Ple-Sen
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Perhaps, the unusual flow of time was a consequence of the magical hourglass of Erefir? According to known information, time magic is a complex, poorly understood concept, and is practically inaccessible to ordinary mortals. It wouldn't be too surprising if such a powerful artifact had a similar side effect. However, anomalies are anomalies, and Alaria's diary contains another entry.
"Potential Techniques
This section will be devoted to my reflections on the directions in which I could develop my abilities. Given the potential flexibility of the fire element, I believe that the main focus will be on skills related to it. However, I will not limit myself, so that I do not have to hastily add notes and explanations later. For now, I will not include attempts to imitate already existing techniques, such as my own. This is a place for me to express my creativity, even if many of my assumptions are likely false, either completely or partially.
Mental Cipher
A technique that I once tried to develop and even mentioned in a conversation with Erefir, although the commander did not show much interest in it. It's strange, considering her nature. Surely something like that would appeal to her. As often happens with me, the idea for the technique was based on a bold assumption, namely that... mind mages need to know the language spoken by the victims of their spells in order to gain any benefit from reading their thoughts. The solution? Learn a dead language and retrain myself to think in it. Easier said than done, and it still won't protect against mages familiar with the chosen dialect. I never had the opportunity to test the validity of my assumptions and bring this technique to fruition. Life events unfolded in such a way that it became irrelevant. However, I heard that Kilika is slowly mastering mind magic, although she is clearly more interested in martial arts. Perhaps, when she reaches a sufficient level of skill in this area, it will be worth asking her about it? Then I will know for sure whether my guess is correct and whether such a technique is viable.
Merging
The method of the Baldr school, at least in my understanding, involves unity with the natural elements. Harmony with them. Becoming a conduit for these energies. So I thought, what if I took this concept further? Learn to temporarily dissolve into the chosen element for faster movement across the battlefield. With my scouting skills, this would be especially useful, as the enemy would not know where to expect the attack. Theoretically, it would allow me to appear behind an abstract opponent and resolve an abstract duel with a graceful strike that would be extremely difficult to dodge. It sounds very useful, but I'm not sure if it's feasible in practice. However, even if it is feasible, there are other concerns. For example, that by reaching such a level of unity, I might lose myself, dissolving into the fire element. I would become an integral part of it forever. Theoretically, even if this is the case, a strong will and strong emotions, a strong ego, could prevent this, but the risk still remains. Assuming that everything is really so, of course, and not otherwise. First, I would like to consult with someone who understands the issue better than I do.
Of course, someone might object to my concerns by mentioning singularities, elementals. But there is a small nuance here, which is that... I am a person, not a singularity. But this, in fact, makes me think about something. Given the existence of the cycle of souls and the fact that, presumably, singularities appeared after the emergence of humanity, what if they themselves were once people, in the process of the cycle of reincarnation, reaching enlightenment and their current status? I have no evidence to support this proposal, but it would explain why, according to legends, singularities came into this world already formed, as mature personalities. And this coincides with certain philosophical concepts that I have read about. It says that the reincarnation of the soul has a final goal, which is to achieve the aforementioned enlightenment. Only by living several lives, each new one different from the previous one, can you get closer to understanding the essence of things. Because no matter how smart and wise you are, if you are born into a poor family, you can only understand the hardships of childhood of a royal person on an intellectual level. But, for a deeper understanding, you need to experience it yourself. In general, this is a way of thinking that I agree with, although I will not judge the truth of the concept itself. The above is nothing more than a baseless assumption. If you like, a hypothesis. Besides, it has nothing to do with the discussion of the technique in question. I got a little distracted and wrote a whole paragraph. That happens to me too. 😅
Trail
During my practice, and especially when I was preparing for tomorrow's performance, I could not help but notice that the flame seemed to jump off the blade of my sword, real or mock. Like a tail or a whip, it trailed behind and seemed to lengthen the blade. Can I give it a more tangible form? Make it so that this trail increases the range of my attacks, allowing me to burn opponents that my weapon cannot reach? It would be useful and can even be tested in practice, as long as I have suitable dummies for this. Not the most "interesting" ability, but the benefits of range in combat should not be underestimated. As an experienced warrior, I perfectly understand what advantage this can give. However, unlike a long weapon, this technique does not make you more vulnerable at close range, assuming that someone can even get close. Definitely something that will make sense to include in my practice. It looks feasible, at least on paper.
Phoenix
I know for sure about the healing abilities of flame. Keeping this in mind, why not think about their logical development? If my assumptions about merging with the elements are correct, wouldn't it make sense to try to go a little further? For example, if you have your arm cut off, turn it into fiery energy to restore the lost limb. Or even bring your body, which seems to be on its last breath, back to life. This concept, like the very idea of the life-giving power of fire, cannot fail to fascinate me. However, even if this is possible, I perfectly understand that mastering such a skill will be extremely difficult.
Flaming Blood
Since I can produce fire from parts of my body, what's wrong with my blood? I've thought about this before, but the idea that an opponent who seems to have defeated me and splashed himself with my blood will be engulfed in flames of vengeance in the blink of an eye sounds very useful. Of course, it's even better not to get hit by anyone, but few warriors are capable of that. Perhaps one of the main problems here is that the hypothetical opponent will not necessarily splash himself with my blood. But his weapon will still be covered with it, right? In this case, this technique would allow me to heat up his weapon in an attempt to level the playing field. Perhaps not the most useful of the techniques I am considering, but still worthy of attention."
"Potential Techniques
This section will be devoted to my reflections on the directions in which I could develop my abilities. Given the potential flexibility of the fire element, I believe that the main focus will be on skills related to it. However, I will not limit myself, so that I do not have to hastily add notes and explanations later. For now, I will not include attempts to imitate already existing techniques, such as my own. This is a place for me to express my creativity, even if many of my assumptions are likely false, either completely or partially.
Mental Cipher
A technique that I once tried to develop and even mentioned in a conversation with Erefir, although the commander did not show much interest in it. It's strange, considering her nature. Surely something like that would appeal to her. As often happens with me, the idea for the technique was based on a bold assumption, namely that... mind mages need to know the language spoken by the victims of their spells in order to gain any benefit from reading their thoughts. The solution? Learn a dead language and retrain myself to think in it. Easier said than done, and it still won't protect against mages familiar with the chosen dialect. I never had the opportunity to test the validity of my assumptions and bring this technique to fruition. Life events unfolded in such a way that it became irrelevant. However, I heard that Kilika is slowly mastering mind magic, although she is clearly more interested in martial arts. Perhaps, when she reaches a sufficient level of skill in this area, it will be worth asking her about it? Then I will know for sure whether my guess is correct and whether such a technique is viable.
Merging
The method of the Baldr school, at least in my understanding, involves unity with the natural elements. Harmony with them. Becoming a conduit for these energies. So I thought, what if I took this concept further? Learn to temporarily dissolve into the chosen element for faster movement across the battlefield. With my scouting skills, this would be especially useful, as the enemy would not know where to expect the attack. Theoretically, it would allow me to appear behind an abstract opponent and resolve an abstract duel with a graceful strike that would be extremely difficult to dodge. It sounds very useful, but I'm not sure if it's feasible in practice. However, even if it is feasible, there are other concerns. For example, that by reaching such a level of unity, I might lose myself, dissolving into the fire element. I would become an integral part of it forever. Theoretically, even if this is the case, a strong will and strong emotions, a strong ego, could prevent this, but the risk still remains. Assuming that everything is really so, of course, and not otherwise. First, I would like to consult with someone who understands the issue better than I do.
Of course, someone might object to my concerns by mentioning singularities, elementals. But there is a small nuance here, which is that... I am a person, not a singularity. But this, in fact, makes me think about something. Given the existence of the cycle of souls and the fact that, presumably, singularities appeared after the emergence of humanity, what if they themselves were once people, in the process of the cycle of reincarnation, reaching enlightenment and their current status? I have no evidence to support this proposal, but it would explain why, according to legends, singularities came into this world already formed, as mature personalities. And this coincides with certain philosophical concepts that I have read about. It says that the reincarnation of the soul has a final goal, which is to achieve the aforementioned enlightenment. Only by living several lives, each new one different from the previous one, can you get closer to understanding the essence of things. Because no matter how smart and wise you are, if you are born into a poor family, you can only understand the hardships of childhood of a royal person on an intellectual level. But, for a deeper understanding, you need to experience it yourself. In general, this is a way of thinking that I agree with, although I will not judge the truth of the concept itself. The above is nothing more than a baseless assumption. If you like, a hypothesis. Besides, it has nothing to do with the discussion of the technique in question. I got a little distracted and wrote a whole paragraph. That happens to me too. 😅
Trail
During my practice, and especially when I was preparing for tomorrow's performance, I could not help but notice that the flame seemed to jump off the blade of my sword, real or mock. Like a tail or a whip, it trailed behind and seemed to lengthen the blade. Can I give it a more tangible form? Make it so that this trail increases the range of my attacks, allowing me to burn opponents that my weapon cannot reach? It would be useful and can even be tested in practice, as long as I have suitable dummies for this. Not the most "interesting" ability, but the benefits of range in combat should not be underestimated. As an experienced warrior, I perfectly understand what advantage this can give. However, unlike a long weapon, this technique does not make you more vulnerable at close range, assuming that someone can even get close. Definitely something that will make sense to include in my practice. It looks feasible, at least on paper.
Phoenix
I know for sure about the healing abilities of flame. Keeping this in mind, why not think about their logical development? If my assumptions about merging with the elements are correct, wouldn't it make sense to try to go a little further? For example, if you have your arm cut off, turn it into fiery energy to restore the lost limb. Or even bring your body, which seems to be on its last breath, back to life. This concept, like the very idea of the life-giving power of fire, cannot fail to fascinate me. However, even if this is possible, I perfectly understand that mastering such a skill will be extremely difficult.
Flaming Blood
Since I can produce fire from parts of my body, what's wrong with my blood? I've thought about this before, but the idea that an opponent who seems to have defeated me and splashed himself with my blood will be engulfed in flames of vengeance in the blink of an eye sounds very useful. Of course, it's even better not to get hit by anyone, but few warriors are capable of that. Perhaps one of the main problems here is that the hypothetical opponent will not necessarily splash himself with my blood. But his weapon will still be covered with it, right? In this case, this technique would allow me to heat up his weapon in an attempt to level the playing field. Perhaps not the most useful of the techniques I am considering, but still worthy of attention."