Chase and Selena sat cross-legged on the floor of her dorm room, the book spread open between them. The soft glow of a lantern illuminated the pages, casting flickering shadows across the walls. Outside, the night was silent, save for the occasional chirp of insects and the faint rustle of wind through the trees.
Chase stared at the book's title, Awakening and the Art of Magic: A Beginner's Guide, written in elegant, flowing script. It was thick, with worn edges, suggesting it had been used by countless students before them. Selena ran her fingers over the first page, her eyes scanning the introductory paragraph.
"The awakening process may seem mystical," she read aloud, "but it is a natural extension of one's elemental affinity. To access your powers, you must first learn to recognize the energy within you and around you, then channel it with intention and focus. It is a process of harmony between mind, body, and spirit."
