Alira walked Schillian into a small clearing deep within the forest — a hollow space between the trees, large enough for training. Even Schillian, who often foraged in these woods, didn't know this place existed.
"Okay, where do we start... ah yes, basic understanding," Alira muttered, visibly distracted. Her hand pressed against her temple as she tried to keep her focus. Clearly, the responsibility placed on her had been weighing her down.
Schillian looked up at her, eyes filled with anticipation.
"Alright, kid. Listen closely to what I'm about to say," she began, her tone sharpening.
She explained that magic didn't just appear from nowhere. There was something in the world — something invisible to most — called Aether, the essence of all magic. According to legend, only a rare few could see it with the naked eye. Modern tools existed to visualize it, but they were expensive, rare, and reserved for high-ranking mages.
But then—
"You mean these mists?" Schillian asked suddenly. "I've been seeing them for a while now."
Alira's eyes narrowed. "What... did you just say?"
"The colorful mists. They're everywhere. I've seen them ever since I can remember."
A deep silence fell between them. Alira stared at him, stunned. She had only ever seen Aether herself using specialized goggles reserved for senior mages. Schillian... was describing it perfectly.
Without another word, she rushed over, gripped his shoulders tightly, her face pale.
"Under any circumstances... do not share this with anyone. Do you understand me?" Her voice trembled with urgency as her eyes darted around the area.
She cast a detection spell to confirm — they were alone.
Once she was sure, she stepped back and took a deep breath.
"Alright... You said you could 'do this and that.' Let's start from the beginning."
She restarted the lecture with a calmer voice.
"There are two types of magic used by most people: Utility and Combat."
Utility magic helped with daily tasks — heating water, lighting lamps, repairing clothes. Schillian was already familiar with this from seeing others use it.
Combat magic, on the other hand, was strictly controlled. Used for offense or defense, only authorized individuals trained by the Arcane Council could legally wield it. But those traveling outside protected zones — through wilderness, mountains, and lawless regions — often had to learn it out of necessity.
Then, Alira moved on to something more advanced.
"Next, we learn to sense Aether," she said. "It's one of the most essential skills for a mage."
Even though Schillian could already see Aether, she decided it was important to teach him the sensing method properly.
"Sensing Aether is like... listening," she explained. "You listen to how it flows, to where it's being disturbed. The most basic application is cloaking yourself with Aether. A defense spell."
To demonstrate, she cloaked herself in a gentle layer of glowing Aether. Schillian could clearly see it compressing around her body.
"Can you replicate that?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I can try... if you explain how," Schillian replied.
She nodded and walked him through the steps — how to gather Aether, how to focus it, and how to cast the protective chant.
It took hours. Failure after failure. But Schillian didn't give up.
Until finally, he did it.
It was faint. Flickering. But it was real — a thin, shimmering film of Aether cloaked around his small body.
Alira stood still, staring.
"It took me months to even..." She cut herself off, gritting her teeth. "Whatever. Doesn't matter."
Despite her irritation, she smirked. For all his talent, Schillian was still a child — and still had so much to learn.
After a few more lessons about controlling flow and forming barriers, evening fell.
As they packed up to leave, Alira asked offhandedly, "How old are you again, kid?"
"I'm six years old now, Miss," Schillian said cheerfully.
Meanwhile, back in Emberfall...
In the center of Emberfall, Head Mage Arshen stood alone before the massive Hearthstone crystal. it loomed silently in the plaza, it's carved runes faintly glows. it's casting a gentle pulses of aetheric light over the cobbled square.
He narrowed his eyes, watching as unstable energy pulsed within its core — an anomaly.
"Hm... This isn't good," he muttered, placing a hand under his chin. "I'll need to do something about this soon... before someone else notices."