Chapitre 49: unease

Arriving in my room, I waste no time in seeking the solace of a hot shower, the cascading water serving as a balm for my weary body and mind. With each stream, I feel the weight of exhaustion being washed away, leaving me feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. After the shower, I collapse onto the welcoming embrace of my bed, feeling the softness of the sheets enveloping me like a comforting cocoon.

In the haze of fatigue, I vaguely register Selene's return, her presence a soothing balm to my senses. With a tender pull, I draw her close, seeking the warmth of her embrace as I succumb once more to the call of sleep. The deep slumber that follows is a sanctuary, offering respite from the trials and tribulations of the day, and in Selene's arms, I find peace and contentment.

Two days later, the courtyard outside the Tower of Magic is bustling with activity as students line up for the Elemental Control exam. The anticipation in the air is palpable, mingling with the nervous energy radiating from the gathered crowd. We've been standing here for what feels like an eternity, enduring the slow crawl of time as we wait for our turn to present before the Element masters.

With my arms wrapped around Selene's neck from behind, I observe the familiar dynamics of our group. Damien and Gregory, as usual, are engaged in a spirited bout of bickering, their banter providing a familiar backdrop to the scene. It's a rare occasion for all of us from Obsidian Order to be together again, especially considering the whirlwind of events we've been through in the past few months, including our time spent in the tower.

Damien's garish golden robes, a stark contrast to his tiny and short frame, is always comical. Tama and Lani, similarly adorned in golden attire, manage to pull off the look with more grace, though it still elicits a few raised eyebrows. Elizabeth, on the other hand, stands out in her elegant blue robes, a clear indication of her lineage in the House of Skies as a Coralheart.

A notable detail is the presence of a gleaming gold star adorning each of our robes. These stars signify the merits we've earned, a testament to our dedication and achievements within the academy. But these aren't just any stars – they represent a significant milestone in our academic journey. To earn a gold star, one must accumulate an impressive sum of merits, equivalent to the combined value of 15 silver stars.

The journey to a gold star begins with the attainment of a silver star, each one representing a considerable accomplishment. The first silver star alone requires an impressive 10,000 merits, setting the bar high from the outset. Subsequent silver stars demand even greater feats, with the fifth silver star reaching a staggering 400,000 merits. And to reach the pinnacle of academic recognition – the coveted gold star – one must amass merits totaling over 400 million.

The school's generosity with tower rewards has undoubtedly positioned us among the wealthiest students in our year levels. With Club Obsidian Order now boasting a comfortable financial net, the temptation to indulge in luxury is ever-present. The small loan I took earlier seems like chump change now, we paid it in full and decided to spare no expenses on the our serpent buddies they've been at a month long snake vacation snacking on mana stones.

If it weren't for the looming exams, I would have relished the opportunity to indulge in some well-deserved extravagance.

Before long, Elizabeth's name is called, signaling her turn for the exam. We observe as she makes her way into the tower, anticipation hanging thick in the air.

I step into the expansive, featureless room, the only notable feature being the balcony where the examiner stands, her presence looming over the space. As I approach, I feel a twinge of relief knowing that she doesn't belong to the House of Skies. Her stern countenance and tightly bound bun give her an air of authority that I don't dare to challenge.

"Elizabeth Coralheart," she begins, her voice echoing off the walls of the room, "Your main elements are Fire and Wind, with a lightning minor element." I nod in acknowledgment.

We start with wind, and I follow her instructions meticulously, summoning wind blades, creating miniature tornadoes, and manipulating the air to float effortlessly.

Next comes fire, and I conjure flames with practiced ease, shaping them into intricate patterns and controlling their intensity with finesse.

Finally, we move on to lightning, and I summon bolts of electricity with a flick of my wrist, directing them with precision and accuracy. The crackling energy fills the room, sending sparks dancing in the air.

As the minutes pass, I feel the drain of mana taking its toll on my body, but I push through, it's honestly nothing compared to the horrors in the tower. When the examiner finally requests to see my personal combo of elements, I unleash a barrage of wind-infused flames and lightning-charged tornadoes, creating a spectacle of elemental power that fills the room with bright red and orange hues.

When she finally tells me to stop, I release a breath I didn't realize I was holding, my body sagging with exhaustion. But beneath the fatigue, there's a sense of satisfaction knowing that I've definitely passed.

As I watch Elizabeth Coralheart leave the room, a sense of shock washes over me, tangible in the air like a heavy fog. It's clear why Silverpaw, professor of first year Elemental Magic, was dreading examining those particular students. What I witnessed in that examination room was nothing short of extraordinary.

I can't help but wonder if Elizabeth's mastery over her elements is a result of inherent talent, the rigorous challenges of the tower, or perhaps a combination of both. Regardless of the source, her display of elemental control surpasses anything I've seen in first-year students before.

Her mana pool is vast, a reservoir of power that seems endless. With each movement, each manipulation of her elements, she demonstrates a precision that leaves little room for error. It's as if she's dancing with the elements themselves, a symphony of fire, wind, and lightning at her command.

For each person, the manifestation of the element is due to affinity for an element and their understanding and interpretation of its nature. It's why in some fire mages their fire feels warm and comforting in others destructive and deadly. In Elizabeth's case, her fire burns with an intensity that borders on ferocity, a raw power that demands respect and caution.

And when combined with her mastery of the wind element, her fire takes on a new dimension, reaching greater heights and spreading with alarming speed. It's a potent combination that leaves me feeling a sense of unease for those who may find themselves on the receiving end of her elemental fury in the future.