Source of Power

As the days passed by, Amane and I were just trying to get accustomed to the Eurypheassan lifestyle. By day we mainly helped with house chores and watched old man Chron tinker with his machinations, and by night we helped make dinner and exchanged stories from our lives in the lower plane with old man Chron.

Haruki was mostly away for the day. As a student soldier in his 3rd year, he spends most of his mornings training, but his official task as a student soldier lies in patrol duties in the lower plane when the sun starts to set.

A few peaceful days had gone by, and we received our newly crafted gem accessories. As expected of old man Elias, he was able to perfectly craft the projection that he showed.

“It looks so unreal,” Amane uttered while admiring her cuff bracelet.

“I can’t believe we got this for free; in Tokyo this will sell for billions of yen.”

Haruki arrived at the dining room and joined the table where Amane and I had prepared for breakfast. He sat and grabbed a piece of toast and smothered it with marmalade.

“It wasn’t always free, you know,” Haruki started.

“So you used to pay for these? ...Well, it’s not surprising," I thought. "These pieces look so expensive; no way they are free.”

"No, actually, the design now looks high-class because old man Elias made it. He wasn’t always the jeweler in the capital, so even when it was paid, it didn't look as good; it looked cheap. And plus, the jewels only became free when the late king died," Haruki added.

“Because of the new king’s policy, all citizens who get their first gem will get one piece for free,” Old man Chron continued with a mouthful of toast.

“When the late king was still ruling, the costs of the pieces were so high that not everyone could afford to personalize their gem; look at Uncle Kojin’s necklace.”

Amane pulled out her necklace from underneath her shirt, and a glowing crimson crystal appeared.

“Uncle Kojin ran away from home that time and didn’t have money to get his first gem crafted, so he just tied it with a sturdy string.”

“Ohh, I know this story! ”Amane gleefully started.

“Even when Uncle Kojin got the money to get it crafted, he refused. He said that his necklace was the proof of all his struggles; he didn't want to forget those times.”

"Dad has always been sentimental," I thought to myself.

After eating, Haruki delivered “exciting” news to us… according to him, anyways.

“We have to enter the Euryphaessa Academy? ”

Forks were scattered on the table as we processed the unexpected news; Amane and I were dumbfounded. I’ve barely prepared for the entrance exams for my colleges, and now I have to prepare to enter an academy I have no idea about.

“The Headmaster sent us a message, inviting you and Amane to join the school this coming semester.”

“Why am I invited? I’m sure this is a magic school, right? I can’t control light; how am I going to study there? ”

“It’s not just a magic school; it’s a school that specializes in magic control and combat,” Haruki corrected.

Amane sighed and sat down and took a bite of her toast in deep thought.

“It’s no use arguing with this guy,” she started

“Unfortunately for you two, you still need to take the entrance exam, and I was tasked by the headmaster himself to teach you two.”

Haruki placed a neatly folded letter in front of us; in it is explained the outline of the courses and topics for the exam.

First was a written exam; the subjects were science, mathematics, and logical thinking. Thankfully there was no Euryphaessa history; if there was, I'm dead.

I looked at Amane, who looked like she just received the most terrible news for mankind.

“You okay?” I asked.

Amane’s eyes slowly moved in my direction with her head eerily still.

“I’ve never studied… like ever.”

“What! Then how will you pass? ” I gasped, thinking about what hell Amane has to go through if she decides to take the exam.

I guess that’s why Amane looked like it was the end of the world for her. I’d be freaking out too if I were her.

“I guess I have to study this from the beginning…” she mumbles weakly, recognizing the wall she’s about to face.

We both looked at Haruki, who had realized the gravity of the situation and the weight of his responsibilities.

“Oh no…” he uttered under his breath.

“The headmaster is a smart man,” I said jokingly, thinking he specifically ordered Haruki to help us. Even though we will ask you to help us without his asking.

“Yeah, he predicted this would happen. And he sent out that letter to make sure you can’t refuse us.” Amane grinned cheekily at Haruki.

A vein just popped on Haruki’s forehead as he tried to shake off his dismay with a forced smile. “How bad could it be?” he uttered.

“Well then,” he continued with a deep sigh, “the practical exam is the highlight of this whole event; it's been held the same way for years. Every examinee is given a giant crystal, and you are tasked to destroy it in whatever way you can.”

“I’m thinking the headmaster invited Amane knowing that even though she can’t use light magic, she will instead use her own abilities. The rules didn't say only light magic is permitted, so Amane can use her own ability.”

Just then old man Chron left and came back carrying a whole block of red pointed crystals.

“Ah, just in time.” Haruki helped old man Chron place the crystal in front of us and gave it a heavy smack with his hand.

“Yep, you two will try breaking this crystal.”

Amane and I looked at the crystal with analyzing eyes. It shouldn’t be that difficult, right? I thought to myself.

“I think that crystal will not break even if we use our full strength,” my shadow commented.

“This is the same type of crystal used in the practical exams. You need to do anything in your power to destroy this crystal,” Haruki explained. “The crystal can be destroyed with any method, be it using physical strength or magic, as long as an incredible amount of force is used.”

“Won’t this be cheating? ” I thought.

“How so?” Haruki asked, confused.

“Like, we are getting to practice with the real thing for the exam. It feels like we’re getting ahead unfairly.”

“Well, if you think of it that way, I guess, but you two are in desperate need of an advantage, so I wouldn’t say this is unfair to other students, given your guys' circumstances.”

“Oh and these things are only made for the academy's use, so compared to other students who trained their whole life for the exams—this is your only advantage," Haruki added

“Only for the academy? Then why do we have one? ”

Haruki looked at old man Chron who came back carrying another block of crystal.

“He invented it. He can easily make one at home,” Haruki added as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

“I sold the patent to the magic tower. It's only specifically made for the academy’s use. As long as I don’t distribute these guys to other people, then it’s fine.” Old man Chron shrugged.

“Wait, wait, you invented this? ” Amane paused to ask.

“Yes, dear. Originally this was for storing light magic on a bigger scale. But the density and hardness came out so high the storing function was overshadowed. Eventually the magic tower took my invention and made it a criterion for passing the academy."

“That is still impressive,” Amane and I thought.

After a few briefings, Haruki decided to focus on our weakness. Since Amane was already well versed with her power, she was forced to pick up a book and study for the first time in her life. I, on the other hand, was forced to do laps on our small island.

“Why do I need to run 20 laps?! How will I learn magic from this!!” I screamed, gasping for air. I’m on my 11th lap, and my legs are ready to crumble.

“Less talking, more running,” Haruki shrugged, coldly.

I thought I was fit, but I was totally wrong. Haruki hasn’t even broken a sweat, and here I am looking like someone just hosed me down from head to toe.

“In order to properly utilize light magic—” Haruki started while he steadily trailed behind. “ —you need to have a good balance of stamina and mental focus. Stamina helps you maintain a stable flow of light, and mental focus allows you to control that light.”

Whenever I showed signs of slowing down, Haruki would swat me with his cane made of condensed light.

You would think it would just go through me since it's light, but no, it's like a condensed ball of solid heat, and it bounces off you, leaving a static feeling, almost like an electric rod.

After 20 laps I was completely drained. I was on all fours on the grass. Haruki gave me a glass of water, which I then greedily snatched and gulped in one go. He further explained the principles of light magic.

“Light is controlled by focusing using our minds; this is called mental power,” Haruki started.

“Light is where the blue sky shines; that’s where the power of the goddess is within reach. When it’s morning, everything where light touches is a source of power; our only limit, however, is nighttime. One can argue that there is light from the moon. However, the light is too weak to properly draw power from. As you know, our main enemies are more active at nighttime; hence, the goddess gave us the ability to store this power on gems and use it when needed.”

“Now then. Now you know the principles; let me tell you the types of light. Give me 10 push-ups first.”

“Huh... what.” I'm tired; I haven’t recovered from the running, and now he wants me to do push-ups.

“What a brutal man,” my shadow sighed. I guess he is feeling the physical drain my body is suffering from.

“This is not just a lecture; I told you we are training your stamina.”

As I slowly died from doing a push-up, Haruki continued on with his so-called “lecture.” “To start, we have two types of control. Most people choose to only master one path since one is already difficult to master, and mastering one is more than enough to get you through tough battles.”

“Is it that difficult? ” I asked.

Haruki looked at me with a slight grin. As if he were waiting for someone to ask this question to him.

“To be honest, it’s not that difficult. I already mastered both, but I can see why people take years to master one.”

I stared at Haruki with an irked smile; this genius probably learned this too quickly and never knew what struggle feels like.

“I guess a close example I could give is that it’s like learning a hard instrument. Some choose an instrument and learn to master it for years and are content with learning just one, but some are talented enough and choose to learn more than one. It’s not a pre-selected skill; you can learn both if you like. It’s just more of a hassle than a benefit. Sure, you can forge a weapon and use space control to move it, but it's just so mentally taxing that it's not ideal for fast-paced situations.”

“How do I know what suits me best? ”

“That’s a good question, actually… you don’t.”

“What?”

“For now there is no test or anything to know which path will be the best for you; you have to try it out and see for yourself if you’re more comfortable in it or not.”

“It’s just like learning an instrument; you just have to try if you like it or not,” I thought to myself.

“Now then, the first type we have is Conjuration.”

Haruki took out his empty hilt and proceeded to demonstrate the control.

“Let’s say it’s night, so we draw our power from our gem and forge the blade by condensing light on my palm as I move it across the blade.”

With that, he formed a blade by just moving his hand across like it was the easiest thing in the world.

“The good thing about conjuration is you can form anything you want with great detail. That is if you’re skilled enough. Most people just opt for a basic blade, but you can do so much more than that. With more practice, you can eventually control its density, durability, and detail; this is the shape and sharpness of the weapon.”

Haruki started forging multiple uniquely designed weapons. I think he’s just doing it to boast about his skill.

“Next we have Space Control. This is controlling light without the need to infuse it in your palm... Of course, doing so lessens your ability to make a detailed weapon. But with this, you can control its size more swiftly and its density. It’s very effective, of course, for long-range combat. With more practice you will be able to quickly change its size and make it move at whatever speed you want.”

Haruki also demonstrated the same way he did with Conjuration; he’s not called a genius for nothing. It's no surprise he knows how to wield both.

“Well then, I guess we’ll choose a path based on what combat style you like.” Haruki went inside our house, leaving me to wonder what control or path to take.

I don’t have much experience when it comes to combat. The only experience I had was getting into a fight with that shadow in the hospital and Miss Irene. I’ve never touched any weapon for long distance, so maybe I'll just choose Conjuration. It seemed more fitting for me too.

Haruki came back with a cold drink in his hand. And asked me if I’ve decided which one to try out. I told him I want Conjuration and my reason; he seemed to agree with my choice too, so we started learning right away.

“Alright, so first I want you to focus. Remember the feeling you had in the fountain in Meso when you were controlling light inside your body. Imagine drawing in light from your surroundings and circulating it throughout your body.”

I sat and concentrated; I carefully visualized light surrounding me and circulating my body.

“The light we draw in is a gift from the goddess, and that light has a part of the goddess’ divine power. So circulating light magic in your body will give you strength.”

“How are you feeling? ” asked Haruki.

“Uh... Hot? ”

“Yes, light energy will feel that way inside your body; just keep circulating that feeling throughout your body. I will know if you’re doing it right.”

My eyes were closed, but I felt Haruki left me. I maintained my focus on circulating the “heat” inside my body. I could definitely feel it now. I felt at ease. If it didn’t work, I’d be worried, but thankfully there seems to be no problem.

I continued to circulate the warm sensation in my body all while Haruki snacked on the cookies Amane was eating while she studied.

Haruki came to check on me a while later and asked me about what I’m feeling.

“It’s warm; it feels nice. I’m able to feel it throughout my body now.”

Haruki looked unimpressed, as if he were looking for a different answer.

“Warm is not enough; you're supposed to feel like it’s burning you,” Haruki added and left as if feeling burned from the inside is normal.

I quietly focused on my circulation. "Burning…" he says. "Is that even safe?" Won’t that hurt me? I immediately thought about that burning feeling I had last time when my shadow appeared and felt scared.

“Yuko…” my shadow started

“What,”

“If you’re getting scared because you don’t want to feel that burning feeling again, then stop. But let me make it clear that that burning feeling back then was a memory from that shadow dying; it's not like whatever this is right now.”

“How did you know?”

“...well”

“What is it? ”

“That shadow I pulled in—they are here, and this one told me that that’s how she died.”

“WHAT?” I accidentally spoke out loud. “Why didn’t you tell me? ” I went back to speaking with my mind.

“Hey, hey, chill out. I didn’t tell you because I wanted to make sure these guys wouldn't kill us before telling you.”

“Fine, but explain why you thought it was her death.”

“So my hypothesis right now is when a shadow enters our body, you will physically feel their last moments alive… which is dying.”

I paused for a bit; this is not something someone can easily swallow. I basically just died mentally that time.

“Yeah, it’s not a good feeling, I know. That night, you consumed two shadows. The girl dying was from a fire; that’s what you experienced that time. The second shadow hasn’t awoken yet, but we both saw and felt him dying by getting strangled to death.”

“So you’re telling me, if we ever decide to pull in a shadow, I will always relive the memory and feeling of their death? ”

“Pretty much, yeah.”

Dread flooded through me. Why do I have to relive their memories? And why do I have this cursed ability…

“What does it mean…” I thought to myself.

“For now, focus on getting stronger. We don’t know how and why any of this is happening right now, but one thing is for sure: this is definitely something about that cursed prophecy we have.”

I hurriedly shrugged off my thoughts and focused.

I feel it. In my legs, my feet—even on my head. This warm sensation in my body feels like I’m being hugged by a greater being. But this feeling wasn’t enough. I'm supposed to feel like it’s burning me.

I concentrated on my center. Slowly increasing the amount of light in me, setting aside my worries or the horrible burning sensation from back then. I focused it all on my chest until— “AH–!”

Yuko and Amane rushed by my side.

“It burns! ” I yelped. The concerned Amane helped me back up from my seat and dusted my shirt.

“I told you it would burn.” Haruki started with a slight smile. He squatted down to my level and fed me a cookie. “Alright, now you know the feeling. You have to circulate that all throughout your body.”

“But it hurts! It’s like my heart was being burned from the inside.” I protested whilst chewing the cookie in my mouth.

“Make it hot enough that you can endure the burn. It shouldn’t feel like it’s charring your insides. It will hurt, but once you get the hang of it, it will feel nice.” Haruki stood up and fixed his sleeve.

“Let’s go, Amane; it’s time to quiz you on algebra.”

Amane rolled her eyes and mouthed “Algebra,” mocking Haruki behind his back. I let out a quiet laugh and carried on with my task.

I slowly increased the amount of light I was drawing whilst making sure I didn't make the same mistake as last time. That burning sensation in my chest felt awfully similar to the pain back then, but this feels less painful.

“Can you hurry up and do it right already?,” my shadow nagged.

“It’s harder than it looks, okay? ”

“Yeah, you’re just scared to overdo it. It won’t be like that night because this time you can control it.”

“I’m not scared!” I exclaimed.

I took a deep breath and circulated the burning sensation throughout my body. It hurts so much, to the point I wanted to scream, but I endured. Wanting to prove myself.

My body felt like it was burning from the inside. As it went on… I slowly got used to the pain as my body was becoming immune to the heat.

“You did it.” Haruki grinned with an impressed look. “Normally this will take a few weeks to get a hang in. But as expected, you did it in less than half a day.”

“You were sitting there so still I thought you fell asleep or something.” Amane popped out behind Haruki holding a piece of paper with red marks all over it.

“Was I deep in focus that long?” I asked.

“Yeah, I’m very impressed.”

“Alright Amane, enough break for you. You still have a long way to go.” Haruki broke us off and made Amane read more books and formulas. I could see the stress of learning math get to her. Her once glowing wavy hair was now frizzed up from all the scratching she’s been doing.

Haruki told me to keep practicing and promised to teach me how to use conjugation tomorrow.