Kaelen's expression grew solemn as he began to speak. "There are several realms tethered to the world we live in," he began, his voice taking on the tone of a sage.
"These realms are the very sources of all affinities. While our world, is held up by the Master Laws of the universe, the tethered realms, do not hold enough Master Laws or Master Laws at all to be considered worlds of their own. Yet, each of these realms possess their own forms of sentient life."
He paused, letting the scale of it sink in. Ethan and Alan listened with rapt attention. They understood this lesson was a gift, knowledge bestowed because their master would soon be absent, and likely to prepare them for the looming shadow of what he previously called a "catastrophe."
"Among all these realms, there is only one that can freely invade the human world," Kaelen continued, his gaze sharpening. "This is due to a terrifying fact: this realm is partially supported by a Master Law of its own."
A chill, deeper than the one from his awakening, traced Ethan's spine.
"The Nether Realm," Kaelen named it. "It has the support of the Master Law of Death and Destruction. The lifeforms there are collectively called Demons. I'm sure you remember Mephos. He is one of them. And just as Ascendants absorb the Aether energy of our world, Demons cultivate and wield an energy source called Nether energy."
*Aether and Nether energy.* Ethan repeated the names in his mind. He'd never given a name to the ambient, attributeless energy he absorbed; he'd only cared about the illusion or creation energy it became. Now, it had a name... 'Aether'.
"Master," Alan interrupted Ethan's thoughts,. "You said the world has several realms connected to it. What are the others?"
Ethan pulled his focus back, equally eager for the answer.
"Of course," Kaelen nodded. "First, understand the hierarchy. The only realm with the direct support of a Master Law is the Nether, as I've said. Next are the Elemental Realms—the source realms for every elemental affinity. But because they must rely *entirely* on the Master Laws of our primary world to exist, our world exerts an absolute suppression effect on them. They cannot breach our world just as the Nether can. This same principle applies to the Dream Realm and the Mirror Realm."
*The Dream Realm? The Mirror Realm?* Ethan's mind raced. "Master," he blurted out, "does that mean there are Dream affinities and Mirror affinities?"
Kaelen offered a wry smile. "The Dream Realm and its potential affinity have been a mystery since its discovery. But of course, no human, nor any race we know of, has ever manifested a Dream Affinity. In my opinion, this is due to the fickle, abstract nature of dream laws. Forget about the Dream Realm for now. Even as a Rank 5 Ascendant, I have not been able to access it in any meaningful way."
Ethan absorbed this, the existence of utterly inaccessible powers humbling him.
"Now, Ethan," Kaelen said, turning his focus specifically to him. "Regarding the Mirror Realm. You called it a 'Mirror affinity,' but that is not what we know it as. It is called the Illusion Affinity."
Ethan felt the breath stop in his throat. He had been focusing intently, the moment Kaelen mentioned the Mirror Realm, and now his master was connecting it directly to the Illusion element. A mix of confusion shot through him.
"I..I, don't understand, Master."
Kaelen nodded, as if he had been expecting this gap in his knowledge for Ethan . "I knew you wouldn't have this information yet."
"The Illusion Temple guards the origin of their power with fanatical secrecy, but considering that you illusion users are the only connection to the Mirror Realm its a little reasonable."
"Master," he asked, pushing the reveal aside for a more pressing question, "what makes the illusion element so different?"
Kaelen's gaze grew distant. "Honestly, till this moment it's still a mystery. I've never had a real need to focus on the illusion element. But from what I've come across, I can speculate. The Mirror Realm reflects the main world, and the illusion energy from it can recreate anything in reality. But that's as far as my knowledge goes."
"Now to other matters."
He paused, shifting the topic. "I called you both here because I've seen you've begun researching your spells already."
"I want to outline the paths available to you as an ascendant. For most ascendants, our elements are our greatest strength which makes Spellcasting the first choice as the main path. Of course, the nature of each spell is suited to the pecularities of each element, but each of these element are deadly in their own right."
Ethan was confused. "But Master, unlike the other elements, the illusion element isn't the least bit deadly."
"True," Kaelen agreed. "From where you stand as a beginner illusionist I can see your fear, but if you've ever faced a true illusionist like I have you would have a different opinion."
"I still don't understand," Ethan admitted.
"Okay... tell me," Kaelen asked as he leaned back, "what spell did you choose as your first?"
"a Clone spell from the Phantom Wolf." Ethan responded quickly
Kaelen perked up. "A Phantom Wolf, huh? Those are incredibly rare here. Their 'clone' spell has greater potential than anything I had in mind for you. The difficulty, however, is really discouraging. I won't ask you to give it up, but instead, find an easier spell for the short term. Treat the clone spell as a long-term project."
"What makes it so difficult sir?" Ethan pressed.
Kaelen smiled, seeing his stubbornness. "Once, I fought a Rank 4 Phantom Wolf. Its clones were made of dense energy, controlled by its will, and could mimic anything it understood with it's illusion energy perfectly. The difficulty is twofold: you must separately control each clone with your will while coordinating your own attacks, and the clone's structure must be perfect, or it crumbles in one hit."
Ethan was confused. "I thought the illusion element was just an illusion?"
Kaelen laughed. "Ethan, the illusion element *recreates* reality. If it were 'just' an illusion, why would I use those words?"
"Then what use is the creation element?" Ethan stuttered, his composure breaking.
"Good question," Kaelen nodded. "The true nature of illusion is not fully understood, but it mimics. At its core, it's still energy, and can only take so much before crumbling without constant reinforcement. Creation energy, however, directly creates matter, it's permanent as long as you have the energy and the necessary knowledge of what you're creating."
Ethan was stunned by the depth of the knowledge.
"Master, can you tell me more about will?" Alan asked, thinking of his own near-death experience. He hadn't told anyone, but seeing Ethan ask questions, he knew he couldn't waste the opportunity.
Kaelen turned to him and released a strand of his will towards both of them. Ethan felt a slight pressure but didn't react. Alan, however, reacted on instinct. The moment he felt the foreign will, visible snakes of electricity crackled to life across his body.
Kaelen smiled. "Tsk... you lucky elemental body ascendants. You have a mutated lightning will, just like Gwain."
"What does that mean?" Alan asked.
"Willpower is a form of mental power uh... almost like an extention of yourself if you'll call it. Your will has gained the properties of your lightning body. You can now significantly increase your attack damage by imbuing it with your will. But be careful not to deplete it; it will leave you completely vulnerable."
He then released a stronger wave of will to suppress Alan's, as the crackling energy was putting uncomfortable pressure on Ethan.
Ethan threw a glare at Alan after the pressure vanished, then asked, "Master, how do we awaken our will? Or do I just have to feel uncomfortable whenever someone directs their will at me?"
Kaelen smiled. "Don't worry. The training Gwain developed is for exactly that. Every individual has willpower, but sensing it to assume control is the challenge. The most effective way is through a life-threatening situation."
He turned to Alan. "You must have gone through quite a lot during your awakening. I'm happy you survived."
"Thank you, master," Alan said.
"Its not all bad news now," Kaelen continued. "With your mutated will, you've basically completed half your training. The only experience you need now is how to combat a demon."
Hearing they were going to fight one of those terrifying creatures, both Ethan and Alan paled, prompting a laugh from Kaelen.
"Hahaha... it's okay, don't worry. They'll be demons of your rank this time." His expression turned deadly serious. "But underestimate them and you won't even know how you died."