Channeling

Kyung led me to the middle of the area before opening his palm where a shimmering white orb floated. The orb drew in wind around it that condensed into a milky point at the very center.

"This is an example of the first form of channeling, invocation. Invocation channeling consists of multiple parts, the channeling heart which produces and moves the energy needed to channel, the internal focal point which allows channeled energy to be condensed into different parts of the body more easily based on location, and the channeling lungs which allows you to draw in more raw channeling energy through breathing. The second form of channeling," Kyung then caused the sphere to dissipate and started to then draw the wind towards him as if he was the focal point, "is the second form of channeling, augmentation. Augmentation requires only a channel heart and internal focal point. Channeling, as you probably see, has different forms based on the type of spell and personality of the user. I am a dexterity oriented fighter which results in wind being the most suitable to use for me. I can use other forms, but nowhere near the aptitude of my wind channeling. Most channelers only have talent in one or less forms. There are the lucky few who can channel two or possibly even three elements with high aptitude, but some are unable to even channel a single form. There are a vast array of forms but the most common are wind, lightning, fire, earth, water, ice, force, speed, gravity, explosion, and psychic force. There are more advanced forms of each element, but they are rarely ever obtained through birth so they are not listed as simple forms but as elevated forms. The other forms are significantly rarer. The most well known uncommon forms are shadow, cloud, and wave. Wave is the most desired as it does not simply mean water waves, but form waves. If you have an aptitude in wave, you will have an aptitude in another form which is what form your wave form abilities will produce. I am a wind wave form channeler." Kyung said smugly.

"Anyway, lets proceed to figuring out what is your form. Sit still an abstain from daydreaming. When you breathe in, follow the air until it reaches your lungs and enters the blood stream before being pumped out of the heart. When it reaches your heart, focus your entire intent upon it and determine its color."

I did as he said and began to see an ethereal but dark purple emerge from my heart, enveloping it in a skin of black and purple.

"Ooh," Kyung said in a fascinated tone.

I could feel the shadows on his face shift as his expression shifted into a smile. He sounded like a child cooing while watching his father throw a ball at him.

"Shadow form," Kyung exclaimed excitedly "arguably the most powerful in terms of raw power but not through upfront means. You can open your eyes now."

I opened my eyes and was greeted with a grinning Kyung and what felt like a new sense. I could feel each and every splotch of shadow surrounding us. It felt like I had always had this except I had only recently noticed it again. The comfort of using it was even more fluid then walking or talking despite only noticing now.

This had definitely been part of my past life.

"Alright, lets check if you retained anything from your past life when channeling with this form. Just start with the basics, draw in your form from the environment and channel a sphere in your palm."

I began to do as instructed and within moments a blackish sphere was residing in my palm, pulsating like a heart.

"Try to project it forward as if forcing it through the air."

I was unable to replicate what he described. It felt unnatural as if I was approaching it incorrectly. I did pop the sphere and shroud the area by accident and seemingly out of habit, but was unable to do as he instructed.

"Alright," Kyung said, "you wont need your form shaping skills just yet so we'll train your sword fighting skills. Retrieve your sword and we'll spar."

I grabbed my sword and when Kyung indicated to begin, I settled into a fighting stance with my blade risen. He lunged towards me holding a longsword covered with a wave of wind and slashed quickly from my left shoulder into my right hip. I parried and countered with a foot pivot and a downward slash that he denied with a counter.

Our fight continued with me slowly overwhelming Kyung as I fell into a habitual meditative state. My tempo only increased with each blow until he was on the ground with my blade on his throat.

"Wow," Kyung thought. "Who the hell was in his past life with shadow form and this kind of blade and footwork."

"You're good," Kyung said to me. "I think we can just try to go to the demon's abyss without your form skills. We'll probably leave next week after grabbing supplies from the city."

This was it. It was time to see what this world is like and if in my past life, I had made a mark on it.