Ronin: Ignition & Conceptualization [HI]

[11:57] Victor Ducante asks, "Mister Ronin, are you ready to begin training for today?"
[12:00] Ronin peeked up, apparently just slouching back against a building-side to bury his face into the same book offered the other day.
The knuckles of his fists seemed to be bruised, reddened even -- Clearly, he had been trying to push himself since last training session.

"Of course." He answered, closing the Mana Comprehension tome.
(Ronin)
[12:00] Ronin says, "Lead the way, sir."
[12:05] As Ronin looked up and confirmed he was ready to go Victor nodded.

"Ah, good."

He stated in short. There after he turned and lead the way West for a bit before turning North. Continuing on to lead them in that direction for a few minutes.

"Today we're going to see if you're able to locate the center of your mana circuits. We're going to do so through meditation at first. If that fails, we'll move on to a more drastic approach."

Pausing just as they reached the northern waterfall hill. The waters of which cascaded from the mouth of a single opening near the peak. Flowing into that of a calm river which in turn fed that of the mirror like pond.

Victors gaze looked about and amassed that no one was around. At least for now.

"Come, we need to make for the peak. I want you to run to the top. I'll meet you there Mister Ronin."

The elder magus stated then lifted further from the ground. Continuing to do so as he quickly flew to the peak of the hill.
(Victor Ducante)
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[12:11] --And so, he ran.
At full speed, pushing himself simply to see the height of the peak.
It was some height to ascend, and so it did take a lot more out of him, compared to some laps around the Grand Library.

The truth of the matter was, no matter how fast he ran. His human-speed, was still nothing compared to someone unfettered by the obstacles he'd come across, flight was superior in every aspect. Symbollic of freedom, true freedom from these earthly limitations.

"Is that, what it's like?"

Soon, he'd make it-- Catching his breath, and taking his mind back to what he heard prior.

Meditation, that was the goal here -- He didn't really ponder what was to come afterwards, if meditation wasn't a progressive trigger.
Center-place, he looked down from the peak, and eased himself down into a pretzel-like posture.

His breathing slowed, and he attempted to follow suit as the book he had delved into instructed.
This, was the true beginning of his training.
(Ronin)
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[12:20] While Ronin scaled the hill Victor had made it to the peak. Where he hovered down just a few inches above the grass. Glowing brightly as he always did.

After a few minutes or so he saw his apprentice making the last part of the hill aside from the peak itself. Of course it wasn't long after before Ronin had scaled to the true peak and sat in the middle.

"Good. You've been retaining the information from the book."

He made the statement as the younger mage sat and began to labor his breathing.

"As you continue, allow your mind to ease. Do not focus on anything too much or too little. Simply allow yourself to drift into your subconscious mind.

I will be watching and I will know when you or if you're able to enter this state of mind. I will talk you through the steps."

His voice was soft and calm. But steady and unwavering all the same. Acting as a central focal point for Ronin to grab onto. Like an anchor to reality if things were to go badly.
(Victor Ducante)
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[12:28] The book was placed by his side - Nothing was to touch his skin, by his loose apparel and gentle breeze should it pass him by. He closed his eyes to remove himself from the setting, keeping to the darkness behind the eyelids in hopes of a faster retreat within.

The slight agitation at his chest from the run had begun to ease much more now, muscles growing lax with every breath.
Deeper... And slower...
Almost as though drifting asleep, but the mind was far from gone -- Still flickering and ebbing thought after thought.

What exactly was he supposed to be feeling?

It was this question that bothered him the most, yet he feared too much to actually ask it. Instead, he tried to conceptualize what the mana circuit within him would feel like. How would mana feel when sensed outside of his body? Across his surroundings?

The heat of the sunlight began to feel more noticeable now, as if, he had only now begun to realize the subtleties of the worldaround him. Was this the beginning?

No. He was overanalyzing...
A deep breath, brief hold... And exhale, finished his breathing exercises.

'Not to focus on -anything- too much'

That was key.
(Ronin)
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[12:35] For a few minutes Victor would watch in silence. Seeing if Ronin was capable of entering his subconscious mind, the meditative state, on his own. Though, as he realized and began to notice more visual queues to suggest otherwise the magus would speak.

"As you continue breathing, hear my words. Allow them to flow within you as they guide your steps."

His voice was slow, soft and calm. Anchored to reality, but guiding all the same.

"Your mana may appear to you in many forms or ways. Look for a source of heat that may be pulling you in one direction. Perhaps a light far in the vast dark that is your minds eye. Even being completely surrounded by the feeling of cold untamed energy.

Whatever yours may be, embrace it. Do not fear it. Seek it out and go forth as you drift into meditation."
(Victor Ducante)
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[12:41] The heat?
The light?

What was he talking about?

Maybe it was something that'd just come to him?
An analogy? A metaphor? -- He was overthinking it again.
Could Victor tell that he was overthinking it? It didn't seem so. Ronin didn't make it obvious with vocal quips, so perhaps it was just something he'd exclusively experience.

He -did- feel the sun's heat. Perhaps, Victor implied that?
Silence, and patience encompassed the effort to focus on that, trying to re-interpret it into something deeper.

. . .

A subtle breeze passed by.
Was that it?!
"I think I feel it." He spoke aloud.
He tried to take his mind to the sun's warmth and chill of the cool air, but it passed.

Maybe if he focused long enough, he could bring it back? Or, he was being fooled with by nature's brand of humor.
Though, there was no change about Ronin, in fact, from the outside view -- Absolutely nothing changed.

It really left one to wonder, really.

(Ronin)
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[12:51] It appeared that for now Ronin was actively over thinking the process. It was clear due to the visual queues the male was letting off. Of course Victor had expected such would happen.

That in mind he'd eventually speak.

"For now the process of meditation is not working. But it is to be expected given how far behind you are age wise to training."

The magus spoke, his voice still calm and unwavering.

"Come, stand and scale to the first plateau. We're going to see if we can force your mana circuits to activate through stress and situational demand."

With that said he'd scale down the side of the peak, hovering of course. Once he was down there he'd wait for Ronin to join him.
(Victor Ducante)
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[15:16] Ronin did as he was instructed, but not without grabbing the book at his side prior to heading off for the lower plateaus.
To say, he was nervous? Was an understatement. He believed that this was a consequence for his magical incompetence. It was deserved -- He needed to desperate work harder if he wanted any chance of catching up to someone like the children he met the day earlier, or even Victor.

"Alright." He answered, trying to dismiss what followed the instruction.
The idea of actually being stressed in any accord definitely was not something he'd fathom being fun.
(Ronin)
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[15:23] As Ronin climbed down and stood before him Victor would reach for his spear-staff.

"I'm going to attack you. Defend yourself."

The magus stated. It was short, simple and to the point. Upon finishing he flew toward Ronin. Readying his weapon for an attack.

Just as he reached the male he plunged his spear-staff forward! Aiming tiredly at Ronin with what appeared to be no intent on stopping.
(Victor Ducante)
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[15:30] "Wait, what?"

That wasn't what he was expecting... At all, actually.
He was expecting something like, getting spooked, or facing his fears...
Or maybe something as drastic like testing his resolve to jump down the waterfall.

A fight? Defending himself? Against... Victor? A realized mage?
His heartbeat ran a few ticks faster, and sweat would start trickling if allowed time to bead up. Unfortunately, there was not such time for that-- Victor was already en flight: En route, attacking.

"Eeeeeek!" He squealed, he curled back before accidentally stumbling over, in a frantic attempt to spin around, hurriedly prying himself off to the side. Grass, dirt, pebbles -- All ripped up in the effort to pull himself -just- out of the way!
In the same motion, he managed to toil the debris backwards for Victor's face.

A calculated move?! A smooth transition and slight of hand, for one without magical potency?! Or... Just blind luck in a humorous endeavor, completely played out by accident.
Regardless of the methods used, he still scampered off to get back on to his feet, spinning around to face Victor.

If his mind wasn't racing already? It was now, trying to picture every which way of defending himself. Yet, nothing came up immediately.
(Ronin)
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[15:39] Having heard his students question Victor did not hesitate. Nor did the look of intent leave his expression. Nay, the magus continued to charge forward!

It seemed that his initial attack was dodged. Given Ronin tried to turn but fell to the ground just as the blade would have skewered his head! The sound of the wind cutting from the force of his strike could be heard. Like that of a sharp whistle.

That aside, and less than a second later the mage was hovering over Ronin.

"Come Mister Ronin, defend yourself!"

The magus shouted toward him. Having aimed his left hand at the younger male. In the palm of his hand was an already charged ball of yellow, sparkling, mana.

From it fired forth a beam of concentrated ethereal energy! Aiming right at Ronin.

(Victor Ducante)
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[15:54] This time, a full-on audible shout was heard.
It was Ronin, fearing for his life now. If this was still a part of the training, it felt so much deicer than usual. The blade's tip was so close... Too close! Was Victor actually ready to kill him, should he fail?

He was upright when Victor took flight before him, above him with left hand already extended out.

'Defend yourself!'

A toss-up of dust to the face wasn't going to do anything against a being that literally resonated with cosmic power. The flash of the technique's conjuration wrought forth a pillar of shimmering gold ethereal energy, leaving Ronin in awe.

This... Was raw magus power!
This... Was like what he witnessed on the day that would-be murderer came after him.
This... Was headed STRAIGHT FOR HIM!

Unlike the last attempt, this technique came with much more speed and girth, leaving another leap? Out of the question. The light it emanated shined in his gaped eyes.

Shock.
Fear.
… Unspoken Resolve.

He did the only thing he knew how:

Arms risen and crossed before him, in X fashion in hopes of protecting himself. He braced, as to prepare for the damage to come, and it did.
The blast enveloped him whole, earning an agonized exclamation for the heavens abroad.

To a blank alabaster slate... That's what he found within the width of the expanding blast, before violent eruption. The explosion took him whole, singing at the flesh and shredding at his loose clothing.

Thereafter, would be a plum of smoke...
...and within the smoke... A tired... Yet, still standing Ronin remained.
His legs shuddered, beyond sore... But unwilling to falter just yet.
His skin blackened from soot, but not degloved from his body.
His arms... Shivered, before falling limp to either side of his body, but he was still standing.

He grit his teeth, before forcing himself to take a step forward. If anything, he was determined not to give in here.

In that moment, within the depths of Victor's wrath... He felt it.
The raw potency of mana, surging around him. It ached... But it was warm, in its own right. A unique right.
… As though, a part of something more-- Something else....
Something he could feel, skimming through his veins, but not quite touch beyond the surface of the skin.

His body looked as though, this training session was coming to an end... But the look in his eyes... The glare of determination, screamed for an encore.
(Ronin)
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[16:03] The fear that bore forth upon his students expression did not make the magus hesitate. Nay. Victor held that intent look.

As the beam fired forward and crashed into Ronins arms Victor would keep it sustained for a moment. Simply allowing for the concentrated ethereal energy to batter and pummel Ronin.

"Come now, defend yourself Mister Ronin."

He stated in short. Taking a step forward to add to the pressure behind the entire situation.

"Stand strong. Find your resolve. Defend yourself!"

Victor spoke in short bursts. After each sentence he took a step forward. Continuing the sustainment of the beam. But after another second or so he'd release the output of ethereal mana from his left hand.

Thus the beam would die away. Leaving a smoldering and beaten Ronin standing before him.

It was then that he felt a surge of mana waft through the area. One that did not come from himself. A smile took his expression and a moment later he lifted his spear-staff. Holding it in an aggressive stance.

"Good Mister Ronin. Now, defend yourself."

The magus commanded that time instead of just saying it. He knew that Ronin could produce some from of magic now that he had access to his mana. Now was the time to figure out just what he was capable of.

So, dashing forward he lunged his weapon at Ronin once more!
(Victor Ducante)
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[16:16] Ronin stood there, bracing himself... Ready.
He must've been more ready than he had ever been in his life!
Unlike before, he made his advance-- On the offensive? Bold.
There had to be a reason! This was the moment of truth!
He took to full sprint, practically taunting Victor to make his move.

His right arm was reared back, readied to throw a fist-- And at this proximity? One could feel it... They could sense it...
Something was different about him, in every aspect. It was as though, his very makeup was supercharged with his mana circuitry, intent on using all of that energy for a counterattack.

However, he left himself open some bit. Unfortunately, well enough for a counter before he can even follow through with the strike. It didn't even seem as though they noticed it just yet -- Providing Victor with the best opportunity to cut this assault short.

Though, it was... Just before the punch was thrown from Ronin that something felt... Off...
The way he swung... The way he moved...
And... Something else....

A few leaves from the tree behind him, had fluttered sparingly from their branches. Some bark was scrapped from the tree as well - Minute details, but there nonetheless. The cosmic beam, did -not- scathe this tree...

" I WILL! " Ronin's voice exclaimed!
It did not come from Ronin though - This, was the final clue.

From above!
Ronin was... Flying?!

When?!
How?!

What was this?!
From the skies above, the newly realized magus descended with a ear-piercing cry of tormented atmosphere, condensing the very air that buffeted his knuckles for a punch. Though, his strike was bestowed from high above, expanding for the air above to create a faceless weight.

" WITH EVERYTHING I'VE GOT! " The weight was realized, crushing the illusionary double, splinting once-hardened soil for the air. The grassy earth resembled shattered glass, as gravity warped against it, focusing for Victor himself.

Ronin... Had awoken his potential.

(Ronin)
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[16:41] As Ronin prepared for the attack Victor did not let up. Not at all. Continuing to charge forward the mage had lunged his weapon forward. The blade of the spear-staff threatening to pierce right through him.

In the seconds that passed he heard Ronin speak. Or rather shout. Causing a smile to form on his expression as he realized what magic were being used.

"Very good."

He stated with a slight smile having appeared on his expression. As the shout from above came Victor slightly turned his head slightly up. Upon which he saw another visage of Ronin coming straight forward him.

Just them the magus was in full extension of his attack. Or, so it seemed. Within what appeared to be one fluid motion Victor had adjusted his entire stance. His right leg was planted firmly into the ground. Where his left leg was bent at the knee, poised for a block so it seemed.

To couple this stance, Victor had pulled his spear-staff back and up over his head. Where it too seemed to be held in a blocking formation.

It was then that the magus felt the force of gravity crush down against him. The smile that had appeared before only grew. Wider and with more pride.

Luckily for Victor he was a master gravity mage. The effects bore down on him for only a moment. The ground even cracking a bit under it's pressure. But.. after that moment, and with a sudden surge of his own mana, Victor toppled Ronins control over the gravity around themselves.

As he took control of the forces he would released a single, wide, circular wave which buffeted out around him. Likely sending Ronin and his clone back a few feet away from Victor.

Who was still holding his improvised block. Though, the aura around him was bristling wildly.

"Well done Mister Ronin. Very well done. Illusionary arts and the manipulation of gravity. A combination that can prove devastating when harnessed correctly."

We was saying while slowly releasing his stance. Now appearing to stand mid-air as he hovered a foot or so off the ground.

"This is going to open many more gates for your training Mister Ronin."
(Victor Ducante)
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[16:53] Ronin was panting... Heavily.
He was hardly a master, as indicated by his incapability to keep his illusionary image was fizzling into oblivion under the interaction of his own and Victor's combined gravitational flux upon their environment.

Slight-of-hand was simply something Ronin practiced as a hobby, but when exercised in the heat of the moment? It became something more -- Mana, could amplify the ordinary, into the extraordinary.
It all felt so unreal, so surreal. This was a dream, and Ronin was only now taking control of it.

It was as though his very thoughts could be projected before him, around him -- His plotting materialized a doppelganger, so did that mean the same applied to everything else?
… Wait...
That was when it hit him...

He. Was. Flying.
The ground was far below, and the shattered earth below? That was him... All him!
He turned his attention to his opened palms, and rolled his wrists to reflect on the detail of his own person.

He -could- manipulate the elements! Albeit, in his own way, but this was certainly a massive step towards achieving his dream! His vision was attainable now. Ronin just had to push himself until he accomplished it.

Slowly he descended, still trying to grasp a hold of his own body within the aerial field, without launching his figure into the earth at top-speed. It was slow... Gentle, and visibly strained.

Not necessarily out of lack of potency, but rather... A lack of refinement.
His feet were closer to the ground now, hardly over a foot away... But didn't quite land yet. He was trying to figure out how to 'turn-it-off' as depicted on his face.
"Thank you, sir."
(Ronin)
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[17:00] "Mhm, indeed."

He began.

"Do you feel that sensation running through you? The one that wasn't there before? Like something else is there now?

That is your mana. Learning how to control that output and the way it flows the stronger you will become."

Victor explained. Taking a moment to examine Ronin as he floated mid-air he'd chuckle a bit.

"Imagine yourself landing. Pull your mana down and you will descend. Push your mana forward or out and you will rise or go forward."

The magus stated.
(Victor Ducante)
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[17:08] The sensation of weight took him once more, it was... To accept what is, and know it -- Inside and out.
The very concept of it, didn't have to be digested in its every right, but what was the perceived. That was all that mattered.

What did he feel like, to stand.
What did it feel like, to weigh upon the ground.

It was in knowing this, that his body remembered its natural place, easing off its consumption of mana to pay reverence to gravity once more.
He stood on uneven terrain and sighed of relief.
That was when the seething pain came back, "Ggh- huuh~"

He may've played a slight-of-hand amidst the session, but he truly did brace for the impact of the cosmic beam earlier. It must've been within the plum of smoke that he carried out the switch between himself and the doppelganger.

How he came to grasp it so quickly? Perhaps, it became second nature under the tension of the moment? Ronin didn't really know, but he understood the sensation now. It wasn't something he realized before, but it was something he could never stop noticing now.

It was constant, like the pestering ring of tinnitus to the uninviting ear.
This, was mana.

He scanned his surroundings, with new eyes.
… Silently, unwelcoming this new feeling -- It did not feel great, but if this was life now? Then, he'd have to learn to live with it.

"I see... It's all... Clear to me now. As though, I've come out of a dream, after a long time asleep... Or... Perhaps, this -is- the dream, and I've finally allowed myself to rest."
(Ronin)
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[17:17] The elder mage simply watched.

As Ronin continued to embrace his mana for the first time. It was truly a sight to see and one to be remembered. It was always a grand thing for a magi to display their first amount of magic.

When Ronin managed to land on the ground Victor would nod once before speaking.

"Thus is the life of a magi. Welcome to a new world Mister Ronin. From now I am going to expect more from you. More than I already have. For now, catch your breath. We'll take a break."

Taking a pause he'd move his spear-staff to his back. A bit of gravity manipulation saw the leather straps clipping around the weapon. Ensuring its safety upon his back.

That aside, he'd speak again.

"Now that you're able to manipulate your mana I want you to preform every ability you've shown here today. Flight, Compression and Cloning yourself. Do it until you feel weakened and sick to your stomach, the, do it some more."
(Victor Ducante)
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[17:25] Ronin heard Victor, but his mind wandered as it typically did.
Yes, he could continue attempting flight -- In fact, he could probably do as Victor did he sustain flight constantly until he drained his reserves. Unlike the other techniques, it drained him the least.

It was the compression of gravity however, that concerned him some bit.
The illusionary arcane? That felt, different. Whimsical, even... It wasn't something he strained to accommodate with the clone, but rather his mind at-play, and mana materializing it according to his design.

The mind wondered...

' What if... I tried replicating... Other things? Or maybe... If I could make something look like... Something... '

' Feel like something... '

' Sound like something... How much further away is it from being the real thing? '

Where was the line between illusion and reality? Initially, a simple question, but for Ronin, itbecame a topic worthy of study.

"Yes, sir!" He answered simply.

There was always more going on behind those eyes of his. This time, was no different.
(Ronin)
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[17:30] Victor could of course tell that his student was wandering far in thought. But, such was to be expected by a newly found magi.

"Good. I'm going to head back to Levengard for a bit. Spend some time in the Library. You're welcome to join me if you wish. Unless you'd rather do what you'd like."

He said then took a few steps forward, aiming to walk back to Levengard.

"Good job today Mister Ronin. You're progressing fast. We'll see if that continues."
(Victor Ducante)
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[17:32] Ronin says, "Of course, sir. I think I should get a bit of rest. Maybe something to eat. I'll get right back into the groove of things though, and immediately push myself before the next session."
[17:32] Victor Ducante says, "Good, good. I'll find you once I've thought of where to take your training."
[17:33] Victor Ducante says, "Rest well Mister Ronin."