The vast library of the Academy, with its towering shelves and countless tomes, hummed with a soft undercurrent of murmured conversations. Amidst this backdrop, Lynna and Malay were ensconced in a cozy corner, surrounded by books that whispered the secrets of magic. From an outside perspective, their stack of books was starting to resemble a small hut.
"You were zoning out during Professor Malina's lecture today," Lynna teased, nudging him with an elbow.
Malay grinned, a bit embarrassed, "Can you blame me? Those formulas are getting more and more complex. It's supposed to be called BASICS of magic for Steia's sake... This is getting so complex it has got my head spinning."
Lynna chuckled, "Remember when we used to think magic was just about waving a wand and chanting without mistakes? Feels like a lifetime ago."
Malay leaned back, stretching. "Mmm, yeah, and now we're doing all these weird experiments. They say it's to figure out the magic limit each student is born with, and how far we can really push our abilities. You know Lynna, I was thinking... maybe I'm at my limit."
Lynna spun a quill in her fingers, mimicking her teacher, "Reaching your potential is one thing, but how you use it is what truly matters."
She chuckled and continued "But more seriously, think of it as a set of paints. Someone might have brighter shades or more paint, but it's the artist's touch that creates the masterpiece."
He smirked, "Leave it to you to turn magic into an art analogy. But I get your point. Mastery can amplify the effects, making spells more potent."
"Spot on!" Lynna responded. "And there's more! With enough mastery, one can even surpass their potential temporarily. It's called overreaching. I read it in a well-hidden book. Very intriguing but it's supposed to be dangerous."
Malay looked thoughtful, "Pushing beyond your limits? Is that even possible? Are there consequences?"
Lynna leaned in, whispering, "It said that some mages have been crippled for life. But one of the most common and harmless effects is having their hair gradually turn white. Can you imagine someone with half white hair?"
His eyebrows shot up, "White hair? Like..."
Lynna's eyes twinkled with mischief, "Like Principal Liora?"
Malay chuckled, "Exactly! The Academy's 'Eternal Enigma'. You think she overreached? Or maybe she found a spell for agelessness? I mean, for someone rumored to be centuries old, she's stunning."
Lynna smirked, "And here I thought you only had eyes for spellbooks."
Rolling his eyes, Malay retorted, "Very funny. But seriously, one of the seven wonders of the Academy, right? Everyone's wondering how old she is, and every year the same question."
Lynna sighed, closing the book she was holding, "Indeed. Whether it's a result of overreaching or some mysterious spell, only she knows. But one thing's for sure: magic holds endless possibilities waiting to be discovered."
As they collected their books, the air around them seemed to shimmer with promise and intrigue, leaving them wondering about the mysteries the Academy still had in store for them.