115 Astral Projection (1/2)
\”I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul,\” I quoted from my favorite poem, and for some reason, it really did seem to work, this mantra thing. \”I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul!\”
Like static electricity raking across the edge of my shadowblade, a more brilliant, bluish light exploded out of it and rotated along the edge, following the path of its vibration up and down my falchion like a chainsaw. Errant sparks flew out of the blade every once in a while like bolts of lightning streaking out at the nearest metal surface. It was certifiably cool.
Unfortunately, as soon I thought that and lost my concentration, the intense light blinked out and my shadowblade's edge returned to its regular blue-veined default.
\”Damn,\” I hissed. \”I almost had it.
Sweat dripped down the tip of my nose. My entire body heaved from fatigue.
Smack!
A sharp wooden object struck the back of my shoulder, sending a piercing pain streaking down my arm.
\”Wh-whoa!\” I darted away before turning around to complain, \”What was… that for?\”
\”You lost concentration,\” Azuma explained.
He smacked me again with the butt of his spear.
\”Stop minding. Focus,\” he instructed.
It had been a few hours since all our visitors had left, and after looking through the scrying orb Nike gave me and confirming nothing big was happening in the greater Fayne, I spent the rest of my night in the training hall with Azuma and Luca. I left the more mundane stuff, like tower management and renovations, to Aura and Varda who both seemed to have a knack for it.
\”Time out,\” I said, flopping down on the matt in a heap. \”Too… tired…\”
I was out of breath, feeling like I'd just run a marathon, and yet, for all my effort all I could manage to do was let loose a few sparks.
Azuma stood over me, his eyes scanning my face.
\”Mastery of the elemental weapon isn't easy, Dean,\” he said, almost comfortingly. \”It's not for everyone, but what you managed to do now was already impressive considering the elemental spirits answering your call isn't one of the four basics, but a hybrid.\”
\”An advanced… form of fire elemental,\” I repeated the words he'd revealed to me earlier. Apparently, I'd called to the spirits and lightning was the one to answer my call, which was completely bonkers for me as I'd always believed in science more than the mumbo jumbo that was a fairy's arcane arts.
I breathed slowly and reclaimed my breath.
\”It still doesn't make sense,\” I said.
\”It isn't supposed to,\” Azuma chided. \”Your science may work on Mudgard, but the Fayne—\”
\”—is a whole different ball game,\” I finished his lecture for him. \”I know… and it's YOUR science too, man.\”
Azuma chuckled. \”Ten minutes… then you'll try again.\”
I'd only just closed my eyes when Luca plopped his butt next to mine and offered me a cup of water which I took gratefully.
\”How come you're not having such a hard time with this?\” I asked sincerely.
It really did come naturally to Luca, this Augmentare thing. In fact, what takes me hours to conjure for a few seconds only takes him a few seconds to conjure and make last for at least an half an hour.
\”Azuma's right… you think too much. I don't. I just let the spirits flow,\” Luca advised.
\”Well, you sound like a hippie,\” I countered.
Luca and exchanged some more playful banter before he asked me about what Albert had given me.
I reached into my pocket and handed him the leafy packet. \”See for yourself.\”
Luca unwrapped the delicate leaf packaging to reveal the three yellow marbles underneath it.
\”What are they?\” he asked.
\”Aura said they're called Idunn's Tears,\” I answered. \”Crystalized mana left to bathe in Idunn's golden light during the full moon… I think…\”
I glanced toward the marbles and gingerly picked one up between my forefinger and thumb.
\”More fairy mumbo jumbo if you ask me,\” I joked.
\”But what's it supposed to do?\” Luca pressed, picking one of the marbles up himself.
\”Aura's not sure… but she and Albert think these things can help me temporarily see better when I use my fairy gift,\” I answered.
It was a while later, almost two minutes before Azuma would call me up again, when Luca finally said, \”Why haven't you tried it yet?\”
It was a good question.
\”Um, you want me to stick something I know nothing about into my mouth?\” I asked incredulously.
\”You've done it before,\” he reminded me, harkening back to the old days when he and I would sample whatever bizarre food dad and mom brought home from their trips overseas. \”Just one, come on.\”
I glanced over to my little brother. Then I glanced over to Azuma who was still in the corner meditating. Finally, I looked down at the yellow marble in my hand. Seconds ticked by when I finally made the decision and ate Idunn's Tears.