Chereads / Chosen by the Elements / Chapter 21 - Interlude: Sierra's Encounter with Alex

Chapter 21 - Interlude: Sierra's Encounter with Alex

Sierra's POV

As I sat on my bed, my mind wandered back to the events that happened today. It had been a whirlwind of emotions and unexpected revelations. The arrival of Alex, the boy who suddenly became my grandfather's new disciple, had disrupted the routine I had grown accustomed to.

At first, I couldn't help but feel annoyed by his presence. I had been in the middle of learning my first intermediate-tier spell from my grandfather, and his sudden arrival seemed like an intrusion. I assumed he was just another privileged child or disciple of some noble, late for the admission test that had already taken place. I had encountered such individuals before, and their entitled attitudes often rubbed me the wrong way.

However, my annoyance escalated when my grandfather dismissed me without a second thought, leaving me puzzled and frustrated. It was as if my efforts and progress in my studies were inconsequential.

After leaving the room, I was trying to learn the spell on my own when grandfather called for me. I was initially happy to go and resume my study of the spell under grandfather's guidance.

But, as soon as I opened the door and saw him still there I got irritated. He started staring at me for a while and I grew angry a little. He quickly looked away which seemed to make me placate my anger, but I was still irritated by his presence.

After that grandfather suddenly said that the boy, Alex in front of me had become his new disciple. I was completely in shock when I was told that. I couldn't help but question my grandfather's decision to take on a disciple at his age and why he had chosen this particular moment to do so.

Reluctantly, I gave in to my grandfather's decision, despite my lingering skepticism. It was the revelation that Alex would be staying with us that truly surprised me. Learning that he was an orphan who had faced hardships softened my initial resistance. Perhaps my grandfather saw a kindred spirit in him, someone in need of guidance and support.

In an attempt to make Alex feel more at ease, I tried to be friendly and welcoming. I teased him occasionally, enjoying his embarrassed reactions, but he seemed to miss the playful nature of our interactions. It was cute in its own way. I accepted his request to be friends, understanding that we would be living together for the foreseeable future.

When we entered the room, I noticed a look of fascination on Alex's face. It was as if he had stumbled upon something extraordinary, something that ignited a spark of wonder within him. At that moment, a wave of empathy washed over me as I imagined the hardships he must have faced in his past.

It was at that moment that I decided to learn the spell from my phone, giving him the space to explore and immerse himself in the environment of his new room.

Lost in my thoughts, I decided to continue my studies using my phone. Immersed in the virtual world of incantations and magical diagrams, I absorbed every detail, striving to perfect my understanding.

However, just as I was deeply engrossed in my study, Alex unexpectedly returned and interrupted my concentration.

Startled, I looked up from my phone, momentarily annoyed at having my flow disrupted. I answered the questions that he started asking me.

However, my perspective on Alex shifted drastically when he expressed his lack of knowledge in casting spells. It was a revelation that left me dumbfounded. How could someone not know even a single spell? My curiosity was piqued, and I couldn't help but wonder about the circumstances that led to this revelation.

As we continued our conversation, I discovered that Alex had awakened three elements, but my grandfather had instructed him to keep two of them hidden, revealing only his water element. The mystery surrounding his hidden elements intrigued me. I couldn't help but speculate on the reasons behind my grandfather's decision.

As we arrived in the garden, I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride when he asked how long I took to learn my first spell. I eagerly shared the news with Alex, letting him know that I had successfully learned my first spell in just four days. The admiration on his face was evident, and it brought a sense of accomplishment for my hard work.

Curiosity piqued, Alex took hold of the spellbook and began flipping through its pages, his eyes scanning the instructions for the Aqua Blast spell. It was a classic choice for beginners, and I silently hoped he would struggle with it, relishing the opportunity to showcase my progress. However, to my surprise, he seemed to grasp the spell quickly.

Though his execution was more akin to a small spout than a full-blown blast, he had indeed cast a spell. Jumping in surprise, I couldn't help but ask him how he had managed to do it. His response caught me off guard, as he spoke of a connection with the elements. It sounded almost absurd, but at that moment, I pushed aside my doubts and focused on helping him improve his spellcasting technique.

We engaged in a discussion about the proper way to cast a spell, exchanging insights and tips. As I trained him, I couldn't help but be amazed by his aptitude for magic. It was his first time learning a spell, yet he seemed to grasp the concepts effortlessly. The speed at which he absorbed knowledge and applied it made him look like a monster in my eyes. It made me question how someone could possess such innate talent.

Amidst our training sessions, I found myself enjoying his company. When he shed the veil of awkwardness, there was a certain charm and genuineness to his presence. Even the awkward moments held their own endearing quality.

Just as I was reminiscing about it, Lynda came and sat beside me. I turned towards her and noticed her curious gaze.

Playfully, I asked, "Do I have something on my face or are you just captivated by my irresistible charm?"

Lynda chuckled and replied, "Oh, your charm is certainly undeniable, but I was wondering what has you daydreaming. Did that Alex cast a spell on you and make your heart flutter?"

Surprised by her teasing, I blushed slightly and quickly responded, "No, no, nothing like that! I was just lost in thought, reflecting on everything that happened today. Alex is more like a little brother I never had, not some prince charming."

We both shared a laugh at the playful banter, continuing our light-hearted conversation for a while. Eventually, we bid each other goodnight and retired to our respective beds. However, as I lay there in the darkness, my mind couldn't help but wander to the possibilities that lay ahead. The events of the day had sparked a sense of curiosity and anticipation within me. What other surprises lay ahead?