dev 5 - Natural Might

If he wanted to get anywhere closer to the perfection of this technique, he realized that he had to find other methods of doing it, other than just casting the lightning from his own fingertips. It was far too taxing in terms of mana, and it wasn't just as effective as the pure lightning that comes from the skies anyway - thankfully, Keitaro was still in possession of Lightning Stone, which was a core of powerful Elemental Demon, and the Gem of Storms, which was also capable of drawing upon power of the lightning.

He held onto them, with the plan in his mind.

The wind was howling. Right next to the sea, standing upon a cliff, the Shenlong looked up to the sky, hopeful. So many other students were already ahead of him when it comes to prowess with magic... so many outclasses him in the most hopeless way. But giving up wasn't an option, was it? If he just let it be, then he would be nothing as time goes on.

Even if it were dangerous, he had to do it.

A sigh escaped his breath. Carefully, he raises the stones to the skies; already brewing storms at the sea made for a fitting circumstance to draw lightning better, but he only fuelled that process further, shooting his own lightning to the sky and destabilizing it, heating up the environment. He knew how storm worked at this point, but unlike other magi, he did not rely on wind or moisture - his raw power with lightning as Shenlong was his absolute.

And thunder answered.

The first rumble was heard, somewhere far in the sky. Keitaro could tell that the process just kickstarted, and thankfully, he had enough experience to not break apart this casting, only accelerating the shock further. It was now or never; if he failed to become anything better before the war, he'd be hopeless.

His entire life could become hopeless.
(Keitaro)

That crackle was more than menacing.

Looking up to the sky, he felt the raw energy of thunder place itself right above him, which was enough of a reason to prepare himself; the scales were slowly covering the body of a young Drakanite, enough to prompt saving attempt if something goes wrong. He may have rode the lightning before, but it didn't mean that it would always obey him.

For all intents and purposes, it was still very dangerous.

The first thunderbolt struck the ground next to Keitaro, but he didn't even flinch. He knew what the storms were capable of, and unless he learned to embrace this danger, he would not get anywhere. As such, he stood bravely in the face of winds howling and electricity coaxing itself out of dark clouds above- preparing himself for worse to come.

Just as expected, it struck him quickly.

The Gem of Storms and Lightning Core were all 'lightning rods' for purposes of this test. They drew their affinity magic, just as one would logically assume they would, and the storms broke out; the lightning bolt struck Keitaro where he stood, and momentarily, his eyes widened- the shock pierced his body, but he knew how to channel it at this point.

Carefully balancing the flow, he allowed it to circle around him in the rapid motion, slowly spreading out in a field that surrounded the Drakanite. He could not allow to release it so soon, as that would yield no results for his practice.

As such, he concentrated.
(Keitaro)

A sudden shock outward, establishing a 'field' of electricity.

This was an area of effect, the storms made out of pure lightning. If it were human working on it, or anyone else for that matter, it's very likely that they would not succeed and not even come close- but as Shenlong, his lightning was reigning supreme in all fields, and there was no outclassing him when it comes to raw power.

Now was his chance.

Combined with natural surge of electricity, and established field, he began to build up the old cage around himself, the same cage of lightning that would allow to catch others in the past. With the combination of field, this was no worse than the storm itself... perhaps even stronger. Due to raw presence of electricity in the air, he would probably put himself in danger as well.

In reality? He wielded that lightning to impressive proficiency.

With such precision, the lines of electrical field moved as Keitaro paced around; his eyes darting, intrigued by the area of influence he created. Nearby flora was dying in the presence of overbearing lightning, smiting anything it could get its hands on. This is almost exciting...

"Come lightning, come thunder."

And then, the blast. Spreading out to all directions, the burst of shock passed through environment- and through Keitaro as well- leaving him a steaming heap that just wielded storm to his will like that, even if briefly. He huffed out, with leftovers of superheated air escaping his lungs in the form of steam, but...

"...Enough."

He didn't want to accidently kill himself. Rather than continuing for now, Keitaro stopped and turned; this could be more another time. But not now.
(Keitaro)