In the training room of the Silver Talons, wooden swords clashed. A sparring session was currently being held. The two individuals, the older one clad in an expensive suit, the other- an adolescent boy dressed in professional training gear, exchanged multiple blows.
The adult's style of combat was calm and logical. Every step, every slash, every thrust, even the way he dodged his opponent was calmly calculated. He anticipated his opponent's movements and planned accordingly.
'He's preparing to use it again', he thought.
Just then his opponent disappeared from his view, reappearing directly behind him. It was so instantaneous that there was no time to even react.
The boys' sword was already swinging down, aimed at the man's neck. Before his blow landed, however, he suddenly felt two heavy strikes connect making him drop his sword. He had lost the duel.
"Your sword technique has improved as well as your use of magic.", Seth said.
Tiredly removing his helmet, Rio replied, "Ooh please, I wasn't even able to land a single hit still".
"That is not the purpose of this training. What we're doing is simply getting you ready to forge your relics", Seth said.
"And I have to be in top physical condition. I know but it's still disheartening to lose every time", Rio sighed as he spoke.
"If only you knew how many matches I lost against my father and yours", He said smiling.
"How is he these days? My dad?"
"He's under a lot of stress. The council of Kings has been increasingly pressuring the high noble families. As the head of a neutral house, he's been somewhat of a mediator between the houses".
"Sounds like a hassle ", Rio replied.
"It is. Anyways, you have had enough rest. It's time".
Rio couldn't help but feel nervous and excited at the same time. He was finally going to forge his soul relic and be able to use his soul skill.
House Dacre was a unique family in the sense that they usually produced sorcerers.
The difference between mages and sorcerers was simple- mages use the mythical power of the world to produce magic and use spells or skills. Sorcerers on the other hand use supernatural power that flows through living things, commonly described as the soul.
Despite the fact that all living things are born with souls, most cannot harness its innate supernatural qualities. Magic, on the other hand can be obtained through rigorous training. The first step towards becoming a mage is the ability to sense mana itself.
That was why, despite the fact that it was established in the second generation after the apocalypse and also the fact that it was the only neutral house. House Dacre remains at the apex of noble families for a simple reason.
From it's establishment till present times, it is the only house that has produced an exclusive bloodline of natural-born sorcerers.
"Rio, can you tell me one major difference between magical energy and the soul power or essence used by our family?", Seth asked.
"When a mage depletes their mana reserves, they absorb mana from the environment itself. Soul essence gradually replenishes of a while...I think".
"Correct. Any similarities?"
Rio paused to think, due to him spending most of his time buried in books and research, he knew a lot about mana cores and ever since his meeting with Destiny his previously sealed memories have slowly been returning.
Including knowledge about the nature of soul cores, knowledge his family possessed extensively.
"Humans", he answered.
'What and usual answer', Seth thought.
"Your reasoning behind this?", he asked.
"Humans are the major similarity between the two powers. Historical scholars published several theories about how distinct mages and sorcerers abilities are but they all agreed on one thing, the major similarity between them are the humans who use them. You could say it's a matter of perspective".
"It seems you've picked up a habit of speaking a lot of words without saying much", Seth replied.
"I just didn't explain it well enough. I got that from a book I read a while ago. Quite entertaining", Rio smirked.
"Only you and the patriarch would think those kind of books are entertaining", Seth said with a smile.
"So you do know how to smile", a new voice said.
"Why are you still around, shouldn't you be on your way back to your academy?", Seth looked at the newcomer with distaste.
"I'm just here to watch the show. It's not everyday one gets to witness the creation process of the famed House Dacre", Cain replied.
'So he came to watch me forge my relic?', Rio thought to himself.
"Let's ignore him. It's time for you to forge your relics. The relics act as the connection between our soul essence and our intent or will.
There's only so much we can do as we are. Therefore, the relics we create are our linked with our souls' nature and element".
"Uncle Seth, can I create any weapons linked to my magic power?"
"Eventually. Listen, our family's history there have only been about four individuals that were born with both mana and soul essence. The founder of our family, his daughter who was the second leader after him, our current patriarch and you.
So you see my dear nephew, you're an anomaly that the family doesn't really understand", Seth said.
"So, I'm most important than you ", Rio jeered which caused Cain to laugh silently.
Ignoring them both, Seth raised his hand. Tiny specks of light coalesced untill a small box appeared on his palm.
Inside it was the key ingredient needed for the forging process. An ingredient that was extremely compatible with both mana and soul essence.
"Is that alvium?", Rio asked excited.
"Yes, because it's your first time forging, I'll be acting as your guide", Seth said.
They left the training room and moved to the basement of the building. Seth had asked the guild members for permission to use the room.
Inside the room, were the black clad warriors that accompanied Seth. They stood around an intricately drawn circle.
"Alvium initially becomes unstable when it comes in contact with any foreign energy. That is why you'll be forging inside that special circle, incase of any....explosions".
"Explosions?", Rio asked.
"It's rare but there have been a few cases in our family. Don't worry, you have talent. Although, so did myself and your father but that didn't help at the time?", Seth said as he recalled his first time forging.
"As usual your such a bundle of motivation", Cain said sarcastically.
"Your soul essence acts as the heat while your willpower acts as the hammer", Seth explained completely ignoring Cain.
One of the warriors placed the box containing alvium into the circle and urged Rio to step inside. While sitted, Rio summoned the ingredients he had gathered during his time in Nova City.
The first was a strand of silk. Rio was extremely cautious while holding it because the source was a common monster known as the snow spider. It's main habitat were the cold regions of the continent and was known by another name, the white steel spider. Apparently, it's silk web is strong enough to cut through steel and has a high durability.
So if he isn't careful, the silk strand could very well severe his fingers.
The second was from the last dungeon expedition. It was a scale from the hydra.
Hydra are closely related to one of the strongest species of monsters-dragons. Dragons scales are impervious to most attacks, acting as the strongest natural defense mechanisms. The hydras' would act as a close substitute.
The third was the relic he received from Alister- the Black Hearth. The process of forging incorporated the abilities of ingredients used. Rio hoped to transfer the protective mental abilities of the glove to his newly forged relic.
The final ingredient was the alvium Infront of him. The liquid metal, that brought his family its wealth and fame as the greatest artifact craftsmen. By it's nature, alvium tends to reject foreign influence but if tempered correctly, the results would be magnificent.
"Are those all the ingredients you've gathered?", Seth asked.
"I have a couple more but ever since you said this stuff explodes, I removed all ingredients that were not compatible with each other", Rio said.
"Alright".
"You may be begin", Seth said.
"Why did you choose today, of all days to let him forge even though he was ready a few days ago?", Cain asked quietly.
"Saint Maria left the city last night", Seth replied.
"Ooh, so you've also been monitoring her movements", Cain said.
"What happens in that circle today will determine if the boy lives, dies or is sealed. I'd like to keep the churches out of it", Seth said.
"It doesn't really matter, does it? His soul element is chaos. If he's discovered by the council or the churches... there will be no happy ending", Cain warned.
"You haven't told the council?", Seth asked puzzled.
"Didn't you figure it out by the lack of aerial bombardment?"
Seth remained silent. Aerial assault was the council's main style of attack.
'Just what is he planning?', Seth thought.
Rio went over the instructions Seth had thought over the past few days. This circle performed two tasks. One, it was designed to protect the surrounding environment in case of an explosion. Secondly, it aided the forger in manifesting their soul essence.
Forging was more of a mental affair than a physical one. The forger needed to have a mental bleprint of the relic they wanted to create. The blueprint would consist of the image, ability aspect of the relic and the soul of the forger.
Rio sat cross-legged and began to focus on nothing more than the mental blueprint of his desired relic. As time went on, a pristine white glow manifested around his body.
"The neutral aura of the soul. That white glow is the natural state of one's soul in a living beings", Seth said.
"I've seen yours before but what about old John's?", Cain asked.
"I'm sure you've heard the rumours about my brother's combat adventures, right?"
"They described him as a knight clad in glowing shadows. Quite scary if you ask me", Cain said.
"That is merely an advanced form of soul manifestation", Seth said.
"How long is this going to take?", Cain asked.
"If you're getting impatient you can leave. This is his first time, so we'll be here for quite a while", Seth said.
Rio continued his meditation, going deeper into a state of focus. His mental blueprint vivid in his mind. His aura stable. The process of forging was a mental affair, the only things needed were a strong mind to imprint the design of the relic and the forger's soul essence to act as both the fuel and the tether. Now it was time to begin.
His aura began to expand towards the items in front of him. First the snow spider silk, then the black scale of the hydra.
Due to the uncertainty of his soul element's nature, Rio had a hard time picturing a unique relic for himself. He had been trained in the ways of swordsmanship, spear techniques and even basic hand to hand combat. He also had to consider his physique, although the relic forge could be adjust to suit his growth over time, creating something would take too long to adapt was another risk.
All these uncertainties, prompted him to use the Black Hearth's design as the basic blueprint for his first relic.
His relic would be a glove. It was the safest blueprint he could come up with now considering all the risks.
'Please don't blow up', he thought as he looked at the items lined in front of him.
"Do not let your anxiety and fear of failure distract you. Focus on your mental blueprint and keep the flow of essence steady", Seth advised.
As soon as his supply of essence to the first two ingredients was stabilized, he extended his soul to the Black Hearth. The glove hungrily drank his soul essence. The gemstones embedded in it lit up indicating the relic had absorbed soul essence to its' maximum capacity.
Rio suddenly felt calmer, his concentration focused and his mind grew sharper.
'So this is the ability of the relic. It would very useful in stressful situations. Is there any other stressful situation than this?', he thought.
The forging process had not actually begun. All Rio had done was to integrate all the ingredients with his aura. Now, the real test began. With a snap of his fingers, the three ingredients ignited.