The blue sun's light was starting to come through my window as Azure awakened me from my sleep. I let out a groan as I sat up despite all my muscles screaming at me. The thin mattress did absolutely nothing to aid in the recovery of my tired body.

  "Can I not have a few more minutes of sleep?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

  "Elder Molric's instructions were very specific regarding arriving at dawn," Azure said. "And considering his... eccentric personality, I believe it would be wise to avoid testing his patience this early in our apprenticeships"

  I couldn't deny that logic. I quickly cleaned myself and changed my new robes (which were somehow more comfortable to wear after having slept in them) and left my room to make my way to class.

  The Academy was busy even at such an early hour. Initiates ran by with haunted looks on their faces while carrying books or practice materials. None of them would look at me - whether from fear, envy, or simple survival instinct, I couldn't tell.

  "Any idea where Elder Molric's room is located?"

  "The quartermaster gave you a map with your materials," Azure said. "His laboratory is in the eastern spire, near the peak."

  Of course it was. Why wouldn’t the eccentric hermit choose the highest and most remote point of the floating citadel?

  Locating the correct tower was relatively easy. The main spires were constructed with clean crystal, however the one housing the laboratory was being consumed by twisting vines wrapped around the tower as if a mother was embracing her child.

  Walking up the endless flights of stairs, I arrived in front of a large wooden door. I took note of how the only non-crystal object in the entire hallway was the large wooden door.

  "Enter," Elder Molric called out before I could knock.

  I opened the door and walked into... exactly the type of chaotic mess that I thought I would find from someone who was obsessed with research.

  Every surface in the laboratory was crowded with specimens - in various stages of mutation - and what appeared to be preserved body parts suspended in crimson liquid-filled jars.

  The laboratory itself was huge - at least ten times the area of my small bedroom. There were multiple workstations spread throughout the space; each workstation was focused on a different experiment. The walls were lined with bookshelves containing hundreds of books and scrolls; many of them looked as though they had aged long enough to crumble at a touch.

  At the center of the laboratory was Elder Molric, bent over a simple potted plant. With his fingers tracing patterns in the air, he guided red threads of energy through the plant's structure, weaving them into the plant like embroidery.

  "Watch closely," he said, still not looking up. "This is attempt number forty-seven in teaching plants to write their own runes."

  I moved closer to the plant. The stem was squirming, its surface undulating as if something inside was attempting to break free. And then I saw it - the runic patterns were forming on the bark of the plant, crude but recognizable, emerging like a child's first attempt to write.

  "The theory is sound," Elder Molric muttered to himself more than to me. "If living organisms can be trained to create their own stabilizing runes, the implications of such a discovery would be..." He trailed off as the runic patterns became more intricate, spreading across the plant's surface like frost on a window.

  For a brief moment, it seemed as though it might actually succeed.

  The runes were nearly complete, and they were developing that characteristic silver sheen that I had seen on other Skybound markings. But then something shifted - the patterns blurred, flowing together like wet ink.

  The plant began to vibrate, its glow shifting from silver to angry red.

  "Ah," Elder Molric said, surprisingly calmly. "Apparently, a little too much resonance occurred during this trial."

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  The plant erupted in a burst of crystalline shards, forcing me to duck behind a nearby workbench. As I peered out from behind the bench, there was nothing left but sparkling dust and a broken pot.

  Elder Molric sighed, brushing the remnants of the plant from his robes. "And that concludes failure number forty-seven. Although..." He picked up a larger shard, studying it with interest. "This one managed to maintain the runic configuration for nearly three seconds longer than failure number forty-six. Progress!"

  "The runes appeared almost stable at the end there," I said, rising from behind the bench. "What caused it to fail?"

  His eyes ignited with passion. "The living matter accepts the runic patterns, but then..." He stopped in mid-movement, remembering why I was present. "But that is a topic for later. First, we need to discuss your training."

  Moving to a clear workbench, he began organizing papers. "The Academy requires all initiates to attend certain mandatory courses: resonance theory, basic runic theory, meditation techniques. These courses consume most of the day." He looked up at me. "As my personal apprentice, you are not required to attend those courses. I expect you to learn the fundamentals on your own schedule, either through independent study or by attending whatever courses you desire."

  I nodded, thinking about sitting in on at least a few of the classes, either in this iteration or a future one. "I understand, Master."

  "Now then...," He turned to me completely. "Let us review whether you completed your assigned reading. What are the Three Fundamental Principles of Resonance?"

  "Harmony, Stability, and Progression," I replied. This had been covered in the first chapter. "Harmony refers to the synchronization of the practitioner with the Celestial Energy. Stability is achieved with the proper application of Runes. Progression is the evolution of one's Resonance as they move up the ranks of the Skybound."

  He nodded. "And the five Primary Runic Configurations?"

  "Circular for containment, spiral for transformation, linear for direction, branching for distribution, and...," I paused for a moment.

  "Triangular for focusing," Azure whispered in my mind.

  "Triangular for focusing," I finished smoothly.

  The questions continued and they became more complicated. We moved into material from books I had not yet had a chance to study, but Azure gave me the answers based on his analysis.

  Elder Molric raised an eyebrow as I correctly explained Advanced Runic Theory that should have been far beyond my current level.

  At last, he raised his hand. "That is enough. Your comprehension of the theoretical model is... acceptable."

  I had barely opened my mouth to respond when Elder Molric changed expressions, and he started ranting.

  "But you know what is fascinating? The basic flaw in every single one of these texts!" He started walking around, his gesticulations becoming more energetic. "Every single text screams submission to the power of the Red Sun, as if there is only one path to enlightenment! 'Give yourself over to the Crimson Light', they say. 'Allow it to guide you towards enlightenment'. Nonsense!"

  He turned to face me, his eyes blazing with excitement. "Why would we give ourselves over to only one Celestial Power, when there are Two in our sky? The Red Sun certainly has the potential to transform, yes... but the Blue Sun...," He waved his hands enthusiastically. "The Blue Sun gives us stability! Balance! The secret to true Transcendence is not giving oneself over to the power of only one force... it is harmony between both!"

  I tried not to let out a sigh. Azure had been correct...we hadn't even reached chapter three, and the heterodox master had already revealed his unorthodox theories. Still, he wasn’t entirely wrong.

  While I'd personally experienced the power of the Red Sun firsthand, the Blue Sun was still a complete enigma. I've watched the Blue Sun in the sky...felt its gentler rays...but I had absolutely no idea what powers it may potentially provide. The books I'd read had barely mentioned it, focusing almost exclusively on the effects of the Red Sun's influence.

  The elder was correct, if there existed any method of transcending the limitations of this realm, it would be through the joint influence of the Two Suns.

  "The Skybound do appear to restrict themselves," I said cautiously. "The name itself seems to imply limitation - bound to the sky, not free."

  "Exactly!" He slammed his hand onto the workbench, causing several specimens to rattle loudly. "My studies indicate that by effectively combining the energies of both suns, we can accomplish something that hasn't been done before. Imagine...the transformative power of the Red Sun balanced by the stability provided by the Blue Sun. Perfect equilibrium, perfect control!"

  He was shaking with excitement now, pulling out diagrams and notes from his research. "Look at this...my initial experiments demonstrate that the growth of plant life can be altered to absorb and process both energies simultaneously. Yes, the failures are many, but each failure brings us closer to understanding the nature of celestial power!"

  His voice dropped to a whisper. "The other Elders call it heresy, naturally. They are too entrenched in the old ways...too fearful to challenge tradition. But you...you're different. As a Natural who can channel the Red Sun's power without the aid of runes...you prove to them that the Orthodox Path is not the only path."

  That is when I understood why he had accepted me as his disciple so quickly. To him...I was not merely a student...I was proof of his views. A living example of the possibility that the traditional view of celestial power may be flawed.

  Elder Molric seemed to realize how far off track he had gone, he coughed and cleared his throat. "But...that is something to ponder another time. For now...show me how you manipulate the Red Sun's energy without using runic stabilization."

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