One Month of Impatience
The month following Rayan's fifteenth birthday was surprisingly difficult.
Not because his training had become harder.
Not because Grandpa had assigned him additional chores.
And not because he had suddenly developed a fear of textbooks.
The problem was much simpler.
Rayan had to wait.
He had already reached the age at which he could form his Black Core.
He had prepared himself mentally.
He had learned the theory.
And his grandfather was ready to guide him through the process.
Yet he had chosen to wait another month so Ran could begin the same stage of development.
At first, the decision seemed easy.
After all, a month wasn't very long.
But waiting became more irritating with every passing day.
One morning, Rayan sat at the breakfast table, staring at his bowl.
His father glanced at him.
"Rayan, why are you looking at your food like that?"
Rayan sighed.
"I'm thinking."
"About what?"
"Time."
His father blinked.
"Time?"
"Yes. Why does it move so slowly when you're waiting for something?"
His father stared at him.
Then he looked at his wife.
Rayan's mother smiled.
"He's been asking that question for days."
His father nodded thoughtfully.
"Perhaps you should spend less time thinking about time and more time studying."
Rayan looked at him.
Father, that's a cruel suggestion.
He returned to his breakfast.
Unfortunately, the books Grandpa had given him were waiting on his desk.
And the entrance examination was only two years away.
So he studied.
He reviewed the basics of necromancy.
He learned about the history of the five kingdoms.
He studied the relationship between necromancers and priests, the major regions where they held influence, and the neutral zone separating their territories.
He learned about different magical creatures, the dangers of the wilderness, and the basic principles governing mental energy.
He also discovered that the history of this world was considerably more complicated than he had expected.
There had been conflicts between kingdoms.
There had been disputes between powerful groups.
There had been changes in territory, alliances, and leadership.
And, according to several books, there were still many things scholars did not fully understand.
Rayan found that last part particularly interesting.
So even the scholars don't know everything.
Excellent.
Perhaps my ignorance isn't entirely my fault.
Still, he took his studies seriously.
He wanted to enter the Necromancer Academy.
He wanted to learn from experienced instructors.
And he wanted the remaining three ancient scrolls.
The scrolls were an especially powerful motivation.
Whenever he felt tired of studying, he imagined Grandpa placing all three in front of him.
He imagined opening them.
He imagined learning their secrets.
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And then he imagined using his shadow to avoid carrying heavy books.
His motivation returned immediately.
It was a remarkably effective system.
Ran's Fifteenth Birthday
At last, the day arrived.
Ran had turned fifteen.
Rayan was waiting in the courtyard when she came outside.
She wore a bright smile and looked unusually excited.
"Rayan!"
He turned.
"Happy birthday, Ran!"
She grinned.
"Thank you!"
Rayan looked at her for a moment.
Then he asked, "Are you ready?"
Ran nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes!"
He smiled.
"Good. Then let's go see Grandpa."
They headed toward the Zu residence, where Grandpa had already prepared everything needed for the occasion.
The old man greeted Ran warmly.
"Happy birthday, Ran."
"Thank you, Grandpa Zu!"
Grandpa chuckled.
"There's no need to be so formal. You're practically part of the family by now."
Ran smiled.
Rayan stood beside her, looking eager.
"Well, then. Shall we begin?"
Both children nodded.
Grandpa led them to a quiet room where they could concentrate without interruption.
He explained the process once more, making sure they understood what would happen.
"Remember, the Black Core is not something you should try to force into existence. You must focus your mental energy and follow the process carefully. If you encounter difficulty, stop and ask for guidance."
Rayan and Ran nodded.
Grandpa began with Rayan.
He guided him through the process, explaining how to focus and direct his mental energy.
Rayan concentrated.
For a while, he felt only the familiar presence of his mental energy.
Then, gradually, he sensed something changing.
The sensation was difficult to describe.
It was not like summoning his shadow.
It was not like storing an object.
It felt more fundamental, as though he were establishing a new foundation within himself.
He followed Grandpa's instructions carefully.
He did not rush.
He did not force the process.
And eventually, the Black Core began to form.
Grandpa watched closely.
When the process was complete, he nodded.
"Good. Your Black Core has formed."
Rayan opened his eyes.
He felt a new sense of awareness within himself.
It was subtle, but unmistakable.
He smiled.
"I did it!"
Grandpa nodded proudly.
"Yes. You've taken an important step."
Rayan looked at Ran.
She was watching him with wide eyes.
"Was it difficult?" she asked.
Rayan considered the question.
"Not exactly. But I had to concentrate carefully."
Ran nodded.
"Then I'll do it too!"
Grandpa chuckled.
"That's the spirit. Now, Ran, it's your turn."
He guided her through the process.
Ran followed his instructions, concentrating as carefully as she could.
At first, she seemed uncertain.
Then her expression became more focused.
She followed the steps, gradually directing her mental energy toward forming her Black Core.
After a while, Grandpa smiled.
"Good. Keep going."
Ran took a slow breath.
And finally, the process was complete.
Grandpa nodded.
"Excellent. Your Black Core has formed as well."
Ran opened her eyes.
For a moment, she looked surprised.
Then she turned toward Rayan.
"Rayan! I did it!"
Rayan smiled.
"You did!"
She immediately jumped to her feet.
"Does this mean we're both necromancers now?"
Grandpa laughed.
"You're at the beginning of your journey. Forming a Black Core is an important first step, but you still have much to learn."
Ran nodded seriously.
Then she asked, "Can we eat now?"
Silence.
Rayan stared at her.
Grandpa stared at her.
Ran looked between them.
"What?"
Rayan slowly covered his face.
Some things never change.
Grandpa burst out laughing.
"Hahahaha! Yes, yes. You can eat now."
Ran cheered.
Rayan sighed.
And thus, the future of necromancy is secured.
The First Taste of Jet Black
After the formation of their Black Cores, Grandpa explained the next stage.
"Now that your Black Cores have formed, you can begin learning how to convert your mental energy into Jet Black."
Rayan listened carefully.
He had read about Jet Black in his study materials, but the theory had seemed abstract.
Now he was finally ready to experience it himself.
Grandpa explained the process and demonstrated how to guide mental energy through the Black Core.
A faint dark energy gathered around his hand.
It was not the same as his detached shadow.
The shadow was an expression of the Zu family's bloodline ability.
Jet Black, by contrast, was energy generated through the Black Core.
The two were related to necromancy, but they were not interchangeable.
Grandpa let the demonstration fade.
Rayan closed his eyes and concentrated.
He focused on the Black Core he had just formed.
Then he carefully directed his mental energy through it.
At first, nothing happened.
He tried again.
A faint sensation emerged.
It was weak, but he could feel the process beginning.
Rayan continued concentrating.
Gradually, a small amount of Jet Black formed.
His eyes opened.
He looked at the faint energy gathered near his hand.
A smile spread across his face.
So this is Jet Black.
It was a strange feeling.
He had expected something more dramatic.
Perhaps a burst of dark energy.
Perhaps a swirling black aura.
Perhaps the room would shake.
Instead, he had produced a small amount of energy that barely seemed impressive.
But he understood that this was only the beginning.
Grandpa nodded approvingly.
"Good. You've managed to generate some Jet Black. Don't try to produce too much yet. Your control and endurance will improve with practice."
Rayan nodded.
"I understand."
Ran was concentrating beside him.
After a few attempts, she also managed to produce a small amount of Jet Black.
Her eyes widened.
"Look! I did it!"
Rayan smiled.
"Well done!"
Ran examined the energy with great curiosity.
"Can I make it bigger?"
Grandpa immediately answered, "Not yet."
Ran's shoulders drooped.
"But why?"
"Because you need to learn control first."
Ran considered that.
Then she nodded.
"Okay."
A moment passed.
Then she asked, "Can I make it bigger tomorrow?"
Grandpa sighed.
Rayan nearly laughed.
She's already negotiating with the laws of necromancy.
The old man explained that both children needed to practise gradually.
They would learn to produce Jet Black reliably, control its output, and understand how much mental energy they could safely use.
Neither should become careless simply because the first attempt had succeeded.
Rayan took the advice seriously.
He was excited about his new ability, but he understood that he still had a long way to go.
He had formed his Black Core.
He had begun generating Jet Black.
And he had years of training behind him.
Yet he was still only at the beginning of his journey as a necromancer.
That was fine.
For once, he didn't feel the need to rush.
He had time to learn.
He had Grandpa to guide him.
And he had Ran beside him.
As long as they kept working hard, they could improve together.
Then Ran tugged his sleeve.
"Rayan?"
"Hmm?"
"Since we're both fifteen now, can we celebrate?"
Rayan blinked.
"Celebrate what?"
"Our Black Cores!"
He stared at her.
Then he smiled.
"That's actually a good idea."
Grandpa shook his head, laughing.
"Very well. We'll celebrate. But tomorrow, your training begins."
Ran's smile froze.
Rayan's smile froze.
They turned toward each other.
Then, at exactly the same time, they looked at Grandpa.
"Tomorrow?!"
Grandpa folded his arms.
"Of course! Do you think forming a Black Core means you can spend the rest of your lives eating sweets?"
Ran slowly raised her hand.
"That sounds nice, though."
Grandpa burst out laughing.
Rayan sighed.
And there goes our peaceful future.