PARTIAL GAZE

Jay knelt in the training field, his focus on mastering the intricate art of water magic. With each attempt, he conjured spherical water blobs, but his progress was slow. Frustration gnawed at him as he struggled to control the element.

Sitting down on the ground, he reached into his bag and pulled out a worn book from the Royal Library. Its pages were filled with ancient wisdom and intricate diagrams about the manipulation of water magic. Jay sighed and muttered to himself, "I've never had this much trouble learning an element before."

Just as he was lost in thought, two familiar figures approached. It was Deryl and Michael, his father. They wore matching expressions of curiosity as they greeted Jay.

"Mind if we join you, Jay?" Deryl asked with a warm smile.

Jay nodded, closing the book momentarily. "Of course, Dad, Deryl. What's on your minds?"

During a pause in their conversation, Deryl glanced at Jay, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and intrigue. "You know, Jay, during your recent swordsmanship graduation, you looked completely different. But what caught our attention the most were your eyes. They had a unique quality."

Jay contemplated their words, thinking to himself that it seemed the Ethereal Gaze might be known in this world, although they appeared to be rare.

After a moment, Jay decided to share his secret. "Well, you see, I do have the Ethereal Gaze." He looked at them earnestly.

Michael, his father, then proceeded to shed more light on the matter. "In fact, there are only two people we know of with the Ethereal Gaze in our world: you and Siena."

Jay's curiosity piqued. He turned to his dad and asked, "Do you know about the Ethereal Gaze, Dad?"

Michael nodded. "Yes, I do. And it's fascinating that both you and Siena possess it."

Intrigued by the conversation, Jay asked his father to share more about the Ethereal Gaze.

Michael leaned in, explaining, "The Ethereal Gaze is a rare and exceptional gift. It's permanently embedded in the host's eye and is often bestowed by Supreme Deities. But it seems there's more to it than that."

He then revealed a secret about himself. "I, too, have a unique ability, which is called a partial Gaze. Unlike the Ethereal Gaze, it's not permanently embedded but acquired by consuming Mana cores from Essence Beasts."

Jay listened intently, absorbing the newfound knowledge. He couldn't help but wonder about the implications of his own Ethereal Gaze and his father's partial Gaze.

Jay's eyes widened with curiosity as he absorbed the revelation about his father's partial Gaze. "What can your partial Gaze do, Dad?" he inquired.

Michael, his face alight with enthusiasm, began to explain. "My partial Gaze gives me the ability to create chemical equations in thin air. I can manipulate and control elements, creating them or reverting them as I please."

To demonstrate, Michael brought his palms together in a prayer-like stance. His blue eyes glowed with an otherworldly radiance, and two ethereal circles materialized around his right eye, spinning effortlessly. As he focused, intricate equations formed in a holographic manner, hovering before him. Jay couldn't help but be reminded of his previous life's chemistry lessons.

With a sense of mastery, Michael combined the equations, and before Jay's eyes, a blob of matter began to take form. It transformed from an amorphous substance into shimmering gold and then, at Michael's will, reverted to gleaming steel. It was the same steel Michael often used to craft his swords.

Jay marveled at the display of alchemical prowess. "That's incredible, Dad. I had no idea your abilities extended to this."

Michael chuckled modestly. "Well, I've always had an affinity for alchemy. It's a useful skill, especially when crafting weapons or healing. But I've always been a tad envious of the Vita Eyes," he admitted, his gaze momentarily flickering to Siena.

Jay noticed his father's longing glance and inquired, "The Vita Eyes?"

Michael nodded. "Yes, the Vita Eyes. They're said to be capable of remarkable life-force manipulation, instantaneous healing, and restoration. A true blessing in the world of alchemy."

"Siena must be a lucky girl," Jay thought.

Jay couldn't help but ponder the significance of his family's unique abilities. His father had partial Gaze, and he possessed the Ethereal Gaze, while Deryl seemed content without any such special abilities.

Turning to Deryl, Jay asked with a hint of humor, "So, Deryl, what type of Gaze do you have?"

Deryl chuckled heartily. "Well, Jay, I don't have any type of Gaze. I rely on my swordsmanship, wits, and a bit of luck here and there."

Jay nodded, realizing that not everyone needed extraordinary abilities to excel. Each of them had their own strengths and skills, making their group a formidable team.

As they continued their conversation, Jay couldn't help but feel a deep sense of connection to his father and Deryl. They were not just mentors and family but also companions on this incredible journey of self-discovery and growth.

Michael's curiosity was piqued, and he turned to Jay with an inquisitive expression. "So, Jay, what about your Ethereal Gaze? What can it do?"

Jay hesitated for a moment, his thoughts racing. The power of his Ethereal Gaze was extraordinary, but it was also a double-edged sword. Revealing his ability to foresee future events, his chronosight, could have far-reaching consequences. It might lead to him being used as a tool for those seeking an advantage or even plunge the kingdom, or worse, the entire world into chaos.

However, Jay remembered the other aspect of his Ethereal Gaze—the triangle embedded within it. This particular facet was a part of the Luminaris eyes, which had the unique ability to bend light and create illusions. It was a safer choice to share this aspect of his power.

Jay decided to demonstrate. He closed and then opened his hands, his focus shifting inward. Before their eyes, a beautiful purple butterfly manifested, hovering gracefully before them. Its delicate wings fluttered in the air, seemingly weightless.

"Wow, is that real?" Michael asked in amazement, reaching out to touch it.

Deryl, always pragmatic, extended his hand to touch the illusory creature. To their astonishment, the butterfly passed through his fingers, dispersing like mist. Deryl chuckled, his skepticism vanquished. "Guess that answers your question, Michael."

Jay couldn't help but smile at their reactions. "It's just an illusion," he explained, trying to downplay the significance of his ability. "But creating them consumes mana even more than using elemental magic."

Of course, Jay was downplaying it considerably. His mana pool was far beyond that of an average thirteen-year-old, and creating illusions barely made a dent in his reserves. But it was better to keep his full capabilities hidden, at least for the time being.

/// NEXT CHAPTER: UNFOLD ///

Edited by: JJ

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I eagerly await your feedback and comments on the book's progression. Your insights and thoughts are invaluable in shaping the narrative, and your Power Stones are the beacon that keeps my creative flames burning.