Chapter 5: Chapter 5
After Alise said she would become his apprentice, they had talked some more. Alise had shown him some of the inventions of her people, the devices had simple process such as storing and displaying information. He had to admit that despite their lack of source they had achieved at fairly high mid-level technology. After he received her permission he opened up her 'cellphone' thing and inspected its rune work. It was a little confusing, her people had achieved an odd blend of simplicity and complexity. The layout of their rune work as a whole was complex but the runes themselves appeared to have little function outside of on or off, yes or no. After a little debate, she agreed to leave the 'handheld gaming' device with him so he could study and mess with its functions. The other devices she had said were no actually hers. She described many other things her people made and as a craftsman, Dalvin couldn't help but hide his interest. For some reason that seemed to make Alise very happy, perhaps pride in her race's achievements. He would love to study the things she described, a whole world of sourceless technology lay before him. If he didn't have more pressing issues at hand he likely would depart immediately to study this world. Alise had asked about his camp as well so he had explained their basic construction and use to her. In this manner, their morning continued as the asked questions back and forth. After some time Dalvin decided to push the day in a different direction as it seemed there would be no end to Alise's curiosity."Well how about moving on to your source training.", she nodded vigorously.
He gave her the equipment he made and explained its functions, to which her excitement grew to a point where Dalvin felt he could reach out and touch it. He put on his equipment and stood about twenty steps from her."So Dalvin did ya decide to train me because you could feel my latent magic power or somthin?" He had no idea what she was talking about, "I'm sorry I don't follow your line of thought." She pursed her lips," Like whatever ability allows you to use magic, did you detect or feel that in me. Like how someone looks real strong and you think wow they look real strong." Dalvin shook his head, "No you misunderstand let this be your first lesson. Source is a power beyond any mere lifeform you cannot dictate its power only its application. And to do that knowledge is the only tool you use...umm wait that's incorrect you could also add creativity. For example from the devices, you showed me you are aware of electricity. Your people can apply and use electricity but what fraction is that compared to the raw natural form of electricity?" she frowned, "I don't remember exactly but lightning is way above what we can make and sunlight exceeds the whole worlds production or somthin like that." Dalvin nodded, "Exactly, the source is like that in principle. Your power or ability is not really part of the equation, just your understanding, and creativity. The more you know the more of its power you will be able to use, understand?","Yea, I think I get it. Ok, let's start then!","Very well, the staff is a Guidance method application its operation is guaranteed all you have to do is coax the stone into suppling the runes with power. The easiest way to do this is to imagine a flame a simple basic form of power. Then touch the stone with that image dominating your mind. But don't imagine an inferno just a single flame. The source is sensitive to such impressions and imagining a huge power source can be very dangerous." She nodded her excitement visually growing again, Dalvin prepared his defenses in case she got carried away. Even though it wasn't very dangerous by nature. Water could be transformed into incredible weapons. Alise mumbled, "Small, like a candle. A single flame." Then she touched the stone. It flashed and a small orb of water the size of a marble formed in front of her and shot towards him. It stuck his air shield spraying a fine mist into the air. Her first try not bad, seems her creativity was high. This could be more promising than he hoped. Alise interrupted his thoughts with a squeal of joy, "Holy cow! I just used magic....ohhh I could die happy right now." Dalvin had decided to let her use of the word magic slide. Besides perhaps her thinking that way would be an advantage. It could be possible that his deep understanding of the elements and constant exposure to source was hampering his creativity. Yes, he would test this. He would leave the unknown in place for her and see how she would approach it."Well done Alise, now let's practice your defense."
After several hours she seemed to have a good grasp on her equipment. Her imagery seemed very consistent as well so her output levels were all very consistent. So it was time for the next step."As I mentioned before I would like to teach you the Intuitive method. Your staff will form water and propel it forward. That is where the guidance ends however that is not the limit. If you can imagine the water doing something and the flame at the same time you can change the effect. Allow me to demonstrate." Dalvin touched his staff and an orb of water shot forward but instead of going straight it zig-zagged at Alise, she barely managed to track it in time to raise her air shield, "Ahh, that's pretty tricky of you Dalvin. I think I get it. Let me show you my imagination." Alise suddenly flung her arms wide, "I Alise of the Azure Sky acknowledge your power! Now I shall use my Ultimate Attack!" She placed her hand on her staff and slammed it into the ground, "Sapphire Storm!", an orb shot forward but just as he raised his aid shield the orb burst into mist. Dalvin frowned, then the mist changed each little droplet of water froze and hundreds of tiny shards shot at him. He could not block all of them so he panicked and activated his ward dispursing the ice instantly. Alise covered her mouth with one hand, "Ufufufu, so you still had an ace up your sleeve!" What was she talking about and what was with that weird clearly forced laugh. Still, that was a very clever attack and she had used multiple stages of water. Then it occurred to him given her gestures and comments, she was playing! He burst into laughter. Well, he might as well join in he did plan on encouraging this aspect of her."Well met Alise, I am Dalvin the Synergist and I accept your challenge!", he pointed his staff at her, "You shall soon see why people fear me.", he said in the gruffest tone he could muster. She clapped her hands happily, "So fun." Then took back her fake serious look, "Hydra!", the orb stretched up into the air forming a serpent-like head then plummeted down towards him. It was easy to block but he had to admit it was a little intimidating. He touched his stone and three orbs of water fell to the ground. each orb grew four little water legs and began scrambling towards her. He was hoping to catch her off guard but she just smirked, "Aqua Matrix!", an orb appeared in front of her and dozens of tendrils of water shot forward crisscrossing across the ground chopping his orbs to pieces. "Dalvin don't forget to yell the name of your attack or it doesn't count," she said with a pouty look on her face. He chuckled, ok he could play along with that. He raised his staff again, "Animated sword!" His orb shot forward taking the form of a slender blade. He intended that the blade would ricochet off of a shield and continue to its target. However she seemed to have perceived this, "Dancing Prison!", she activated her air shield but made a dozen small shields instead of one. The small shields swirled in a sphere around his weapon. The blade bounced between the shields until the source effect expired and it collapsed. She was already attacking again, "Piercing Lance!" A spear of water shot towards him and he raised his air shield but right before the lance hit, her air shield struck his. The two shields canceled each other and before he could respond her lance struck him square in the chest. Because they were using limited power it didn't hurt much and only forced him back one step but she still had got the best of him. Dalvin smiled inwardly, it seems this was going to work much better than he anticipated. Her mind was sharp and creative she was a natural combat source user. Alise let out her fake laugh again, "Fufufufu, you have underestimated me Synergist. Now I shall teach you your final lesson and you shall pay with your life!..... Ohh goddess of water hear your servants cry, embrace my enemy and show them your endless power! Grave of the Deep!" Her orb shot forward and turned into a sheet of water that kept expanding until it formed a dome around him. Just as he was trying to imagine what would happen next it suddenly collapsed. Alise had slumped to her knees, "Um Dalvin I don't feel so well is that normal?" About time, he was starting to believe all her talk of latent power."Yes, that's normal. A person doesn't usually expend their electrical and magnetic fields externally. So prolonged source use will exhaust you." Alise had a blank look on her face then suddenly dropped to the ground. Slowly she raised a shaking hand into the air, "My mana! What foul sorcery is this!", they both started laughing.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone