After our encounter with the Wandering Witch, Anna and I left the Vanguard of Vengeance and headed back to Templeton. The others had returned ahead of us, but they left behind one of the hired carriages. Anna and I spent the journey in complete silence. However, we maintained physical contact the entire time.
Rather, it was more accurate to say that I clung to her the same way a drowning man clung to a lifeline. Without her, despair would've already engulfed me.
Aurora grew so agitated by my current state that she emerged from my body and wrapped herself around me. It was a little cramped, due to the limited space within the hired carriage, but none of us cared. I comforted my familiar the same way that Anna comforted me.
After we returned to Grand Priest Darius' residence, the others noticed my strange state. They asked about what happened, but none of us answered them. Instead, I left everyone else and climbed atop the residence. I sat there, staring off towards Mt. Sol. I liked being in high places, and right now I needed all the comfort I could get.
My companions looked worried about me, but I wasn't in the right state of mind to reassure them. The Wandering Witch's words had stabbed me in my most vulnerable spot, which she knew existed because she fostered it within me.
I didn't know why, and a part of me wanted to rebel against her plans. Why should I prove myself? Why should I do what she wanted? What if I just did nothing and became a lazy waste?
I found some morbid amusement in that thought, since I knew it would never happen. I couldn't stand by and do nothing while the world was in danger. Lumina was my home. The people I loved lived here.
Hell, even if the Infernal Lands weren't invading Lumina, I'd still be out there, fighting monsters and saving people. It was an intrinsic part of me. That was who I was.
My companions and I were busy over the next few days, getting ready to depart for Mirkvale Forest. There was a lot we needed to do, both for our short-term and long-term plans.
That business kept me from thinking too much about the Wandering Witch and her plans for me, whatever those were. Good. Otherwise, I'd fall into a funk and worry everyone else. I didn't want to burden them further than I already had.
However, despite all this, I always made time for training. The Wandering Witch was right. I needed to grow stronger. I always needed to grow stronger. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to protect the people around me.
So, in the midst of our preparations, I met with Kaya one last time to learn about half unity.
***
Kaya and I were out in the rear yard, with Aurora standing by my side. It was mid-morning on a cold and cloudy day. I smelled rain in the air. It looked like there would be a storm coming in that evening. Kaya and I stood a few feet apart, while Aurora pressed her head against my side, demanding head scratches. I obliged her.
"Why isn't Kiki here?" I asked, looking around.
I was so used to learning from both Kiki and Kaya that it felt strange to have just one of them around.
"We talked and the two of us decided that it would be best if I taught you about half unity alone," Kaya said.
I raised an eyebrow at her.
"Was it a civil discussion? Or did the two of you get into another fight?"
Kaya snorted.
"For us, fighting is a civil discussion. You'll know things are bad when we try to kill each other."
I gave her a questioning look.
"One of these days, I'll find out why you two hate each other so much."
Kaya shook her head.
"Maybe," she said. "However, today is not that day. Instead, today you'll learn about half unity." She gestured to me. "It is similar to partial unity, except instead of utilizing Aurora's senses, you'll be using her inherent magic."
Aurora and I shared a look with one another before looking back at Kaya.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Each spirit has some kind of inherent magic," Kaya explained. "It's an intrinsic part of their being. Fire spirits control Fire, Water spirits control Water, and so on. The specifics differ depending on the element and form of the spirit in question." She gestured to my familiar. "In Aurora's case, her inherent magic is that of a frost dragon."
"Um, Big Sis," Aurora said. "I don't have inherent magic."
"Yes, you do. You just never learned how to use any of it. This is something every dragon discovers for themselves as they grow from drake to full dragon." Kaya's expression turned sorrowful. "You became a spirit just before this happened. However, you are capable of it. Trust me."
I felt Aurora's hope and fear through our bond.
"Really?" she asked.
Kaya gave her a reassuring smile.
"Really."
I smiled at that, and gave Aurora some head pats, before I realized the implication of Kaya's words.
"Wait, does that mean I'll be able to use Ice magic?" I asked.
Kaya made a so-so gesture.
"Yes and no," she said. "Dragons aren't like humans. We don't cast spells. Magic is an inherent part of our nature. Not only that, but Aurora is still an immature dragon. Right now, she can only use the most basic of her inherent magic, and the same applies to you."
A smile stretched across my face.
"I don't care," I said. "I'll finally be able to use magic."
The part of me that had never given up on becoming a wizard rejoiced at this.
"Anyway, right now, Aurora is only capable of using two kinds of inherent magic," Kaya said, holding up two fingers. "Her Dragon's Breath and her Dragon's Roar. Let's start with the former, since it's more iconic."
I felt Aurora's excitement through our bond.
"Please teach me, Big Sis!"
Kaya smiled at that.
"I can only guide you. The rest you'll have to figure out yourself."
Her words didn't diminish Aurora's enthusiasm in the slightest.
"First, let me give you a demonstration. Watch closely."
Kaya closed her eyes and took a deep breath. On the surface, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. However, I got the sense that Kaya was gathering power from deep within herself. Tension built up in the air around her, like a brewing storm.
When it seemed that Kaya couldn't gather anything more, she looked up and released everything in a single breath. A wave of lightning burst out of her mouth and into the sky above.
It was more powerful than almost anything I had ever seen before. The only lightning that surpassed it was Tempest's. This wasn't a quick flash either. Kaya sustained this for several moments.
While this was primarily for Aurora's benefit, this display gave me some insights as well. Once I applied them to my martial arts technique's, I'd grow a little stronger.
After Kaya finished, she let out a satisfied sigh.
"That was amazing!" Aurora said.
Kaya put her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest.
"I know I am," she said. "No need to state the obvious."
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This was a far cry from how Kaya used to treat Aurora. When she first arrived, she kept pushing my familiar away. The two had grown closer thanks to Aurora's persistence.
"Now it's your turn," Kaya said, gesturing to Aurora. "When you breathe in, gather the power residing within you. Gather your inner Ice. When you breathe out, release it all in a devastating attack."
Aurora nodded, before she attempted to mimic Kaya's actions. However, after breathing in and out several times, nothing seemed to change. After a while, I felt Aurora grow frustrated.
"Why isn't it working?" she asked. "I'm not a defective dragon, am I?"
I reassured her through our bond.
"Of course you aren't," I said. "You're the cutest dragon there ever was."
Aurora gave me the stink eye.
"I don't want to be cute," she said. "I want to be powerful and majestic! No one writes stories about cute dragons."
There were countless people on Earth that would beg to differ.
"Very well," I said in a sardonic tone. "I guess you no longer want head pats and cuddles from me. After all, that would damage your image as a powerful and majestic dragon."
Aurora gave me a devastated look. Kaya walked over and smacked the back of my head.
"Stop distracting her," she scolded.
I rubbed the back of my head and grinned.
"I was just teasing you, Aurora," I said. "Even when you become an adult dragon, I will always give you head pats and cuddles."
Aurora narrowed her eyes at me.
"You better," she said, pouting.
My familiar went back to practicing her Dragon's Breath. There wasn't much for me to do, so I practiced my martial arts in the meantime, offering encouragement every once in a while. However, even after an hour, Aurora made little progress.
"This isn't working!" she cried out.
My familiar curled herself into a ball, hiding her head.
"Aurora, it's fine," Kaya said in a soothing tone. "No dragon ever masters their Dragon's Breath within the first day. Not even the most gifted prodigy."
Aurora revealed her head again and gave Kaya an aggrieved look.
"But I'm several centuries old! If that stupid human wizard hadn't turned me into a spirit, I would've become an adult a long time ago. What if becoming a spirit too young made it impossible for me to use my Dragon's Breath?"
Kaya frowned.
"That shouldn't make a difference," she said. "Yes, you're a spirit. However, you're a frost dragon spirit. Your inherent nature is still that of a dragon."
"What if it's because she hasn't become powerful enough yet?" I asked. "Unlike flesh and blood dragons, Aurora's growth depends on her power. The stronger she becomes, the more mature her form. She used to be much smaller than this. What if she needs to grow a little more powerful?"
Kaya shook her head.
"That's not it. I started practicing my Dragon's Breath when I was her size, er, level of maturity."
I thought it over for a moment.
"What if Aurora practices while she and I are in full unity?" I asked.
Aurora and Kaya both looked at me.
"It helped when I practiced using Spirit Sight and Aurora's other senses," I pointed out. "Maybe it'll help here."
Kaya looked thoughtful yet uncertain.
"I'm not sure if that would help or not," she said. "Even in full unity, you're the one mostly in charge since it's your body. I'm not sure if you can use Dragon's Breath in that form, not without mastering it in half unity first." She shrugged. "Still, it's worth a try. If nothing else, breathing is an important part of the process. Spirits don't need to breathe, so inhabiting a body might help."
"What do you think?" I asked Aurora
She pouted.
"I want to be able to do this myself, without any help."
"There's nothing wrong with asking for help when you need it. You've helped me plenty of times."
Aurora mulled it over before nodding.
"Very well," she said. "I'll try."
Aurora entered my body again, and the two of us pulled on our bond. Within moments, we achieved full unity, causing a layer of frost to coat the ground around us. Aurora and Gabriel had practiced becoming me, Auroriel, so often that they became quite adept at it. I still couldn't use full unity to its full potential yet, but it was just a matter of time.
Rather than practice Dragon's Breath right away, I started some breathing exercises to clear my mind first. Then again, maybe this doubled as practice after all, since Kaya said breathing was an important part of the process.
In fact, that gave me an idea. The part of me that was Gabriel focused on breathing, while the part of me that was Aurora focused on gathering her inner Ice. Rather, Aurora tried. The problem was she had no idea what that meant.
Gabriel offered advice. Whenever he used martial arts techniques, he imbued them with his elemental affinities. Perhaps using Dragon's Breath was similar. Aurora gave his advice a try. Whenever he breathed in, she tried to imbue the breath with her Ice.
I felt something stir in response. I wasn't sure what, but I felt like I was going in the right direction. So, I tried it a few more times. Each time I felt something stir in response, but nothing more.
"Well?" Kaya asked. "Any progress?"
"A little, I think. I tried to imbue my breath with Ice, the same way Gabriel imbues his martial arts techniques with his elemental affinities, and that caused some kind of reaction. However, that's it." I looked over at Kaya. "Am I going in the right direction?"
Kaya nodded.
"Yes, but I can't tell you anything more than that. You need to figure out the rest yourself. Giving you the answers would only slow your progress."
I gave her a pleading look.
"Please, Big Sis!"
Kaya wore a disgusted expression on her face.
"Never do that ever again," she said. "It's cute when Aurora does it, not you."
"But I am Aurora!" I paused. "Well, half of me is."
"Just… Just don't."
I pouted, before I closed my eyes and focused on practicing my Dragon's Breath.
In. Imbue. Out.
I repeated this several more times, getting a response each time, but never progressed beyond that. After failing over and over again, I started to get disheartened. However, I remembered Kaya's words from earlier and that helped lift my spirits.
Rather than keep bashing my head against this particular wall, I sat down and thought things through. Clearly, I was on the right track. So, what was I doing wrong? Was I breathing the wrong way? Or was I imbuing the wrong way?
From what I understood, magic was an inherent part of a dragon's nature. Unlike humans, who had affinity with specific elements, those elements were a core part of a dragon's being. Lightning for storm dragons, Ice for frost dragons, etc. So maybe imbuing Ice into my breathing wasn't the key to this.
Huh. A weird idea came to mind.
When Gabriel cultivated and took in mana, he didn't literally breathe it in. Rather, he absorbed the mana through different parts of his body and circulated it, before gathering it in his mana core. That was how cultivation worked, though the specifics differed depending on the techniques used.
What if it was the same here?
Of course there would be significant differences between breathing in to cultivate and breathing in to attack. Still, the same basic principle applied. Right?
Eh, it couldn't hurt to try.
I mean, it could. If something went wrong, I could cause serious injury to myself. Regardless, that wasn't going to stop me.
I stood up again and breathed, though this time I "breathed" in mana, using the same method Gabriel used for the Storm Dragon cultivation technique. However, instead of circulating it throughout my body and gathering in my mana core, he gathered it in my lungs. Meanwhile, Aurora imbued that mana with Ice.
This caused an immediate reaction. I felt the same tension in the air, the same gathering storm, that I felt when Kaya used her Dragon's Breathe. However, it took place inside my body. It felt as if a blizzard were gathering in my lungs. The mana bucked and struggled to break free, but I maintained a firm hold over it thanks to Gabriel's excellent mana control.
Finally, when I couldn't keep it in any longer, I looked towards the sky and released all that power out of my mouth. A wave of frost exploded out, so cold that it seemed to freeze the very air.
It wasn't as big and flashy as Kaya's Dragon's Breath, nor did it last as long, but I didn't care. I had done it. I used Dragon's Breath. The part of me that was Aurora danced around with joy.
I looked over at Kaya, who stared at me in shock. She recovered less than a second later, putting on an unimpressed expression.
"I did it, Big Sis!" I said.
"Yes, I can see that," Kaya said, feigning nonchalance. "It was barely adequate."
I knew she was full of shit since she said that not even prodigies mastered Dragon's Breath within a day. However, I was too happy to care so I didn't call her on it.
"Do it a few more times," Kaya said. "So I know this isn't a fluke and that you truly grasped it."
I nodded, before I used Dragon's Breath several times in a row. With each repetition, I grew more and more proficient.
"Excellent," Kaya said. "Now comes the hard part. Gabriel needs to use this while you two are in half unity, not full unity."
I gave her a puzzled look.
"We're not going to practice Dragon's Roar?" I asked.
Kaya shook her head.
"Not yet," she said. "It's much easier to grasp than Dragon's Breath. You'll master it in no time. Right now, let's focus on half unity."
I narrowed my eyes at her.
"You made us practice the harder part first, didn't you?" I asked.
"Yes, and?" Kaya said without an ounce of shame.
I didn't have a rebuttal to that, so I separated into Gabriel and Aurora once more.
"Now, achieving half unity is quite difficult," Kaya said. "It's a balancing act. You need to become one, as before, but stop just before achieving full unity."
Aurora and I glanced at one another.
"That doesn't seem so difficult," I said.
Aurora nodded in agreement. Kaya smirked at us.
"You'll see what I mean when you try it yourselves," Kaya said.
I shrugged, before I gestured for Aurora to enter my body. She jumped inside, before the two of us pulled on our bond. Unlike usual, we tried to stop before reaching full unity. However, to our dismay, Kaya was right. This proved more difficult than we anticipated.
One of us, I wasn't sure who, "slipped" for lack of a better word and we reached full unity. We pulled apart and tried again, only to have the same thing happen. When we tried it for a third time, we overcompensated and our union failed altogether.
Aurora and I looked over at Kaya. She grinned at us.
"I told you," she said. "It's a balancing act. Thankfully, the worst thing you have to fear here is failure, since you already achieved full unity. Otherwise, you'd be risking your very souls each time you tried this."
Aurora and I glanced at one another, dismay in our eyes. Our thoughts mirrored each other's.
This might be more difficult than achieving full unity. However, neither of us considered giving up. So, we girded our metaphorical loins.
With that, we spent the rest of the day practicing.
We failed each time.