After reaching the field of rock carved into the mountainside, Azazul walked over to Matthew. Matthew was busy tending the food on the fire. Azazul opened his mouth to apologize for being late, but Matthew spoke first.
"Before you say anything—no sword training today. We're working on your lightning and fire affinities."
Azazul sat down on one of the logs.
"Okayyyy… well, how do I do that?"
"You have to meditate and extract mana from the air. Since you're a deity, your mana core manifested at birth. And because I already tested you, I know you're a manipulator, not a magician."
Azazul frowned.
"What's the difference between the two?"
"Well," Matthew began, "a magician can't augment their body with mana, and they can't augment their weapons either. They usually can use more elements, and they're more likely to inherit soul and mind attacks—rarely both. Magicians are generally bad in close combat but excellent at long range. They're rare… but manipulators are different."
"Manipulators can augment their bodies with mana, giving them super strength, speed, and agility. They can also augment their weapons with elemental magic. They're usually very strong fighters and possess one or two, sometimes three elements. While magicians can only use one element or attack at a time, manipulators can use two—sometimes three—simultaneously.
"So, offensively, manipulators are better. Defensively, magicians excel."
Azazul blinked. He understood almost nothing of what his uncle had just said.
"But before we start, here's a tip. For humans the main elements are wind, earth, water, and fire. Some do inherit branched elements—like your lightning. It's very rare in humans. But for deities, it's different. They can inherit both a main element and an element branched from another main element. You're a good example. Your natural affinity is fire, but you also inherited lightning, which is branched not from fire, but from water. You follow what I'm saying?"
"Yes… or at least, I think I do. Humans mostly inherit main elements and rarely their branched ones."
Matthew shook his head.
"No. Humans can inherit a main element and its branch. But they can't inherit one main element and then a branched element from a different main element. Now, for your training: you need to extract mana from the atmosphere, then learn to manipulate that mana in a fight while still absorbing it."
"Uncle… can you repeat that? I didn't catch it."
Matthew let out a short laugh.
"Since your mana core is already formed, you need to get a feel for it. Try to absorb mana, then augment your body with it. And while augmenting, keep absorbing. Do both continuously. Need me to explain more?"
"No, it's fine."
Azazul stood and walked to the edge of the platform, repeating his uncle's words to himself.
Absorb mana, then augment my body while still absorbing… doesn't sound so hard. Piece of cake.
Sitting down, he relaxed and cleared his mind of distraction, focusing only on absorbing mana. It was a strange yet satisfying feeling.
His core filled quickly, which showed his impurity. But once it was fully saturated, he guided that mana through his veins and augmented his body. Keeping his mind clear, he felt his strength rise and the air grow cleaner with each breath.
While augmenting, he struggled to continue absorbing mana, but he stayed calm and persisted. After a while, he stood and walked back to Matthew.
"Uncle, can we have a quick sparring match?"
"Sure. Give me a few moments—the food is almost done."
Azazul said nothing and walked to the center of the platform, absorbing and augmenting again.
After a moment, Matthew took the pot off the fire and approached him.
Hearing Matthew's steps, Azazul picked up his tachi from his right and faced him. Matthew stood opposite him with a wooden sword. Azazul didn't unsheathe his blade—he'd noticed that even when blocking strong attacks, the sheath remained unscathed, looking brand-new.
They stood facing each other. Azazul continued absorbing and augmenting while Matthew waited, letting him adjust to the feeling. Suddenly, Azazul launched forward with immense speed. As he reached Matthew, he thrust the sheathed sword toward his uncle's stomach, but Matthew simply twisted aside, letting the blade pass. Then he buried his knee into Azazul's stomach, dropping him to his knees.
The blow knocked the wind out of Azazul. His augmentation faltered, the power boost slipping away. But he knew Matthew wouldn't stop.
Matthew lifted his wooden sword to deliver a downward slash.
Azazul tightened his grip and glanced at Matthew's shadow. He raised his tachi just in time to block.
But Matthew expected that. His foot shot forward. Azazul knew his uncle always had a follow-up. He blocked the kick with his left forearm. The force rattled him—he felt his bone strain. He was sent flying a few feet back but managed to stay standing. He raised his sword with both hands—but pain shot through his forearm.
When he looked up, Matthew was already in front of him. Another strike hit his gut. Azazul collapsed to his knees. His augmentation slipped completely, and moments later he threw up, breathless from the repeated blows.
"You lasted longer than last time," Matthew said. "You should be proud. You kept up with me—even if only for a few seconds.
Come on, you need to fill your stomach."
Azazul grimaced.
"And whose fault is it that my stomach's empty?"
After they finished eating, they sat quietly with their own thoughts. Azazul stared into the fire and eventually spoke in an even tone.
"Uncle… am I going to have to kill my father?"
Matthew frowned but wasn't surprised. He had expected this question.
"Well… yes. To make sure your mother is safe in this world, you're going to have to."
Azazul already knew he didn't have a choice. If he did, he wouldn't be here—he'd probably be drinking lemon juice in the shade with Meira. But he knew it wasn't just about his father. He feared him… but the gods? That was something else entirely. And yet… was it really beyond him?
He was pulled from his thoughts when Matthew continued.
"But that's not really what you wanted to ask, is it? I know you're scared. Scared of the responsibility you have to carry. All you can think about is what happens if you fail, and the consequences. Look, Azazul… I can't tell you what to feel or what to do. I wish you didn't have to be in this war. But fate placed you on this path. Fate… it chose you."
Azazul let out a small laugh.
"Fate, huh? Well, I didn't want to be chosen. I didn't want this eye. I didn't want to become a murderer. All I want is to see Mom. I don't want to go to war with a father I don't even know. To make it worse, I've never even seen him."
He lowered his head and clenched his fists.
"How? How does Mom expect me to kill people—gods, even—just to see her once? I don't even know her… only her name. Everything I know about her is what you told me."
Azazul stood without another word and walked back to the edge, continuing his earlier practice.
Matthew didn't say anything either. He knew Azazul would eventually realize that no one else could do what needed to be done. Except him.