We are going on an expedition

Four months had passed since the day my parents announced I would be attending the Royal Magic Academy, and in that time, everything had changed. I barely recognized myself.

The girl who used to dread getting out of bed, who stumbled through training sessions and reading lessons, was gone. In her place stood someone faster, stronger, and smarter a version of myself I could finally be proud of.

It hadn't been easy, of course. Elira's training was nothing short of hellish. Every day she pushed me harder, her sarcastic remarks and sadistic grin becoming as familiar to me as the blade in my hand.

But despite the grueling intensity, I had come to relish the challenge. I could feel my body changing, muscles forming where there had only been softness, my movements growing more fluid and quick.

I had even lost most of the weight I had been so self-conscious about. My reflection was no longer that of a clumsy girl who could barely fit into her leather suit.

Now, I looked lean, almost slim, and every time I caught a glimpse of myself, I couldn't help but smile.

But it wasn't just my body that had transformed. My mind, too, had grown sharper. The reading lessons, once my most dreaded part of the day, had become something I looked forward to.

I had learned how to read and write with surprising speed, and the more I read, the more I learned about Aetherium, the world I found myself in.

It was a place rich with history and wonder, where humans shared the land with dragon-kin, demon-kin, and other fantastical beings.

I had learned about the wars that shaped the kingdoms, the treaties that kept fragile peace, and the ancient magic that flowed through the world like a living force. 

But there was something strange. In all this time, with all the training I had endured, I hadn't used my magic. Not once. It was strange, especially considering I was supposed to be attending the Royal Magic Academy in just two months.

Fire magic my affinity was supposed to be something I could control, but Elira hadn't even mentioned it once.

Whenever I asked, she would brush off the question, focusing instead on my physical training or swordsmanship.

And while I had grown to love the sword fights, something in me ached to feel the fire I knew burned within me.

Today was no different. The morning sun was just beginning to crest over the horizon as I faced Elira in the training yard, my sword gripped tightly in my hand.

I was breathing hard, sweat dripping down my back, but I could feel my pulse racing in exhilaration rather than exhaustion.

Four months ago, I would have been on the ground, struggling to catch my breath. Now, I could keep up with her. 

Well, almost.

"Keep your guard up, Ren!" Elira barked, her voice sharp as the blade she wielded. 

I raised my sword just in time to block her strike, the clang of metal against metal ringing out across the yard. My arms shook from the force of her blow, but I held my ground. 

"Not bad," she said with a smirk, stepping back to give me a moment to recover. "You're not entirely hopeless after all."

I rolled my eyes, wiping the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand. "I'm starting to think you actually enjoy torturing me."

"Oh, I do," she replied, her smirk widening. "But you're making it too easy. Try harder, or this'll be over before you know it."

I gritted my teeth, determined not to let her get the best of me. Elira was relentless, her attacks fast and unpredictable, but over the past few months, I had learned to read her movements.

I could anticipate her strikes, see the subtle shifts in her stance that signaled her next attack. It reminded me of sparring with Galen, my brother, though Elira was far more skilled and merciless. 

We circled each other, our feet kicking up dust from the dry earth. My heart pounded in my chest, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I watched her every move. She feinted to the left, and I dodged, swinging my sword to block her next attack. 

But she was too quick.

In a blur of motion, Elira's blade swept low, catching me off balance. I stumbled, barely managing to parry her strike, but the momentum sent me sprawling to the ground. I hit the dirt hard, the air knocked from my lungs as I struggled to push myself up.

"Still too slow," Elira said, standing over me with an amused glint in her eyes. "But you're getting there."

I groaned, pushing myself to my feet and brushing the dirt from my clothes. "You've got a funny way of giving compliments, you know that?"

She laughed, a rare sound that still caught me off guard. "Drink break," she said, tossing her sword aside and walking toward the shaded area where a pitcher of water waited.

I followed, still trying to catch my breath as I grabbed a cup and poured myself a drink. The cool water was a welcome relief, and I drank deeply, feeling it soothe my parched throat.

As we stood in silence, I couldn't help but let my mind wander back to the question that had been bothering me for weeks. Now seemed as good a time as any to ask.

"Elira," I said, trying to sound casual, "why haven't we trained with magic yet?"

She didn't respond immediately, taking her time as she sipped her water. Her eyes flicked to mine for a brief moment before she looked away, her expression unreadable.

"We've been focusing on your physical abilities," she said, her tone dismissive.

"Yeah, but…" I hesitated, unsure how to phrase my frustration. "I'm supposed to have fire magic, right? And I'm going to a magic school in two months. Shouldn't I at least know how to use it?"

Elira set her cup down, her jaw tightening ever so slightly. She didn't answer right away, and I could feel the tension between us grow heavier. 

I opened my mouth to press further, but before I could, she turned to me with an expression that sent a shiver down my spine.

"We're going on an expedition," she said, her voice firm. "Just you and I."

"An expedition?" I repeated, confused. "What does that have to do with—"

"You'll learn what you need to know when the time comes," Elira cut me off, her tone brooking no argument. 

I frowned, my frustration growing. Why was she avoiding the subject? What was she hiding from me? But I knew better than to push her when she was in this mood. 

"Fine," I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest. "When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow," she said, picking up her sword and heading back toward the training yard. "Get ready. It's going to be a long journey."

I watched her walk away, my mind racing with questions. An expedition? Where were we going? And more importantly, what was Elira keeping from me?

Whatever it was, I had a feeling I was about to find out.