8 The Draconic Reforge: Ninefold Thunder Baptism.

"Well since the classes are over you can go home but before that remember, from tomorrow you'll start training independently with the group you're in and after sometime you'll be sent on mini-missions." Shawn announced to he students. "Yes, sir." All the students replied in unison. "Ok, then goodbye. And Ethan follow me." Shawn said and headed outside of he enchanted combat arena. "Thank you all and see you tomorrow." Ethan said and waved at his teammates before following Shawn.

"This is the third day after you gained your lexicon right?" Shawn asked. "Yes." Ethan replied. "Today we won't be training. You'll meet up with the dragon and then have some good chat." That was all Shawn told Ethan without further explanation until they reached the library. 

"What is this meet up with the dragon all about?" Ethan asked curiously. "When you get into your Etherial Nexus." Shawn said."Ethereal Nexus?" Ethan looked confused. "Just sit like how you sat during the lexicon ritual." Shawn instructed. Ethan had no choice but to comply as he sat in a lotus position. "Now I'll close the library so no one should be able to have access to it." Shawn said and locked the library from inside. 

"What I want you to do is to just concentrate and feel the energy around you, your lumaflux." Shawn said trying to get Ethan in a full concentration mode. Lumaflux referred to the energy those with awakened lexicon could access. Those who could access and control more of the lumaflux were the strongest since the more lumaflux you could wield, the more the output of a skill's purpose and the longer you could last in battles. "So are you ready?" Shawn asked. "Yes." Ethan replied. "Veilspire." Shawn said facing Ethan and instantly a dark dome covered Ethan. Shawn's Veilspire was a skill to conceal the presence of a person which means any energy fluctuations that could go on around Ethan would not be noticeable by anyone outside the dome.

*In the Veilspire*

"Concentrate... concentrate ... concentrate." Ethan continued telling himself. After a few minutes Ethan felt as if something was off and open his eyes. In his sight a marvelous landscape laid, in his ethereal nexus, an otherworldly serenity draped the entire landscape. At the center, an enormous, ancient tree rose majestically from a small island of soft, fertile earth. Its trunk was impossibly vast, twisted with glowing veins of light that pulse like the heartbeat of the land itself. The branches stretched upward into a sky that seemed to swirl with colors beyond comprehension, while its shimmering leaves fluttered in the stillness, casting a gentle, silver glow over everything below.

Surrounding the island, an expansive, gleaming blue water body stretched to the horizon, its surface glowing with an otherworldly radiance that reflected the tree's light, making it appear as though the entire landscape was suspended between realms. The water rippled softly, each wave reflecting the quiet, unspoken energy of this sacred place.

From one of the lower branches of the giant tree, a swing hang. The swing's ropes were delicate yet sturdy, woven from shimmering silken threads that glow faintly. Its seat was made of translucent, moonlit wood, perfectly sculpted to cradle anyone who sits upon it.

A boy, perhaps no older than ten, sat on the swing, his eyes closed in peaceful contemplation. His hair was tousled by the gentle breeze, and his clothes were simple yet ethereal, almost blending with the tranquil surroundings. As he gently rocked back and forth, the swing creaked softly, but there was no other sound. The boy seemed both lost and found in this timeless place, at peace with the quiet magic of the nexus that surrounded him. The scene felt suspended in a moment of infinite calm, as though time itself held its breath in reverence.

All of a sudden, the ripples in water body started becoming more vigorous as if there was something that was forcing it's way out from the water body. Suddenly, a loud and thunderous roar was heard followed by the appearance of the lightning dragon in its true gigantic form. "Thankfully, you were able to make it here." The dragon said in its majestic voice. "Yes." Ethan replied. "But who is that boy on the swing?" Ethan asked almost I immediately. "I don't think it is time for you to know about him yet." The dragon said.

"Your lexicon was in that sorrowful form the last time we met because your soul wasn't strong enough to take the power of your real lexicon. So to be able to do that you must endure the pain of the Draconic reforge: the ninefold thunder baptism." The dragon explained.

"Ok, I see. But how am I going to experience this Draconic reforge?" Ethan asked not wanting to regret after taking up the quest. "I'm going to run my full lightning body through you nine times." The dragon stated. "Huh, nine times? Just those vibrissae alone you have there should be able to kill me in one hit and you're going to run your whole lightning body through me. I don't think I'm psychological ready for the pain." Ethan said politely. "I shall wait in silence, as the winds of time pass, until your spirit is ready." The dragon said and dived down into the water body again.

In the next second, Ethan found himself back in the real world in the dark dome. "Shatter." Shawn said and as if the dome was made of glass it shattered into pieces before disappearing into air. "You didn't accept the challenge of the Draconic reforge?" Shawn asked in disappointment. "But I couldn't imagine the pain I'll go through." Ethan said. "Well then prepare yourself for the right time. You can head home now." Shawn said. "Ok." Ethan replied casually and left the library. 

"I'm home." Ethan called out. "Welcome, big brother." Rhea welcomed his brother and called out to the mother; "Mum, Ethan is back from school." "Ok, welcome Ethan." Mia said. "It's good to be home! How's everything going?" Ethan asked. "Everything is fine." Mia replied. "Then I'll be changing and going for the sword practice at the Bladewright Academy." Ethan announced. "Ok but make sure to be home before dinner." Mia told him. "Ok, mum." Ethan said and ran to his room to get changed.