Lumi considered how to explain this. "For the most part, there are no further shortcuts beyond what you already have."

Eden’s expression fell slightly.

Lumi continued the explanation. "The only thing to do now is to live with Sol. Fight alongside Sol. Grow stronger with Sol. The connection will deepen naturally over time."

He gave Eden a small, sly smile. "In fact, the equipment you have is merely a shortcut to establish the bond. With enough time and effort, you could do it without the amulet at all."

"I see." Eden said slowly. "So it just takes time?"

"Primarily, yes." Lumi confirmed. "However, since we’re already using the amulet, there’s one thing you could do if you wanted to develop the shortcut further."

Eden perked up. If he was to be a hero like his ancestor, then if there was anything he could do to be better, he wanted to try. "What is it?"

Lumi gestured lightly with his right hand, as if holding a wand, as he explained. "Become so proficient with magic that you can control your wand without physically touching it. If you could levitate it, maintain it in orbit around you, or otherwise manipulate it through magic alone, then you’d technically be ’holding’ the wand at all times."

Eden thought about that. "That sounds incredibly difficult."

"It certainly sounds that way," Lumi nodded. "but with effort, it’ll come with time."

Eden looked down at his wand, then at Sol, who was still happily eating. "I understand. I’ll work toward that, then."

Despite his frantic day, the determination in his voice was real. He’d been thrust into this world of magic and destiny without warning, but if he was going to do it, he’d do it properly.

Lumi praised casually. "That’s a good attitude to have."

With the immediate concern of Sol’s hunger addressed, the group naturally began to split up for different activities.

Lumi turned to Eden. "Come with me. It’s time for your first real magic lesson."

Eden nodded, carefully setting down the now-empty bowl. Sol had finished eating and was contentedly nestled back in his arms.

Lumi led him to a quieter section of the library, away from where Merath would be working on the crafting projects.

"Sit down." Lumi instructed, gesturing to the floor.

Eden complied, settling into a cross-legged position. Sol remained in his lap, apparently content to rest after the meal.

"Close your eyes." Lumi said.

Eden closed them.

Lumi gave himself a short nod, and continued. "Now take a deep breath. Relax."

Eden inhaled slowly, then exhaled. He tried to release the tension in his shoulders.

"..."

Some time passed. First a couple seconds, then a minute. Eden was getting uncomfortable. He was just... sitting there. Lumi hadn’t said anything.

After a breath of time, Eden cautiously spoke. "What... what now?"

"Relax." Lumi repeated.

"B-but..." Eden was confused. "I did relax."

"No you didn’t." Lumi retorted. It wasn’t unkind, though it was stern. "Don’t be impatient, we have plenty of time."

Seeing that Eden wasn’t entirely convinced, he continued. "We’ll stay here in silence doing nothing for a while. You’ll get bored, perhaps sleepy."

"Oh..." Hearing the words, Eden felt a bit of whiplash. He had thought they were going to get right to the action.

"..." More time passed. Without the expectations of immediate work, of having to prove himself and learn on the spot, Eden gradually relaxed his muscles, relaxing his posture, until he was gently, slowly breathing.

"Good." Lumi’s voice was calm. "You’re relaxed. Now, I need you to feel the magic in the air."

"Feel the magic?" Eden replied, tired, eyes still closed. "How do I do that?"

Lumi replied patiently. "Try to sense something outside of your physical perception. Just as you sense Sol’s emotions, apply that to the world around you. Magic is everywhere. It flows through the air like wind, permeates the ground like water. You just need to become aware of it."

Eden focused his mind.

First, he focused on the wood under him. After a few seconds, his concentration shifted to air. Every couple seconds, his concentration shifted to a different focus off the air, to the wall, to the floor again.

Minutes passed. Eden’s frustration began to build. Why couldn’t he feel anything? Wasn’t he supposed to have potential? Wasn’t he descended from a legendary hero?

Then he remembered what Lumi told him. To relax.

He entirely abandoned attempting to sense magic. He took a deep breath, and forced a smile on his face. He calmed himself, until he was beginning to get tired once more.

He shifted his mind to see if he was feeling anything out of the ordinary. There was nothing, yet. So he decided to stay with his perception tuned to the external, merely attempting to sense anything.

Minutes passed. He wasn’t concerned at all. Perhaps this was normal. He’d try a different approach.

See, he noticed something. Lumi was telling him things, and for some reason, it flew over his mind. No more. Lumi had told him it was similar to how he sensed Sol’s emotions, didn’t he? He’d try a different approach. Instead of sensing the magic in the air, he’d sensing Sol. He has a bond with him, after all.

Eden shifted his focus. Sol was right there in his lap. He could physically feel the weight of the phoenix, the warmth radiating from its feathers.

But Lumi was asking for something different. To feel the presence beyond the physical.

Eden reached out with his awareness... and then he felt it.

It felt warm. It felt bright. He sensed a life and power concentrated in the small creature resting against him.

His eyes snapped open in surprise. "I felt it!"

"Good." Lumi said. "What did it feel like?"

Eden struggled to put it into words. "Strange. It felt like... life? Like... power? Energy? I don’t know how to describe it properly."

"That’s fine." Lumi assured him. "You don’t need perfect words for it. You just need to recognize the sensation."