As the boys and the other students made their way to the next class, a quiet buzz of excitement, tinged with apprehension, spread through the group. This was the class they had been anticipating all day—the one that truly intrigued them, the one that would separate the warriors from the mages. After all, learning how to cast an Art wasn't just about theory; it was about harnessing the raw, untamed power that flowed within them. Being a Dragon-Blooded wasn't just about physical strength or wielding weapons; mastering magical Arts was essential to becoming a true force to be reckoned with, a power that transcended mere physical prowess.
The path to the training ground wound through a grove of tall, ancient trees, their leaves whispering secrets in the gentle breeze, filtering shafts of golden sunlight that dappled the forest floor in shifting patterns of light and shadow. The air hummed with a quiet energy, a mixture of anticipation and the faint, earthy scent of damp soil and decaying leaves. This was a different kind of training ground, a space that demanded a different kind of focus. The faint metallic tang of lingering sweat from their previous, grueling sword training still clung to the air, a stark reminder of the physical demands of their training. The group's footsteps, crunching lightly against the soft soil, seemed to mark a steady rhythm, the anticipation mounting with each step.
Finally, they reached the training location—a vast open field, bathed in the warm glow of the afternoon sun, that stretched wide and clear beneath a bright blue sky. It was a perfect clearing, ringed by thick trees that stood like silent sentinels, their branches interwoven like ancient, protective arms. Scattered across the field were various pieces of magical training equipment, meticulously placed as if arranged for a ritual. Most prominent among them was a large bullseye target painted clearly onto the ground—a circular symbol with a central dot, its edges crisp and precise, a stark contrast to the natural, organic shapes of the surrounding forest.
As the students settled, a woman stepped forward, her presence calm but commanding, her bearing radiating an aura of quiet authority and confidence. Her eyes sparkled with intelligence and a quiet humor, her smile warm and inviting. She was not imposing, but her presence demanded respect. "Welcome, everyone," she said warmly. Her voice was smooth, carrying easily across the field without strain, a testament to her control and composure. "I'm Ashley, your magical arts instructor."
Her voice was a pleasant counterpoint to Desmond's harsh commands, a welcome respite from the intensity of the sword training. She gestured towards the soft, clean-cut grass, the neat rows a testament to the careful preparation of the training ground. "Please, feel free to sit down."
The students obeyed, lowering themselves onto the cool earth. The blades of grass brushed softly against their skin, grounding them as they prepared to learn, a subtle but effective grounding technique.
Asher nudged Ethan with a grin, his usual playful demeanor returning, despite the lingering exhaustion from their previous training session. "Wow, didn't know the academy had a female instructor. That's… nice," he muttered, his eyes scanning her with a mixture of curiosity and, perhaps, a touch of flirtatious admiration.
Ethan raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Yeah, it's refreshing. She seems...chill. A welcome change from Desmond's intensity."
Ashley's smile deepened, a subtle but knowing expression as if she had overheard their whispered comments. She started without delay, her words flowing seamlessly, a clear contrast to Desmond's abrupt instructions. "To give you a head start, I'm going to teach you about essence. Now, since you're Dragon-Blooded, you call it dragon essence, because your power comes from dragons. That's different from human mages." Her explanation was clear, concise, and delivered with a calm authority.
She paused, letting the words sink in, then continued with a steady, confident tone. "Human mages use mana to cast their spells. But we Dragon-Blooded use essence. Neither is inherently stronger or weaker—it all depends on the talent and control of the caster. It's about harnessing the power within, not just about the source of that power."
Ethan whispered to Asher, his voice barely above a breath, "It's like she's answering our questions before we even ask them."
Asher chuckled softly. "Yeah, like she's been watching us all day, anticipating our needs and questions."
Ashley's gaze swept over the students again, her eyes lingering for a moment on each face. "Essence exists inside every Dragon-Blooded from birth, but it remains dormant until you awaken it. Today, that's exactly what we'll do." Her words carried a sense of importance, the weight of ancient knowledge behind them.
She crouched down gracefully, drawing a symbol in the dirt—a graceful, swirling spiral that seemed to pulse with unseen energy, a mesmerizing visual representation of the power they were about to harness. "To cast any Art, you must first learn to control your essence. When a caster's essence runs low, they lose control over their power. That can be dangerous—sometimes even fatal."
The students exchanged uneasy looks at the mention of death, the gravity of their training suddenly more real, the casual mention of fatality heightening their awareness of the risks they were undertaking.
"If you want to study this deeper," Ashley added, her voice softening, "the academy library has countless tomes on essence and magical theory. Feel free to explore those at your own pace."
She stood, her voice brightening again. "But for now, let's begin. Awakening your essence is easier than it sounds, but it requires focus, patience, and control."
She motioned towards her abdomen, emphasizing the location of the power source within themselves. "Your essence is located here, near your core—around your abdomen. Your task is to locate it, feel it, and then move it deliberately, consciously, through every part of your body. This is called 'circulation of essence.' It's a fundamental technique, a foundation upon which all other magical Arts are built."
Ashley took a deep breath, demonstrating the technique as she spoke, her movements fluid and graceful, her breathing controlled and rhythmic. "If you can circulate your essence ten times fully around your body, you will have mastered the technique for today's lesson." She paused, giving them time to absorb the instruction.
The group watched her closely, some faces tense with concentration, others curious and eager. The silence was broken only by the rustling of leaves in the nearby trees.