Chapter 14: Training
Chapter 14: Training
Chapter 14: Training
Then, with a soft smile, Drusilla said, "As you are my disciple now, your training will begin tomorrow."
Zephyx froze, a suffocating sense of dread seeping into his chest. There was a touch of tension in her smile, however warm it seemed. Her eyes sparkled with a combination of excitement and mischief that made his spine tingle. Nevertheless, he nodded, attempting to keep his cool.
"Okay," he said, his voice steady, though his stomach twisted in apprehension.
Her smile widened at his acceptance, and she said, "Good. Then let's go."
Zephyx blinked, confused by her sudden declaration. "Go where?" he asked hesitantly.
She threw a quick glance his way, implying the answer was obvious. "To my home, of course. Many will be inclined to ask about you if they see the changes in your looks."
The realization stopped him. She was right. His change wasn't subtle—his white skin, mismatched eyes, and changed aura would definitely attract attention. He hesitated for a second before agreeing. "OK, let's go."
She reached out her hand to him silently. After a moment's hesitation, he took it; her hold, cold as it was, was surprisingly firm and soft around his own. She pulled him towards the window, and before he had time to question why, she jumped out, pulling him with her.
The sensation of freefall hit him like a jolt, but it didn't last long. A pair of majestic black wings sprouted from her back, their leathery surface shimmering faintly in the early dawn light. She flapped them gracefully, lifting them both into the air.
Zephyx stared at her wings in awe, feeling a pang of envy. According to the system, he would eventually be able to manifest wings as well, but first, he needed to master his Vampire transformation. For now, he had no choice but to rely on her.
They soared over the forest, the crisp air rushing past them as they traveled in silence. After a few minutes, they arrived at a clearing. The area was surrounded by dense trees, and at first glance, it seemed empty. But as they approached, a large mansion slowly came into view, as though it were emerging from thin air.
"Is that...?" Zephyx began, but Drusilla interrupted.
"It's hidden behind a barrier to keep it invisible," she explained.
The house itself was majestic but not excessively so. It was tastefully decorated, with gothic arches and high windows, emitting an air of mystery and strength.
Drusilla glided gracefully in front of the mansion, folding her wings as she led him inside. The inside was just as impressive as the outside—rich but practical, with dark wood furniture, ornate chandeliers, and decorative rugs.
She looked at him, her voice relaxed but determined. "Select any room. Sleep well. Tomorrow, the training starts."
Zephyx looked at the windows and saw the early morning light seeping in. Already morning. That meant he could rest for an entire day.
"Alright," he said, his voice heavy with fatigue. He made his way down one of the halls, choosing a room at random.
As soon as he opened the door, he hardly noticed the opulent furnishings—a massive bed, velvet curtains, and a writing desk—before dropping onto the bed. His form sank into the softness, and in moments, fatigue engulfed him, drawing him down into a profound, dreamless slumber.
He exhaled slowly, summoning shards of ice around him. They floated in the air like frozen daggers before he sent them hurtling toward another dummy, piercing it cleanly.
She smiled slightly. "Better. Ice requires precision, and you're starting to grasp that. But you're still relying too much on instinct."
After a moment's hesitation, Zephyx chose to show his wind affinity. He took a moment to gather himself before calling up a blast of wind around him, condensing it into a slicing vortex. The wind cut through another dummy, tearing it apart.
Drusilla's eyes went wide, the first time he'd ever seen her look truly surprised. "Wind affinity?" she said, her voice sharp. "You didn't use it in guild training."
He rubbed sheepishly at the back of his neck. "I didn't use it when training in the guild. I wanted to hide it."
Her surprise quickly gave way to a pleased smile. "Three affinities, just like me. Interesting. This makes things even more worthwhile."
Zephyx suppressed a sigh of relief. He had deliberately left out his earth and water affinities, knowing that keeping some cards hidden could be a valuable strategy in the future. For now, he would focus on mastering the affinities that overlapped with hers—ice, fire, and wind.
"Let's begin, then," she said, stepping back and gesturing for him to prepare himself.
For the next few hours, she taught him various methods for unleashing his affinities in a more efficient manner. For ice, she instructed him to focus his energy into needle-like projectiles, building a hail of lethal shards with little strain. For fire, she was careful to impart control, demonstrating to him how to direct the flames into directed bursts instead of out-of-control pyres.
When it was about wind, her lessons were most insightful. She showed him how to control air currents to speed him up, form defensive barriers, and even create cutting gales powerful enough to slice through solid matter. Her command of the element was apparent, and he learned each word avidly, eager to emulate her expertise.
By the time they finished, Zephyx was drenched in sweat, his body aching from the intense focus and effort. But he could feel the difference already—his magic felt sharper, more refined, and less taxing.
Drusilla handed him a flask of water, her expression one of approval. "You've made good progress. Rest for a bit. We'll move on to the next part of your training afterward."
He took the flask gratefully, sitting down on a nearby rock as he caught his breath. The cool water was refreshing, but his mind was racing. If this was just the beginning, he could only imagine what lay ahead.
After some time, he stood once more, feeling slightly recovered but still tense with anticipation. Drusilla was waiting for him, her arms crossed and a faint smirk playing on her lips.
"Ready for the next round?" she asked, her tone almost teasing.
He nodded, steeling himself. "What's next?"
"Let's get you accustomed to the skills of your category," she said matter-of-factly, advancing.
He gulped hard, his instincts screaming at him, that this was not going to be simple. But he suppressed the fear, determination stepping in.
"Let's do it," he said resolutely.
assistirfilmes