Chapter 5 First Lessons

• The air in the Elemental Academy seemed heavier after the Sorting Ritual. Ava could feel the weight of every glance as she walked through the halls the next morning. Whispers followed her wherever she went, like the rustling of leaves in a stiff wind. “Convergence,” they called her, the word passing from student to student as if it held some dangerous power. The awe and suspicion in their voices only made her stomach churn with unease.
• Ava hadn’t slept well. After the Sorting, Professor Arlen had pulled her aside and explained that her lessons would be… different. “Specialized,” he’d said, though the sternness in his eyes hinted at something more complicated. No one knew exactly how to train a Convergence—there hadn’t been one in over a century. Ava was an anomaly, an unknown variable, and it made her feel more alone than ever.
• This morning, she was expected to attend her first lessons. Unlike the other students, who would begin in their respective elemental houses, Ava’s lessons would be held separately, with a mix of different instructors—each one specialized in an element. It wasn’t just that she was learning a little of everything; she had to master it all. And yet, Ava had no idea where to begin.
• “One step at a time,” she told herself quietly as she stood outside the entrance to the Hall of Elements, clutching her notebook like a lifeline.
• The Hall of Elements was one of the oldest buildings on the campus, a towering structure of stone and glass. The main hall was filled with massive arched windows that let in beams of sunlight, illuminating the intricate carvings of elemental symbols on the walls. A faint, magical hum filled the air, as though the very building was alive with ancient power.
• Ava took a deep breath and stepped inside.
• ***
• The first class was a general introduction to elemental theory, led by Professor Mira Arkwright, a tall, graceful woman with sharp features and fiery red hair that matched her fiery nature. As the instructor for the House of Fire, she had a reputation for being strict and demanding, and her mere presence seemed to command respect.
• As Ava entered the classroom, she was met with the curious stares of the other students, all of them gathered in groups based on their houses. She noticed the Fire students sitting confidently near the front, their expressions cool and collected, while the Air students were more scattered, chatting lightly among themselves. Earth and Water students sat in calmer clusters, their postures relaxed but attentive.
• Ava had no group to join.
• “You can sit anywhere,” Professor Arkwright said sharply as she noticed Ava standing awkwardly near the door.
• Blushing, Ava quickly took an empty seat near the back. Her notebook felt heavy in her lap as she tried to avoid the curious glances being thrown her way.
• “Welcome, everyone, to your first lesson on elemental theory,” Arkwright began, her voice crisp and commanding. “Today, we’ll start with the basics—understanding the core principles behind elemental magic.”
• She turned to the large chalkboard behind her and waved a hand, and the symbols for the four elements—Fire, Water, Earth, and Air—appeared in glowing red, blue, green, and white, respectively. The symbols seemed to pulse with energy, drawing the attention of every student.
• “Each of you has an innate connection to one of these elements,” Arkwright continued, her eyes scanning the room. “Your magic comes from your alignment with that element. But it’s not enough to simply use your power—you must understand it, respect it, and control it.”
• She glanced briefly at Ava as she said this, her gaze lingering for a moment longer than necessary. Ava shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She could feel the unspoken tension in the room—everyone knew she was different, and they were waiting to see if she could live up to the expectations placed upon her.
• ***
• After the theory lesson, the students were divided by their houses and sent to practical classes. Ava, however, was escorted by Professor Lyra to a private room deep within the academy, known as the Chamber of Convergence. It was a secluded space reserved for rare students like her, where the energies of all the elements converged, creating a balanced environment for someone with Ava’s unique abilities.
• The chamber was unlike anything Ava had seen before. It was circular, with the walls divided into four sections, each representing one of the elements. The Fire section burned with a controlled, ever-burning flame, casting flickering shadows on the walls. The Water section shimmered with a cascade of flowing water, which never seemed to overflow. The Earth section was adorned with rich green plants, their roots intertwining with the stone. And finally, the Air section hummed with a faint, swirling breeze that kept the air light and fresh.
• In the center of the room was a stone pedestal, engraved with the elemental symbols. It was here that Ava would begin her first true lesson.
• “You’ll start with the basics today,” Lyra said, standing in front of Ava. “But remember, Ava, you are not like the others. You must find balance between all the elements, or your powers could spiral out of control.”
• Ava nodded, though her heart was pounding. Balance. It sounded simple, but how was she supposed to master something that everyone else was born into naturally?
• “Let’s begin with Air,” Lyra said, stepping back to give Ava space. “You’ve shown an affinity for it already. We’ll build on that before moving to the other elements.”
• Ava took a deep breath and focused on the Air section of the room. She could feel the breeze against her skin, light and playful. Her mind flashed back to the strange occurrences that had started in her hometown—the way the wind had responded to her emotions, bending to her will without her even realizing it.
• Lyra watched her closely. “Close your eyes. Focus on the movement of the air. Feel its flow, its energy. Don’t try to control it—just connect with it.”
• Ava did as she was told, closing her eyes and letting the sounds of the room fade away. She focused on the sensation of the air around her, the way it swirled gently, almost curiously. It was alive, just like everything else in the room. Slowly, she raised her hand, and the air responded, swirling around her fingers in delicate spirals.
• A sense of calm washed over her. This was familiar. This, she could do.
• “Good,” Lyra said, her voice steady. “Now, let the air guide you. Don’t force it. Let it flow.”
• Ava let out a breath, and the air shifted in response, swirling faster, lifting strands of her hair. For a moment, she felt completely in sync with it, as if the air was an extension of herself. It was exhilarating.
• But then, without warning, the air surged. A sudden gust whipped through the room, stronger than she intended. Papers flew off the desk, and the flames in the Fire section flickered dangerously. Ava gasped, pulling back, but the wind didn’t stop. It lashed out in wild bursts, swirling chaotically around the room.
• “Ava, calm yourself,” Lyra called out, her voice firm but controlled. “Breathe. Find your center.”
• Ava struggled to regain control, her heart racing as the wind whipped around her. Why couldn’t she stop it? Panic rose in her chest. She closed her eyes, trying to focus, but the more she fought it, the more the wind seemed to resist.
• Suddenly, Lyra stepped forward, raising her hand. A wave of calm energy washed over the room, and the wind instantly subsided, falling still. Ava’s breath came in heavy gasps as she looked up at Lyra, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
• “I-I’m sorry,” Ava stammered, feeling the heat of shame rise in her chest.
• Lyra shook her head, her expression gentle. “It’s all right. You’re still learning. Control doesn’t come easily to anyone—not even Convergences.”
• Ava felt the weight of her failure pressing down on her. “I couldn’t stop it,” she muttered, staring at the ground. “I thought I had it, but then…”
• “You’re trying too hard,” Lyra said softly, stepping closer. “Magic, especially elemental magic, isn’t about forcing control. It’s about harmony. The elements are alive, Ava. They respond to your emotions, your thoughts. If you push too hard, they’ll push back. You need to find balance, not dominance.”
• Ava nodded, though the lesson stung. She hadn’t realized just how much her emotions were tied to her power. How was she supposed to find balance when she barely understood herself, let alone the elements?
• ***
• For the next few hours, Ava practiced with Lyra, working on maintaining her connection to the air without letting her emotions take over. It was slow progress, but by the end of the lesson, she had a better grasp on how to let the element flow without trying to force it. Still, the doubt lingered in the back of her mind—what if she couldn’t find balance? What if the other elements were even harder to control?
• As the lesson ended and Lyra left, Ava sat in the quiet chamber, staring at the pedestal in the center of the room. Fire, Water, Earth, Air. Four elements, each with its own power, its own will. And she was supposed to master them all.
• She reached out a hand, feeling the cool air brush her skin. One step at a time.