Anir sat in his small, quiet room, breathing deeply as he focused on everything he had learned so far. His father's diary had detailed the process of learning to control the elements—explaining how magic was about summoning, or in his father's words, "bringing the element into being." Each element required concentration and practice, and he was determined to master them one by one.
Closing his eyes, he began with water, letting the image of a clear, flowing stream fill his mind. In moments, a small ripple of water appeared in front of him, shimmering in the faint light. He could feel the power flowing through him as he shaped the water into different forms with ease.
He moved on to fire, envisioning a steady flame flickering to life in his palm. A spark appeared and quickly grew, warm and bright, casting a soft glow. The heat felt natural, like an extension of himself, and he extinguished it just as easily as he'd summoned it. Wind, too, came naturally, stirring the air around him with a gentle breeze that ruffled the papers on his desk.
But then, as he shifted his focus to the elements of space and shadow, he hit an invisible wall. He called to the void, picturing the vastness of space, but nothing appeared. Shadow, though he imagined it as a whisper, as a dark presence wrapping around him, refused to obey. He tried again and again, but each attempt left him more exhausted. With a sigh, he finally accepted that he wasn't ready yet. Perhaps his father's diary held more secrets he had yet to discover.
Deciding he needed a break, Anir grabbed his wallet and headed out to the nearby supermarket. As he wandered the aisles, he picked up a few essentials—bread, milk, and some canned goods. He tried to keep his mind clear, but his thoughts kept drifting back to his training, wondering what he was missing. Why were space and shadow so elusive?
After paying for his items, he made his way back home, lost in thought. But then, something odd pulled him from his thoughts—a strange sensation, like a prickle at the back of his neck. He couldn't explain it, but he felt as though someone was watching him. He glanced around, trying to dismiss it, but the feeling persisted, sharpening his senses.
He continued his walk, pretending not to notice. But as he turned a corner, the sensation grew stronger. He looked over his shoulder and saw a figure in the distance, a man cloaked in a black robe, partially hidden by the shadows. The man stood still, watching him intently.
The moment Anir's gaze met his, the figure turned abruptly, disappearing down a narrow alleyway. Anir's heart raced, his instincts urging him to follow, but he resisted. He wasn't ready for whatever danger this stranger might bring. Instead, he quickened his pace, heading straight home, trying to calm his nerves.
Once back, he locked his doors and double-checked every window. Only then did he let out a breath, relaxing slightly as he moved to the kitchen. As he prepared a simple meal, he replayed the encounter in his mind, wondering if he was truly being followed or if it was just his imagination.
As he sat down to eat, he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling. Whatever his father's diary had drawn him into, he sensed that this was just the beginning.