A new morning at Delphi Outpost began with palpable determination. Though traces of exhaustion from the clash with Eagle still lingered, the new knowledge from the "black leather-bound notebook" had ignited an unprecedented hope and enthusiasm in Kiana and Ryu. Da Vinci had arranged a spacious underground area, normally used by the Spark Faction for training, to become a place for them to "delve" into understanding their powers.
Torchlight flickering on the cave walls cast long shadows of the three figures. Da Vinci sat observing from a distance, like a sage watching a crucial experiment. Kiana and Ryu sat cross-legged in the center of the area, trying to calm their minds as instructed.
"Remember," Da Vinci began, his voice firm yet gentle, "connecting with your 'Elemental Core' is not about forcing it, but about 'listening' and 'understanding' its nature."
Kiana nodded. She was trying hard to focus on the "Fire Elemental Core" whose "center" she had begun to sense the day before. But every time she tried to "approach" it, a scorching and turbulent sensation overwhelmed her. Horrific memories of her flames burning uncontrollably resurfaced, creating a wall of fear in her mind.
"Hmph!" A heavy breath escaped her lips, small beads of sweat forming on her forehead. "It's... it's so difficult, Da Vinci-dono! Every time I try to 'touch' it, it feels like it's 'resisting' me!"
Da Vinci walked closer. He saw the frustration and discouragement in the red-haired young woman's eyes. "Kiana," he said, "the nature of fire elemental power is intense and potent. It might not be 'resisting' you, but rather 'testing' your courage and determination. Try shifting from 'controlling' it to 'accepting' and 'observing' it calmly. Perhaps... you will discover something."
Da Vinci's words were like cool water soothing her agitated mind. Kiana took a deep breath, trying to relax and begin her meditation anew. This time, she didn't try to "extinguish" or "suppress" the power, but tried to "allow" that intense heat to circulate, while consciously "watching" it from a distance.
Meanwhile, Ryu entered a meditative state quickly and naturally. He sat as still as a stone statue. An invisible, gentle breeze seemed to envelop him. He was "diving" into the "wind current" within him, following the sensation he had experienced in the past. He recalled the critical moment that power had awakened, his determination to protect, the calmness that arose amidst chaos.
Suddenly! Ryu slowly opened his eyes, a spark of discovery in them.
"I... I can feel it now," he said, his voice tinged with surprise. "It's not just an ordinary 'wind current,' but the 'Spirit of the Wind' that responds to the 'calmness' and 'letting go' in my mind. When my mind is calm and unified with the movement of my sword... that power becomes 'clearer' and 'flows' more freely."
Da Vinci nodded with satisfaction. "Excellent, Ryu! That is your unique 'condition' or 'key.' It seems the 'way of the sword' and the 'philosophy' you've practiced have unknowingly molded you to have an 'understanding' of the nature of the wind element."
Kiana, hearing their conversation, felt both impressed by Ryu and more pressured. But she continued to follow Da Vinci's advice. The heat within her was still intense, but she began to "notice" a certain "rhythm" in its eruptions, like ocean waves crashing ashore. It wasn't as chaotic as she had once thought.
During a break in their training, the three sat in a circle in Da Vinci's room, the lamplight chasing away the dim shadows.
"I still can't do it as well as Ryu," Kiana sighed, her face still sweaty. "My power is so stubborn."
"Don't be discouraged, Kiana," Da Vinci encouraged. "The nature of the fire element is different from the wind element. The notebook states that 'flame is the agent of change, destruction for rebirth, and fervent desire.' It might require the 'courage' to face its intensity directly, and the 'determination' to become one with it, not just control it from the outside."
As they were talking, Sage, the Spark Faction's medic, walked in with a tray of herbs and water.
"How is the training going?" Sage asked with a gentle smile. "I heard you all discussing quite seriously."
"We're trying to understand something, Sage-dono," Da Vinci replied. "It's about our 'inner power'."
Sage nodded knowingly. "Body and mind are deeply connected. Training great power requires a balance of both. I have some herbs that might help calm the mind and restore energy better." He placed the tray down before looking at Kiana with an understanding gaze. "Especially for young Kiana, your power seems particularly 'sensitive' to emotional states. Maintaining mental stability is therefore very important."
Sage's words made Kiana ponder. She remembered Eldrin's warning about the danger of her power.
At that moment, Da Vinci suddenly frowned slightly, his hand unconsciously resting on his left chest, as if "something" had briefly struck his senses.
"Da Vinci-dono, is something wrong?" Ryu noticed the abnormality.
Da Vinci shook his head slightly. "Nothing... just... felt a little strange. Probably due to lack of rest." But in his mind, he felt an indescribable "premonition," like a faint whisper from afar... a whisper filled with concern.
The training continued for several more hours. Kiana began to grasp a "trick." She tried to think of the "warmth" of the flame instead of its "destructive heat," the "light" it provided instead of the "darkness" born from her fear. And surprisingly! The intense heat within her seemed to "calm down" slightly, and she could "maintain" that state for longer than before. Though only for a moment, it was a significant "flicker of light" of progress.
As for Ryu, he could "integrate" the feeling of the "Spirit of the Wind" with his body movements more fluidly. He tried swinging a wooden sword in the air and felt that his movements were "lighter" and "faster" than before, as if a wind current was constantly "supporting" him.
As the sun began to set, the training for the day concluded. Da Vinci looked at his two companions with satisfaction mixed with contemplation.
"You both did very well for the first day," he said. "Remember the feelings and 'conditions' you discovered today. They will be crucial 'keys' for further development."
He paused briefly before adding, "I have a little 'homework' for you. Kiana, try spending time with the 'feeling' of flames in various forms, not just in combat. Observe the fire from torches or small campfires. Try to 'understand' its nature. As for you, Ryu, try to 'integrate' meditation with every movement in your daily life, not just when holding a sword."
Kiana and Ryu accepted. They both felt exhausted but also filled with new "hope" and "determination."
As they were about to disperse, a Spark Faction member rushed in, his face slightly alarmed.
"Kairo-dono!" he reported to Kairo, who had just walked by. "Our patrol unit sent to scout the area near... uh... the village to the east, just sent back news, sir. They reported 'unusual movements' of Nebula Empire forces in that area... It seems they've 'increased their numbers' more than usual, sir."
Those words made the relaxing atmosphere instantly tense up again. Da Vinci, Kiana, and Ryu exchanged glances, their eyes filled with concern. The "premonition" Da Vinci had felt earlier became clearer... The whisper from the ashes was about to become a "shout" of reality...
The journey to control their true power continued, but the shadow of threat from the outside world was creeping closer with each moment... and the "conditions of awakening" they had just discovered might have to be tested on a real battlefield sooner than they thought...
[End of Chapter 39]