Lassim, feeling a mixture of excitement and curiosity, carefully laid out the items he had purchased in the market before him on his lap.
With a gentle mental call, he summoned Marinelle and Zaphyrella from his inner heart world, their forms materializing beside the caravan with a shimmer and flash of elemental energy. The guards nearby glanced over, but mainly went on about their job of surveying the surroundings for potential threats.
The sun, low in the sky, cast a warm glow that highlighted the anticipation in Lassim’s eyes as he presented the items to his companions. One by one, he handed over the various gems and the single lightning herb to the spirits, watching intently for their changes.
Marinelle, with her graceful elegance, controlled each item with tendrils of water as she brought them up to her mouth and swallowed.
As she absorbed each gem, roughly six in total, her scales began to radiate with a deeper, more vibrant hue; iridescent. Her delicate fins trailing along her form also slowly extended, their silk-like quality waving gently in the air. Her golden runes on her scales were capturing the ethereal light of her aquatic essence, reflecting and bouncing the light around playfully.
Zaphyrella, on the other hand, pecked at her gift with an eager frenzy. Snatching up the plant that was radiating sparks of lightning energy, she consumed it in a flurry.
Her feathers, already a stunning display of stormy violet, deepened in color, becoming richer and more resplendent. The golden tips sparkled with renewed vigor and grew slightly down the length of the feathers, a bit different than last time when she ate the charred piece of whomping tree bark.
As the last of the items was consumed, a palpable change hung in the air. Both spirits exuded a slightly more profound strength and vitality, their elemental energies flowing more robustly through their forms.
The changes were not monumental, definitely subtle and possibly only truly noticeable if you had watched the act unfold. Yet, it was true that they were able to enhance their physical and elemental affinities by consuming these objects they found at the market.
Lassim watched in awe, his heart swelling with joy and mind filled with wonder for the possibilities that may lay in this path for the growth of his companions. The market’s treasures had proven the theory, as he still doubted if what happened to Zaphy could also happen for Mari.
This experience opened a new avenue in their cultivation journey, one that his access to his family’s immense wealth could certainly affect.
As Lassim observed the subtle changes in Zaphyrella and Marinelle, he decided to send a mental thought asking them what changes they noticed. ’How do you feel?’ He asked.
The spirits conveyed their feelings directly to Lassim’s mind. "I feel slightly different," Marinelle’s voice resonated within him. "The gem’s essence has fortified my scales. This Queen’s body feels much more sturdy."
Zaphyrella’s voice crackled with energy in his thoughts, "Yeah, brother! I feel zippier, like I can strike faster and harder. Can we get more? Those items were like a feast to my core!"
"Wait, what do you mean core?" Lassim, suddenly puzzled, replied.
"Yeah! There’s like a tiny speck of something in my heart now! It’s cute!" Zaphy explained to a shocked Lassim.
"Could it be... The formation of an inner heart world... it’s minuscule but unmistakable," Lassim peaked through their mental connection to observe what they were referring to, "Wow, you’ll have your own heart world!? Isn’t that insane?"
The enhancements, though subtle, affected them enough to create something within their own cores. It wasn’t a leap in cultivation stages yet, but it laid the foundation for the beginning of something that will definitely allow them to sky rocket in power in the future.
’If they can store their own mana and control our cultivation technique, won’t that mean I can constantly cultivate all of the time; as long as one of them is doing the rotating?’ Lassim’s mind was blowing up at this possible theory.
Right now, their spirit bodies were a tiny bit tougher, and their control over their respective elements more intuitive and potent. Even without this possibility, just these basic improvements were astonishing.
Hallen, who had been observing the scene with growing amazement, finally found his voice, breaking the magical moment. "Young Master Lassim," he stammered, eyes wide as he witnessed the spirits’ transformations, "WHAT on NEXARIA just happened here?!"
Lassim turned to Hallen, noticing the man’s shock. He realized that he forgot about his fellow passenger and scratched his head in embarrassment. He then proceeded to explain the discoveries made in the market and how the items resonated with his elemental spirits, leading to their theory about the consumption and subsequent advancements.
"Both Zaphy and Mari have undergone some changes by consuming materials that are in harmony with their elemental essence. It seems to enhance their strength and even contributes to some rather interesting... advancements," Lassim shared, his voice a mixture of pride and caution.
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Hallen listened intently, his expression a blend of amazement and a tinge of fear. The implications of what Lassim described were far-reaching. The possible depth of power and potential for Lassim’s spirits was both exhilarating and terrifying for him to think about.
Driven by a mix of curiosity and disbelief, Hallen eagerly rummaged through his magic pouch, spilling its contents onto the carriage seat.
Various items clattered out, each pulsating with either the essence of lightning or water. There were crystals shimmering with electric currents, stones dotted with water droplets that never seemed to dry, and a few artifacts engraved with elemental runes.
"See if any of these resonate with your spirits, Young Master Lassim," Hallen said, his voice tinged with excitement and a hint of apprehension. "I’ve collected these on my travels, never really knowing if they’d be of any use. I’d usually sell them or give them as gifts to my daughter, but now... maybe..."
Lassim carefully examined each item, holding them each out the window close to Zaphyrella and Marinelle in turn, watching for any sign of resonance. Most items elicited no response, but then, a clear, tear-shaped gem caught Marinelle’s attention. It glimmered like a droplet of the purest water, captivating in its simplicity and depth.
"This one," Lassim said, holding up the mermaid’s tear. "Mari seems to have taken a liking to it." Handing the gem to Marinelle’s water tendril, they all watched in anticipation.
As soon as the gem went into her mouth, it dissolved into her form, emitting a soft glow. Marinelle’s scales took on a deeper hue of blue, and the golden runes on her body shimmered with enhanced luminosity. The change was considerably more pronounced than before. Her presence from outside the carriage felt even more soothing, like being submerged in a calm healing spring.
Yet, there was this tinge of sadness that also radiated for a brief moment before disappearing.
Hallen was speechless, his mouth agape as he witnessed the transformation. "By the Elder Gods," he whispered, awe-struck. "This is beyond anything I’ve ever seen or heard of. Spirits evolving through consumption of elemental materials... What have the Elder Gods done..."
The air in the carriage was suddenly growing more thick and tense, growing from Hallen’s concern for the raw elemental power in Zaphyrella and Marinelle. Hallen’s gaze shifted between the spirits and Lassim, a myriad of emotions flickering across his face.
Hallen sat back, utterly astonished. His eyes wide as he processed the sight before him. The changes in Mari were evident, and the air around her seemed to thrum with new power. He looked at Lassim, then at the spirits, and back again, struggling to find words.
After a moment of stunned silence, Hallen finally spoke, his voice grave. "Young Master, this... this ability of your spirits... It’s extraordinary, but also incredibly dangerous. You must promise me to keep this a secret. Do it clandestinely if you must continue.
The ramifications of others knowing could be severe."
Lassim, confused and taken aback by Hallen’s sudden seriousness, responded, "But why, Sir Hallen? Isn’t it a good thing? My spirits growing stronger means I can contribute more to fighting the Dragal and protecting Nexaria."
Hallen sighed, a weary look crossing his face. "Lassim, you are still young and see the world in black and white. Not everyone in the Aurora Kingdom, or Nexaria at large, acts with the common good in mind. There are many who would harm you to prevent you from growing more powerful, especially with an ability like this.
Secrets like these, powers like these, can inspire jealousy, and even violence among those with darker hearts. We live in a world of complexity and danger, not just from the Dragal, but from our own kind. There exists a group of supporters, a cult if you will, that wish to see the Dragal claim this world for their own.
You’ll already attract their attention for having two spirits, but this ability will make them more serious in their pursuit of you in the future. You must be careful Young Master."
The weight of Hallen’s words hung heavily in the air. A stark contrast to the innocent curiosity that had driven Lassim’s actions earlier. The realization that his unique ability with his spirits could attract unwanted, potentially harmful attention was tough to comprehend.
Lassim nodded slowly, understanding growing in his eyes. "I see... I hadn’t thought about it that way, and I didn’t know. I will be careful, Sir Hallen, and will keep this ability more hidden. I promise."
Hallen placed a reassuring hand on Lassim’s shoulder. "I know you will, Young Master. Just remember, not all battles are fought on the front lines against the Dragal. Some are quieter, more insidious, and require a different kind of strength and wisdom to navigate. May the Elder Gods protect you long enough to grow beyond Evil’s reach." He gave a short prayer before sitting back down.
With a newfound sense of caution, his mind raced with the implications and plans to hide his and his spirits’ newfound ability.
He’d only started his journey to the Southern Continent, but had already come across an additional path to grow and explore in his cultivation, but also learned a bit more about the complexities of power, secrecy, and the broader world’s realities.
As the carriage rolled on, Lassim sat in thoughtful silence, gazing out at the passing landscape, summoning Mari and Zaphy back into his inner heart world. He was now keenly aware of the need to grow wise about the world and use discretion in the face of newfound possibilities.
He was thankful he at least had Hallen here to warn him, as they would soon depart after reaching into the Aetheria Kingdom.