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Chapter 2 - Chapter 2

Kaelen stood in silence, the crystalized aqua sigils still etched into the cave wall behind him, pulsing with residual mana. His breath fogged in the cool air, not from cold—but from the pressure. It was like the entire world now had weight.

A shimmering pattern glowed faintly across his skin: aqua-colored runes flowing from his heart outward like river tributaries. His Mana Veins had awakened.

"So this is the Arcana of Water…" he whispered.

He could feel it—his Mana Pool had opened. Not fully, but like the first breach of a dam. Raw, living water swirled in his soul.

Suddenly, the trial chamber pulsed again. This time, with motion.

From the depths of the pond at the chamber's center, a ripple turned to a whirlpool. Rising from the vortex came a spectral beast—its long serpentine body made of shimmering blue scales, gills flaring with mana steam.

[Aetherial Beast: Nairos, Minor Spirit of the Deep]

Kaelen instinctively stepped back, his right hand glowing faintly with mana as it moved to trace an arcane sigil in the air—one of the runes he had seen etched into the wall. His mind raced.

He didn't know any spells… but something ancient stirred in his blood.

The beast spoke—not in words, but in emotion.

"Prove your bond. Or drown."

The Nairos lunged.

Kaelen's body moved, mana surging through his veins as instinct took hold. Water spiraled around his feet as he leapt back, then twisted his hand. His first Arcane Rune flared:

"Aqua Rune: Ripple Wall!"

A translucent disk of flowing water manifested before him, catching the beast's surge like a soft crash of tide against stone. But the spirit's weight broke through after a second's delay, hurling Kaelen across the cavern. He hit the wall hard.

Pain flared in his ribs—but he laughed.

"So that's what a real spell feels like..."

His veins burned as he pushed himself upright, blood mixing with mana. He'd only scratched the surface of what the Aqua Arcana could do.

Again, he raised his hand. But this time, he didn't focus on defense. He reached within—to the growing spring inside his soul.

"Aqua Rune: Stream Lance!"

The mana coalesced like a whirl in his palm, then surged forward in a pressurized bolt of spiraling water. The lance slammed into Nairos, sending the beast coiling back with a screech-like ripple. Its body shimmered—less real now, fading.

"You know the flow. You ride the current. You are chosen."

The trial spirit dissolved into droplets, and from those droplets—a seed of condensed mana floated toward him. It hovered above his palm and sank into his chest.

[Mana Contract Formed: Nairos - Aqua Companion]

[Passive Skill Gained: Tidal Sense]

[Spell Unlocked: Aqua Vein Pulse]

Kaelen dropped to his knees as the mana took root deeper. His Mana Pool expanded. His Arcana flared in response.

He wasn't just an Initiate now. He was Bonded.

Later, as he climbed the steps out of the cavern, the world outside came into view. Nerevia's floating islands glimmered under the mana-lit sky. From here, he could see the Sapphire Bridge—the gateway to the Nerevian Arcanum.

Waiting at the top of the steps was a woman in azure robes, embroidered with spirals of frost and foam. Her hair flowed like liquid silver, eyes glowing with lunar calm.

"You've passed the first rite," she said. "You are Kaelen, Aqua Initiate. Welcome to the Order."

Kaelen bowed—barely able to contain his grin.

"Then let the tides carry me forward."

Beneath his feet, the ground pulsed with mana.

Far above, in the ocean of stars, something stirred.

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