Master Avant had a peculiar way of describing things. What he referred to as an office was an open air training area. It was a perfect square stretching for a few hundred feet in every direction. A small waterfall flowed out of the mountainside into a pond within the “office.” Grass and stone procured by adventurers was laid deliberately to create a calm space. While the aesthetic was calming, no one invited here felt that way. The master’s personal lessons were taught in the office and they were anything but serene.
Flames flickered and wisped away from Kargon’s form as he focused on the shattered chain in his hands. The conduit Commander Ivana provided was still functional but could no longer wrap around its wearer. Singed pieces of robe fluttered away after each ignition. Containing them proved difficult compared to before. Their shape was loose and vibrant unlike the fire produced in Spirefell. Empowered flames burning deep red like the very blood in his veins were seared in his memory. It would be easy to brush them off as a dream if not for Master Avant confirming their existence.
He twirled Kargon’s goggles around one finger while walking circles around the stationary student. Whatever piece of the master made him a calm and doting caretaker was silenced. The strict mentor from the half-elf’s memories had returned.
“Reinforced flames are the strongest form fire can take. They can even withstand a fully powered fireball,” Master Avant said. “Pyromanic allowed you to cheat out that quality of flame.”
“So then… why am… I trying… without it.” Kargon strained to speak while keeping his focus.”
“Cheating it out proves that your body is capable of producing reinforced flames. In fact, some part of you is accustomed to them and aware of how to properly wield them.”
Kargon grumbled, loud enough for Master Avant to hear. There was no hiding anything from the bird. Both were aware that the younger man had a taste of the flame. On his first attempt, several days ago, they wreathed his fingers before loosening into their natural wild form. Though he was wearing his goggles at the time which his master swiftly took away. But something nagged at Kargon. Something Master Avant was fully aware of and simply waiting for his student to vocalize. Neither expected how the realization would be presented.
A raging fire encompassed Kargon’s arms. Burned cloth licked at his skin but he welcomed the familiar feeling. The distinct sound of a whip lightly cracking in the flames called to him. Growing fury would cause the blaze to expand while Kargon’s focus forced it to shrink. Greater fury was forced back at an equal level. The cracks became louder and their source more obvious. Breaks appeared all over the conduit. But Kargon was too close to let up. He pushed with all his might.
Clear as the day he fell, crimson flames wrapped around his fingers. In an instant his arms were alight with the intense blaze. The next instant they were gone. The conduit in his hands remained in its broken state. Only now the ruby was gone. Shattered into a fine powder and carried away by the wind.
Master Avant hummed lightly. “That was unexpected.”
“The conduit wasn’t… meant for reinforced flames… Was it?” Kargon asked while lapping up as much air as possible.
“No, it was not. I was expecting you to realize that much sooner.”
“Dammit, master…”
“Yet I am delighted by the outcome you stubbornly worked towards.” Master Avant explained as he stepped in front of Kargon. Discerning eyes looked over the broken conduit and retrieved it. “To produce that fire from such low quality equipment is quite a feat. Try this.”
The master placed an accessory in his student’s aloft hand. Kargon was too tired to even put his arm down when the conduit left it. Now another took its place. Though it didn’t take a genius to realize the vast difference in quality. It was similar to one of the many bracelets worn by Master Avant. This one had over one hundred beads carved from wood and bound by steel. A single ruby jewel was shaped to match the rest of the beads but shone far brighter. Kargon very carefully wrapped it around his right wrist, allowing just enough give for it to rattle as it shifted along his forearm.
Slow, steady breathing accompanied focus on shaping fire. The overexertion was entirely unnecessary as crimson flames burst from Kargon’s palms. Then another small explosion burst from his other palm. Burning leather accompanied flames appearing at the soles of his feet. Simple shoes the master had graciously lended to his student were now a pile of melted mush. Placing fingers against each other felt peculiar as the thin layer of rapid flames pushed them apart.
Kargon’s eyes lit up and he stared at an empty spot in the sky a few feet away. A flick of the wrist summoned a burning astral arm in the sky. The student couldn’t help but smirk at the flames wreathed around his creation. Lines like blazing trails traced his ligament. As long as it remained a fist, there was no discerning it from a fireball. But as time passed Kargon couldn’t hide his frustration with the floating hand.
“I can’t move it independently.”
“It is good you noticed,” Master Avant said.
Kargon huffed. “I should be able to by now! I’ve been summoning them for almost a year and all I can do is make them imitate me. There’s more to astral magic than that!”
The flames dissipated as he wiped frustrated tears from his eyes. For some reason, he felt like a child in front of Master Avant. Likely due to the ingrained memories that refused to stay quiet during training.
“You are incapable of astral projection, Kargon.” Master Avant stated candidly. “However, that has always been the case.”
For some reason his straightforward attitude helped Kargon regain his casual demeanor.
“Gee, thanks.”
It was a fully sarcastic and unnecessary response. The master wasn’t so nonchalant that he’d leave half an explanation unsaid.
“People who have only seen astral magic assume it is all the same. In truth there are two distinct categories. The first, and more explored, is astral projection. That camp encompasses my abilities like creating several ethereal limbs and even cloning myself to a degree.” Master Avant liked demonstrating his skills during an explanation. It was both to help his students understand as well as keep himself sharp. “The other camp, which is often excused within the first, is astral extension. That, my boy, is where your abilities lie. Your creations not only mimic your actions but cannot move independently.”
“Seems like the worse camp,” Kargon groaned.
“While there are weaknesses that are not present in projection, there are also strengths. For example, you can modulate the consistency of your creations. They can be as solid as your physical body or as immaterial as mana itself.”
“That doesn’t sound too bad.”
Master Avant smirked. He’d knowingly saved the best for last. But he refused to let it show. “Ah, also it is not bound to your size. With the correct application you can battle in unimaginable ways.”
Kargon once again ignited and briefly basked in the fresh flames. With arm aloft, he summoned an astral hand. It had never occurred to him that they were ever so slightly larger than his. What was more intriguing was a faint line connecting the creation to his own palm. Intense focus made the wire crackle like a fuse. It wasn’t long before the fire expanded outward and revealed an entire flaming arm that slightly encompassed his own. In shock, Kargon pulled his arm back while dousing his flame. The force created a small explosion around the fist and lit the grass ablaze. He quickly put it out but remained stunned at the creation.
Before Master Avant had a chance to complain about the damage to his office, Kargon reignited. This time the astral arm appeared wreathed around his own. This must have been what the master meant about it being like mana. The student was aware of the presence but it was nearly nonexistent. With a forceful step forward he punched the air. Simultaneously, the blazing astral fist launched outward. With each inch of travel it solidified further. Much too slow for real combat. But quite a large first step.
Another punch sent forward the second hand. Wild abandon led Kargon to kick the air. A previously unsummoned foot made its presence known. Each aggressive movement was wholly different from before. This was the attack that was intended for Elmud that day. One empowered by Kargon’s entire being. One that carried his rage. His fury. His disappointment from being held back. His sorrow from falling at the feet of his friends. His self hatred for making Aisha cry.
A cathartic roar erupted from Kargon as he propelled his fist forward. Mana poured into the astral imitation faster than he intended. While the speed of solidification showed no change, its form did. In place of the normal projection was one triple its size. Kargon felt the urge to retract his hand but stopped himself. Familiarizing himself with the feeling of transformation was key. That was what got him to create the reinforced flames in the first place. Master Avant made clear what a single display of power meant. Replication was possible. More power was possible. Drilling a giant fist of fire into Elmud’s cocky face was possible.
Master Avant had a peculiar way of describing things. What he referred to as an office was an open air training area. It was a perfect square stretching for a few hundred feet in every direction. A small waterfall flowed out of the mountainside into a pond within the “office.” Grass and stone procured by adventurers was laid deliberately to create a calm space. While the aesthetic was calming, no one invited here felt that way. The master’s personal lessons were taught in the office and they were anything but serene.
Flames flickered and wisped away from Kargon’s form as he focused on the shattered chain in his hands. The conduit Commander Ivana provided was still functional but could no longer wrap around its wearer. Singed pieces of robe fluttered away after each ignition. Containing them proved difficult compared to before. Their shape was loose and vibrant unlike the fire produced in Spirefell. Empowered flames burning deep red like the very blood in his veins were seared in his memory. It would be easy to brush them off as a dream if not for Master Avant confirming their existence.
He twirled Kargon’s goggles around one finger while walking circles around the stationary student. Whatever piece of the master made him a calm and doting caretaker was silenced. The strict mentor from the half-elf’s memories had returned.
“Reinforced flames are the strongest form fire can take. They can even withstand a fully powered fireball,” Master Avant said. “Pyromanic allowed you to cheat out that quality of flame.”
“So then… why am… I trying… without it.” Kargon strained to speak while keeping his focus.”
“Cheating it out proves that your body is capable of producing reinforced flames. In fact, some part of you is accustomed to them and aware of how to properly wield them.”
Kargon grumbled, loud enough for Master Avant to hear. There was no hiding anything from the bird. Both were aware that the younger man had a taste of the flame. On his first attempt, several days ago, they wreathed his fingers before loosening into their natural wild form. Though he was wearing his goggles at the time which his master swiftly took away. But something nagged at Kargon. Something Master Avant was fully aware of and simply waiting for his student to vocalize. Neither expected how the realization would be presented.
A raging fire encompassed Kargon’s arms. Burned cloth licked at his skin but he welcomed the familiar feeling. The distinct sound of a whip lightly cracking in the flames called to him. Growing fury would cause the blaze to expand while Kargon’s focus forced it to shrink. Greater fury was forced back at an equal level. The cracks became louder and their source more obvious. Breaks appeared all over the conduit. But Kargon was too close to let up. He pushed with all his might.
Clear as the day he fell, crimson flames wrapped around his fingers. In an instant his arms were alight with the intense blaze. The next instant they were gone. The conduit in his hands remained in its broken state. Only now the ruby was gone. Shattered into a fine powder and carried away by the wind.
Master Avant hummed lightly. “That was unexpected.”
“The conduit wasn’t… meant for reinforced flames… Was it?” Kargon asked while lapping up as much air as possible.
“No, it was not. I was expecting you to realize that much sooner.”
“Dammit, master…”
“Yet I am delighted by the outcome you stubbornly worked towards.” Master Avant explained as he stepped in front of Kargon. Discerning eyes looked over the broken conduit and retrieved it. “To produce that fire from such low quality equipment is quite a feat. Try this.”
The master placed an accessory in his student’s aloft hand. Kargon was too tired to even put his arm down when the conduit left it. Now another took its place. Though it didn’t take a genius to realize the vast difference in quality. It was similar to one of the many bracelets worn by Master Avant. This one had over one hundred beads carved from wood and bound by steel. A single ruby jewel was shaped to match the rest of the beads but shone far brighter. Kargon very carefully wrapped it around his right wrist, allowing just enough give for it to rattle as it shifted along his forearm.
Slow, steady breathing accompanied focus on shaping fire. The overexertion was entirely unnecessary as crimson flames burst from Kargon’s palms. Then another small explosion burst from his other palm. Burning leather accompanied flames appearing at the soles of his feet. Simple shoes the master had graciously lended to his student were now a pile of melted mush. Placing fingers against each other felt peculiar as the thin layer of rapid flames pushed them apart.
Kargon’s eyes lit up and he stared at an empty spot in the sky a few feet away. A flick of the wrist summoned a burning astral arm in the sky. The student couldn’t help but smirk at the flames wreathed around his creation. Lines like blazing trails traced his ligament. As long as it remained a fist, there was no discerning it from a fireball. But as time passed Kargon couldn’t hide his frustration with the floating hand.
“I can’t move it independently.”
“It is good you noticed,” Master Avant said.
Kargon huffed. “I should be able to by now! I’ve been summoning them for almost a year and all I can do is make them imitate me. There’s more to astral magic than that!”
The flames dissipated as he wiped frustrated tears from his eyes. For some reason, he felt like a child in front of Master Avant. Likely due to the ingrained memories that refused to stay quiet during training.
“You are incapable of astral projection, Kargon.” Master Avant stated candidly. “However, that has always been the case.”
For some reason his straightforward attitude helped Kargon regain his casual demeanor.
“Gee, thanks.”
It was a fully sarcastic and unnecessary response. The master wasn’t so nonchalant that he’d leave half an explanation unsaid.
“People who have only seen astral magic assume it is all the same. In truth there are two distinct categories. The first, and more explored, is astral projection. That camp encompasses my abilities like creating several ethereal limbs and even cloning myself to a degree.” Master Avant liked demonstrating his skills during an explanation. It was both to help his students understand as well as keep himself sharp. “The other camp, which is often excused within the first, is astral extension. That, my boy, is where your abilities lie. Your creations not only mimic your actions but cannot move independently.”
“Seems like the worse camp,” Kargon groaned.
“While there are weaknesses that are not present in projection, there are also strengths. For example, you can modulate the consistency of your creations. They can be as solid as your physical body or as immaterial as mana itself.”
“That doesn’t sound too bad.”
Master Avant smirked. He’d knowingly saved the best for last. But he refused to let it show. “Ah, also it is not bound to your size. With the correct application you can battle in unimaginable ways.”
Kargon once again ignited and briefly basked in the fresh flames. With arm aloft, he summoned an astral hand. It had never occurred to him that they were ever so slightly larger than his. What was more intriguing was a faint line connecting the creation to his own palm. Intense focus made the wire crackle like a fuse. It wasn’t long before the fire expanded outward and revealed an entire flaming arm that slightly encompassed his own. In shock, Kargon pulled his arm back while dousing his flame. The force created a small explosion around the fist and lit the grass ablaze. He quickly put it out but remained stunned at the creation.
Before Master Avant had a chance to complain about the damage to his office, Kargon reignited. This time the astral arm appeared wreathed around his own. This must have been what the master meant about it being like mana. The student was aware of the presence but it was nearly nonexistent. With a forceful step forward he punched the air. Simultaneously, the blazing astral fist launched outward. With each inch of travel it solidified further. Much too slow for real combat. But quite a large first step.
Another punch sent forward the second hand. Wild abandon led Kargon to kick the air. A previously unsummoned foot made its presence known. Each aggressive movement was wholly different from before. This was the attack that was intended for Elmud that day. One empowered by Kargon’s entire being. One that carried his rage. His fury. His disappointment from being held back. His sorrow from falling at the feet of his friends. His self hatred for making Aisha cry.
A cathartic roar erupted from Kargon as he propelled his fist forward. Mana poured into the astral imitation faster than he intended. While the speed of solidification showed no change, its form did. In place of the normal projection was one triple its size. Kargon felt the urge to retract his hand but stopped himself. Familiarizing himself with the feeling of transformation was key. That was what got him to create the reinforced flames in the first place. Master Avant made clear what a single display of power meant. Replication was possible. More power was possible. Drilling a giant fist of fire into Elmud’s cocky face was possible.
