Master Ignis was an old man, a teacher who had spent many of his years in the Phoenix Guild. His life's work was dedicated to training and perfecting the skills of the young fire-blooded students who entered the guild, especially those who bore the gift of mutation.
He was not just another instructor. He was responsible for shaping generations of mutants, and under his guidance, countless students had gone on to carve great names for themselves. To the Phoenix Guild, he was an irreplaceable pillar.
Rumors, however, stretched even further. Some whispered that Master Ignis was the very first fire mutant to ever exist, that he was the original founder of the Phoenix Guild itself, the one who had lit its eternal flame. But as with all rumors, certainty was elusive. Time had stolen much clarity, and Ignis himself never confirmed or denied such claims. What was undeniable, however, was his love for teaching. Passing on his knowledge was his joy, his true calling, and his role as a teacher proved that.
When it came to the art of the fire mutation, there was none greater. None knew more than him. He was living proof of the saying: experience is the best teacher.
Now, on the central circular platform of the training hall, Master Ignis moved slowly and deliberately, his steps steady, his posture fluid and unhurried. He stopped at the edge of the platform, extended his palms upward, and inhaled deeply—a slow, deliberate breath that seemed to draw the very heat of the chamber into himself.
As he exhaled, a faint golden aura shimmered from his hands, gently warming the air. This was not simply breathing; it was a demonstration of readiness, a silent declaration that he stood at the threshold of power.
"Before we even contemplate igniting a single spark," Master Ignis began, his voice carrying the calm resonance of authority, "we must first grasp the foundation of all energy manipulation—the very essence that fuels our innate power."
He shifted into his teaching stance: feet spread slightly apart, his body balanced and grounded. It was not dramatic, but it exuded quiet stability.
"Let me explain something crucial to you, Sarah. When humans undergo a random mutation transformation, something profound happens inside them. It is not only that their senses become heightened. No… more importantly, a unique entity is forged within them—what we call the mutation core."
His grey eyes locked onto the young girl, ensuring she followed his words.
"The kind of mutation core that forms depends directly on the energy your spirit is most aligned with."
Sarah's brow furrowed as she tried to follow, but Ignis pressed on.
"Scientists will argue about genetics, DNA, and complex biology. They will draw charts, write theories, and pretend they are close to the truth. But to me…" he shook his head, "none of it explains what truly happens. The answer has always been here, plain as firelight. They are simply too reluctant to accept it."
He raised a finger, his voice sharpening.
"That is why they waste their lives chasing a 'perfect pill.' They think they can engineer mutations by force. To me, it is nothing more than a colossal waste of time and resources."
Sarah's eyes were wide, drinking in every word, though some parts clearly went over her head. She was only eight, after all, and the weight of his lessons often stretched far beyond her understanding. Still, she listened with all the focus her small body could muster.
Master Ignis noticed her confusion but did not relent. He knew seeds planted today would bloom later.
"Now," he continued, softening his tone, "as I said, the kind of core you form is decided by your spirit—by the type of energy your being can most easily channel. Some might even say it is written into the threads of destiny itself."
He paused briefly, as though weighing his next words, then spoke again.
"Our world, Sarah, is made of energy. This is no new phenomenon. Energy existed long before the invention of pills, before the arrival of the underworld beasts, even before the rifts tore open. Earth itself has always carried its own inherent energy."
He lifted his hand, and faint embers flickered around his fingers as if the world's energy answered his call.
"But," he said, "that energy was subtle. Most could not perceive it, let alone use it. Only those with open spirits could grasp it. Do you understand? To wield energy, one must be spiritually open."
Sarah tilted her head, uncertain, but nodded slowly.
"Examples would be the martial artists of old," Ignis explained. "Kung-fu masters, monks, and warriors who devoted their lives to meditation and discipline. By training body and mind, they detached themselves from worldly distractions and became empty vessels, open to energy. In doing so, they learned to sense and channel it."
He rubbed his chin, as if recalling something distant. "There were also others… people chosen differently. They did not train their bodies endlessly, but rather, they were gifted energy directly. Chosen by… ah, what was his name again?"
Ignis frowned, muttering. "Yade? Yale? No… ah!" His eyes lit up. "YHWH. Yes, that was it."
"Yah… who?" Sarah asked, stumbling over the unfamiliar name.
"YHWH," Ignis repeated, "a higher being who blessed certain people, giving them direct access to this energy. They did not need decades of training to sense it. Still, even they had to live apart from the world. They had to be different—detached, dedicated. And they used their gift not for fighting, but for miracles. For healing. For wonders."
Sarah scrunched her nose. "Blessed? So… they just got it? Like a gift?"
Ignis chuckled softly. "Yes. Strange, isn't it? Even I cannot explain it fully. But such was the truth of their time."
He let the thought linger, then returned to his lesson.
"Now, as I was saying, once a core is created, its nature is locked. If the core does not match your spirit, then every step forward becomes a battle. Your spirit and your core will fight within you, leaving you weakened. Advancement becomes nearly impossible."
His gaze softened as he looked at her. "But you, Sarah, are different. Do you know why?"
Sarah blinked, shaking her head quickly. Truthfully, she was beginning to grow restless. She had come here to train with fire, not to listen to endless lectures.
Ignis, however, leaned closer, lowering his voice with pride.
"It is because your spiritual energy is fire itself. Unlike anyone before you, you were born to carry flame. You are destined to master it—just like me. And today, I will teach you every secret I know."
A small smile tugged at his lips, not of excitement, but of pride and certainty.
"Throughout history, this universal energy has been called many names," he continued, straightening once more. "The martial artists called it Qi. The blessed ones named it Divine Energy. Others called it Mana. And in our era, we call it Mutant Energy."
Sarah's green eyes sparkled faintly at the last words, though her small body was still tense with impatience. She wanted to see flames, not words. Yet something in Ignis's tone, something in the weight of his knowledge, rooted her in place.
This was the foundation of power. And whether she realized it now or not, one day she would remember this lesson.
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