Aerion's gaze swept across the open expanse within the palace grounds, his eyes settling on the familiar hill crowned with a solitary, ancient tree. He watched as Adima, her silhouette framed against the bright sky, walked towards it and settled down at its base. With a gentle gesture, she beckoned him to join her.
A sense of anticipation mixed with a touch of nervousness fluttered in Aerion's chest as he obeyed.
"Now," Adima instructed, her voice calm and steady, "sit as Ojaswini taught you. In the same mudra."
"Like for meditation?" Aerion inquired, recalling his mother's brief lessons.
"Yes, but we are not meditating… not yet."
He nodded, understanding, and settled into the instructed posture, his legs crossed comfortably, his spine straight yet relaxed. He positioned his hands in the mudra his mother had shown him – palms facing upwards, thumbs and index fingers lightly touching, forming a circuit of energy, held diagonally towards the sky at a precise sixty-degree angle from his body. His eyes remained open, taking in the serene surroundings.
"So," Adima began, leaning against the sturdy trunk of the ancient tree, "I want you to start trying to form your SāraJibh again."
"While my eyes are open?" Aerion asked, slightly surprised.
"Yes," she affirmed, her gaze unwavering. "Keep your eyes open and try to remember everything I say, okay?"
He gently closed his eyes for a moment, a silent gesture of agreement.
Adima settled more comfortably against the tree. "You probably already know that shaktih can be used in countless ways, depending on a person's individual approach… But here in Suryasthirh, you are going to learn our way, your way, the elven way." She took a slow, deliberate breath before continuing, patiently explaining the fundamental concepts of paranh, SāraJibh, and shaktih. As she spoke, the vibrant world around Aerion seemed to soften at the edges, his vision growing slightly blurry as his mind struggled to grasp the flow of knowledge while maintaining strict focus. Her voice, though clear, seemed to drift in and out, and he focused intently, fighting to maintain his consciousness.
"Open your eyes, Arya…" Adima's words finally anchored him back to the present.
"I'm trying," Aerion mumbled, his eyelids feeling heavy.
"It's not that hard," Adima reassured him gently. "You are already blessed with a Shakith. You simply need to learn to make it your own, to guide it."
After what felt like a long hour of learning and attempting to consciously manipulate his shaktih, Aerion felt a subtle shift within him, a faint stirring of an unfamiliar presence deep inside his consciousness. [What is this feeling?] Intrigued, he instinctively reached out within himself, trying to interact with this nascent energy, but he was abruptly pulled back to external reality by Adima's voice.
"Arya, my child…" she began, then paused, her keen eyes observing him closely. "Are you listening to me?"
He nodded quickly.
"Okay then," she continued, "listen carefully. In elven culture, we learn to shape shaktih with the aid of the temples and through rigorous study. We often use manifested chrest and symbolic gestures to focus our intent when casting spells. However," she emphasized, "we do not always rely on elaborate incantations. Symbolic spells, while powerful, are complex and require significant time and paranh to execute. Try to accomplish your tasks with a clear intention, without always resorting to chanted spells."
[I remember seeing Mother do that] Aerion thought, recalling the swift, wordless magic she had wielded. She spoke words for some spells, but for others, like that burst of air on her palm, it seemed to be pure intention. [So there are indeed different approaches. I understand.]
"In this method," Adima explained, "we often create a chrest in our minds, a visual representation connected to the type of magic we wish to wield. You know that there are five fundamental types of magic a being can utilize, yes?"
She looked directly into Aerion's eyes, noticing the flicker of confusion that crossed his young face. Understanding that this would require time and patience, she cleared her mind and spoke again, simplifying the concepts.
"So, let's talk about the fundamental expressions of shaktih: augmentation, emission, manifestation, transmutation, and manipulation. There are more nuanced applications, of course, but these are the core principles. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Yes, I do," Aerion affirmed, trying to process the information.
"Good. Augmentation focuses on enhancing the natural or inherent qualities of a target. It does not create something new but makes what already exists stronger, faster, more durable, or otherwise improved. This can apply to someone's physical capabilities – their strength or speed – or to the durability and sharpness of a tool or weapon. It is the most common application of shaktih."
[I remember Lord Lysander,] Aerion mused. [He was so incredibly fast when he defended us from those bees. I couldn't even tell if he was using shaktih at that moment. Augmentation… that makes sense.]
"Then," Adima continued, "Emission involves releasing energy outward, whether as a focused attack, a protective shield, or a more general utility. This principle governs how magic interacts with the external environment. Examples include healing magic, or offensive spells like thunder strikes or fireballs – any task that requires an outflow of paranh from your body."
[Mhmm, I get it,] Aerion thought. [So, all those energy blast type things from Dragon Ball and other anime are emission types. Interesting connection.]
"Moving on," Adima said while standing up and moving around arya, "Manifestation transforms raw magical potential into physical or metaphysical reality. It often involves summoning or materializing objects, creatures, or constructs. It's quite straightforward; I don't think I need to explain it in great detail. It is simply the creation of tangible or intangible forms – a weapon or tool for the physical, or illusions that convincingly mimic reality for the non-physical. Unlike emission, in this fundamental, paranh doesn't necessarily flow outward from the body but rather shapes a concept into being, either onto oneself or into the external world."
Adima tried to simplify her explanation, no matter how complex the underlying principles, using words she hoped would be easier for Aerion's young mind to grasp.
[It's not quite that simple when I think about the non-physical aspects,] Aerion mused, his mind already delving into the nuances.
"Furthermore," Adima continued, "Transmutation is the art of changing the fundamental nature of a target. This can range from altering one element into another to transforming the very essence of a person or object. It might seem similar to manifestation, but it is distinct. Don't confuse them. Okay? If something already exists, and you change something about it, that is transmutation."
[Ohh, if I try to understand everything from a foundational level, then yes. Now I get the distinction.]
Adima pressed on with her explanation. "Now, Manipulation involves bending or controlling external forces, beings, or objects to one's will without necessarily altering their form or nature. This includes telekinesis, controlling the elements, and influencing minds or emotions."
[Hmm, manipulating people's minds… I have to be cautious about that one. I don't like the idea of being manipulated myself.]
Adima paused, looking intently at Aerion before continuing. "But these are just the fundamental building blocks. Most of the advanced magic we wield is done through a combination of two or more of these principles. We call it the synergy of the fundamentals. For example, blending transmutation with manipulation could allow one to transform existing water into ice and then telekinetically direct the sharp shards as a weapon. Or, emission paired with augmentation could amplify the force of a spell, turning a simple flame into an inferno. Manifestation combined with manipulation can create vines from the earth and then command them to bind enemies, neutralizing them. The possibilities are vast, limited only by your imagination and, to a large extent, your inherent affinity. While there is a great deal of potential for unpredictable combinations, your natural leanings will often guide your magical development."
Aerion's eyes widened at the scope of her explanation. "So you mean I have to use a mixture of different types to use Shaktih effectively?"
"Not always," Adima clarified. "Only when necessary, and certainly when you begin to forge your own unique magical identity, your own distinct power."
"Then… what is tejasvinaḥ sūryasya vegaḥ?" Aerion asked, the familiar phrase echoing in his memory.
Adima's pointed ears twitched almost imperceptibly, her attention sharpening. "Oh, you want to know about that…" She rested her cheek on her palm, her gaze thoughtful as she looked at him. "Where did you hear that particular… incantation?"
"Mother used it when we were traveling here," Aerion replied truthfully.
Adima's eyes narrowed slightly, and she made a soft "hmm" sound. "That is not a spell Ojaswini would typically use on a regular basis. I can sense that something significant must have occurred." [Smart, just like Mother,] Aerion thought.
"That particular application," Adima explained, her gaze still carefully assessing Aerion, "utilizes the sun chrest for an almost instantaneous form of travel, a way to escape a dangerous situation very quickly, though it comes at a significant cost to the user's paranh reserves. It is a complex synergy of transmutation and emission, while maintaining a high level of augmentation to prevent the user from being incinerated by the sheer speed and energy involved. Essentially, it temporarily transforms the user and their target into something akin to pure light, allowing for rapid transit to a safe location or a desired destination."
[Okay, I think she suspects something,] Aerion realized, feeling a prickle of unease.
He subtly relaxed his posture, breaking his concentration. Adima noticed the shift immediately. "Did I give you permission to relax, Arya?" Her tone, though not harsh, held a clear note of authority.
Aerion's body stiffened instinctively. Adima released a soft sigh and stood up. "Fine," she conceded, "but your break will be over when I return."
"Sure, Grandma," Aerion replied meekly.
Adima turned and walked back towards the palace, leaving Aerion alone beneath the shade of the ancient banyan tree. He leaned back against the soft grass, gazing up at the enormous sun that dominated the sky. He noticed the vibrant birds flitting through the branches, their cheerful chirping a melody he hadn't registered before in the intensity of his first lesson in the floating paradise. A wave of tiredness washed over him, his eyelids growing heavy from the influx of new knowledge. With a soft sigh, he succumbed to the pull of sleep.