Chapter 13: The Power Within

Kael stood before Garrick, eager to begin his training in Inveris. His father crossed his arms, studying him for a moment before speaking.

"Inveris is similar to Gaianis in many ways," Garrick began, his voice steady. "But the key difference is that instead of drawing on the Ascen from the air, you take it from within yourself—from your Core. It's an internal force, one that you must first learn to circulate through your body."

Kael listened intently, already making connections between the two forms of energy manipulation.

"Ascen exists everywhere—it's in the air around us, but it also exists within you. While Gaianis allows you to manipulate the Ascen that surrounds you, Inveris forces you to use what is already inside you. Mastering it requires an understanding of how to channel your own energy, rather than borrowing from the world."

"As you circulate Ascen through your body, you'll notice a slight boost to all your attributes—speed, strength, reflexes, even your senses. But if you want to enhance a specific part of your body significantly, you need to learn how to concentrate all of your Ascen into one focal point."

Kael nodded. "So if I focus it all into my legs, I'll move faster? If I focus it into my arms, I'll hit harder?"

Garrick smirked. "Exactly. But doing it properly takes time, and overuse will drain your stamina fast."

Kael was already deep in thought, analyzing the process. It was remarkably similar to how he had learned to control Gaianis, except instead of pulling power from the environment, he had to refine what was already inside him. He could feel his Ascen like a warm pulse in his core, spreading it slowly through his body.

It took him only a few hours to grasp the basic circulation, something that would normally take days, if not weeks. Garrick was visibly surprised, but he simply nodded in approval, choosing not to say anything. Instead, Kael spent the next several days refining his control, testing how far he could push his body with Inveris. Every day, he felt stronger, sharper, more aware.

Time passed—weeks, then months. As his training continued, his mastery over Inveris grew. He no longer ventured into the forest out of curiosity, but to push himself further.

At first, he fought King Trumpets, burning through them effortlessly. They had never been a real challenge, but now he defeated them so easily that he barely even registered their existence.

Then, he encountered a Stone Goblin for the first time.

Kael gathered his Ascen into his fist and struck. The moment his attack landed, the goblin's rocky exterior shattered instantly, its body disintegrating into dust before it even hit the ground. Kael stood there for a moment, staring at the empty space where the creature had just been.

That was it?

He flexed his fingers, feeling the lingering energy in his hand. Had he really become this strong? Or was the goblin just weak? He wasn't sure. But one thing was clear—he needed a real challenge.

As the days turned to weeks, he sought out stronger prey—packs of wild hound-like beasts, goblin raiders, and even humanoid frog creatures that wielded primitive weapons. Each battle tested his abilities, and each time, he emerged victorious. His strikes became sharper, his reflexes faster. No matter what he faced, nothing lasted more than a few moments against him.

Kael knew it was time to move on.

Yet, there was one problem—Garrick and especially Elena would never let him leave alone.

He sighed, accepting the reality that he would have to wait. At least for now.

And besides, his twelfth birthday was approaching.

With that milestone came another decision. At the age of twelve, students were eligible to enroll in Arcanum Athenaeum, the continent's greatest magic academy. It was the place where the most talented warriors and mages honed their craft before going on to serve in prestigious positions.

Upon graduation, students were required to serve for five years as Legio Obscura, an elite force of hunters tasked with eliminating monstrous threats and safeguarding all of Vaelthar. Their duty extended beyond mere settlements—they stood as the first and last line of defense against the horrors lurking in the wilds, ensuring that no darkness would consume the land unchecked.

Kael wasn't sure if he wanted that.

He had no interest in being tied down to some duty for half a decade. He wanted freedom—to explore the world, to grow at his own pace, to become stronger on his own terms. But if he went to the academy, he would gain access to stronger opponents, greater knowledge, and a faster path to mastering his abilities.

What should I do?

The weight of the decision settled in his chest. He had only a short time left before he had to choose.

As he lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, he couldn't help but wonder—would the path of a Sentinel be a cage or a stepping stone?

For now, all he could do was wait and prepare.

End of Chapter 13