Multiply

The sky was not visible from inside the mirror cave. But time still passed—felt from the temperature, from the rhythm of magic pulses in the air, and from the unending beat of training.

After perfecting the reinforcement of their magic core, Sylveras and Elara now stood in the main chamber. The cave walls were not just stone—but reflective surfaces faintly mirroring their shadows. On the ceiling, a dim golden light hung without source. Before them, Niveus floated in the form of solid light, resembling a human silhouette but without a face or details.

"The next exercise is to create a shadow," Niveus' voice said, echoing softly but firmly. "This is not an illusion like the one you saw when entering the cave. Not a trick of the eyes. But a real manifestation of yourself. A living shadow."

Sylveras raised an eyebrow. "A living shadow?"

"It will have physical form, its own mana, and… a mind connected directly to you," Niveus continued. "It is not another being. It is you, but standing outside your body."

Elara swallowed. "And if we fail?"

"Your shadow might explode, or become an uncontrollable magic corpse. But I believe you can do it." Niveus' light pulsed gently. "Make just one. A stable one."

Without much more talk, they began. Elara closed her eyes, regulated her breath, then started to focus mana in her palms. A silvery white aura appeared around her body, then spread like mist toward the cave surface.

A faint shadow began to form—soft, like seeing one's twin, then growing clearer until the shape was complete. Hair, posture, even the details of her robe—all perfect.

Sylveras looked on in awe. "You're first again…"

Elara smiled faintly. "You can do it too."

Sylveras copied her movements. Focus. Breathe in. Let go of ego. Let the shadow that appears not be the figure she wanted to show… but the figure truly inside her.

Slowly, the second body formed. A figure very similar to Sylveras, with blond hair not too long, fierce, and her clothes all perfect.

Niveus nodded slowly. "You succeeded."

They glanced at each other, relieved. But before they could celebrate, Niveus continued, "Now, command them to enter that room."

A wall opened, revealing a small room on the right side of the cave, empty—except for a white crystal on the ceiling, glowing dimly. Without further questions, Elara and Sylveras gave the mental command. Their shadows walked in silently, like living statues.

"Now… wait one minute," Niveus said.

Silence enveloped the cave.

Seconds passed, and one minute felt like forever. Then—

"Pull them back," Niveus ordered.

As soon as the command was sent, their shadows exited the room, stood again by their sides. Then… slowly vanished into thin smoke.

And suddenly, a wave of memories hit their heads.

Sylveras staggered.

Elara held her head.

They both saw it. Felt it.

Their shadows kissed. Inside that room. Not quickly. Not playfully. But a tender kiss… as if they had long held feelings that could not be expressed.

Elara's face immediately flushed.

Sylveras almost fell, holding back a mixture of extreme confusion and embarrassment.

"H-how… could… they…" Sylveras muttered.

Elara didn't answer. She covered her face with her hands, cheeks burning red.

Niveus chuckled softly—a laugh that sounded like an echo from light. "That's what I meant by 'their own mind.' Whatever the shadows do becomes part of your memory when they return."

Sylveras looked at Elara. "B-but that's not me! I mean, that's... me, but not me… ah, damn…"

"Relax," Elara murmured, still not daring to look at her. "At least it's not the first kiss…"

"W-WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT THAT!" Sylveras covered her face too.

Niveus kept chuckling quietly. "That's enough for today. You have surpassed the initial stage. This is no longer basic magic. This is magic that cannot be taught outside here."

He then began to float away toward the inner cave chamber.

"Tomorrow, we start the next lesson," he continued. "Light. But not healing light. Light that destroys."

His voice faded behind the light, leaving his two students still burning with embarrassment… and curious about what was truly hidden within their hearts. Elara and Sylveras walked out of the cave back to Gorion's house.