The flames flickered and slowly died down, leaving only a soft warmth in the air. Zerith stood in the courtyard, still catching his breath, his body alive with the energy he unleashed previously. Around him the children who shared the same birthday, some with quite admiration, others with poorly hidden jealousy.
It wasn't the fire itself that caught their attention, though the element was certainly imposing. What made the others watch Zerith with narrowed eyes and murmer was the intensity. They had seen others awaken with fire before, but the raw energy he displayed was something not what they would expect from a normal human most of the time.
Zerith shifted uncomfortably under their gazes. The fire felt exhilarating, but now he wondered if he'd drawn too much attention. His heart still raced, his mind buzzing with questions about what this all meant.
The caretaker stepped forward, her sharp eyes taking in every detail. She had seen awakenings for many years, watched as children discovered their magic. What mattered to her now wasn't just the flames or the awe it inspired in the others, but what lay beneath it.
'Fire a respectable element' she thought to herself. It was rare, but not unheard off, especially if it's one with his potential. But it's not the fire that's interesting… it's his mana.
Her gaze focused on Zeriph, and she placed a hand on his shoulder, feeling the warmth of the lingering energy still clinging to him. She closed her eyes for a moment, sensing the mana flowing through him, strong, but shy of what could be called a large capacity.
"Zerith" She began quietly, pulling him aside as the other children whispered amongst themselves. "Your mana capacity….it's close to large, but not quite" she paused, watching his reaction closely. "You'll feel it, like it's on the edge of spilling over, giving you power, that will be slightly harder to control. It's a challenge, but it comes with potential"
He frowned, unsure what she meant "Is that good or bad?"
Her lips pressed into a thin smile. "Neither. It's simply something you'll have to deal with" She glanced at the other children, most were still muttering about there awakenings "Few normal humans have mana reserves this size. You'll need to be careful. The control will take time and effort. But if you can harness it. You'll have an edge in battle"
Zerith nodded slowly, trying to absorb the information fully. He had heard about those with immense mana pools before, but he hadn't expected himself to be so close to those who have large mana capacity's. It both excited him and unnerved him.
The caretaker gathered the children around "Now that everyone has awakened their mana, I want you all to listen closely. You have all received an invitation to the mystic academy, the nearest school to the orphanage for young mages. This acadamy will help you hone your abilities and prepare you for the challenges ahead"
As she spoke fluttering sounds filled the air. From above, magic paper airplanes swooped down, each seemingly one with the wind, carrying the invitations. They glided gracefully to the ground, landing softly at the feet of the children.
Zerith watched in amazement as colourful paper airplanes settled around him, each adorned with a seal of the mystic Acadamy. The other children hurried to pick up their invitations, their faces alight with excitement and curiosity.
He reached for his own, feeling a slight familiarity from its warmth. The invitation read: "Congratulations for awakening your mana! You are invited to join us at Mystic Acadamy, where you will learn to harness your powers and grow into a formidable mage"
The words sparked a fire in Zeriths chest. This was his last chance, his opportunity to prove himself and make a mark on the world.
As the children chattered amongst themselves, Zerith found himself lost in thought, wondering what awaited him at the academy. What would his future be like?
The caretakers voice pulled him from his thoughts "Remember this is only the beginning of your journey, the road ahead will be filled with both challenges and opportunities"
With those words echoing in his mind, Zerith held his invitation tightly, a sense of great anticipation swirled within him.