Over the next few days, we drilled not just on combining their magic but on perfecting timing. I had them stand at opposite ends of the training field, facing away from each other, with their eyes closed. I wanted them to feel the rhythm of each other’s magic before they even saw it.

It was a slow process, and at first, the results were shaky. But gradually, the two of them began to fall into step. Aaron would ignite his flames, and Elaine would summon the wind just the right moment to guide it. Their focus grew sharper, their movements more synchronized, until they could perform their elemental combinations without hesitation.

One morning, after a particularly rigorous training session, I stopped them as they were finishing up.

“Alright, let’s try something different today. I want to see you push each other up. I want you to attack and defend as if your lives depend on it.”

Elaine and Aaron exchanged a glance, their expressions serious now. No more jokes, no more teasing.

I set up an obstacle course—a maze of elemental wards, targets, and moving dummies designed to challenge their newfound teamwork. They had to use their combined magic to clear the course as quickly as possible, while also adapting to unpredictable obstacles.

“Remember,” I warned, “you can’t predict what’s going to happen next. You need to trust your partner to have your back, no matter what.”

Aaron grinned. “No problem. I’ll make sure nothing gets past us.”

Elaine simply nodded, her eyes focused. "Let’s do it.”

The course began, and they were off. Aaron fired bolts of flame at the moving targets, each blast a perfect shot. Elaine’s wind manipulated the trajectory of the fire, making the flames arc around corners, hitting targets hidden behind barriers. Together, they moved as one—fluid, coordinated, and ruthless.

But then, an unexpected challenge arrived: a set of protective barriers that could only be broken down by a precise combination of elemental forces. The barriers had a quick regeneration time, meaning if they failed, they’d have to start over. The clock was ticking.

“Get ready,” Aaron said, his voice low as he flared up a ball of fire.

Elaine’s wind whipped up around him, but she hesitated for a moment.

“Aaron,” she said, “slow down. Don’t overheat the barriers. We need to target their weak point to get it in one try.”

“Right,” he said, adjusting. He fired a smaller, controlled flame, and Elaine immediately directed the wind to focus around it, guiding the fire directly to the weakest point of the barrier. The moment it hit, the wall shimmered and then collapsed.

“Nice,” I called from the sidelines, pleased by their adaptability. “Keep pushing!”

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They didn’t waste a second. They worked their way through the course, each challenge more difficult than the last. Finally, after what felt like an eternity of non-stop action, they reached the final obstacle: a giant elemental construct that would fight back.

“Aaron, on my signal,” Elaine said, her voice steady as she conjured the wind around herself in preparation.

Aaron’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve got it. Ready when you are.”

Together, they charged. Aaron hurled a massive fireball straight into the construct’s chest, and Elaine immediately used her wind to push it even harder. The combination of fire and wind created an explosion of heat and pressure that shattered the construct’s defenses, reducing it to rubble.

The challenge was over.

Elaine and Aaron stood, panting, their eyes meeting with a look of triumph. They had done it. They’d succeeded in working together—not just because they had to, but because they had finally figured out how to work with each other, not against.

“You’ve come a long way,” I said, walking over to them with a slight smile. “Now you’re a team, not just two individuals throwing magic around.”

Aaron clapped Elaine on the back. “I knew we’d get there.”

Elaine smiled back, her eyes full of newfound respect for him. “Not bad for a hotheaded pyromaniac.”

“A pyromaniac who saved your butt,” Aaron teased.

She rolled her eyes, but her smile didn’t fade. “You did. I’ll give you that.”

I watched them, proud of what they had accomplished. Their synergy was palpable now—a bond forged in fire, wind, and teamwork. They were ready.

“Alright,” I said, clapping my hands together. “Let’s get back to the real work. The tournament’s waiting.”

The following week Mira, Elaine, Aaron and Jace sparred endlessly, sometimes one-on-one, sometimes as teams. I often played the role of their opponent. They learned to think, adapt to unpredictable scenarios, design strategy to use different kind of environments to their advantage, and, most importantly, trust one another implicitly. They were ready for the tournament, but the pressure was mounting. It was time to test them for real.

Two days before the tournament, I gathered them to make them fight one of the strongest team in the academy.

“Today, you’ll face a simulated tournament match,” I announced. “You’ll work as a team against one of the academy’s top squads.”

The class exchanged nervous glances.

“Who are we fighting?” Jace asked.

“Team Stalwart,” I replied. “They’ve won every internal competition for the past two years.”

Aaron groaned. “No pressure, then.”

In the afternoon, the arena was set. Team Stalwart stood on one side, their leader—a tall earth mage named Gareth—smirking confidently.

“Ready to lose?” he called.

Jace stepped forward. “You talk a big game for someone who’s about to eat lightning.”

“Enough banter,” I said from the sidelines.

The match began with a thunderous clash. Gareth opened with a massive stone barrier, but Mira countered, her earth magic dismantling it with surgical precision. Aaron and Elaine combined their elements to create a fiery fire-tornado, forcing Team Stalwart to scatter.

But their opponents weren’t pushovers. A water mage doused the flames, while an illusionist created duplicates to sow confusion.

“Stay calm!” I shouted. “Focus on your strengths!”

Jace used his lightning to dispel the illusions, while Mira and Elaine worked together to trap their opponents in a maze of wind and stone. Finally, Aaron delivered the finishing blow, a blazing inferno that left no doubt about their victory.

When the day of the tournament arrived, I gathered the team for one final pep talk.

“You’ve worked harder than anyone I’ve ever trained,” I said, looking each of them in the eye. “Remember everything you’ve learned—and trust each other.”

They nodded with determination.

By the time we boarded the enchanted airship going to Starhaven, their teamwork had improved by leap and bound. They were the academy’s pride, and they carried themselves with a confidence that made me feel both proud and nostalgic.