The Lumashade tilted its head, three tails drifting like ribbons in still water. Its golden eyes shimmered, studying the gathered students with quiet, unsettling intelligence.
A hush fell across the dome. Even the air seemed to hum - as though aware of the delicate boundary between curiosity and danger.
Professor Wiltler clasped his hands behind his back.
"Remember," he said softly, his voice echoing faintly under the dome, "a creature like this does not listen to strength - only to balance. What it sees in you... depends entirely on what you carry within."
The Lumashade's gaze flickered - first toward Thomas, then Axel - before settling on no one at all, as though weighing every heartbeat in the room.
"Now," Wiltler said, stepping aside, "let's see who among you can meet its eyes without losing their calm."
No one moved. The silence stretched, trembling with anticipation.
Somewhere in the distance, thunder rolled over the horizon - faint but steady.
And beneath the glimmering glass dome, the light around the Lumashade pulsed once, like the slow breath of something ancient waiting to be understood.
No one spoke for a moment. The silence under the glass dome pressed against their ears, broken only by the faint hum of mana from the containment wards.
Then, inevitably, Scott stepped forward.
"Well," he said, brushing his robe with mock confidence, "someone's got to start, right?"
A few chuckles rippled through the class - mostly nervous.
Professor Wiltler raised a brow but nodded. "Very well, Mr. Hale. Step into the circle."
Scott approached slowly, his grin faltering as the Lumashade's golden eyes locked onto him. Its tails flicked once - graceful, but sharp, like a warning.
"Remember," Wiltler said calmly, "no sudden movements. Focus your breathing. Project calm, not fear."
Scott swallowed hard. "Yeah... calm. Totally calm."
He extended his hand slightly. The air shimmered faintly between them - a ripple of cold energy forming as his mana leaked out.
For a brief moment, the Lumashade tilted its head - curious. Its glow brightened, turning from white to soft blue, the color of frost.
"Fascinating," murmured Wiltler. "It mirrors your mana flow. Ice and light - harmonious, for now."
Then Scott smirked, whispering, "Guess I'm a natural."
The Lumashade's eyes narrowed. The light flickered - then flared, suddenly sharp.
"Step back!" Wiltler ordered, his tone firm but calm.
Scott stumbled away, the shimmer fading instantly.
The professor sighed. "Arrogance unsettles even light-born creatures. Remember, balance is not pride in control - it is peace in connection."
Scott rubbed his neck, muttering, "Yeah, lesson learned."
A few students laughed quietly, easing the tension.
Finn stepped forward without a word. He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply, his boots grounding against the earth-marked floor. When he opened them again, the Lumashade was already watching him - curious, but calm.
Finn simply stood there, breathing evenly. No magic, no flourish. Just stillness.
The creature moved closer, its light softening into a gentle green hue that rippled like leaves under moonlight.
Wiltler nodded approvingly. "Excellent control. Earth users often understand patience - the essence of stability."
The Lumashade bowed its head briefly, brushing its nose against the ground near Finn before retreating.
The class murmured in awe.
Professor Wiltler smiled faintly. "You see? True empathy does not require dominance. Only understanding."
His gaze swept over the rest of the group. "Next?"
Several students hesitated - eyes darting between the luminous creature and the quiet deputy headmaster.
And near the back of the group, Axel stood motionless, his eyes reflecting the creature's golden glow.
Thomas hesitated, then straightened, trying to mask his nerves with a grin. "All right then... let's hope it likes charmers."
A few students snickered as he stepped forward. The Lumashade's tails flickered faintly, its gaze steady but unreadable. Thomas raised his hand, murmuring a minor focus incantation. A warm light formed above his palm - golden, steady.
The Lumashade's ears twitched. It took one slow step forward, then another, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Hold steady," Wiltler advised quietly.
Thomas did. The glow in his hand pulsed in rhythm with his breathing - until, unexpectedly, the Lumashade mirrored it, its own light expanding and contracting in time.
A breath of awe spread through the class.
Thomas exhaled shakily. "It's... responding to me?"
Wiltler nodded. "Indeed. You've found resonance. Well done, Mr. Charles."
Thomas grinned, stepping back slowly, his confidence restored. "Guess I'm not that bad at making friends."
A ripple of laughter followed him to the line.
Lira stepped forward without hesitation, her posture sharp and composed. She muttered a phrase under her breath - a containment mantra - and extended her hand.
The Lumashade's glow dimmed slightly, its form becoming more defined, edges crisp like carved glass.
"Interesting," Wiltler murmured, watching closely. "You're reinforcing its structure - not soothing it, but... anchoring it."
Lira gave a faint, controlled nod. "It responds to order," she said softly.
The creature's light steadied - calm, not fearful. A mutual understanding, clinical but precise.
When she stepped back, Wiltler offered a rare hint of admiration. "You've an analytical gift, Lira. But remember - control without empathy can fracture a bond."
She inclined her head respectfully. "Understood, sir."
Then came a hush as Axel stepped forward
Every head turned. Even the Lumashade's glow shifted - as if sensing something in the air.
Axel stepped forward slowly, his expression unreadable. The faint hum of mana around him stirred, strange and silent - neither light nor dark, but something in between.
The Lumashade tilted its head. Its golden glow dimmed, replaced by a flicker of deep violet.
Wiltler's brow furrowed slightly. "Unusual... proceed carefully."
Axel didn't speak. He raised his right hand - and for a heartbeat, the space between them shimmered, like heat rising off stone. The Lumashade drew closer, not cautiously, but curiously - its tails curling around itself in a spiral.
Then it stopped. Their eyes met.
Something unseen pulsed - not magic, not will, but connection.
The creature bowed its head.
A stunned silence filled the room. Even Wiltler didn't move for a moment.
When Axel finally stepped back, the glow around the Lumashade faded back to its calm golden hue.
Wiltler cleared his throat. "A... strong attunement," he said slowly. "Though not entirely aligned. There's depth there - and danger. Well done, Axel."
Axel simply nodded and returned to his spot, his thoughts unreadable.
The following students took their turns - a mix of timid attempts, fleeting sparks, and nervous laughter. A few managed faint glimmers of connection; most only earned curious stares from the creature. The Lumashade's light pulsed softer each time, as though growing weary of shifting mana patterns.
Then -
Irys Spartan
The hum of conversation stilled. Irys stepped forward, his pale hair catching the light. He exhaled softly, steadying himself, eyes gentle but resolute.
The Lumashade watched him in silence. No light changed this time, no defensive shimmer - just quiet.
Irys didn't cast a spell. He simply closed his eyes and let his palm hover a few inches from the creature's form. His breathing slowed, rhythmic, almost melodic.
Then, faintly, the Lumashade leaned in. Its glow warmed into soft amber, wrapping him in a halo of living light.
Wiltler's tone softened. "Connection through stillness - rare... and remarkable."
When Irys opened his eyes, the Lumashade was close enough for him to see its reflection in his pupils. For a moment, it looked almost human - curious, fragile, alive.
Then, as gently as it had begun, the light receded.
Wiltler smiled faintly. "That concludes our session for today. The Lumashade thanks you for your calm, as do I."
The wards dimmed, and the creature faded into the containment circle's light - leaving the students quiet, their minds heavy with wonder.
Axel looked once at Irys across the room - his eyes still glowing faintly gold from the encounter - before turning away.
The class dispersed in silence, each step echoing with thoughts they couldn't name.