Sparks Of The Storm

The training grounds of the Raelith estate stood silent except for the occasional crackle of flames and the rush of wind as Elias stood in its center, eyes narrowed in deep concentration. The air around him vibrated with mana as he focused on his elements, pushing his limits further than ever before. Yet, in the stillness, there was something more—something that whispered at the edges of his consciousness.

You are more than what they see...

The voice was faint, like a murmur in the back of his mind. Elias shook it off, focusing once again. The Void was always there, lurking in the shadows, waiting for him to listen. But not now. Now, it was his elements that demanded his attention.

He extended his hand, summoning forth his first affinity—lightning. Sparks danced between his fingers, forming arcs of raw energy. With a thought, he released a small bolt into the ground, leaving a blackened scorch mark. It felt natural, as if the element obeyed his very will.

Is this all you seek?

The voice whispered again, urging him to push further. But Elias gritted his teeth, dismissing the distraction. He had a goal. He had a future to carve.

Next came water. A swirl of liquid coalesced in his palm, cold and fluid. He manipulated it effortlessly, forming orbs and tendrils that obeyed his command. Then, he called upon the wind, feeling the gusts surge at his back, amplifying the motion of the water, making it move faster, more erratic. Finally, fire—hot and fierce—blazed to life in his other hand, the flames licking at the air, wild and uncontrolled.

But merely controlling these elements was not enough. He needed to push further. If he was to become strong enough to carve his name into history, he had to master the art of Deviant Elements.

The Void whispered again, a presence that thrummed through his bones. You are more than the sum of your parts...

Elias took a deep breath, clearing his mind as he thought about the theory behind fusion. He had four elements, but combining all four at once felt impossible at his current level. Instead, he focused on two.

"Lightning and wind should complement each other well…" he muttered to himself.

With precise control, he summoned a current of wind and let electricity surge through it. The result was volatile—lightning streaking wildly, uncontrolled and unstable. He adjusted the balance, refining his control until the wind no longer disrupted the lightning but carried it seamlessly. He clenched his fist, and suddenly, a wave of electrified wind rushed forward, tearing through the training ground's wooden dummies with frightening speed.

The Void's whispers pulsed in his mind, more insistent now. It is only the beginning. Push further...

For a moment, Elias stared at his handiwork. Then, a grin spread across his face.

"I did it…"

Lightning-infused wind. A two-element Deviant magic, his first step toward mastering the true potential of his power.

Hours passed as he experimented further, testing different combinations. Water and wind created powerful torrents, while lightning with water sent arcs of energy rippling through the liquid. But the key to true mastery lay in the next step—the Triple Deviant Element.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Elias stood amidst the remnants of his training. He was exhausted, his mana reserves nearly drained, but his mind was sharper than ever. The Void, however, never stopped whispering, pushing, guiding.

"I'm getting closer," he murmured. "Just a little more… and I'll reach it."

Little did he know, the next time he stepped onto this field, he would be wielding something far greater—Abyssal Storm, his first true creation. The Void's whispers would guide him, as they always had.