Chapter 5 – Power Up

“Hoho…” his masters voice called out which attracted his attention. “You are now an Apprentice.” He smiled warmly. “Let me see your diatis…” He finished as a wave of warm power went into Redius forehead.

“…” He looked at Redius intently after a while. “Your diatis materialized already?” As if to confirm it.

“Yes…” Redius replied hesistantly.

“… Normally…” his master went on to say after a moment of silence. “Diatis materializes when reaching the disciple advancement. At the Apprentice stage, it is usually just a puff of smoke.” He paused again. Then smiled the biggest grin anyone could see. His eyes shone whilst looking at Redius as if he discovered a treasure. “When a diatis materializes, its colour determines the potential it has. The clearer it is, the more potential. And yours… even mine wasn’t as clear as your…” He finished and laughed for a good few minutes.

“YES! Finally! A befitting student to carry on my Meditro skills! I will teach you the ways of the Meditro HAHAHHA” Soon, his laughing finally stopped. And he said sternly “Do not let others know or see your diatis. Not even your family. People will harm you, your talent is too great to ignore. Do you understand?”

“Yes master.” He replied. Not like he had anyone to tell he thought.

“HaHa good good… now let’s begin…”

And thus, not knowing how long time had passed, weeks, months, years... Redius trained and trained in both the arts of the Magician and Knight. Although his master, who told him once that others referred to him as The Hermit, was only a Magician, he had good friends who were Knights and understood a little of how they worked. At least in the lower advancements, the rest, Redius had to figure out for himself.

So the time Redius spent was mostly training, making pills and messing around with Ji the little creature. Redius named him Ji because of the sound he made.

Having consumed numerous pills and drying up the entire pond of medicine, Redius sat after some time in the middle of the cave. His face expressionless. His master stared at him intently across the cave.

Suddenly Redius’ eyes opened, whilst remaining seated he stuck out his left hand, 10 ice lances began forming at an extremely fast rate. If others were able to see, they would be surprised as that speed and amount would require someone to be at the 3rd stage of Disciple and also an extremely accurate control of the elements.

He closed his fists and the ice lances flew across the room and smashed into the wall creating 10 circles of ice. Then suddenly a wall of fire erupted and smashed itself into the wall melting the ice. Whilst that was happening, smoky tendrils came from Redius’ body as he held his hand out at the fire lit wall. A black smoky ball appeared and sucked all the fire away. After it was done, Redius collapsed on the ground, exhaustion on his face.

‘Seems like attacking with darkness uses a lot of my power… I can realistically only hold that attack for 2 seconds before my power drains completely…’ He thought as he regained his power through cognia. ‘It must be my last resort.

Otherwise I’d die in a battle if I started off with that’

After recuperating, dark smoke covered him and he vanished. Though to Ji and his master, they were accurately tracking his movement. He appeared again where he stood before, it would be a good recon tool. Then lastly, a light blue aura covered as a white flash came at him. He punched, kicked and manuvered as the white flash seemingly bounced on and off with him. Then the pace of the flash increased and hit him hard in the stomach causing him to fly and hit against the cave wall.

“Ji ji!” The white flash immediately stopped next to Redius and asked as if in concern.

“I’m okay” Redius replied as he made his up.

“Ji ji!” Redius smiled as he picked Ji up and placed him on his shoulders. It was Ji’s favourite spot.

“Master.” Redius said as he approached him. Counting back, the figure of his master was much faded as compared to the first time Redius had saw him. He knew that his master didn’t have much time left.

“Good good.” He said with a proud face. “In just 3 years time you were able to advance to the 1st stage of Disciple. Even though the time is never special, considering the amount of elements you had, it should’ve taken you 2-3 times the normal time, around 8 years. But you did it in 3, well done.” He smiled as he finished.

“It seems my time is nearly over…” He said as he looked at Redius face which remained emotionless. For the past 3 years, Redius’ personality turned colder and colder. He concluded it was an effect of going into ice and dark elements so soon. But he could tell from his eyes that there was a warm side that was upset at the news. “I am a mere fragment of my soul. Perhaps my main body is still alive somewhere. We might be able to meet again.” He said smiling.

Then he waved his hand, a ring appeared and floated towards Redius.

“Inside this ring are the collections and recipes of everything I have gathered from my life time. As you are my sole carrier, I entrust them to you. Your meditro skills and your efficiency at using fire is already unrivalled at your stage. With my techniques and your talent, soon you will rise above the world.” He paused to let it sink in.

“But do not be over yourself in pride. There are always people who are better and stronger. More talented. Be careful out there, strength is the law. Even if sense if on your side, strength would crush that sense.” He finished saying. Though what he didn’t say was that he highly doubted anyone could be more talented. Stronger, sure, there are many people out there who has lived hundreds and even thousands of years, reached heights only a few could have. But if Redius had the same time, no, half the time, he knew that Redius could reach the same or even higher.

As the figure began to fade, Redius kneeled and bowed his head on the ground 3 times.

“Ji ji!” Ji called as if not wanting the figure to go.

“In the ring is a way to get out of this place. Go. See the world. And stand atop it. We will meet again my student.” He said as he smiled at the young man and creature. And finally faded into the air.

The young man and creature looked up towards the ceiling for a few moments. Redius then looked towards Ji and stroked him. Ji nudged his hand and licked it as if to say, I won’t leave. Then proceeded to climb up his arm and rested upon Redius’ shoulder.

Redius placed the ring on his finger and dripped a drop of blood onto the ring which absorbed it. This marks the ring with the owner. He then waved his hand and a trigram appeared on the floor, a transporting device. He stepped into it.

The next second he appeared in a forest. Right above the ravine. He was back.