The tumult that accompanied the emergence of the seventh tower still echoed in Elric's ears. The crystalline tower, shimmering with iridescent colors, now dominated the silhouette of Argovarn, drawing the students' gazes like moths to a flame. Curiosity and awe hung in the air, but Elric felt an oppressive tension. The older students, especially, eyed the tower with a mixture of envy and skepticism. Seth, his best friend, had become the center of this maelstrom, and while Elric was proud of Seth, his sudden absence weighed heavily on his heart.Soon, a group of older students gathered in front of the golden circle that protected the tower. With a mix of arrogance and impatience, they tried to breach the barrier – in vain. Every attempt to enter the circle ended with the students being thrown back with invisible force. Elric, watching the spectacle from a distance, felt uneasy. He could sense the resentment in the eyes of the others, the grumbling words they whispered about Seth. Despite everything, Elric wished his friend well. He knew Seth was special, even if it hurt that his friend had disappeared without a word.With each passing day, the emptiness within Elric grew. Seth seemed to have vanished from the face of the earth. No message, no sign of life, only the shimmering tower separating him from everyone else. Elric tried to suppress his worries by throwing himself into school life with all his might.The next morning, a new block of lessons began, and for the first time in days, Elric felt a flicker of excitement. Today was his first real magic lesson, and although thoughts of Seth still weighed heavily on his mind, he hoped to lose himself in the magic. The room where the lesson took place was an imposing hall with high ceilings and shimmering walls that glowed in soft hues. Mistress Lyra, whose warm aura quickly dispelled the students' nervousness, greeted them with a smile."Welcome to the world of magic," she began. "Today, we begin with the magic of the elements. Remember: magic is not a force you take, but one you share with the world."Elric was assigned to a group that would work with fire. In front of them lay a small bowl of glowing coals. "Feel the energy within you and let it flow through the coals," Mistress Lyra explained. With hesitant movements, Elric closed his eyes. He imagined a tiny flame flickering in his chest, slowly igniting. He focused on the warmth flowing through his hands, and when he opened his eyes, he was astonished to see a small flame rising from the coal. The other students watched him with awe as Mistress Lyra nodded in satisfaction. For the first time in days, Elric felt a spark of pride within him.After this first lesson, Elric felt magic filling him in a new way. He immersed himself in his studies and found a passion in illusion magic that completely absorbed him. Mistress Lyra, noticing his talent, soon offered him additional lessons. She showed him how illusions could not only deceive but also inspire. In one of these lessons, Elric created an impressive image of an old castle, so real that even Mistress Lyra paused in admiration."You have a gift, Elric," she said softly. "Your illusions carry a soul. Use them wisely."As Elric delved into his magical studies, he also began to forge friendships with his fellow students. He quickly found a connection, especially in the History of Deception class, where they had to work in groups. In one lesson, where they were to recreate the tactics of Ka'el the Cunning, he worked with a boy named Rian and a spirited halfling girl named Mirra. Rian, a thoughtful boy with a penchant for strategic thinking, admired Elric's ability to create complex illusions. Mirra, on the other hand, brought lightness to the group with her sharp wit and creative energy. Together, they created an illusion that even withstood Master Eldrin's critical eye.Elric enjoyed their time together. The conversations with Rian about the philosophy of magic and Mirra's infectious joie de vivre helped him fill the void in his heart. He began to spend time with them outside of lessons as well. One evening, they sat in one of the enchanted gardens of Argovarn, telling stories and laughing so loudly that they were almost caught.Despite all these new friendships, Elric felt Seth's absence like a shadow looming over him. One evening, as he sat alone in the library, he lost himself in a book about the prophecy of the seventh god. The words seemed to speak directly to him: "Two paths, two souls, sharing the storm."A hand suddenly rested on his shoulder, and he flinched in surprise. Looking up, he met the kind face of Master Eldrin. "You're worried about Seth, aren't you?" the old master asked. Elric nodded silently, his throat tight."Patience, my boy," Eldrin said gently. "Seth will return when the time is right. Until then, you must trust him – and walk your own path."These words resonated with Elric. He knew Seth had to embark on his journey alone. But deep in his heart, a hope blossomed: perhaps he, too, was a part of this journey. The prophecy spoke of two souls, and Elric began to believe that he was meant to stand by Seth's side when the time came. Until then, he would do everything he could to become stronger – for himself and for his friend.