The next morning, a familiar knock stirred Naeem from sleep.
It was the same old servant.
"Sir, your students are waiting for you," he said respectfully.
Naeem stretched, washed up quickly, and followed the servant through the village. They stopped beneath a massive, ancient tree—its branches stretching wide like protective arms.
Seven children stood waiting, eyes wide with curiosity, nerves, and excitement.
"You can go now," Naeem said to the servant. Then he turned to the kids. "Alright. Before we start, I want to know each of your names. Show me your powers too. Let's see what I'm working with."
A girl stepped forward. She looked about 10 or 11—graceful, calm, and confident. "I'm Angali," she said with a shy smile.
She closed her eyes, and blue energy swirled around her. Ice crystals formed in her palms, shaping into a large snowball. With a flick of her hands, she launched it into the sky. It exploded in a sparkling burst, releasing a gentle snowfall over the training ground.
Naeem nodded, impressed. "Nice control."
Next came a boy with strong arms and a confident smirk. "I'm Devans."
With a stomp, he raised stone pillars beneath his feet, launching himself into the air. He landed smoothly, arms crossed, trying to look cool.
"Not bad," Naeem muttered.
A girl bathed in a soft green light stepped forward. "I'm Samia," she said gracefully.
Green vines burst from the ground, weaving around her like dancers. She walked atop them, floating across the air as if nature itself obeyed her every step.
"Princess of the forest," Naeem said with a smirk. "I see you."
Then came Raj. He calmly raised a hand, and water spiraled up from the soil in a tight, controlled motion before bursting into mist.
"Simple, but efficient."
Zara came next. Her fire aura crackled like a bonfire, wild and unpredictable. She raised her hands and fire danced along her arms like living creatures.
Before Naeem could say anything, another stepped forward: Razar.
His fire aura was even stronger, more aggressive. There was a dangerous glint in his eyes.
Without warning, he hurled a fire-fist straight at Naeem's chest.
Naeem raised an eyebrow and muttered, "You think you're clever…"
He summoned his battle-axe, and the fire-fist collided with its blade. The force pushed Naeem back a few steps—but he didn't lose balance.
Then he vanished.
He reappeared instantly from Razar's own shadow, landing a swift blow to the boy's leg and shoulder with the flat of his axe. Razar stumbled and fell hard to the ground.
Naeem stepped forward, fists clenched, and began to hammer punches down on Razar's face.
"One… two… three…"
By the fourth punch, the boy's eyes were wide with regret and fear.
As Naeem raised his hand for a fifth, another student—Ma-Ho—rushed in and grabbed his wrist.
"Sir!" Ma-Ho shouted. "It's enough! He learned his lesson!"
Naeem paused, breathing heavily, the rage slowly retreating from his eyes. He looked down at Razar's bruised face… and then stepped back.
He stood silently for a moment, then turned to the others.
"Never—never—use your powers to attack someone without cause,". "You're not here to fight each other. You're here to become strong enough to protect others."
He glanced at Ma-Ho. "Thank you for stopping me."
Ma-Ho nodded quietly.
Naeem remained there, under the great tree, staring at the sky.
He could still feel the fire on his axe. The fire in his blood.
But for the first time, he wasn't sure who it was meant to burn.
Naeem stood silently for a moment after the others began to walk away. Then his voice rang out again—calmer now, but firm.
"Samia," he said, turning to the green-aura girl. "Come here."
She stepped forward, a little hesitant after what she'd just witnessed.
"I need you to help Razar. Heal his wounds," Naeem ordered, his tone gentle but authoritative.
Samia nodded, took a deep breath, and knelt beside Razar. Vines sprouted from the earth around her hands, glowing with green energy. She placed her hands carefully over Razar's injuries, and the energy seeped into his skin. The bruises began to fade. His breathing steadied.
Razar winced but said nothing. Shame lingered in his eyes—more painful than the wounds themselves.
Naeem turned to the rest of the group. "You all saw what just happened. Power is not for showing off. Not for ego. It's a responsibility. And if you can't control your emotions, your powers will control you."
He walked over to the center of the group and sat cross-legged beneath the old tree.
"Sit," he said quietly. "All of you."
One by one, the students took their places around him.
"Close your eyes," Naeem said. "Breathe deeply. In… and out. Focus."
The wind rustled the leaves above them. The air grew still.
"Feel your energy," Naeem continued. "It flows through your body like a river. Find it. Follow it. Understand it. Because if you don't know yourself, you'll never master your power."
A quiet peace settled over the group.
He smiled faintly.
Maybe, just maybe… this place could become home.