Further back in the queue, Alice stood with her daughter, Aisha. The two had been waiting for nearly an hour, the sun high overhead. The murmurs of the crowd ahead drifted back to them, and Alice’s face tightened as she listened.
Alice glanced at Faith and Raul up ahead, her heart aching for her friend. Faith didn’t show any sign of distress, smiling calmly as she stood by Raul, but Alice could see the strength it took to maintain that composure.
Alice leaned down to her daughter, brushing a stray strand of black hair from Aisha’s face. “Stay close, sweetheart,” she said softly.
Aisha’s eyes, wide with excitement, stayed fixed on Raul. “Do you think he’ll do something amazing, Mama?”
Alice smiled faintly. “We’ll see. Now focus on yourself, Aisha. You’ve been practicing hard, haven’t you?”
Aisha nodded eagerly. “I can make a flame now! A real one! I’m going to be a fire mage, just like you said.”
Alice’s chest swelled with pride and hope.
Ever since Aisha learned that Raul could cast spells, she’d become determined to prove she could, too. With time and proper training, Alice believed her daughter could grow into a powerful fire mage.
Aisha tugged on her mother’s sleeve. “Look, Mama! Raul’s about to go!”
Alice turned her attention forward. Faith had stepped back, leaving Raul alone on the platform with the elf mage. The murmurs of the crowd quieted, all eyes on the boy who seemed far too small for the moment.
Raul took a steadying breath as he stood on the platform, ignoring the sea of eyes watching him. He focused instead on the Console screen .
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The Chimming Winds spell was ready, fine-tuned for efficiency. Unlike other mages who needed to chant and focus their thoughts, Raul approached magic differently. For him, it was as simple as opening a file on a computer.
With a confident mental will, he activated the spell.
A breeze swirled around him, gentle at first but quickly gaining strength. The winds lifted him from the platform, carrying him effortlessly into the air. Gasps rippled through the crowd as Raul glided gracefully across the courtyard. He floated toward his mother, the wind wrapping around him like an invisible cocoon.
Faith’s eyes widened in surprise, her calm mask slipping for a moment as her son landed softly beside her.
The crowd erupted into cheers, their earlier whispers of doubt replaced by astonished admiration.
Those who understood magic were especially stunned. Chimming Winds was a high-mana spell, rarely attempted by beginners. Yet this small boy had not only cast it but done so with a mastery that defied his age. What he did would ordinarily require the manna reserves of a master mage.
On the platform, the elf mage, Reshia, stared at Raul, her green eyes wide with disbelief. For the first time that day, her composed demeanor cracked.
She stepped down from the stage, her emerald robes flowing behind her, and approached Raul. The crowd fell silent, watching intently. Reshia hadn’t done this for anyone else, not even the most promising children.
“What’s your name?” she asked, her voice soft but filled with curiosity.
Raul looked up at her, his nerves gone, replaced by quiet pride. “Raul. Raul Bervet.”
Reshia smiled warmly. “I’m Reshia,” she said. “You’re quite impressive, Raul.”
She then turned to Faith, her expression shifting to one of respect. “Mrs. Bervet, would you mind if I visited you later today? After I’m done here?”
The crowd erupted into murmurs. Reshia, who had remained distant and formal with everyone else, was personally asking to visit Faith and Raul? It was unheard of.
Faith, always composed, smiled graciously. “Of course, Miss Reshia. We’d be happy to have you.”
Reshia’s smile widened. “Thank you. I’ll see you soon.” She gave Raul a small nod before turning back to the stage.
As Reshia returned to her place, the crowd’s stunned whispers grew louder. Faith placed a hand on Raul’s shoulder, her eyes filled with pride.
“You did amazing, sweetheart,” she said softly.
Raul smiled up at her, feeling a warmth in his chest.