Mythshaper

“The training method I'm going to teach you is called Essence Unification,” Mum said, settling on the mat before me. “But before that, you must know that this process is extremely strenuous for unawakened individuals. And it remains difficult even after awakening for many. Before I begin my explanation, can you tell me the difference between you and an awakened?”

“Other than me not having an essence seed?” I said. “Awakened have a gift. Well, I have one too, but they can utilise theirs at will.”

“Anything more?”

“Hmm.” I thought hard. “Oh, awakened are not restricted from gaining the Way of Pain Tolerance and other self-harming ways.”

Mum nodded. “You are aware of the basics. Now, I'm going to tell you something that is not discussed enough.”

Easily, I became eager. Anything involving awakened could excite me.

“You see, essence does not exactly work as fuel for magic, or rather, it does not work on its own. You have to draw it to work, and to do that, you need Will.”

Are we thinking about the same will? Or was she talking about something mystical, like an attribute, perhaps? I didn't even have to ask the question—she was already explaining it.

“Will is involved with a person’s aura, psyche, and many other things, but most of all, only the awakened have a substantial enough Will to draw essence at their liberty.”

Does that mean I am doomed to fail at learning Essence Unification? No, if that were the case, Mum wouldn't have even considered teaching me.

“A Shaper tends to have more of this Will,” she continued, “making it possible for them to draw essence out of their body, even for a newly awakened Shaper. Anyhow, this Will works like stamina. Exert too much at once, and you’d be out of it for a while. Even with all the essence in your core, you won’t have a way to use it.