Elira spent the night delving into the collective consciousness, her focus unwavering as she sought new insights into magic. Her efforts paid off when she uncovered a spell tied to summoning vines. These weren't ordinary vines—they were adorned with thorns and roses, capable of distracting opponents momentarily. The discovery thrilled her. She envisioned combining this newfound ability with her mechanical artifacts, creating a deadly yet creative synergy.
"Imagine this," she murmured to herself, excitement bubbling in her chest. "I can bind an enemy with these vines and then throw one of my artifact bombs. A perfect combo."
The next morning, she headed to the training grounds to practice. Summoning the vines proved trickier than expected, but after several attempts, she managed to conjure them successfully. They coiled around a wooden dummy, their thorns gleaming menacingly while delicate roses bloomed along their length. Elira smiled, satisfied with her progress. This was only the beginning—she could already picture ways to refine and enhance the spell.
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Meanwhile, Kael remained immersed in his exploration of the void. He focused intently on fear, seeking to push its boundaries further. Though he didn't achieve a major breakthrough, he gained subtle insights that intrigued him. Fear, he realized, wasn't just a tool for terror—it could be wielded more subtly. By influencing the mind directly, he could direct fear toward madness, warping someone's thoughts until they unraveled under its weight.
The realization left him both exhilarated and uneasy. Such power came at a cost, chipping away at his own sanity each time he delved deeper into the abyss. Yet Kael couldn't deny the allure of it. Control over fear meant control over people—a dangerous gift, but one he intended to master nonetheless.
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By morning, Kael prepared to leave the estate, expecting a quiet departure. As he approached the carriage, however, he was surprised to see Elira waiting there, her satchel slung across her shoulder. Their eyes met, and a mix of amusement and irritation flickered across her face.
"What are you doing here?" they both asked simultaneously, their voices overlapping.
Elira recovered first, rolling her eyes playfully. "Apparently, Mother decided I should go with you. Don't get any ideas about being useful—I'm perfectly capable on my own."
Kael smirked, leaning casually against the side of the carriage. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of it. Besides, your noble status probably makes you too fragile for anything rough."
Her cheeks flushed slightly, though whether from anger or embarrassment was unclear. "You're impossible," she shot back, crossing her arms. But there was no real malice in her tone—just the teasing banter of two people who had grown oddly comfortable with each other despite their differences.
The butlers and guards watched the exchange with disapproval. Kael's commoner status clashed sharply with Elira's noble heritage, and their playful bickering did little to ease the tension. Still, none dared to question Lady Serena's orders. With reluctant obedience, they helped load the luggage before taking their positions alongside the carriage.
Once everyone was settled inside, the journey began. The rhythmic clatter of the wheels filled the air as they set off toward the Magic School of Knowledge. Despite the lingering awkwardness between them, Kael and Elira continued their light-hearted arguments, their words laced with humor and camaraderie.
For now, they were companions bound by circumstance—but neither knew how deeply intertwined their paths would become.