The next week flew by in a blur of hard work and training. Leo was tasked with rebuilding structures damaged by the wolf attack and keeping an eye out for any signs of further wolf activity. He couldn’t help but feel disappointed in himself for not being able to defeat the alpha wolf on his own. To him, it was a glaring sign of his weakness.

Averon, the platoon leader, had a talk with Leo the day after the battle. He put things into perspective, reminding Leo that the wolves they faced were nothing compared to more formidable monsters. Averon acknowledged Leo’s efforts but cautioned against getting too cocky over this particular victory. He left a couple of days later, and Leo was left with a deep desire to become stronger.

In addition to his regular training with Mava and Grace, Leo doubled down on his efforts. He worked relentlessly on improving his combat skills and mastering mana manipulation. His goal was to transform himself into a formidable warrior, someone who could face any challenge that came his way.

One misty morning, Leo headed to Mava’s large wooden house. Unlike his own small hut, her dwelling was a grand structure made of sturdy spruce trees, boasting multiple rooms. Mava had insisted on conducting their training sessions here, sparing Leo from having to trek around the military base. He arrived early, determined to make the most of his training.

As he entered the well-equipped training room, he found Mava seated at a table, engrossed in a book. She acknowledged his presence, noting his punctuality with a wry comment about his early arrival. Leo took a seat across from her, ready to begin another day of training.

“You already know the routine, Leo,” Mava said, her gaze never leaving her book.

Leo nodded and commenced his training, channeling his mana to heat a container of water. He couldn’t help but wonder about the purpose of this exercise, as there seemed to be more efficient ways to train. His curiosity got the better of him, and he finally asked, “Mava, if you don’t mind me asking, what’s the purpose of this exercise? Isn’t there a more effective way to train?”

Mava remained focused on her reading, her response cryptic. “You’ll find out later today. Just keep practicing, and you’ll notice something new within half an hour.”

Leo decided not to press further. He knew Mava had her reasons, even if they remained shrouded in mystery. He turned his attention back to his training, determined to make the most of every opportunity to grow stronger. As he continued, he couldn’t help but wonder what awaited him later in the day.

The minutes ticked by as Leo diligently followed the training routine. He heated the water container with his mana, beads of sweat forming on his brow. The room’s atmosphere grew charged with anticipation, and Leo’s curiosity gnawed at him. What was the secret behind this seemingly repetitive exercise?

Around the twenty-minute mark, something peculiar began to happen. A soft, ethereal light started to gather around Leo’s chest, much like the radiant glow when he consumed the mana potions. Surprised, he pulled up his shirt and stared in awe at what he saw – a new addition to his body.

On his chest, a mysterious black circle had appeared, intricate and profound. It pulsed with an inner energy that Leo could sense but not fully comprehend. It was a mark, a symbol of something greater, and it left him both bewildered and intrigued.

Mava finally closed her book, her eyes fixed on the newly formed mark on Leo’s chest. “Good,” she said, a hint of satisfaction in her voice. “Now we can begin the training I’ve been preparing you for.”

Leo couldn’t contain his excitement and curiosity any longer. “What does this mark mean, Mava? What kind of training are we going to do?”

Mava leaned back in her chair, her gaze steady and wise. “That mark signifies that you have unlocked your second circle. With proper training, you can harness these powers to become a formidable mage.”

Leo’s eyes widened with wonder and anticipation. The revelation was beyond anything he had expected. “A mage? But I thought I was just a soldier.”

Mava smiled, her wrinkles deepening with the expression. “You are more than that, Leo. You have the potential to become a force to be reckoned with. But this journey won’t be easy. It will require dedication, discipline, and a deep understanding of the magical arts.”

Leo nodded, his determination unwavering. “I’m ready, Mava. I want to unlock my full potential and become the best I can be.”

Mava stood up and left the room without mentioning any reason for it.

When Mava entered the room, her demeanor was focused and purposeful. In her hands, she carried a small glass ball, clear as crystal but for a faint, swirling mist within. She placed the orb on the table before Leo, who regarded it with curiosity.

“This, Leo,” Mava began, her voice tinged with reverence, “is an elemental crystal, they’re quite rare. It will reveal your affinity for elemental magic.”

Leo leaned in, fascinated by the sphere’s enigmatic beauty. “Elemental magic? You mean like fire, water, or wind?”

Mava nodded. “Precisely. Every mage has a unique elemental affinity, and this sphere will help us discover yours. Every mage has at least one element that sticks out.”

With a wave of her hand, Mava initiated the process. The mist inside the glass orb began to swirl and shimmer, taking on a vivid, gray hue. She gestured for Leo to place his hand gently on the sphere.

“Concentrate, Leo,” she instructed. “Focus on your mana inside and let it flow into the sphere.”

Leo closed his eyes, drawing upon his mana and allowing it to radiate through his hand into the sphere. As the magical energy connected, he felt a tingling sensation, like a current of power flowing through him.

The mist inside the sphere responded to his presence, swirling faster and more intensely. Moments later, it settled, revealing a deep, ice-blue color that was shining very bright. Leo couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at the sight. It was like the crystal ball was trying to tell him something.

Mava’s eyes met his, filled with a mix of pride and surprise. “You have an affinity for ice magic, Leo. It’s very hard to believe. Let me explain: you have seven different base elements: fire, water, wind, lightning, earth, light, and shadow. But when you reach your fifth circle you have a small chance to get expertise in your most proficient type of magic, but in extremely rare cases there have been people who start with an advanced type of magic. You, Leo, are one of those cases. Ice is the most advanced type of water magic. It hasn’t been researched properly because of that.”

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Leo couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Ice magic? That’s incredible!”

Mava smiled, acknowledging his enthusiasm. “Indeed, it is. Ice magic is known for its unlimited possibilities. However, it will come with its challenges. You will require precision and control, as well as a deep understanding of the element’s nature. Even I don’t know a lot about this magic so you’ll have to shape your own path through this.”

“I’m ready to learn, Mava. I want to become strong enough to do what I want.” Mava looked at him with a hint of concern.

Mava’s eyes glinted with wisdom as she patted his shoulder. “Very well, Leo. Your training begins today. But remember, mastering ice magic won’t be easy. It will test your limits, and you’ll face many challenges along the way. Are you prepared for this journey?”

Leo nodded, his heart filled with determination. “I’m ready, Mava. I’ll face whatever challenges come my way and emerge stronger.”

Mava closed her eyes and touched the now light blue crystal ball. “You also have a strong aptitude for earth magic.” She said.

Leo’s eyes were filled with excitement. “So, can we start with training?” Mava nodded. “Before we start let me tell you a tale to bring down the basics.”

Mava leaned back in her chair, her eyes holding a distant glint as she began to spin a new tale for Leo.

“Once upon a time,” she began, “in the heart of a lush and vibrant forest, there lived a young boy named Kael. He was no ordinary child, for he possessed a rare and extraordinary gift—a deep affinity for water magic.”

“Kael’s village lay by the banks of a crystal-clear river that flowed with a beautiful serenity. The villagers depended on this river for sustenance, as its waters were pure and nourishing.”

“From a young age, Kael displayed an exceptional talent for manipulating water. He could coax droplets from the air and shape them into intricate sculptures. He could quench the thirst of the driest soil and summon rain to bless the crops. The villagers hailed him as a guardian of life.”

“But as Kael grew older, he began to realize the true extent of his gift. Water magic was not just about creating beauty or ensuring a bountiful harvest; it was also about wielding the unforgiving power of nature.”

“One sweltering summer a calamity befell the village. The river, their lifeline, began to wither and shrink as if a malevolent force sought to rob the land of its essence.”

“Kael knew that he had to confront this dire threat. With all of his resolve, he set off on a quest to seek the wisdom of the ancient water spirits, hoping to unlock the secrets of his magic and harness the strength required to save his village.”

“His journey was fraught with challenges, Kael had to learn to master his powers, discovering how to draw life-giving moisture from the air and restore balance to the land. He had to face elemental trials and gain the trust of the elusive water spirits who were known for being the most rare and prideful spirits.”

“After years of tireless training and profound discoveries, Kael returned to his village, his powers significantly heightened. He stood by the receding river, invoking ancient incantations and channeling his magic. With a mighty surge of power, he rejuvenated the river, restoring life to the land and ensuring his people’s survival. But there was a catch. Even after all those years of ridiculously hard training, there was a scar from using too much mana to go against nature itself. It wasn’t just a little scar, Kael lost all of his mana and died two months later.”

Leo was entranced by the story, and not knowing what to think, he looked at Mava, Leo’s teacher said: “What did you just learn from this story?” Leo thought about it for a while. “Magic is not something to play with as a single mistake can ruin your life. I can guess that there are elemental spirits and that progress in magic comes very slow.”

Mava smiled, her eyes filled with curious how the young boy in front of her had such a special way of thinking. “Very well, you’ll get to know more about those spirits when you complete your third circle. I hope we can reach this in a year.”

“Now let’s start your training. I want you to try imagining a little cube of ice floating above your hand.” Leo did what she asked, he closed his eyes and created a vivid image in his head. He felt mana flowing in his body and started to let it flow towards his hands. After a few seconds, his hands felt cold so he opened his eyes. There he saw a brick of ice as big as a football flying above his hand. Mava looked at him with eyes as big as the crystal ball from before. She started screaming: “How the actual fuck did you do that Leo?” Leo lost focus because he didn’t expect the sweet Mava to shout at him. Leo’s creation fell on the ground and shattered into a thousand pieces“I just did what you asked, what’s wrong”

Mava, still visibly astonished by the feat she had just witnessed, took a moment to compose herself. “I’m sorry, Leo,” she said, her voice returning to its usual soft tone. “I didn’t mean to shout, but what you just did… it’s incredibly weird. Most novices take weeks, if not months, to conjure even a droplet of water, let alone an entire block of ice.”

Leo, still trying to process what had just occurred, looked at the remnants of the ice cube in amazement. He had always felt a certain connection to the mystical arts, a longing to tap into the hidden powers of the world, but he had never expected such a rapid and powerful manifestation of his abilities.

Mava took a step closer, her eyes filled with curiosity. “Can you do it again?” she asked, her voice now a gentle whisper.

Leo concentrated, his thoughts centered on recreating the experience. He felt the mana within him, a wellspring of energy that seemed almost infinite. Slowly, he extended his hand, and to his astonishment, another ice cube began to form above it. This one, however, was smaller, about the size of a golf ball.

Mava’s amazement grew, and she couldn’t help but smile. “You’re a natural, Leo,” she said, admiration in her eyes. “This kind of magical talent is exceedingly rare. With proper guidance and training, you could become a formidable mage who even I wouldn’t be able to go up against.”

Leo felt a surge of excitement mixed with a tinge of uncertainty. He had always thought of magic as a mystical, unreachable force, and now, it appeared to be flowing through him effortlessly. “What do I do next?” he asked, eager to explore this newfound power.

Mava’s face grew serious as she considered her words. “First, we need to understand the source of your magical ability. Magic is a complex force, and every mage draws from different sources. It could be your connection to the elements, your affinity with a particular type of magic, or something unique to you.”

Leo nodded, absorbing her wisdom. “And how do we discover my source of magic?”

Mava looked around the small chamber, her gaze landing on a nearby table. With a flick of her fingers, a small flame danced to life on a candle. “Watch this,” she said, her voice serene. She continued to manipulate the flame, making it grow, change colors, and even take on the form of a bird for a brief moment.

Leo watched in awe, the mesmerizing display of fire manipulation leaving him spellbound. “You’re a fire mage,” he said with certainty.

Mava nodded. “Indeed, I draw my power from the element of fire. And you,” she said, her eyes focusing on Leo, “you possess an innate affinity for ice magic. This is a rare and potent combination, Leo, one that holds great potential.”

Leo was both excited and humbled by this revelation. The notion that he had a unique connection to the magical world, a bond with the very elements, was both thrilling and overwhelming.

Mava continued, “Now that we know your affinity, we can begin your training. I will teach you the fundamentals of water and ice magic, and how to control, shape, and harness their power. This is just the beginning, Leo. You have the potential to become a master of the arcane.”

As the days turned into weeks, Leo’s training with Mava intensified. He delved deep into the world of magic while still doing his swordsmanship training, learning the intricacies of water and ice manipulation. He practiced summoning and shaping ice, creating intricate patterns and sculptures that glistened like crystals in the sunlight. He learned how to draw moisture from the air, make detailed sculptures, and even freeze small objects with a touch. Every day, he learned more about what he had to learn.

Mava proved to be an exceptional teacher, patient and knowledgeable, guiding Leo with a wisdom born of years of experience. She pushed him to explore the limits of his abilities, encouraging him to experiment and adapt his magic to different situations.