Atticus sat comfortably and quietly inside the training room. The room itself seemed to transform around him, each direction representing a different element.
In front of him, a fiery expanse of lava sprawled. Its molten glow casting a fairly bright light on the surroundings. To his left, a beautiful stream flowed with crystalline water. The water was calm and flowed constantly.
To his right, a rich and textured earthy terrain stretched. It connected him to the grounded essence of the world. And behind him, a seemingly weightless expanse filled with gusts of wind enveloped him.
In a state of deep meditation, Atticus was attuned to each of these elemental realms. He immersed himself in their essence, focusing on each one in harmony. This practice was part of his meticulously crafted training routine, a method he had designed to push the boundaries of his own abilities.
Atticus understood that his bloodline was tied to his rank. The higher his rank, the more potent his bloodline abilities would be. However, he also needed to work on the speed and skill with which he could use these powers.
After a while, Atticus stood up ready for the next phase of his training.
'I'll go with fire for starters'
He channeled his concentration toward the fire element. He stretched out his right arm and turned his palm upward. A small flame flickered into existence within his palm. It casted dancing shadows across his features. With his mind as his guide, he manipulated the flame, shaping it into various forms and sizes.
His concentration unwavering, he guided the fire around his body, tracing a path from his left palm, up his neck, and down to his right hand. A faint smile played on his lips.
"So it's true" he mused quietly. "Fire won't harm me as long as my will is in control"
With the awakening of his bloodline abilities, Atticus had discovered an extraordinary boon – a substantial resistance against the natural elements. Yet, it was resistance not complete immunity.
The searing touch of fire would still inflict pain upon him. Moreover, the elemental manifestations conjured by others could still affect him, as they carried the wills of their creators.
Also, this resistance against the natural elements only applied to elements of volatility – the likes of lightning, fire, and ice. If he controlled a massive rock, its weight and impact would still bear the potential to harm him, a stark reminder of the limits of his newfound powers.
After a while he moved his focus on to the water element. He focused and a bead of water formed on his hand. He changed the shape changing its form while he guided it over his body.
Then he moved to earth, Atticus extended his senses to the terrain around him. With a touch, he manipulated the earth.
Finally, Atticus turned his attention to the air element. He formed mini tornados and moved it around on him palm. After a few hours of training each elements in turn, he stood up.
"I should go for the next stage." he muttered.
Atticus stepped into the earthen terrain and felt an immediate connection. As he concentrated, a subtle shift occurred, as if the ground itself acknowledged his command.
Slowly at first, the earth beneath him began to stir. It rumbled gently, creating slight undulations that mirrored his intentions. Atticus was orchestrating this phenomenon, his control over the element growing more pronounced with every passing moment.
He felt as though he was bonding with the terrain, becoming an extension of the earth's power.
As he became more accustomed to the sensation, he decided to try the fire element again.
Atticus tried using the fire element for short bursts of speed. He made flames appear at his feet and used them to push off like bursts, but he made the bursts too strong and ended up falling face first on the ground.
"Oops, need smaller bursts" he muttered to himself as he stood up, ready to try again.
He rose swiftly, inhaling deeply as he concentrated on harnessing the fire element within his legs once more. With controlled precision, he conjured shorter bursts of fiery energy that propelled him skyward.
After a few attempts, he managed to get used to it. Then he elevated his heels, shifting his weight onto his toes. Employing the fiery propulsion once again, he surged forward with newfound speed.
He executed a series of swift lateral dashes before coming to a halt, gradually mastering his control. After a while he was able to familiarize himself with it.
Content with his progress, he decided to focus on air.
As he manipulated the air, a subtle shimmer enveloped his form. As he moved, he instinctively adjusted the density and flow of the surrounding atmosphere, creating an almost imperceptible cushion of air that minimized resistance against his movements.
With each step he took, the air friction technique propelled him forward with uncanny swiftness. He effortlessly sliced through the resistance that would hinder others, allowing him to reach speeds that bordered on the extraordinary.
The sensation was exhilarating, akin to gliding through an invisible current that carried him forward with an almost magical efficiency.
As Atticus sprinted, his feet barely touched the ground before he propelled himself into another stride. The wind whispered in his ears, accompanying him on his lightning-fast journey.
Yet, despite the breakneck speed, his control was masterful, allowing him to maneuver with precision and grace.
"Controlling air seems to be a lot easier for me" he muttered. Controlling the other elements was harder than air.
Shifting his focus to the element of water, during his research he had discovered that water was versatile.
In its early stages, it was primarily employed for minor healing purposes, with its more formidable combat applications unlocked at higher mastery levels. But even the simplest healing task wasn't easy.
'For the time being, I can only alleviate my fatigue' Atticus thought to himself.
He closed his eyes and focused his attention on the water molecules within his body and the surrounding environment. He drew upon the latent energy of water, coaxing it to flow through his veins in a revitalizing surge.
Inside a sleek limousine-like hover car, a family of four occupied the seats at the back. The man possessed vibrant red hair and intense eyes, while the woman exuded beauty with a demeanor that screamed of her desire for control. Seated with them were two children – a boy and a girl.
"Lila, sit up properly. We're visiting another tier-1 family. Don't tarnish our reputation. Try to behave more like Dell" the woman directed.
"Yes, Mother" Lila replied with a sigh, complying by adjusting her seating position.
'Why am I even here?' she wondered, gazing out of the window.
Observing Lila's improved posture, Luna's smile of approval surfaced.
"We should've left her at home mom" Dell teased, his chest swelling with pride in response to their mother's acknowledgment.
Lila chose to ignore him, directing her gaze elsewhere, which visibly irked her brother.
"We've been attempting to negotiate with those madmen to cease their rampage. Our Alverian family has suffered significant losses due to their actions. This plan has to yield results, Luna" Eleanor voiced his concerns, locking eyes with his wife.
"Relax dear. The plan will succeed. Rest assured." Luna said reassuringly, making Eleanor give a stern look toward his son,
"Well, I expect nothing short of success" Eleanor's firm statement intensified the atmosphere. Beads of sweat formed on Dell's forehead as the weight of the situation pressed down on him.
"Yes, Father" his response carried the weight of responsibility, his voice tinged with the pressure of living up to his father's expectations.
'I'm so tired of this family' Lila's thoughts resonated with exhaustion, captured in a weary sigh.
After several hours, the family arrived at the Ravenstein estate. Their entrance was unhindered, as the emblem of the Alverianfamily adorned their escort, and prior notice of their visit had been conveyed to the Ravensteins.
Upon reaching the mansion's entrance, the family disembarked from the car with their guards. Their gazes fell upon Boman, who inclined his head respectfully and addressed them, "Welcome to the Ravenstein estate. The master has been awaiting your arrival."
Eleanor acknowledged his words with a nod, prompting Bomanto continue, "Please, follow me."
With Boman as their guide, they made their way into the estate. Dell and Lila were directed to a separate area, while the adults were led into a room where Avalon and Anastasia, sat side by side on a table.
This room was reserved for welcoming guests of equal status. Holding such meetings in the throne room would be considered impolite, a fact other families would not take kindly to.
As they entered, the couple took their seats. A maid entered the room, bearing a tray of tea, which was placed before them.
Seated in the room, tense energy crackled between Avalon and Eleanor as they locked eyes, their auras manifesting. Anastasia, seemingly unfazed, maintained her detached composure.
However, Luna intervened, placing a calming hand on her husband's shoulder. He regained his composure and cleared his throat, breaking the silence,
"Will you cease your rampage within our domain?" he asked, going straight to the point.
The Alverians had been exerting pressure on the Ravensteinfamily to halt their rampage in sector 4. The Ravensteins, however, remained resolute in their refusal, asserting that they wouldn't stop until they uncovered the identity of Ariel's murderer.
The ongoing rampage had inflicted considerable financial losses upon the Alverian family, and they had come here with a plan to convince them.
"Not until we uncover my brother's killer." Avalon response was immediate.
A palpable intensity filled the room as they as their aura surged once more.
"Make no mistake. You will be blacklisted if you persist." Eleanor declared.
The Alverians wielded substantial influence within the potions market. Choosing not to engage with them in trade would undoubtedly harm the Ravensteins. However, this decision wouldn't be without its consequences for the Alveriansthemselves.
Effectively, it would amount to declaring the Ravensteins as enemies, a situation that might escalate into a full-blown war. Eleanor was well aware of this, but they had a plan.
Just before Avalon's anger could escalate, Eleanor continued "Unless you adhere to our terms"
'They laid out a massive threat to make us consider their proposal. Smart, but what exactly are they plotting?' Anastasia picked up on their plan and couldn't help but sense that there was more to the Alverians' proposal than meet the eye.
Avalon's fury simmered, and he posed a question in a more composed tone, "And what might those terms be?"
Eleanor's tone grew pointed, "You have a son, right?"
The room grew colder at his words, Anastasia interrupted with a chilling tone, "Leave him out of this." unleashing her master rank aura.
Luna also intervened, releasing her own master rank aura, "Calm down. We mean no harm." she said.
Eleanor pressed on, "Let's arrange a spar between your son and mine. The loser must heed the winner's terms. What do you say?"
Anastasia had always been fiercely protective of Atticus, taking great care to shield him from the eyes of everyone until he reached the age when it was normal to awaken.
This approach had led many in the human domain to assume that Atticus lacked talent or was weak. However, Eleanor's strategy hinged on this very perception, as he held unwavering faith in his son's abilities.
Avalon briefly glanced at Anastasia, who subtly shook her head, conveying her dissent. Refusing would mean accepting that their son was weak, a blow to the Ravenstein family's reputation, especially considering the Alverian family's non-warrior background.
Yet, he perceived the practicality in this proposition. 'This could provide an opportunity to handle the Alverian family more effectively. Besides, Sirius has been training him, and he mentioned that he has talent' he thought.
"Let's hear what he thinks." Avalon turned to Anastasia and suggested, eliciting a frosty look from her.
'I'll be sleeping on the couch for a while.' he thought inwardly with a small sigh. He then summoned a maid, instructing her to fetch Atticus. This action prompted Eleanor and Luna to exchange glances and smiles.
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