(Third-person perspective)
Adru, Dacey, and Rickon gathered beneath the towering canopy of the ancient weirwood, the faint firelight illuminating their faces. They resolved to strive for a stronger flame, for they knew the key lay hidden in the crackling embers.
In the shadow of the Wall, ancient magic intertwined with the currents of lightning, and Rickon realized it was a unique convergence of power—a powerful magic imbued with elemental mana. He needed to harness more fire element.
Adru, Dacey, and Rickon began to build a giant bonfire, Summon Fire Elemental from the lightning. Branches were gathered, coal briquettes were piled high, and the embers were carefully arranged. As the flames licked thirstily, Rickon could see more pure mana flowing into them.
In the realm of magic, particularity is paramount. Creating magic that is suited to a specific element requires meticulous attention to detail and a profound understanding of the natural world. It is not simply a matter of conjuring fire out of thin air or summoning water from parched land; rather, it requires the harmonious convergence of countless elements, each carefully selected to resonate with the aspects required by nature.
Because Aermir's power comes from divinity, he never needed to learn like Rickon; everything came naturally to him. He simply knew intuitively what he should do. But Rickon was different; his power came from his blood and soul. So he needed to learn everything like a newborn.
For magic infused with the essence of fire, the prerequisites are obvious: a raging inferno, a raging inferno, and a rampant hell. Simply lighting a campfire is not enough; true elemental magic requires the ferocity of a volcanic eruption or the relentless advance of Wildfire, with flames dancing and sparks flying, composing a chaotic symphony of destruction. This is why he first saw fire elemental magic outside of Aermir's spells.
Similarly, to obtain the magic containing the essence of water, one must seek the tranquil embrace of a vast lake or the turbulent waves of a rushing river. It is the endless ebb and flow of water that draws elemental magic towards itself. To obtain magic that resonates with the rhythm of nature itself, one must immerse oneself in the heart of a dense forest, where ancient trees whisper secrets through their creaking trunks in the wind. Then, magic beats in unison with the pulse of life itself, resonating with the vitality of nature.
However, the unique location beneath the weirwood contained an exceptionally rich amount of pure magic, even allowing a campfire to absorb trace amounts of fire elemental magic. The trio's goal was to utilize this phenomenon to build a massive bonfire, hoping to expand the fire elemental magic that Rickon had collected.
As they built the bonfire, the clash of elemental energies became apparent. The pervasive ice element seemed to resist the burgeoning fire element's onslaught, inhibiting their magical efforts. Despite their efforts, the flames could not completely ward off the chill in the air, and the crackling flames offered only a faint glimmer of hope for a potential breakthrough in Rickon's magical pursuits.
Rickon nestled beneath the branches of an ancient weirwood, the chill of the nearby the Wall seeping through his fur shirt. He was completely absorbed in the subtle process of drawing upon the element of fire, and the very nature of his surroundings subtly shifted accordingly.
Adru and Dacey watched Rickon's efforts with bated breath, their eyes filled with both hope and uncertainty. As they stood on the snow-covered ground, each step made a slight crunch, echoing in the cold air and accentuating the tense atmosphere around them.
The snow around the bonfire began to melt, and the intense heat of the flames gradually overcame the biting cold. However, despite their shared anticipation, Rickon's uneasy expression betrayed the fact that their efforts were making no progress.
In this profound silence, the ancient weirwood trunk began to show signs of restlessness, its bark etched with countless marks of time. Fine cracks appeared on the surface of the trunk, as if the tree were awakening from a long slumber. From these cracks, an ethereal green light seeped out, its otherworldly glow permeating the surrounding forest.
Within the arc of light formed by the burst of radiance, a thin film resembling ripples on water gradually took shape. Slowly, Aermir's figure appeared within this radiant entrance, dressed in distinctive Druid attire.
The once tranquil grove was now filled with a subtle energy, resonating with Aermir's arrival and the natural forces he represented. Adru and Dacey were deeply moved by the arrival of their revered leader, instinctively placing their fists to their hearts in reverence. They bowed slightly, paying him a respectful salute.
" My lord..."
Rickon's revelation left Aermir both excited and frustrated. He listened intently as Rickon detailed his new discoveries about manipulating magic. Aermir's heart raced at Rickon's breakthrough. He was furious because he hadn't been informed when Rickon learned to control magic, so he expressed his dissatisfaction. Rickon then said...
"I might be able to control magic, but I can't cast spells; I can only move magic like fanning the air. I tried to teach them that, but it didn't work. Because they can't see magic, they can't visualize it like I can, which is why they can't control it; they don't know what magic feels like. It's like teaching a fish how to fly. I realized that first I need to create a Magic Heart to help them access the magic within them, so they can learn how to feel and manipulate it. It's like lighting the first spark; after that, they can fan the flame themselves."
Rickon's method of manipulating magic contrasts sharply with Aermir's innate ability. While Aermir possesses an innate Magic Heart, effortlessly drawing upon the magic around him, Rickon devised a more complex method. His technique involves meticulous control over external magic, much like a Marion violinist guiding the strings. Once magic is in the vicinity, Rickon methodically absorbs it through the pores of his skin—similar to breathing through his skin.
After drawing magic through his pores, Rickon used the intricate network of blood vessels to circulate the power throughout his body. In his previous attempts with other elemental magic, the energy always slipped through his fingers like water through a sieve. But now, when he focused on the element of fire, he succeeded. He concentrated intently, gathering the magic around his heart.
Aermir, a master of arcane arts, carefully observed Rickon's performance. The boy's unorthodox methods revealed his innate intelligence and adaptability in the complex realm of magic. Aermir believed that mastering Rickon's methods might be the key to igniting the Magic Heart of others.
However, Aermir also understood that replicating such a feat was inherently challenging. Despite possessing five times the talent, mastering Rickon's methods and the limited fire elemental environment would require at least a month of focused effort. This demanded time and patience, things they couldn't afford to do in the face of the looming challenge.
Now, Aermir's attention shifted. He realized the urgent need to help Rickon gather fire elemental magic more efficiently. Despite their efforts at the fire, the wood in the grove wasn't suitable for the task. Aermir began to consider other sources of fire elemental magic. Initially, he thought of burning the forest, but under the current weather conditions, that was nearly impossible.
He pondered a solution, but with few men left, he decided to rest and replenish his mana. After a full rest, his mana was replenished, and he began casting fire spells. With each incantation, the fire expanded, the flames rising to three times their original height.
Seeing the abundant fire elementals, Rickon attempted to absorb them, but they were unstable and didn't obey him as before. "It's no use, the magic won't listen to me, as if it already has a master. It must be because you're controlling them. It seems I can't absorb other people's spells anymore."
Aermir sighed heavily, a hint of disappointment in his expression. "It's a long process, no matter what," he admitted, his shoulders drooping slightly. "Even with so much magic, it'll take you months to create your Magic Heart. We need a place filled with fire elementals. The nearest volcano is on Skagos; it seems we need to go there."
Aermir turned to Dacey and Adru, his expression resolute. "I'll be taking Rickon and Sith with me, so we won't wait for you. Get there as quickly as possible," he commanded firmly. Using the Water Walking spell, Aermir could reach the destination in two days, while the others, even traveling hastily, would need at least a week. He summoned Sith, and the two began to race across the land like the wind.