Austin threw himself into his training over the week. The excitement of learning how to enchant had lit a fire underneath him. It turned something that felt like a job into something he was excited for. While there was no doubt that he wanted to help and protect his family, enjoyment pushed him even further. It was no longer about the weight of responsibility but about something that deeply interested him.
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This fire pushed Austin further and further in his training. Every time he felt himself grow close to his limits, he pushed himself further. It was almost as if his limits no longer mattered to him, and he was fueled by an endless desire. This desire made his techniques more potent and gave him a greater understanding of his Essence.
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Soon, Austin was able to develop a few new techniques during his study of various Essence users. While there was not a single user who inspired him specifically, the stories did inspire him to develop his own style and techniques. He felt as though his shield gave him a good all-around option because it gave him good defense, close offense, and medium-range offense. His shield would be his most used option, which is why he practiced with it the most.
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Austin added ranged and defense options to his techniques. Specifically, for ranged, he focused on a technique that gave up the ability to come back but could be projected further and faster. This technique he named Breaker Ball. The technique focused on the conductive properties of his affinity and created a metal ball that conducted Essence to move at high speeds.
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For defense, Austin created an option that would give him an emergency defense. The name he gave to the technique was simply called Total Defense. The technique created a dense metal sphere around an area to stop an incoming attack. The metal sphere used the conductive properties to conduct enemy Essence throughout the shield, giving it a stronger defense. The other advantage of this technique was that Austin could use it at range. He specifically developed this technique to give his family an emergency defense in case he was not next to them, but they were within his sight.
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Austin did not immediately show these new techniques to Artas. He worked on them during his morning training while Artas meditated. He wanted to get experience with the techniques before he showed Artas. So after a week of working on them, he finally decided it was time.
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“Hey, I want to show you something,” Austin said as he gently tapped Artas’s shoulder while he meditated.
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Artas’s eyes shot wide open and said, “Oh? What is that, my dear student?”
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“I’ve been working on some techniques and I wanted to show you them,” Austin said.
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“Oh, good, I was wondering when you would finally show me,” Artas smiled. “I thought you would keep them hidden forever.”
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“Wait, you knew?” Austin asked in shock.
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“Of course, I knew. You weren’t discreet or anything,” Artas said. “I just wanted to let you do your thing until you were officially ready.”
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“Man, I thought I was being secretive,” Austin sighed. “Anyway, I’ll go ahead and show you. I’ll start with my first new technique, Breaker Ball.”
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Austin took a few steps away from Artas before he started to gather Essence in the palm of his hand. As the Essence gathered, a silver sphere around the size of Austin’s head formed. The sphere was hefty, and for a moment, Austin’s arm dropped slightly at the weight. He immediately fixed his posture and channeled Essence through his arm as he gripped the bottom of the sphere tightly. Despite the size of the ball, he brought it back like a baseball pitcher and launched it with a mighty throw. As he launched the ball, he sent the Essence from his arm into it.
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The ball turned into a blur as it ripped through the air and at one of the targets. The target that Austin aimed for was one of the faster-moving targets. The ball moved through the air so quickly that it tore through the target and did not lose any momentum. It did not start to lose momentum until it was clear on the other side of the field.
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“Not bad, not bad,” Artas complimented. “I see you made this in response to the faster targets that you had trouble hitting.”
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“Exactly,” Austin confirmed. “I wanted a technique that was solely focused on power and speed. Unlike my shield, I cannot call it back, but that allowed me to make it more conductive to my Essence.”
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“I see you really thought it out,” Artas said. “That’s good. Techniques should always be made with a purpose in mind.”
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“Thank you,” Austin said. “Now let me show you the next one. This is called Total Defense.”
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While Austin could use the technique on himself, he felt that showing it a long distance would give Artas a better idea of its potential. Austin focused on a spot a small distance away and channeled Essence through his arm into his hand. As it reached his hand, he sent the Essence out and towards the spot. Silver strands of metal rose from the ground until they collected together to make a dome. The size of the dome could comfortably fit a group of people.
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“Oh, that’s very interesting,” Artas commented as he held his chin with his hand. He observed the dome from afar before he continued to speak. “You created the dome to conduct Essence and disperse it. I’m guessing the purpose is to absorb the Essence of an enemy and enhance its defenses. That’s actually a very good defensive technique. Consider me impressed by both of your techniques.”
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“Thank you. I appreciate the compliment,” Austin said graciously.
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“No problem, I’m proud of all the hard work you have done,” Artas patted Austin on the back before he wrapped his arm around him and pulled him closer. “This means after lunch, you need to try to break through to Copper.”
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“You think so?” Austin lifted his eyebrow in confusion. He was not sure if he was ready yet.
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“Oh, I know so. You are definitely at the point to break through. If you stay as a Lead, you could damage yourself,” Artas explained. “The body can only handle so much at each stage. Especially if the Essence is completely changed into another affinity.”
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“Alright,” Austin nodded and smiled. “Let’s do it.”
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The pair walked back to the shrine area and began eating lunch. Austin did not talk much during the time. Instead, his mind was focused on pushing through to Copper level. Not only would it mean that he could start his crafting training, but more importantly, it meant that he could see his family again.
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Once the pair started to eat lunch, Austin ate his food quickly. Usually, the pair made small talk during meals, but Austin was focused on breaking through. He devoured his food quicker than he ever had in his life. As he finished his food, Artas was not even halfway done.
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“I have to finish my food before we can start,” Artas said.
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“But you are taking your time,” Austin groaned. “I’m ready now.”
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Artas shrugged and said, “Well, I guess you’ll have to wait. Probably should have thought of that.”
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Austin sighed and started to tap his foot impatiently as Artas ate. Artas seemed to be eating more slowly than usual, and after each bite of his sandwich, he paused. As he took his time, Artas savored every bite of his sandwich. After finishing his sandwich, he carefully dabbed at his mouth with a cloth napkin.
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“Okay, I think it’s time for dessert!” Artas clapped his hands together after setting his napkin on the table.
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“What do you mean by time for dessert? We never have dessert!” Austin protested angrily.
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“I’m kidding, I’m kidding,” Artas waved his hands downward in a placating gesture. “We can get started now.”
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“Oh, good,” Austin said as he stood up from the table.
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“That’s your seriousness coming through again,” Artas laughed. “Can’t even take a joke.”
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“I’m just ready to do this,” Austin replied eagerly.
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“I know. Let’s get you started,” Artas led Austin to a spot to meditate before he began to explain. “This is a bit of a different process than what you are used to. This will solidify your Essence in your chosen affinity. Now that you have completely bathed your Essence in your affinity, you must mold it into a new shape that reflects your new affinity. After you do this, you’ll notice some changes to your body and a change in the shape of your Essence.”
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“How am I supposed to mold it?” Austin asked as he sat down.
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“It’s similar to the process of pushing your affinity into your Essence,” Artas answered. “Think of it as like that same feeling of pushing at your Essence, but you aren’t pushing anything against it. Now you are just pushing and shaping your Essence without anything in between. That’s the best explanation I can give you. It’s better if you just give it a try.”
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Austin nodded in understanding and closed his eyes. He knew that Artas was right, and at this point, all he could do was try. The blue flame of his Essence was now silver and danced slowly as he focused on it. It was a calm and controlled flame, so controlled that if it were not for the periodic movement, it would be hard to recognize as a flame.
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Austin tried to push on the flame within him, and to his surprise, it did not feel difficult. The flame responded to his efforts with ease. Austin could only assume it was because of his experience with his Essence over the past week. He had grown to understand it and understand how to affect it in different ways.
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The flame started to change shape under Austin’s concentration. The process reminded Austin of molding clay. The flame started to condense and slow its dancing around in his head. It even started to feel like his Essence started to get a weight to it. The sensation was completely different from the free-flowing energy that it had as a flame-like appearance.
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As Austin continued, the flame had completely stopped dancing. The flame no longer flickered or moved around. Instead, it started to take the shape of an orb. The silver orb that the Essence took moved subtly and rippled ever so slightly. His Essence had changed from a flame-like substance into something that reminded Austin of liquid metal. It felt heavier than water, but it was not a completely solid object. Every now and then, the orb would let out a tiny splash as small ripples flowed throughout it.
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Just as the orb took shape, Austin felt a pulsing sensation throughout his body. The sensation pulsed repeatedly and grew stronger and stronger. With each pulse, energy and strength flowed throughout his body. Soon, the pulses grew faster and even stronger. The feeling of energy and strength was replaced with pain. Austin felt as though his body was tearing apart as the pulses hit one after another. Austin tried to concentrate on the pulses and control them as the pain ripped through his body. He wondered at this moment if he had messed up the process, and he was facing a major backlash.
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Austin’s struggle for control grew more and more difficult. It was like a man trying to stop the ocean. The ocean was just too powerful and large for the man to stop, no matter how hard he tried. Despite this, he still tried to resist and keep his head above water. He was not sure what exactly he could do, but he had to try.
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Austin felt like he was going to die as the pain overwhelmed him. The feeling pushed him to resist even more. He could not die. He had to get back to his family. He had to protect them. He had so much more time he needed to spend with Maya. He had to guide Elliot and watch him grow. Nothing would stop him from getting back to them.
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Then, as Austin tried his best to resist the sensation, he no longer saw his Essence. All he saw was deep blackness before his body collapsed like a rag doll.
