- Well then, we can always enjoy each other's company. No? - She grabbed his hand again and tugged him further into the garden, away from his peers. When they found a tranquil spot, she declared - "Today we're staying here! You can't deprive me of these wonderful surroundings solely because you feel awkward. Besides, it's not like I care if you are uncomfortable. Plus, as a child, you must soak up some fresh air so that your body thrives!" - Giggling fervently at her own words, she flopped onto the ground among the blooming flowers and lush grass beneath them.
- Okay? - Satis stood in a state of confusion, not sure how to respond.
- Stop standing idly, - Lilian said with an inquiring tone. - "I've seen other students manipulate the environment here; can you do that?"
- I can, but what should I do exactly? - Satis nodded timidly.
- Can you add a swing onto that tree? It has the perfect branch for it. - Lilian added after scanning their surroundings carefully.
- Yes. - With a wave of his wand, they watched as two lianas wove and braided themselves into a rope for the swing. In moments, entwining lianas transformed into wood and crafted a carved chair seat. As the swing appeared to be prepared, small field flowers mixed with moths began to cover it slowly, starting from the seat all the way up to where each vine was secured around an overhead tree branch - creating a beautiful and enchanting scene.
- Aah! - Lilian was completely awestruck and that was the only censored phrase she could bear to express her amazement. At last, she simply exclaimed, - "This is breathtaking!" - She began applauding Satis for his amazing display of magical powers.
- This particular trick isn't difficult - he commented blushing in response to Lilian's praises, - "if only I knew what flowers are your favorite, I could transform this area into a floral paradise"
- Of course, I'll tell you! - With a wide smile and unfettered excitement, Lilian cheered - "My favorite flowers are tulips; I hope you know what they look like?"
- Yes. - at her words, Satis whispered affirmatively and waved his wand around them. Instantly the dull landscape became a vibrant field of colorful blooming tulips in vivid hues.
Astonished by the wonderful sight before her eyes, Lilian beamed with joy and ran towards the flower bed to marvel at their beauty up close. With one last glance back at shyly smiling Satis on the sidelines, she motioned for him to join her amongst this living bouquet of natural wonder.
- Miss Lilian, no way! The cloak will certainly get dirty, - Satis replied with a hearty chuckle.
- Stop pestering me, and let's start having some fun. I'll show you how to launder your garments! - she exclaimed while burying herself among the blossoms.
As Lilian and Satis rested among the lush tulips, basking in the golden rays of the autumn sun which filtered through heavy rainclouds, a gentle silence descended. Eventually, Lilian broke it with her request: "Before we move on to learning more about your world," she said dreamily, looking up at the sky between fingers spread like a fan over her face. "I'd love to know more about you as well, Satis." Swiveling his head towards the direction of where her hand was pointing in wonderment above them both, the teenager began gathering his mental cobwebs for an enlightening history lesson for his ghost familiar.
- Earlier, I provided you with a brief overview of our planet upon your arrival. Our planet, Silvius, dwells in the third universe within the Snow Leopard constellation, - Satis started, raising his wand high above him, and using it to create holographic images that projected what he was saying. - "We are a peaceful nation that has developed a magical power by evolving our connection with the elements - Fire, Earth, Air, and Water - naturally over thousands of years. This led to every human on this planet forming a bond with one of these elements. Nowadays, we can be classified as more of creatures than humans."
- Does this mean there are other elemental creatures apart from humans? - Lilian interrupted him asking - "Is that why you stopped referring to yourselves as humans?"
- Yes, - he said simply. - You've already met one of our forest fairies earlier; they are classed as air creatures. There are some other species too which have links with different elements and therefore have magical powers." - Satis moved on further to explain his answer. - "When it comes to the fundamentals, all elemental beings share traits that unite them across the species."
- Dude, that sounds complicated. Can you explain it more simply? - seemingly complex Lilian made the decision to move towards the tree swing which she had asked for previously.
- Fine, I'll try, - seeing Lilian's confusion, Satis decided to simplify it even more for her, - "I'm a water creature" - he explained further, lifting his wand again in order to help explain what he meant through imagery. - "All water creatures can breathe underwater and possess nocturnal vision - these are characteristics that link them across the species. But as a human species of a water element, we can also shapeshift.
- WHAT?! - the surprise on Lilian's face was evident as she exclaimed out loud without thinking - "You what? How is it possible? To be specific, what do you shape-shift into? What capabilities come with that form?" - She quickly bombarded him with more questions before he had time to answer any of them.
- Well, that's quite a lot of questions. - shifting his posture from reclining to seated, Satis replied - "Let me answer one question for now and we'll come back to your others later. I don't want to cut my explanation short yet".
- Dude, you're as boring as ever honestly. - Lilian muttered under her breath as she swings.
- I can shapeshift into a harpy eagle.
- Hm… Interesting. - Lilian muttered as she was taken aback when she discovered that Satis had the ability to shift forms. She thought silently about how this was never a part of the game.
- Okay. To continue, all elemental creatures, also known as elementals, can understand each other without difficulty. If I ever encounter another water creature from a different species, I'll be able to communicate with it effortlessly; this also applies to other elementals of the same category.
- Mesmerizing. - entranced by all this new information, it was at this moment that Lilian began to see this place as the real world and not just a game.