Enatic Clans

After the hearty breakfast, Clyden and I guide Talbetter towards the destination - the training arena. Durgat, the orc champion, and others are fast equipped. They are on their training gears but unfortunately, this practice session is not all about physical improvement. This time, we are learning arcane enhancement and introduction of lifeforce. As Sir Talbetter has discussed with us during our meal in the dining hall, Clyden and I agree on the curriculum and possible syllabi for the physical and magical balance activities. On paper, he has a solid and most definite path of improvement towards the integration of the arcane system in the Kehinan Military. This is true for the Kehinan Royal Guards and the Verlassenes.

"Lasses and boyos, gather up!" Clyden shouts, summoning the soldiers both active and off-duty alike, clinking the sparring swords in his hands.

To say the least, they are lethargic and slow moving. Deriving on his face, Clyden is vividly annoyed since the men are lacking passion and ardent fervor towards the activity.

He calls and grunts, "Mates, we don't have all day. C'mon, move your ass down here…" as he then complains, urging the soldiers to come forward on the double.

"Generals, captains, subalterns, lieutenants to all high officials, footmen-..." I then clear my throat, nearly completely disregarding the presence of women, "... and women, of course." a nervous laughter escapes from my mouth.

Ah, yeah, I almost forgot this regiment: the Verlassenes are an all-female special force, the Kehinan Royal Guards are predominantly male, and the regular army is mixed.

"Alright, listen up! Today, we have a truly significant guest. A guest lecturer. He's a proud feline. His claws and hisses at you. Like: 'Meow'!" the soldiers share a giggle, "Not only swift and nimble to his poise but also cunning and clever with his tactics. Like body, like brains." they then mutter in awe.

"General Clyden, will you do the honors?" as I pass the responsibility to my personal lieutenant for presenting the visiting attaché.

Clyden bows to me, expressing: "Thank you, Marshal Aisla…" he then continues the task I laid for him, "Officers… Soldiers… ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Sir Talbetter Avante O'Silverpelt." finishes the introduction of the gátes martial and magical instructor, as all gladly gives a warm applause.

From here on out, the session is going in a smooth fashion as unexpected. People are listening in a benign and attentive way. I have to admit that I as well got sucked into his lessons. This makes me think that this would be revolutionary to the army… no, to all sectors in the kingdom. And yes, what I am referring to is the arts and theories of lifeforce! Meanwhile, Sir Talbetter discusses the relevance between 'Orenda' and all other distinct lifeforces such as 'Mana', 'Vis', 'Prana', and many more. They all seem Acranish to me. However, as the Marshal of this army, I am required to learn this art.

Sir Talbetter elaborates to achieve the web of lifeforces we need to know 'Orenda'. This lifeforce is named after the goddess who promulgated this philosophy and way of life. That all he writes on the wall: "Goddess 'Orenda' entailed the überleben, which is us - the humanyity, and several sentient liviying beings in this world of Geböþæð such as anthromorph and wahsh, or alwuhush in plural, and so and so forth." tapping the Grög stick on the writings on the wall.

He continues, "Anyway, that is the brief history. But I know most of nyou don't pique on that kind of topic, eh?" as most of the listeners laugh, well including Clyden and myself.

"This is nyot a mockery but I refuse to believe in gods and goddesses. I don't confide in them, however, I don't dare challenge them. And if so, then I'm just an inbred retard bipedal talking cat." the laughter surges further, as Sir Talbetter can't help but smile as well. Kehinan people surely are the most fluid idiosyncrasies, regardless, we are all fervent believers to Lady Wellicia.

"Way worse than an anthromorph or even lower than a wahsh. Rather if I ever boldly contend with them, then I'm a dead gátes meat waiting to be eaten by my fellow gátes race." he further humiliates himself for the sake of relatedness, the humor is egregious albeit. As expected of a veteran and a former maniple commander, he connects with us - his students in just a snap of a finger.

One of the soldiers raises his hand after the gentle commotion, as Sir Talbetter summons: "Nyes?" the gátes instructor perks his feline ears and whiskers.

"So what are those things etched on the impromptu lesson board?"

"Ah~ these are the unique innate traits of 'Orenda'. Despite being the rudimentary gateway to the world of lifeforce, 'Orenda' abilities are personal. Unlike 'Mana', 'Vis', 'Pneuma' - you name it. They are advanced, yes, but too predictable. Meaning; they have theories, counters, and dedicated science to their respective lifeforce studies." he answers one of the soldiers' inquiries.

"Ooooooo…" says the crowd. Though, I admit I moved also.

Origin Ability is the root of all personal abilities from Orenda lifeforce. Sir Talbetter stresses that this is the genealogy of 'Orenda' personal abilities. It is dubbed as 'Orenda' Genealogy Map. He states that the sub-origin ability from the origin ability is called either Primary Child Ability or First Degree Ability. However, in the example, he drew that there's only one - for simplicity's sake. Moving the branches have splitted off. From the Primary Child Ability. Now there are two branches. In Origin Ability's lens, there are Second Child Degree Abilities - Second Degree Child Ability A and Second Degree Child Ability B. Sir Talbetter tells us to imagine Second Degree Child Ability A will be hue as black while Second Degree Child Ability B will be blue. In the Second Degree Child Ability B, it has only one child ability representing as the Third Degree Child Ability C. On the contrary, Second Degree Child Ability A will diverge off since it has two child abilities. Again, Sir Talbetter instructs us to portray the left portion as black while the middle will be green. And so on and so forth.

In that sense, it is quite literal when it is mentioned like this. After a while, he answers the most frequently-asked-questions subsequently following the most awaited section of this session. And that is… Yes, Sir Talbetter now initiates the question-and-answer portion of the lecture. No holds barred, the shameless woman begins to strike. She is the fiercest among her female peers.

"So, Sir Talbetter… how can we assume that we unlock our 'Orenda'-thingy? And how do we practice it?" my point exactly, says the gal who stands up and speaks.

"Good question," Sir Talbetter lauds, "Like I mentioned not a long ago. 'Orenda' abilities are too intimate. It is your own personal struggle, the trials, the insight, your passion for becoming who you are. One might argue that creating your own 'Orenda' ability equates to raising a child." he gives a good philosophical answer.

"Like what?" the same woman who asks, as she leans forward.

"Listen, the crucial point to unlocking your own 'Orenda' abilities is through yourself."

"Huh?" says the crowd, like children who don't manage to grasp the instructions. I admit, neither do I.

"Because these 'Orenda' abilities manifests itself by your near-death experience, experimentation, biases, stupid encounters, fetish, eureka moments, extreme emotions such as love or hatred, prejudice, talent, hard work, arbitrary ambition, desires, bereavement of someone's who holds one's dear, principles, being a survivor of an experimentation, and many more known to überleben appropriation." with Sir Talbetter has stated, still his explanation is too broad.

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"What do you mean by 'fetish', Sir Talbetter?" asks the other lady in front. I concur with her. Good job asking that, Miss 'I-do-forget-your-name-sometimes'.

"As I have mentioned, it is your own narrative of experience that you can come up with what suits you. 'Orenda' abilities symbolize 'you' as an individual." he finally breaks into a layman's term kind of elaboration.

"Then, what is the point of this, if we can fail to produce our own ability for the sake of 'Orenda'? Is there anything we can utilize other abilities instead?"

"Nyes, by traditional means, it is more convenient to learn 'Orenda' as a fundamental convention rather than practical. Meaning, one might think since it is less excruciating to learn [Fire Bolt] or [Ice Wall] via the means of 'Mana', 'Pneuma', 'Vis', and so forth than honing your own personal ability. As all known academic institutions do this exercise."

"Then why should we learn 'Orenda' first before proceeding to advance other lifeforces?" Clyden inquires.

"General, as for that. Goddess 'Orenda' gave us the most unadulterated, pristine, innocent, and pure out of all lifeforces. 'Orenda' abilities are one's free will. 'Mana', 'Vis', 'Prana', 'Qi', whatsoever; all born from it. Well, for clarifications, [Heal] is more effective when using 'Qi' lifeforce instead of other lifeforces. 'Prana', 'Pneuma', and 'Chakra' are all respiratory lifeforces, meaning most air affinities have potential destruction or effects in lieu of air affinities to other lifeforces. Anywho, to many, 'Orenda' is just an access to those aforementioned familiar lifeforces. Reinforcing the idea that 'Orenda' is the 'mother of all lifeforces'. Again, employed by many magic academies because it saves time and resources in educational matters to say the least." our visiting instructor is kind enough to give us a segue about other lifeforces' potentials and weaknesses.

"To that contemporary trend, are there anyone who are dedicated or fanatic about solely learning their 'Orenda' abilities?" I ask this time, which Sir Talbetter makes a startled face.

"Yes, I'm acquainted to-... no, that person is one of my loved ones - an important one. They are called the 'insular group'. Colloquially, this person was a student of such craft bolstering the notion that every ability should be unique and signature of their own. Proponents of this practice value autodidacticism. In lieu of conventional teaching of [Fire Bolt], [Ice Wall], [Heal], and so on and so forth. Henceforth, there are people who may not have lifeforces. That's fine. Learn 'Orenda' then proceed to more advanced lifeforces and neglecting one's personal abilities. That's fine as well. And then, firstly educated in 'Orenda' and having multiple lifeforces such as 'Mana', 'Prana', and 'Qi'. Completely normal. Afterall, to each their own." I am satisfied with what I have from him at this point.

"What are the spellcraft examples that may be classified as 'Orenda' or personal ability to more formalized and structured ability?" Clyden shoots, he takes the words from my mouth wanting to ask this initially.

"That's a frequently asked question, General! Let me demonstrate. [First Bolt]." as he shoots at the dummy target, casting the spell.

"From my experience, a regular [Fire Bolt] only travels in straight motion, with the acceleration of at least 1 mawwes per second (5 m/s), has a threshold range of 80 mawwes (400 meters), and explodes once. I have seen [Fire Bolt] that can veer trajectory, traverse faster, or explode twice upon impact. Those types of [Fire Bolt] are imbued with their own twist - a kind of pyromancer. That is also possible with other normal abilities such as [Ice Wall] and others.."

"So can you do that also, Sir Talbetter?"

"Nyo, even better." Sir Talbetter claims, a smirk forms on his lips.

He then summons a mirage of himself, "This is called [Espejo], my personal ability." he presents to us his intimate ability, he then recalls his summoned likeness right away.

"What is the difference?" questions the orc champion named Durgat.

"A [Fire Bolt] or other conventional abilities that can be changed is dubbed 'Noted namesake ability'. For example, 'Noted [Fire Bolt]. A developed or intimate of one's version of a standardized ability. In my state, my [Espejo], it is called a 'Personal Ability'. Noted and personal. These are the two types of 'Orenda' abilities."

"Let me guess. Rather, The 'noted' one is encouraged in lieu of the 'personal' latter, 'Orenda' ability-wise. Correct me if I am wrong." Clyden tries his luck.

"Nyes. 'Cause it minimizes headaches and frustrations." Sir Talbetter answers him in concise, since I think that my lieutenant answers it for himself.

"Can we skip 'Orenda' then advance to standardized lifeforces?" one male soldier rises from his squatting position.

"Nya~? That's impossible. The strict rule of learning 'Mana', 'Qi', 'Chakra' and so forth is through 'Orenda'. Even though 'Orenda' is primordial, one thing to remember before you court a girl, you must come to her mother's good will first and foremost." Sir Talbetter answers, all of us relate to the pun - for the guys at least.

"I think it's the other way around - courting the girl then courting her mother." the same guy replies, rectifying Sir Talbetter.

"Is it? I think I grew up in another culture." Sir Talbetter scratches his forehead.

"By the way, the process is: 'Orenda' first then advanced lifeforces. There's no such thing as 'Mana', 'Qi', and 'Inedia' for a user without finishing the hurdles of visiting 'Orenda'. That's complete and utterly dung. Again, 'Orenda' first before anything else." he clears his throat, as he clarifies it further, finishing.

"Then do we find out if we are inclined to this or that? How do we even know if we have 'Orenda' from the get-go or are we adept to 'Mana' while General Clyden might have an untapped potential to 'Vis', or as such?" one soldier asks, with a concern pertaining to identification of lifeforces.

"Best way is concurrence. When you unlock your 'Orenda', learn other organized lifeforces that meet your penchant while your own personal ability. After which, it is just a matter of gambling where the wheel of lifeforces will take you."

"Then, can you teach us how to polish our own 'Orenda' abilities, if we manage to manifest it?"

"I'm afraid, unfortunately. You are on your own when it comes to 'Orenda' abilities - as your senior lecturer, I can only provide you advice or suggestions. Once again, personal abilities came from your own experience. It is an achievement to mold your own as if it's your identity. Unlike conventional abilities, through trial-and-error, mimicking and demonstration are feasible to differentiate improvements."

"So 'Orenda' is art while her children are science?" the man who is in the middle asks, holding his chin.

"That's one way to put it, yes." Sir Talbetter agrees and appreciates in concurrence to the comparisons.

"Stupid question, what if you have a twin - identical twin, do you still differ 'Orenda' abilities regardless of the proximity of the blood?"

"Stupid question to you, nyes. But for me, an interesting one. To answer nyour question, it is one in a million chance. According to vague records, there are at least ten cases: father-and-son, brothers, cousins, avunculate marriage of uncle and nephew, et cetera, et cetera. In terms of similarities, my friends, it is one in a million. For example, the first twin can cast a delayed fuse [Fire Bolt] while the second twin can manipulate a [Fire Bolt] where the explosion is at their own will and pleasure - in a sense, they have similarities, the time itself. Another example in a personal ability, the elder brother summons snakes and other animals while the younger brother recalls or relocates their father to their place - common motif there is summoning of living sentient. But when talking about identicality, that number is absurdly one in a trillion. In my entire life, I have never met one. But let us assume that 'fact' is a myth."

"Going back to the facsimile and topic, set an example about the proximity of how to manifest that similarity?"

"Let me think of a scenario, hold on…" as Sir Talbetter looks at the ceiling, then he tilts his head.

As his ears perk up, exclaiming: "Let's say a twin. These twins had gone to a treacherous persecution, they escaped. Let's say once again they developed a personal 'Orenda' instead of a noted 'Orenda'. To double it down, both of these young men were a pair of either the one in a million or the one in a trillion. Older twin viewed the world as not as bad as it was so he developed a rather optimistic perspective - he possesses [Gaudium], a spell that could give joy to whatever he touches. The younger twin, on the other hand, grew a spite against his and his twin brother's prosecutors and foes. With that instance, the younger twin shaped his worldview on the flip side. He obtains [Semi-gaudium]. Similar to the [Gaudium] of his older twin but with a twist. His perception took over. That flair is the receipt that receives a bliss in exchange for the life of the receiver's loved ones. Quite the dark outcome, but anyways. The similar theme is still happiness." Sir Talbetter yet again makes another hypothetical answer that may aid us to fathom what an actual identical or similar personal abilities would look like.

"What if the younger twin never grew resentment and bitterness, like his older twin brother?" the same soldier follows it up, as he remains standing.

"Two branches that would identify: either identical to his older twin brother's [Gaudium] which is one in a trillion chance or let's say another variant of [Gaudium] but in a more positive sensation, let's say [Duo Gaudium] that amplifies what his older twin brother had done - double the happiness. Happy days. Anything else?"

"Well then, class dismiss." as he concludes the discussion.

As Clyden and I are about to exit the gymnasium, Sir Talbetter rushes to us and says: "General Clyden, Marshal Aisla, hold up." in an instant dash, he blocks our way then proceeds to pace with our cadence this time around. As expected of a gátes race - so agile and smooth.

"What's the matter, Sir Talbetter?" Clyden calls, as we continue to walk.

"Your class with me is not yet over, Marshal and General." Sir Talbetter smiles, his pacing accelerates.

"May we know why that is?" I inquire, looking over his shoulder, as I intertwine both of my hands together from my back.

"Nyou ain't satisfied with the 'Orenda' Genealogy Map. Or how it really works." he glances back while walking, it surely piques my intrigue to the sub-topic.

"I admit that the explanation is rather meagre, yes."

"I agree with the Marshal. There's something you amissed about how the Origin Ability propagates into sets of Primary Child Ability. Then, moving down to the Seventh Degree Child Ability. And you said that it usually occurs the divergence during the Primary Child Ability and/or the Second Degree Child Ability all the way to the Origin Ability. You also stated that either one of the proximate to the Origin Ability could branch out and could beeline to Nth Degree Child Ability, right? This mapping is rather ambiguous, to say the least." as Clyden explains, yes, this is entirely true since the entire kingdom is still coping up with this possible breakthrough.

"Then let's continue this in the war chamber. Lieutenant, lead us the way."

"With pleasure, Marshal." General Clyden happily obliges.