Chapter 10: The Awakening of Elements

The presence of the teachers and the headmaster no longer held its usual intimidation. 

The naturally excitable young students erupted in excitement. They marveled at their classmates astonishing feat, feeling both awe and pride. Some even left their seats, rushing closer to get a better look at the crackling sphere of lightning, its size comparable to that of an infants head. The little girls closest friends squealed in delight, embracing her with giddy enthusiasm. 

Some of the quicker-witted students closed their eyes, attempting to replicate her actions by chanting the same incantation, eager to conjure their own lightning spheres. Yet, despite their efforts, none succeeded. 

The classroom quickly descended into chaos, buzzing like a bustling marketplace. 

Belial made no move to silence them. Instead, she simply cast a soundproofing spell around herself, sparing her ears from the deafening clamor. 

In the end, it was Gulveig who restored order with a single, thunderous blast that echoed through the classroom ceiling, instantly drawing the students back into silence. 

"The lesson isn't over yet. Return to your seats," Gulveig commanded, her gaze sweeping across the room. 

None dared disobey. Though the classroom quieted down, the electrified atmosphere lingered, an unspoken excitement hanging thick in the air. 

Seated upon her high chair, Gulveig allowed it to glide smoothly toward the little girls desk. The other teachers followed closely behind, their expressions laced with disbelief. They couldn't accept what they had just witnessed. Their skeptical gazes fell on Belial. 

Could it have been her doing? 

Miller dismissed the notion. With practiced ease, she dispersed the lightning sphere, allowing the residual magic to ripple outward. The energy was raw, unrefinedundeniably the work of a child, far removed from the controlled power of an experienced mage like Belial. 

"Try again," one of the teachers instructed the girl. 

Nervousness flickered across the girls face. She obeyed, closing her eyes and reciting the incantation once more. Yet, this time, she faltered. The nascent sphere of energy imploded, its unstable form shattering before it could fully materialize. Fortunately, the ever-vigilant teachers reacted swiftly, erecting a protective barrier to shield the students. 

"For your own safety, you are forbidden from attempting this spell on your own," Gulveig stated firmly, pressing two fingers against the girls shoulder. A soft glow signaled the placement of a magical restriction. 

"Not even for practice?" the girl protested, hoping to negotiate. 

"Only under the supervision of a teacher," Gulveig responded. 

The girl turned her pleading gaze to Belial, who had already lifted the soundproofing spell but feigned indifference, pretending not to notice her. 

The other teachers followed suit, looking expectantly at Belial. One of them spoke up. "You have nothing to say about this?" 

Belial finally broke her silence. "Please do not disrupt my lesson." 

"Oh right. My apologies." Gulveig led the teachers back to the rear of the classroom, leaving Belial to resume her lecture. 

As order was restored, the students eyes gleamed with newfound curiosity, their focus locked onto Belial with an intensity that bordered on reverence. 

Under their eager gazes, Belial remained unfazed. "The light you saw when you closed your eyesthat was the manifestation of magical elements in the air." 

"Each type of magic corresponds to a distinct glow." 

"Youve likely covered this in your elemental studies. Now, who can tell me the four fundamental magic elements?" 

A hand shot up almost instantly. Belial gestured casually at a student to answer. 

A young human boy stood up. "Water, Fire, Earth, and Wind!" 

At his words, four distinct orbs of light flickered into existence behind Belialazure for water, crimson for fire, ochre for earth, and emerald for wind. 

"There are also four special elements," she continued. 

She then pointed at an eager elf. 

"Wood, Light, Darkness, and Lightning," the elf responded, speaking deliberately. He noted with fascination that as he named each element, a corresponding glow ignited in the air. 

The little girl who had conjured the lightning sphere gazed at the violet light representing the lightning element, her heartbeat quickening. 

The other students, too, sought out the colors they had glimpsed earlier, matching them to their respective elements. Once again, murmurs and exclamations filled the room, escalating until a voice rang out with a pressing question: 

"Why do we see different elements?" 

The class fell into expectant silence, all eyes fixed on Belial. 

"Because each of you shares a unique affinity with different elements," she explained. "Your racial heritage also plays a role in this." 

She stepped away from the lectern, approaching a blue-haired girl with delicate fish-like scales on her cheeks. Tapping lightly on the girl's desk, she said, "For example, the merfolk are naturally attuned to water. For you, water magic should come as effortlessly as breathing. However, you dislike fire, and your affinity for it is low, making fire-based spells exceedingly difficult to master." 

The girl, adorned with pearls that accentuated her noble lineage, straightened with pride. The embarrassment of failing to cast a fire spell in the previous lesson was now alleviated by Belial explanation. Though she wanted to maintain an air of dignity, the admiring gazes from her peers caused her to tilt her chin ever so slightly. "Of course," she declared. 

Belial continued her stroll, stopping beside the elf who had answered earlier. She tapped his desk as well. "Elves can be attuned to wind, water, wood, or earthyou are natures beloved children, favored beyond measure." 

The elfs pointed ears turned a faint shade of pink. "I saw green and blue lightwood and water." 

Belial moved on, her fingertips brushing the desk of the girl who had conjured lightning before arriving at a red-haired, leopard-eared boy. "Beastkin, you are born warriors, naturally aggressive. As a result, most of you have a strong affinity for fire." 

"Yeah! The light I saw was red!" The boys eyes shone with admiration. 

Returning to the lectern, Belial addressed the class. "The elements you see now represent those with which you share the strongest affinityone or perhaps two. As you grow and your magic matures, you may begin to see others. The brightness of the light reflects your affinity the stronger the glow, the deeper your connection." 

"The higher your affinity, the more the elements favor you the more they will heed your call." 

"And so, that brings us to an important question." 

"How do we make them obey?" 

The answer came swiftly. 

"Magic spells!" 

"Incantations!" 

"By chanting the spell!" 

The students clamored excitedly. 

"Correct." Belial leaned casually against the lectern. "Which brings us back to the fundamental questionwhat exactly is a spell?" 

She gazed across the room before answering. 

"A spell is a toola bridge that allows us to command magical elements." 

The classroom fell into a stunned silence. 

The younger students accepted this new perspective with wide-eyed curiosity. The teachers, on the other hand, were shakenthis was a concept they had never encountered before. 

Unfazed, Belial finally stepped away from the lectern and began packing up her materials. 

"Class dismissed," she announced. 

A chorus of protests erupted. 

"But the lesson isn't over yet!" Miller reminded her. 

Even the students, who usually longed for the end of class, begged her to stay and teach them more. 

"I've covered everything I intended to," Belial said simply. 

The students replayed the lesson in their minds. Indeed, from the very beginning, she had stated her objectivehelping them redefine their understanding of spells. 

And she had succeeded.