Chapter 16: A moment of pain.
Zeke eagerly took a shower and gobbled down some breakfast, his excitement building at the thought of finally being able to engrave a spell onto his magic core. This was a major milestone for any young mage, and Zeke couldn't wait to get started. He looked around for his mentor, Maximilian, hoping to find out where they were going to be doing the engraving.
"Where are we going?" Zeke asked eagerly as he caught up to the older man.
Maximilian chuckled. "We're not going to the academy, Zeke. Follow me."
Zeke was confused, but he trusted Maximilian and did as he was told. The old man led him down into the basement, stopping in front of a hidden chamber that Zeke had never noticed before.
"Welcome to my secret engraving chamber," Maximilian said with a smile. "This is where we'll be doing your engraving today."
Zeke was surprised by the secret engraving chamber and the fact that they wouldn't be using the one at the academy. He couldn't believe that there were so many secrets and hidden things that he didn't know about.
"Why are we doing it here instead of at the academy?" Zeke asked.
"Because if we use the public room, there will be a record of what spell you engrave," Maximilian explained. "And we don't want that, because the spell you're going to be engraving - [Perfect body control] - is not a recorded spell."
Zeke's eyes widened in surprise. He had not known that the engraving process would be so closely monitored, and only now did he realize that this might be a huge problem.
"But won't that be a problem?" Zeke asked, his voice filled with concern.
"Not if we tell the academy that you engraved the [blood manipulation] spell instead," Maximilian said with a wink. "That's what all the kids from the important noble families do - they keep their trump cards hidden by engraving them in secret and then pretending that they learned something else."
Zeke was not really shocked by this revelation. He had once believed that the academy was a place where everyone was treated equally and that everyone learned the same spells. But it seemed that there were all sorts of secrets and favoritism going on behind the scenes.
"Then won't it be a problem once the truth is revealed?" Zeke asked, his voice still filled with uncertainty.
"Not if you keep it to yourself," Maximilian said with a reassuring smile. "[Perfect body control] is based on [blood manipulation] and can fulfil the same role, up to a point. So you should be able to convincingly act like you engraved that spell."
Convinced by Maximilian's words, Zeke was again excited to get started with the engraving. "What do I need to do?" Zeke asked, eager to begin.
"First, you need to sit in the marked circle on the ground," Maximilian instructed. "And don't worry about the mirrors - they're just there to help focus the magic."
Zeke looked around and saw that there were several mirror-like contraptions arranged around the circle, each one looking like the head of a sunflower with its petals turned inward towards the center of the circle. He couldn't help but feel a little intimidated by them as he made his way to the center of the circle and sat down.
As soon as he was in place, the mirrors locked onto him like predators ready to pounce. Zeke's heart raced as he waited for Maximilian's signal.
"Ignore the mirrors and focus on channeling the spell," Maximilian said, his voice calm and reassuring. "I'll give you the signal when it's time to start."
Zeke took a deep breath and did as he was told, trying to ignore the mirrors and focus on the magic within him. He knew that this was a crucial moment, and he was determined to do his best.
Maximilian fiddled with some of the devices for a while, adjusting dials and pressing buttons as he worked. Zeke watched him with a mix of fascination and anxiety, wondering what was happening, he couldn't wait to be finally free of the omnipresent pain in his core that had become a constant companion over the past weeks.
After what felt like an eternity, Maximilian finally seemed satisfied and gave Zeke the signal to start. Zeke took a deep breath and began channeling the [perfect body control] spell, focusing all of his energy and concentration on the task at hand.
As soon as he started, the mirrors around the circle began to glow with a bright light. All of the lights seemed to be meeting at a single point - Zeke's blood core. The light beams passed right through Zeke's skin, meeting at the center of his core and spread outwards from there. The pain Zeke felt in this moment was so sharp that Zeke almost stopped channeling the spell.
Zeke grit his teeth, trying to endure the pain as best he could. It was absolute agony, and he could barely feel the pain of his skin being pierced compared to the sheer torture of the feeling coming from his core. But he refused to give up, determined to see this through to the end. Zeke knew that he had to do something to alleviate the pain, so he focused on using the [perfect body control] spell to turn off all the pain receptors inside his body. It was a risky move, but he was desperate.
To his surprise, the spell worked - he couldn't feel any physical pain at all. But the agony from his core remained, undiminished and unrelenting. Zeke realized that the pain was not being experienced by his body, but by something else. Could it be his spirit, or his soul? Zeke didn't know, he tried to pass the time by thinking about the pain and how it was able to bypass his body through his core, but it was difficult to concentrate while being in such agony. Maximilian had told him that the pain would be worse the longer they waited, but Zeke had had no idea it would be anything like this. He was starting to wonder if he would be able to endure it.
Zeke was starting to think about quitting. This was not the kind of pain that a human was supposed to endure, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could take it. But before he could actually give up, he remembered something that Maximilian had told him - that the longer one could endure the pain, the stronger the spell engraving would be.
Zeke gritted his teeth and tried to endure as best he could, determined to see this through to the end. An hour had already passed, and Zeke was drenched in sweat. He looked as pale as a ghost, and Maximilian was starting to get worried. An engraving was usually only supposed to last for 10–30 minutes, and Zeke didn't look anywhere close to being done.
"Zeke, are you okay?" Maximilian asked, his voice filled with concern. "You can stop if you can't take it anymore."
Zeke just shook his head, the movement looking more like his head had been slapped left and right compared to its normal fluidity.
Maximilian hesitated, but he knew that Zeke was right. He was a strong-willed young man with a lot of potential, and he needed to push through this pain if he wanted to take full advantage of his advancement.
Another hour passed as Zeke continued to channel the spell. His eyes were bloodshot and there was blood coming out of his ears and nose - signs of the strain he was under. Zeke had started shaking half an hour ago, and Maximilian could hear him mumbling something over and over again.
Maximilian tried to get a little closer without disturbing the ceremony, and he was able to almost make out certain words that Zeke was saying: "A...ain... -ime... engh". He moved closer and was finally able to understand what Zeke was saying: "A moment of pain for a lifetime of strength." He repeated the phrase over and over again, his voice hoarse, but filled with determination.
Maximilian's heart ached at the sight of his student in such pain. He watched Zeke with a mixture of pride and guilt. All the levity had long since left his face, and he just continued to look at the young man in front of him. He knew that he was responsible for the pain that Zeke was going through - he had pushed him to delay engraving a spell in order to learn [perfect body control].
Maximilian was determined to at least watch all of Zeke's struggles without looking away. He owed it to him to see this through to the end, no matter how difficult it might be.
After the third hour had passed, the lights from the mirrors suddenly turned brighter for a moment before going out completely. Maximilian watched worriedly as Zeke remained seated, his eyes still closed. Maximilian's breath stopped, and he didn't dare to move.
After what felt like an eternity, Zeke's eyelashes fluttered a little and he opened his eyes. He looked at Maximilian and a weak smile appeared on his blood-smeared face. The only words he managed to say before collapsing on the spot were: "I did it."
Maximilian rushed to Zeke's side, relieved that the engraving was finally over. He knew that it had been a grueling process, and he was proud of Zeke for enduring it.
"You did it, Zeke," Maximilian said, his voice filled with pride. "You managed to hold out for almost three hours of engraving, I never even heard of something like this."
Zeke gave a weak nod, too exhausted to speak. Maximilian picked him up and carried him out of the chamber, determined to get him the rest and care he needed.
Chapter 16: A moment of pain.
Zeke eagerly took a shower and gobbled down some breakfast, his excitement building at the thought of finally being able to engrave a spell onto his magic core. This was a major milestone for any young mage, and Zeke couldn't wait to get started. He looked around for his mentor, Maximilian, hoping to find out where they were going to be doing the engraving.
"Where are we going?" Zeke asked eagerly as he caught up to the older man.
Maximilian chuckled. "We're not going to the academy, Zeke. Follow me."
Zeke was confused, but he trusted Maximilian and did as he was told. The old man led him down into the basement, stopping in front of a hidden chamber that Zeke had never noticed before.
"Welcome to my secret engraving chamber," Maximilian said with a smile. "This is where we'll be doing your engraving today."
Zeke was surprised by the secret engraving chamber and the fact that they wouldn't be using the one at the academy. He couldn't believe that there were so many secrets and hidden things that he didn't know about.
"Why are we doing it here instead of at the academy?" Zeke asked.
"Because if we use the public room, there will be a record of what spell you engrave," Maximilian explained. "And we don't want that, because the spell you're going to be engraving - [Perfect body control] - is not a recorded spell."
Zeke's eyes widened in surprise. He had not known that the engraving process would be so closely monitored, and only now did he realize that this might be a huge problem.
"But won't that be a problem?" Zeke asked, his voice filled with concern.
"Not if we tell the academy that you engraved the [blood manipulation] spell instead," Maximilian said with a wink. "That's what all the kids from the important noble families do - they keep their trump cards hidden by engraving them in secret and then pretending that they learned something else."
Zeke was not really shocked by this revelation. He had once believed that the academy was a place where everyone was treated equally and that everyone learned the same spells. But it seemed that there were all sorts of secrets and favoritism going on behind the scenes.
"Then won't it be a problem once the truth is revealed?" Zeke asked, his voice still filled with uncertainty.
"Not if you keep it to yourself," Maximilian said with a reassuring smile. "[Perfect body control] is based on [blood manipulation] and can fulfil the same role, up to a point. So you should be able to convincingly act like you engraved that spell."
Convinced by Maximilian's words, Zeke was again excited to get started with the engraving. "What do I need to do?" Zeke asked, eager to begin.
"First, you need to sit in the marked circle on the ground," Maximilian instructed. "And don't worry about the mirrors - they're just there to help focus the magic."
Zeke looked around and saw that there were several mirror-like contraptions arranged around the circle, each one looking like the head of a sunflower with its petals turned inward towards the center of the circle. He couldn't help but feel a little intimidated by them as he made his way to the center of the circle and sat down.
As soon as he was in place, the mirrors locked onto him like predators ready to pounce. Zeke's heart raced as he waited for Maximilian's signal.
"Ignore the mirrors and focus on channeling the spell," Maximilian said, his voice calm and reassuring. "I'll give you the signal when it's time to start."
Zeke took a deep breath and did as he was told, trying to ignore the mirrors and focus on the magic within him. He knew that this was a crucial moment, and he was determined to do his best.
Maximilian fiddled with some of the devices for a while, adjusting dials and pressing buttons as he worked. Zeke watched him with a mix of fascination and anxiety, wondering what was happening, he couldn't wait to be finally free of the omnipresent pain in his core that had become a constant companion over the past weeks.
After what felt like an eternity, Maximilian finally seemed satisfied and gave Zeke the signal to start. Zeke took a deep breath and began channeling the [perfect body control] spell, focusing all of his energy and concentration on the task at hand.
As soon as he started, the mirrors around the circle began to glow with a bright light. All of the lights seemed to be meeting at a single point - Zeke's blood core. The light beams passed right through Zeke's skin, meeting at the center of his core and spread outwards from there. The pain Zeke felt in this moment was so sharp that Zeke almost stopped channeling the spell.
Zeke grit his teeth, trying to endure the pain as best he could. It was absolute agony, and he could barely feel the pain of his skin being pierced compared to the sheer torture of the feeling coming from his core. But he refused to give up, determined to see this through to the end. Zeke knew that he had to do something to alleviate the pain, so he focused on using the [perfect body control] spell to turn off all the pain receptors inside his body. It was a risky move, but he was desperate.
To his surprise, the spell worked - he couldn't feel any physical pain at all. But the agony from his core remained, undiminished and unrelenting. Zeke realized that the pain was not being experienced by his body, but by something else. Could it be his spirit, or his soul? Zeke didn't know, he tried to pass the time by thinking about the pain and how it was able to bypass his body through his core, but it was difficult to concentrate while being in such agony. Maximilian had told him that the pain would be worse the longer they waited, but Zeke had had no idea it would be anything like this. He was starting to wonder if he would be able to endure it.
Zeke was starting to think about quitting. This was not the kind of pain that a human was supposed to endure, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could take it. But before he could actually give up, he remembered something that Maximilian had told him - that the longer one could endure the pain, the stronger the spell engraving would be.
Zeke gritted his teeth and tried to endure as best he could, determined to see this through to the end. An hour had already passed, and Zeke was drenched in sweat. He looked as pale as a ghost, and Maximilian was starting to get worried. An engraving was usually only supposed to last for 10–30 minutes, and Zeke didn't look anywhere close to being done.
"Zeke, are you okay?" Maximilian asked, his voice filled with concern. "You can stop if you can't take it anymore."
Zeke just shook his head, the movement looking more like his head had been slapped left and right compared to its normal fluidity.
Maximilian hesitated, but he knew that Zeke was right. He was a strong-willed young man with a lot of potential, and he needed to push through this pain if he wanted to take full advantage of his advancement.
Another hour passed as Zeke continued to channel the spell. His eyes were bloodshot and there was blood coming out of his ears and nose - signs of the strain he was under. Zeke had started shaking half an hour ago, and Maximilian could hear him mumbling something over and over again.
Maximilian tried to get a little closer without disturbing the ceremony, and he was able to almost make out certain words that Zeke was saying: "A...ain... -ime... engh". He moved closer and was finally able to understand what Zeke was saying: "A moment of pain for a lifetime of strength." He repeated the phrase over and over again, his voice hoarse, but filled with determination.
Maximilian's heart ached at the sight of his student in such pain. He watched Zeke with a mixture of pride and guilt. All the levity had long since left his face, and he just continued to look at the young man in front of him. He knew that he was responsible for the pain that Zeke was going through - he had pushed him to delay engraving a spell in order to learn [perfect body control].
Maximilian was determined to at least watch all of Zeke's struggles without looking away. He owed it to him to see this through to the end, no matter how difficult it might be.
After the third hour had passed, the lights from the mirrors suddenly turned brighter for a moment before going out completely. Maximilian watched worriedly as Zeke remained seated, his eyes still closed. Maximilian's breath stopped, and he didn't dare to move.
After what felt like an eternity, Zeke's eyelashes fluttered a little and he opened his eyes. He looked at Maximilian and a weak smile appeared on his blood-smeared face. The only words he managed to say before collapsing on the spot were: "I did it."
Maximilian rushed to Zeke's side, relieved that the engraving was finally over. He knew that it had been a grueling process, and he was proud of Zeke for enduring it.
"You did it, Zeke," Maximilian said, his voice filled with pride. "You managed to hold out for almost three hours of engraving, I never even heard of something like this."
Zeke gave a weak nod, too exhausted to speak. Maximilian picked him up and carried him out of the chamber, determined to get him the rest and care he needed.
