The boys settled into a meditative position on the soft grass, the cool earth a grounding contrast to the nervous energy humming beneath their skin. They crossed their legs, adopting the classic posture of focus, their backs straight, hands resting gently on their knees, palms facing upward. The setting sun cast long shadows across the field, painting the grass in hues of orange and gold, a beautiful but distracting backdrop to their internal quest. Despite their efforts to achieve stillness, an unsettling emptiness remained within – none of them could truly feel the elusive essence Ashley had described, the subtle energy that pulsed at the heart of their Dragon-Blooded heritage.
"Don't just close your eyes," Ashley's voice, calm yet firm, broke through the quiet concentration. Her words, though gentle, carried an undercurrent of expectation, a reminder of the task's difficulty. "Concentrate. Search deep within you. Feel its call and follow it. Try harder." Her words were not a reprimand, but a challenge, an invitation to delve deeper into the hidden recesses of their own beings.
Her words stirred something in them, a faint ripple beneath the surface of their consciousness, a subtle shift in their awareness. It wasn't just about shutting out the external world; it was about reaching inside and grasping something intangible, something that resided beyond the realm of physical sensation. The task was as much mental as it was physical, a test of their will and their ability to focus their minds.
The students redoubled their focus, their faces tightening with concentration. Nick furrowed his brow, his breathing slow and steady, his mind meticulously scanning his core for the warmth or pulse Ashley had described, a methodical approach that reflected his careful, analytical nature. Asher's fingers twitched nervously, his mind darting anxiously between frustration and determination, his usual impulsive nature struggling against the demands of this delicate internal work. Ethan's jaw clenched, his mind becoming a silent sanctuary, a space where only the echo of Ashley's instructions resonated, his focus unwavering and intense.
On their second attempt, a subtle shift occurred. Nick's eyes snapped open, a look of quiet triumph, a mixture of relief and exhilaration, crossing his face. "I felt it," he whispered, his voice barely audible above the rustling of the leaves. "I found it." Slowly but surely, with deliberate control, he managed to shift the warmth, the feeling of energy, from his abdomen upwards to his chest and shoulders—a gentle but unmistakable movement, a tangible sign of his success.
Others found the task more challenging. Asher's face scrunched up in frustration as the seconds ticked by, his impatient nature struggling against the subtle demands of inner exploration. His mind refused to settle, his thoughts flitting from one distraction to another. It wasn't until his fifth try, after multiple deep breaths and a determined effort to shake off the impatience clawing at him, that he finally felt a faint flicker of essence. It was weak and fluttering, like a trapped bird, but it was there, a fragile spark of potential.
Ethan's struggle was even more protracted. Despite his usual ease with physical training, the internal search tested his patience and his mental resilience. It wasn't until his ninth attempt, after nearly giving up, momentarily succumbing to self-doubt, that he felt the unmistakable pulse, the rhythmic thrum of essence. From that moment, the essence seemed to flow more naturally within him, as if it had finally found a welcoming vessel. Without hesitation, guided by a newfound intuition, he moved it from his abdomen down his arms and then to his legs, flowing around his body twice in quick succession, demonstrating a remarkable level of control.
Ashley observed quietly from the edge of the field, a small, knowing smile tugging at her lips. "Lots of talent this year," she thought to herself, her gaze sweeping over the students. "The other sets couldn't move their essence until the second day. But this generation? They're already awakening on the first. That's good. The more talented casters the village has, the better prepared we'll be for what's coming." Her words held a subtle gravity, a hint of the unseen challenges that lay ahead.
Time slipped away unnoticed as the students remained deep in their practice, their world narrowed to the sensation of the energy within. The sun gradually dipped below the horizon, casting long, dramatic shadows that stretched over the grass, painting the sky in a burning spectacle of orange and crimson. But the boys and their classmates barely registered the change. Their entire focus was inward, chasing the flickering glow of essence within their bodies, a journey of self-discovery and the unlocking of hidden power.
Finally, Ashley clapped her hands softly, a gentle sound that broke the spell of focused concentration. "Alright," she said, her voice gentle but resolute, carrying a sense of completion. "That will be all for today. Please return to your rooms and rest. You've worked hard today."
The students blinked, the outside world rushing back in like a flood. Bodies stiff, minds buzzing with the lingering sensation of energy, they slowly uncrossed their legs and rose, their movements stiff from prolonged stillness. The abrupt return to the physical world was disorienting but also exhilarating.
By the end of the session, Nick had managed to circulate his essence four times fully around his body, his breathing steady, his confidence growing with each successful circuit. Asher, despite his initial frustration, had completed two circuits—a small but meaningful victory that underscored his perseverance. Ethan, seemingly effortlessly, had pushed further, moving his essence eight times, his calm demeanor unshaken, a testament to his innate ability and his mental control.
As they began the walk back, Asher wiped the sweat from his brow, glaring at Ethan with a mix of envy and irritation. "How come it's easy for you and hard for me?" he muttered, his voice low, tinged with frustration.
Ethan shrugged, the hint of a smirk playing on his lips. "I don't know. I had trouble finding my essence too, but once I did, it was like it became part of me. It just flowed. Maybe it's just a matter of finding the right approach."
Nick, his face impassive, his thoughts churning with a darker shade of jealousy, remained silent. *How can he control his essence better than me?* Nick thought bitterly. *I've read more books about essence circulation than anyone else here. I'm supposed to be better. And he isn't even from a clan.* His mind spiraled with self-doubt, a nagging insecurity that gnawed at his confidence, but he kept it carefully hidden behind a composed mask.
Ethan stretched, clearly eager to leave the training grounds behind. "Well, I'm tired and sweaty. Can we go now?" he asked, his voice casual but relieved.
Asher gave a small groan but nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I'm beat too. But I actually feel something. That's gotta count for something, right?"
The three friends gathered their things, the cool grass a refreshing contrast to the lingering heat of the setting sun. Despite their tired bodies, a new fire kindled in their hearts—an excitement born from the promise of power awakening inside them, a sense of accomplishment mixed with the anticipation of further challenges.
As they made their way back toward the academy's dormitories, the sky above darkened to a deep velvet navy studded with countless stars, the twinkling lights a mesmerizing counterpoint to the quiet intensity of their internal journey. The lessons of the day would linger long in their minds, and though their journey with essence had only just begun, each of them knew one thing for sure: mastering it would change everything. Their path to becoming true masters of the magical arts was a long and arduous one, but they were now walking it, together.