The morning sun stretched its light through the dense canopy, bathing the forest in a soft, golden hue. Sei stood in front of the waterfall once again, alone, embracing the cold morning air.
"So, you're gonna do it alone now?" Fari asked, flicking her tail.
"Yes, I need to become strong soon," his voice glinted with determination.
He walked through the cold water and sat on the stone beneath the waterfall, his small body shivering under the freezing water.
"Focus… Focus…" Sei whispered, his fists clenched. His breath came in heavy gasps, the cold stinging his skin. He shut his eyes, trying to drown out the sound, the pressure, the cold—everything.
But each time he tried, his mind wandered, and he failed.
"Stop thinking of everything else, boy," Fari's voice echoed in his mind, sharp and clear. "Nature Energy is a storm; you can't tame it with a storm in your mind."
"I know… I know!" Sei snapped, but his focus crumbled, and the energy he tried to gather dissipated like mist.
Hours seemed to pass as Sei's small form continued to shiver beneath the crashing water. His teeth chattered, his body grew numb, but his spirit remained unyielding.
The water seemed to slow, and a different voice snapped Sei's focus. He looked up, frustrated, and a small stick fell on his head.
"What the hell?" Sei yelled.
Fari rolled down in laughter.
He sat again, his face flushed with anger. "Focus… I must focus," he whispered again, but this time his voice was calmer. He closed his eyes, his breathing slowed. He didn't fight the cold anymore; instead, he welcomed it.
And then it happened.
The world seemed to shift. He could feel it—tiny particles of energy swirling around him, cold yet gentle. Hydro energy danced, surrounding his body like a mist. His skin tingled.
The water crashing on him no longer felt like a torrent. Instead, it curved, parting around him, leaving him dry beneath a faint blue arc of energy.
"I… I did it," Sei whispered in awe. But the moment his focus wavered, the arc shattered, and the icy water slammed down on him once more, sending him crashing into the river.
Sei coughed, his body drenched, but his lips curled into a wide grin. "I did it, Fari! Did you see that?"
"Yes, yes, you made an energy bubble for two seconds. So impressive," Fari's voice dripped with sarcasm.
Sei jumped to his feet, wiping water from his face. "I can do better! I just need to try again!"
"There will be time for that," Fari's tone was a mix of sternness and amusement. "But remember, Nature Energy is not just about defense. You still don't know how to channel it; you are just gathering it."
Sei looked at the fallen trees, the ones the old grandmaster had cut yesterday. He stood in silence, the image of that light blade burned into his mind.
"Did you see that yesterday, Fari? One swing… just one swing!" Sei's voice was filled with awe.
"I told you he's not normal. That old man… he's super strong," Fari whispered, her voice tense.
"But he's teaching me. I want to be strong like him!" Sei clenched his fists, his eyes burning with determination.
"Oh, I know you do," Fari sighed, leaping onto Sei's shoulder. "But remember, the brighter the light, the darker the shadow. Power always has a cost."
"But you said I can channel all types of Nature Energy, but I can only sense Hydro Energy?" Sei asked, curious.
"Hm, that should be the case. Let me see." Fari whispered, her emerald eyes glowing as she inspected Sei's body. "It seems your core has been sealed."
"Oh, the old man did say that he sealed 80% of my core."
"So, it means that with the 20% core, you can only channel one type of Nature Energy," Fari explained, nodding. "I can unseal it if you want."
"Whoa, really? You really are amazing, Fari." Sei's voice was high with excitement. "But let's go home; it's lunchtime already."
They walked through the forest, leaves rustling above them, and the wind carried soft, distant whispers.
But as they got closer to the village, Sei's steps grew slower. He noticed the villagers standing together in small, worried groups, their voices low but tense. Faces were serious, and some whispered while others shook their heads.
"Another fortress has fallen… they say the Astresia army is merciless."
"Sir Leon is still on the frontlines… may the gods protect him."
Sei's chest tightened. His father… his father was still out there, in the chaos of war.
"Mom must be worried…" he whispered.
They reached the house, and Sei's mother rushed to embrace him, her smile gentle. "You're back, Sei. I was getting worried," she whispered, holding him close.
"I'm fine, Mom. I was just training," Sei replied, his small arms wrapping around her.
Days went by like a breeze. Sei trained every day with the old Grandmaster and sometimes in secret with Fari. In just two months, he learned exceptional control over Hydro Energy.
But the war still raged on. As days went by, the tension increased. His father hadn't been home in the past two months.
One night, as Sei lay on his bed staring at the ceiling, Fari whispered, "You know… humans are so fragile. Why do they even fight these wars?"
"Because they have things they want to protect." Sei replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "Family, friends… and sometimes, pride."
"Foolish… but I suppose that is also the human charm," Fari chuckled, curling into a tiny silver ball.
But Sei's mind was far from rest. His thoughts raced with images of his father, his mother's worried face, and the villagers' words about the brutal war.
Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine. Sei stood up and ran to the window.
There, in the darkness, through the faint light of the moon, a shadow moved at the edge of the forest.
A figure stood there, just beyond the trees, watching his home.
He wore a mask, yet their eyes met. The figure immediately vanished into the darkness.
Sei's fists clenched. "Who… who was that?"