Towan and Elliot exchanged a brief look, their expressions unreadable. After a moment, Towan replied, “Our master.”

“Your master?” Alira asked, raising an eyebrow. “You mean before you joined the academy?”

Elliot nodded, his tone calm but thoughtful. “Yeah. They’re the reason we’re as far along as we are now. Everything we’ve shown you, everything we’ve learned—it’s thanks to them.”

Alira leaned forward, intrigued. “What kind of person were they? A former ranking student? An Essentia researcher?”

Towan shook his head. “Not exactly. Our master wasn’t the kind of person who sought recognition or fame. They were… quiet. Precise. They didn’t waste words, but when they spoke, you listened. Every lesson felt like it carried more weight than just the words they said.”

Elliot smiled faintly. “They had this way of making you feel like they understood you completely, even when you didn’t say much. But their standards were high. They didn’t push you in obvious ways—they just made you want to do better. Like you had to rise to their expectations.”

Alira frowned, her mind turning. “That sounds… kind of familiar.”

“Familiar?” Towan asked, tilting his head.

“Yeah,” Alira said, her expression thoughtful. “It reminds me of the headmaster. The way they carry themselves. The way they don’t need to raise their voice to command attention. Every time the headmaster speaks, it feels like they’re telling you more than what’s on the surface.”

Elliot nodded, his expression softening. “It’s a fair comparison. Our master was like that. Always measured, always composed. They didn’t force us to do anything—but you couldn’t help but want to improve around them.”

Towan added, “They had this knack for making you see your own flaws without pointing them out directly. It was like holding up a mirror and letting you figure it out for yourself.”

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Alira’s curiosity deepened. “So why aren’t they here? If they’re so skilled, wouldn’t they be teaching at the academy or working with the headmaster?”

Both brothers hesitated, their expressions clouding for a brief moment. Elliot broke the silence. “Our master isn’t the kind to settle in one place. They’ve always walked their own path, one that doesn’t fit neatly into the structure of a place like this.”

Towan nodded. “They’re the kind of person who sees the world differently. Always moving, always searching for something more. Staying in one spot wouldn’t suit them.”

Alira leaned back, her arms crossed. “Sounds like someone worth meeting. Do you think they’d ever visit?”

Towan smirked. “If they wanted to, they’d already be here. Trust me, they’re the type who’d show up when you least expect it.”

Elliot, sensing Alira’s lingering questions, decided to shift the focus. “Anyway, back to your training. You’re doing fine with the forehead-to-heart flow, but don’t stop there.”

Alira frowned. “Why not? Isn’t that the main purpose of the technique?”

“It’s just the beginning,” Elliot explained. “Your body isn’t just two nodes. Essentia flows through everything—your arms, legs, even the tiniest channels in your fingertips. If you don’t circulate it through your whole system, you’re only working at a fraction of your potential.”

Towan chimed in, his tone firm but encouraging. “It’s not about gathering more power all the time. Refining your channels is just as important. Let the energy flow through every part of you, even if it means you’re not stockpiling Essentia. Over time, it’ll make your entire system stronger and more efficient.”

Alira nodded, her brow furrowed in thought. “So it’s about balance, not just output. Got it.”

“Good,” Elliot said with a small smile. “Stick with it, and you’ll see the difference. But don’t expect results overnight.”

Alira smirked. “I didn’t say I was expecting it to be easy. Just... don’t hold back on teaching me what you know. I’ll catch up.”

Towan chuckled. “We’ll see about that.”

As the three of them rose and started walking back toward the academy grounds, Alira couldn’t shake the impression left by the brothers’ master. The way they described them—their wisdom, their quiet presence, their ability to inspire—echoed so much of what she had felt from the headmaster.

“Someone who carries themselves like that must have a wealth of knowledge,” she thought. “I wonder if they know the headmaster—or if the headmaster knows them…”

The thought lingered in her mind, fueling her curiosity as she silently vowed to uncover more about the mysterious mentor who had shaped the brothers into the skilled practitioners they were today.