Moving slowly from side to side, Lukas attacked the wooden pole in front of him. Each time Master Vorcan called out an action, Lukas tried to match it. Just a few days into his training, he had gained some confidence with the sword, but it still felt a bit awkward in his hand. Despite this, the drill became easier as he practiced, the sword feeling more natural in his hand as he attacked the pole. However, he still made mistakes.

  “Riposte,” Vorcan ordered as Reza watched, leaning against the wall next to Severin with Elana at his side. They turned their attention to Lukas as he pretended to parry an attack before countering with his own. He was slow and knew it without Vorcan or Reza mentioning it.

  Lukas moved back and continued the drill. Over the hour, he went through four more training sets, with core workouts in between to address his mistakes. Lukas thought he was ready to do his first run, but Reza stopped him as he approached where they had started running.

  “It’s time for us to experiment a little with your wraith,” Reza said, looking toward Severin. The wraith moved to stand next to Lukas, his cards floating beside him.

  Reza positioned himself before Lukas, drawing two dark wooden daggers from their sheaths. Lukas waited for Reza’s next move.

  Reza stood quietly for a moment before speaking as if deciding how to start his lesson. “Everyone uses their powers differently, depending on their abilities. Most people have passive powers. For instance, most legion soldiers possess extra strength, speed, and reflexes. The most common powers provided by wraiths,” He paused before continuing. “Whenever the wraith is out, your ability is active. My sister Tavia’s power is passive; it simply works when the power is activated.”

  Lukas understood the basics but was still curious. “What is her power?”

  He thought that if he could learn how others' power worked, he could do the same with his own. Lukas suspected Reza would appreciate that.

  Reza gave him a questioning look before continuing. “She has an exceptional mind when it comes to our family business. Her wraith allows her to see all the possibilities in a deal. While she still needs to find the right path, it provides her with more insight than most regarding our business interests to maximize profits. She doesn’t have to actively force her power as long as her wraith is out.”

  Lukas pondered his situation, realizing that his power wasn’t passive. He would have felt it while he had Severin out, so he assumed it had to be activated. However, he had little idea what Severin would need to trigger it.

  “Agreed. I’ve been observing you and Severin for days, and there’s no sign of martial prowess. Your power might not directly relate to fighting; We know it doesn’t make you faster or stronger. You’re not particularly adept at learning the sword techniques, which indicates it’s not helping you learn quicker.” Reza’s attention shifted to Vorcan. “I believe exploring other weapons that might suit you better would be beneficial. A quarterstaff or an ax with less variation in attacks could be a good starting point.”

  Lukas had some experience with a quarterstaff. It was one of the weapons he used while fighting with the local kids in his village. He was more comfortable with that weapon than the sword. While he would follow his master’s instructions, he wouldn’t abandon the sword entirely just because he hadn’t mastered it in a few days.

  Vorcan nodded in agreement. “We will incorporate this into the training. I was already planning to experiment with various weapons. He’s not entirely incompetent with the sword, but it might not be his ideal weapon.”

  Although the comment stung, he knew he wasn’t a natural with their weapon; Lukas remained determined to improve his skills.

  Nevertheless, Lukas took it quite hard. All the epic tales spoke of the hero wielding a mighty sword, defeating the evil creature or villain. He had imagined himself hundreds of times, sword in hand, fighting. But perhaps that wasn’t his destined path; there were numerous other options. However, he couldn’t abandon the idea.

  “Good. But let’s return to our original discussion. Your power likely demands some form of activation.” Reza summoned Elana. “I must flare my power, grasp it, and utilize it to switch positions.”

  He must have done so because he now appeared to Lukas’s right, and Elana stood before him.

  “That’s merely a fraction of what I can do. Lucius, Hasbeck, Sabine, and I all activate our power to use it. It doesn’t work passively in the background as our wraths are out.” Reza returned to his position.

  Lukas turned to Vorcan. “And you, Master Vorcan, is your power passive or active?”

  Vorcan raised an eyebrow. “My power is passive.” He pointed to the roof where his wraith sat, gazing down at them. “He mostly conceals himself when he’s out; he can be shy.”

  Lukas noticed that Vorcan had conveniently omitted to mention the nature of that power. However, instead of pressing the issue, Lukas decided to leave it be, recognizing that Vorcan seemed determined to keep it unspoken.

  “So, how do I activate my power?” Lukas inquired, feeling a sense of unease as he realized that his connection to Severin’s power was sustaining him in this world. Yet, he was utterly clueless about how to harness and control it.

  “Well, we need to figure that out; everyone’s power is unique. I must mentally grasp the power, exert control, and compel it to manifest. On the other hand, Sabine must maintain control, only releasing it when she intends to unleash her power. When she draws her bow or crossbow, she lets go of some of the power she’s been holding to create powerful attacks. She utilizes the control of firing an arrow to keep the power within her control.” Reza explained, his gaze fixed on Severin. “This is my lesson for today. I intend to attack you, and you must actively attempt to access your power to counter my assault.”

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  Reza crouched down, holding two wooden daggers in his hands. Lukas instinctively stepped back, feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about what he could do against him.

  “Hold on, how is this going to help?” Lukas kept his sword at his side.

  “Be prepared. Defend yourself, but try everything you can to activate your power. I’ve noticed that stress can trigger anything.” Reza said, looking towards Vorcan. “I suggest you find some cover; you never know what might happen.”

  Vorcan pulled out a large shield and positioned it before him, ready to retreat behind it if necessary.

  Lukas turned to Reza as the man refocused his attention on him. “Shouldn’t we wait until you are out of the contest? Couldn’t you get hurt?”

  Reza vanished, and Lukas felt the man’s dagger strike his back. He gasped, pain radiating across the left side of his back. The force of the blow knocked him to the ground. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Now, activate your power!”

  Lukas turned, but Reza had vanished. He summoned Severin and attempted to activate the power, but nothing occurred. Despite his firm grip, the power remained unresponsive. Frustrated, he wondered what to do.

  As Reza reappeared, Lukas turned to face him, determined to deflect his attack. However, Reza swiftly struck him in the side, causing excruciating pain.

  “Echoes abyss!” Lukas cried out. He tried again to release the power, but it remained stubbornly unresponsive.

  He turned to Severin, who stood ten feet behind him, holding a deck of cards in one hand.

  Reza struck Lukas’s left side, bringing him to his knees. “You must harness your power,” he commanded.

  Lukas looked up at Reza, but he was not gazing at him but at Severin. “Help him, use your powers,” Reza urged. With that, he vanished once more.

  Reza continued his assault, repeatedly striking Lukas. Lukas managed to block a few of the attacks, but each subsequent blow made it increasingly difficult for him to rise. He persistently tried to unleash his power, but it remained elusive.

  I don't know what to do. Why isn’t it working? Lukas simply couldn’t make it work.

  “Severin, are you going to continue to let me do this? Show him the way; show him how to extract his power. Show him.” Reza roared at the wraith. “Perhaps you’re nothing; perhaps you never deserved the pact. Perhaps he should summon another wraith.”

  Lukas glanced over at Severin. The man stared at Reza, his eyes lifeless, devoid of emotion. He began to draw cards from the deck, each floating before him. Lukas finally stood up. He had forced it, pushed it, dropped it, and let it go, but nothing would happen with the power. What else could he try? Lukas thought as more cards floated in front of Severin, forming a circle.

  Lukas approached him and took hold of the power again, forcing it to spin like a coin. The spinning persisted in his mind as he heard the coin spinning. It finally stopped the humming power within his mind.

  Severin smiled. He picked up one of the floating cards, the Hangman. He threw it into the air, and it spun above them, growing longer and weaving itself into a rope that glowed with the crimson hue of his wraith. The rope snaked towards them, wrapping a noose around their necks.

  ————————————————-

  Reza pondered what was happening. Lukas had finally discovered his power, but Reza was uncertain of its effects.

  The noose remained connected to each of their necks. Lukas remained frozen, his body immobile since the rope had attached. Reza felt nothing was happening to him. He didn’t sense power being stripped from him, nor did he barely feel the noose around his neck. Only a slight pressure around his neck told him where it lay.

  “Better test the noose gradually, starting with its range,” Reza said, unleashing his power, sending himself soaring twenty feet into the air. The rope didn’t hinder his use of power, and he didn’t feel any additional strain. It didn’t release him but extended with him as he ascended.

  Let’s see how far this rope will follow me. Reza repeated the process, and Elana realized his intentions. They continued to fly higher and higher, their altitude increasing until Reza could barely discern the city below, with the clouds obscuring the ground. Despite reaching such great heights, the noose remained firmly around his neck, and the rope trailed behind him.

  “Well, damn,” Reza muttered. “Whatever it does, it won’t let me go.”

  He let himself plummet, feeling the wind tear at his clothes as he descended. Gazing down at the people below, he allowed himself to draw closer to the ground. It drew nearer and nearer until he realized he had only seconds before he crashed into the earth. He unleashed his power, manifesting on the sand easily.

  “Well, I’m not certain what this does, but it’s something. I don’t think we need to test it much more today,” Reza glanced down at the rope. “Do you think you could untie it from my neck? I don’t like the feeling of being sent to the gallows.”

  “Um, let me see,” Lukas stared at Severin, who held out his hand. The card appeared, and the ropes vanished as soon as it returned to the deck. “I think I’ve figured out how to activate the power.”

  Reza smiled, feeling a sense of relief without the phantom noose around his neck. “Good, now just replicate that, and we’ll be one step closer to understanding your power.”

  Lukas nodded. This time, Severin pulled another card, The Lovers. Once again, two nooses wrapped themselves around him and Lukas. This time, the rope was not only glowing crimson but also mixed with a silver glow. Once more, nothing drained him, and he didn’t feel anything happening.

  “Release it and let Severin take a break,” Reza suggested. Lukas appeared weary from using his powers for a short while, as any new pact holder would experience. Besides, I had got him good a few times, which likely didn’t help.

  Severin vanished, and Lukas walked over to a post and leaned against it.

  Lukas turned to Vorcan, who maneuvered around the shield. “That was well done. I believe we should continue working on that and observe the potential outcomes. Perhaps we could arrange a sparring session with him next week, allowing us to witness how his powers react.” Reza took a cup of water and took a swig. “I probably shouldn’t exert myself further before the contest concludes. I didn’t feel any significant effects from the noose, so more experimentation will be necessary to uncover Lukas and Severin’s capabilities.”

  Vorcan nodded in agreement. “I have a few students who would be eager to assist him. It would benefit him to be introduced to some peers his own age.”

  “Agreed. I believe that concludes my involvement today, Lukas. Are you planning another session with him this afternoon?” Reza inquired. Lukas simply nodded but remained seated against the post.

  “Of course, we’ll add some time for quarterstaff and sparring this afternoon,” Vorcan said, packing away the equipment before turning to Lukas. “Better get some rest; I expect you back in five hours.”

  “I’ll be here,” Lukas replied, his voice tired. He stood up and walked off the practice field.

  Reza started behind him but then turned back. “I won’t be here this afternoon. I have some errands to run. By the way, we’re having dinner tonight before Sabine’s fight tomorrow. Would you like to join us?”

  “Of course. May I bring Lutali, my fiancée?” Vorcan asked, walking out with Reza.

  “Absolutely, I’d love to meet her, and I’m sure Sabine would too,” Reza said, stopping at the entrance. “We can meet you at the Sirens Song at the seventh hour. I’ll see you tonight.”

  “We shall,” Vorcan turned right and headed deeper into the noble’s district.

  While Reza unleashed his power and swiftly made his way towards the island.