Chapter 384 - Inverted Blast

Since a chance has been given to him, Eric found it best to train his Fire Controlling abilities now. He has free time, and it is best if he trains as much as possible because regardless of the 15 months of experience, he still hasn't escaped his Expert (Level 4) title in Fire Manipulating/Controlling.

But also, becoming better and better in Fire Controlling will inevitably help him obliterate what little Inner Demon is left on him, and learn Lava Controlling better and faster. A mind that is transparent can pick up more wisdom after all.

Here, he has a big advantage in terms of becoming a better Fire Controller. A Grand Master in this power is to his disposal, King Michael has become his temporary Mentor here once more and will inevitably prove useful to forming Eric in to a stronger Fire Controller at least.

The training exercise of which King Michael wants Eric to do, is rather drastic! He wants Eric to strip almost n.a.k.e.d, with just under pants on and try to keep himself warm in this blistering December Cold, using his powers only.

This is an exercise as old as time, it was mostly used before the first Era when Ignites inevitably had to face blistering cold due to the Ice Age. Now, this exercise is used to boost the odds of ascending to another level. For Eric here it will prove more than useful, and the sooner he reaches Level 5, the quicker his Inner Demon of Rage will descend to Level 1.

Osira and Dilli can benefit from this exercise as well, perhaps Osira could finally reach Level 4 with its aid and Dilli would finally attain Level 5 as well. But for women, this exercise isn't preferable. Because in many cases, the cold hits the chest tremendously. In other terms, it means that these ladies shouldn't wear anything that covers or protects their chest. The only thing they would need to cover, is their most private part.

As you can see, it is obvious that they can't do this exercise out in the open, especially with a male mentor and a male friend around. It would feel embarrassing, the scene would be hard to live down for anyone there, and these ladies both have attractive features that would attract not only men but women too. Which would inevitably break the Kingdom's productivity. It is best for them to skip this exercise, unless they prefers to go do it alone in the woods.

So Dilli will tag along in other exercises, and watch Eric try and master this one. It should be interesting, because the thought of being almost n.a.k.e.d in front of people makes the young Electus nervous and shy. He is used of it in front of the five Grand Masters, but not in front of anyone else.

Osira on the other hand, she will join the other exercises later. There are numerous forges here in Gaster Kingdom, with 10 Blacksmiths who have years of experience. The methods here are different compared to Meridionali Ignis where she used to live with her father, who knows how much wisdom she can pick up here! And at the same time, she will make everything easier for the Blacksmiths.

Ada will be watching Eric here, she has helped her mother all day yesterday and told her that she is going to stay with Eric for a while. Little did Aatë know, Ada actually knows quite well that Eric will be doing this exercise today, that's why she came to watch.

This will indeed be a good scene for her, because not only she will find Eric adorable when he gets nervous with this exercise, but seeing her boyfriend almost n.a.k.e.d wouldn't be such a bad thing either.

However, getting back to the training. The whole concept of it, is survival. That's at least what it was used for over 6,000 years ago, to rely on oneself's power to survive blistering cold. But now with new information on their hands, knowing that this exercise can tamper with many negative feelings, it is perfect for young Eric in terms of progressing.

"Alright Eric you can disrobe now." King Michael reminded, and glanced at Mogranius after who doesn't seem to be having any trouble whatsoever with this exercise.

Mogranius has removed his robe, everyone could notice his jacked up legs, thick with muscle. And although less noticeable, his rib cage was slightly imprinted on his belly which signifies that he is a little bit thinner on his upper body, has less muscle there. Common for an explorer.

"Alright let's get this over with." Eric added with a deep long sigh, removing his long robe which he has borrowed from the Castle.

"See, its not that cold is it?" King Michael teased, and using Mogranius as an example he added. "Look at your Mentor, he is as ready as ever. Change your attitude a little bit towards this exercise."

Afterwards, letting Mogranius take the lead in this exercise. King Michael asked him, "Would you like to tell Eric what the easiest way to gain enough warmth is?"

"Of course!" He answered, and afterwards was quick to aim close to his own two feet and blow a foot wide fireball.

The fireball melted the snow quite efficiently in a circular manner, which means that he can blast for a second time. Blasting a two foot wide Fireball this time at the exact same spot, he saw it melt a bit more snow and remain in tact after.

Meaning, a little fire has started beneath his feet even though there is barely any burning material. Afterwards Mogranius himself started explaining the concept of this move, "This fire won't last long, but blasting foot wide fireballs over and over won't drain your stamina to the point of a black out. It warms the most vulnerable body parts, your toes. So if you actually find yourself in such a situation, make sure to warm your toes the most."

Complimenting Mogranius words, King Michael spoke. "Beautifully explained, but make sure that if you find a bush or tree, it is better to set that on fire since it would burn longer. You will have it a little bit harder to set it on fire if its wet, but we aren't working with flint and steel here."

While these two Mentors were explaining this move and what it is good for, they have barely noticed that Eric has blasted several little fireballs near his own feet already as soon as he heard the word "toes". Stepping in this snow bear foot is like dipping your feet in the cold sea waters in this winter, it isn't nice and he couldn't help but curse internally more than ten times.

"It looks like Eric has gotten the fundamentals of this move, we can move to the second. As effective as the exercise is, it isn't the wisest to stay here for more than half an hour." King Michael pointed out, hoping that Mogranius will know the next and put in a good example.

And interestingly, he did. Blowing a bit of fire through his mouth and to his own hands. "My hands are getting cold damn." Mogranius spoke with his tone rising at a high pitch.

"Oh so you didn't read my mind?" King Michael asked, finding this situation funny.

"I have more to care about than your mind at the moment." Mogranius answered as he blew more fire on his hands, as the two other Fire Controllers watched it roll around his hand, without burning his skin. "Its official, I'm getting old."

"The exercise is quite simple Eric, just try not to burn your..." King Michael took a peek back at Eric, and saw that he already has started blowing fire around his hands and is quite successful.

Comprehending the situation, King Michael added. "Alright it seems like this exercise is roughing both of you up really bad, so why don't we move to the most important exercise?." Grabbing Mogranius' attention by snapping his fingers, King Michael asked. "Do you know the inverted blast?"

"I can't believe I didn't use that in the first place." Mogranius found himself stupid, bend down on his knees and slapped the ground with his hands.

Afterwards, he made a bit of a commotion. Giving in effort as if he was facing an enemy, and a very dim yellow/orange glow shone beneath his palms.

Afterwards, Mogranius stood up on his feet and a red blush was to be seen on his face. Not because he is shy or anything like that, it is because his body temperature arose towards the hotter.

"See Eric, the concept of this spell is easy. You just act like you are facing against an enemy, that's the type of rage you will need for it. Act like you will blast a fireball, but keep it majorly compressed to the point where it will seem like you didn't blow out any fire at all. The spell or now best called power move, will backfire and heat you up for an hour here in these conditions." They way King Michael explained it is quite simple, but will Eric manage to do it?

Eric bent down on his knees, and slapped the ground as well. The concept felt a bit puzzling for him, but he didn't want to spend another second or minute asking questions and just wants to get warm.

As an imaginary enemy, be pictured Xakro ill.u.s.tratio lll. He is dead, at least in their points of view. But it is still a good example! With much force, he pushed his hands through the ground once more and blasted fire from his palms.

However, the fire he blasted was a bit too much. It slipped from his palms and surrounded him, luckily it didn't leave him any major burn marks but his under pants have been completely burned off.

King Michael noticed Eric's buttock gap, couldn't help laughing a tad bit and spoke. "It looks like you need to slow down a little bit."

Eric stood up, saw that his under pants are missing and noticed how Ada is watching from a distance, giggling.