Chapter 11: Chapter 10 – Facing Weakness

In one of the Imperial Academy’s many private training rooms, two figures remained sitting in front of their instructor, Lord Damien.

 

“Let me begin by saying that I have analyzed both your fighting styles during your performance at the combat trials. From these fights, I have noticed a common problem that the two of you share. Anyone care to guess?” Damien asked.

 

While Asher sat still and remained silent, Luna attempted to answer first.

 

“Is it a lack of magic control?” Luna asked with a bitter expression full of shame.

 

“Not quite… That is a problem limited to you, Lady Luna. What I was referring to was your shared habit of being overly reliant on your magic.” Damien explained.

 

His statement confused Aasher…

 

“Lord Damien, what do you mean by that? Isn’t a mage’s worth determined by their magic? Why shouldn’t we rely on our gifts?” Asher inquired with doubt.

 

“Asher. During your battles, you used your magic to distract the enemy and entice them into making mistakes. Your style seems to revolve around forcing them to show weakness and then capitalizing on that opportunity with physical strength. Correct?”

 

“Yes… Since my Light and Dark Magic isn’t very powerful, I tend to rely on its versatility instead.” Asher admitted.

 

“However, that strategy can only take you so far… What happens when your opponent doesn’t expose their weakness, or simply chooses to use their own magic to overpower you? I’m sure you noticed those limits when you faced instructor Ryan’s Gravity Magic. If that were a real battle, you would be dead ten times over…” Damien lectured.

 

Asher could only bite his lips in frustration, realizing Damien was right…

 

“Now that is clear, let me explain how you can fix this issue… Instead of focusing on your spellcasting and magic, we will spend the next few weeks improving your techniques to circulate magical energy through your bodies efficiently.”

 

“Are you talking about Mana Armor? I’ve already mastered that technique…” Luna inquired.

 

“No. Mana Armor is a technique used to equally distribute magical energy throughout your body to improve your physical abilities and defend against external attacks. What we will be focusing on instead is a technique called Mana Augmentation… Rather than wastefully distributing mana equally where it isn’t needed, this technique focuses and concentrates immense magical energy at small optimized areas during critical timing or moments.” Damien answered extensively.

 

Hearing his explanation, Asher became interested and began to pay closer attention to his instructor’s teachings… This may not be as powerful as Space-Time Magic, but a lesson like this would surely help him grow as a mage to reach even greater heights…

 

“Let us begin with a practical example… The two of you should each possess a keen sensitivity to magical energy so I want you to watch the way power flows through my body as I strike this target.” Damien instructed while pointing toward a wooden dummy.

 

Following Damien’s words, both Asher and Luna began to focus on sensing Lord Damien’s magical energy and watched as it spread through his mana circuits and gathered in dense clumps near his fists.

 

“Now watch carefully…” Damien ordered.

 

Following Damien’s words, he slowly dropped his fists downward toward the target as if he was planning to do no more than tap it. Yet when the fist softly made contact, the target was immediately crushed into the floor as the reinforced ground beneath it gave out and cracked.

 

With just a tap of his fist, Damien had delivered an unfathomable amount of force… Both Asher and Luna looked at the amazing sight with fear and admiration…

 

“As you can see, this technique can deliver incredible power when concentrated properly. If applied in battle, this technique can make you an unstoppable warrior without ever needing to cast a spell even once. And of course, the greater your innate magical energy, the stronger the result.” Damien elaborate on the potential of this technique as both Asher and Luna began to independently practice this technique.

 

As the two struggled to match the theory with an application, Lord Damien occasionally intervened and offered tips and guidance to help his two students along when they got stuck.

 

Since this technique relied mostly on a mage’s ability to precisely manipulate large amounts of magical energy, it was perfect for Asher who excelled in magic control above all else. Within just a few hours, he succeeded in mimicking the technique and was gradually working towards increasing his power output.

 

Luna, on the other hand, was clearly struggling… Unlike Asher, Luna’s greatest weakness lies in her inability to control her own magical energy effectively. Despite Damien’s guidance, there seemed to be some sort of mental block that inhibited her from using her magic.

 

Distressed by Luna’s expression of shame, Asher attempted to help his peer when Damien stepped out of the room for "chores"…

 

“Hey, Luna… Can we talk for a moment?” Asher spoke first.

 

“What is it?...” Luna gazed at Asher with her usual spiteful expression filled with caution once more.

 

Yet Asher could feel hesitation and a lack of confidence in her spite… It reminded him of the harsh facade his brother Kevin had put up for many years… The face of someone afraid of being hurt.

 

“Relax. I’m not trying to sabotage you… I noticed you were having trouble with controlling your magic, so I thought I might offer some advice…” Asher explained.

 

“If Lord Damien’s teachings haven’t worked, why do you believe yours will? Are you so arrogant just because you’re his grandson?” Luna refuted Asher’s help.

 

“You have a good point, but there are some things people are blind to because of their own beliefs. As my mother used to say, wisdom is best when it comes from multiple unrelated sources… In my humble opinion, I don’t believe your problem lies in your skills…” Asher explained.

 

“...What do you mean?” Luna asked, with clear growing interest.

 

“Based on the consistency of your magic flow, it doesn’t seem like you have an issue channeling your mana. In my eyes, it seems to me that you are actively trying to limit the power of your magic; whether consciously or subconsciously. It's like you have a mental block that is fighting your own attempts at getting better…” Asher commented on his thoughts and analyzed Luna’s reaction to probe for more information.

 

In truth, Asher was very curious about the girl named Luna Arkvale… The Arkvale family was similar to the Vazrael family in the sense that they were both clans famous for producing powerful mages within the Avalon Empire.

 

However, unlike the Vazrael countdom, the Arkvale family were Dukes who held greater power and authority in the Empire. They also were known for producing mages with extremely rare Deviant Magic Aspects that didn't belong to any of the six elemental magic classifications.

 

The Duke of the Arkvale family is also one of the Empire’s Three Sovereigns, and wields power equivalent to Asher’s grandfather, Lord Damien Silvaros…

 

Yet what troubled Asher was the fact that he had never heard of Duke Arkvale having a daughter… While the power of his eldest son’s Blood Magic was infamous, Asher simply couldn’t fathom how it could compare to the mysterious magic Luna used to somehow instantly kill an examiner…

 

If the Arkvale family had such a powerful child, why was her existence kept hidden? Despite being a noble, why had she never attended any social gatherings hosted by Duke Arkvale? Asher couldn’t think of a single valid reason for such behavior…

 

There was only one thing Asher could theorize as the cause behind why the Duke concealed the existence of a such powerful mage in their family…

 

“Hey, Luna… You’re a user of forbidden magic, aren’t you?” Asher inquired.

 

Forbidden magic was a classification used to define forms of Deviant Magic that were heretical or dangerous. The use of forbidden magic was outlawed in most countries and the Temple's inquisitors were known for stubbornly hunting down practitioners.

 

In an instant, all color disappeared from the silver-haired girl’s face. She backed away several steps and her aura exploded in power as Asher sensed imminent danger.

 

Using the Mana Augmentation technique Asher had just learned, he quickly focused magical energy into his legs and used a sudden burst of speed to dodge her attack.

 

An ominous black orb consumed the spot where Asher had left, leaving no visible evidence behind of its existence as it vanished…

 

‘What would happen if that hit me?’ Asher pondered, still unsure of the true nature of her magic.

 

Still, while Asher’s curiosity was growing, he knew he had to diffuse this situation before Luna grew any more distressed.

 

“Calm down. I’m not threatening you, I’m on your side. I just want to help!” Asher attempted to calm the scared girl who seemed determined to end his life.

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The girl hesitated for a moment, but didn’t stop…

 

“It’s too late… I can’t risk you exposing my secret. Father will… No… It doesn’t matter. You have to die.” Luna spoke with a clear lack of confidence.

 

While Luna continued to launch strange and ominous attacks that reeked of danger, Asher immediately began to notice that something was off… He couldn’t feel any malicious intent from Luna, and it was like she was intentionally leaving herself open to a counter-attack.

 

It was as if she was saying, ‘I attacked you first, so feel free to kill me.’

 

Asher was gradually gaining a deeper understanding of this girl named Luna, and he remained uncertain if that was a good thing or not. But if things kept progressing as they were, either he or she would end up dead. Those were the only two options…

 

But Asher wasn’t satisfied with that… So he chose the third option.

 

“You said you can’t risk me exposing your secret, right? In that case, let’s exchange secrets… You may be a Deviant with forbidden magic, but I’m a potential wielder of Lost Arcane Magic… There. Now we both have leverage against one another! If I expose your secret, you will expose mine. Now there’s no more reason to fight, so calm down!” Asher exposed himself grandly despite Lord Damien’s warnings.

 

As Asher had hoped, Luna stopped attacking and her aura faded…

 

“Why did you tell me that?... You’re a fool…” Luna muttered with teary eyes.

 

“Says the girl who was willing to let herself die because she was afraid of killing me…” Asher taunted back with annoyance.

 

Luna's eyes widened upon realizing that Asher had noticed her intentions…

 

“Look… I don’t know what happened with your family and your magic, and frankly, I don’t care. Everyone has their own past and secrets, I’m no exception. But for the time being, we are peers and partners who share the same teacher. I think being a little honest with each other can help both of us in the long run.” Asher attempted to reason with Luna.

 

“......” Luna maintained her silence, but Asher took this as agreement.

 

“Since I prosed the idea, I’ll go first… I only learned this recently, but apparently, I possess the potential to use Space-Time magic. I’m learning under Lord Damien to master this lost Arcane Magic in the future. Now, what about you? You obviously use some kind of forbidden magic, but what is it really?” Asher inquired after talking about himself.

 

“...It’s Death Magic… My magic allows me to control and manipulate the vitality, health, and lifespan of any living creature.” Luna admitted with a hint of shame.

 

A moment of silence ensued as the two of them each considered the power of the other… The magic to control Time and Space was a power that bordered on nigh-omnipotence, but controlling death itself was just as frightening…

 

The two took a moment to both fear and admire the power of their peer… No words were exchanged, but a newfound trust and respect were established between these two students at this moment.

 

“I see… Now that we have nothing more to hide, let’s do our best to help each other grow in our time together here as classmates. I won’t claim to be your friend, but you can at least consider me as an ally…” Asher declared.

 

“I understand… I look forward to working with you, Asher.” Luna relented with a subtle smile that momentarily infatuated Asher.

 

“Ahem… Now then, back to what I was saying earlier… It seems to me that you’re intentionally trying to avoid using your magic. Is this because of the dangers of your Death Magic?” Asher asked to verify after regaining his focus.

 

“Yes… Ever since I was little, I’ve had trouble controlling this power. I had hoped the teachings of the Imperial Academy would offer some insight… I-I’m just sick of hurting people…” Luna answered with a voice filled with sadness.

 

Her words were brief, but Asher was beginning to finally understand what type of person Luna was… To many people, their life is the thing they value the most. Luna has likely lived her entire life robbing people of this and only bringing ruin and misfortune to those around her.

 

To her, Death Magic is a terrible curse that haunts her. A terrifying power she can’t control and fears more than any other. Asher pitied Luna… A gentle and innocent girl given the power that seems only to only bring forth death and misery.

 

In a sense, it made sense why she was so closed off and apprehensive about communication. In a way, that was her way of protecting others from herself. A tragic victim of her own power… Asher believed it to be truly ironic that such a kind girl was given such dreadful magic.

 

Yet more than anything else… He was angry at Luna. Asher truly believed that all magic was a blessing; this was his driving conviction. There was no such thing as “cursed magic” and hers was no exception. Asher was determined to prove this.

 

“You’re wrong,” Asher spoke simply.

 

“Eh?” Luna was evidently confused by Asher’s statement.

 

“You fear your own magic and try to suppress it. That’s why you can’t progress… But that attitude in itself is wrong. You shouldn’t be trying to throw away a power you were blessed with. If you are fearful of your magic, it simply shows that you are letting it control you. Master your magic, dominate it, and seek out its fullest potential… Only then can you draw out what you want from it. Whether it is magic that brings death and misery or a miracle that brings life and hope, that is your responsibility alone.” Asher chastised Luna with a firm tone.

 

Luna sat in shock at Asher’s words…

 

“Are you saying everything is my fault?” Luna asked with a harsh stone that began to regain its coldness.

 

“Yes. You can’t blame a weapon for the murder of the innocent. That responsibility lies with the one who wields it to do such acts. A weapon may be used for vile purposes, but it may also be wielded for peace or justice. To blame your weapon only shows a lack of resolve…” Asher didn’t relent and continued to admonish Luna’s distorted views.

 

“...Then how?” Luna asked with a feeling of defeat and hopelessness.

 

“It’s all a matter of perspective… You see your magic as something that brings nothing but death. Because you see it that way, that’s all it will ever be… Your mindset is the only curse you possess. If your magic truly grants the power to control death, it means you also possess the potential to grant life. You were blessed with this power… Thus, you have a responsibility to take control of it and make it your own. If you can’t even do that much, the sacrifices you’ve made to come this far would be worthless…” Asher explained the cruel truth to the naive girl before him.

 

Realizing the truth of Asher’s words, various emotions flashed across her usually expressionless face… Bitterness, regret, sadness, loneliness, and finally hope…

 

In just a few minutes, Asher had shattered Luna’s entire worldview and made her regret almost every decision she ever made… After feeling the burden of having murdered dozens of innocent lives purely by existing, Luna had wanted to die more than anyone else…

 

She felt that only her own death would serve as atonement for her sins and prevent any more deaths. Yet Asher had exposed this as mere cowardice… A fear of taking responsibility for her actions and growing from her mistakes.

 

Luna was still uncertain how to feel about Asher… While she wanted to truly hate him for making her feel so much pain and regret, she couldn’t help but be grateful for his words which opened her eyes to a new path…

 

If there was even the slightest possibility that her magic was truly capable of something more than just death, Luna had to seek it out. Because more than her fear of her own magic, what she truly cowered at was the thought of disappointing her mother…

 

“Please… Help me…” With tears streaming down her face, Luna showed weakness for the second time in her life and pleaded for assistance. She could only hope that the outcome this time didn’t end in tragedy like before… Otherwise, Luna wasn’t confident she could keep on living…

 

“It would be my pleasure…” Asher showed a gentle and understanding smile while placing his hand on the sobbing girl’s shoulder.

 

This was all he could do for now… Knowing that fact, it still pained Asher to see the silver-haired girl crying in front of him. It was a strange pain Asher had never felt before… As he watched over Luna with warm eyes, he vowed to never let himself feel this pain again…

 

Magic was nothing but a blessing. To prove this to himself, Luna, and the world, Asher had no choice but to reach the top. At this moment, Asher’s determination to reach the pinnacle of magic only became stronger…

 

“But seriously, where the hell did Lord Damien go at a time like this…” Asher muttered to himself in frustration.

 

Meanwhile, an elderly white-haired man stood outside the door of the training room, where he stood eavesdropping through the wall for the last several minutes.

 

“It looks like everything went as planned… Now I can safely train both of them without holding back. Today's exercise was a perfect setup, but the boy is truly even better than I imagined him to be… Diana… Your son has truly grown up wonderfully…”

 

Damien sighed in relief as he walked away and returned to his laboratory… There was still much to be done...

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