The rhythmic beat of footsteps against the polished stone floors echoed through the Academy's hallowed halls. The morning light poured through the tall arched windows, casting intricate patterns on the ground. As Lynna moved towards her next class, she retrieved her notes from her bag. They were meticulously penned, with colored ink and diagrams to delineate each section. As she glanced over the parchment, she mentally reminded herself of the basics.
1. Elemental Affinities
Each mage has an affinity or a natural connection with one or more elements, which is typically linked to their personality traits.
She pondered this as she walked. Her affinity lay predominantly with ice, which puzzled her. If water and ice were so interconnected, why did she find it easier to manipulate ice? Was it her somewhat reserved nature, her propensity for introspection?
- Fire: Linked with passionate, bold, and temperamental individuals.
- Water/Ice: Linked with adaptable, calm, and introspective individuals.
- Air: Linked with free-spirited, intellectual, and curious individuals.
- Earth: Linked with grounded, practical, and resilient individuals.
She thought of Malay, her free-spirited friend, always wandering, exploring... His affinity for air seemed so apt, his curious nature resonating with the lightness of the wind.
2. Environmental Influence
A mage's surroundings play a pivotal role in the ease or difficulty of casting a spell.
As Lynna passed a courtyard, she noted a group of students practicing their water spells near a fountain. Naturally, it made sense; water spells drew strength from such environments. But she also remembered her instructor mentioning how air was omnipresent, making it easier to manipulate, but the effects of air spells were often subtler, less pronounced.
She chuckled softly as she read the part about fire. "Easiest to cast in dry, hot places, or during the daytime. Think deserts, summer, sunny days, or near active volcanoes." Lynna mused about the audacity of someone trying to cast a fire spell inside a volcano. The passion and intensity associated with fire made her smile.
The section on water and ice sparked her curiosity. Why indeed were they considered two facets of the same element? Humidity was benefiting both while coldness only ice. Those exceptions to the general rules seemed off to her.
Master Thorian had explained, "While both are connected in their fluid states, they represent different states of matter and emotions. Water flows, adapts, and is often linked with emotion. Ice, on the other hand, is solid, representing stillness, reserve, and introspection."
She sighed, still unsatisfied with the answer. It felt superficial to her. She couldn't shake the feeling that perhaps the two elements shouldn't be separated. Were they not the same? Deep down, she had thoughts of a weird theory that all elements had a shared foundation. Maybe just maybe, everything was the same, maybe there's some kind of core essence to each element.
3. Combining Elements
Combining elements was only for the most proficient students. While merging two was challenging, combining three in the same spell was almost an insurmountable feat. But the environment, as always, played a role. One could tilt the odds in their favor if the setting was just right.
The notes mentioned a deadly spell, combining fire and air to create a scorching tornado. She wondered, what if someone added earth to that mix? The sheer power and destruction that could result were mind-boggling. She thought it was barely possible, with the right personality, state of mind and in the perfect environment, someone could pull it off.
With these thoughts preoccupying her, Lynna neared her classroom. Today's lesson with Malay was Advanced Elemental Class, one of the most advanced they could take together. They were now both in their third year, a pivotal time when students began delving deeper into the complexities of magic, pushing the boundaries of what they believed possible.