Chapter 103 First Steps (1/2)
The next day, Arran was all but recovered froood night's sleep, all that re of weariness, which he took to be an after-effect of Snowcloud's potion
That the potion had any after-effects at all cathened body, even ht injuries normally healed in a matter of hours That the potion's har, and he resolved not to use it again unless he had no other choice
Snowcloud was already sitting at the cave's entrance, and as he sat down in front of her, she gave hi look
”You recovered quickly,” she said ”Are you ready to begin?”
”Ready and impatient,” he replied
She responded with a s I will have to do is teach you a decent Body Refinement technique”
”I already have several Body Refinement techniques,” Arran said
”The techniques used in the Eh,” Snowcloud replied ”You need so that allows you to use every bit of Essence you have available”
Although Arran thought the technique Darkfire had taught him would suffice, he nodded quietly — he would not object to learning soan to explain her technique, Arran iht it sounded familiar A fewthe technique Darkfire had already taught some months earlier
”I know this technique,” Arran interrupted Snowcloud's explanation ”I learned it severalhis words, she looked up in surprise ”Are you sure? This is a Shadowflame technique that's not usually shared with outsiders If so unhappy with the idea
”I'ave hiht be trouble But then, she shrugged
”I suppose the technique is hardly a secret,” she said ”And knowing it will save you a feeeks of training Alright, we'll , and after a quick search, she took out what looked to be a marble-sized sized piece of crystal, which she handed to Arran
”What is it?” Arran asked
He looked at the small crystal in his hand with soh it could easily be uely feel soh he could not tell exactly what kind of power
”It's an Essence Crystal,” Snowcloud said ”It's made of Purified Essence”
”Purified Essence? What's that?”
”It's what re it of all specific properties and attributes,” she said ”Like distilling alcohol fro the sap froh he wasn't exactly sure how either of those things worked Right now, he was more interested in what the Purified Essence would do than in hoas created
”What does it do?” he asked
”Use it, and you'll find out,” Snowcloud answered ”After that, I can explain more”
”Then how do I use it?” Arran asked
”Hold it in your hand, then take control of the Essence within the crystal and draw it into yourself Once you've done that, you can circulate it using the Body Refinement technique
Arran i to take control of the Essence from which it was made
This proved to besome control over the Essence took hih it didn't resist his control, exactly, he could tell that the Essence wasn't his own