Brittany woke up feeling refreshed. She stretched her arms and neck and climbed out of her hut.

"I see you've recovered." Raul remarked. "That was quite a display of raw power that you put on yesterday."

"Yeah, it was pretty intense." Brittany said.

"I believe that we have a full day ahead of us, so let's get started with our training." Raul announced.

"Right!" Brittany exclaimed.

The group gathered around the clearing where the previous night's training took place. Raul had already prepared a large metal plate that was covered in runes inscribed in blood.

"This is a summoning circle." Raul explained. "I am going to use it to summon a different element each time you complete your training session."

"Sounds good." Brittany said.

"Do not fear though, there are no actual monsters inside the circle. This is just a simulation of the elements' true forms. Only your magical ability will determine whether or not you survive the encounter." Raul warned.

"Alright, let's get started." Raul instructed.

He chanted the incantation, and the metal plate began to glow. Flames rose from its surface and burned fiercely.

"This is the element of fire." Raul said. “Now it’s your turn.”

Brittany closed her eyes and pictured the image of the fire elemental. She repeated the incantation and summoned the creature.

Skill Unlocked: Fire Element Summoning

A beast consisting of pure flame wreaks havoc and devastation wherever it stampedes, setting surroundings ablaze and turning them to ash, smoke and cinders.

It emerged from the flames and materialized in front of her, standing on six legs. It was approximately the size of a small horse. Its body was red and black, with long, wispy hair covering its whole body. It wore a tattered robe that was made from charred cloth. It had two small horns protruding from its forehead.

Brittany gazed at the creature in awe. It was beautiful, majestic even. But what really caught her attention was the flames that surrounded it. They danced in the air and singed the surrounding grasses. The flames looked like liquid gold that was burning in the sun.

"Oh, wow!" Brittany exclaimed.

"Alright, next one." Raul said.

He chanted another incantation, and the flames died out. A translucent green dome appeared in their place. It was smaller than the one they had seen before, but it still contained enough space to accommodate the creature.

"This is the element of earth." Raul said.

The creature reared back and stomped its feet on the ground. Huge chunks of rock broke off from the earth and flew through the air. The rocks smashed against each other and shattered into tiny fragments.

"Stay back!" Sam shouted.

"Now, Brittany." Raul said.

Brittany closed her eyes and pictured the image of the earth elemental. She recited the incantation and summoned the beast once more.

Once again, the creature emerged from the metal plate and materialized in front of her. It stood on four legs, and its body was composed primarily of clay. It had two small horns protruding from its forehead.

Skill Unlocked: Earth Element Summoning

A beast consisting of rocks and dirt causes destruction wherever it stampedes, smashing settlements and burying opponents alive.

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"Wow, this thing looks really cool." Brittany remarked.

"It certainly does," Raul agreed. "But it has a nasty temper. If you anger it, it will launch a very powerful attack at you."

"Really?" Brittany asked. "How do you know all of these things?"

"I've been studying the elements for a while now." Raul said, “As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been here for a long time.”

How long, I wonder?

But she didn’t get a chance to ask.

"So, who's next?" Raul asked.

"Me!" Sam exclaimed.

He took a deep breath and recited the incantation. Immediately, the fire and earth creatures faded away. In their place was a massive demon with a dark, demonic face. Its body was covered in black scales, and it had sharp fangs that glowed red. It had two wings on either side of its body.

"This is the element of darkness." Raul said. "It's a lot tougher than the other two elements, so brace yourself."

“But I thought the elements were just Earth, Air, Fire and Water?” Brittany asked.

"There are actually five elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Darkness." Raul explained. "They all have unique properties and attributes that make them dangerous. For example, the element of water is very soothing and calming. The element of fire is hot, destructive, and hard to control. The element of darkness is very sinister, evil, and mischievous. The element of earth is very powerful, but it is slow and cumbersome. And finally, the element of wind is fast, unpredictable, and always changing. Just remember, the element you summon will have similar traits to the element it represents."

Sam frowned in concentration.

"Do you need some help?" Brittany asked.

"No, I'm fine." Sam answered.

"Alright then." Brittany said.

Sam closed his eyes and pictured the demon. Then he recited the incantation and summoned the creature.

It appeared right in front of him. It was about twice the size of a normal human, and its skin was pitch black. Its tongue was long, thick, and curved like a snake. Black veins covered its body. It had three sets of horns protruding from its forehead.

"Cool!" Sam exclaimed. "It looks awesome!”

Ophion reared back and stomped its feet on the ground. Huge chunks of black rock erupted from the ground and crashed against each other. The ground cracked and burst apart. All of a sudden, the area became very unstable.

"Hold on!" Raul shouted.

"What's happening?" Sam asked.

"The Element of Darkness is trying to crush you!" Raul explained. "Don't let it happen!"

"I'm scared!" Sam cried.

"You shouldn't be." Raul said. "Just use your magic to defend yourself."

Sam clenched his fists and focused his magic. His body gleamed with a bright silver sheen.

He opened his eyes, and his magic manifested within him. He raised his hand, and a huge shield of energy formed in front of him. It was made of pure light, and it blocked all incoming attacks.

"Nice!" Brittany complimented. "Where did you get that power?"

"I summoned it." Sam explained.

"Well done!" Raul said. "Now, let's try something else."

"Sure. Why not?” Sam agreed.

Raul chanted another incantation. Suddenly, a blast of water shot out from the ground. It splashed against Sam, soaking him from head to toe. He jumped back and shook the droplets off.

"That was weird." Sam remarked.

"Well, the element of water is very unpredictable." Raul explained. "It doesn't necessarily mean that it wants to hurt you. Sometimes, it just wants to play."

"Okay." Sam agreed.

"We're almost finished here." Raul announced. "Next, we'll go over the element of air. Now, the element of air can cause a lot of damage. I suggest you take this seriously."

"Is it going to shoot lightning at me?" Sam asked.

"No, Sam. The element of air is very peaceful. It rarely attacks unless provoked." Raul assured him.

"Okay." Sam agreed.

Raul recited the incantation and created an orb of wind energy in front of him. It floated a few inches above the ground and remained motionless.

"This is the element of air." Raul said. "It can be very helpful when used properly. You should learn how to control it and use it to your advantage. Now, let's try something else."

He chanted another incantation, and the air energy vanished.

"Sam, I need you to try this." Raul commanded.

Sam took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Once again, he pictured the image of the demon. Then, he recited the incantation and summoned the creature.

"Awesome!" Sam exclaimed. "It looks just like the last one!"

"Yes, it does." Raul confirmed. "But this time, use your magic to defend yourself."

Sam clenched his fists, bracing himself for whatever might come his way. His body glistened with a bright silvery sheen again.

"Go ahead and open your eyes." Raul instructed.

Sam did as he was told. He looked down at his hands, which were glowing with a bright white light. He reached out with his right hand and grabbed the demon by its tail. The creature immediately swung its head around and attacked Sam with its fangs. But Sam held on tight.

"Whoa!" Sam gasped. "That was intense!"

"Yeah, it was." Raul admitted. "But it’s not over yet."

Sam saw the demon swinging its head back and forth, trying to crush him. It was almost impossible for him to hold on.

"Sam, you need to focus your magic." Raul instructed.

"Okay." Sam agreed.

He concentrated his magic and summoned a golden shield. It took shape in front of him and absorbed all incoming attacks.

"Good job!" Raul praised. "I knew you could do it!"

"Thanks, Raul!" Sam replied.

After a few seconds, the demon stopped attacking.

"Now, release it." Raul ordered.

Sam released his grip on the demon's tail. The creature fell to the ground, and it disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Raul smiled.

"I think that about wraps up our lesson for today." Raul said. "Let's meet back here tomorrow morning at the same time."

"Sure thing." Sam a Brittany agreed in unison.

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