Chapter 28 - Combat Genius

Dr. Camille's Residence

23rd Flamisember, Year 10840

ELION was lost in thought, silently pondering, When will the day come for the demons to return to Solara? Will I have enough time to prepare and become the Greatest Elementalist before their arrival?

During their ten-day stay at Camille's residence, now also their own, Elion's dedication to his training was unwavering. He poured every ounce of his attention and energy into each session. Despite his efforts, his elemental levels were still the lowest among his peers.

He couldn't forget Solandar's words, when they were in Spirit World, "Inheriting the power of the Phoenix brings advantages and challenges.

While the heir gains powerful Elemental Might, among other benefits, advancing through levels and elemental ranks will be five times more challenging than for other Elementalists." 

With a furrowed brow, Elion absorbed Solandar's words, understanding the weight of his journey.

"So, how can I quickly ascend to become a Supreme Elementalist? The demons could launch their attack at any moment," Elion asked, concerned. 

Without his family's support to acquire elemental resources, he had to rely entirely on his efforts.

"Patience, Elion. Everything follows its own process. Your encounter with Solandar must be a part of destiny's plan," Tigas interjected.

Having observed Elion's potential and personality over the months, Tigas found himself deeply intrigued by the teenager.

"Anxiety, worry, and fear are all part of your test," Solandar reassured him. 

Elion listened, finding solace in Solandar's words. Despite his losses and setbacks, he realized the importance of accepting his circumstances and focusing on his path forward.

Solandar, composed and understanding, empathized deeply with Elion's plight, recalling his own moments of apprehension when he first assumed the role of the Fire Elemental Guardian. 

"Enough dwelling. It only brings harm," Solandar advised, his calm demeanor comforting Elion.

"Whitey, it's your turn now," Solandar called out.

Clearing his throat, Tigas fixed his gaze on Elion. "Today's lesson," he began, his voice steady and clear, "is crucial for your journey as an Elementalist—the path to swift leveling."

Solandar assigned Tigas to cover the basics every Elementalist should know. Solandar said Tigas was a better teacher for this. In response, Tigas could only shake his head slightly.

He knew Solandar only finding excuses as Solandar did not really like to teach basic things. However, Tigas did not mind lending a hand.

With a graceful wave of his hand, Tigas conjured a diagram in the air with his aura, illustrating the interconnected relationship between Elemental Enlightenment, Elemental Essence, and Elemental Mastery—a triangle of fundamental elements.

"The first step," Tigas explained, "is to gain enough Elemental Enlightenment. This can be achieved through various means: studying the elements, forming a deep connection with them, inheriting elemental knowledge, seeking guidance from mentors, tapping into your bloodline's power, among others." He paused, allowing Elion to absorb the information.

Thankfully, Elion's keen mind made the learning process smoother.

Tigas continued his guidance with unwavering focus. "The second step involves the accumulation of Elemental Essence," he explained. "This essence permeates our world, though its purity greatly varies across different locations. Some areas are abundant in it, while others scarcely contain any. Another prime source of this essence is Elemental Crystals, which are easier to extract and purify than the essence found ambiently. It's important to note that the grade of these crystals—low, medium, or high—will have a distinct impact on your progression. Additionally, Elemental Beast Cores serve as another source; the greater the core level relative to your own, the more significant its effect on your advancement."

He further clarified, "The purity of the essence plays a crucial role in how efficiently you level up. A higher purity equates to swifter progress, whereas the essence of lower purity demands more time and effort." Elion absorbed every word, mentally cataloging the intricate details shared by Tigas.

Advancing to the next critical step, Tigas underscored its significance. "Elemental Mastery is paramount," he stated firmly. "It's the key to both controlling and comprehending your element. Mastery arts of high quality, especially those originating from Ancient Elementalists or those practiced on higher-level planets, can markedly enhance your efficiency. Conversely, low-quality arts can hinder your progress and potentially put you at a disadvantage."

Tigas cautioned, "Should you advance in level without sufficient mastery, you'll find yourself struggling against elementalists of the same elemental level."

His words resonated deeply, highlighting the essence of an Elementalist's journey. A robust foundation was essential for meaningful progress.

Elion, fortunate to possess the Phoenix Sutra—a quintessential Elemental Mastery Art—realized the advantage he held. He could use it at any elemental level and rank. However, others might need to change their art as they progress to the next rank.

Elion's thoughts wandered to those coming from the Supreme and Ancient Families. They might hold the same advantage as he had in Elemental Mastery Arts.

Tigas observed the curiosity in Elion's eyes and addressed it. "You might think that those born into prominent families have an easier path, with access to tutors and resources. Yet, true Elemental Enlightenment is cultivated through real-world experiences—rigorous training, forming bonds with fellow Elementalists, and overcoming the trials life presents. No tutor can substitute for that."

He continued, "When it comes to Elemental Essence, while families may provide crystals and cores, the diversity found in external resources could better suit an Elementalist's unique affinities."

Meeting Elion's gaze, Tigas concluded with a profound statement, "And as for Elemental Mastery, the paths laid out by one's family may not always be the best fit. The academy or adventures across the world offer a plethora of high-quality arts. Here, you have the freedom to choose your path, ensuring the mastery you attain truly belongs to you."

Choose my own path and destiny, huh? Lost in thought, Elion was startled when Alexa called out to him.

"Brother!" exclaimed Alexa, effortlessly interrupting his deep thoughts.

"I knew I'd find you here," she added, her voice carrying a hint of certainty. 

In truth, she wasn't far off. The spacious training area had always been a sanctuary for Elion, where he found solace. A warm smile spread across his face at the sight of Alexa, the sole remaining member of his family.

"What's up, Alexa? Why were you looking for me?" Elion asked with a curiosity in his tone.

"Eh? Can't I come to see my brother without a reason? Or were you perhaps waiting for Camille?" teased Alexa, her playful smile warming Elion's cheeks.

Elion couldn't pinpoint why, but the thoughts or mentions of Camille always seemed to stir his emotions profoundly.

Yet, Elion realized that now was not the moment for matters of the heart to take precedence. Still young, he recognized there were far more critical issues to focus on. Strengthening himself and preparing for the potential threats of demon attacks stood at the forefront of his priorities.

"Is that so? You hardly ever seek me out unless there's something you need," Elion retorted playfully, catching Alexa slightly off guard. 

Alexa let out a soft chuckle, realizing she'd been found out. It wasn't that she only approached Elion when in need; she simply preferred not to disturb him unnecessarily.

Elion had been dedicating himself to study and practice to ensure he was more than ready when the demon attacks and in the meantime, he wanted to unveil the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of their parents.

Alexa, sharing this quest, seized her opportunity to excel as an Elementalist.

"I actually want to learn the Intermediate Ancient Combat Arts," Alexa said, her voice brimming with eagerness as she sought to convince Elion.

"Huh? Have you already mastered the Basic Ancient Combat Arts?" Elion inquired, his surprise evident. 

Alexa's potential had swiftly become noticeable since she became an Elementalist. While Elion was blessed with an eidetic memory and academic prowess, Alexa shone in martial arts.

After they divulged all the knowledge passed down through their legacies, only Elion received the legacy of Ancient Combat Arts as it was discovered by Solandar.

Elion had approached Solandar before, asking if he could extend this teaching to the group, to which Solandar consented.

Elion possessed a unique advantage due to his golden aura. He could transfer knowledge directly into someone's mind by concentrating this aura at his fingertips and then releasing it onto the recipient's forehead.

This golden aura was unique; it conveyed the knowledge and seamlessly integrated with the recipient's consciousness. The real test was the recipient's capacity to grasp and master the imparted wisdom.

Fortunately, Elion was there to help. He was adept at providing instructions in a straightforward manner that was easy to comprehend.

Remarkably, Alexa had mastered the Basic Ancient Combat Arts within ten days, outpacing Elion, who had required fourteen days of diligent training under Solandar's tutelage. As for the rest, they had only managed to master half of the combat arts.

"Do you want to test me first?" Alexa teased, her voice tinged with eagerness to spar with Elion. 

The group always relished the opportunity to measure their skills, particularly against Elion, who was known for providing insightful feedback on their combat abilities. He had a knack for pinpointing any weaknesses or areas for improvement in their techniques.

Camille, however, was a different story—her expertise in martial arts was beyond what could be considered helpful for instruction.

Elion was the only one who could genuinely stand toe-to-toe with Camille without Camille using her elemental power; with the others, Camille had to restrain herself to prevent the sparring from ending with a single, decisive blow.

This was due to another benefit that was brought by the Phoenix Sutra. Elion's physical strength had exceeded what an Elemental Soldier should have been.

"Sure," Elion responded with a nod.

He then positioned himself at one corner of the training ground, mirroring Alexa's actions. Alexa took a fighting stance, showcasing the combat arts she had mastered. By countering her moves, Elion exhibited a more polished and efficient style, eliminating superfluous movements.

Recently, Elion achieved Level 12 Elemental Soldier, diving deep into the Basic Ancient Combat Arts and integrating various martial disciplines. His goal was to carve out a new path in combat, which he referred to as Phoenix Combat Arts.

By studying videos and scrolls about the legendary Phoenix, he believed understanding every facet of this Elemental Beast was crucial to harnessing its immense power. Complete comprehension was the key to unlocking its potential.