantly perking up.She giggled at his enthusiasm. "I take it training is still not going well?"Alcmena sighed. "The kid still can't activate RealmHeart properly. Turns out the root of the issue is his ability—or rather, his inability—to extract ethereal energy."

Anastasia's brow furrowed. "That's strange. I've never heard of anyone having trouble drawing ethereal energy before."

"Neither have I," Alcmena admitted. "It's exhausting."

Overhearing Anastasia and Alcmena's conversation, Xavier's mind raced. If the problem was his inability to extract energy, then maybe... He suddenly remembered something—Faelwen's book. The one that explained ethereal energy manipulation in depth.

Without another word, he bolted from the training grounds, leaving Alcmena and Anastasia blinking in confusion. Moments later, he returned, book in hand.

"This!" he announced triumphantly. "Miss Faelwen gave me this book. It has to have something that can help!"

Alcmena raised a brow. "An elven manuscript? Hm. Not a bad idea."

Xavier flipped through the pages, his cosmic eyes scanning the words with unnatural speed. One passage stood out: Energy flows differently for everyone, but the fundamental principle remains the same—one must find a visualization that resonates with them. Personalized imagery will make the process easier and more intuitive.

Xavier paused. Visualization... what image could he use?

His eyes drifted toward Alcmena, who was casually sipping fruit juice through a straw, courtesy of Anastasia. Something clicked in his mind.

A straw.

Closing his eyes, Xavier meditated, envisioning the storm of ethereal energy inside him. Instead of trying to forcefully pull it out, he imagined drawing it through a thin, controlled stream—just like sipping juice through a straw. The chaotic energy funneled smoothly, guided by his will. And then—

A surge of power erupted from his core. His body ignited with a divine, dragon-like aura.

Xavier's hair grew slightly longer and shimmered with an otherworldly glow, turning a radiant pure gold-like color. Runes and symbols carved themselves onto the right side of his body, glowing with raw energy. The overwhelming presence of RealmHeart enveloped him.

"Wow!" Xavier exclaimed in astonishment, feeling the newfound energy coursing through him. "My body feels lighter... and stronger!" he added, slowly clenching his fists, marveling at the strength and vitality that now pulsed within him.

Seeing Xavier in his RealmHeart state up close for the first time, Anastasia was stunned by the dramatic transformation in his appearance. 

Anastasia could hardly believe her eyes as she took in the sight, captivated by the powerful aura that now surrounded Xavier.

"He did it!", Anastasia gasped. 

Alcmena smirked with a proud smile across his face, his expression resembling a proud father's. "Yeah. He did."

But just as quickly as it came, RealmHeart flickered out. Xavier dropped to his knees, his vision spinning.

"Are you alright, Young Master?!" Anastasia rushed to his side, steadying him.

Alcmena placed a hand on his chin, assessing the situation. "His body's just adjusting. It's reacting to a completely new way of drawing energy. Give it time, and he'll get used to it."

Xavier groaned but managed a grin. "That… felt amazing. I can finally use my vector powers properly again!"

Alcmena's smirk faded slightly. A heavy thought crossed his mind. The reason he's been struggling with his powers isn't just a lack of training. Deep down, he's still holding himself back—haunted by the trauma of his father's death.

His golden eyes softened as he silently resolved, I won't tell him. He doesn't need that weight on his shoulders right now.

Patting Xavier's shoulder, Alcmena grinned. "Alright, kid. Now let's make sure you can actually maintain RealmHeart."

Xavier beamed. "Bring it on!"