"I knew it," she whispered, barely able to contain the joy bubbling inside her. She turned to Donovan, her eyes shining. "I have an element!"
Donovan chuckled at her reaction, his smile growing. "I never doubted it for a second, little one."
Mirielle exhaled shakily, her heart pounding in excitement.
But now… now came the most important question.
Her fingers clenched slightly, and she turned back to the lake.
Taking another deep breath, she asked:
"What is my element?"
The lake stilled once more.
Then, suddenly—
A divine light erupted from its depths.
The entire lake seemed to glow, a warm, ethereal brilliance spreading over the water. The trees trembled as if responding to the sudden shift in energy.
Mirielle's eyes widened, awe-struck, as golden patterns shimmered across the surface.
But there was no clear answer.
The lake had reacted, but it had not told her what her element was.
Mirielle frowned, confusion replacing her excitement.
"Why… why isn't it showing me?" she murmured.
Donovan, however, had gone rigid.
His gaze was locked onto the glowing water, his brows furrowed in deep thought.
"Great Grandfather?" Mirielle turned to him.
But Donovan didn't answer right away.
His mind was racing.
A divine reaction. Not a simple display of fire, water, earth, or air. Not a straightforward answer.
This was different.
This was significant.
Something wasn't adding up.
"…Save your last question, Miri," he finally said, his voice quieter than before.
Mirielle blinked. "Why?"
"I will ask the next one," Donovan said firmly.
Something in his tone made her obey without hesitation.
He turned back to the lake, his sharp eyes narrowing as he prepared his question.
After a moment, he spoke.
"How can Mirielle tap into her powers?"
The ripples started again.
Then, the answer appeared.
"Form a marital bond with an elemental master."
The words hung over the lake like an unbreakable decree.
Silence.
Mirielle's breath caught in her throat.
Donovan's expression froze, his usual warm blue eyes widening in disbelief.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
Then—
"…What?" Mirielle's voice came out barely above a whisper.
Her stomach dropped.
Did the lake just say she had to—
No.
No, that couldn't be right.
"Marital bond?" she repeated, her voice rising slightly. "As in… marriage?"
Donovan rubbed his temple. "It appears so."
Mirielle felt the blood drain from her face.
"B-but why?" she stammered. "I—I don't understand! What does marriage have to do with anything?"
Donovan exhaled slowly, clearly just as shaken as she was.
"I don't know," he admitted. "But if the lake has spoken, then this answer is absolute."
Mirielle clutched her arms, her mind reeling.
Marriage.
To an elemental master.
Her heart pounded painfully in her chest.
Her thoughts instantly flew to a certain silver-haired professor, and she violently shoved the thought away.
No.
Absolutely not.
There had to be another way.
Right?
But as she stared at the lake, its divine glow fading back to stillness, she couldn't help but feel the weight of destiny pressing down on her.
Donovan hummed stroking his beard, ''The lake cannot be wrong but if we need confirmation there is a person who can help us, there is a healer I know, do you want to pay him a visit, my child?''
Mirielle nodded without hesitation she needed answers as soon as possible.
The journey to the healer's home took longer than expected. The deeper they ventured into the outskirts of Sacred Roots, the quieter the surroundings became.
Unlike the main city, where towering buildings and magic pulsed in the air, this place was humbler, nestled between dense trees and cobblestone paths.
After a long walk, Donovan finally stopped in front of a small wooden house tucked between two ancient trees. The scent of herbs filled the air, mingling with the crisp scent of nature.
He knocked twice.
Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing an old elf with long silver hair tied back loosely, his brown eyes sharp and knowing. He studied Donovan for only a second before a wide grin split his face.
"Well, well. Look who decided to show up!"
Donovan let out a laugh. "Still dramatic, I see."
"Old habits die hard," the healer chuckled before his gaze shifted to Mirielle. He studied her with a knowing look, his expression unreadable.
Donovan placed a hand on her shoulder. "This is my great-granddaughter, Mirielle."
Cecil's brows lifted slightly. "Great-granddaughter? My, time flies." He stepped back, gesturing for them to enter.
Inside, the cottage was warm and filled with the scent of dried flowers and parchment. Shelves lined the walls, packed with books, jars of glowing substances, and rolled-up scrolls.
Mirielle hesitated only for a moment before stepping in.
"I assume this isn't just a casual visit?" Cecil mused, leaning against a wooden table.
Donovan shook his head. "She has yet to tap into her element."
Cecil's gaze sharpened. "Yet to?" He turned fully to Mirielle, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Come here, child."
Mirielle swallowed, hesitating before stepping closer.
Cecil reached for her wrist, his grip surprisingly firm for someone his age. "I'm going to tap into your energy," he warned. "Try to stay still."
She nodded, feeling a shiver run up her spine as his fingers pressed gently against her pulse.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then—
A warm, pulsing energy surged beneath her skin, making her breath hitch. It wasn't painful, but it was there, something she had never felt before.
Cecil's expression shifted. His brows furrowed, and his fingers trembled slightly before he abruptly let go.
Mirielle blinked, confused. "What—?"
Cecil took a step back, his face pale.
"You…" His voice was barely a whisper. "You have immense power—so immense that it has been sealed."
Mirielle stiffened. "Sealed?"
Donovan's expression darkened. "I was afraid of that."
Cecil nodded his face turning grim. "Someone—either a powerful entity or an ancient magic—locked your abilities away." He turned to Donovan, his tone grave. "This is not a simple case of delayed awakening. This seal is deliberate."
Mirielle's heart pounded. "Can it be broken?"
The healer was silent for a long moment.
Then, with a deep sigh, he said—
"There is a way."
Hope ignited in Mirielle's chest. "Tell me!"
He hesitated, as if reluctant to speak. But after seeing the desperation in her eyes, he finally said—
"You must form a marital bond with an elemental master."
The confirmation struck her like a bolt of lightning.
Mirielle froze.
Cecil met her gaze steadily. "It is the only way."
Mirielle's breath came shallowly. "You—You can't be serious."
"I am."
She shook her head violently. "That's absurd! That's—That's ridiculous."
"But why?" Mirielle's voice cracked. "Why would my power be sealed in such a way?"
Cecil glanced at Donovan before answering. "Because your power is not ordinary."
Mirielle's hands clenched.
She had spent weeks feeling powerless, and now—now that she knew she had an element, she couldn't even use it unless she married someone.
Fury bubbled up in her chest.
"What if I don't?" she whispered.
Cecil's expression darkened. "Then your power will remain locked forever or worse you can die."
The finality in his tone made her stomach drop.
No other way.
No escape.
Mirielle felt her throat tighten.
Why was fate being so cruel to her?
"You said I need to bond with an elemental master." Her voice wavered. "But elemental masters are incredibly rare. How am I supposed to—?"
Cecil nodded, confirming her thoughts. "Only one is born every century and you would be lucky if he isn't already married."