The Art of Controlling Abilities
Abilities were much like stamina—they couldn't be used infinitely. Just as physical strength waned with age and the onset of decline, or how nonstop running would eventually drain one's reserves until collapse, abilities weakened over time with age, their intensity fading the longer they were sustained.
Yet many ability users preserved their skills well past their physical prime. It might stem from diligent management, but there were other reasons too. That had been the subject of the previous lecture, and Abel intended to leverage it.
"Professor Ben said in class that what decides victory between ability users of similar skill is choice and focus. Mastering this will help with even basic training."
Choice and focus. Rather than unleashing everything at once, it meant deploying just the right amount of power at the right moment. It sounded simple, but anyone could see why not everyone managed it.
The reason veteran ability users held onto their prowess lay precisely here. In Abel's eyes, Seria's issue stemmed from a lack of practical experience in wielding her power.
Her barony had no proper ability users. They couldn't afford to hire one even if they wanted to—the place was too remote and impoverished for such options. So she had to train alone, with no mentors to even point her in the right direction.
"Do you really think it's possible, Abel? I couldn't even follow the theory lecture."
"Don't worry. You're not lacking at all, Seria. If anything, you're remarkable."
He'd had the guidance of his ability-user father and sister. His training had been pure self-effort, but they'd shown him the path and how to walk it.
Seria was different. She'd awakened with zero knowledge or support, relying solely on her instincts to decide and act. And yet, she'd earned the examiners' approval to enter the academy. That alone proved her potential.
Power measurement rankings meant nothing anyway. They weren't official exams—just a benchmark of one's current level.
"What do you think, Kalligo?"
"If you're asking about Seria, then the obvious truth: simply reaching the academy is already impressive. Do you know how many awaken but at such a feeble level they're not even recognized as ability users, Seria?"
With their encouragement, Seria's slumped shoulders lifted a bit.
"So how should I do it? Tell me, Abel."
"In my case, when I use Physical Enhancement, I decide the intensity upfront—how much power to output and when. What about you with those flames?"
"Uh... to be honest, I just think 'ignite' and that's it. I've tried other ways, but the ability wouldn't activate..."
Abel rubbed his chin. As expected—far too vague. This strayed completely from choice and focus. What kind of flame? What size and heat? Where exactly to ignite it? Seria had to figure that out herself as the first step.
He regretted they didn't share affinities. If he'd been pyrokinesis or her physical enhancement, explanations would be simpler. But no dice—one couldn't wield fire, the other couldn't grasp body strengthening analogies.
"Seria, manifest your ability again. Let me see."
Kalligo, who'd initially questioned why he was tagging along, now seemed oddly proactive. He ignored Abel entirely; his gaze fixed solely on Seria.
"Here goes."
Seria strained. Dozens of tiny flames soon bobbed around her.
"Th-this is everything I can do. What do you think?"
"Hmm."
"Hm."
Abel and Kalligo fell silent. Calling those "flames" felt generous—they were minuscule, like drifting ash from a dying fire. Objectively, her pyrokinesis lagged far behind even freshmen standards. Flam, same affinity, had summoned massive fireballs.
"The number's decent. Not overly scorching either—warm like you, Seria. Flames don't have to rage wildly; no need to worry. Mixed with my darkness, it'd be perfect."
"Eh...?"
"Like stars dotting a dark sky, a galaxy even. Can't you just imagine how stunning?"
This guy's veering off-topic again when I asked for ability advice. I get how you've character-built him, but in an ability-user story, romance ranks like fifth hashtag—rein it in.
Before Kalligo could continue, Abel cut in and stepped forward.
"Bluntly put, it's lacking, Seria. Even by freshman benchmarks."
"I see..."
Kalligo shot Abel a sharp glare from the side—Couldn't you soften it? Abel met it with What's the issue? Sugarcoating helped less than honesty here.
"Thank you, Abel. It's actually reassuring to hear it straight."
"Now that you've recognized the gap, one thing remains: clash with it head-on. Grasp the feel first to understand the theory—like touring your barony before studying management."
"Ah! That makes it click!"
"We've got about ten minutes left, so let's try anything."
Right now, hazy wisps like smoldering embers. Sharpen them into true flames. How? Abel didn't know. Sounds dumb, but what can you do? Seria had to solve it herself—discover and wield her own method.
Manifestation varied per user, each with unique triggers. For Abel, swinging his sword while envisioning himself as the blade's tip, piercing forward. He slashed and thrust ahead.
Seria needed something similar yet her own. It wouldn't be easy, of course. Knowing that, Abel poured his heart into helping—seeing his past self in her lost, fumbling form sealed it.
"This isn't working. Imagining bigger flames scatters them instead."
"Try another angle. Not size—heat this time."
"May I offer my thoughts?"
"Anything goes, Kalligo. You're here to help Seria, right?"
"Naturally! I'd skip lectures to stay for her!"
"Please don't."
They made thrifty use of the remaining break before returning to class.
"Now, resuming. By leveraging personal manifestation methods, you can position abilities precisely in key moments to amplify power..."
The theory lecture remained daunting for Seria, but less terrifying than before. That brief training with Abel—under twenty minutes—proved a huge bolster. No path? Fine. Someone to walk it with sufficed.
"Let's discuss more during personal training after class."
Abel's eagerness drew a nod from Seria. Kalligo tagging along felt burdensome, but okay. Exchanging ideas with Abel might yield answers eventually.
Since leaving her barony, she'd felt utterly alone—shaking, scared, tense. Then she met Abel in the carriage. He seemed cold at first, but chats revealed his warmth.
Now he wanted to help full-throttle. Not "do it alone," but "together." A rural baron's daughter, originally a commoner. She projected brightness, but shadows and negativity might lurk unknown even to her.
In this unfamiliar place amid strangers, as darkness swelled, how could she forget the hand extended?
I'll get there first and wait! Can't keep Abel waiting!
Morning classes and lunch passed; Seria bolted straight to the training grounds. Being helped meant arriving before him, right?
Soon Abel appeared at the entrance, waving as he approached.
"You're early, Seria."
"Yes! Of course I had to be, Abel."
"Such passion for your ability—excellent attitude."
Not seeking praise, but it still warmed her.
"Sadly, Kalligo can't make it."
"Why?"
"Professor summoned him. He insisted I relay his apologies."
"No need—he owes nothing."
Just Abel and me for training? That's... great, isn't it? The thought startled her; she shook her head.
"Seria? Something wrong?"
"No! L-let's start! Max out till dinner!"
"As I said, that enthusiasm is spot-on."
In ability-user tales, growth mattered most. For growth, unbreakable spirit. Applauding her mindset, Abel dove into special training.
Or tried to.
"Seria."
"Yes, Abel! I'm ready!"
"Lie face-down first."
"Suddenly wha—kyaa?!"
Abel flattened Seria to the ground and covered her with his body. Woman below, man atop—a bizarre scene. Then, an ear-shattering boom engulfed the world.