"OW!" Lucian shrieked as another pinpoint blast struck him square in the gut. He crumpled to the ground, coughing.
"Come on, little girl," Dawn mocked, arms crossed. "This is your endurance training. You think battles come with snack breaks?" She fired another blast without hesitation—Lucian yelped as he flew back and slammed into the wall with a painful thud.
Dawn walked over, peered down at him where he lay twitching like roadkill. "Geez. You're a mess." She crouched beside him, poking his shoulder with the toe of her boot. "I guess we can move on to theory," she sighed, standing up and dusting her hands. "You've got ten minutes. Take any longer, and I'm doubling your endurance training. No mercy."
Lucian just groaned from the floor, staring blankly at the ceiling. He was, in every possible sense, dead inside.
Ten minutes later... Lucian returned, face pale, expression grim. He sat cross-legged in front of Dawn, trying not to fall over. "I take it you know about affinities and Basic Behavioural Theory?" she asked. "Yeah... I know that much," he croaked. "Good. Then let's upgrade that noodle of yours." She pulled a tightly rolled scroll from her sack and tossed it to him. Lucian barely caught it. "This right here," she said, "is called Behavioural Color Theory. Learn it. Master it. And in battle, it might just save your sorry skin."
Lucian unrolled it carefully, revealing a chart with shifting ink tones and handwritten notes.
[ Behavioural Color Theory
Understanding the Aura of the Soul
The Red Canva (Shades of Red — Intensity, Passion, Violence):
Behaviour - Shade - Description
Arrogance - Crimson Red - Bold, self-important—radiant with elitism.
Wrath - Scarlet Red - Blazing red—symbol of explosive fury.
Pride - Ruby Red - Noble and deep—reflects inner grandeur.
Vengeance - Carmine Red - Blood-hued—slow-burning, deeply personal hate.
Cruelty - Blood Red - Viscous and violent—delight in suffering.
Fear - Wine Red - Murky, anxious—dread cloaked in rage.
The Blue Canva (Shades of Blue — Intellect, Emotion, Distance)
Behaviour - Shade - Description
Sympathy - Sky Blue - Gentle, supportive, open-hearted
Empathy - Forest Lake Blue - Rich and introspective—deep feeling
Lust - Electric Indigo-Blue - Lurid, obsessive, hunger disguised as passion.
Calmness - Cerulean Blue - Tranquil focus and mental clarity.
Anxiousness - Stormy Steel Blue - Faintly greyed—nervous, restless
Knowledge - Deep Ocean Blue - Vast and layered—insightful and analytical.
Wit - Azure Blue - Sharp and agile—quick to adapt.
The Green Canva (Shades of Green — Growth, Emotion, Decay, Balance)
Behaviour - Shade - Description
Sensitivity - Soft Mint Green - Pale and raw—heightened perception.
Hope - Spring Green - Fresh and vibrant—alive with possibility.
Courage - Lime Green - Bright and bold—bravery personified.
Admiration - Meadow Green - Clean and uplifting—draws greatness.
Kindness - Leaf Green - Nurturing strength—gentle but unyielding.
Sloth - Olive Green - Stagnant and steady—passive resilience.
The Black Canva(Shadowy Accents — Chaos, Despair, Rebellion)
Behaviour - Shade - Description
Weirdness - Obsidian w/ Iridescence - Shifting unpredictability—anomalous and absurd.
Despair - Midnight Blue-Black - Cold and hollow—a void of hope.
Ignorance - Charcoal Black + Pale Grey - Blocked, closed-off—void of curiosity. ]
Lucian blinked. "This… is a lot."
"You'd better learn to read auras, fast," Dawn said, stretching. "Next time someone swings at you, I'm not jumping in to save your butt." Lucian looked at the chart again. Every color, every shade, every word—it all seemed to vibrate with unseen weight.
After a few minutes of silence, Lucian rolled the scroll back up and handed it back. "I memorized it," he said. Dawn raised an eyebrow. "Already?" Lucian nodded. "Yeah."
She crossed her arms and rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "…Alright. What's the color for Pride?" "Ruby Red." "And Arrogance?" "Crimson Red." "Sympathy?" "Sky Blue." "Sloth?" "Olive Green." "Despair?" "Midnight Blue-Black."
Dawn stared at him for a moment, blinking slowly. "I'm genuinely shocked… How can someone be this talented and still so weak?" Lucian squinted. "Is that supposed to be a compliment or an insult?" "Oh, it's a compliment, princess—for now at least." Lucian sighed. "For now, she says…"
Dawn took the scroll back with a flick of her wrist. "Alright, enough fun. Time for the next test—Elemental Affinity. What's yours?" Lucian paused, scratching his head. "I… don't really remember." Dawn looked like she aged five years in a second. She slapped a hand to her forehead. "You don't remember? Are you serious?" Lucian shrugged helplessly. "I was kinda enslaved, remember?" Dawn held up a finger. "Y'know what? No. Don't even answer me. Just follow me." She marched out of the warehouse, muttering something under her breath. "…Alright," Lucian muttered and trailed behind her.
Outside, she handed him a square piece of paper. "What's this?" Lucian asked, turning it over. Dawn gave him the flattest stare imaginable. "Maybe I should just get you enrolled in a damn kindergarten." She pointed at the paper. "Elemental paper, dumbass. Channel your Will into it. Let's see what affinity you've got." Lucian exhaled and focused his Will.
The paper shimmered—and then turned a vivid, clear blue. Dawn leaned in slightly, observing the hue. "Blue, huh?" She smirked. "Your affinity is Water."
"Alright," Dawn said, stretching her arms behind her head, "now we need to evoke your affinity." Lucian tilted his head. "What does that mean—?" "Don't ask questions." She grabbed his wrist and started walking. "Wait—where are we going?" he asked, stumbling after her. "You'll find out."
They walked through the winding alleys of Hohenbrücken until they reached the great river flowing beneath the city's High Bridges. The water shimmered in the sunlight, a calm and endless current beneath the towering arches. Lucian looked at the river… then back at her. "Uh… What exactly are we—" WHUMP. Without warning, a sharp kick landed in his back. "WhAAAAHH!" Lucian tumbled forward and splashed headfirst into the water.
Dawn stood at the edge of the river, arms crossed and completely unfazed. "And stay down there! You need to bond with your affinity. Get comfy with it. Let it know you. That's how you evoke it." She smirked to herself. Watching Lucian flail had definitely been the highlight of her day.
An hour later, a soaked and shivering Lucian dragged himself onto the bank, water dripping from his hair and sleeves, his breaths ragged. "So… cough... am I ready now?" he asked, barely able to lift his head. Dawn crouched down and gave him an approving pat on the head like a wet dog. "Yep." She stood up straight, her expression suddenly serious. "You're finally ready… for the real training." Lucian groaned. "This wasn't real enough already?"|
"Oh no, this was just the welcome party," she grinned. "Now the fun begins."