Professor Isolde Virellian stood at the front of the lecture hall, her soft, melodic voice carrying effortlessly as she traced symbols in the air, weaving delicate strands of water into intricate patterns. Her long, wavy black hair swayed slightly with her movements, and a teasing smile played at her lips, captivating the students of Understanding the Four Elements: A Foundational Study of Elemental Manipulation as they watched in rapt attention.
Her long, wavy black hair cascaded over her shoulders as she turned to the class, speaking in a voice that dripped with warmth yet carried an unmistakable authority.
"The four fundamental elements—fire, water, earth, and air—are the foundation of all elemental manipulation. Though distinct, they share a common principle: balance. Without balance, control is impossible."
The door creaked open.
Heads turned as Austin and Ava slipped inside, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. They failed spectacularly.
Professor Virellian paused mid-lecture, her violet eyes locking onto them with an amused glint. "My, my. Look what the wind blew in."
Austin winced. Ara-ara energy radiated from her like a storm on the horizon.
"Apologies, Professor," Ava said, bowing slightly.
Austin, on the other hand, gave a sheepish grin. "Yeah, we uh… got lost?"
A soft giggle escaped the professor's lips. "Lost, were you? In the grand halls of knowledge, or perhaps in each other's eyes?"
Austin choked. "Wha—No! That's not—"
Ava sighed. "Professor."
Professor Virellian chuckled. "Very well. Take your seats." She turned back to the class.
Relieved that she wasn't the type to lecture latecomers, Austin and Ava quickly found seats near the back. As soon as they settled, Professor Isolde resumed her explanation, conjuring a swirling sphere of water in one hand and a flickering flame in the other.
"While fire and water are opposites in nature, they are not enemies. Both exist in harmony, just like earth and air. A true elemental practitioner understands this balance." She then dispersed both elements into a fine mist, continuing, "Now, let's discuss the properties of each element and how they interact…"
Austin exhaled, finally relaxing.
"That could've been worse," he whispered to Ava.
"You mean like when you tried to talk your way out of it?" she whispered back, smirking.
The students stared at the Professor, waitinf for her next words.
"Now, let's dig deeper about elemental affinities~," she purred, twirling a piece of chalk between her fingers. "Mystians have a natural connection to one of four core elements. I trust that all of you already know your mana colors from your morning class activity, hmm~?"
A collective murmur of acknowledgment rippled through the students.
"Good." She clapped her hands together, the sound light yet commanding.
Turning to the large chalkboard, she sketched a clean, flowing diagram. Her movements were elegant, almost hypnotic, as if she were performing rather than simply teaching.
[Mana—Fire, Air, Water, and Earth.]
"Now then, let's review~," she continued, tilting her head. "Pyromentalists have an affinity for fire, Hydromentalists for water, Aeromentalists for air, and Geomentalists for earth. But… what about Mystians with multiple elemental affinities? What do we call them?"
The students remained silent, some scribbling in their notes, others avoiding eye contact.
Professor Isolde pouted, crossing her arms. "Ara~? No eager volunteers? Come now, don't be shy~."
When no one answered, she sighed dramatically. "Mou, you're making me do all the work." With a flick of her wrist, she wrote on the board in smooth, flowing script.
[Polymentalist: Bilementalist, Trilementalist, and Omnilementalist.]
"The four elementalists I just mentioned? They're all Monolementalists," she explained, twirling a lock of her dark hair. "But Polymentalists… oh, now that's where things get interesting~. We'll delve into them later, but for now, let's focus on the fundamental four, shall we?"
With an effortless sway of her hips, she returned to her first diagram. The chalk illustration depicted a balanced diamond shape: four smaller diamonds surrounding a central circle labeled 'MANA.'
"Ara~. Pretty, isn't it?" she cooed. "This diagram represents the harmony of the elements. Fire, air, water, and earth—all connected through mana, the unifying force of our existence~."
She tapped the topmost diamond with a perfectly manicured finger, her expression shifting into something playful yet knowing.
"Pyrolementalists~," she purred, her voice holding a teasing warmth. "Passionate, destructive, so delightfully aggressive. These Mystians harness heat and raw force, their emotions burning as fiercely as their flames."
The students sat up a little straighter, their attention now thoroughly captured.
Professor Isolde hummed approvingly before moving to the left diamond.
"Aerolementalists are clever little birds~. Fast, nimble, always just out of reach." She mimed a delicate gust with her fingers, as if conjuring wind itself. "They control currents, speed, and movement—perfect for those who prefer agility over brute strength."
Stepping lightly toward the lower diamond, she traced the symbol for water with a leisurely motion.
"Hydrolementalists are fluid."
Finally, she gestured to the last diamond on the right.
"Geolementalists, my sturdy ones~." Her voice took on a richer, reassuring tone. "Unshakable, immovable, patient. If Pyro is passion, Aero is freedom, and Hydro is change… then Geo is endurance. Rock-solid and reliable, just like a strong, dependable partner, hmm~?"
A few students shifted uncomfortably, caught off guard by the sudden flirtatious lilt in her voice. Others hastily took notes, avoiding her amused gaze.
Clapping her hands together again, she smiled. "Your affinity is the key to unlocking your full potential~. But~! Understanding it is only the beginning. True mastery takes dedication."
The class remained silent, waiting for her next move.
With a slow, deliberate turn, she wrote another set of notes on the board, speaking as she did so.
"Now, now~. Pay close attention, little ones. These colors determine your affinity. Let's make sure you know what you're working with~."
[Mono-Elemental:
Silver – Fire
Cyan – Water
Yellow – Air
Magenta – Earth]
[Bi-Elemental:
Shade of Blue – Water & Earth
Shade of Green – Air & Water
Shade of Red – Air & Earth]
[Tri-Elemental:
Dark Brown, Almost Black – Water, Air, and Earth]
[Fire Affinity Indicator:
If any of these colors are pastel or faded, the wielder also has an affinity with Fire.]
[Omni-Elemental:
Shade of Gray – All Elements]
[Transparent – Non-Elemental]
She set the chalk down, dusting her hands lightly. "Mmm~. Take a good look at your partner's mana color. If it's pastel or faded, you have a secret connection to fire. Transparent? Oh dear, that means you're non-elemental. But if it's gray…"
She smiled, tilting her head playfully.
"Then congratulations, my dear~. You're an Omni-Elementalist. Lucky you~."
After Professor Virellian announced the affinity indications for each mana hue, Austin remained unsurprised. He had long known of his affinity for all elements, having confirmed it through his Status Window with Akasha.
Austin observed Ava, his assigned partner, but to his confusion, she remained completely calm—unfazed, as if she had expected this outcome all along.
A hush settled over the room as the students absorbed this information. Some exchanged nervous glances, while others hurried to analyze their own mana colors.
Professor Isolde let the anticipation build before finally stretching her arms overhead, letting out a content sigh.
"Ara, ara~. So serious, all of you~. Fufu, learning can be fun too, you know~?" She winked at the nearest student, who nearly dropped his quill.
"Now then~! If you have any questions, ask me after I finish writing on the board." Her smirk softened into something more encouraging. "Otherwise, let's move on. The elements won't master themselves, after all~."
And with that, class continued.