บท 36: Elemental Forge

"Rise." The Headmaster laid a hand on Lassim's shoulder, a gesture that conveyed both support and expectation.

"The journey will be demanding. I believe in your potential to become not just a master of your elements, but I see a future where you can also become a guardian for this world. To begin, I will have you train here everyday for 8 hours starting from sunrise. We will work on strengthening your body to withstand your growing power, and then quickly raise it to see how high you can advance. After each day's lessions, it will be your goal to complete one mission from the mission hall every day. I want you to take a variety of missions so that you can not only practice your battle techniques during hunting missions, getting used to your strengthening body, but also to make sure you partake in other mundane tasks that let you interact with other students and non-spirit warriors. I want you to see all kinds of people so that you can truly see why humanity must be protected. There is much empathy to be gained and it must be understood." The headmaster's words striking a chord in his heart.

"I accept, Master. I will do my best to meet your expectations." Lassim solemnly replied.

"Well then, let's begin with our first tempering." Under the watchful gaze of the Headmaster, he braced himself for a training session that was to come.

Master Ferrum began with a solemn warning, "Your body is the vessel for your elemental powers, Lassim. It must be fortified to endure not only your cultivation level, but the excessive tempest within you." His voice carried an unseen weight of centuries to it, a reminder of the ancient wisdom he possessed. His sharp metallic eyes able to pierce into the secrets of Lassim's power.

They moved to the training ground within the headmaster's sanctum, set in a seperate secluded clearing some distance from the earlier pond, surrounded by the towering trees of the mountain's ancient forest. It was an area alive with elemental energy. Master Ferrum led Lassim to the center, where runes carved into the earth pulsed with a soft, silver glow, awaiting the initiation of a ritual as old as the academy itself.

"Today, we begin with what I call the [Elemental Forge]," Master Ferrum announced, his hands weaving through the air, coaxing strands of elemental energy to coalesce around them. "This is my own personal technique, designed to harmonize your body with the raw forces of nature. It should help with your own command and perception of the elements after several rounds of tempering."

As he spoke, Titanus Ferrox, the steel dragon, emerged it's resting space from the shadows, its metallic scales shimmering in the overhead light. With a roar that echoed through the clearing, it unleashed a stream of molten metal, encircling Lassim in a ring of fire and steel. The heat was intense, but not scorching; it was a primal energy that sought to challenge, not harm.

Lassim felt his heart race, the twin spirits within him stirring in response to the dragon's call. Master Ferrum nodded, signaling the start of the forging. "Let the elemental forces temper your body, Lassim. Stand strong, and embrace the fire."

The ground beneath Lassim's feet began to vibrate, the runes glowing brighter, as if awakening from a long slumber. The air around him thickened, charged with elemental power that thrummed in harmony with his heartbeat. Then, in a moment that felt suspended in time, the elements converged upon him.

Wind swirled, carrying whispers of some sort of ancient language, wrapping Lassim in a cocoon of air that tested his ability to breathe, to remain grounded amidst the storm. Water cascaded from the heavens, not in gentle streams, but in powerful torrents that sought to sweep him away, challenging his resolve to stand firm.

Fire enveloped him, a dance of flames that licked at his skin, a test of endurance and will. And finally, the earth beneath him rose, forming pillars of stone that encased him, a testament to the strength required to break free, to emerge transformed.

Throughout it all, Master Ferrum's voice guided him, a beacon in the maelstrom. "Harness your elemental spirits, Lassim. Let them guide you through the forge. Your body must become as resilient as the earth, as fluid as the water, as fierce as the fire, and as unyielding as the wind."

With every passing moment, Lassim pushed back against the elements, not with force, but with his own energy, bodily strength and resolve. He moved with the wind, bent with the water, embraced the fire, and stood firm against the earth. It was a dance of power and surrender, a journey into the understanding of elemental natures.

As the final moments of the short tempering subsided, Lassim stood at the center of the clearing, breathing heavily but unbroken. Yet, his body was heavily bruised and already beginning to sore, which was remarkable considering he was already enhanced compared to the mere mortal he was a month and a half ago. Regardless of the pain, he was joyous. He did indeed feel slightly stronger, more attuned to the natural world than ever before.

Master Ferrum approached, a look of approval in his eyes. "Well done, Lassim. Today, you have taken the first step in becoming the guardian you are meant to be. Your journey is far from over, but you have shown that you are willing to go through with my training and to walk this path. Now, drink this potion and go rest. You're excused from the mission hall meeting for today, but we will begin at sunrise with the forging again tomorrow."

As he left the training ground, Lassim slowly nursed on the healing potion and couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at what he had experienced. The Elemental Forge was a mystical and magical technique unlike anything he had ever witnessed.

'I had no idea that techniques could also be used in such a way. This is twice now in the past few days where I've been surprised by my opponent and from now my Master. Have I been limiting myself with only thinking about adapting moves from the [Fire Halberd] technique? Solely relying on only attacking and defense techniques will put me at a disadvantage.' Lassim considered his situation and gave an exhausted sigh.

'Overwhelming might allowed me to overcome a monster from the abyssal legion that has abilities similar to Edric's control techniques, but what if I face a hardy beast that has a body like compares to have personal tempering technique like my Master's? I should continue to work on the halberd move set for the [Storm Bringer] technique, but I wonder if I can think of more ways to utilize my elements. I'll ask Master tomorrow.' Taking another sip of his potion, he continued down the mountain.

The day's training might have ended, but Lassim knew that his journey had only just begun.