The runic crystal's vital energies and runes pulsed within Cyrus as he absorbed them. The insights flowed into his mind space, filling him with a similar sensation of control over his cells. Meanwhile, Cyrus wondered what changes would occur once he reached apprentice rank. So far, it has remained rather useless except for the focus ability. And, of course, he wished for more. How could a user of the life domain control plants or bacteria? And what else could they do? Moreover, Cyrus was told they provided a passive boost to his body, but so far, they weren't noticeable.

Yet, he kept such thoughts to himself. He instead stilled his thoughts, allowing himself to immerse in the addictive sensation until the crystal dwindled into nothingness.

"There was that feeling again," he muttered, sighing. "At least that queasy feeling isn't as strong anymore."

"What do you mean?" Dílis was confused until Cyrus explained the situation, her gaze brightening. "Oh, that. Your body is simply getting used to it, like drinking alcohol." She then glossed over him, muttering. "Still, I wonder what will happen during your ascension?"

Cyrus regarded her with curiosity. "Lord... Cosan said something similar yesterday. And I've read that a sort of filter or barrier prevents mages from further advancement due to a lack of insight. Do you expect something similar?"

Dílis shook her head. "Well, you shouldn't... At least, I don't think so." She hesitated before breaking into a bitter smile. "And I've never heard of someone failing their ascension to apprenticeship. But since you've only trained for a month and skipped out on years of training... who knows?" Slowly, she shook her head. "Well, we'll find out soon enough. Are you ready?"

Define 'ready.' Cyrus pulled back his messy hair, revealing his solemn steel blues. "Yes, but what about your father? Isn't he to oversee this?"

Dílis nodded. "He should arrive soon to witness your breakthrough." She retrieved her satchel once more, pulled out a sheet of paper, and placed it on the desk. "But take a look at this. I've managed to find some notes on what you were looking for."

Cyrus quickly followed. "About the fire runes?"

Dílis snorted. "It took days to find information within the logs since there were so few pyro masters in Avalorn's history—around two. And even reluctant to share their knowledge." A sigh escaped her lips. "Avalorn sure was a different place before Father arrived."

Meanwhile, Cyrus glanced at its contents and frowned at the sight. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a flickering fire rune that appeared like a lopsided "L."

"These are all different sigils." Cyrus placed the rune next to the drawing of an inverted "F." "Are you sure they're all from the same law?"

Not that he could use his own runes for reference, as they were simple dots. So, all the while, he would assume that they would slowly transform into a similar shape to what he was holding once he became a master pyromancer.

"Yep." Dílis nodded, tapping on a sideways "Y." "No two mages have similar runes the farther they grow in mastery. Sure, there might be mages with similar runes, but unless you lived someone else's entire life and carried their exact thoughts and experiences, they would truly never be the same."

Cyrus arched his eyebrows as he absorbed these words. Was everyone such a special snowflake, or was there more to this?

However, his thoughts dashed at the sudden knocking on the door. It swung open automatically as Lord Dílis entered the room, scanning the area until his gaze fell upon the young adults.

"Apologies, Cyrus," He said, striding towards them. "I had to confirm if a delivery was still on track. But let's not dawdle. Have you absorbed the life crystal?"

Cyrus stepped forward quickly and bowed slightly, his voice shaken somewhat with anticipation despite his attempts to remain composed.

"Yes... Cosan."

Lord Dílis nodded approvingly and gestured upward. "Excellent. We'll begin right here and now."

Confusion flickered across Cyrus' face as his gaze swept the room. "Here and now? Is it safe?"

With a chuckle and a shake of his head, Lord Dílis reassured him. "Becoming an apprentice isn't as perilous as you might think. At most, you'll emit a faint aura of vitality, hardly noticeable to anyone else." He then gestured to the center of the room. "Come now, sit down cross-legged and create your final batch."

Cyrus obeyed the instruction. As he settled on the floor, he closed his eyes and turned his focus inward, sensing the flow of mana within him.

One forty-nine. One hundred and fifty life runes.

"Good," Lord Dílis continued. "Now, reposition them all to your origin rune."

And so Cyrus did. They completely engulfed the lone rune, forming a large sphere of vitality. Huh. How... familiar.

But Lord Dílis' voice once again broke his contemplation. "Now, move your consciousness toward inward your origin. Once you're gazing upon your domain, channel all your mana throughout all your runes."

And so he did. Once again, Cyrus found himself in the void, facing the four radiant celestial bodies suspended before him. It was awe-inspiring. Their immense size dwarfed his understanding despite the vast expanse separating him from them. One red. One pale yellow. One green. One purple.

As Cyrus floated there, memories of a long, young boy with jet-black hair and steel blue eyes who loved gazing up at the night sky filled his thoughts.

"I don't think I'll ever get bored being here," Cyrus said with a nostalgic sigh. "It's like I'm looking at a part of my soul."

But now was not the time for such things. Shaking his head, he refocused his gaze on the vibrant domain of life. The large sphere shone with brilliance, its surface swirling and coiling in mesmerizing patterns of unknown sigils and verdant whisks.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

It was outta this world.

Cyrus was soon lost in the spectacle, oblivious to everything except his barely conscious mana channeling. Meanwhile, the green sphere spun and spun at incredible and slow speeds. It began to pulsate waves upon waves of swirling, viridian exuberance that shot toward the young man and passed through him.

With each wave of vitality, Cyrus felt his heartbeat syncing harmoniously with it, melding into one whole as energy coursed through his veins.

He was one. It was one. They were one.

And with it came a new shift. One by one, Cyrus' life runes ignited around his origin rune. Accompanying were his fire and light runes, occasionally flickering in tandem.

Unaware of the change, Cyrus remained entranced by the sensations while every domain before him began to radiate energies alongside the domain of life. His mind became a whirlwind of thoughts and ideas, each one feeling like a distant dream, so close yet so far.

Beside Cyrus were the Dílis Family. Lilie was observing his serene form of meditation with slight fascination. After all, one doesn't often witness someone's attempt at ascension unless acquainted with them.

However, Lord Dílis narrowed his gaze on the young man. Something profound was unfolding within Cyrus' aura. His sharp gaze narrowed as he sensed an overwhelming heat emanating from Cyrus. Nothing tangible, but it came to him a sense of a fire capable of incinerating trees, boiling water, and liquefying the earth upon approach, turning them all into ash.

What was this feeling? Lord Dílis' gaze shimmered with countless green runes as he scrutinized Cyrus. There had to be something that could unravel this mystery before him.

But he was left wanting. For a few moments later, all one hundred fifty life runes suddenly ignited one final time before fading back into their ethereal state. And with it came a sudden jolt that knocked Cyrus out of his trance, and he nearly tumbled backward.

"What just happened?" a dazed Cyrus asked, rubbing his head in confusion as his body exuded a faint aura of vitality.

"Ahh! You've officially become an apprentice mage, Cyrus," Lilie exclaimed joyfully, enveloping Cyrus in a tight hug that left him gasping for air. The latter then felt a pat on his shoulder, which he discovered was Lord Dílis.

"Well done, my boy," He said, a faint, friendly smile tugging his lips. "Do you feel any different?"

Cyrus refrained from cringing from their touch and extricated himself from Lilie's tight embrace before taking a moment to assess his body. It seemed there was nothing—Wait. His life runes, while still shaped like a dot, were much more vibrant than ever. And while still illusionary, they were on the cusp of becoming a solid mass, something tangible.

Cyrus sighed, tightly clutching his hands. "It feels like I'm feeling my limbs for the first time, you know?" He then stretched out a hand, grasping it open. "I feel... more myself. More one with my body."

Sure, he probably wasn't as agile as an acrobat, but he sensed a newfound unison in his movements.

Lilie beamed at him. "You should. It is your life, after all. And becoming an apprentice should come with a bit more perks."

Cyrus' ears perked up at those words. "Really?"

Lord Dílis affirmed with a nod. "Indeed. Give it a try, Cyrus. Charge up your light runes."

Cyrus complied while closing his eyes.

"Now, while maintaining your focus on your light runes, attempt to infuse mana into your fire runes," Lord Dílis instructed.

Shock registered in Cyrus' furrowed brows. "You mean—"

"Yes, you're capable of twin casting now, Cyrus," Lilie chimed in, her smile warm and blooming.

Was that new? Didn't he branch his mana before? Cyrus could hardly remem— "It may require some practice," Lord Dílis spoke up, his sharp gaze fixed and scanning on the distracted Cyrus. "But with dedication and training, you should master it in about a year's training. But for now, try to split your mana into two as you channel them."

Cyrus followed his instructions despite his misgivings. He removed himself from all distractions and concentrated on a single point to split. It felt like he was ambidextrously writing for the first time—awkward and unfamiliar. Yet, slowly, gradually, a secondary stream of mana branched off, snaking its way toward the fire runes nestled within his shoulder.

Strange, but manageable. Though I doubt I can push much further.

But how wrong he was. The mana thread continued its journey and went through a fire rune. And then another. And another until several were lit ablaze.

This was too easy. Why had Lord Dílis said it would take a year?

Further, his mana traveled. But once it reached halfway past his arm, Cyrus decided enough was enough. He forcefully halted its progress, which drained his face of color.

"What's wrong?" Lilie worriedly placed a hand on him. "Are you alright?"

Meanwhile, Lord Dílis remained silent. He observed Cyrus meaningfully, awaiting his response.

"I couldn't manage more than just a tiny split," Cyrus lied haggardly as he stumbled to get up." That's what I get for being too impatient and trying to force something."

Lord Dílis regarded him with a sharp gaze before patting Cyrus' shoulder reassuringly. "It's impressive enough that you could split your mana on the first try. And I'm confident you'll master twin casting soon enough. But for now, focus on creating more fire runes to prepare for your breakthrough. And..."

"And?"

Lord Dílis lifted and opened his palm, revealing a green sigil. "Now comes the interesting part. Do you recall when I told you to move in sync with your channeling? Well, try to consolidate your life runes into a single arm."

Cyrus did as such.

"Now," Lord Dílis continued. "Channel your mana through your arm."

Following his instructions, Cyrus arched his brows and soon felt his bicep slightly tighten and bulge as if suddenly gaining a minuscule burst of strength.

"What's happening?" Cyrus asked, turning his face to Lord Dìlis.

"Your runes found its foundation." Lord Dílis smiled. "It was with all the physical training, short as it was, that's given you the grounds to momentarily enhance your body should you empower your life runes."

In response, Cyrus swiftly shifts his gaze back to his bicep. "So you're saying... I hit harder?"

"Come now, Cyrus." Lord Dílis stifled a chuckle. "You'll be able to run faster, think quicker, endure more. Of course, it's only possible so long you have enough runes and train your runes to adapt alongside your body."

Cyrus was amazed. His body would improve passively over time with the more runes he accumulated, but now he could also have small boosts as well? The thought was like a shot of adrenaline up his spine. What if he had enough runes to line several limbs and combined them with this new branching ability?

"Now you're getting it," Lord Dílis said before glancing at his watch. "Alas, that is my time for now. Congratulations again, Cyrus. We'll continue honing your training tomorrow."

With those encouraging words, Lord Dílis took his leave, muttering about a pile of paperwork waiting for him in the city.

As Lilie watched her father depart, a trace of sadness came with it. But it disappeared once she recalled something.

"I almost forgot," Lilie said. "We've prepared another gift for you once you become a fire apprentice. I think you'll appreciate it when you see it."

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