Revelation of Magic

The fire crackles softly, its dancing light illuminating the cave walls. The comforting warmth contrasts sharply with the bitter cold still lingering outside. Veil leans against the rocky wall, his bandaged leg stretched out before him, his gaze lost in the flames. Alynia rises without a word. Her steps are light, silent, almost feline. She fixes her gaze on the cave walls, following the droplets of water trickling down the stone. The tiny droplets glisten in the firelight. Alynia extends her hand, her focus sharpening. Her palm opens wide toward the wall. The droplets stop falling, trembling slightly as if drawn by an invisible force. Slowly, they lift from the stone, gathering into a perfect sphere of water floating before her hand, which she gently pours into her small flask. Veil (eyes widening): "That's... How did you do that?" He sits up straighter, his mouth slightly open. Alynia creates another sphere of water with ease. Veil's eyes follow the fluid movement of the water sphere, captivated by its simple yet mesmerizing beauty. Alynia (with a faint smile): "I have an affinity for water magic. I'm not a master, but I know how to use it." She glances at Veil, noting the mixture of surprise and envy in his expression. Alynia (subtle smile): "Want to try?" Silence. Veil looks at the water sphere, then at Alynia. At first, his expression is wary, but slowly, a spark of curiosity ignites within him. Veil (hesitant): "Try? Me? I don't even know if I can." Alynia (gently): "You'll never know unless you try. Come on, give it a shot." He hesitates a few moments more before using the wall to help himself stand. His legs are still stiff, his injured leg protesting with every step, but he moves forward. He limps slightly but doesn't stop. Alynia watches him out of the corner of her eye, her ears perking up as he approaches. He stops near a small puddle on the ground, formed by the dripping walls. He leans down slightly, extending his hand over the water. Alynia (calm, measured voice): "Focus on the movement of the water. Feel it. It's alive, always in motion, even when it seems still. Sense it flowing beneath your skin, listen to it." Silence envelops the cave. Only the faint crackle of flames can be heard. Veil's fingers tremble slightly. He closes his eyes, his breathing slows. Veil (internal monologue): Feel the water... How am I supposed to do that? This is stupid... He grits his teeth, then loosens the tension in his hand. He takes a deep breath. His breathing grows calmer. Veil (internal monologue): Feel it... just feel it... The surface of the water ripples. Small circular waves spread gently around his hand. A light vibration passes under his skin, an unfamiliar sensation, but not unpleasant. His fingers flex slightly, and the ripples in the water respond to the motion. Alynia (mildly surprised, softly): "Not bad... You've got potential." Veil cracks one eye open, surprised by the water's reaction. He sees it shift slightly beneath his hand, moving in time with his fingers. Veil (whispering): "Did I... did I move it?" He pulls his hand back, slightly shaken. His breathing quickens, his eyes fixed on the water, now still again. Alynia (firm but not harsh): "That wasn't an accident. Your body reacted. You felt the flow of mana. It's in you, whether you know it or not." She kneels beside him, one knee on the ground. She points to the puddle with her index finger. Alynia (intensely): "You felt that, didn't you? The sensation under your skin? The shiver inside? That was mana. Everyone has it, but few people access it naturally without training." Veil stares at her, still unsettled by the experience. He doesn't fully understand, but he knows something within him has shifted. Veil (internal monologue): Mana... That's what I felt? It's been inside me all along? Alynia stands, shaking her head slightly, but a fleeting smile crosses her face. She turns her back to him and walks toward the fire. Alynia (without looking back): "Rest, human. That was just the first step." The fire crackles softly. The ripples in the puddle fade, but Veil continues to stare at its surface with newfound intensity. His fist tightens slightly. Veil (internal monologue): I can do it. I can do it again.