Chapter Three: Conflicting Worlds
As days passed, Gabriel and Elin began to meet in the forest to train his abilities in controlling the aura and magic. Over time, Gabriel started to feel a mysterious connection with Elin, but the walls of distrust and fear of failure kept him from getting closer to her.
Elin belonged to the prestigious **Valor** family, known for their exceptional skills in using magic. In contrast, Gabriel's family, the **Faris**, considered magic a sign of weakness and preferred the aura as a means of strength and combat. With the differing principles between the two families, a sense of tension arose, but Gabriel could not deny his passion for learning magic alongside Elin.
One day, while they were training on controlling the power of air and mana, Gabriel's older brothers, **Riley** and **Marcus**, noticed their presence together. The odd behavior between them was clear to everyone in the family. Riley, the sixteenth son, had always harbored a sense of superiority over his younger brothers. Marcus, the fifteenth son, was characterized by a leadership personality and was always eager to protect his family's reputation.
Riley approached arrogantly, directing his glare towards Elin with disgust. "It seems our little brother has found himself a friend from the Valor family. Are you going to let her manipulate you, Gabriel?"
Gabriel smiled mockingly but felt a surge of anger rising within him. "I don't need your advice, Riley. I can make my own decisions."
Marcus, despite his concern for the family, could not resist joining in on the provocation. "Beware of the deceit of sorcerers, Gabriel. Isn't that what our family taught us? Don't trust the weak."
But Gabriel, having experienced betrayal and treachery from his previous family, was deeply angered. "Don't lecture me on trust. You know well that the greatest betrayal comes from relatives."
Riley's expression changed, and he felt anger building in his heart. "But you must respect our principles. Don't forget you are from the Faris family, and we are stronger than those sorcerers."
As those words passed, Gabriel felt the magic of tension between him and Elin intensifying. He understood that his family believed magic was mere trickery, but he saw something deeper in Elin. He saw in her family a strength and understanding of magic, and his desire to learn it was growing.
He responded to Riley saying, "Everyone has their own way of facing challenges. Magic is not weakness, nor is the aura the only source of strength. My heart is elsewhere, not here."
Riley felt disappointed, but Gabriel was determined to move forward. The brothers retreated, and Gabriel decided to disregard their taunts and shouts. For him, learning magic and the aura was the only path to finding his power, whether with Elin or alone.
As he continued his training with Elin, he began to see new aspects of magic. Elin showed him how to use internal energy and how to integrate it with the aura in a way that allowed him to strengthen his body and mind.
Over time, Gabriel's confidence in himself grew, and Elin inspired him to push beyond the limits imposed by his family. He began to feel that magic and the aura were not obstacles, but rather complementary realms that enhanced his strength. Each day he spent with Elin was like a new lesson, symbolizing the change he sought within himself.
Thus, their journey continued in a world grappling with these two conflicting powers and the new possibilities that might come their way. Both were aware that this relationship would open new horizons for them, but betrayal and disputes between the two families still loomed, foretelling a return of tension.