One sunny afternoon, Paul, Lyrien, Kael, and Kaira gathered in the park, enjoying each other's company. Paul had a secret he couldn't keep anymore.
"Guys, I have something to show you," Paul said, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Lyrien, Kael, and Kaira exchanged curious glances. "What is it, Paul?" Lyrien asked.
Paul took a deep breath, focusing his energy. Suddenly, a small flame erupted from his fingertips, dancing in the air.
The trio gasped in unison. "Whoa, Paul! You can use magic!" Kael exclaimed.
Kaira's eyes widened, her face lighting up with wonder. "Teach me, Paul! Please!" she begged, her big brown eyes shining with an irresistible puppy-like charm.
Paul chuckled, feeling happy to share his secret. "Okay, Kaira. But it's not easy. You have to concentrate and practice a lot."
Kaira nodded eagerly, her ponytail bouncing with enthusiasm. "I'll work hard, Paul! I promise!"
Lyrien and Kael smiled, happy for their friends but aware of their own limitations. "We'll cheer you on, Kaira," Lyrien said. "But we can't join in – we want to be knights not mage."
Paul nodded understandingly. "That's okay, guys. Kaira and I will learn together."
Paul and Kaira sat cross-legged on the grassy hill, surrounded by a serene landscape. Paul held his hand out, and a gentle glow emanated from his fingertips. "Okay, Kaira, focus on my mana. Feel its rhythm, its flow."
Kaira closed her eyes, her brow furrowed in concentration. Paul could sense her determination, her eagerness to learn. He smiled, remembering his own struggles when he first started.
For the next few weeks, Paul taught Kaira the basics of magic: mana control, circulation, and visualization. She was a quick learner, but her progress was slow due to her lack of innate mana. Paul knew that external mana could supplement her deficiency, so he shared his own mana with her, careful not to overwhelm her.
As the days passed, Kaira's grasp of magic improved, but she still struggled to awaken her first circle. Paul reassured her that it was normal, that everyone's pace was different. But he knew she was frustrated, and he wanted to help her breakthrough.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Paul had an idea. "Kaira, let's try something different. I'll channel my mana into you, and you focus on resonating with it."
Kaira's eyes lit up with hope. "Really, Paul? You think it'll work?"
Paul nodded. "Trust me."
He placed his hands on her shoulders, and a surge of pure external mana flowed into her. Kaira gasped, her eyes widening as she felt the energy coursing through her veins.
"Focus, Kaira!" Paul encouraged. "Feel the mana, let it become part of you!"
Kaira's face contorted in concentration, her body trembling with effort. Paul could sense her mana stirring, responding to his own. Suddenly, a faint glow enveloped her, and her first circle awakened with a soft hum.
"Yes!" Paul exclaimed, beaming with pride. "You did it, Kaira!"
Tears of joy streaming down her face, Kaira hugged Paul tightly. "Thank you, Paul! I couldn't have done it without you!"
Paul grinned, feeling a sense of fulfillment. "You're a natural, Kaira. Your hard work paid off."
As they celebrated, Paul realized that their friendship had grown stronger through their shared journey. He was proud to be a part of Kaira's magical awakening, and he knew that their adventures were only just beginning.