The forest that Elarya led the students through was brimming with mysteries. Sunlight pierced through colossal leaves, etched with natural patterns resembling ancient scripts. The students followed her in tense silence, their footsteps leaving imprints on the damp ground. Yasir walked at the back, trying to comprehend what had just happened. The King of Magic gift, Rank SSS—Elarya's words still echoed in his mind. He felt a strange energy pulsing in his chest, as if a hidden power was waiting to be unleashed.
Ahmed, walking beside him, gave him a light pat on the shoulder. "Man, a Rank SSS gift? You're like the hero of a fantasy novel now!" Ahmed tried to sound cheerful, but Yasir noticed the unease in his eyes. Even Ahmed, his closest friend, felt the weight of the gap between their abilities. Lina, walking ahead of them, turned and said softly, "Don't let them pressure you, Yasir. That gift sounds… dangerous." Her words made him wonder: was she worried for him, or for what he might become?
Mazen, striding near Elarya at the front, was muttering angrily. "Why does he get everything? I'm stronger than him; I should've gotten that gift!" His friend Nawaf, who had received Wind Control - Rank C, tried to calm him. "Relax, Mazen. Maybe his gift isn't all it's cracked up to be." But Mazen's venomous glance at Yasir made it clear he wouldn't let go of his resentment easily.
Elarya stopped before a massive stone gate covered in glowing vines. Beyond it lay a small village built of wooden and stone houses, surrounded by a tall wall. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and tension. "This is Lumira Village," Elarya said. "It is under protection, but constantly threatened by shadow beasts. Here, your first mission will begin, but first, you must understand your gifts."
She raised her staff, and a glowing circular platform appeared in the center of the area. "Each of you will stand here, and I will help you summon your gift for the first time." The students hesitated, but Elarya pointed to Ahmed first. He stepped forward eagerly, stood on the platform, and closed his eyes as instructed. Suddenly, his hands erupted in red flames, and a long, blazing sword materialized in his grip. The crowd cheered in awe, and Ahmed grinned, swinging the sword. "This is incredible!" he shouted, though he nearly lost his balance when the flames abruptly vanished. Elarya chuckled gently. "You need practice, but it's a good start."
Lina was next. When she stood on the platform, her hands glowed with a soft green aura. She touched a classmate's arm, who had a minor scratch from their fall in the forest, and the wound vanished in seconds. "Healing magic is powerful, but it demands great energy. Use it wisely," Elarya said. Lina nodded, already thinking about how to manage her strength.
Mazen followed. As he stood, a rocky layer enveloped his body, like a natural shield. But he looked furious. "That's it? Just a shield? No attack?" he demanded. Elarya responded calmly, "The stone shield can save your life and protect others. Its strength lies in your resilience." He ignored her words and stormed off, muttering incoherently.
The others continued testing their gifts. Nawaf summoned a light breeze that sent leaves swirling, and another girl, Sara, received Night Vision - Rank D, causing her eyes to glow in the dark. The gifts were varied, but most seemed limited compared to what they'd heard about Yasir's.
Finally, it was Yasir's turn. He felt everyone's hearts race as they watched him. He stepped onto the platform slowly, his heart pounding. "Just imagine something, anything," Elarya said, her voice tinged with curiosity. Yasir closed his eyes and focused. He recalled one of his old fantasies: a dragon of light soaring through the sky. Suddenly, he felt an immense energy surge from within, and a thunderous roar filled the air.
He opened his eyes to see a massive dragon made of pure light hovering above the village. It was breathtaking, its wings shimmering like stars, its eyes radiating power. The students gasped, some in awe, others in fear. Even Elarya looked stunned. "This… is impossible," she muttered. Yasir instinctively waved his hand, and the dragon dissolved into thousands of glowing particles, falling like sparkling rain, illuminating the entire village.
Silence followed. Then the crowd erupted in cheers, except for Mazen, who stood apart, his face darkened. Ahmed ran to Yasir and slapped his back. "My God, did you see that? A dragon! You're truly the King of Magic!" Lina approached and said quietly, "Be careful, Yasir. That power… it might make you a target." Yasir looked at her, realizing she was right.
Elarya regained her composure and said, "Your gift is limitless, but it requires control. An unchecked imagination can be dangerous if you don't master it." Then she turned to the group. "Now, prepare yourselves. The shadow beasts are approaching the village. This is your first chance to test your gifts in real combat."
As the sun set and distant roars grew closer, Yasir felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. He looked at his classmates, some excited, others terrified. He knew his gift could make the difference, but he wondered: could he control it? And would his classmates stand by him, or would their envy tear them apart?