Elpenor stood before Ziusudra, the familiar determination gleaming in his eyes. "Ziusudra, will you help me train in magic?" he asked earnestly.

Ziusudra nodded thoughtfully. "I can refer you to Enkidu. He possesses the wisdom and skill you seek."

Elpenor followed Ziusudra's guidance and approached Enkidu, the Oracle. Enkidu greeted him with a calm demeanor and agreed to train him. "We shall begin with earth magic," Enkidu declared, enchanting Elpenor's sword with intricate spells. The blade thrummed with newfound power, connecting deeply with the earth.

Under Enkidu's tutelage, Elpenor learned to wield his sword with newfound precision, using it to shape the sand into various forms—cubes, spikes, and more. The training was rigorous, each swing of the sword demanding intense focus and energy. As he practiced, Elpenor's body grew weary, and the strain of his dwindling Dynamis became evident.

"Enkidu," Elpenor panted, struggling to catch his breath, "is it possible to enchant my chrysós hualos to convert lightning into Dynamis? It contains metal, after all."

Enkidu's eyes lit up with interest. "In theory, it should be possible," he mused. After several failed attempts, Enkidu finally succeeded on the sixth try. The chrysós hualos glowed with an ethereal light, now imbued with the ability to transform lightning into Dynamis.

Eager to test the new enchantment, Elpenor retrieved a lightning eel, its electric charge crackling ominously. As the eel's lightning struck the chrysós hualos, the orb absorbed the energy and transformed it into a mere tenth of the Dynamis. Though it was a fraction of what he had hoped for, it provided a promising means to replenish his strength more quickly.

With renewed determination, Elpenor resumed his training under Enkidu's watchful eye. Mastering the use of earth magic, he molded the sand into complex structures, hardening it into stable forms that could withstand light objects. His creations held their shape, showcasing his growing proficiency.

Exhausted yet exhilarated, Elpenor marveled at his progress. The challenges ahead were daunting, but with each step forward, he felt more prepared to face the impending storm.

Elpenor stood in the training ground, sweat trickling down his face as he tried to incorporate his earth magic into his swordplay. The challenge was immense—he needed to maintain the connection between his sword and the ground, which often resulted in his sword being knocked out of his hand. This was especially difficult since his other hand had to hold the spell null.

Ziusudra watched Elpenor struggle and offered a suggestion. "Elpenor, try dragging your sword along the ground as you move. This way, you can keep the connection with the earth without losing your grip."

Elpenor nodded, willing to try anything to improve. He adjusted his stance, dragging the sword on the ground as he moved. It didn't work perfectly at first; the sword would sometimes get caught, and it interfered with his spell null. But as he increased his speed, Elpenor found that he could maneuver more fluidly, avoiding the entanglement.

With each passing day, Elpenor's control over the earth magic grew. He learned to harden the sand to the point where it became fully solid, capable of lifting his own weight. This newfound ability opened up new possibilities for his combat technique.

He experimented with making strikes and using the earth to propel himself forward. The process was exhausting, consuming a vast amount of Dynamis. If he lost focus for even a moment, he would trip and fall. Yet, despite the challenges, Elpenor's progress was undeniable. He became more adept at traveling short distances—up to 13 pous—within a few seconds, and his strikes retained their force.

Elpenor's determination never wavered. Each stumble was a lesson, each success a testament to his growth. Ziusudra watched with a mix of pride and concern, knowing that Elpenor's journey was far from over. The eldritch beast still loomed as a shadow over their lives, and Elpenor's training was a crucial step toward their ultimate confrontation.

One day, while Elpenor was training, the sky darkened, and rain began to fall. At first, no one thought much of it. But then, a massive lightning bolt struck his Spell Null just as Elpenor had thrown it out. The surge of Dynamis that coursed through him was overwhelming, far more than he could handle.

Elpenor's body convulsed as the energy shot through him, pulling a massive column of earth from the ground, reaching towards the heavens. The ground shook, creating a small tremor that, luckily, didn't cause any damage. But the immense influx and subsequent depletion of Dynamis sent Elpenor into shock. His vision blurred, and he passed out.

When he awoke, he found himself in a dimly lit room, Nidaba beside him, her eyes red from crying. "Elpenor, wake up," she pleaded, her voice trembling with emotion.

Elpenor groaned, his body feeling heavy and drained. "I'm fine, Nidaba," he reassured her weakly. "What happened?"

Nidaba's tears flowed freely as she explained. "You were struck by a massive thunderbolt. The fact that you weren't turned to dust is a miracle."

Enkidu entered the room, his expression serious but relieved. "Elpenor, you've been asleep for two days. Although you suffered no physical damage, the amount of Dynamis you absorbed and the subsequent output shocked your body."

Elpenor nodded, his mind still reeling from the experience. "How can I prevent this from happening again?"

Enkidu thought for a moment before offering a solution. "To build up your tolerance to Dynamis, you need to create a constant cycle. Keep your Spell Null in a bucket of lightning eels while you circulate sand to maintain a continuous flow of Dynamis. This will help you increase your capacity much faster."

Elpenor's eyes fluttered open, his body feeling heavy and drained. Nidaba was beside him, her eyes red from crying. "Elpenor, you need to rest before you think about doing any more training," she insisted, her voice a mix of relief and frustration.

Elpenor nodded weakly, recognizing the concern in her eyes. "I promise I'll be more careful," he reassured her.

Nidaba's expression softened, but she couldn't help scolding him. "Never do that again, Elpenor. You have no idea how much I worry about you."

After a day of rest, Elpenor felt his strength returning. He resumed his training with Enkidu, finding the initial stages to be incredibly challenging. However, as time passed, the exercises became more manageable and required less focus. He began to structure his days, alternating between sword and earth magic training one day and Dynamis training the next.

Two weeks later, while Elpenor was practicing, his Spell Null was randomly struck by a lightning bolt. This time, instead of going into shock, he only experienced a headache. When Ziusudra informed Nidaba, she rushed out to check on him before Ziusudra could tell her that Elpenor was fine.

Seeing Elpenor unharmed, Nidaba's fear was replaced by overwhelming relief. As she embraced him, she accidentally confessed her feelings for him. Realizing what she had said, she became nervous, fearing she might have ruined their relationship.

Elpenor stood up, his heart pounding with emotion. "Nidaba," he began, "I have feelings for you too. I'm happy to know that you feel the same way."

They hugged gently, their bond growing stronger with the shared confession. As Ziusudra and Enkidu arrived to check on Elpenor, they overheard the exchange. Ziusudra couldn't resist teasing his sister. "You worry so much about Elpenor," he jested.

Nidaba bashfully retorted”you don’t worry enough”, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. The tension melted away as everyone returned home for the night. For the first time in a while, they felt a sense of peace and relief, their worries momentarily forgotten.

After the intense training and the ordeal with the lightning bolt, Elpenor took some time to rest. He spent the early part of the day recuperating before heading out for a lunch date with Nidaba. The tranquility of their time together offered a reprieve from the constant training and danger.

Later that day, Elpenor had a check-up with Enkidu, who ensured that his body was in good condition before he went to bed. Feeling rejuvenated, Elpenor returned to his regular training routine while continuing to enjoy his lunches with Nidaba. Occasionally, they even went on full-day dates, which brought them both much-needed joy.

Elpenor noticed that his progress had accelerated, as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. One day, he discovered that he could wrap sand around his Spell Null to move it with greater freedom. The sand acted as a conduit, quickly converting lightning into Dynamis, allowing Elpenor to control the Spell Null more effectively.

He began using sand as armor, providing additional protection and enhancing his magical abilities. With this new technique, Elpenor reached a point where he could kill a large stone serpent using his magic alone. His confidence grew as he mastered these new skills.

Elpenor's success didn't go unnoticed. He started helping the other Eye Wardens, including Ziusudra, by teaching them his innovative fighting style. The Melekhuz traders, who visited every month or so, were impressed by the advancements and offered Elpenor pure chalkos in exchange for Spell Nulls.

As the months passed, Elpenor's training continued. Five months later, the Villa of the Earth Tone had an army of warriors skilled in the new fighting techniques, capable of facing the eldritch beast. The sense of camaraderie and unity among the inhabitants strengthened their resolve.

Elpenor stood at the forefront of this transformation, his heart filled with hope and determination. With his allies by his side and their newfound abilities, they were ready to confront the beast and protect their beloved Villa.