Training Grounds, Early Morning
The first rays of dawn break over the horizon. Dew glistens on the grass. Elias stands in the open field, arms crossed, slightly nervous but eager. Dorian approaches from behind, hands clasped behind his back, his presence calm but commanding.
Dorian (quietly, without looking at Elias): "Magic isn't just something within you, Elias. It flows through everything — the wind, the trees, the ground beneath your feet. The air you breathe is soaked in mana."
Elias turns to him, intrigued.
Elias: "I thought magic came from us... from our core."
Dorian (shaking his head slightly): "That's only half of it. Your core is just a conduit. The real source of power is the world around you. The more in tune you are with your surroundings, the more you can pull. Control is what separates a brute from a mage."
He holds out a hand. The wind around them stills. Leaves float up gently, swirling in a perfect ring around his fingers — precise, silent, effortless.
Dorian: "I'll teach you how to feel the world. How to listen to it. And when you do... you'll realize how loud magic truly is."
Elias nods, eyes glowing with determination.
Elias: "Then let's start."
Dorian: "Alright, Elias. We start with the basics. I don't care what kind of power is sleeping in you — without control, it's just noise."
Elias gave a small nod. His hand twitched slightly as he summoned a flicker of energy — a faint blue glow coiling like mist around his palm.
Dorian (stepping closer): "Too fast. You're forcing it. Magic is a flow, not a muscle to flex. Breathe. Feel it. Then bend it."
Elias closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. Again, he focused. This time, the glow was softer, more stable — no sparks or flares. Dorian gave a faint nod.
The first week passed in repetition. Mornings began with meditation, afternoons with energy shaping — from controlling wind currents to lighting a candle without burning it. Elias failed. A lot. The candle exploded more than once. But each time, he grew a little steadier.
By the start of the second week, his stance was firmer, his grip smoother, and his aura — though still untamed — began to carry rhythm.
They moved to elemental shaping next.
Dorian (tossing a stone up): "Make it hover. Just hover."
Elias tried. The stone twitched, shook, and dropped. Dorian didn't react. They did it again. And again. By sunset, the stone hovered, wobbling like a drunk fly, but it floated.
Dorian (finally cracking a smirk): "Good. You're starting to listen to the magic."
Evenings were brutal. Physical endurance — dodging attacks from arcane dummies, resisting pressure waves, blocking with barriers that flickered under stress.
Sometimes Elias collapsed on the floor, shirt soaked in sweat, arms numb from channeling too long. But he stood up again.
By the end of week two, Dorian said nothing. He simply stood back as Elias summoned a steady wall of energy between them, shaped wind around his body for movement, and even managed to conjure a brief spark of fire on command.
Dorian (nodding): "You're starting to look like a mage now."
Elias let out a breath, the fire flickering out from his fingertips. Tired. Sore. But a small smile crept onto his face.
In next weeks training evolved.
From a high balcony overlooking the training grounds, Alden and Vareis stood in silence. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the field where Elias was now sparring against shifting elemental barriers, sweat glistening on his brow, movements sharp.
Varies (arms folded, observing): "The boy's learning. Faster than expected. He's doing good."
Alden (quietly): "He should be. We need him. If someone with darker intentions ever gets their hands on his potential…"
He didn't finish the sentence — he didn't need to.
Varies (nodding slowly): "There are two others mages close to him — the girl and a boy. They're classmates, right?"
Alden: "Logan and Faith. Normal-tier mages by Council standards, but emotion sharpens power... and they can be emotionally bound to him."
Varies (half-grinning): "Then let's bring them in. The closer ones help the most. It's time they stop being bystanders and start unlocking their true potential."
Alden (decisive): "We train all three. As one. If Elias is going to face what's coming, he won't do it alone."
AT THE SCHOOL
The school grounds buzzed with chatter as students poured in, the mid-morning sun casting a warm hue over the courtyard. Then, as if cutting through the air like a blade, Elias stepped through the main gate.
Gone was the quiet, wiry boy from a month ago. His presence now radiated something… heavier.
His body was visibly leaner, more defined, muscles subtly carved from two weeks of intense training. His steps were silent but sure, and his cloak shifted with purpose, not weight.
Some students paused, blinking. Others whispered.
"Is that… Elias?" "What happened to him?" "He looks… different. Stronger."
From the other side of the courtyard, Dante, leaning against a wall with his usual smirk, noticed.
Dante (grinning): "Look who's turned into a damn main character."
Elias chuckled and walked over — the two clasped hands in their usual greeting.
Suddenly — a shriek cut through the courtyard.
A girl on the upper stair rail lost her balance, tipping backwards. Panic broke out.
Before anyone could react, Elias's eyes glowed faintly — a sudden gust of wind swirled from nowhere, and he blurred forward, leaping up the rail with impossible agility. In a fluid motion, he caught her mid-fall, spinning and landing softly, one knee bent, girl cradled in his arms.
The courtyard went silent.
The girl, her cheeks flushed and her eyes wide with shock, shyly looked up at him as he set her down gently. She avoided his gaze, flustered, her hands nervously clutching her skirt.
Elias (calmly): "Be careful next time."
As he walked back toward Dante, the courtyard slowly regained its hum — now filled with a different tone.
Students (whispering): "Did you see that? His control, his speed… He caught her like he was flying." "He's… beautiful. And look at the way he moved. So graceful." "Yeah, he's different alright."
As Elias walked past, one girl watched him with wide eyes, her breath caught. She couldn't stop staring at the defined strength in his frame, the sharpness in his gaze. A subtle blush crept up her neck.
But Faith, standing off to the side, watched with narrowed eyes. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she crossed her arms. The other girl, still standing near Elias, kept her gaze locked on him, unaware of Faith's presence.
Faith (muttering softly to herself): "Guess I'm not the only one paying attention to him now."
Dante (whistling low as Elias approached): "You're definitely not skipping training days, huh?"
Elias (smiling, oblivious to Faith's feelings): "Guess not."
Elias (grinning): "Buddy, I've learned a lot over these past few weeks. If you want, I can teach you some of it."
Dante (excitedly): "Yeah? Hell yeah! I'm all ears. Anything that can make me stronger, I'm in."
Elias chuckled, feeling a surge of pride. He didn't just want to grow for himself; he wanted to help his friends grow too. Dante was always there for him, and now it was his turn to return the favor.
Elias (smiling): "Alright, let's get started."
Over the next few weeks, Elias continued his training with Dorian, honing his magical abilities, pushing his limits further. But, in his spare time, he began incorporating physical training into Dante's routine.
Elias started with the basics — endurance, strength, and agility. He wasn't just teaching Dante how to fight; he was teaching him how to be aware of his own body, to move with intention, to focus.
Elias (showing Dante a stretch): "You've got to keep your body loose, buddy. A tense body is slower and weaker."
Dante (grinning, his muscles straining as he stretched): "Man, I feel like a damn tree trying to stretch. This is gonna take a while, huh?"
Elias (laughing): "Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it. Just trust me."
For weeks, Elias pushed Dante, helping him build muscle, increase flexibility, and develop reflexes. Dante's progress was rapid, and Elias couldn't help but admire his determination.
After weeks of intense training, Dante's physical strength began to catch up to Elias's. He was faster, more agile, and could take hits that would've knocked him down before. Elias would test him — pushing him harder and harder, making him fight against obstacles or defensive stances. Dante always came through, his confidence building with every step.
Dante (panting, after completing a grueling set of exercises): "Okay, okay, I get it now. I'm not the same guy . This shit works."
Elias (nodding with pride): "Exactly. And the best part? We're only getting started."
Next Day , at the training grounds Logan and Faith Lockhart stood with quiet anticipation as Dorian approached them. His gaze was sharp but welcoming.
Dorian (nodding): "So, you're Logan and Faith. I've heard a bit about you two."
Logan (smirking, hands behind his head): "All good things, I hope."
Faith (smiling softly): "It's an honor to meet you. Elias told us you're the one behind his progress."
Dorian (glancing toward Elias with a proud nod): "He's worked hard. And now it's your turn."
The three moved to the center of the training field. Dorian stepped back, giving them space.
Dorian: "Let me see how you channel your magic."
Without hesitation, Logan drew out a stream of sharp flame from his palm, controlling it effortlessly into a rotating ring of fire before dispersing it.
Faith followed, lifting her hands gently. From the earth beneath, vines shimmered with light and curled upward, responding with precision and grace. She let them wither softly back into the ground.
Dorian watched closely, arms crossed.
Dorian: "Impressive. You both have strong foundational control. Who taught you?"
Logan: "My older brother. He trained me after my powers awakened."
Faith: "My father is a gifted mage. He taught me the basics."
Dorian nodded slowly, thoughtful. As Logan and Faith stepped aside for a break, Dorian approached Elias, motioning him over.
Dorian (quietly, to Elias): "It came easy to them because they had a normal awakening. Support, guidance, time. You, on the other hand… you were forced into yours, weren't you?"
Elias looked away, the shadows of old pain flickering in his eyes. Dorian placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
Dorian: "That's why your growth is different. Hard-earned. Unstable, but full of potential. We're going to stabilize it — together."
For the first month the days began early and ended late. Each morning, Elias stood at the field before the sun rose, eyes closed, focusing on his breath. Dorian guided him through deeper mana channeling. Meanwhile, Logan and Faith sparred together, fire and vines clashing in synchronized rhythm.
Later in the week, Elias stood behind Dante, correcting his stance as he did push-ups. Elias (grinning): "Keep your back straight or you'll end up walking like a crab." Dante (groaning): "Says the guy who used to trip over his own mana bursts." They both laughed.
montage-style sequence that covers the next 4 months of training, blending character dynamics, bonding, and growth:
Absolutely, here's a smoothly flowing montage-style sequence that covers the next 4 months of training, blending character dynamics, bonding, and growth:
Next month Faith and Elias practiced a new defensive barrier spell together. As their hands touched mid-chant, Faith pulled back slightly, cheeks reddening. Elias glanced at her, eyes soft but quickly looked away.
One afternoon, Logan snuck up behind Elias mid-training and smacked the back of his head. Logan: "That's for looking too serious all the time." Elias (smirking): "Says the guy who nearly set his own pants on fire last week." Faith (laughing in the background): "You both act like kids."
They collapsed in laughter under the shade of the training tree.
By now, they trained as a trio — coordinating attacks, building reflexes, covering one another. Dorian stood back, arms folded, watching the cohesion form. Elias had begun anticipating Logan's fiery bursts and Faith's supportive shields without needing words.
In the evenings, Elias helped Dante improve agility and strength. Elias: "Come on, you're getting stronger. I can tell." Dante (panting): "At this rate, I'll be shredded like you."
That same week, Faith watched Elias train alone from a distance — the way he moved, the determination in his eyes. She smiled softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
By the end of the 6 months in training as a team their teamwork reached a peak. They managed to disarm a conjured magical beast Dorian summoned, coordinating without a single misstep.
\: Main courtyard of the training grounds, early morning. The skies are gold-drenched with sunrise light, and a soft breeze rustles through the leaves. Everyone is gathered — Faith, Dante, Dorian — watching with focused eyes.
Dorian (arms folded, tone firm): "It's time we see how far you've come. Logan, Elias... sparring session. Full strength. No holding back."
Logan (stretching his neck, smirking): "Hope you're ready to lose, golden boy."
Elias (calmly tightening his gloves): "Hope you're ready to learn something new."
They step into the center. A quiet tension builds. Faith watches Elias closely, sensing the shift in his demeanor — more composed, more controlled, but still intense beneath the surface.
Dorian: "Begin."
Logan bursts forward, igniting his fists in blazing fire, lunging straight at Elias with speed and aggression. Elias sidesteps effortlessly, almost as if he knew Logan's first move.
Logan (grinning): "Don't just dodge! Fight me!"
He spins midair and releases a wave of fire — a curved arc of flame meant to cut Elias off.
Elias flicks his hand, a swirling gust of wind intercepts the flame, extinguishing it instantly. Without a word, he lunges forward, faster than Logan anticipated.
Logan (eyes widening): "What the—?!"
Elias strikes — a palm to the chest, knocking Logan back, then disappears behind him in a flash-step. Before Logan can turn, Elias delivers a precise leg sweep, sending him crashing to the ground.
Logan groans, rolling back to his feet, aura flaring. Logan: "You're good. But not good enough!"
He lets out a blast — flames spiraling like a dragon's breath. The ground scorches toward Elias.
Elias, expression unchanged, calmly channels his mana and summons a barrier of crystallized air, forming a swirling prism that deflects the flames harmlessly.
Logan charges again — but Elias meets him head-on. Fists collide — Elias catches Logan's punch mid-air and twists his arm behind him, spinning Logan around and pinning him with his elbow to the ground in a single swift motion.
Elias (firmly): "You've gotten better. But you still lead with emotion."
Logan, out of breath, blinks — stunned. Then he chuckles from the ground.
Logan (panting): "Okay... okay... yeah. You win."
Elias offers him a hand, pulling him up. The others start clapping softly, Faith included, smiling.
Dorian (watching and thinking with a proud smirk): "Hmph... the boy's come a long way."
He looks at Elias for a moment longer — the fire, the focus, the control — and quietly thinks to himself: "He's almost ready."
END OF CHAPTER 4: LITTLE STEPS