Chapter 2: Chapter 1 : A decision

Sylvia sighed “I hate to go back on my word but I have another proposal” she looked at Zhang Yuan “for you the agreement is the same and I’ll give you your spiritual root with no further conditions...but” she turned to Lu Yu “ how would you like to be my disciple?”

Lu Yu looked at her and indescribable expression on his face...

“There’s no rush of course! I’ll explain in full... ahem” she cleared her throat “ you will be staying with me here for a few years and then we will travel the world together during that time I will teach you techniques I think suit you as well as how to survive when you set off on your own path.” She looked at him to see if he was tempted “of course I will still give you a spiritual root”

Lu Yu looked up quietly “ why are you saying this? What about my memories makes you say this?”

Sylvia looked flustered “uh, well...um I just think giving you a root and kicking you out is too... irresponsible, Zhang Yuan has been asking the right questions and most likely can handle himself within a sect... but you didn’t talk much at all and accepted my proposal faster than him... even before I saw your memories I recognised that you have a strong desire for power when presented with a possibility but also less to lose.” She scratched her cheek “you are simply very likely to go down the wrong path, I’m worried”

Lu Yu’s brows creased as he fidgeted with his hands

Sylvia stood up “Lu Yu... I’ll give you some time to think alone and Zhang Yuan I'll give you your root if you’ll just follow me” she stepped down from the rock shelf and gestured to 2 blue doors rimmed with iron through which they both entered. Inside was a large area that to the most part was flat it had a few signs of a heavy force hitting the walls in places creating a rough crevice on the smooth rock face. Sylvia took a deep breath “ Phew ” she turned to Zhang Yuan  “ take off your clothes”

“ huh?!” Zhang Yuan stuttered and looked fearfully at the seemingly looming figure of the girl before him “I- I’m not married?!”

“What?” Sylvia tilted her head something seemed to dawn on her, as realisation struck her face “ohhh don’t worry just take of your shirt then and sit on the floor” although it wasn’t his best garment Zhang Yuan still looked a little mournful when he held his torn and muddy shirt in his hands, his mother will have to repair this and he might get a beating.

Sylvia watched as Zhang Yuan held the shirt for slightly too long before tossing it aside and sitting cross legged on the floor most likely feeling awkward.

“Phew, lets begin...”

Zhang Yuan felt a warm sensation fill his body before drifting off to sleep.

• In the other room –

Lu Yu sat with a thoughtful look on his face ‘if he stayed here and became Sylvia’s disciple he would certainly become stronger’ but... he would no longer be able to spend as much time with his friend and he still couldn’t completely trust Sylvia who they had met just over an hour ago.

 

Zhang Yuan found himself waking up in a white space that was lit despite there being no visible light source. He also noticed his that his body no longer ached from the fall, he felt comfortable.

Sylvia walked up beside him “hiya, I thought things might be easier to explain in here” she grinned and spread her arms “this is the dream space I have created to teach you about each element”

She held out her hands and a pentagon within a wheel with each point of the pentagon holding an element’s symbol “now each element is within a cycle of destruction and creation as wood starts a fire, fire creates earth, earth holds metal, metal carries water and water feeds wood.”

Zhang Yuan watched as the next element was created from the first with the process being shown by the floating light.

Sylvia then formed a star within the pentagon showing how fire melts metal, metal chops wood, wood separates the earth, earth absorbs water and water puts out fire.

“now you, little Zhang Yuan are most compatible with the earth element and this shows through your calm reasonable nature, you also show affinities for water and wood albeit not as much.”

“If I choose a different element what will happen?” Zhang Yuan gazed particularly at the fire element on the chart.

“nothing.... to begin with, however mastery of your element will be harder to achieve the less you understand it’s nature” Sylvia looked carefully at the boy “although you may long for the blunt power of fire even your friend Lu Yu would understand it better”

Zhang Yuan thought again “does understanding and mastery matter too much?”

Sylvia smiled at the question “ well not in the early stages as all the spells will be in books for you to learn." She pauses a moment "But as you begin to learn your element and the way it flows into these spells will become second nature you will be able to create your own more powerful and specialised spell. One day you will hit a bottle neck you cannot surpass without enlightenment towards your element further than simply seeking the passion of flames.”

Zhang Yuan looked excited “what are spells?”

Sylvia continued “they are a manifestation of the energy collected through your spiritual root you use them to influence elemental energy around you not unlike how a stone causes ripples in water however depending on the shape size and nature of the ‘stone’ the type of ripple will be different”

Zhang Yuan felt this analogy was perhaps a little off but still understandable “so, what if there are no elemental particles to influence”

Sylvia smiled “well a situation like that is extremely rare, but not unheard of “ she wags her finger at Zhang Yuan“ it depends on your cultivation as all cultivators have some elemental energy surrounding them that will not be used for the next cultivation stage but rather spell casting, this amount increases proportionately to cultivation level, higher level cultivators could force an effect with 10x the amount of usual energy but lower level cultivators would not be able to cast any spells in that proposed scenario...” She then influences the light to form a different image “ however the opposite is also true in an area with abundant earth energy, such as a dry cave, your spells with slightly more energy will have a far bigger effect and casting spells with same amount of energy is easier” images of a stone being cast into a small puddle and then a big pond moved before Zhang Yuan. “does that mean I can only use one kind of elemental spell if I choose one root?”

Sylvia beamed and moved the light once more “not necessarily after all the earth element in particular creates metal elemental energy, absorbs water and is split by wood so at higher levels you could cast some metal element spells intertwined with earth spells or use earth energy to influence these energies.” The light showed a gold stone representing earth falling into a pool of gold producing silver ripples as well as gold.

Zhang Yuan looked fascinated and Sylvia seemed to enjoy teaching she then looked at him mischievously “ that is probably why you get along well with Lu Yu because he most suits the metal element.”

Zhang Yuan thought for a moment “he feels more like bright passionate fire to me?”

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“well that’s because he is equally fire and metal compatible, I’m sure you’ve noticed he’s rather cold with people he doesn’t know well?”

Zhang Yuan’s face lit up “so that’s what it was! I thought he simply dislikes most people”

“ahem off topic... so little Zhang Yuan I’m going to show you what the spells of each element are like and most suited for.”

The light moved once more taking on a red glow “fire spells are good for attacking straightforwardly and wielders are suited to alchemy or blacksmithing” Sylvia then moved the light to take on a blue water symbol “ water spells are rather weak at first, low level water spells are good at support and make the team stronger than if there were only pure offense users by having a range of defence, healing and restraint abilities at higher levels they stand level with fire for offense as restraining water domains or high pressure shots can be formidable.

Metal element users make good smiths, metallurgists and artificers it is said they get along well with water users. In battle they can show a keen sense for fighting with a metal weapon and against others who use metal. Their conjugations can gain darkness attributes or poison attributes with training, although initially weaker than fire, high level metal users can conjure a thousand swords or a nigh unbreakable shield.”

Zhang Yuan listened with rapt attention imagining himself casting and mastering these spells.

Sylvia smiled and seemed to day dream for a bit before continuing...

“The wood element is useful for material cultivation, alchemy and beast taming and in battle spells can cause plant life to grow and move wildly creating a tricky terrain for enemies at higher levels, it is said wood elemental users can converse with non human life”

Zhang Yuan waited for more

Sylvia however did not continue explaining the wood element

“Finally the earth element-“

“what about the wood element?” Zhang Yuan asked “shouldn’t you say more”

Sylvia looked a little sheepish “well wood is my element and I don’t want to give too much of a glowing impression”

Zhang Yuan realised that Sylvia may be trying to make this more fair than he first thought, although her efforts to recommend the earth element were not unnoticed

“well the wood element mainly involves being perceptive of the world around you, as the plants you influence to grow will change with each environment, like using a spell to create a restraining plant in the city may cause strong weeds to push through the cobbles and wrap around your enemy whilst in a grassland the same spell could have your opponent wrapped from head to toe in many blades of grass, although none is superior or inferior wood is often seen as the weakest element." Sylvia seemed to sigh "But when it comes to rare poisons or rare materials every element user turns to the wood users.” A little pride showed in Sylvia’s voice Zhang Yuan pretended not to notice

“Ahem!... as I was saying the earth element is a balanced element that has spells that can attack with projectiles or form protective barriers even at early levels earth manipulation is easier than manipulating other elements, why do you think that is?”

Zhang Yuan thought for a moment ‘if a water user wants to manipulate their element they need to conjure it or gather it from nearby... same with the others........ but If I’m an earth user I could just move the ground!’

Zhang Yuan seemed to have a bulb appear on his head “is it because earth elemental particles are always abundant? So I don’t have to conjure earth to move”

Sylvia looked very pleased “ you’re both right and wrong, earth energy has an equal amount to the rest of the energies on the planet... but the ground that is most of the time beneath our feet is a purer form than that which other users have to move from the air or nearby. You have a constant ready supply of earth energy to move that takes far less time, energy and effort to do so” she smiles and winks “there’s a reason earth root holders have a reputation of being the last to exhaust in a battle” she looked serious again “but is also why other elements should not compare their own casting to earth casting as to begin with earth is easier” Sylvia frowned and looked lost in thought.

Zhang Yuan took the time to mull over his options ‘being able to choose 2 of five elements seemed like a dream but Sylvia’s recommendations were not to be taken lightly.’ Zhang Yuan knitted his brows and frowned deeper, but secretly he really wanted to have a fire attribute he thought. Zhang Yuan imagined himself casting each kind of spell : forming blades, shooting fire like a roaring stove, creating barriers like the surface of a stream, growing plants and finally striking strongly with earth moving it into barriers and blocks. ‘it felt strangely natural’ Zhang Yuan looked at his hands and sighed he knew the best decision.

“have you made a choice?”

Sylvia’s voice didn’t echo in the glowing dreams pace but it might have been booming for Zhang Yuan who suddenly felt too young for such things.

“I want earth roots... and water”

Sylvia kept the same expression “why?”

Zhang Yuan looked briefly confused but didn’t waver “I feel best suited for earth it feels... like how it should be and for water healing could be useful as well as barriers and mixing it with earth could have some strong effects!”

Sylvia’s expression softened “well done, I’m glad it wasn’t simply due to my recommendation... when you wake up those roots will be yours”

Zhang Yuan watched the dream space fade.

----- Author's notes ---

Hello again! chapter 2 is now out :D:D I want to update a chapter every day, but I am incredibly forgetful so it will likely be around once a week. I'm trying to get to some action but world building is super fun too! This chapter took longer to edit than the first one most likely because there is more text.  I'm trying to do chapter wherever there is a natural break but I might have to standardise a rough word count per chapter in the future, I'm only 2 chapters in and I feel I have already learned so much about writing! I really look forward to further improvement :D 

And as always please point out errors in my work or better ways to phrase dialogue and description!

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