Chapter 25: Gust of Suspicion

The alchemy classroom buzzed as always. Professor Thorne stood at the front, holding a vial of glimmering liquid. "Today, we delve into the element of air," she announced, her voice carrying an ethereal quality. "Air symbolizes intellect and communication. It connects all living things through the breath of life. I'm sure you all know that".

Of course they don't know....

The students looked at each other as they leaned forward, eager to learn. Kiesha, Zenid, Tori, Matilda and Equestria sat in rapt attention.

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Professor Thorne demonstrated how to create a potion that harnessed the power of air. "Combine these ingredients," she instructed, "and you'll craft an elixir that enhances mental clarity and communication." she said while giving sharp eyes to the class.

Obviously without wasting time the students followed her lead, carefully mixing enchanted feathers, rare herbs, and moonlit water. A faint breeze stirred the air, carrying the scent of lavender and mint. This was fun... The students seemed to be having more fun doing this experiment.

As the potions bubbled and glowed, a sudden gust of wind swept through the classroom. Papers flew, vials toppled, and the students struggled to keep their ingredients from scattering.

"Who left the window open?" Kai another student shouted, her hair whipping around her face.

Zaar laughed, his enthusiasm unshaken. "Looks like the potion's working already!"

But the wind intensified, swirling into a mini-tornado. Keisha's potion flared, sending a plume of sparkling mist into the air. "Really now...after all the effort. Urgh".. Well she wasn't the only mad one.

"Do you think we all did the wrong thing that caused this?" Kai asked looking worried.

Amid the chaos, Eli stumbled into the classroom, his eyes wide with alarm. "What's happening?" he cried, clutching a stack of books.

His sudden appearance seemed oddly timed.

"Eli" Feliz called, another student "help us close the window!"

Eli nodded, but his movements were awkward, almost hesitant. As he approached the window, his eyes darted around the room, taking in the commotion. "such a mess huh" he said looking at Feliz, who just nodded.

As the others were attempting to close windows Jaxon, ever the inventor, attempted to use one of his gadgets to control the wind. "Stand back!" he declared, pulling out a small contraption.

He pressed a button, and the gadget emitted a high-pitched whine before sputtering and shooting out a stream of confetti. The students burst into laughter, even as the wind continued to howl.

"Nice try, Jaxon!" Matilda teased with a slight blush, dodging the colorful paper. Which did no go unnoticed by her friends.

As the chaos subsided, Keisha couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She watched Eli closely. His eyes gleamed with curiosity, but there was a hint of something else.... something secretive.

"Thanks for the help," she said, her tone cautious.

Eli smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Anytime."

"but where were you?.. You weren't in class during the experiment, and seems like you going to get in trouble for it. Lucky you huh" Keisha said giving a Lil smile to Eli.

Professor Thorne regained control, her voice cutting through the laughter and the unending chatter"Class, focus! The element of air is powerful and unpredictable. You must learn to harness it with respect."

She said casting a lingering glance at Eli, her expression unreadable. "And remember, not everything is as it seems. Be vigilant."

"yupp something is definitely up here..." Tori said while looking at her friends.

As the students cleaned up, the girls and other curious students stood in a corner"Did you notice Eli? " Kai whispered. "Something's not right."

Matilda nodded. "He's been trying too hard to befriend us. And that entrance... too convenient."

Zenid's runes glowed faintly. "We should keep an eye on him. If he's a spy, we'll find out."

"We'll protect our mission. No one will sabotage us."

"let's all keep this on the low, including your assumption Kai, we don't know who to trust anymore here" Tori said

" let's head to the dorms ladies"...

As they walked, a gentle breeze followed them, a reminder of the day's lesson and the ever-present whispers of the realms. Their journey was fraught with challenges, but they had to be brave and focused... Which was proving to be stressful.