It was another typical afternoon at Arcanis Academy, the kind where the sun shone brightly and the students bustled about with a mix of enthusiasm and weariness. Elyas and Seraphina, taking a break from their usual studies, were nestled in the cozy corners of the library. The vast shelves were lined with ancient tomes and magical manuscripts, the air filled with the soft rustle of pages turning.
Seraphina, peering over her spellbook, tapped her chin thoughtfully. She had noticed Elyas's struggle with concentration, especially with his recent magical mishaps.
Seraphina: "You know, Elyas, you really need to find a way to relax. Maybe something less dangerous than potions or transformations. How about we try levitation?"
Elyas, looking up from his own half-hearted attempt at reading, perked up.
Elyas (eagerly): "Levitation? That sounds... manageable. I could use a break from the chaos."
Seraphina's eyes sparkled with mischief as she stood up.
Seraphina: "Perfect! I've got just the thing. There's an old flying carpet in the academy's storage room. It's a bit dusty, but it should be perfect for practicing."
The idea sounded simple enough. Elyas and Seraphina made their way to the storage room, where amidst piles of forgotten artifacts and dusty spellbooks, lay the ancient carpet. It was a vibrant piece, covered in intricate patterns that seemed to shimmer in the light.
Seraphina (unrolling the carpet): "Alright, Elyas, let's start with something basic. Just get on the carpet, and I'll guide you through the basics of floating."
Elyas, his confidence bolstered by Seraphina's encouraging smile, carefully stepped onto the carpet. The moment he settled himself, the carpet gave a slight tremor, almost as if it was waking up from a long nap.
Elyas (nervously): "Okay, here goes nothing."
With Seraphina's guidance, Elyas managed to get the carpet hovering a few inches above the ground. He was thrilled. The carpet floated steadily, and Elyas felt like he was finally getting the hang of it.
Elyas (excitedly): "Hey, this isn't so bad! I think I've got it—"
However, just as Elyas was about to revel in his success, he inadvertently muttered the wrong spell. Instead of a gentle hover, the carpet shot forward like a cannonball. Elyas's expression went from triumph to sheer panic in an instant.
Elyas (screaming): "Help! I can't stop it!"
The carpet zoomed out of the storage room and into the bustling hallways of the academy. Elyas clung desperately to the edge of the carpet as it zigzagged through the corridors. Students shrieked in surprise as the carpet whizzed past them, knocking over books, papers, and in one memorable instance, a particularly disgruntled cat who was perched on a stack of scrolls.
Student 1 (shouting): "What on earth?!"
Student 2 (dodging an airborne pile of books): "Is that Elyas on a flying carpet?"
The carpet careened through the academy's grand hall, where it disrupted a carefully orchestrated lecture. Professor Grimbald, who was in the middle of a serious discussion about potion ethics, was interrupted as the carpet zoomed right through his lecture. He looked up, his mouth agape as the flying carpet whipped past, trailing a whirlwind of enchanted papers and startled students.
Professor Grimbald (shouting): "What is the meaning of this chaos?"
Elyas, desperately trying to regain control, attempted a series of panicked spells. Instead of slowing down, his spells seemed to enhance the speed of the carpet, turning it into a blur of color and confusion. The carpet zigzagged through the hallways, soaring over students, knocking over water pitchers, and even causing a burst of magical sparks that temporarily illuminated the entire corridor in a kaleidoscope of colors.
Seraphina and Kellen, who had been studying nearby, took off after Elyas, their shouts echoing through the corridors.
Seraphina (frantically): "Elyas! Focus! You need to tell the carpet to stop!"
Kellen, trying to keep up, managed to catch sight of the rampaging carpet. With a smirk that only slightly masked his concern, he shouted over the din.
Kellen (mockingly): "Elyas, I didn't know you were practicing for the academy's next big circus act!"
Elyas, struggling to maintain his grip, tried to make sense of Seraphina's instructions. His attempts to focus were hindered by the sheer speed and chaos of the carpet ride. The carpet finally swooped into the academy's central courtyard, where the grand fountain stood, bubbling cheerfully.
With a final, dramatic swoop, the carpet came to a screeching halt—right in the middle of the fountain. Water erupted in all directions, soaking Elyas, the carpet, and everyone in the vicinity. The once-immaculate fountain now resembled a geyser in full eruption.
Elyas, dripping wet and utterly mortified, looked around at the soaked students and the equally drenched Seraphina and Kellen.
Elyas (muttering, sheepishly): "I'm... getting better, right?"
Seraphina, trying to stifle her laughter while wringing out her sopping wet robes, managed a grin.
Seraphina (between giggles): "Well, Elyas, you've certainly made a splash."
Kellen, still chuckling as he helped Elyas off the carpet, couldn't resist a final jest.
Kellen (teasingly): "You know, Elyas, if you wanted to make an entrance, you could've just used a regular door."
The students around them, now recovering from the initial shock, began to laugh and cheer. Even Professor Grimbald, who had emerged from the fountain's edge, couldn't help but smile at the absurdity of the situation.
Professor Grimbald (dryly): "Well, at least you've demonstrated a thorough understanding of how not to use a flying carpet."
Elyas, drenched and exhausted, stood amidst the laughter, his cheeks red but his spirits lifted by the camaraderie. He was well aware that he had just added another chapter to his ever-expanding catalogue of magical mishaps. But as the laughter and teasing continued, he felt a renewed sense of determination. Maybe, just maybe, with a little more practice—and fewer magical disasters—he could actually become the wizard he aspired to be.