Tower of Endless: Death Granted Entry

Samuel sat and watched as Moon tried to make his Echo follow the image he wanted in his mind; he didn’t interrupt him.

He was like a toddler taking his first step compared to everyone else; he had to figure things out on his own. It was even more so for Arcane Arts...

His control was so bad. ”His Echo has been dormant his entire life,” he told himself... though it felt more present than he thought it would be.

It didn’t matter; some things are bound to be discovered rather than taught. For him to train this lump of Echo into something that would follow his will, and train himself to use his Echo properly without waste.

His upbringing was definitely problematic and lacking. Echo was like a muscle or an organ; if it stayed unused, or rather dormant, for a very long time, it lost its properties. It got harder to move it even if skill and handling were still there. Echo would get rusty.

Ed kept watching for a while, Moon attempting different things, pausing, looking in deep thought, then attempting different things again.

He watched him gather it on one hand and try to get both hands to fight over control to finely distribute it.

”Haa, guess he’s not stupid,” he whispered, ”This will take a while longer than expected though... even my Echo dormant for hundreds of years isn’t that bad.”

Ed turned around. ”I guess it’s time for me to unrust myself.” He whistled along at night, having his mind set. ”Maybe it’s time for the Tower to remember my name.”

Ed was always under pressure. Having Samuel by his side for so long, even when the entire Tower had acknowledged his prowess, he still felt lacking.

Now that he had gotten lax, living a wasteful life for a very long time, while Samuel seemed never to have paused for even a single day.

After witnessing his skill that day with seals, even more so...

He knew he couldn’t sit back and watch any longer...

”Heaven Splitting King, Edmond is on his way... probably.” With a smile, he went back to his Hall, Hall 3.

Time ticked slowly; Moon stayed still, trying different things without pause, enjoying his time peacefully for the first time in a long while.

He found something exciting other than beating others up, so he didn’t think about it much, though he did play with Echo in his mind.

Morning came, unknowingly to Moon, who was still seated.

Ed entered back into the kitchen, taking a look at Moon but not speaking... he silently smiled and started preparing breakfast.

Before long, Samuel also entered; wordlessly, he sat down waiting for breakfast to get ready, followed by Uon.

The four of them hadn’t got to gather together for a meal in a while... someone was always missing, whether it was Moon sleeping after a fight, or passing out after a seal. Uon was busy with newcomers’ arrangements; even if they weren’t teaching, running the eatery and dorms was already tiresome as it was... not to mention Samuel just being nowhere to be found.

Uon was the first to break the silence. ”Morning teacher, morning chef,” he said with a wide smile. It had been a while since he had some time to rest.

”Little Moon, morning.”

He sat opposite Moon, who didn’t react to him.

He watched Moon for a while. ”Oh dear, your Echo is thicker than molten lead.” He exclaimed. ”Oh right.” He smacked his head. ”Congratulations on finally releasing your Echo, regardless of this consistency.” He said half enthusiastically.

Moon was getting his hands apart, thinning out his Echo, another attempt that ended with the Echo separating itself perfectly from one hand and maintaining its viscosity and elasticity without fail.

”Oh, big brother Uon,” Moon said, his mind reacting belatedly, ”Thanks, it’s hard to use though.”

Uon pursed his lips. ”I can tell.” He rubbed his chin a couple times. ”Well, let’s try Arcane Arts training as soon as we finish breakfast,” he said, before adding, ”These two kids you brought are doing well, though not talented with Arcane Arts; they are performing well when it comes to Echo control and combat.”

”Ah.” Moon paused for a moment. ”Barrett and Basil... hope they will be useful and get out alive on the second trial.” Moon let his honest thoughts slip.

”Take care of your own shit first.” Ed threw the words before arranging three portions of food for everyone.

Samuel had his own come to him, as usual, and now that Moon could feel Echo, it was even more amazing.

His Echo felt like a slight trace had appeared suddenly beneath it, carrying the thing... it was almost traceless if he didn’t pay attention to every detail from the beginning while knowing it would happen.

Moon wanted to try doing the same; he extended his hands forward, trying to send his Echo away to the counter 3 or so meters away from where he was seated.

His Echo gathered on his hands; it stretched, or rather, jiggled back and forth in the direction of the counter.

”Grrrr.” He gritted his teeth, letting weird noises slip through.

His Echo listened to his will and effort, and started moving further, further...

”Al... most...” His lips stretched forward, his face looked under great strain.

”What are you doing?” Uon asked.

”C-C-an’t yooouh sheee?” Moon squeezed under his breath, with a few droplets of saliva.

”Your efforts are impressive, but that’s only a couple of centimetres stretch!” Uon stated flatly, looking at Moon’s Echo that had barely crept past his nails.

”N-n-ooo, waaa-h,” Moon exclaimed, before giving up and putting his hands down.

”Huff, all of that... Huff Huff... was just a few centimetres?” Moon asked again.

Uon, without the slightest consideration for his feelings, nodded. ”It didn’t even leave your body, not a single drop of it.”

Moon slammed the table.

”Not a single drop?”

”Not a single drop,” Uon affirmed.

”Come and get your food, you stupid brat,” Ed called.

Moon pursed his lips and got up, bringing his and Uon’s portions. ”When did morning come? Wasn’t it just dinner time some time ago?” He felt like time had rushed him.

He placed the food on the table, another stir-fried rice.

Samuel ate in silence; Uon did the same... it was like an ironclad rule of the eatery at this point...

Uon, on the other hand, broke the silence first. He had something to suggest to Moon.

”Hey Moon.” He ate a mouthful before adding, ”Remember Flowing Light we tried before?” he asked.

Moon ate, surprised he had room for the food; he didn’t feel like much time had passed. He nodded. ”Yeah, the circle thing?” he asked.

”Yeah, though it’s a different way entirely to use Echo than that of warriors and knights, it might be helpful for your training,” Uon suggested.

Moon chewed before saying, ”But didn’t it float?” He said from memory.

Uon corrected, ”It was separated, not floating.”

”Same thing, I can’t get mine away from my body.” Moon raised his shoulders in surrender.

”I can see that.” Uon nodded. ”But can you make it circle shaped?” he asked.

Moon thought. ”I’m not sure, I’ve been trying to make it sharp.”

”Sharp is harder than circles. Circles are perfect; orbs are perfect as well; they’re balanced and retain their structure more easily than other shapes...” Uon explained. ”Even those who are experienced usually use weapons to channel and support the shape of Echo,” Uon added.

”Ok fine, let’s give it a try.” Moon raised his left hand again.