The dawn of the third day in the Sylvan refuge found Richard observing his aged arm with a mixture of fascination and horror. The wrinkles and age spots had slightly softened thanks to Lyriath's treatments, but the temporal asynchrony remained evident: a sixty-year-old arm attached to the body of a twenty-something.
```
[Physical state: Recovery in progress]
[Temporal damage: 83% present]
[Estimated time for maximum recovery: 13 days]
```
"Temporal rebound is one of the harshest lessons for a fragment bearer," commented Elyndra as she entered Richard's room. "But also one of the most necessary."
Richard flexed his fingers, noting that the joint pain had decreased considerably.
"A lesson I won't forget," he replied, remembering the sensation of unlimited power he had experienced, followed by the terrible awakening to the reality of his limitations. "Will we continue with earth manipulation training today?"
Elyndra shook her head, surprising him.
"Today we'll explore something different. Your body needs to recover from the temporal damage, but that doesn't mean we should neglect your other abilities," she explained, handing him a new tunic, deep blue with subtle patterns reminiscent of air currents. "The Eternal Core is your most recent acquisition, but the previous fragments are still part of you."
The Practice Circle looked different this morning. Several Sylvan had arranged floating crystalline spheres around the perimeter, each containing what appeared to be miniaturized weather phenomena: tiny tornadoes, storm clouds, and visible air currents.
"Before being the bearer of three fragments, you mastered the abilities of the first," said Elyndra, guiding him to the center of the circle. "But the integration of new fragments can alter the balance of the previous ones. It's time to retune your wind abilities."
```
[Training session initiated: Elemental retuning]
[Focus: Wind Manipulation (Level 3)]
[Objective: Harmonic integration with new fragments]
```
Ryven, a Sylvan with a youthful appearance but ancient eyes, approached. Unlike other Sylvan whose affinities seemed linked to vegetation or earth, he emanated a clearly aerial energy.
"I am the last Guardian of Breath in this refuge," he introduced himself with a voice that seemed to whisper even when speaking normally. "Elyndra has asked me to help you rebalance your connection with the wind now that you carry multiple elemental resonances."
Richard nodded, suddenly aware that he had neglected his first abilities, fascinated by the new ones.
"How do we begin?"
Ryven pointed to the crystalline spheres.
"Wind and earth are frequently opposing elements," he explained. "Where earth is stable, wind is changeable. Where earth resists, wind yields only to return with greater force. Your challenge now is to keep these contradictory natures in balance within you."
The training began with basic exercises that Richard hadn't practiced since his first days with the initial fragment. Rhythmic breathing, visualization of currents, subtle channeling of breezes. However, he immediately noticed the difference: where before the wind responded with youthful enthusiasm to his calls, now it seemed to hesitate, as if confused by the dominant presence of the Eternal Core in his being.
```
[WARNING: Elemental interference detected]
[Cause: Dominance of the Terra-Time fragment]
[Recommendation: Recalibration of energy channeling]
```
"Your body has changed," observed Ryven as Richard struggled to create even the simplest air current. "You are no longer primarily a wind conduit. The Eternal Core has rewritten your energy patterns. You must find new ways to channel your original powers."
For hours, Richard worked on exercises he had never considered necessary. Where before he simply "asked" the wind to respond, he now had to carefully negotiate between the different energies within him, creating specific spaces for each element.
At noon, drenched in sweat and frustrated by his apparent regression in skills he had once mastered effortlessly, Richard collapsed onto a flat rock.
"It's as if I have to learn everything again," he complained.
Ryven smiled enigmatically.
"You're not learning again. You're learning something completely different: elemental harmonization. Few bearers manage to integrate multiple fragments without becoming chaotic storms of inconsistent power."
After a brief rest, training continued with a completely different approach. Instead of working against the presence of the Eternal Core, Ryven instructed him to deliberately incorporate it.
"Wind doesn't just flow over the earth; it interacts with it," he explained. "It erodes mountains, transports seeds, oxygenates soil. Let your fragments collaborate in a similar way."
Richard closed his eyes, visualizing not the separation of his powers, but their natural interaction. He felt the crystalline veins of the Eternal Core pulsing beneath his skin, but instead of suppressing them, he allowed them to resonate with the rhythm of his breathing, with the flow and ebb of air in his lungs.
```
[Emerging elemental synergy]
[Wind Manipulation recalibrated]
[Mana consumption optimized: -20%]
```
When he extended his hands again, the result was surprising. The wind not only responded to his call but did so with new, more complex patterns. The air currents he generated seemed more substantial, almost tangible, infused with a materiality they previously lacked.
"Extraordinary!" exclaimed Ryven, observing how the aerial currents generated by Richard formed visible, almost architectural structures in the air. "You've managed to infuse earthly stability into your aerial manipulation."
```
[New ability discovered!]
[Wind Architecture (Level 1)]
[Allows creation of semi-solid structures of compressed air]
[Mana consumption: Variable according to complexity]
```
By the end of that first session, Richard had recovered not only his previous mastery of wind but had discovered a new dimension to it. The tactical applications were evident: he could create temporary aerial bridges, more resistant shields, even platforms upon which to walk briefly.
"That's enough for today," noted Elyndra, who had been silently observing from the perimeter. "Elemental integrations require time to stabilize. Forcing them too much can result in... complications."
Her significant glance toward Richard's damaged arm was reminder enough of the consequences of arrogance.
The fourth day brought a different approach. After a morning session of treatment for his arm (which was slowly showing signs of rejuvenation), Elyndra led him not to the Practice Circle, but to a small cavern under the roots of the refuge's main tree.
"What is this place?" asked Richard, noticing the walls covered in inscriptions that glowed faintly in the darkness.
"The Chamber of Memories," she replied. "Here we store knowledge too dangerous or valuable to entrust to scrolls or books."
The circular space was dominated by a low table carved from living stone that seemed to grow directly from the floor. Upon it rested several objects: crystals of different colors, small stones with engraved symbols, and a bowl of silvery liquid.
"Today we'll work on your Inscription Comprehension," announced Elyndra. "It's a passive skill you've developed naturally, but with the Eternal Core within you, we can significantly elevate it."
```
[Specialized training initiated]
[Focus: Inscription Comprehension (Level 0)]
[Objective: Reach Level 1]
```
Elyndra placed before Richard a stone slab with inscriptions that seemed vaguely familiar to him.
"Until now, you've interpreted symbols by intuition," she explained. "But the Terra-Time fragment gives you access to something deeper: geological memory. Stones remember all symbols ever engraved on them or their similars."
Richard placed his hand on the slab, feeling the coldness of the rock against his palm. At first nothing happened, but then Elyndra took his damaged arm and placed it alongside the other on the stone.
"The temporal asynchrony of your arm can be useful here," she explained. "It's a conduit to different temporal states of matter."
The contact provoked a strange sensation. Richard felt as if his consciousness sank into the stone itself, perceiving not only its physical composition but also its "memories": the moment of its creation, the centuries of subterranean existence, the day when a Sylvan craftsman carved the symbols on its surface.
```
[Inscription Comprehension activated]
[Geological connection established]
[Accessing mineral memory...]
```
The inscriptions began to glow, and suddenly Richard understood not only their superficial meaning but layers of context, references, and alternative meanings.
"I can read it," he murmured in amazement. "Not just translate it... truly understand it."
"What does it say?" asked Elyndra, although her expression suggested she already knew the answer.
"It's a warning," replied Richard, his eyes following the symbols as if they were text in his native language. "About the original fragmentation. It says: 'When the Ten were separated, the Veil descended as mercy, not as punishment. What lurks beyond must not remember the way back.'"
A shiver ran down his spine as the implications settled in his mind.
```
[Critical knowledge acquired]
[Inscription Comprehension advanced to Level 1]
[New linguistic patterns unlocked]
```
For the next few hours, Elyndra showed him different tablets and inscribed objects, each revealing fragments of Sylvan history, cosmological knowledge, and, unsettlingly, warnings about the dangers of reunifying the fragments.
At the end of the session, Richard had questions he couldn't ignore.
"If gathering the fragments is so dangerous, why are you helping me find them?" he asked directly.
Elyndra remained silent for a long moment before responding.
"The fragments will eventually be reunited, with or without our intervention," she finally said. "Lancaster and the Organization will continue their search without truly understanding what they're doing. At least with you..." she made a significant pause, "we have hope that the bearer will truly understand the power and responsibility they entail."
"But what exactly is it that 'lurks beyond the Veil'?" pressed Richard.
"That's enough for today," responded Elyndra, abruptly rising. "Some truths must be discovered gradually, when you're prepared to understand them completely."
Earth manipulation training was not abandoned but integrated into daily sessions. Each morning, after his treatment with Lyriath, Richard dedicated two hours to progressively more complex exercises under the tutelage of Thorne, an elderly Sylvan whose body seemed as twisted and gnarled as the roots of a centennial tree.
"Most humans try to master earth as conquerors," explained Thorne during their sixth day of training. "Even you at first tried to impose your will upon it. But true mastery comes from collaboration."
Richard had progressed considerably since his first clumsy attempts. Now he could create complex forms, alter basic geological properties, and even perceive mineral compositions just by touching a rock. But Thorne seemed to expect something more.
"Today we'll try something different," announced the old man, leading Richard to a section of the Practice Circle where the ground had been cleared, revealing bedrock. "You're going to communicate directly with the heart of the earth."
```
[Advanced challenge: Deep geological communication]
[Requirement: Earth Manipulation Level 2]
[Risk: Moderate]
```
The technique required Richard to sit in a meditative position directly on the bedrock, placing both hands flat against the surface. His damaged arm hurt at the contact, but Thorne insisted it was necessary.
"The temporal asynchrony in your arm creates a unique bridge between different geological states," he explained. "Use it."
Richard closed his eyes and extended his consciousness downward, not just a few meters as in previous exercises, but deeply toward the heart of the earth. The sensation was overwhelming: layers of geological history paraded before his internal perception, each stratum silently telling the story of past eons.
```
[Geological perception expanded]
[Connection depth: 1.7 kilometers and increasing]
[Magmatic activity detected]
```
The deeper his connection became, the more intense the flow of information. Richard perceived not only the physical structure of the earth but also its energy currents, the deep magmatic flows, the tectonic tensions slowly accumulating. It was like listening to a primordial symphony performed over millions of years.
Suddenly, something responded to his presence. It wasn't a consciousness like the human one, but something vast, slow, and ancient. The earth itself seemed to recognize him as the bearer of the Eternal Core.
```
[ALERT: Bidirectional connection established]
[Geological consciousness detected]
[Information exchange initiated]
```
Images and sensations flooded his mind: the formation of continents, the slow dance of tectonic plates, the birth and death of mountain ranges. But also something more disturbing: a geological memory of a great cataclysm, when incomprehensible energies had torn reality itself, leaving scars that the earth still remembered.
Richard gasped, trying to assimilate the avalanche of information. His damaged arm burned as if in contact with molten metal, the crystalline veins under his skin glowing intensely while channeling this primordial knowledge.
"Enough," Thorne's firm voice brought him back. "The first communion is always overwhelming. Don't try to absorb everything at once."
When Richard opened his eyes, he noticed that several Sylvan had gathered around the Practice Circle, observing him with expressions ranging from amazement to concern. Even Elyndra seemed surprised.
"What happened?" asked Richard, noticing that his voice sounded strange, as if vibrating at a slightly different frequency.
"You've established deep communion with the earth's core," responded Thorne. "Few achieve such a connection on their first attempt. The fragment within you is exceptionally receptive."
```
[Earth Manipulation advanced to Level 2]
[New technique unlocked: Geological Communion]
[Status: Mental exhaustion]
```
That night, while Lyriath applied fresh ointments to his arm (which mysteriously seemed to have rejuvenated several years after the earth communion), Richard reflected on the vision of the cataclysm.
"Is it possible that the earth remembers events that occurred eons ago?" he asked the healer.
Lyriath nodded solemnly.
"The earth does not forget, Richard Wonder. Its memories are slow but eternal," she responded. "What did you see during your communion?"
"Destruction," he murmured. "As if something had torn reality itself. And the earth... screamed."
The elderly Sylvan exchanged a significant look with Elyndra, who had silently entered the room.
"You saw the Cataclysm of Separation," confirmed Elyndra. "The moment when the fragments were divided and the Veil descended."
As his second week in the refuge progressed, Richard's training regimen intensified and diversified. Each day he worked on different aspects of his abilities, guided by different Sylvan mentors, each specialized in a specific area.
The ninth day brought particularly interesting training with Lysara, a middle-aged Sylvan specialized in energy flows.
"Your Current Understanding ability has remained underdeveloped," she pointed out as she guided Richard to a section of the forest where several streams converged, forming complex patterns. "It's a subtle but potentially invaluable ability."
```
[Specialized session initiated]
[Focus: Current Understanding (Level 2)]
[Objective: Advanced practical applications]
```
The training consisted of identifying and following invisible energy currents that flowed parallel to the physical streams. At first, Richard could barely perceive them, but gradually he began to distinguish subtle differences in their composition, direction, and intensity.
"All energies flow in patterns," explained Lysara. "Magic, time, life itself. One who can read these patterns can predict, intercept, or redirect forces that others would consider uncontrollable."
Through progressively more complex exercises, Richard learned to identify the energy signatures of different living beings, to detect magical residues of past events, and even to sense the subtle temporal currents that constantly flowed through the physical world without directly altering it.
```
[Current Understanding advanced to Level 3]
[New capability: Detection of anomalies in energy patterns]
[Practical application: Identification of magical signatures]
```
"This ability will be crucial when you face the Organization again," noted Lysara. "It will allow you to detect magical traps, energy trackers, or subtle temporal manipulations before they affect you."
The last part of the training was particularly fascinating. Lysara taught him to identify "knots" in the energy currents: points where multiple flows converged, creating unique phenomena.
"These knots are places of power," she explained. "Some Sylvan spend decades mapping them. They are crucial for certain rituals, and the Organization has begun to actively seek them."
Richard understood the strategic importance of this knowledge. If he could identify these energy knots, he would not only have access to power sources at critical moments but could anticipate movements of the Organization.
Although direct temporal manipulation remained blocked during his recovery, Elyndra insisted that Richard receive extensive theoretical education on its fundamental principles.
"Knowledge precedes power," she explained during a session in the Sylvan library, an organic space where books literally grew from the walls. "When you can finally manipulate time again, you will do so with understanding and not just instinct."
The theoretical study proved fascinating though occasionally frustrating. Richard learned concepts that challenged his previous understanding of reality: temporal bifurcations, self-sustaining paradoxes, chronological resonances, and temporal quantum states.
```
[Theoretical knowledge acquired: Fundamentals of Chronodynamics]
[Understanding: 37%]
[Practical applicability: Temporarily blocked]
```
"Time is neither a line nor a river," explained Kairos, an extremely ancient Sylvan who appeared to be simultaneously present and absent. "It's more like a multidimensional ocean with currents, tides, and variable depths. True mastery does not consist of stopping or accelerating it, but of navigating its natural currents with minimal disturbance."
On the twelfth day, his theoretical understanding took a qualitative leap when Kairos presented him with a three-dimensional model of what he called "Chronolamic Structure": a visual representation of how different temporal dimensions intertwined, forming perceptible reality.
"This explains why manipulating time is so dangerous," noted Richard, observing how even small alterations in the model created distortion waves that propagated unpredictably. "You're not manipulating just one element, but the very structure of reality."
Kairos nodded approvingly.
"Precisely. And that's why your... accident," he pointed to Richard's still partially aged arm, "was actually a blessing in disguise. It taught you respect before you caused irreparable damage."
```
[Temporal theoretical understanding: 63%]
[Mental preparation: Satisfactory]
[Status: Ready for controlled practical reintegration]
```
The fourteenth day marked an important milestone. Richard's arm had recovered approximately 70% of its original youth, just as Lyriath had predicted. Although some lines of age persisted and he occasionally felt stiffness in the joints, functionality had almost completely returned.
"It's time to remove the restriction on your temporal manipulation," announced Elyndra during breakfast. "But we will proceed with extreme caution and constant supervision."
The Practice Circle had been modified for the occasion. An elaborate pattern of crystals, runes, and small pools arranged in precise geometric formation now covered its surface.
"A temporal stabilization circuit," explained Kairos, who would personally supervise this phase of training. "It will absorb and redistribute any dangerous distortion you might accidentally create."
```
[Temporal restriction deactivated]
[Basic Temporal Control available again]
[Safety limitations: Active]
```
Richard felt a mixture of anticipation and fear as he positioned himself in the center of the circle. The last time he had directly manipulated time, he had ended up with an arm aged decades in a matter of hours. But now he had solid theoretical knowledge and a much deeper appreciation of the risks.
"We'll start with something simple," instructed Kairos. "A single grain of sand, as in your first exercise. But this time, visualize the temporal currents before altering them."
Richard took the hourglass offered to him and observed the falling grains. With his improved Current Understanding, he could now perceive the subtle ripples in the temporal continuum surrounding each grain. He selected one and, instead of forcing a change as he had done before, simply "suggested" a slight deviation in its natural flow.
```
[Basic Temporal Control activated]
[Mana consumption: -2] [60% reduction thanks to refined technique]
[Temporal stability: Optimal]
```
The selected grain reduced its falling speed to exactly half, but this time Richard could clearly perceive the tension this generated in the surrounding currents. It was like stretching an elastic fabric: at some point, the accumulated force would seek to rebalance itself.
"Excellent control," approved Kairos. "Now, most importantly: release the alteration gradually, not all at once."
Richard visualized the process as the controlled release of a taut rope. He gradually allowed the grain's temporal flow to return to normal, without the abrupt jumps that would have created temporal turbulence.
```
[Temporal alteration correctly released]
[Temporal rebound: Null]
[Base technique established: Restoration Fluidity]
```
For the following hours, he practiced progressively more complex manipulations: slowing multiple objects simultaneously, creating small bubbles where time flowed slightly differently, and even accelerating natural processes like the growth of a seed.
The most significant advance came when Kairos taught him to combine his earth manipulation and temporal abilities.
"The primordial fragments were not designed to function in isolation," he explained. "Their true potential emerges from their harmonic interaction."
Richard placed his hands on a small mound of earth where Kairos had planted a seed. Using his earth manipulation, he connected with the soil's molecular structure, enriching it and preparing it to nourish life. Simultaneously, with delicate temporal control, he subtly accelerated the seed's germination process.
The result was astonishing: in a matter of minutes, a sprout emerged, grew, and blossomed into a perfectly healthy plant that would normally have required weeks of development.
```
[Elemental synergy discovered!]
[New ability: Organic Acceleration]
[Combines Temporal Control and Earth Manipulation]
[Mana consumption: -7] [Improved efficiency through synergy]
```
"You've found the path of the Cultivator," smiled Kairos with evident satisfaction. "This is the true nature of the Eternal Core: not to dominate isolated elements, but to catalyze the natural processes that sustain all life."
The sixteenth day of training began with a surprise. Arriving at the Practice Circle, Richard found all his mentors gathered: Elyndra, Thorne, Ryven, Lysara, Kairos, and the healer Lyriath.
"Today we'll evaluate your integral progress," announced Elyndra. "Not just in individual skills, but in your ability to use them harmoniously."
```
[Final evaluation initiated]
[Physical state: 95% recovered]
[Active fragments: 3/10]
[Objective: Demonstration of basic mastery]
```
The test began with specific challenges for each ability: manipulation of complex air currents for Ryven, identification of hidden energy patterns for Lysara, directed geological communion for Thorne, and controlled temporal alterations for Kairos.
Richard overcame each test with growing competence, demonstrating not only technical mastery but also judgment about when and how to apply each ability.
The final phase, however, presented a completely new challenge. The Sylvan created a simulated scenario: a miniature model of the Eternal Ice Peaks, where the fourth fragment was supposedly located.
"Show us how you would approach this search," requested Elyndra. "Use all your abilities not just to overcome obstacles, but to minimize your impact on the environment and avoid detection."
Richard studied the model carefully. Using his Current Understanding, he identified natural energy flows that could mask his own energy signature. With Earth Manipulation, he found routes that would require minimal alteration of the terrain. His wind control would allow him to create distractions or silence his approach. And, most importantly, his newly refined Temporal Control would give him the ability to observe situations before physically committing to them.
```
[Integral strategy formulated]
[Estimated efficiency: 87%]
[Risk of detection: Minimal]
```
As he explained his approach, Richard noticed the looks of approval exchanged between the Sylvan mentors. It wasn't simply his technical mastery they were evaluating, but his philosophy of use: the preference for subtlety over brute force, for harmony over domination.
"You've learned the most important lessons," concluded Elyndra when Richard finished his demonstration. "Not just how to use power, but when not to use it. This, more than any specific ability, differentiates you from those who pursue the fragments out of ambition."
```
[Evaluation completed]
[Result: PASSED]
[Status: Ready to continue search for fragments]
```
That night, during a ceremonial dinner with all the refuge's inhabitants, Richard received several gifts from his mentors: a set of tuning crystals from Ryven to stabilize his wind manipulations, a geological medallion from Thorne that would amplify his connection with the earth, a map of energy currents from Lysara, and from Kairos, a small pocket watch that seemed to function according to principles completely different from conventional horology.
"It doesn't mark time," explained the elderly Sylvan. "It observes it. It will alert you to nearby temporal distortions, including those created by the Organization's technology."
```
[Items acquired:
• Wind Tuning Crystals
• Geological Communion Medallion
• Primary Currents Map
• Paradoxical Flow Chronometer]
```
The most significant gift, however, came from Lyriath: a small vial of silvery liquid, similar to the one she had given him during his escape three weeks earlier.
"Stabilizing Essence," she explained. "The last we could synthesize. Use it only in extreme emergency, when the integration of a new fragment threatens to overwhelm you."
Richard accepted the gifts with deep gratitude, aware that they represented not only practical tools but also the trust of the last Sylvan in his mission.
The morning of the seventeenth day found Richard in the Cartography Chamber with Elyndra, studying again the map showing the location of the Sky Crystal.
"The Organization has reinforced its presence," she informed, pointing to new structures around Mount Serenis. "They've established a complete perimeter and are using advanced technology to detect energy fluctuations."
Richard studied the terrain, applying the knowledge acquired during his training.
"We'll need an indirect approach," he concluded. "We can't simply approach from below. We'll have to use natural currents to mask our approach."
Elyndra nodded approvingly.
"The Air-Spirit fragment will be in resonance with the mountain's atmospheric currents," she explained. "We could use that to our advantage, but it also means it will be extraordinarily sensitive to disturbances in those currents."
```
[Mission updated: Recovery of the Sky Crystal]
[Difficulty: Very high]
[Complicating factors: Organization presence, Extreme sensitivity of the fragment]
```
During that final day at the refuge, Richard completed his practical preparations. He refined his equipment, studied detailed maps of the Eternal Ice Peaks, and memorized alternative escape routes. But he also dedicated time to a different type of preparation: deep meditation to harmonize the three fragments he already carried.
In the evening, he found Elyndra sitting alone at the edge of the Practice Circle, contemplating the stars that were beginning to appear.
"Will you come with me to the Peaks?" asked Richard.
She slowly shook her head.
"Not this time. The Sky Crystal has... personal history for me," she explained with a distant voice. "Besides, I need to stay here to coordinate the Sylvan. The search for the fragments has entered a critical phase, and others are mobilizing too."
"Others? Who?"
"Not just the Organization seeks the fragments," responded Elyndra. "There are factions that have been observing for centuries, waiting. Your success in obtaining three fragments has catalyzed movements that remained dormant."
```
[Strategic information: Multiple active factions]
[Potential threat: Unknown]
[Alert level: Elevated]
```
Richard assimilated this new complication with resignation. Of course there would be others interested in the fragments. Power of such magnitude rarely goes unnoticed.
"How will I reach the Peaks, then?" he asked, changing the subject.
"Ryven will accompany you to the foot of the mountain," answered Elyndra. "His affinity with the wind will be useful for the initial journey. But the final ascension to the hidden temple you must make alone."
Richard nodded, understanding the necessity of this approach. Each fragment represented not just power but also a personal test, a challenge he had to face to prove his worth as a bearer.
"One last thing," added Elyndra, her expression suddenly more grave. "The Sky Crystal may be the most... unpredictable of the fragments. It represents the union of physical air and metaphysical spirit. Some bearers have lost their identity in it, dissolving into the vastness of the sky itself."
```
[WARNING: Risk of identity dissolution]
[Air-Spirit Fragment: Volatile nature]
[Psychological preparation recommended]
```
Richard thought about the lessons learned during these weeks of training, especially after the painful reminder of his partially aged arm.
"I will proceed with caution," he promised. "And I'll carry with me the teachings of all of you."
That night, in the quietness of his room, Richard contemplated the three fragments that were now part of him. Not physically, as they had been absorbed into his being, but in the form of the distinctive energies that now flowed within him.
The first fragment, aerial and dynamic. The second, fluid and adaptable. The third, solid and eternal. Each represented not just elemental power but also a philosophy of existence. And soon he would add a fourth to this internal symphony.
```
[Final status:
• Wind Manipulation: Level 3 (Stabilized)
• Wind Architecture: Level 1 (New)
• Echo Vision: Level 2
• Wind Steps: Level 3
• Current Understanding: Level 3 (Improved)
• Earth Manipulation: Level 2 (Improved)
• Basic Temporal Control: Level 1 (Refined)
• Geological Communion: Level 1 (New)
• Inscription Comprehension: Level 1 (Improved)
• Organic Acceleration: Level 1 (New/Synergistic)]
```
Richard closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing. Tomorrow he would begin the journey to Mount Serenis, toward the fourth fragment, toward a new chapter in his extraordinary evolution.
The arm that had suffered the temporal rebound pulsed slightly, a permanent reminder that even the greatest power must be treated with respect and humility. The crystalline veins under his skin glowed softly in the darkness, while the primordial fragments within him resonated with the promise of what was to come.
```
[Time elapsed: 17 days]
[Integrated fragments: 3/10]
[Next objective: Sky Crystal (Air-Spirit Fragment)]
```