NOVEL NEXT Chapter 37: Forbidden Lesson II
Chapter 37: Forbidden Lesson II
Thrain sat in the courtyard, his focus locked on the rat scurrying before him. The Bijins circled him, their green flames casting an eerie glow over the space.
"Control isn't about brute strength," Akane said sharply. "You're not forcing the flames. You're linking with it, taking hold of its essence and steering it like a puppet. Visualize it."
Thrain exhaled, extending his hand toward the rat. He imagined his flames wrapping around it, binding it, but the creature remained oblivious, sniffing the ground.
"You're being too rigid," Emiri added, crouching beside him. "Feel the energy flow, like threads pulling at its soul. The green flames do this naturally, it's not about power, but precision. Guide the connection."
He tried again, summoning his blue flames. They flickered weakly, but no spark of control materialized. The rat continued to scuttle around, free and unaffected.
"You're focusing too much on the flames themselves," Akane snapped. "It's about intent. Picture the outcome, not just the action."
Minutes passed, and nothing changed. Finally, Hikari broke the tension. "Enough. He doesn't have the green flames. You're wasting time. He just got back; let him rest."
The others hesitated before extinguishing their flames. Thrain lowered his hand, frustration etched on his face. "So that's it, then?"
"For now," Hikari said firmly. "We'll try again later."
As the others walked away, Thrain lingered, staring at the rat. The flames at his side dimmed, leaving only questions.
"Wait," Thrain called out as the Bijins turned to leave. They paused, glancing back at him. "I need to confirm something. Lynx told me that during my punishment... you controlled people. How did you do that?"
The sisters exchanged a look before Akane stepped forward. "It's not as simple as you're thinking. We don't just take over anyone. It requires either seduction, temptation, or vulnerability. If someone falls for our charm, willingly or not, it creates a link we can exploit. Another way is if they're unconscious or already broken, it's easier to sink in that way. But the key is that they must be weaker than us. If they aren't, it won't work."
Thrain frowned, absorbing the explanation. "So, even though it's strong, it has its limits," he muttered.
"Exactly," Emiri added. "Every power has a cost."
In his mind, Thrain started piecing it together. 'I need to seep in somehow, not just control it directly. Maybe I have to break something in them first, cause emotional damage or weaken them. But this rat is already weak, so why can't I do it? Don't I have it in me?'
He hadn't realized he was sharing his thoughts telepathically until the Bijins responded.
"You need to embrace something darker," Akane replied bluntly. "To master a forbidden skill, you must be willing to accept its nature. Maybe it's because this is your first attempt... but still, something should have worked, especially with your blue flames being stronger than ours."
Emiri nodded, her tone softer but equally pointed. "Perhaps the darkness isn't in you yet, or not enough of it. That could be the problem."
Thrain stayed silent, the weight of their words settling over him.
"We'll leave you for now," Hikari said gently. "But first, take your bath and eat, Prince. Everything is prepared, the warm bath is ready." Her words carried the calm authority of a caretaker, leaving no room for refusal.
As the Bijins walked away, Thrain stood there, their words echoing in his mind. "So I'm not dark enough? After everything I've done... Is that what's holding me back? He frowned, his thoughts churning. Maybe I've been right to question whether I truly have what it takes to grow stronger."
Shaking off the lingering doubt, he turned and made his way to the bath, the faint scent of herbs in the air guiding him. It was one of those traditional baths, a large wooden tub filled with steaming water. He prepared himself to wash away the day's frustrations before heading to eat.
…
After finishing his meal, Thrain's thoughts were consumed by a singular drive: Training, training, training, no rest. Ugh. The endless cycle of pushing himself weighed on him, but he couldn't afford to stop.
With the sun dipping low on the horizon, painting the courtyard in hues of gold and crimson, he turned to the Bijins. "So... are we doing this now or not?" he asked, his tone sharp with impatience.
The Bijins exchanged a look, their expressions a blend of mischief and feigned innocence. "Doing what exactly?" Emiri asked, tilting her head, her voice laced with playful curiosity.
Thrain immediately caught on to their teasing, the realization making him cringe inwardly. "No… not that. Not yet," he muttered, his voice dropping to a low, almost embarrassed tone. He cleared his throat, straightening his posture. "I mean the training. The manipulation. I need to at least start mastering it."
Understanding dawned on the Bijins' faces, though their playful smiles remained. "Ohhh, that," Hikari said with a dramatic nod, as though she'd just remembered. "Yes, yes, of course! Quickly then, let's not waste any time," Akane added, her voice carrying the same teasing energy as they prepared to guide him through another session.
…
This time, the Bijins brought out a snake instead of the rat. Thrain's brow furrowed in disbelief. "A snake? Really? How did you even catch that?" he questioned, his tone dripping with skepticism. None of them answered. Instead, they proceeded to demonstrate again, their actions deliberate and calculated.
" The mana and flames must simultaneously target the core and the mind, necessitating a dual pathway to both the brain and the core. To achieve its purpose, the mana and flames must split and flow to two distinct destinations: the core and the mind." Akane explained. Her voice carried a calm certainty that left no room for doubt.
Thrain observed closely. Unlike before, they weren't always using their hands. At times, their control seemed entirely mental, like a psychic link bridging their will and the creature. Intrigued, he activated his Ember Vision. His eyes flared a bright, glowing blue, drawing a fleeting glance from the sisters. They said nothing, allowing him to watch in silence.
With Ember Vision, Thrain saw the truth of their methods. Their hands were merely tools, secondary to the intricate dance of energy flowing between their minds and the snake. The flames and mana worked like threads, weaving into the creature's essence with precise intent. It wasn't about brute force; it was surgical. The flames seeped into the snake's core like venom, slow, deliberate, and unrelenting. It was as if they were unraveling the snake's very being, piece by piece, and stitching it back together under their control.
The realization hit him like a spark igniting dry kindling. He had done something like this before. Not intentionally, but instinctively. During his battle with Hitel, he had unknowingly used a similar technique. Back then, his flames had manifested as piercing arrows, shot from his eyes. They struck Hitel's mind directly, bypassing his defenses. It had been a temporary link, but it was enough to send a telepathic warning that turned the tide of the fight.
"This feels the same," Thrain murmured, his voice low but resolute. He focused again on the Bijins, the memory of his fight sharpening his understanding.
"I see it now," he said aloud, his voice gaining confidence. "It's not about control through force. It's about infiltration, getting inside, breaking them down, and reshaping their will."
The sisters exchanged subtle nods, acknowledging his progress without a word. Thrain's gaze hardened as he turned his attention back to the snake, his mind racing with possibilities. For the first time, the path forward didn't seem so impossible.