Wrock's Spirit

"Burn it brighter!"

"On it!"

Wrock felt the beads of sweat dripping down his body. Time had passed far quicker than he had imagined. Yomi had met with him every friday to cook a dish with various ingredients. Wrock's job was to use his Spirit to provide a strong but steady enough flame for Yomi to cook with.

On the other days Wrock studied the contents of the book provided by Yomi. Originally he thought it was going to be a cooking book, but he couldn't be far from the truth. Rather the small journal contained thorough details of how various flames worked. From how they burned, their patterns, and what it consumed while burning. In his spare time he compared various notes to his own flame, further understanding it.

"Wrock, your control is slipping."

"Roger!"

A figure known as Tyin helped guide Wrock's Spirit. She was a scholar in the Arcane Academy, granted Spirit by a giant sea serpent—Wrock was never allowed to know what creature it was specifically. Tyin's Spirit was a crystal clear water, and her control over it was enough to mesmerize Wrock. The way it flowed through her so calmly and smoothly. It wasn't like how Wrock used it at all.

Tyin told him that Spirit that grants a chaotic form was always the hardest to control. Fire being a textbook example. Most of the time those who were granted it find themselves being consumed entirely. She overlooked the friday practices whenever she could, while also giving Wrock some proper guidance in her spare time.

Yomi moved expertly, his fingers dancing above the various dishes. Wrock couldn't watch this however, for constantly outputting Spirit like this was a taxing endeavor. To maintain a steady flame was a lot harder than he originally thought.

In a short fifteen minutes Yomi nodded in satisfaction, "Done!"

Wrock sighed in relief, "This is crazy!"

"I'll be taking these dishes to study them. Tyin, when he's capable of keeping that up for longer let me know. I think I'm finally reaching a conclusion, but I need a longer flame."

Tyin looked up from a book, "Oh, I can do that. . ."

"Thank you! I owe you for this!"

"It's fun to teach a fellow Spirit user. . ."

Yomi undid his ponytail, "Wrock you still have my thanks for agreeing to this. These dishes have been giving me the best results."

"It has been a fruitful experience for me too. I never thought I could reach this level with Spirit.", Wrock replied while wiping his sweat with a towel.

"I can tell! Your flame is only growing steadier!"

"We good for next friday then?"

"Yup! Same place! For now I'm off to go test these dishes!"

"I'll be here."

Yomi sped off while waving goodbye. Tyin watched his figure grow smaller before sighing, "You've reached the level to adjust your body already. Why haven't you yet?"

"I'm not sure I can."

"Meaning?"

"I can't explain that."

Tyin closed the book she was studying, "Well your progress will only dwindle from here until you do. No amount of guidance will help you."

"I am aware, I'm still trying to figure it out."

"I can only wish you good luck. I will be heading off."

"Thank you as always."

"I'm just fulfilling a favor to Yomi."

"Still."

Tyin also left the area quickly. Leaving Wrock alone to tend to his thoughts. He stretched out his muscles and sighed. If he couldn't figure this out then he won't be able to progress further down this path.

Doing some stretches to loosen his stiff muscles he furrowed his brow. Looking towards a direction he spotted an old man approaching him.

Wrock waited patiently for them to arrive while wondering why he was being approached.

The old man finally reached a good speaking distance, "Wrock is it?"

"You have the right person."

"That's good. I take it you've been approached by the Provinces already?"

"Yes, and I'm not interested in joining one."

"That's fine. Might I ask why?"

"I don't wish to be tied down."

"Understandable."

Wrock watched as the old man became lost in thought. Bringing them back to earth he asked, "Was there something you needed from me?"

"Hmm. . . I am Horrow, the current head of the South Providence. I've come with an offer."

"Like I said I don't wish to join any Providences."

"I'm not asking you to join."

Wrock raised an eyebrow, "Oh? Alright, what are you asking?"

"Within a short time the Arena will open. This is a once-a-year event. One that all the Provinces attend and compete with their very best. I wish to ask you to become a Representative of the South Providence, and fight in the Arena for us."

"A Representative huh, is there anything I should know?"

"You'll be fighting against the other Provinces top talents. I've only come to you with this offer due to the declining state of the South Providence. I'm afraid we don't have any warriors on our hand to properly compete."

"Ah, so it's an opportunity."

"If you so wish to think that way."

"Well you sold me, I've been meaning to test a thing or two in combat. Fighting against a strong opponent giving their all is the best way. So I shall be your Representative. Is there any others?"

"We are currently gathering the last members."

"Sweet!"

"You will find us at the South Providence. Go there at this time."

Horrow tossed a thin crystal slip. Wrock caught it effortlessly and read the contents on top it, "All right! You'll see me then!"