Elara felt a flutter in her chest, pondering how the prince might perceive her. “I've been interested in reading magical books.”
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. “Have you?”
“Yes.”
“Hmmm… Magic is quite scarce in our kingdom. What made you read about it?”
Elara, avoiding eye contact, began pulling at the ends of the grass. “Similar to your excitement about our neighboring kingdoms. I simply enjoy reading and learning about the mysterious existence of magic in our world.”
Sebastian leaned in, resting his arm on his knee. “Then… why does magic exist?”
Elara looked up, surprised by the prince's interest. She nervously started pulling at the grass again.
“I've read into the fascinating lore that predates human civilization, a time when magic remained beyond humans reach. Humans, once considered mere prey or slaves to other beings, were perceived as weak. However, the tide turned when one man, weary of a life enslaved, devised devious plans that would become the catalyst for a rebellion. Their collective efforts granted them the power to claim a land they could proudly call home,” she explained, a smile playing on her lips as she recalled a vivid illustration in the book depicting figures jubilantly celebrating their hard-fought victory.
“Yet, as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. The liberator, once a hero, found himself consumed by an insatiable obsession for more power.”
“What did he do?” Sebastian leaned a little closer.
Elara's smile faded, the weight of the tale casting a somber shadow over her expression.
“The accounts don't offer a definitive answer as to whether he truly committed those deeds, but the whispers of historians suggest a gruesome narrative. Many believe that he orchestrated the demise of thousands of elves—an ancient race blessed with the elemental gifts of Aero, Hydro, Pyro, and Terra magic, a unique distinction that set them apart from other species. The sacrifice of the elven kindred became the key to unlocking the enigmatic power of magic. Thus, in the next generation, some humans inherited magic that had once belonged solely to the elves.”
Silence fell between them; Elara tightened her lip, awaiting Sebastian's response. She peeked at him, noticing his wistful gaze fixed upon a group of daisies swaying nearby.
“It sounded like we’re the monsters,”
“Yes, I thought so too.” She muttered.
Sebastian noticed her fidgeting and thought of ways to lighten up the mood. He humorously asked, “Never mind the past, let’s say, if you were born with magic, what kind of magic would you like to have?”
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Elara smiled, thankful for the diversion. “I have thought of that since I read a couple of elemental magic books, and I’m gravitating more towards possibly possessing the power of terra.”
“Oh? Why is that?”
"Terra magic holds the incredible ability to manipulate the very ground beneath our feet, molding and shaping anything solid to one's will. Picture crafting your own house with a mere thought or conjuring massive earth giants that stand as guardians to your command!" Elara suddenly jumped up and held out her arms in excitement.
Sebastian stared at her for a moment before bursting into laughter; he didn’t expect her to be this enthusiastic.
“My lady, your ideas are out of this world,”
“It could happen, you know,” she huffed, sitting down again, “how about your highness, what magic would you like to possess?”
Sebastian composed himself, then placed his finger under his chin, thinking. “Hmm…probably, hydro—but I don’t know anything about it.”
"Hydro magic grants the wielder the extraordinary power to command the tides. Legend has it that the elves utilized it not only to communicate effortlessly with river creatures but also to breathe underwater. Imagine, Your Majesty, possessing such magic—it could be the key to exploring the enchanting depths of Valeria with unparalleled freedom!"
He looked at her for a moment, delighted that the once-timid girl a while ago is opening up about her passion for magic.
“Is there a way for us to know if we possess magic? Who knows, it might be hidden within.” He shrugged.
Her eyes widened with realization. “Yes, there is! I can show you—” she stood up and ran a few steps away from the shade of the tree then turned to face the prince—“You must be exposed under the sun and meditate.”
She sat down, closed her eyes, and placed her hands on her lap. The vibrant hues of grass under sunlight surrounded her as she connected with the earth beneath.
“Meditation requires concentration, so it might take time, and according to the book, eventually you will see a glowing orb, and whatever color it has…that’s the element of magic you possess. The brighter it is, the more powerful it is; otherwise, not.”
Finding this all fascinating and amusing, Sebastian let a few minutes passed by. Although, a lady under the heat of the sun for far too long is no good for her skin.
“Did you see anything, Lady Elara?”
“Not yet,” her face frowned with concentration under the heat of the sun.
Nothing happened yet, and just when Sebastian began to think it was not working, he noticed something odd floating around Elara. A smoky orb rose from the ground one by one until it almost covered the field close to her.
Stunned into a breathless silence, he watched as more orbs gathered, each pulsating with a glow as if whispering tales of their existence. Yet, a wave of terror washed over him when he noticed the ground surrounding her, darkening like the withered petals of long-forgotten flowers.
“Lady E-Elara…I think you should stop now,” he whispered, awed and terrified by the scene before him.
Thinking something was wrong with her, he mustered the courage to stand up and ran up to her. “Elara, stop!”
In the midst of reaching out to her, he stumbled on a root emerging from the ground. Sebastian, unable to maintain his balance, tumbled toward her.
Time seemed to slow down as their foreheads met, a collision that sent shocks of pain reverberating between them.
