As Lira caught her breath on the platform, a soft, shimmering mist began to curl around the floating arena. At first, she thought it was a trick of the light, but then shapes slowly took form: faint figures, like echoes of past elemental masters, appearing translucent and ethereal.
They did not speak, but their movements were clear, a fluid demonstration of power. One formed a vortex of wind beneath a levitating stone, stabilizing it mid-air. Another shaped a wall of jagged stone, then sent a gust of wind across its surface, perfectly balancing force and motion. Lira's eyes widened. These were not real spirits - she could feel no life force - but the images carried the perfect precision of mastery, like the library itself had summoned them to teach her.
