—Narrated by Eli Whitmore.
---
Early Morning – The Whispering Grove (Training Grounds)
The air was still. Not cold, not warm—just… expectant. Like the trees were holding their breath.
I stood near the center of the grove, surrounded by tall silverbark trees. Their leaves shimmered in hues of violet and teal, rustling even without wind. This place felt alive. Sacred. Like it knew secrets it wasn't ready to share yet.
I was nervous.
Thorne stood across from me, calm and silent, like he belonged here more than I did. He wasn't wearing his uniform today—just black training robes, his silver cloak flowing like shadowlight. He had tied his hair back. His eyes, cold and piercing, studied me like I was a riddle.
"Take a breath, Eli," he said quietly. "Magic isn't a sword. It doesn't respond to force. It listens to rhythm."
I inhaled slowly, my fingers trembling. "But what if it doesn't listen to me at all?"
Thorne raised an eyebrow. "Then you're not listening to yourself."
He took a few steps forward. "Show me how you channel."
I held out my hand, palm open. Closed my eyes. Tried to summon energy like I'd read in the books. Picture the flow. The thread of light. My heartbeat.
Nothing happened.
I opened one eye. Still nothing.
Thorne sighed—not annoyed. Patient. He stepped beside me, reaching out slowly. "Can I?" he asked.
I nodded.
He gently placed his hand over mine. His touch was cool—but steady. Grounding. His voice dropped into a softer tone, just for me.
"Magic begins with your core. Not your mind. Not even your heart. Your core is the place inside where your truth lives. Try again."
I closed my eyes again. But this time, I stopped trying. I just listened—to the silence, to the breeze, to the way Thorne's presence calmed the shaking in my chest.
I felt something.
A small flicker, deep within.
Like a tiny ember, waiting to be fed.
Then—light. Faint, silver-blue light. It danced across my palm like fireflies caught in wind.
My eyes widened. "Did I—?"
Thorne gave a rare smile. "You did."
---
Across the Grove – Felix & Ryker
A few trees away, Felix was not doing so well.
His training with Ryker had taken a very different turn.
"Okay," Ryker said, standing tall with his arms crossed. "Show me your shadow binding."
Felix tried. And failed. A puff of pink sparkles shot from his fingers instead.
Ryker blinked. "…That was not a shadow."
Felix groaned. "I panicked, okay? And you're judging me with your intense warlord energy."
Ryker smirked, one eyebrow raised. "Warlord?"
"Yeah," Felix said, hands on hips. "You walk like you've slain a thousand demons before breakfast."
"I have," Ryker said, completely serious.
Felix's jaw dropped a little. "Oh."
Ryker chuckled. "You're nervous."
Felix looked away. "Maybe."
"Why?"
Felix hesitated, then shrugged. "Because I… I actually care what you think."
That made Ryker pause.
He stepped closer. His voice softened. "Felix. You don't have to impress anyone. Least of all me."
Felix blinked. "But you're so—confident. And serious. And probably have a tragic past full of lost kingdoms or something."
Ryker tilted his head. "I do."
Felix smiled shyly. "Of course you do."
Then Ryker did something unexpected. He reached out and gently tapped Felix's forehead.
"Stop doubting yourself," he said. "You're stronger than you know."
Felix smiled. It wasn't nervous this time. It was warm.
---
Back with Eli and Thorne
"You did well," Thorne said as we walked through the grove's path.
I glanced up at him. "Really?"
"Really," he said. "You're not just using magic. You're beginning to understand it."
I hesitated. "Do you remember your first time training?"
Thorne's eyes darkened slightly. "I do."
"Was it hard?"
"It wasn't hard," he said quietly. "It was painful."
I didn't push further. But somehow, I felt closer to him in that moment.
We stopped near the edge of the grove. Sunlight was beginning to peek through the trees.
"I never thought I'd be here," I said. "Learning magic. Being seen."
Thorne looked at me, really looked. "You were always meant to be here."
I blushed. "You really think so?"
He nodded once. "And you're not alone."
---
That Evening – Ravenwing Hall Common Room
The six of us had gathered again—Felix, Ryker, Luna, Draven, Thorne, and me.
Felix was still glowing a little from his earlier moment with Ryker. Luna noticed and nudged him. "Someone's heart is dancing."
"Shut up," Felix muttered, smiling too wide to mean it.
Draven sipped his tea like a dignified vampire. "Training was interesting today."
Luna yawned. "You set fire to your own sleeves."
"It was intentional fire," Draven argued. "A test."
I laughed. The sound surprised me.
We were different. Broken in places. Lost in others.
But we were growing—together.
And I was starting to believe… maybe I belonged here after all.
---
Later That Night – Eli's Window Seat
I sat by the window, silver ring from Lightshade glowing faintly on my finger.
Today had been more than training.
It had been a beginning.
Of strength. Of trust. Of something between me and Thorne I couldn't name yet.
The ember in my chest glowed a little brighter.
Not a flame yet.
But a spark.
And that was enough.
---
To be continued…