The Wang family estate sprawled across a series of interconnected islands in the heart of Longjing's great lake, its bridges arching gracefully over waters that never froze despite the approaching winter. Crystalline spires rose from perfectly manicured gardens where frost flowers bloomed year-round, their petals made of actual ice that never melted. Here, in this aquatic paradise where water bent to the family's will, Wang Xue stood at the center of her private training ground, her voice ringing clear and confident across the morning air.
"Frozen Crystal Barrage!" she called out, her hands moving in precise formations.
Dozens of ice shards materialized in the air around her, each one sharp as a master smith's blade and cold enough to make the very air shimmer. She gracefully swept her arms and sent them flying toward the practice targets, each shard accurately hitting its target. Where Zhang Mei struggled with the most basic fire magic, Wang Xue commanded her ice element with natural brilliance. Her incantations flowed effortlessly across the training ground, and her power manifested itself in spectacular displays that would elicit applause from seasoned masters. She was everything an elementalist should be confident, powerful, and completely at ease with her abilities.
Master Liu, the primary teacher of magic in her family, said, "Magnificent as always, Young Miss." The elderly water master approached with genuine pride in his expression. "Your control grows stronger each day. The Assessment will be a mere formality for you."
The compliment made Xue smile, but something about her expression suggested that she no longer felt satisfied by it. "Master Liu, thank you. Though I wonder... do you think there might be other approaches to ice magic beyond the traditional forms?"
An eyebrow was raised by the old master.
"Other approaches? Child, your technique is already flawless. Why would you seek to change what works so perfectly?"
"It's just..." Xue paused, thinking of her struggling friend. "I have a friend who has difficulty with the vocal components of magic. I was wondering if there were alternative methods that might help her."
Master Liu's expression grew thoughtful.
"Oh, you're talking about the Zhang girl. Yes, I've heard of her... challenges. It's unfortunate, but elemental magic requires clear verbal commands. Without the proper incantations, the magic simply cannot flow correctly. Perhaps she might consider a different path administration, perhaps, or scholarly pursuits."
Xue's jaw tightened at the dismissive tone.
"But surely there must be some way"
"Miss Wang," Master Liu interrupted gently but firmly, "some people are simply not meant to be elementalists. It's better to accept these limitations early than to pursue impossible dreams."
After her instructor departed, Xue remained in the training ground, her mind churning with frustration. She'd grown up hearing stories of legendary warriors and forgotten techniques, ancient magic that worked differently than modern methods. If such things existed, why was everyone so quick to dismiss them as myths?
An hour later, she found herself at the Zhang compound, seeking out her dearest friend. The guards admitted her with their usual respectful bows, her visits were frequent enough that she was practically considered family.
She discovered Mei in her usual spot, the quiet pavilion overlooking the koi pond.
However, today was different. Her friend sat with unusual stillness, her posture somehow more centered than Xue had ever seen it.
There was a quality to the air around her that made Xue pause, a sense of... presence... that hadn't been there before.
"Mei-mei," Xue called softly, not wanting to startle her friend.
Mei looked up, and Xue was surprised to see that while her friend's expression still held its familiar nervousness, there was also something new a spark of... hope?
"Xue!" Mei's voice was its usual whisper, but there was less defeat in it than usual. "I wasn't expecting you today."
"I wanted to check on you," Xue said, settling gracefully beside her friend. "I am aware that you have been concerned, and the Assessment is getting closer." She studied Mei's face carefully. "Though you seem... different somehow. More peaceful."
Mei's cheeks flushed slightly. "I... I've been contemplating my grandmother's words.
About trying different approaches to magic."
"Different approaches?" Xue leaned forward with interest. "What kind of different approaches?"
"She suggested that maybe I don't need to force my voice to carry my magic. That maybe there are other ways to connect with the fire element." Mei's hands moved unconsciously in small, graceful gestures as she spoke. "I know it sounds foolish"
"It doesn't sound foolish at all," Xue interrupted firmly. "I was just asking Master Liu about other ways to use magic. He dismissed the idea, but I don't think he's right. There must be other options." The two girls looked at each other for a moment, each seeing in the other a kindred spirit willing to question the established order.
Then Mei's expression grew uncertain again.
"Even if there are other methods, I don't know if I'm strong enough to master them.
Everyone says I'm the weakest fire elementalist of my generation. What if I simply lack the necessary skills? Xue's heart ached for her friend. She had watched Mei struggle for years, had seen the way other students mocked her quiet attempts at magic, had witnessed the growing despair that threatened to crush her gentle spirit.
But Xue had also seen things others missed moments when Mei moved with unconscious grace, when the air around her seemed to shimmer with barely contained potential, when her presence somehow made everything around her feel more alive.
"Mei-mei," Xue said firmly, taking her friend's hands in her own. "Listen to me.
You are not weak. You're different, and that's not the same thing at all. The greatest masters in history frequently discovered new paths rather than simply followed existing ones. "But what if I fail at the Assessment?" Mei's voice was barely audible. "What if I can't produce even a single flame in front of everyone?"
"Then we'll figure something out," Xue declared with fierce loyalty. "You're my sister in everything but blood, Mei. Whatever happens, we'll face it together."
As if summoned by their conversation about alternative magic, a strange thing happened.
The air around them grew noticeably warmer despite the cool autumn day, and the koi in the pond below began swimming in perfect spirals, their movements somehow synchronized with the gentle rhythm of Mei's breathing.
Xue noticed immediately, her sharp eyes catching details that others might miss. But instead of questioning or drawing attention to the phenomenon, she simply smiled and continued their conversation as if nothing unusual were occurring.
Because Wang Xue had learned something important about friendship over the years sometimes the greatest gift you can give someone is the space to discover their own strength, in their own time, in their own way.
"You know what I think?" Xue said casually, watching her friend's unconscious magical influence on their surroundings. "I think the Assessment is going to be full of surprises this year. And I have a feeling that the biggest surprise of all is going to be you, Zhang Mei."
For the first time in months, Mei smiled with something that looked remarkably like hope. And in the depths of her consciousness, she felt Bàihu's approving presence, patient and warm.
"She sees more than she says, your ice princess friend," the spirit observed. "You are fortunate to have such loyalty beside you on the journey ahead."
Indeed, as Mei was beginning to learn, the path from weakness to strength was never one that had to be walked alone. And with friends like Wang Xue believing in her potential, perhaps even the impossible might become possible.
The first steps on her journey had been taken. Now she just had to find the courage to keep walking.