Chapter 19: Ephemeral Flames
"Feel this? Try to replicate this feeling when using internally controlled Sigil like Spark for external manifestation," Aryan explained, turning his hand as the flames pulsed in time with his breath. "There is a difference between redirecting force inside your body and exerting it outside."
Orion nodded and raised his own hand. He activated Spark again, feeling the familiar surge of energy ripple through his palm. But when he tried to force it to manifest Ephemeral Flame, the effect was a bit sluggish—like trying to push water uphill. Instead of an immediate ignition, the flame sputtered and died.
He scowled and tried again.
And again.
And again.
Each time, the activation took seconds too long—nowhere near fast enough to be useful in battle.
Aryan's voice was as sharp as ever. "Why do you think it dissipates that quickly? You are using a flame that embodies entropy, not only that but you also you waste precious time during transitions, and you somehow expect to summon it's effect?"
Orion clenched his teeth, his fingers twitching with frustration. "You make it sound easy."
"It's not," Aryan admitted, his eyes cold. "Which is why we're going to repeat it. A hundred times."
A muscle twitched in Orion's jaw, but he swallowed his frustration. There was no arguing with Aryan—not unless he wanted an even more brutal punishment.
He braced himself and tried again.