Extra's Ascent

A week had passed in a blur, leaving Aldrich Aldaman with only seven days left to prepare for his upcoming duel. Though agonizing to know, the passing time wasn't pointlessly lived through.

Each moment had been spent in relentless pursuit of improvement in any ways possible.

Training under John Foster had shattered every preconceived notion Aldrich had about marksmanship. At first, he had clung to his natural talent, believing it to be his defining edge, but John had torn that arrogance apart piece by piece. He stripped Aldrich down to the core, forcing him to abandon the shackles of old habits and rebuild himself from the ground up.

Under John's guidance, Aldrich saw a new world of possibilities unfold before him. A world where the bow was not just a weapon, but an extension of himself.

Everything he had once believed about archery, John defied. He shattered boundaries, redefined limitations, and pushed Aldrich beyond what he thought possible. By the end of the week, Aldrich was no longer the same marksman he had been. He was evolving. And if he survived this duel, he would emerge reborn, a man who would no longer be underestimated.

But marksmanship was only part of the equation.

Alongside his training with John, Aldrich had been honing his mana control under the watchful eye of Professor Mariana. Her lessons were rigorous, demanding, and deeply theoretical, an approach that tested Aldrich's patience. Yet, he knew better than to question her methods.

"Do you know why inscriptions are necessary for casting Art techniques?" Professor Mariana asked, her piercing gaze locking onto Aldrich.

Over the past week, their discussions had revolved around mana theory rather than direct application. She was adamant that Aldrich understand the foundation before attempting to wield it in practice.

"Inscriptions serve as a medium to access and execute an Art," Aldrich responded thoughtfully. "Each inscription represents a different Art, with its patterns defining their nature and their shape determining the range and effect."

Professor Mariana nodded approvingly. "Good. Now, what about without inscriptions? Is it possible for a mystic to manifest an Art purely through will?"

Aldrich's thoughts immediately drifted to the times he had witnessed such a feat. It was a phenomenon he had seen before, but one that was rarely explained in detail.

"It is possible," he answered, though uncertainty tinged his voice. "But from what I understand, only high-ranking mystics or those with exceptional mana control can achieve it."

Mariana's lips curled into a knowing smile. "You are both correct and incorrect."

Before Aldrich could ask for clarification, she stepped forward, ensuring he could see her every movement. Extending her hand, she held her palm open, fingers relaxed.

Then, without a single inscription, without uttering a single incantation, a flame flickered to life above her hand. It hovered just above her skin, its glow steady and unwavering. The fire neither surged too high nor wavered too low, it burned at the perfect intensity, as if it were an extension of her very being.

"This is an Art, is it not?" she asked, her voice calm. "An elemental technique of the fire attribute."

Aldrich's gaze remained fixed on the flame. "Yes, Professor. It is."

"I did not use an inscription, nor did I rely on verbal activation. Without any unnecessary movements, I called fire into existence. Now tell me, how did I achieve this?"

Aldrich's mind raced. He had witnessed the process unfold before his eyes, yet explaining it was an entirely different matter.

"I…" He hesitated, frustration creeping in. "I can't. I see it, but I can't explain it."

Professor Mariana nodded, her expression unreadable.

"That is to be expected. This level of mana control requires a depth of understanding that eludes most mystics your age and rank." She allowed the flame to flicker out, folding her arms. "However, I am willing to take the risk in teaching you."

Aldrich exhaled, his determination solidifying. If there was a way to break past his current limitations, he would grasp it with both hands.

"Let's start with the fundamentals," Mariana continued. "How many primary elements exist?"

"Five," Aldrich answered immediately. "Water, fire, wind, earth, and lightning."

"Correct. And are you aware that mystics are born with one or more of these elements, with some possessing up to three or even four?"

"Yes," Aldrich affirmed.

She didn't mention the possibility of someone possessing all five, likely because, in theory, it was impossible.

Research had long suggested that the number of primary elements a mystic wielded correlated directly to their overall potential. The greater the number, the stronger the mystic, at least in most cases. However, there was a caveat.

For a mystic with multiple elements, their mental and physical fortitude had to be equally exceptional. If they lacked the capacity to handle their elements, their lifespan would be drastically shortened.

The reasoning was simple: the more elements a mystic possessed, the more strain was placed on their body and mind. Even when not actively using their abilities, the elements continued to consume their mystic energy, like a fire that never fully extinguished.

The best analogy was that of an oversized object being crammed into a container too small to hold it. Eventually, the container would rupture under the strain.

Thus, a mystic with three elements, if unprepared, would find themselves deteriorating at an accelerated rate. And if there ever existed a mystic who wielded all five primary elements?

They would either be an anomaly beyond comprehension or a doomed soul fated to burn out before reaching adulthood.

Only one individual had ever defied this truth—The Wise.

The first mystic. The father of all mystics.

The Wise had been the only known individual to wield all five primary elements while possessing a physique capable of sustaining them. Any other would have perished long before reaching maturity. The only conceivable exception would be a direct descendant of The Wise's bloodline.

"If you understand that, then tell me, are you aware that a mystic's mana takes on the properties of their elemental affinity from birth?"

Aldrich hesitated.

That… was not something he had ever considered.

"No," he admitted after a moment. "I wasn't aware."

Because it was never to be considered.