As the evening sky turned a soft shade of crimson, Ranav decided it was time to set his plan in motion. He called Vivita and Camilla into his room, gesturing for them to sit on his bed.
"Camilla, now that you're officially part of our family, I'll call you 'Big Sis.' You may be twelve years old now. So, we must treat you with respect." He smiled warmly.
"I'm actually eleven," Camilla corrected, rolling her eyes. "And it doesn't matter what you call me."
"That won't do," Ranav insisted, shaking his head. "From today, you're Camilla Limbekai, officially. Dad has enrolled you in school under this name. So, whether you want it or not, we, as your younger family members, are obligated to show you proper respect."
He turned to Vivita with an encouraging look. "Sis, what do you say?"
Vivita grinned, her playful demeanor shining through. "Lil Bro, I'm with you on this. Big Sis, you should accept it."
Camilla sighed, clearly outnumbered. "Fine, fine. Call me whatever you want."
Ranav pulled up a chair and sat in front of them, his expression growing serious. "I asked you here because I need to discuss something important. During my time in the city, I read many books. I learned that everyone has magic inside them. It's not just limited to mages. Our parents might not be awakened, but that doesn't mean the potential isn't there. Awakening magic can be costly, especially if you're not enrolled in a magic school or don't receive a scholarship. Unfortunately, both of you have passed the age to qualify for one."
He paused to let his words sink in. Seeing their attentive faces, he continued, "The information I'm sharing with you isn't public knowledge. I don't know why it's kept a secret, but there must be a strong reason. So, I need you to promise never to share this with anyone else. The Mage Association likely keeps this hidden, and I don't want us to get into trouble because of it. If it turns out to be a state secret, even our family could be implicated."
Ranav's gaze was intense as he added, "From today, I want to teach you both magic. But remember, magic is always a secret. Even small bits of magical knowledge can lead to envy and harm if others find out. Master once told me to never share my magical secrets, not even with our parents. People can be cruel when they see others succeeding. So, if you can promise me to work hard and keep everything I teach you buried deep in your heart, I'll do everything I can to help awaken your elements."
The room fell silent as the two girls processed his words.
Camilla was the first to speak. "I've never learned magic before. Grandpa always said it was too expensive, and we couldn't afford it. Even now, with the new house and everything, your expenses must already be high. I don't want to add to your burden." She hesitated. "Besides, I'm older than both of you. I only have nine years left to awaken all my elements. It's impossible for me to become a full mage. Let's just leave me out of this."
Ranav leaned forward, his voice firm but gentle. "Big Sis, you don't need to worry about money. In six months, I'll start working as a healer, and I'll earn more than enough to support us. Do you know how I managed to save up for the new house? It's because of magic. Without it, I could never have earned that much. You don't need to think about the past or our financial struggles anymore. What matters is the future. If you become a mage, you can earn more in a month than Dad could in a lifetime."
Camilla sat quietly for a moment before finally nodding. "Okay. I promise to keep everything about magic a secret. I'll work hard and try to become a mage."
Ranav turned to Vivita. "Sis, what about you?"
Vivita smiled confidently. "You don't even have to ask, Lil Bro. I'm always with you. Just tell me what to do."
Ranav exhaled in relief, the tension easing from his shoulders. "Alright, let's begin. The first step is awakening your dominant element. I've developed a theory about dominant elements based on hair color. It's not something I found in any book—it's my own observation."
He looked at Camilla. "Big Sis, you have black hair with a lot of red streaks. That means fire is your dominant element. With enough effort, you might awaken it in just a few days."
Then he turned to Vivita. "Sis, you have silver hair like Mom and me, but yours has white streaks. That indicates light as your dominant element."
Ranav paused to let the information sink in. "Now, let's talk about magic itself. This part might be a bit abstract, but try to remember it… it'll make sense as you progress."
He stood up and became serious as he spoke. "What is magic? Before awakening, you need to understand its essence. Magic is the energy that binds the universe together. It flows through the land, the skies, the oceans, and every living being. This energy, often called mana or world energy, is the foundation of all magical practice. Those who can sense and control mana are known as mages."
He paused, then added, "Magic is the manifestation of willpower combined with the manipulation of mana. It allows us to reshape reality according to our intent. But intent alone isn't enough; it must be paired with knowledge, training, and an understanding of the rules that govern mana."
Ranav turned to face them, his tone serious. "When someone awakens as a mage, they connect to one or more elements and develop stardusts within their spiritual world. These stardusts are like seeds of magic for specific elements. As you grow stronger, these stardusts evolve, allowing you to wield more powerful magic."
He looked at them expectantly. "Do you have any questions so far?"
When neither of them spoke, he smiled. "That's good. For now, focus on understanding the basics. Magic is a deeply personal journey. While I can guide you, most of the work will be up to you."