Worldly Flow

There wasn't a single thing on this world, whether it was humans, those so-called demi-humans, magical beasts, the grass, the trees, the dirt, or the soil – everything was a byproduct of the world itself. 

The world gave them all the force to live upon it, allowing them to absorb its nutrients and sustain their lives. Even for common mortals who couldn't connect with magic, they were still inextricably connected to the world, absorbing its essence to live and gaining a piece of the realm within themselves.

As Gladius read more and more, he soon came across a phrase that greatly intrigued him. 

The phrase read, 'Soothe Yourself, Soothe into the World.' 

Gladius specifically pointed to this one and noticed that Arianna had taken on a pensive, slightly troubled expression. 

She lightly sighed, shaking her head as she confessed, "This phrase is a bit tricky for me, I must admit...I can assume that 'Soothing yourself' means to find a sense of calm within one's self. But I'm not entirely sure how to 'Soothe into the World' beyond establishing a connection with the magical forces that permeate it."

Gladius remained silent for a moment, his brow furrowed in contemplation as he gave this profound passage a great deal of thought. 

A striking idea suddenly streaked through his mind like a bolt of lightning, and he calmly began to explain, "To 'Soothe Yourself,' isn't that more than just being calm? Soothing has a specific meaning of clearing away stress and tension from your mind and body. Just being calm alone can't necessarily achieve this state of true serenity."

His eyes locked with Arianna's, holding her gaze as he continued, "But what can play a major role is knowing just who you are, as in, knowing what you are like at your core – the kind of person you know yourself to be, and the individual you want to continue being. Knowing this and being completely at ease with yourself is true soothing. It gives you that natural, unshakable calm stride that will never be broken, no matter what adversities you face."

"I see..." Arianna's eyes brightened with each word that Gladius spoke, her mind soaking in his insights like a sponge absorbing water. 

Being a mage capable of conjuring fantastical spells had never made her feel superior or arrogant, thus it was simple for her to intently listen and absorb the wisdom imparted by Gladius's humble words.

A warm smile played across Gladius's lips as he regarded her, before asking, "Are you calm with yourself? When you're alone, do you feel a tranquil ease within you, to the point that it doesn't matter that you're by yourself? As if you know, deep down, that the world will always be by your side, supporting and sustaining you?"

"This..." Arianna paused for a moment, her gaze turning inward as she pondered his words deeply. 

Those simple yet profound questions left a deep impression on her mind, causing a flurry of memories to flash through her consciousness like streaks of lightning.

Did she long for companionship, to have that desire to form bonds and lasting friendships? 

Arianna knew she would be lying to herself to say otherwise. But at the same time, this lack of friendship and bonds had never once stopped her or inhibited her pursuit of knowledge and understanding.

When she was alone, she could clearly remember those solitary moments, the utter sense of serenity they brought to her by simply delving into the beautiful wonders brought forth by the mystic arts. 

Could she truly say that she felt the world itself in those tranquil moments? 

She wasn't entirely sure, for she was still uncertain as to what this "worldly sensation" actually entailed.

But she could say, with a surging confidence welling up from the depths of her being, that being tranquil and content in solitude was never once an issue for her. 

Her smile was radiant as she finally responded, "I don't think I've reached that profound worldly connection yet. But I most certainly have never felt unease or discomfort in being alone. I have desires, to be sure, but they have never stood in the way of what I truly want to achieve."

"Good," Gladius nodded approvingly at her, a look of quiet satisfaction adorning his features. "Then you're further along the path than many others."

As he affirmed her words, more questions blossomed within Arianna's mind, her thirst for deeper understanding ever-present. She then asked, "And this heavily relates to 'Soothing into the World?' I'm assuming that when we find this unbreakable calm within ourselves, it will put us into a better mindset for comprehending the world around us?"

"That's exactly what I'm thinking," Gladius replied, his smile widening as he sensed her eagerness to learn. "It makes perfect sense, after all. Since if you have no stress clouding your mind, no manner of conflict obscuring your judgment, and you reach a state of true contentment with everything around you, it will bring about a tranquility that enlightens your mind. It elevates your senses to a far higher state, a state where connecting with the world becomes completely seamless and natural."

He let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head slightly as he added, "But saying it is one thing, doing it is something entirely different. I think I reached this state long ago. Let me show you."

In that moment, Gladius's soul smoothly flowed into harmony with the world around them. He relaxed himself, letting go of all worries and perceived dangers, allowing the essence of the realm to envelop him fully. 

All that mattered was being in perfect tandem with the world, letting all sensations – from the air, the dirt, the soil, and even the vast expanse of the sky itself – meld into the mind, body, and spirit of his being.

This state of profound unity came as naturally to him as breathing. He wasn't even actively trying to achieve it, but hints of the Sword Force he commanded naturally intermingled within this state of serenity, blending together in a harmonious dance of mystical energies.

The look on Gladius's face was the epitome of serenity itself, a tranquil expression of utter peace and contentment that seemed to radiate a soothing aura all its own.

Arianna focused her magical senses intently, becoming quite immersed within Gladius's newfound presence. There was a pulling sensation about it, a calm aura that grasped onto her very soul, drawing her in with its irresistible allure. 

There was also something profoundly sharp, yet paradoxically, this sharpness didn't radiate any sense of danger or hostility. Instead, it exuded a strangely soothing sensation, as if it were slicing away all worries, troubles, and burdens that plagued the mind and spirit.

'Soothe into the World...' Arianna repeated the profound phrase in her mind, her eyes widening slightly as a deeper understanding began to blossom within her.

Such a state of being was truly amazing, a level of existential harmony that she couldn't imagine the majority of mages, even the most gifted geniuses, being capable of achieving. They were too often warped by the petty troubles and conflicts of life, too immersed in the constant struggle for control, power, and the preservation of their narrow-minded status quo – the rigid belief that the path of the Magical Force was a straight line set down by their great ancestors, and that nothing could ever change or deviate from that predetermined course.

If only some of these mages would just stop, take a step back, and engage in a deep, introspective look within themselves, perhaps they too would be able to forge a brand new path forward that they had never seen or even conceived of before.

But that was a thought for another time, a contemplation to be explored at a later juncture. 

For now, Arianna allowed herself to become fully immersed in Gladius's soothing presence, feeling her mind become clearer and sharper than it had ever been before, as if a veil had been lifted from her consciousness.

It was a profound experience, one that left her yearning to delve deeper into the mysteries that Gladius seemed to have already unraveled. And as she sat there, basking in the warmth of his serene aura, she couldn't help but feel a growing sense of anticipation for the wonders that still awaited them on the path ahead.

There was no word needed between the two. It all felt natural, Gladius's being exuding a soothing ease that caused Arianna to heighten her focus. Arianna began to understand more from the ancient "Worldly Flow" book laid out before them. 

While she delved deeper into its profound insights, Gladius heightened his own understanding on the fundamental theory of magic and its symbiotic connection to the world as a whole.

The book proved to be incredibly detailed, meticulously outlining the elementary forces that most mages utilized as the foundations of their craft. These elemental forces were akin to the building blocks of magical energy itself - simple patterns and formulas on the surface, but ones that grew increasingly deep and complex the longer one studied them.