The next day, Roan suggested that we continue studying the basics of magic, this time focusing on the elements. He chose fire, explaining that its power was one of the hardest to control because fire tolerates no doubts and demands absolute confidence and inner balance.

We went out to a clearing, where the air was filled with the scent of damp earth and the freshness of the morning forest. Roan gestured for me to kneel and close my eyes.

"Fire is more than just warmth," he began, his voice calm and steady. "It's energy, a force that can warm or destroy. To master it, you must find it within yourself. Try to imagine a warm flame in your chest, gradually growing stronger."

I closed my eyes and focused on my senses. A few minutes passed, and suddenly I felt a faint warmth stirring in my chest, as if a spark had ignited within me. It was more than just warmth; it was a feeling of power that could easily slip out of control if I wasn't careful.

Roan watched me, his face impassive, but I knew he was monitoring my every move.

"Remember, fire is not your servant. It does not yield to command. Feel it, but don't try to control it. Let it become a part of you."

Focusing on this sensation, I attempted to create a small flame on my palm. At first, everything went smoothly, but soon the flame began to grow, as if feeding on emotions I couldn't contain. In that moment, I felt a surge of fear—that the fire might escape my control—and that fear immediately triggered a flare-up.

The fire flared stronger than I'd expected, burning my hand. I pulled it back, feeling the sting of the burn and a wave of disappointment.

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"It seems it's stronger than me... Why can't I control what lies within me?"

Seeing my dejection, Roan approached me and gently took my hand.

"Ellard, fire tolerates no fear. When you allowed yourself to feel afraid, it lost its balance. Magic isn't just power. It's a force that requires complete calm and confidence."

That evening, sitting by the fireplace, I pondered what had happened. I realized that the issue wasn't with my abilities but with my approach to magic. I was too often reminded of my past, of the power I'd been accustomed to, and I wanted to feel that same confidence again. But in this world, things were different. Here, magic required respect and humility, not dominance.

Elana, noticing my thoughts, gently touched my shoulder.

"Ellard, sometimes the greatest strength lies not in commanding but in understanding and accepting. Magic is like a river. It flows its own course and embraces only those who are ready to become part of it," she said with a wise smile.

"Perhaps strength isn't in control but in the ability to be part of something greater—something beyond my own understanding."

The next day, I decided to try again. Fire, like my own soul, required not control but understanding. I went to the clearing, knelt, and closed my eyes. This time, I allowed the fire to exist as it was, without trying to command or restrain it.

A faint flame appeared on my palm again, but this time it didn't spiral out of control. I felt it gently pulsing, then gradually fading away, leaving behind a soft warmth and a feeling of victory—not over the fire, but over my own fear and uncertainty.

Roan and Elana watched me, and I saw pride in their eyes. This time, I didn't feel like a conqueror, nor did I feel triumphant. It was a quiet satisfaction, knowing I had overcome my own fears and limitations rather than an external force.

"The path to strength lies not in conquering the outer world, but in overcoming oneself."

This victory became an important step for me, showing that magic requires not only skill but also inner harmony.