From that conversation alone, Adrien already knew that Earth magic would not come easy to him. This time around, there was no denying that his personality was at absolute odds with Earth magic; even with how much he'd recently grown, he was far from being described as patient and stable - and his anxiety over getting results would only drive him further from his goal. His only choice was to spend many days in meditation, slowly creating room within himself for this state of mind that he was not accustomed to. He took to this task dutifully and agreeably; in spite of his struggles, he had confidence in his abilities and in Val's guidance, and he did not doubt that he would eventually succeed. Over time, his reach towards the Earth element took the form of a contemplative mood that he most often found in the evenings after his lessons - when he retreated to his room, set his head against the pillow, and lingered in the doorway of sleep.

In these private meditation sessions, he thought about his present, where he was, how he was. He'd made it far, and changed much. He was no longer coasting along on his life's happenings and mistakes, but choosing what would be of himself with intention; he was no longer scattered, brittle, and combustible - he had become focused, resilient, and understanding. Where he had flaws, he no longer saw them as unlovable stains on his being; in fact, from afar, he recognized that perhaps they even gleamed a little. They certainly did in Val's eyes, whenever he gently teased him over his fiery temper and brash impatience; things Adrien shamed himself for, but that Val seemed to not mind. If he could see himself with that same kindness, Adrien thought, then he could see his flaws as a part of himself, without judgement or reproach. If he could see his flaws as a part of himself, then he could see where they belonged: his impatience within his enthusiasm, his chaos within his will. Adrien smiled. It was certainly an unorthodox approach, but he could learn to be patient towards his impatience, and turn his hurdles into allies. This would be his strategy to succeed at Earth magic.