The relentless march of time sped through those classes and lunch, like a speeding locomotive hurtling towards its destination, never pausing, never relenting. Break came and went in the blink of an eye, a mere respite in the whirlwind of the school day. Yet, it was at this precise moment that my anticipation mingled with apprehension, for it marked the onset of combat training—an endeavor I approached with a potent mixture of dread and excitement.

In the world of magic, knowledge was often an intangible treasure, something you could amass with little effort by sitting down, absorbing information, and letting it flow into the caverns of your mind. But combat was different. You couldn't simply read about it in dusty old tomes or watch instructional videos. You had to learn it by doing, by plunging headlong into the fray, and by embracing the cold, unyielding mistress that was experience. And, being an inexperienced novice, I was steeling myself for an onslaught of humiliation that seemed almost inevitable.

As Tisiah and I entered the designated room, a peculiar hush enveloped us. The room began with an elevator ride down into the bowels of the earth, an ominous descent that hinted at the mysteries concealed below. And when we finally emerged from the depths, we found ourselves in an unconventional setting.

Gone were the familiar desks and tables of the classroom. Instead, the room was adorned with wooden stands, each cradling a tome, while other students gripped their wands with an air of purpose and determination. The ambiance struck me like an old-world library, with polished wooden tables and towering shelves that whispered secrets of the past. Above us, a resplendent chandelier bathed the room in a warm, golden glow, and the air carried a fragrant blend of lavender and the caress of a gentle breeze, teasing at the senses from every corner.

Yet, my trepidation had a singular focus—the instructor. She stood before us, a formidable figure, her bald head adorned with a tattoo of a dragon in flight. Clad in an orange robe cinched by a brown belt that concealed her feet, she exuded an aura of enigmatic authority.

"So, you must be the new kid, I presume?" Her voice was calm, her gaze piercing. I nodded in response, my eyes scanning the unfamiliar faces that surrounded me. A different set of students, some relief at the absence of Malachi, but also a pang of longing for September, who was nowhere in sight.

"Oh, hey Tisiah!" A female voice broke the silence, and I turned to see a young girl approaching. She was shorter than me, her hair sleek and mocha-colored, a harmonious match for her rich complexion. Tiny hoop earrings glinted in her ears, and her lips glistened with a generous coat of lip gloss. She wore a brown camouflage shirt and impossibly skinny jeans, exuding a casual confidence that left me somewhat less taken aback.

"Hey, sis," Tisiah greeted her with a grin, clarifying their relationship. I found myself momentarily speechless as Tisiah made introductions. "Nikki, Connor. Connor, Nikki."

With a touch of awkwardness, I replied, "Hello." I paused, gathering my thoughts. "It's our first meeting, I guess."

"First time for you, but will it be the only time?" Nikki's voice carried a playful hint.

I chuckled nervously. "Well, from the looks of it, probably not."

Nikki's smile was reassuring, and I felt a bead of sweat forming in my armpit hair. "I also didn't know you were Tisiah's friend," she remarked. "He mentioned you saved him from Malachi. Thank you."

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I shrugged, trying to downplay the act. "Ah, no problem. Friends help friends, and they help me. It's no big deal, really. Tisiah's a good friend, and I'm sure you are too."

Surprisingly, I had managed to hold a conversation longer than I had anticipated, my breath catching up as I continued to acclimate to the unfamiliar surroundings.

Tisiah's voice broke the moment, reminding us of our impending lesson. "Alright, I think class is starting. Better get your wands ready."

I nodded, though I suddenly realized I had no idea how to retrieve my wand. Tisiah chuckled at my bewilderment. "You don't know how to do it, huh? Just click the button on your yellow utility belt, okay?"

I followed his instructions, and to my amazement, the button extended to reveal a yellow wand. Its intricate design featured a dragon, poised to unleash a fiery torrent of flames. I stared in awe at its craftsmanship until the teacher began to speak.

"Now, let me introduce myself. I am Sensei Waine, and I have mastered every facet of wandcraft. However, not everyone possesses that capability. In fact, most do not." Sensei Waine's words carried weight as she moved gracefully among the rows of students.

Eventually, she approached my vicinity. "Every magical power demands a different amount of energy. Many specialize in one element because they can wield it proficiently. Today might be the day for some of you. Yesterday, we delved into a common element we all know—fire."

Her pronunciation lent an air of foreboding to the element itself. "However, today, we explore another element. Can anyone hazard a guess?"

"Water?" someone ventured.

"Close, but not quite."

"Ice," Nikki chimed in.

Sensei Waine nodded, and with a flourish, she produced her wand—a dragon wand, like the rest of us. "Correct. Ice it is."

A ripple of astonishment coursed through the room. But for me, it was different. Excitement surged within me. I had just engaged in a conversation with a charming girl, and now I was on the precipice of conjuring ice from my wand.

This class was bound to be epic.

"Now, I want you all to close your eyes and envision yourselves in an icy realm," Sensei Waine instructed. "Your wand will help you access this world."

As we obeyed, shutting our eyes and settling into a meditative state, she continued, "Once you're there, you must reach for an ice crystal, unlike yesterday's fire. However, be forewarned, for a formidable ice beast guards it."

"What if we defeat the beast but can't control the energy?" someone asked, voicing the collective concern.

"If you cannot vanquish the beast within thirty minutes, it may not be the element for you. Using multiple powers simultaneously is generally ill-advised. You should focus on the one you excel at," Sensei Waine explained. "Now, first, attune yourself to the temperature, and the world shall reveal itself to you."

She was right, as it turned out.

I could feel the temperature plummeting rapidly, the chill seeping into my very bones. A shiver ran down my spine, and when I opened my eyes, I found myself in a frosty wonderland.

The sky above was a dark expanse, unleashing a cascade of snowflakes upon me. The wind howled, and before me lay a massive slope, a formidable barrier between me and my objective.

A quick glance confirmed that I was still dressed in my usual attire—a white coat, black shirt, a yellow utility belt, and white shoes, an ensemble wholly unsuited for this frozen realm.

Where was the ice beast?

I steadied my wand, despite my mounting apprehension. The sweat on my palms threatened to betray my grip, but I reminded myself that this was a dream, a different reality altogether.

I decided to ascend the slope, moving cautiously, almost crawling, wary of any hidden dangers. The snow blanketed me, but I pressed on until I reached the summit.

And then, my breath caught in my throat.

Before me stood a monstrosity—a creature resembling a sasquatch, yet with a wolf's head adorned with menacingly sharp teeth. Its eyes glowed a malevolent shade of crimson, radiating a murderous intent. My wand remained clutched in my trembling hand as I struggled to maintain my composure.

The beast's bellow echoed through the icy landscape as it charged towards me, unstoppable and relentless. Panic threatened to engulf me, but I forced myself to think, to act. With determination, I conjured an ice wall to block its advance.

It worked perfectly.

Seizing the moment, I summoned ice blocks to create a path towards the beast while maintaining a defensive posture. Then, I leaped into the air, willing over a thousand ice spikes into existence, directing them towards the approaching behemoth.

They struck with force, but to my dismay, they shattered upon impact, unable to breach the creature's formidable hide. The beast closed in rapidly, and my heart pounded in my chest, dread intensifying with each passing moment.

I couldn't think, couldn't move, paralyzed by fear. And then, the beast opened its maw, its razor-sharp teeth poised to pierce my flesh.

But just as I braced for the inevitable, I found myself jolted back to reality, surrounded by my fellow students who were still immersed in their meditation.

"Well, you've returned quite early," Sensei Waine remarked with a raised eyebrow. "I assume you defeated the ice beast. What happened to your arms?"

I stammered, glancing down at my arms, which now glowed a fiery blue, reminiscent of the strange occurrence from two days prior.