The mage tower was quiet, bathed in the pale light of the moon. Shadows stretched along the walls, and the faint scent of parchment and herbs hung in the air. I clutched Magic for Beginners, my pulse quickening as I approached the small room I had discovered earlier—a room I had never dared explore fully. Now, it called to me.
Inside, the room was simple but striking. At its center was a large magic circle, intricate lines etched carefully into the floor. Smaller circles radiated outward, each containing a symbol representing an element: fire, water, air, earth, sun, grass, and more. The book had explained its purpose: this was a testing circle, designed to reveal the strength of one's mana core. If a person could control an element, its corresponding circle would glow.
I swallowed hard, my hands trembling slightly. The instructions from the book were clear: I needed to focus, clear my mind, and recite the incantation to awaken my core. The words were unfamiliar, but I had practiced reading them over and over.
Kneeling in the center of the circle, I traced the lines with my fingers, feeling the energy beneath my skin. The silence of the tower seemed to press in on me, making every breath sharp.
"Focus… I can do this," I whispered to myself.
I opened the book to the page with the incantation, my voice low as I spoke the words:
"Core of the elements, awaken within me. Let the fire, water, air, earth, sun, grass, and all I am meant to wield rise and shine."
The air in the room seemed to hum in response. I felt warmth coil in my chest, spreading like a living thing. Then, one by one, the elemental circles began to glow—but suddenly, it wasn't just a few. Every circle in the room, more than I could even count, burst into light at the same time. Fire, water, air, earth, sun, grass, flower, even the smaller unknown elements I hadn't studied yet—the entire circle system shimmered, brilliant and blinding.
My chest tightened, the energy overwhelming me. It was more than I had imagined, more than I could contain. Colors danced wildly: red, blue, green, gold, white, brown, and others that my eyes could barely process. I tried to focus, tried to control it—but the surge was too strong. My legs gave way beneath me, and my vision swirled in a kaleidoscope of light.
"No… I can't—" I whispered, my voice lost in the roar of power that seemed to pulse through the room.
The last thing I saw before darkness claimed me was the magic circle blazing brighter than the moonlight streaming through the tower's window. My knees hit the floor, my hands brushed the glowing symbols, and then the world went black.
---
When I awoke, it was some time later. My head throbbed, and my body felt heavy, as if I had run a marathon without moving a step. The moon had shifted across the sky, casting silver light into the tower. The circles were now faintly glowing, as if they had been gently simmering after the storm of power had passed.
I sat up slowly, trembling. My heart still raced, but there was a strange clarity beneath the exhaustion. I had felt it—all of it. More elements than I had ever known existed had answered to my core. And yet… the sheer force had nearly overwhelmed me.
I rested my forehead against my hands, trying to catch my breath. A mix of fear and exhilaration coursed through me. I have to be careful. But… this means I'm more powerful than I imagined. More than anyone could have guessed.
The book lay nearby, its pages fluttering from the residual air currents. I touched it, gently, as if afraid to break the fragile reality I had just discovered. My mind raced: If I can control this… then no one can stop me from learning. No one. Not the king, not the prince, not anyone in this palace.
I slowly rose to my feet, staggering slightly. My short red hair glowed faintly under the moonlight, the ember of fire within me still humming. I glanced around the room once more. The small testing room, the library stacks, the scattered parchments—it all felt different now, alive with possibility.
I stepped toward the door, my legs weak but my resolve firm. Tonight, I had discovered the truth about myself: my mana core was extraordinary, and with patience and courage, I could learn to wield it. I had glimpsed power that even the royal family might envy.
As I descended the spiral stairs, careful not to make a sound, I promised myself one thing: I would master this power. And I would uncover the secrets of the past that the king feared I might find.
The mage tower remained silent, waiting for my return. And I knew, without a doubt, that I would come back, over and over, until every element within me responded to my command.