(Opening Scene: Zane and Astrid are deep within a more challenging section of the forest, honing their combat skills against a monstrous Boarhide – a creature with thick, armored hide and razor-sharp tusks. Astrid expertly weaves gusts of wind to disorient the beast, while Zane struggles to land effective blows with the Null Blade.)
"Try altering its form, Zane!" Astrid called out, narrowly dodging a swipe of the Boarhide's tusk. "You can channel your energy in different ways with elemental magic; perhaps it's the same with your… shadows!"
Zane, focused on keeping the agile Boarhide at bay, hadn't considered changing the Null Blade's shape. It had always manifested as a solid, obsidian sword. But Astrid's suggestion sparked an idea. He focused his intent, not on the blade's sharpness or force, but on its very structure. He imagined the solid form becoming fluid, breaking apart, yet remaining connected to his will.
As the Boarhide lunged, Zane instinctively reacted. Instead of a single swing, he willed the Null Blade to shift. The obsidian steel fractured, not shattering uselessly, but breaking into a dozen sharp, smaller fragments of solidified shadow. These fragments, still radiating the Null Blade's cold energy, hovered around him like dark daggers.
Zane felt a surge of understanding, a new pathway opening within his connection to the void. He could control these fragments with his mind, directing them with a mere thought. It was clumsy at first, the fragments wobbling in the air, but the potential was immediately apparent.
The Boarhide, momentarily confused by the sudden transformation of its attacker's weapon, paused. Zane seized the opportunity. With a mental command, he sent a volley of Void Fragments hurtling towards the beast. They struck the Boarhide's thick hide, finding the gaps between its armored plates, drawing surprised roars of pain.
"By the storms!" Astrid exclaimed, her stormy eyes wide with astonishment as she witnessed the fragmented shadows strike the beast. "What was that?"
Zane himself was surprised, a thrill of exhilaration mixed with a sense of newfound power coursing through him. "I… I don't know! It just… happened." The name instinctively formed in his mind. "Void Fragments."
He focused again, practicing his control over the scattered shadows. They moved with increasing precision, darting and weaving like a swarm of dark insects. He could use them for both offense and defense, a multitude of sharp edges at his command.
The Boarhide, now bleeding from multiple small wounds, charged again, its tusks aimed at Zane. But this time, Zane was ready. He mentally directed the Void Fragments to intercept, creating a swirling vortex of shadowy blades that tore at the beast's face, forcing it to retreat with a pained bellow.
Astrid, recovering quickly, unleashed a focused blast of wind, pushing the injured Boarhide back further. "Incredible, Zane! You awakened a new skill! it's like nothing I've ever seen!"
Zane grinned, a genuine smile of triumph. He still had much to learn, but this new ability felt like a significant breakthrough, a powerful addition to his arsenal as the Lumina Academy entry test loomed.