Upon their return to the villa, Elpenor and Ziusudra found everyone safe. The eldritch beast had merely passed through the area, leaving behind a palpable sense of unease but no destruction. Relieved yet cautious, they decided to retrieve the colossal stone serpent's body. The creature's hide would serve as proof of their victory and provide valuable materials for the Gorgonkin's artisans.

The next few days were a blur of activity for Elpenor. Ziusudra took it upon himself to train Elpenor in the use of the sword with the cross guard, a weapon that combined both defense and offense. In the morning light, the clanging of their swords echoed through the training grounds.

Elpenor felt the weight of the sword in his hands, its balance and shape a challenge to his muscles. Ziusudra was a patient teacher, demonstrating each move with precision.

"Hold the hilt firmly, but not rigidly," Ziusudra instructed. "Let the cross guard be your shield and your guide."

Elpenor swung the sword, the metallic projections deflecting imaginary attacks. He learned to parry and counter, each movement becoming more fluid as the day wore on. Ziusudra's corrections were gentle but firm, his eyes always watchful.

"Your enemy will not wait for you to think," Ziusudra reminded him. "You must act on instinct, let the sword become an extension of your will."

By dusk, Elpenor's arms ached, but he felt a sense of accomplishment. The sword was no longer a foreign object; it was beginning to feel like an extension of himself.

The following day, Ziusudra introduced Elpenor to the arcane practice of counterspelling—a skill that required both mental focus and quick reflexes. They moved to a secluded part of the villa, where the air hummed with latent magic.

"To counter a spell, you must understand its essence," Ziusudra explained. "You must corrupt the very fabric of the spell as it is cast, disrupting its flow."

Elpenor watched as Ziusudra demonstrated, his hands weaving through the air, tracing the path of an invisible spell. With a flick of his wrist, he produced a small crystal-like stone, the Spell Null. The stone's surface shimmered with a faint, otherworldly light.

"The easiest way to corrupt a spell is to introduce a Spell Null," Ziusudra continued. "These stones can absorb and nullify magical energy. But you must be quick and precise."

Elpenor practiced with the Spell Null, learning to time his throws and retrieve the stone with a string, using it like a whip. Each attempt brought him closer to mastering the technique.

On the third day, Ziusudra led Elpenor to the Oracle's Hollow, a network of caves where Spell Nulls were often found. The journey was treacherous, the path winding through narrow passages and steep inclines.

"Stay close," Ziusudra advised. "These caves are not just home to Spell Nulls. Other dangers lurk in the shadows."

Elpenor nodded, his senses heightened by the dim light and echoing silence. The deeper they went, the more Elpenor felt the ancient magic that permeated the place. It was as if the very walls pulsed with arcane energy.

They found their first Spell Null nestled in a crevice, its crystalline surface glowing softly. Elpenor carefully extracted it, feeling its power thrumming in his hand. They continued to search, gathering several more stones.

As they emerged from the caves, the sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the landscape. Elpenor felt a deep sense of achievement. He had not only learned new skills but also uncovered a part of the world’s mysteries.