213 6 months: Ellen and Anne (1/2)

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Fire Origin Spring. Many people had interesting speculations about this Natural Treasure.

Some people said that the Fire Origin Springs are formed by underwater volcanoes. Some said that it is a habitat for oceanic beasts that likes high temperatures. And the most absurd speculation is that, Fire Origin Springs were embryonic fluids of a Phoenix.

Nonetheless, it doesn't matter what speculation was true or how they are formed. For Ellen, what matters the most is to finish her task, which is to reach the core of the spring.

Just like Paul, Ellen also received multiple tasks. First is to soak in the spring for a whole day without passing out.

Next was to dive at least 30 meters deep into the spring and stay there for a whole day without losing consciousness. She just recently passed this level with much difficulty. She remember having burns all over her body during her first few attempts, there was even a time when she looked like an old lady due to how much her skin shriveled up.

It had not been easy for her. In fact, if it weren't for her high fire affinity, she might've already been fried alive due to the sheer heat that the spring has. It had to be known that as one goes deeper to the spring, the higher temperature they have to endure. The heat that Ellen has to endure could already fry someone alive but she managed to pass this task with flying colors.

But the challenge didn't end there as there is another task that she has to go through. And that is to reach the core of the Fire Origin Spring.

Ellen had a clear sign where to go. She had been diving this spring for about six months now for heaven's sake. Whenever she plunges to the depths, she would always see a sharp brilliance at the bottom. From the moment she saw this, she knew that this was her destination.

In a sense, she could feel the depths calling out to her. She tried going closer but the heat was preventing her from doing so. It had to be known that her tolerance to high temperature had been raised multiple times during the past six months. In fact, she could even strut inside a burning house and be perfectly fine. But reaching the core of this spring is still something that's completely beyond her at this point.

She might want to answer the call from the depths of her soul but she was also apprehensive to it. What if something goes horribly wrong? Wouldn't this be akin to a moth to a flame then?

Therefore, Ellen could only take her time and take things slowly. She has enough time to gradually raise her tolerance to the heat and eventually reach the core. Training with Raven and the rest taught her to be patient and not allow recklessness to affect her mindset.

She has a complete faith to herself that she could do this, and if Raven was here, he would've probably said the same thing. And if in any chances that she wasn't able to reach the depths before the time is up? Who cares? She already made a decent progress over the course of six months, it very unlikely that anyone at her age could achieve her accomplishments.

Building a nice and solid foundation, is the proper way to go. Impatience will only lead to injuries or her death and she absolutely couldn't allow that to happen, so it's better for her to take one step at a time.

'Endure the heat, girl. You can do this! Don't be in a rush. Don't be impatient. An opportunity to temper you're physique had come, don't mess it up.'

'If I could just somehow hypnotize myself into thinking that this heat is comfortable instead of painful then it would be good.'

She then did what she just thought of and tried hypnotizing herself that the heat doesn't hurt and instead felt comfortable. Ellen was so concentrated the she unknowingly slipped into a trance at the bottom of a the spring.

***

*Pew!*

An arrow was released from Anne's bow which then pierced the air with a staggering amount of force and speed.

As the arrow flew along its trajectory, its target saw it coming and prepared to dodge it when all of a sudden, the arrow curved and followed its movements. The target was shocked and had no time to evade before the arrow pierced its head, killing the target on the spot.