"You're late."
That was the very first thing she heard upon stepping into the training grounds. No good morning, no hello—just the perfect way to start her day.
She winced. Finding the place had taken longer than expected, and now she was paying the price.
"But… it's only seven-thirty…" The words slipped out before she could stop herself.
Kael's golden eyes narrowed, silencing her instantly.
"Training starts at six," he said flatly, his tone carrying the faintest edge of sarcasm. "Not seven-thirty."
Aysel bit her lip and stared at the ground, cheeks burning.
Kael exhaled slowly and pushed himself off the stone wall he'd been leaning against. The movement drew attention to his broad shoulders and the way his black training shirt strained against his muscular arms.
Aysel's gaze flicked there before she realized—and she immediately looked away, feigning a cough to cover her slip.
"You didn't… tell me the time, though," Aysel murmured, her gaze fixed on the ground as Kael approached.
He stopped mid-step, a flicker of realization crossing his face.
With a quiet sigh, he raked a hand through his dark hair. "Six. Every morning. Mondays and Tuesdays. Don't be late."
Then, after a brief pause, he added, almost reluctantly, "…And… sorry."
Aysel blinked, startled by the unexpected apology. She glanced up to see him shift his weight awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck while pointedly looking away.
So… he's not as impossible as he seems, she thought, a small smile tugging at her lips before she could stop it.
"Hey… it's late. Let's start training."
Kael's voice snapped Aysel out of her thoughts. She turned to see him already walking toward the far end of the training grounds, his stride purposeful.
She scrambled after him. "So… what are we going to train today?" she asked, curiosity edging her tone.
The truth was, she knew nothing about magic—not really. Not how it worked, not how to summon it, and certainly not how to wield it.
"Since I specialize in fire, we'll start with the basics," Kael said, stopping abruptly to face her. His expression had shifted—serious now, all traces of casual sarcasm gone. He looked every bit the experienced instructor, and for a moment, Aysel felt a spark of admiration.
"The… basics?" she repeated uncertainly.
Kael's eyes narrowed, and he let out a long-suffering sigh.
"Of course. You don't know anything yet." He pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering under his breath. "Great. Just great."
From the look on his face, Aysel could already tell—she was about to become his next headache.
Just when Aysel thought Kael was about to launch into a long lecture, his next words caught her off guard.
"Give me your hands."
She blinked. "Huh? My… hands?"
Kael stood firm, his expression serious as he extended his palms toward her, silently waiting.
Though confused, Aysel hesitated only a moment before placing her hands in his. His skin was warm and calloused, a sharp contrast to her own soft fingers. A faint shiver ran up her arms—not from fear, but from the strange comfort his touch carried.
"Close your eyes," he said gently, his tone slower now, almost careful. "Clear your mind… and just feel."
She obeyed, drawing in a quiet breath as she let the world fall away.
Then—warmth bloomed in her chest. It crept from her fingertips, rushing through her veins before settling in her heart. It wasn't heavy or frightening. Instead, it felt like sunlight breaking through the cold, wrapping around her very soul with a gentle, glowing warmth.
For the first time, she could feel the magic stirring inside her.
"That," Kael said calmly, "is called the magic flow. Once you can feel it, try channeling it to your fingertips."
He slowly released her hands, stepping back to watch her with a keen, evaluating gaze.
"Next," he continued, voice firm but steady, "imagine a ball of fire—hold that image in your mind. Shape your magic into it."
The instructions sounded almost too simple, yet somehow, Aysel understood. She nodded faintly, whispering to herself, "Imagine…"
The air around her seemed to shift in response, vibrating with a subtle, thrumming energy. A soft current of wind coiled around her, lifting loose strands of her hair as the first hints of power stirred at her fingertips.
Instead of a single fireball, tiny blazing comets flickered into existence in the sky above them.
Kael's eyes widened. Oh, hell.
"Shit!" he hissed under his breath, instantly snapping into alert mode.
With a sharp motion, he summoned a swirling barrier of fire around them.
"Fire Cloak!"
Flames erupted, forming a protective dome just as the first meteor embers rained down. The explosions struck the training grounds with violent force, the ground trembling and quaking beneath them.
"You idiot!" Kael's voice roared over the chaos. "I said a fireball—not a damn meteor shower! This is training, not a meteor festival, for crying out loud!"
Aysel's eyes flew open, her breath catching as she took in the sight of smoldering craters and falling fire around them.
A faint blush of guilt and shame colored Aysel's pale cheeks.
"I-I didn't mean it, I swear! I was only… trying to imagine a ball…" she murmured, her voice small as her wide eyes took in the devastation she had caused.
The training ground was unrecognizable—walls scorched black, the stone floor cracked and cratered, smoke curling into the sky. It looked less like a practice field and more like a battlefield after a siege.
If it weren't for Kael's quick reflexes, they'd both be charred to a crisp.
Kael let out a slow exhale, torn between laughing and crying at the absurdity of the situation. With a flick of his hand, the barrier around them dissipated, leaving only the faint warmth of the flames in the air.
"I think," he said dryly, "you should start with books first."
He crossed his arms, eyeing her with a mix of exasperation and wary admiration. "You've got insane magical reserves—way more than the average student. But if you don't learn to control it and minimize your output, you're going to blow up more than just the training field."
Aysel nodded quickly, swallowing hard, her embarrassment burning hotter than any fireball she could summon.
"Alright, that's enough for today," Kael said, his tone clipped. "It's late, and you've got classes to attend. Go on."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked off, leaving Aysel standing in the wrecked training ground.
She let out a long, weary sigh, her shoulders slumping. I really overdid it… and now he looks mad.
Dragging her feet, she made her way toward the exit, exhaustion settling into her bones.
---
Meanwhile…
"Hey… you look like you're in trouble," a cheerful voice called out the moment Kael stepped out of the training ground.
He didn't even need to look. "What do you want, Aelion?" Kael asked, voice laced with irritation. "I don't have time for your tricks."
From behind a tree, Zephyr emerged, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"Now, now, don't be like that. I was just… concerned for my friend."
Kael rolled his eyes. "Concern, my ass. I'd sooner believe the sky will fall tomorrow than believe you know the meaning of that word."
Zephyr only shrugged, unbothered. "Ouch. I'm hurt~" He clutched his chest dramatically. "And here I thought we had a special bond."
Kael didn't even spare him a glance. "Spit it out. What do you want? My patience is running thin."
Zephyr's grin sharpened, a glint of mischief flashing in his eyes—as if he had been waiting for that moment.
"That girl… Aysel, was it?" he said casually. "I want to know more about her…"