The morning light was just beginning to shine, like a shy girl, gently pushing aside the curtain of night with her soft fingertips, and spreading a touch of light gold in the forest. The mist was diffused, covering the ancient forest like a veil, adding a touch of mystery to this quiet morning. Alexander and Adrian came to a hidden stream, which would become their temporary training ground, a place full of challenges and hope.
Adrian looked at Alexander seriously, his eyes full of expectation and encouragement, like a strict mentor, ready to pass on his knowledge and experience to his students.
"Remember, magic is not a toy," he whispered, his voice like a low string, echoing in the silent forest, "it is a powerful force that requires respect and caution. Let's start from the most basic - sensing the elements."
Alexander nodded, he took a deep breath, put aside the distracting thoughts in his chest, and focused all his attention on the task at hand. He sat cross-legged on a smooth rock by the stream, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath as Adrian instructed, sucking the air around him into his lungs, feeling the energy in the air.
"Empty your mind," Adrian whispered, his voice like a call from the depths of his soul, guiding Alexander into a meditative state, "Feel the air around you, the sound of the water, the breath of the earth. Feel the breath of this forest, feel the pulse of this land."
At first, Alexander felt nothing, only the touch of the breeze across his face, like a mother's hand gently caressing his cheek, bringing a hint of warmth and comfort. He frowned and tried harder to concentrate, trying to sense the elements around him, trying to connect with this land.
A minute passed, then five minutes, ten minutes... Alexander felt frustrated, as if he was blocked by an invisible barrier, unable to touch those elements, unable to connect with them.
"I... I can't feel anything," Alexander opened his eyes in frustration, his tone full of disappointment and confusion, as if he was trapped in a maze and couldn't find the exit.
Adrian smiled and shook his head, like an experienced mentor, patiently guiding his students.
"Don't worry," he said, his tone full of encouragement and patience, "This takes time and patience. Come, let's try another way."
He guided Alexander to put his hand into the stream, the stream was clear and transparent, like a mirror, reflecting the sky and trees, as well as Alexander's confusion and uneasiness.
"Close your eyes and focus on the feeling of the water," Adrian whispered, as if telling an ancient secret, "its coolness, its flow, imagine your consciousness blending into the water and becoming part of it."
Alexander closed his eyes again and focused on the feeling of his palms. He seemed to feel a cool energy flowing from his palms into his body, like a clear spring, nourishing his soul. Gradually, he began to feel a subtle change, not just the coolness of the water, but also a kind of... vitality?
"I... I seem to feel something," Alexander said softly, afraid of breaking this wonderful connection, his tone full of surprise and confusion, "It's like... the water is talking to me."
A glimmer of surprise flashed in Adrian's eyes, like an old man who witnessed a miracle, he saw Alexander's talent and his potential.
"Very good, keep this feeling," he said, his tone full of encouragement and expectation, "Now, try to influence the water flow with your will. Imagine the water flow gathering in your palm, imagine the water flow flowing according to your will."
Alexander held his breath, imagined the water flow gathering in his palm, imagined the water flow flowing according to his will, he seemed to feel a force gushing out of his body, flowing to the stream, and merging with the stream. At first, nothing happened, like a stone sinking into the water, without any reaction. But just when he was about to give up, a small stream of water suddenly defied gravity and slowly rose along his palm, like a silver ribbon, dancing in the air.
"I did it!" Alexander exclaimed. He opened his eyes and looked at the slowly rising water. His face was filled with a joyful smile, like a child who found his favorite toy.
However, at this moment of distraction, the water flow immediately lost control, like a kite with a broken string, dancing in the air, and finally splashed his face, like a naughty child who soiled his clothes while playing.
Adrian laughed, like a kind old man, watching the children play, feeling extremely happy.
"A good start!" he said, his tone full of praise and encouragement, "But remember, magic requires continuous concentration. Once distracted, you will lose control, just like controlling the wind. If you are not careful, you will be swallowed by the wind."
In the following days, Alexander continued to practice sensing and controlling the water element. Sometimes, he could easily make the water flow dance in the air, like an elegant dancer dancing on the stage; sometimes, he couldn't even do the simplest manipulation, like a clumsy apprentice, constantly falling and getting up in the learning process.
One day, after another failed attempt, Alexander sat on the ground in frustration, like a lost traveler who couldn't find the direction to move forward.
"Why is it sometimes possible but sometimes not?" he asked, his tone full of confusion and bewilderment, as if he was troubled by a huge mystery and couldn't find the answer.
Adrian thought for a while, like a wise man, thinking about the philosophy of life.
"Magic is not just a skill," he said, his tone full of wisdom and philosophy, "it is more closely related to your emotions and mentality. Try to understand the nature of water. Water is soft, but also powerful. It can adapt to any shape, but it can also break through rocks. It can nourish everything, but it can also destroy everything. Only by understanding the nature of water can you truly control it."
Alexander nodded thoughtfully, as if he was awakened by Adrian's words. He closed his eyes, and this time he no longer forced control, but tried to "listen" to the sound of water, to feel the breath of water, to understand the nature of water.
Suddenly, he felt an unprecedented connection, like the intersection between souls, like the induction between hearts. Water was no longer an external thing, but an extension of his body, like his blood, flowing in his body and in his soul. Alexander slowly raised his hand, and an elegant water snake rose from the stream, hovering in the air, like a smart ribbon, dancing in the air.
"Great!" Adrian exclaimed, his tone full of surprise and appreciation, "You found a way to communicate with the elements, you found the key to open the door of magic."
Alexander opened his eyes and looked at the miracle he created, with a joyful smile on his face, like a child who discovered a new world. However, he soon realized that maintaining this control required great energy, like a dancer standing on the edge of a cliff, needing to keep his balance to avoid falling. After a few seconds, the water snake dissipated, and he fell to the ground exhausted, like a tired warrior who had consumed all his energy in battle.
Adrian helped him up and said with relief: "This is just the beginning, Alexander. You have extraordinary talent, but the real challenge is still ahead. Water is only one of the four basic elements. You also need to learn to control fire, earth and wind. Only by mastering the four elements can you truly become a powerful magician."
Alexander nodded, with a firm light in his eyes, like a brave warrior, ready to meet the challenges of the future. He knew that this magic road was difficult and long, like a rugged mountain road, full of thorns and obstacles, but he had taken the crucial first step, he would not give up, he would definitely reach the end.
As night fell, the bonfire reflected the faces of the two, like two warm stars, illuminating the dark forest. Alexander looked at the small stream of water flowing in his hand and asked softly: "Adrian, do you think I can really become the person in the prophecy?"
Adrian was silent for a while, like a wise man, thinking about the meaning of life.
"We write our own destiny, Alexander," he said, his tone full of philosophy and wisdom, "Whatever the prophecy, what matters is what you have learned and what kind of person you have become on this road. Now, take a good rest, we will have more to learn tomorrow."
Alexander nodded and lay down to rest. Before falling asleep, his mind kept replaying today's success and looking forward to tomorrow's challenges. He knew that his magical journey had just begun, and greater miracles were waiting for him to discover, and greater challenges were waiting for him to overcome.