The forest hummed a quiet tune, sunlight filtering through the leaves to illuminate the clearing where Elara sat.
Beside her, Lila's unwavering support shone brighter than any spell, her eyes wide with a mixture of excitement and awe.
Kealith, the seasoned mage, and Lumi, the ever-practical guardian, watched with patient expertise, their expressions a blend of anticipation and amusement.
"So, Elara," Kealith began, his voice a gentle counterpoint to the rustling leaves, "tell us about the magic you've been practicing. What can you do?"
Elara, still a little shy despite her recent progress, explained, "I can make light orbs… and sometimes I can change their color, make them brighter or dimmer, or even make them explode. But it's… unpredictable. It really depends on how I feel."
Lumi, ever the pragmatist, interrupted, "Let's see this in action. Summon five orbs, please."
Elara closed her eyes, focusing intently. One by one, the light orbs materialized, but with noticeable pauses between each creation.
The first shimmered into existence, followed by a brief lull, then the second, and so on. The uneven rhythm betrayed her lack of complete control.
Kealith observed keenly. "Is there always such a delay between summoning each orb?"
Elara nodded, a hint of disappointment coloring her voice.
Kealith smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, it's perfectly normal for a beginner. Watch this." With a fluid grace born of years of practice, he raised his hands, and with a swift, barely audible incantation, five identical light orbs appeared instantaneously, hovering in the air like obedient fireflies.
Lila gasped, her eyes wide with wonder, while Elara stared, mesmerized by the effortless precision.
"See?" Kealith said, a playful glint in his eyes.
Lumi murmured "Show off"
"No need for dramatic gasps. It's simply a matter of control. The key is visualization. Feel the energy flow within you, and then release it. Don't hold back; don't hesitate. Think of it like breathing – a smooth, continuous process."
He then guided Elara through a series of exercises, focusing on deep, controlled breathing, vivid visualization, and the precise channeling of her magical energy.
He emphasized the importance of harnessing her emotions, not letting them dictate her spellcasting, but using them as a source of power, a fuel to be carefully managed and directed.
He taught her to regulate her breathing, to focus her intent with unwavering concentration, and to release her magic with a precise, controlled movement.
After much practice and several attempts, punctuated by moments of frustration and breakthroughs of exhilaration, Elara finally managed to summon five light orbs simultaneously, mirroring Kealith's effortless display.
A wave of pure joy washed over her, a testament to her hard work and determination.
Lumi, however, quickly deflated the celebratory atmosphere.
"Big deal," she grumbled, her voice laced with a characteristic bluntness.
"That's just a beginner's spell. Let's move on to something more… practical. Like offensive and defensive spells. Mages need distance, you know? We poke, we don't brawl."
Elara, intrigued by the challenge, asked, "What kind of offensive spell can I learn?"
Kealith frowned slightly. "Lumi, you only use wind magic. Don't you think it's a bit…" He trailed off, concern evident in his voice.
Lumi bristled, her temper flaring.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Before anyone could respond, she flicked her wrist, unleashing a powerful gust of wind that sent trees crashing to the ground in a spectacular display of raw power.
Elara and Lila watched in stunned silence, their eyes wide with a mixture of awe and fear.
Elara, undeterred, turned to Lumi. "How do I learn to do that?"
Lumi, her anger subsiding, then smiled and explained, "First, we need to determine your elemental affinity. Mages are connected to elements – water, air, fire, earth, lightning, and sometimes light or darkness."
Lila, ever the font of knowledge, added, "Most mages only have three elements. To have more is exceptionally rare."
Elara tilted her head, confused. "Ok so how can we determine what my element is?"
Lumi glanced at Kealith, who smirked and teased, "Oh, you want me to cast an appraisal spell? Can't you do it yourself?"
Lumi furrowed clearly irritated by this statement but calmed down despite her pride, she knew he was right.
With a frustrated shout, she urged him to proceed. Kealith, chuckling at her exasperation, summoned a shimmering mirror.
As he held it before Elara, the mirror displayed a breathtaking spectacle of auroras—red, blue, green, yellow, brown, and even black and white.
Kealith whispered the elements represented by each color: "Red, fire… blue, water… green, wind… yellow, lightning… brown, earth… and… black and white?!"
Lumi snatched the mirror, her eyes widening in disbelief. "What? give me that, this can't be," she breathed.
Elara, her curiosity piqued, asked, "So, what element do I have?"
Kealith hesitated, then said, "Well… it seems you have them all."
Elara gasped. "All of them?"
Lumi and Kealith exchanged a look, a mixture of astonishment and acceptance in their eyes.
Lumi, despite her initial skepticism, confirmed, "Yes, Elara. You possess all the elements."
Lila's jaw dropped. "That's… impossible!" she exclaimed, but quickly recovered, offering Elara her heartfelt congratulations.
Elara, still in disbelief, beamed at her incredible potential.
She stood, her eyes shining with newfound confidence, and pointed at Lumi. "Teach me that wind spell, oh great Lumi!"
Lumi, despite her initial reluctance, agreed to teach Elara her wind magic.
Kealith, turning to Lila, who was still processing the revelation of Elara's extraordinary abilities, asked, "Lila, would you like to know what element you possess?"
Lila's eyes lit up. "Really? Yes, please!"
Kealith positioned the mirror before Lila, revealing a brown aura, signifying earth magic.
"The mirror shows you have earth magic. Would you like to learn?"
Lila's eyes shone with excitement. "Yes!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with joy.
As Lumi and Elara practiced their wind magic at a distance, Kealith began to teach Lila the basics of earth magic, a new chapter unfolding in the lives of these extraordinary individuals, each with their unique and powerful gifts.