The lessons progressed with an unexpected grace. Leora, having overcome her initial hesitation, excelled in her role as instructor. Time slipped by unnoticed as Cyrus and Neno observed the proceedings in reverent silence, their eyes fixed on the unfolding scene before them.
Suddenly, the tranquil atmosphere was shattered by an exuberant cry. "I did it!" The voice, brimming with unbridled joy, rang out across the room. Its owner, a small boy, nearly leapt from his seat in excitement, his face a canvas of pure elation.
Tears of happiness streamed down the child's cheeks as he darted towards Leora, his tiny feet barely touching the ground. For a fleeting moment, Leora's body tensed, an old reflex threatening to take hold. But this time, she stood her ground, allowing the boy to throw his arms around her in an enthusiastic embrace.
Cyrus felt a weight lift from his shoulders, exhaling a long-held breath. The sight before him was nothing short of miraculous – Leora, typically so guarded, now wore a smile that could rival the sun itself. Her joy was infectious, spreading through the room like wildfire. As if responding to her radiance, the candles around them began to flicker to life, one after another, in a mesmerizing domino effect. The air filled with a chorus of delighted squeals and laughter from the other children.
Seizing the moment, Cyrus turned to Neno, his voice gentle yet encouraging. "You should give it a try, Neno. It's a simple spell – a perfect way to start rekindling your power. With Leora's guidance, I'm confident you can do it."
Neno's response was immediate, his head shaking in denial. "I don't think it's a good idea," he murmured, his voice barely audible above the children's continued exclamations.
Leora's melodious voice joined the conversation, her words carrying a warmth that seemed to envelop Neno. "Give it a try, Neno. I've always believed you're more than just a simple librarian."
Cyrus, sensing an opportunity, pressed on. "Come on, that was the main reason you came with us. Just a little courage, Neno." He understood the librarian's fears, the weight of past consequences that still haunted him. But Cyrus also recognized the untapped potential that lay dormant within Neno, needing only a spark of encouragement to ignite.
As if on cue, Jelly's high-pitched voice piped up. "Go, big brother Neno! You can do it!" Her words acted as a catalyst, and soon all the children were chanting in unison, their voices a symphony of support and belief.
Cyrus couldn't help but marvel at how Neno had endeared himself to the children during their trials. His vast knowledge of magical artifacts and practices had kindled a passionate flame of learning within each young mind.
Almost unconsciously, Cyrus found his gaze drawn to Eldor. The pieces of the puzzle were falling into place, revealing the intricate strategy behind their selection. Eldor's genius lay not just in favoring experiential learning, but in choosing an instructor who had never taught before. This ensured an unbiased approach, free from the filtered views that might have hindered the children's development.
A newfound respect for Eldor blossomed within Cyrus. The man might have a silver tongue, but his methods of knowledge transmission were undeniably effective.
As if sensing Cyrus's thoughts, Eldor inclined his head in a respectful bow before redirecting his attention to Neno. The air crackled with anticipation as all eyes focused on the hesitant librarian.
Neno's chest expanded as he drew in a deep breath, gathering courage as if preparing for battle. His eyes squeezed shut, and in that instant, the world around them transformed. A powerful storm materialized out of nowhere, its winds whipping through the room with increasing ferocity. Cyrus instinctively pulled the children back, shielding them from the tempest's fury.
When Neno's eyes flickered open, they had undergone a startling metamorphosis. Gone were the familiar irises, replaced by pools of molten gold. A formless white aura danced around his body, pulsating with raw energy. His glasses, no match for the magical maelstrom, were torn away and shattered into countless glittering shards.
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"Cyrus, I did it!" Neno's voice, filled with a mixture of awe and excitement, cut through the howling wind.
"Great, Neno!" Cyrus had to shout to be heard above the storm. "Now try to light the candles!"
Neno's body pivoted towards the chandelier, his movements fluid and purposeful. He waved his hand through the air, and particles of energy coalesced around his arm, shimmering with barely contained power. A dazzling arc of blue flame shot forth, engulfing the entire chandelier. The magical fire roared skyward, reaching several meters into the air, its heat palpable even from a distance.
Cyrus gaped at the awesome display of power before him. It was no wonder Neno had struggled to control such formidable magic – its sheer potency was enough to instill fear in anyone.
The awestruck silence was abruptly shattered by Eldor's urgent command. "Stop him immediately!" His words cut through the air like a blade as he dashed towards Neno, but he was a fraction too late.
Cyrus's eyes widened as a familiar figure materialized before him. Long, golden strands of hair framed a face that was twisting into a bestial visage. Imposing canines protruded from a mouth that seemed caught between human and feline. The figure's skin shimmered with an otherworldly light, while a long, golden tail lashed through the air behind him. Below the waist, human legs had morphed into the powerful haunches of a lion.
A cold, alien voice emanated from the transformed being. "It has been long since I've tasted blood."
Cyrus's instincts screamed danger, but before he could react, a searing pain exploded through his body. He found himself hurtling backward, crashing into the wall with enough force to shake the entire building. Only the magical barriers contained the destructive ripples of energy.
With a sharp clap of his hands, Eldor sent the children flying skyward, each encased in a protective magical bubble. Leora's golden rope snapped through the air like a crack of thunder, attempting to ensnare the transformed Neno.
A chilling smile spread across Neno's face, his golden eyes burning with an inner fire. The golden rope disintegrated into particles as it approached him, the destructive energy racing back along its length until it reached Leora's arm. The resulting explosion sent her sprawling to the ground.
"Retreat! It's the primordial form!" Eldor's warning rang out as his hands traced intricate patterns in the air, summoning a circular magical sigil. Neno launched himself forward like a cannonball, his clawed arm poised to strike. The sigil shifted, and an earthen wall erupted from the ground. It shattered under Neno's assault, but Eldor had already vanished.
The sky above them turned a deep, ominous red as Eldor's body ignited with power. "What a daring little devil," he growled. "You will understand the power of The Eldor magic school!" With a wave of his hand, flames erupted forth, consuming everything in their path.
Neno's smirk was one of pure condescension. "Is this all, after your magic has evolved for a millennium?" He slammed his fist into the air, and the flames dissipated as if they had crashed against an invisible wall.
Cyrus and Leora struggled to their feet, their eyes wide with amazement as they beheld the fierce battle unfolding before them. Eldor and the primordial form of Neno engaged in a titanic clash, their powers shaking the very foundations of the building. Despite the magical reinforcements, fissures began to spread across the walls and floor as the forces of the elements were unleashed in their purest forms.
Cyrus felt a chill run down his spine as he watched the devastation unfold. Was this the true power of the elementalists? His mind flashed back to the little boy with fire elemental magic he had encountered on that fateful street. If Nemesis hadn't appeared, the outcome for the Bureau would have been catastrophic.
In Arkania, the magical arts had flourished and diversified, even blending seamlessly with technology. Yet, some things remained constant – chief among them, the raw power of elemental magic. It was the rarest and most coveted form of magic, its wielders few and far between. Many had perished in their attempts to master it, a testament to its destructive potential. This was precisely why the Bureau had been so determined to eliminate that young fire wielder.
Cyrus had heard tales of elemental magic's might, but witnessing it firsthand, especially from someone of Eldor's caliber, was an entirely different experience. As the battle raged on, a chilling realization dawned on him – Neno seemed completely impervious to all forms of magic, forcing Eldor into close-quarters combat.
The air crackled with energy as fist met fist, each impact a deafening explosion of magical force. The sound of breaking bones echoed through the chamber as Eldor was sent flying in a blur of motion.
Neno's golden eyes, still burning with that otherworldly fire, fixed upon Cyrus. His voice, cold and detached, sent a shiver down Cyrus's spine.
"Your turn."