Chapter 54: Devouring Domain

A week had passed since I began training every night with Grandpa, seeking to awaken the mysterious power I felt inside me. On this particular night, I could feel the power bubbling closer to the surface than ever before. Something was about to change.

"Focus, Bei," Grandpa's deep voice resonated in the stillness of the forest. "The key to mastering a domain is understanding its essence. Your domain isn't something separated from you; it's an extension of your soul. You must listen to it."

I nodded, closing my eyes and reaching inward. Over the past week, I'd been getting closer to grasping the core of this power. Tonight, it felt like I was on the verge of a breakthrough. The energy within me pulsed, not wildly as it had at first, but rhythmically, almost like a heartbeat. It was demanding to be unleashed.

Taking a deep breath, I cleared my mind and let the energy flow. It started as a small flicker, a faint sensation that spread from my body. Then, with a surge, it erupted around me.

The forest was suddenly engulfed in a massive black area, tinged with faint streaks of green light that moved like ghostly tendrils through the darkness. The air seemed to grow heavier, the temperature dropping noticeably. I opened my eyes, and for the first time, I could see it, my domain.

Grandpa's eyes widened slightly, though he quickly composed himself. "Impressive," he muttered, his tone betraying a mix of pride and caution. "You've done it, Bei. But what exactly does your domain do?"

As I focused on the sensation within the domain, I could feel its effects. My strength surged as if every cell in my body was empowered. At the same time, I could sense the forest around me weakening. The trees seemed to shudder, their vitality was disappearing.

"It… devours," I whispered, my voice barely audible but full of awe. "It's drawing energy from everything within its range. Soul power, life force… it's all being pulled toward me."

Grandpa's expression turned serious. "A devouring domain, eh? That's… not something to take lightly. It's incredibly powerful, but you'll need to be careful. Such an ability could easily spiral out of control."

I nodded, feeling the truth of his words. I could already sense the strain on my body and the pull of the domain as if it had a will of its own. I clenched my fists and focused, trying to stabilize the energy.

For the next few nights, our training sessions revolved around controlling the domain. I quickly discovered that activating it wasn't the problem, it was managing its effects. The domain's life-devouring nature made it impossible to use for practice without harming the environment or those around me. Even the nearby vegetation seemed to be terrified under its influence, the once-vibrant green trees turned dull and lifeless.

One night, as I struggled to maintain the domain without letting it spiral out of control, Grandpa stepped into its range.

"What are you doing?!" I shouted, panic lacing my voice.

"Testing your control," he said calmly, his voice unwavering. "If you can't keep me safe within your domain, you'll never be able to use it in a real battle."

Sweat poured down my face as I focused all my willpower on containing the domain's devouring effect. Slowly, I managed to create a small bubble of safety around Grandpa, but it took everything I had. By the time I deactivated the domain, I was trembling with exhaustion.

Grandpa nodded approvingly. "You're making progress. But remember, Bei, a domain is not just about power. It's about precision and control. Power without control is a double-edged sword."

Over the next week, I pushed myself to the limit, practicing every night to stabilize the domain. I learned to adjust its range, minimize its devouring effects, and even suppress it entirely when necessary. But no matter how much progress I made, one thing became clear: the domain wasn't meant for casual use. Its lethal nature made it a weapon of last resort, something to be unleashed only in the direst of circumstances.

During one of our sessions, Grandpa shared his thoughts on domains. "Each domain is unique, reflecting the essence of its user. My domain spreads a toxic miasma that weakens and incapacitates my enemies. Yours, however, is far more aggressive. It doesn't just weaken your enemies; it consumes them. That's both its greatest strength and its greatest weakness."

I absorbed his words, understanding the gravity of my abilities. The Devouring Domain wasn't just a tool; it was a responsibility. If misused, it could cause unimaginable destruction. But in the right circumstances, it could be the key to overwhelming even the strongest opponents.

By the end of the week, I finally felt confident in my ability to wield the domain. It wasn't perfect, and I still had much to learn, but I had taken the first steps toward mastering it. As I stood in the forest, the black and green aura of the domain swirling around me, I felt a sense of pride and determination.

"Grandpa," I said, deactivating the domain and turning to face him. "Thank you. I couldn't have done this without your guidance."

He smiled. "You've done well, Bei. However, remember that a domain is a powerful weapon, but it's not invincible. Never forget that."

As we walked back to the academy, I couldn't help but feel excitement. With the Devouring Domain at my disposal, I was ready for the next part of my plan, I would have to leave my family again soon, but I knew it was necessary.