Chapter 08: Ripples in the West

Morning in Brishelm

The faint light of dawn crept into Aiden's room, spilling through the window and onto his modest bed. He stirred awake, blinking groggily as the soft chirping of birds welcomed the new day. His thoughts, however, were already filled with anticipation.

It had been weeks since his mother, Ayleen, had taken over his magical training, and each day seemed to bring new challenges and revelations. Aiden dressed quickly and stepped outside, where the lush green fields of Brishelm stretched endlessly, kissed by the golden morning sun.

His mother stood in the backyard, waiting for him. Her striking blonde hair glimmered in the sunlight, and her serene yet focused demeanor instantly set the tone for the lesson.

"Good morning, Aiden," she said warmly. "Today, we'll continue working on elemental manipulation. Are you ready?"

"Yes, Mother," Aiden replied with quiet determination.

Ayleen nodded, gesturing for him to take his position. "Let's start with water. Focus on gathering the moisture in the air and forming it into a stable sphere."

Aiden closed his eyes, reaching inward to channel his mana. He extended his senses outward, feeling the faint traces of water vapor in the air. Slowly, he willed them to converge in his palm, forming a small, shimmering ball of water. It trembled slightly but held its shape.

"Well done," Ayleen said, her voice calm but encouraging. "Now, move on to earth. Summon a clump of soil and maintain its form. Remember, control is the key."

One by one, Aiden practiced summoning and stabilizing each of the four elements—water, earth, fire, and air. Each task demanded immense concentration, and sweat beaded on his brow as he struggled to maintain control. But he pressed on, fueled by his innate drive to improve.

"Excellent progress," Ayleen said, smiling as he finished. "You're learning faster than I did at your age. Keep this up, and you'll surpass me before long."

Aiden gave her a small smile, though inwardly he felt a pang of self-doubt. Despite his progress, the lingering questions about his true potential gnawed at him.

After finishing his magical training, Aiden moved on to his daily physical exercises—push-ups, sit-ups, and sprints. His body moved on autopilot, but his mind was elsewhere, preoccupied with the conversation he'd had with his father.

"If the energies don't clash, maybe it's possible to stabilize both a mana core and an aura core. But it's uncharted territory, Aiden."

The hypothetical scenario fascinated and frustrated him in equal measure. If it were possible to form both a mana core and an aura core, it could grant him unimaginable power. But there were no clear answers, and the shard that had been his guide thus far remained frustratingly silent on the matter.

As he paused to catch his breath, Aiden decided to consult the shard about his current strength. "Shard," he called out, "show me my power level."

A familiar glow filled his mind, and a number materialized before him:

Power Level: 276

Aiden's eyes widened in surprise. He had expected a lower number, but before pride could take root, he thought of the potential threats lurking beyond the safety of Brishelm.

"Shard," he asked cautiously, "what are the general power levels for each rank?"

The shard responded immediately:

Power Levels by Rank:

Initiate: 100–200

Adept: 200–400

Specialist (Red Core): 400–1,000

Expert (Orange Core): 1,000–2,000

Master (Yellow Core): 2,000–4,000

Archmage (Green Core): 4,000–10,000

Sage (Blue Core): 10,000–20,000

Archon (Indigo Core): 20,000–50,000

Legendary Mage (Violet Core): 50,000–100,000

Celestial Being (? Core): ???

Aiden felt a wave of suffocation as he stared at the numbers. Compared to these ranks, his power level seemed pitiful. A Specialist could easily overpower him, let alone the titanic figures in the higher ranks.

"I'm so weak," he muttered, clenching his fists. "At this level, anyone could crush me like an insect."

But along with the fear came resolve. Aiden knew he couldn't afford to stay stagnant. If he wanted to protect himself—and those he cared about—he had to grow stronger.

After lunch, Aiden immersed himself in the books from their small library. He read eagerly, devouring information about magic, history, and various crafts. One topic, in particular, caught his eye: alchemy.

"Alchemy is the art of fusing magic and science to create potions, elixirs, and artifacts of great power. It requires precision, deep knowledge of materials, and a steady hand."

Aiden remembered his mother mentioning her experience as a healer. Intrigued, he sought her out in the living room. She was sitting by the window, engrossed in a book of her own.

"Mother," he began, "do you know anything about alchemy?"

Ayleen looked up, surprised. "Alchemy? Why do you ask, my little darling?"

"I read about it, and it seems fascinating," Aiden replied. "I'd like to try it."

Ayleen's face lit up with delight. "You're always full of surprises, Aiden." She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Come with me—I'll show you something."

She led him to the basement, revealing a hidden alchemy lab filled with jars of herbs, glowing liquids, and neatly labeled ingredients. Aiden's eyes widened in awe at the sight.

"This is where I practiced alchemy when I worked as a healer," Ayleen explained. "Let me show you how to brew a simple healing potion."

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Far to the east, in the continent of elves, the halls of the High Elven Council were heavy with tension. The council chamber, a grand room carved from shimmering crystal, was filled with the most powerful figures among the elves.

At the head of the chamber sat Queen Lysithea Elaris, her silver hair cascading like a waterfall over her emerald-green robes. Beside her stood the Guardian, Elenara Vaelith, an ancient elf whose piercing golden eyes held the weight of countless millennia.

Elenara raised her hand, silencing the murmurs of the assembled elders. "The Shard of Genesis has awakened," she announced, her voice calm but grave.

The room fell into stunned silence. Lysithea's voice trembled as she spoke. "Elenara, are you certain? This is not something to be mistaken about."

Elenara nodded solemnly. "The Great Mother herself confirmed it."

Gasps rippled through the chamber. One elder spoke up, his voice tinged with fear. "If the shard has truly awakened, then history may repeat itself. The last time it appeared, the world was thrown into chaos."

Elenara's gaze hardened. "Indeed. The last awakening led to a century of war. Every race sought to claim the shard's power, and in the end, it was consumed by a rift, along with its carrier. But this time, the circumstances are different. The dragons, who were in isolation during the last awakening, are now awake. If they sense the shard's power, they will act."

Lysithea's young daughter, Princess Arianne, suddenly appeared in the chamber, her golden hair bouncing as she skipped into the room. The councilors gasped, astonished that she had bypassed the magical barriers protecting the chamber.

"Mother, why is everyone so serious?" Arianna asked innocently.

Elenara chuckled, beckoning the child to her lap. "Your daughter is truly special, my Queen," she said with a smile.

Her expression turned somber as she addressed the council once more. "We must act wisely. If the shard's power falls into the wrong hands, it could spell disaster for all. The balance of our world hangs by a thread."

The councilors nodded gravely, their resolve hardened. The meeting adjourned, leaving Lysithea gazing out of the crystal windows, her heart heavy with uncertainty.

In the quiet village of Brishelm, Aiden continued his training, unaware that far away, his actions were already sending ripples through the fabric of the world