14 The Coexistence Within: A Tale of Two Mythical Beings

It had only been a month since the new curriculum began, and already I could feel my aura control improving. Maria, my after-class trainer, had been putting me through rigorous training, and I knew that mastering the basics was only a matter of time. Once I had a complete handle on the fundamentals, I could then turn my focus to mastering the second aura I possessed.

On the final day of classes for the week, Maria instructed us to meet at the spirit laboratory to take an aptitude exam. The purpose of the exam was to help us discover our spirit ancestors and the elemental powers they possessed.

As I walked through the university halls, I could feel the excitement brewing in the air. I had heard rumors about the place, but I had never been there before. I couldn't wait to see what was inside.

As I entered the laboratory, I saw my classmates already gathered around a strange machine. It was large, about the size of a refrigerator, with wires and tubes running in all directions. A sign on the side of the machine read "Ectopic Testing Machine."

Maria was standing beside the machine, a smile on her face. "Welcome, everyone," she said. "Today, we're going to find out what your ancestral spirits are."

The room buzzed with excitement as we all gathered around the machine. I had never really thought about my ancestral spirit before, but I was eager to find out what it was.

Maria explained how the machine worked. "It's similar to an ancestral testing kit, but it determines your ancestral spirit as well as the element you have. Simply place your hand on the scanner, and the machine will do the rest."

As Maria finished speaking, my classmates eagerly lined up to get examined. I stood in line, watching as each of them received their results.

Finally, it was my turn. I placed my hand on the scanner, and the machine whirred to life. Everyone grew silent, a feeling of unease settling over the room. I could sense their apprehension as Maria announced my ancestral spirit.

"It seems your ancestral spirit is a serpent," she said, studying the screen. "And your element is water."

I noticed the change in my classmates' expressions. Having studied shamanic history during our lectures, we all knew what having a serpent as a spirit symbolized. I couldn't blame them for feeling anxious.

My mind raced with the implications of having a serpent as my ancestral spirit. Would I be able to control its power? Could I prevent the same devastation from happening again?

Maria's voice broke through my thoughts. "There's more," she said, her tone hushed. "The scanner has picked up an anomaly. It seems that you have a secondary spirit."

My heart skipped a beat. A secondary spirit was a rarity, only seen in the most powerful of shamans. It meant that I had the potential to wield two elemental powers.

Maria's eyes widened as she read the data. "Your secondary spirit is a dragon, and the element is light," she said in awe.

The significance of her words left my classmates gasping for air. A serpent and a dragon, the two spirits that had clashed in the cataclysmic war a millennium ago, were now within me.

This revelation caused turmoil throughout the university, adding to the rumors about my possession of two ancestral spirits. These mythical creatures were not only symbolic of mortal enemies from the past, but their presence within me defied all expectations.

I'm aware of the serpent spirit within me, but I've kept it hidden because of the negative connotations associated with its symbolism as a harbinger of destruction. However, what puzzles me the most is the presence of a dragon spirit within me. How could these two opposing forces coexist within my being?

The examination concluded in a manner that left everyone's emotions in disarray. My mere presence had stirred up a mixture of fear and admiration, causing an unsettling sensation that seemed to seep into their very skin.

As I walked through the crowded hallways, I overheard a group of students whispering about me.

"Did you hear? He's got a serpent and a dragon spirit inside him!"

"I heard that's why he always leave the university last. He's probably out there training or something."

"I don't know, man. It's kind of creepy. What if he loses control?"

Their words stung, but I tried to ignore them and focus on finding a quiet place to think. As I sat alone in the library, lost in thought, a voice interrupted my musings.

"You're the one everyone's talking about, aren't you?"

I turned to see a young woman with bright eyes and a curious expression. I noticed her in the spirit laboratory wearing a lab coat stealing glances at me. Perhaps she's an apprentice working at the laboratory.

"Yes, that's me," I replied, unsure of where this conversation was going.

"I've heard rumors about you, but I don't believe everything I hear. Can you tell me more about these ancestral spirits you possess?"

I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I should confide in a stranger. But something about her sincerity and genuine interest made me feel compelled to share my story.

"Well, it's a long and complicated tale," I began. "But essentially, these spirits represent two mortal enemies from the past who have somehow found a way to coexist within me.."

She listened intently, nodding as I spoke. When I finished, she reached out and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"Thank you for sharing that with me. I may not fully understand it, but I respect you for embracing such a unique and challenging situation. You're not alone in this, you know."

Her words brought a sense of comfort and validation that I hadn't felt in a long time. After our conversation, she bid me farewell, explaining that she had some unfinished research to attend to.

I waved back at her, feeling grateful for the encounter, and headed towards the training grounds. I knew Maria was waiting for me to continue my training.

By the time we finished, the sun had set and the sky was painted in shades of red and orange. I felt exhausted but also exhilarated, knowing that I had made progress and honed my skills.

As I left the training grounds, I saw the young woman again, waiting for me at the edge of the field.

"I wanted to say goodbye properly," she said, approaching me. "And also to give you this."

She handed me a small vial of a liquid that I recognized as a potion used to enhance spiritual powers.

"I made this for you," she explained. "I hope it helps you in your training."

Touched by her gesture, I thanked her and promised to use it wisely. We said our final goodbyes, and I left feeling a renewed sense of hope and determination.

As I walked away, I realized that even in the midst of adversity, there were still people who could see beyond the rumors and see me for who I truly was. And for that, I was grateful.