The morning light streamed gently through the potion room windows as Lira and Master Therin worked side by side. Steam curled from a small cauldron, and the scent of boiled mint and resin hung in the air. Therin's voice was steady as he explained the correct ratio of water to herb, guiding Lira's hand with practiced calm.
Just as she bottled her very first simple calming draught, the door burst open.
A student stumbled in, half-carrying another who leaned heavily against him. "Master Therin! He was burned during fire class—the salve didn't work!"
The injured boy's arm was wrapped in a makeshift cloth, but the skin beneath was red, blistered, angry.
Therin's eyes narrowed, but his voice remained composed. "Lay him here."
Lira stepped back, heart racing. She watched as the teacher moved swiftly, selecting a chilled vial from a high shelf. He poured its silvery-blue contents over the burn while whispering something soft and ancient. A cool mist rose as the liquid soaked into the wound, and the boy's tense body slowly relaxed.
Within moments, the angry red skin faded to a gentle pink, and the blistering eased. The pain was gone.
Lira's breath caught in her throat. The change was real—visible. The potion had worked.
Master Therin met her gaze with a knowing smile. "This is the path you're walking now, Lira. Blending knowledge, intention, and element. You'll do the same, in time."
Something stirred in her chest—pride, awe, and the budding fire of determination.
From that afternoon on, she dove into every lesson with new purpose. Her days filled quickly—shared elemental training in the morning, focused practice with her classmates, and quiet afternoons learning under Master Therin's patient guidance. Herbs, measurements, temperature shifts, stirring rhythms—each detail became a new note in the music of potion-brewing.
And in it all, Lira felt herself unfolding.
---
A gentle buzz filled the corridors as word spread—tomorrow's elemental training would take place beyond the school gates. The excitement was palpable. Students whispered of the river path, the forest ridge, and maybe even a glimpse of the wild shimmerbeasts said to roam near the cliffs.
Lira clutched her green book to her chest, her thoughts already racing. She had never trained outside the grounds before. Most of her classmates grinned, barely packing anything beyond their usual cloaks and staffs. "Our magic will protect us," one boy bragged, spinning a flicker of flame between his fingers.
But Lira thought differently. Her gifts were more delicate—more specific. She didn't command storms or summon fire at will. Instead, her strength was quiet, rooted in herbs and patience and the slow understanding of how things truly worked.
That evening, she packed her satchel carefully: a vial of cooling draught, two small bottles of clarity tonic, a folded cloth soaked in yarrow essence, and her gloves—just in case. She tucked the lotus petal pouch deep inside, wrapped in cotton and sealed with care. Then, after a long pause, she added her notebook and a small piece of charcoal. In case I need to learn something new, she thought.
As the others laughed and boasted in the dining hall, Lira sat near the window, watching the moonlight shimmer on the rooftops. She didn't feel nervous—just aware. A different kind of strength stirred in her now. One that didn't need to be loud to be real.
The next morning, just as the sun crested over the school towers, Lira stood by the potion hall, adjusting the straps of her satchel. Her potion teacher approached with a small glass bottle in hand. The golden liquid inside shimmered faintly.
"This is a stronger healing potion," he said, placing it in her palm. "In case of deeper wounds or burns. You've done well preparing—keep practicing your awareness. Not all magic is loud." He gave her a short, encouraging nod before turning back toward the brewing chamber.
Lira tucked the bottle into her satchel, nestled safely between her other vials, and hurried to join the others.
The training teacher, a tall woman with wind-tousled hair and piercing grey eyes, was already gathering the students at the south gate. She lifted a hand and called for silence.
"Listen well," she began. "We'll be following the river path into the forest. The area is safe but wild. Do not touch unknown plants, do not engage any creatures, and stay within my line of sight. We'll be training all day—so pace your energy."
The gates creaked open, and the group began their descent down the moss-lined path. Lira stayed toward the middle of the group, her senses alert. Sunlight flickered through the trees ahead, and the cool morning air carried the scent of pine and damp earth. She could feel the hum of nature around her—the way her element whispered gently through the leaves and under her feet.
While some classmates laughed and raced ahead, throwing bursts of fire or trailing water ribbons behind them, Lira walked with quiet purpose, her fingers grazing her satchel. She was ready in her own way.
Walking at the back of the group, Lira moved slowly, her eyes and hands drawn to the plants lining the path. Whenever a leaf or flower seemed to call out softly, she would lean closer, running her fingers gently over its surface. Her intuition hummed like a quiet song as she felt the textures and subtle energies of each plant. Pulling out her green book, she cross-referenced names and uses, carefully selecting small samples she knew would aid her potion-making. While others rushed ahead, confident in their elemental power, Lira trusted the quiet knowledge growing inside her—the intimate dance between touch, sight, and the whispered secrets of the forest.
As the class pressed onward, Lira's small collection of herbs and petals grew. She felt a growing excitement, knowing each plant she gathered held a purpose, a story, a potential waiting to be unlocked in her potions. The forest around them deepened, the sunlight filtering through thick leaves, casting shifting patterns on the ground. Birds called overhead, and distant rustling hinted at unseen creatures.
Eventually, the group arrived at a clearing ringed with ancient trees. The training teacher called them to gather, his voice steady and clear. "Today, you will learn not only to rely on your elemental skills but also on your senses, your patience, and your knowledge of nature. Some of you believe your powers alone will protect you. Remember: true strength comes from balance."
Lira settled on the soft moss, unpacking her carefully prepared potions and ingredients. The hours that followed were filled with hands-on lessons: identifying plants, brewing simple mixtures, and practicing healing techniques. With every demonstration and practice, her confidence grew, fueled by the steady support of her new teacher and the quiet magic she nurtured within herself.
After explaining the properties and uses of several key plants, the teacher called the students into pairs for practical training. "You will practice using your elemental powers to defend and protect yourselves," he instructed firmly. "Remember, once you leave the safety of the school, the outside world will be unpredictable and often dangerous. This experience will prepare you to face challenges with skill and caution." One by one, the pairs stepped forward, testing their abilities under the watchful eye of the teacher, while Lira watched closely, eager to learn how to blend her unique talents with this new knowledge.
Lira paired with a quiet boy named Eryn, whose water element shimmered softly around his fingers. They moved to a clearing where the teacher demonstrated a simple defensive technique—creating a swirling splash of water as a test attack. Eryn's water shield wobbled but held steady under the teacher's guidance. Then it was Lira's turn.
Instead of forming a shield with fire, she focused on the earth beneath her feet. Slowly, with careful concentration, a small cluster of thick vines and leaves sprouted and grew in an instant, forming a natural barrier between her and the incoming water splash. The cool spray hit the greenery, leaving her unharmed.
Lira's eyes widened with excitement—her earth control was usually unpredictable, but this time it had responded beautifully. The teacher smiled approvingly. "Excellent. Using your element in creative ways is just as important as raw power. Well done."
The teacher nodded approvingly. "Excellent, Lira. Using your element to create a living shield shows great control and creativity. That's what will keep you safe beyond these walls."
Lira felt a flush of pride as the vines gently withered away, returning to the soil without a trace. Around her, classmates struggled with their own elements—some forming weak barriers, others faltering under the teacher's water test.
The next pair stepped forward, and Lira's mind buzzed with excitement. If she could grow plants this well now, imagine what she could do with more practice. This was just the beginning.