His fourth mark appeared—a silver-blue crest flowing around his ribs.
[Element of Water Acquired]
Elemental Affinity (Water): 70%
Skill Gained: Mirror Veil – Briefly reflect projected attacks or illusions
Passive Gained: Flowstep – Movement becomes silent and harder to track
Emotional Sync: Achieved
Elemental Balance Now: Flame | Wind | Earth | Water
Roselia breathed in sharply. "You passed it."
Kael still looked rattled. "What was that place?"
Leon looked at his hand. Water clung to it—even after he shook it off. It moved when he moved. Flowed when he focused.
"The Water Core wasn't testing power," he said. "It was testing who we are when we're drowning."
Aris stepped beside him. "And you didn't."
"No," Leon said. "I didn't."
They rested for only twenty minutes.
The Hollow was shifting again.
And the path forward was no longer stone or water—
But stormcloud and sparks.
Lightning waited next.
