Towan nodded, raising his hands as he centered himself. The energy within him began to flow outward, manifesting as an invisible force that caused the air to tremble faintly around him. Unlike Sylra’s wind, which danced gracefully, his natural Essentia was unrefined, like the distant rumble of a storm building strength.

Sylra’s eyes narrowed slightly as she analyzed him. He’s holding back, she thought. If he doesn’t focus, that energy will tear itself apart before it reaches me.

Towan thrust his hand forward, sending a burst of raw Essentia hurtling toward Sylra. The energy wasn’t visible in the traditional sense, but the distortion in the air around it made its trajectory clear. It was fast, powerful—but unstable.

Sylra’s response was immediate. With a quick motion, she summoned a swirling vortex of wind, meeting the attack head-on. The collision sent a ripple of pressure through the room, causing a few nearby students to glance their way. Towan’s energy dissipated into the vortex, but not without resistance. The air around Sylra wavered slightly as she held her ground.

“Not bad,” she said, her voice calm despite the effort it took to neutralize his attack. “But you’re wasting energy. That burst was too scattered. Focus, Towan. If you don’t, you’ll burn through your reserves before you even make me break a sweat.”

Towan frowned, frustration flickering across his face. She was right. His attack had been powerful, but inefficient. Rheon’s earlier words echoed in his mind: Raw power is useless without control.

“(Damn it, what was that?)” Towan thought of his previous attack

“he’s nervous” Elliot commented to alira as they watched Towan

“But it wasn't bad” she answered, thinking of the strong attack that was unleashed

“He can do better” Elliot muttered, knowing how far his brother can go, (“and he's not that good at ranged attacks…)”

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“Again,” Rheon called out, his eyes fixed on Towan. “This time, focus. Harness your Essentia. Don’t let it control you.”

Towan closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. He visualized the energy within him as a flowing current, wild and untamed. Instead of forcing it outward, he tried to guide it, shaping it into something more precise.

When he opened his eyes, Sylra was waiting, her stance steady and unshaken. “Ready when you are,” she said, her tone softer this time, almost encouraging.

This time, Towan’s movements were slower, more deliberate. He raised his hand, and the air around him trembled again, but the energy felt different—more focused, like a blade instead of a hammer. When he released the attack, it moved faster, slicing through the air toward Sylra with precision.

Sylra’s grin widened. That’s more like it.

She moved quickly, her wind swirling around her in a controlled arc. Instead of meeting the attack head-on, she redirected it, using her element to guide the energy past her without dissipating it completely. The sheer precision of her control was dazzling—effortless yet meticulous.

“Not bad at all,” she said, lowering her hands as the remnants of the attack faded into nothingness. “You’re learning.”

Towan let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, a flicker of pride breaking through his concentration. “Guess I’m getting the hang of it.”

“Don’t get cocky,” Sylra said, though her tone was playful. “Now it’s my turn.”

She stepped forward, the wind around her picking up speed. Her movements were fluid, almost like a dance, as she gathered her element into a concentrated sphere of swirling air. The energy was sharp and precise, yet it carried an elegance that Towan couldn’t help but admire.

“Let’s see if you can handle this,” she said, releasing the sphere with a flick of her wrist.

The attack hurtled toward Towan, faster than he expected. He barely had time to react, raising his hands instinctively. The natural Essentia within him surged outward, forming a crude barrier that absorbed most of the impact but cracked under the force. The remnants of the attack sent a gust of wind whipping past him, ruffling his hair.

“Not bad,” Sylra said, tilting her head. “But you’ve got a ways to go if you want to keep up with me.”

Towan lowered his hands, a faint smile tugging at his lips despite the strain. “Guess I’ll just have to keep practicing.”

From across the room, Rheon watched in silence, his sharp eyes catching every movement. His expression was unreadable, but the faintest hint of approval flickered in his gaze as he made a mental note: “(Natural Essentia and wind—an interesting combination. This pair might surprise me yet. Reminds me of old times…)”