Upon returning to her chamber at her parents' farm, Lynna could feel the weight of numerous tasks pressing upon her. Her small room, with its wooden walls and the single window that looked out towards the village, seemed to be a capsule of calm in the whirlwind of her life. But even here, signs of the upcoming Moon Fair Festival were obvious, a stack of parchment on her desk and the soft glow of the nearing full moon provided a backdrop to her thoughts.
The Moon Fair Festival was not only a celebration of the season but also a ceremonial act of gratitude. It was a time to give thanks to Steia, the goddess of health, revered as a major deity in the village, and to Lunae, the goddess of the moon. Their dual blessings were believed to bring well-being and balance to the lives of all who partook in the festivities.
The festival was scheduled for the following week when the full moon would bathe the village in its silver glow. It was a time of collective effort and unity, where every member of the community contributed to the celebrations. Her family had always been responsible for preparing a portion of the food—a task that required diligent work and an understanding of tradition.
Even with her new duties, Lynna felt a bit guilty for not helping her family as before. So, she decided to spend a part of her evening helping to knead dough and chop vegetables for the various dishes. It wasn't much, but it was something.
However, her main contribution would be different this year. Lynna had decided to devise a new spell—to make the event more grandiose. During the festival, villagers would release lanterns into the night sky, creating a river of light to honor the deities. Lynna proposed to Mayor Gunthian an accompaniment to this tradition with a display of magic, and to her delight, he gave his approval.
She had heard tales of famous artificers who could create wonders with their skills, and a spark of ambition lit within her. Lynna envisioned a spectacle combining polished ice and columns of fire, creating a dance of reflections and light. Ice, her favored element, especially in the heart of winter, was the easy part. The fire, however, would be more challenging, but she planned to use the festival's gigantic bonfire as a source to amplify her spell.
Creating a new spell was a detailed process. First, she needed to put theoretical work on paper, detailing precisely the effects she aimed to achieve. She would then have to adapt the various formulas of the spell to ensure they worked in harmony—a bi-elemental spell was quite the hurdle, even for a mage of her talent.
Lynna's plan for the next week was to refine and test the spell. She would work at night, under the cover of darkness, to ensure the visual effect was just right. Testing on a small scale was crucial before she dared to magnify the enchantment for the event.
In her chamber, surrounded by her books and components, Lynna began her work. Each evening after helping her family, she would delve into her magical studies, her determination never wavering. The village would soon bear witness to a display of magic unlike any before, and Lynna was at the heart of it—her spirit ignited with the fire of possibility and the clarity of ice.
Several days and nights later, Lynna was still hunched over her desk, scrolls of parchment strewn about, her concentration absolute as she traced intricate runes. I'm still not used to thinking of ice as a resonance of water, she thought as she made several corrections.
"You're working late," Veran remarked, his eyes scanning the room before settling on the papers in front of Lynna.
"I am," Lynna replied without looking up, her hands steady as she continued her meticulous work. The old mage took a habit of visiting her intrigued by her work.
Veran approached. "May I?" he asked, gesturing towards her previous test spells parchments.
With a nod, Lynna granted permission. Veran leaned in, examining her work. "Impressive," he said. He studied the scroll for several minutes. "With your talent, it's a wonder why you did not choose a greater job, you should have had access to every choice in the book. Even as a magic researcher, you could achieve much more than village festivities."
Lynna paused, the weight of his words settling upon her. Her mind drifted to a memory of Principal Liora on her graduation day. "Such potential, Lynna. It's a pity to see it left to sleep in a small village," Liora had said with a mix of pride and lament.
Her hands trembled slightly as she contemplated the path she had chosen. The expectations of others had always been a shadow looming over her, and her heart always wavered between her village and a grander future.
Veran, noticing her hesitation, continued, "You have the power to be one of the best mages, Lynna. To be known across realms."
"I… ", Lynna took a deep breath, her eyes returning to the spell she was crafting. In the delicate balance of ice and fire elements, she saw a reflection of her own life – a constant effort to harmonize her sharp ambitions with the warmth of her home.
"Thank you for your praises, Veran," Lynna finally said, her voice steady. "But my heart is here, with these people, in this village. My aspirations may not lead me to fame, but I chose my own path. This is where I belong."
Veran considered her words, some kind of shame showing in his eyes. "If you're sure… Then let me help. This spell... It's a balance of ice and fire elements, isn't it? Quite the complex harmony."
"Yes," Lynna replied, a small smile playing on her lips. "A representation of my own path, perhaps."
Together, they delved into the intricacies of the spell, their conversation weaving through the complexities of magic and the choices that define a mage.
In that moment, Lynna felt a renewed sense of purpose. Her doubts dissipated, she was here for a reason, and her magic was a testament to her commitment to her roots and her village.
As the night deepened, and the moon cast a silver sheen over the world, Lynna and Veran continued their work. In the quiet of her chamber, with the spell slowly coming to life under their combined efforts, Lynna knew she had made the right choice. Her village was where she belonged, and her magic was her gift to them—a beacon of light in the darkness, a symbol of hope and unity.