Snapping Lorelai back to reality she realized she had to go meet the instructor. She blinked, her sword still held in her hand, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. The courtyard around her was empty now, save for the quiet rustling of the trees and the faint scent of dew on the morning air. Her fight with Aric had ended in a strange, almost satisfying silence. There had been no cheers, no applause—just the stillness of her victory, as though it were a fleeting moment that nobody else would remember.

As Aric’s footsteps faded into the distance, Lorelai turned and made her way toward the academy’s main building, the sword heavy in her hand. She had won the duel. She had proved herself, at least to him. But there was still so much to prove. The lightning magic class she had almost missed was only the beginning.

Her thoughts were buzzing with questions. Aric’s words about magic—his mention of using aura, spirit, and mental discipline to enhance swordplay—echoed in her mind. Was that what she had been missing all along? She knew that magic was part of the academy’s curriculum, but she had never considered integrating it into her martial practice. Was she supposed to wield both magic and a blade in tandem? Could she even do that?

Her pulse still raced, but not from the fight. It was from the new sense of possibility that had awakened inside her. If she could truly combine the techniques she had learned from the tomes with magic, she might be able to take her fighting to a whole new level. But that was a question for later. For now, Lorelai needed to get to class.

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The morning air was sharp with the scent of wet stone and wildflowers as Lorelai made her way through the winding paths of the academy grounds. The academy's courtyards, filled with the sounds of students sparring, practicing magic, and discussing their latest dungeon excursions, made Lorelai envious that her first trip to the dungeon would be in two days. The elite students, the ones who were born to this world of magic and swordplay, walked with a grace and confidence.

Today, she was headed to the private wing of the academy, where the more specialized, often more difficult lessons took place. Lorelai had a private instructor for her lightning magic training, hoping for a more tailored experience to help her overcome the challenges that came with mastering magic.

The door to the private chamber stood open, and Lorelai stepped inside, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the dim light. The room was cool and quiet, the air thick with a strange hum that made her senses prick with anticipation. At the far end, her instructor stood waiting. He was tall and lithe, with dark skin that seemed to shimmer faintly in the light, as if dusted with starlight. His features were sharp, his expression unreadable, yet there was an undeniable power that radiated from him.

"Ah, Lorelai," the instructor said in a voice like crackling thunder, smooth but with an edge of something ancient. "I have been expecting you. My name is Varek, a Shayan."

Lorelai nodded, offering a polite but nervous smile. She had heard much abo, but her instructor, but little of his past. A Shayan, was a race known for their deep connection to the elemental forces of nature. The Shayan were an ancient and mystical race, long revered for their control over the raw powers of the world. Their connection to magic was said to be far more intuitive than that of most other beings.

The Shayan were a rare sight at the academy, especially among the faculty. Some of the older students whispered that their race had been nearly wiped out centuries ago, but the few that remained were known for their wisdom—and their overwhelming power.

"You only have a single lightning spell, is that correct?" He asked her, clearly already knowing the answer, his dark eyes narrowing as he studied her. "The elemental affinity is strong within you, and I must say I am impressed with you being the first to obtain tier two lightning magic and at such a young age I must add."

Lorelai’s heart skipped a beat. She had heard the rumors about the Shayan's abilities to see into a person's essence, to feel the pulse of their magic before even a word was spoken. She had been preparing herself for a difficult lesson, but now she wondered if she was ready for this level of scrutiny.

"Yes, Master Varek," Lorelai said, forcing her voice to stay steady. "I've obtained tier two magic almost immediately upon my awakening. It has been quite the boon for me."

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Varek nodded slightly, "Lightning is untamed and primal, but I have to ask, what about it changes between tiers? " He asked, but pitched his offer, "I am here to instruct you, but if you impart this knowledge unto me it will help me further the research into lightning magic. If you do this for me I'll teach you two spells, one of my own design."

Lorelai stiffened slightly at his words. She had a difficult time holding her excitement and readily agreed, Varek’s piercing gaze softened and now resembled a school kid who was offered ice cream, easily mirroring her own excitement.

Varek raised a brow at her, his expression ecstatic, "So...what changes between tiers of lightning magic?

Lorelai looked into the lightning fanatic's eyes and giggled, "It is more a feeling, but lighting is a force of nature that moves at incredible speed. I also have gravity magic and when I redirected Gortesh's strike by making myself heavier or denser the feeling was familiar. I had innately increased the density of the plasma lightning is made of allowing it to cross the tier threshold." She couldn't help wonder why she had giggled like she did while feeling the weight of his gaze.

Varek’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully, a flicker of something deeper flashing across his face. He then raised a hand and created a crimson orb of lightning, very similar to Lorelai's except the color was more muted compared to her own. "

“Tier two, that easy?” she repeated, her voice small.

Varek’s lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "That was not easy despite how quickly i achieved it. As we agreed i will teach you two spells; the first is Zakir which is a piercing lightning bolt and the second is of my own design Lightning Animus, or living lightning. It's an incredibly advanced spell."

You have potential, I can feel your power is more than crimson sparks and arcs. You have barely begun to tap into your true affinity with lightning."

Lorelai swallowed, trying to wrap her mind around his words. She had read about the tiers of elemental magic, how each tier required a deeper connection and mastery of the magic, and why she was immediately able to accomplish tier two when no one else has, is a mystery she has not yet been able to unravel.

Varek continued, walking slowly around her as if examining her every movement. "You must learn to channel the power, not only direct it, but become it. If you wish to move forward, I can help you, but you must trust yourself. Do you trust yourself?"

Lorelai felt a shiver run down her spine at his words. Trust herself? She wasn’t sure, she wasn't even in her original body as far as she could tell. Every step felt like she was walking on the edge of a precipice, afraid that one misstep would send her plummeting into failure.

But she couldn’t let fear control her, not anymore.

"I want to trust myself," Lorelai said, her voice strong. "Everything here is so different from what I know."

Varek nodded, acknowledging her words, but his eyes softened, "I know," he said. "But that is why you are here. To learn, to grow, to forge your magic into something greater than what you began with."

He stepped back, raising his hand toward her, palm open. "Let us begin. Focus on the pulse inside of you, the current. It is always there, beneath the surface of your thoughts. It is the storm that rages within you. Let it out, let it travel through your channels and guide it down the pathways."

Lorelai closed her eyes, breathing deeply. She could feel the hum of energy around her, swirling, teasing at her senses. With Varek’s words still echoing in her mind, she reached within, feeling for that hidden current, the energy she had only tasted before. This time, the process was much smoother and so much faster. Instead, she let it come to her, like a storm slowly waking up.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then, there was a crackle—a small burst of energy that shot from her palm, arcing toward the wall in a sharp flash of crimson. She gasped, startled by the sudden release of power. The lightning hung in the air for a brief second, its crackling sound vibrating in her chest, before it dissipated into the room.

Varek’s voice was steady, calm, but there was something approving in his tone. "You have done it. Now, control it and shape it."

Lorelai’s heart hammered in her chest, her fingers tingling with the raw energy she had just unleashed. She had done it, the first part of the Zakir spell.

But now came the true challenge—controlling it.

"Good," Varek said quietly, his dark eyes gleaming. "You officially no longer have a single lightning spell. Remember, Lorelai, lightning is not just a weapon—it is a force of nature. It is wild, untamed. It does not bow to weakness or fear. The storm will not be conquered by sheer will alone." He paused, his gaze never leaving her. "You must become it."

Lorelai nodded feeling anew, she was ready to experiment with her magic. There was power in her, raw and untamed, and she could feel it now, surging beneath her skin. But it wasn’t enough to simply call the storm. She had to learn to control it, to channel it into something more than just an outburst of power.

With Varek’s quiet instruction, Lorelai took a deep breath, focusing on the spark of lightning within her, preparing to shape it, to let it dance at her command. The storm inside her had awakened.