Drawn by the scent, Lira moved deeper into the greenhouse, her fingers brushing against soft leaves and strange blossoms glowing with quiet light. She weaved between rows until she stopped in front of a peculiar plant — large, velvety leaves the size of shields curled protectively around a single, tiny flower nestled in the center. It pulsed gently, as if breathing.
She leaned closer, captivated.
Suddenly, with a flutter and blur of green and gold, something zipped up from the plant and hovered right in front of her face.
Lira gasped and took a step back.
A tiny creature — no taller than her hand — floated in the air. Its wings shimmered like dew-dusted petals, and its leafy dress rustled as it crossed its arms. Its face was delicate and sharp, and its voice surprisingly bold.
"What are you staring at?!" it snapped. "I'm a magical flower fairy. Never seen one?"
Lira blinked, then shook her head slowly, still stunned.
The fairy huffed, placing tiny hands on its hips. "Humans. Always gaping. Well, since you seem lost and clearly clueless, I shall be generous today. I'll show you my power and tell you everything about plants… if you bring me some nectar to sip on."
Lira stared at the tiny creature, unsure whether to laugh or bow. It was clearly full of itself. But at the same time, it felt… right. Like this was meant to happen.
"Alright," she said softly. "Yes."
The fairy twirled in the air triumphantly, little sparkles dancing behind her. "Excellent choice! I am Ivvie, Queen of Bloomroot Grove — or at least this greenhouse corner. Now, let's go fetch me nectar. We have much to learn!"
The fairy hovered before Lira, its leafy wings fluttering like a hummingbird's. Its tiny hands rested on its hips, and the petals on its head shifted with its mood—now perked up in curiosity.
It said proudly, "since you agreed, I shall share my deep and ancient wisdom of the green."
Lira nodded slowly, still wide-eyed. She had read about magical creatures, but none like this. The fairy darted around the plant, pointing with a leaf-shaped wand.
"This," it said, "is a Whisperleaf. The flower blooms only when someone with true earth attunement approaches. It shares its scent only with those who listen. That's why your friend couldn't smell it. Most humans stomp through the world too loud to hear us."
Lira blinked. "You mean… you can talk to me because I'm… quiet enough?"
"Quiet inside," the fairy corrected, twirling midair. "You have earth in your bones and seeds in your soul. That's why I can speak to you. My name is Ivvie, by the way."
"Ivvie" Lira repeated, her voice soft.
Ivvie landed gently on Lira's shoulder, unfazed by the bird already perched there. "Now, let's find you some nectar before I faint from starvation. Then I'll teach you about the healing roots of this place—and maybe, just maybe, the dangerous ones too."
Lira smiled, feeling something stir deep in her chest. For the first time in days, she wasn't just surviving—she was beginning to feel rooted.
Lira reached out slowly, drawn to the lotus like a moth to light. The icy petals shimmered under the glow of the greenhouse, and for a moment, it felt like the flower was whispering her name — not in sound, but in sensation. Her fingertips hovered just above it, breath held.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," came a voice from behind.
Lira flinched and turned quickly.
A woman stood a few steps away, arms crossed over a dirt-streaked apron. She looked to be in her forties, though her presence held the calm weight of someone older — someone who knew the secrets of seeds and storms. Her oversized glasses rested low on her nose, and orange freckles dotted her pale skin like pollen. But it was her hair that stunned Lira most — a wild, voluminous crown of tangled orange curls that seemed to have a life of its own.
Her eyes, a striking emerald green, locked onto Lira with a sharpness that made her straighten instinctively.
"Pretty, isn't it?" the woman said, nodding toward the Ice Lotus. "But it's not a plaything. That flower can freeze the blood in your veins if touched unprepared."
Lira stepped back slightly, ashamed and curious at once.
The woman walked closer, tools jingling in her many-pocketed green dress. She kneeled beside the flower and inspected it with the care of someone examining a friend. "It only opens for those attuned to deep earth and water," she muttered. "You're lucky it didn't close on you."
"I… I didn't mean to—" Lira began.
"I know," the woman interrupted, but not unkindly. "You felt it calling. That's normal. That's good actually. Shows you have roots." She stood up again and extended a gloved hand. "I'm Thara. Head herbalist and greenhouse guardian. And you… are the new girl everyone's been whispering about."
Lira hesitated, then shook her hand. "Lira."
Ivvie fluttered nearby, silent now, observing the exchange with narrowed eyes.
"Well, Lira," Thara said, peering at her with curious interest. "If that flower speaks to you, it means you've got more in you than just soft soil. Come. There's something I want to show you."
The woman adjusted her glasses and said, "My name is Nareen, and I am the Earth teacher here at Velmira Sanctum of the Elements. Since I see you're Earth too… we'll be seeing a lot of each other." She turned briskly. "Since you're here now, I'll give you a short lesson while I work. Follow me."
Lira nodded and followed, taking in the scents, the soft soil under her boots, and the faint buzzing of life.
"The Grandmaster told me about you," Nareen said as she walked, plucking a dead leaf here and there. "You'll be learning with me a great deal. He will provide what you need. Not many students here are orphans — most have outside sponsors. Later, when you move into higher classes, there will be small missions where you can earn coin to buy things you wish. I recommend you stay focused on your classes and read a lot about plants."
They passed a climbing vine that glimmered faintly in the light.
"Many Earth students are full of themselves," Nareen added, glancing at Lira with sharp eyes, "because we are rare. But arrogance leads to trouble. They often fall behind. If you spend your free time in the greenhouses, you'll earn far more than books can teach."
She stopped beside a long stone planter. "Look at this flower. Its leaves are drooping and the color's off. Tell me what you'd do."
Lira stepped closer. She knelt and touched the wilted leaves gently. A soft green glow shimmered around her fingers. She closed her eyes and let the feeling pass through her — not thinking, just sensing.
"It's… sad," Lira said quietly. "It was growing near another plant before, their roots were connected. They sent signals to each other, every day. Now it's alone. It's alive, but in solitude. I think… I would find the other plant and place it nearby again."
Nareen blinked, caught off guard. A deep thought passed over her face, as if she were rethinking everything she knew.
Without a word, she stepped away and retrieved a small potted plant from the other side of the path. She examined it, held it near the sad one, and stared — could it really be this simple?
"I see," she said at last. "We usually just water, cut, fertilize, and try our healing hands. But I'm willing to test your theory. If it fails, you'll have an extra lesson."
She took a small shovel from her belt, dug a neat hole beside the drooping flower, and carefully placed the other plant in, covering its roots.
"Tomorrow, after your first class, we'll meet here and see if it worked."
Nareen dusted her hands. "Now off you go. You have other classes to get to. And no running around."