Four

"This is Amber," Alana said, gesturing towards the young woman standing beside her.

"She has been my disciple for 10 years now and is perhaps more experienced than you." The words hung in the air, and Eloise couldn't help but feel a slight pang of insecurity. She was confident in her own abilities, yet the thought of someone surpassing her skill level stirred a mix of determination and apprehension within her.

Amber, with her vibrant long green hair cascading down her shoulders and piercing yellow eyes, stood before Eloise. The stark contrast in their appearances was impossible to ignore—Amber petite and delicate, while Eloise towered over her. Despite the stark difference in height, Eloise couldn't help but admire the enchanting beauty that radiated from Amber. Her smile was captivating, though Eloise couldn't help but acknowledge that it didn't align with her personal preferences.

"Nice to meet you, Eloise," Amber responded with a warm tone, her voice carrying a sense of sincerity. Eloise couldn't help but be drawn to the genuine nature of Amber's greeting, appreciating her politeness.

Returning the sentiment, Eloise replied, "Nice to meet you too." Her gaze lingered on Amber, momentarily captivated by her beauty. However, she quickly dismissed any thoughts that wandered beyond friendship. Amber was Alana's disciple, and Eloise's focus was on honing her own skills, not seeking romantic entanglements.

Alana interjected, breaking the momentary silence. "We'll start training, but first, introduce me to your magic, Eloise." The request brought a surge of excitement and nervous anticipation within Eloise. She was eager to showcase her fiery abilities, yet she decided to withhold her knowledge of anti-dragon magic for the time being.

Clearing her throat, Eloise confidently replied, "Well, I have fire magic that changes color, power, and intensity depending on my desires." Her words held a touch of pride, knowing that her control over fire was one of her greatest strengths.

Nodding approvingly, Alana turned towards Amber. "Today, I will teach you how to create weapons with magic. Amber, show her." The prospect of learning a new skill piqued Eloise's curiosity, though she couldn't help but feel a tinge of trepidation. The complexity of forging weapons with magic was not lost on her, but she remained resolute in her belief that nothing was impossible with dedication and practice.

Amber acknowledged Alana's instruction with a simple "Yes" before summoning an arrow constructed from lightning magic. Eloise watched in awe as the electricity crackled and danced along the arrow's shaft. It was an impressive display, though she couldn't help but notice the considerable amount of magical energy expended in the process.

"Wow, that looks amazing! I want to learn how to do that too. Please, teach me," Eloise exclaimed with palpable excitement. The prospect of wielding such power fascinated her, igniting a desire to master the skill.

Alana, her attention waning, stated, "I'll let Amber explain it to you. She'll guide you, so listen to her carefully, understood, Eloise?" The exhaustion in Alana's voice was evident as she yawned, indicating her need for rest.

"Yeah, you can go," Eloise responded nonchalantly, not bothering to meet Alana's gaze. As Alana departed, leaving Amber and Eloise alone, the atmosphere shifted, a sense of anticipation permeating the air.

"I'll explain the basics, and you can follow along," Amber said, her voice warm and encouraging. Eloise nodded in agreement, her determination resolute. She was ready to absorb every piece of knowledge Amber had to offer, her gaze fixated on the elf-human hybrid standing before her.

Hours passed as Amber guided Eloise through the intricacies of weapon creation with magic. The process proved more challenging than Eloise had anticipated, her frustration mounting as she struggled to replicate the skills demonstrated before her. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she managed to produce a small, rudimentary arrow. Disappointment washed over her, her expectations falling short of her own aspirations.

"Amber, can we take a break, please? I'm tired," Eloise requested, exhaustion evident in her voice. She collapsed onto the grass, feeling the soft blades cushion her body against the scorching heat of the day.

"Sure, we can take a 30-minute break if you want to rest," Amber acquiesced, concern evident in her eyes. Eloise gratefully closed her eyes, relishing the respite as she let the warmth of the sun seep into her weary muscles.

As Eloise lay in the grass, seeking respite from the training session, she felt a wave of heat radiating from her body. Deciding to remove her shirt to alleviate the discomfort, she noticed Amber's peculiar gaze fixed upon her. Perplexed, she questioned, "Is there a problem?" Uncertainty mingled with curiosity in her voice.

Amber approached with an expression that bordered on anger. "How can you be so muscular when I am just a bundle of bones?" she retorted, her frustration evident. Eloise couldn't help but find amusement in Amber's words, her laughter escaping in a melodic sound.

"Don't say that, Amber. Your body doesn't define who you are," Eloise responded, her voice taking on a philosophical tone. She felt compelled to uplift Amber's spirits, to remind her of her worth beyond physical appearances.

Amber's anger softened, and a hint of vulnerability crossed her features. "Oh, and we're going to spend a lot of time together, so please don't be so hard on yourself. Tell me about you," she requested, her voice laced with a newfound openness.

Eloise felt a surge of empathy as she replied, "Well, I may not look like it, but I'm an elf. My mother is an elf, and my father is a human. They abandoned me when I was little, leaving me homeless. That is until Alana found me. She has been taking care of me ever since." Eloise's voice carried a weight of sadness, her own experiences providing her with a deeper understanding of Amber's past.

"Such a tragic tale," Eloise sympathized, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "But you are a remarkable person, Amber. I would never have abandoned someone like you." Eloise's words carried sincerity, her desire to uplift Amber evident in her tone.

Amber's eyes welled with tears, a mixture of gratitude and vulnerability emanating from her. "Thank you so much. I feel like you truly understand me," she whispered, her voice quivering. The connection between them deepened, fostering a newfound bond built on shared experiences.

After sharing stories for what seemed like an eternity, the weight of their burdens lightened. Eloise couldn't help but feel a sense of kinship with Amber, as if they were two souls finding solace in each other's presence.

"Well, it's time to resume our training," Amber said, breaking the tender silence. Eloise couldn't help but notice a tinge of reluctance in Amber's voice.

"Yes, but could we do something else for a while?" Eloise proposed, her eyes pleading with Amber. A spark of an idea ignited within her, one that sought to explore the connection between magic and nature.

Amber regarded her with curiosity, then nodded slowly. "Alright. What do you have in mind?" she asked, willing to entertain Eloise's suggestion.

Eloise's face brightened with enthusiasm as she explained, "I'd like us to focus on connecting with nature, to find symbiosis within it." She knew that Amber's elven heritage might enhance her ability to connect with the natural world.

"Oh, okay," Amber responded, her enthusiasm waning, but determination etched on her face. She seemed somewhat reluctant, as if unsure of her own capabilities, but willing to push through.

With a deep breath, Amber focused her concentration, her emerald eyes shimmering with an inner power. A gentle breeze stirred around her, gradually growing in intensity. The wind whipped through her long, green hair, lifting it like a vibrant banner against the backdrop of the forest.

As her concentration intensified, Amber ascended into the air, defying gravity with newfound grace. She hovered, weightless and ethereal, her astonishment evident in her widened eyes. However, the momentary distraction shattered her focus, and Amber began to descend rapidly.

Reacting swiftly, Eloise dashed forward, her agile form closing the distance in an instant. She extended her arms, catching Amber just in time, preventing her from crashing onto the ground. The relief flooded over Eloise as she held Amber safely in her arms.

"Are you alright, Amber? You shouldn't have pushed yourself so hard," Eloise said, concern lacing her voice. She held Amber gently, her touch conveying both care and support.

Amber took a moment to catch her breath, her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and awe. "Yes, I'm fine. I didn't even realize I could do that," she admitted, her voice tinged with astonishment. The realization of her own latent power left her in awe, her mind racing with possibilities.

"I think you have the affinity for lightning and wind," Eloise offered, a glimmer of admiration in her eyes. "The wind allowed you to fly. Amber, you're destined for great things. You have the potential to become someone incredibly powerful."

Amber's eyes widened, absorbing Eloise's words. She struggled to comprehend the weight of such a prophecy, her own self-doubts momentarily cast aside. The revelation ignited a flicker of excitement within her, a spark of belief in her own abilities.

Eloise released her hold on Amber, their closeness disrupted. Amber glanced at her, a hint of a smile curving her lips. "You can let go of me now," she said softly, a mix of gratitude and newfound determination in her voice.

Eloise couldn't resist a playful jab, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "And anyway, how come you're so heavy? You're just a fake skinny girl," she teased, her tone light and teasing.

Amber retaliated with a gentle smack on Eloise's head, her eyes narrowing in mock annoyance. "Stop talking nonsense, Eloise," she chided, though a flicker of amusement danced in her gaze.

Eloise chuckled, unscathed by the playful blow. "No need to hit me like that. I thought you were nice, but now I think you're a real demon," she bantered, her laughter contagious.

Amber's expression shifted, her voice laced with a feigned seriousness. "Tell me you want to die young, I think. If you don't want to die, you'd better shut your mouth before I kill you," she threatened, her playful tone betraying the lack of malice.

"Yes, ma'am," Eloise responded, a grin spreading across her face. The banter between them only solidified their growing camaraderie.

"Don't call me 'ma'am.' You and I are the same age," Amber retorted, a touch of exasperation seeping into her words.

"Really? I thought you were 70," Eloise jested, her laughter bubbling forth, finding amusement in her own jest.

"You are really incorrigible," Amber remarked, her tone betraying a mix of annoyance and amusement. With a flick of her wrist, lightning arrows crackled into existence, streaking through the air towards Eloise.

Caught off guard, Eloise was launched into the sky, carried away by the force of the lightning arrows. As she sailed through the air, a playful smile graced her lips. The unexpected turn of events only fueled their vibrant dynamic.

"Well, I'm going home. See you tomorrow, witch," Eloise called out as she sailed away.

"Witch? You can't be serious, Eloise!" Amber protested, her voice trailing off as Eloise disappeared into the distance. She stood there, a mix of frustration and amusement contending within her.

"You are a witch because you act like one," Eloise's voice echoed from afar, a playful tone lacing her words.

Amber scowled, her lips forming a stubborn line. "You are impossible," she muttered, before turning her attention to Alana, who had been observing their interaction from a nearby tree.

Alana watched the exchange, a wistful smile on her face. "This Eloise really reminds me of myself when I was with Lucy. I used to love teasing her. What a time that was," she reminisced, her voice filled with fondness and nostalgia.

With Eloise's departure, Alana decided it was time to leave as well. "Well, we can go now, Amber. We're heading home," she announced, her gaze warm as it settled on her young apprentice.

"Goodbye, Eloise," Amber called out, a sense of satisfaction in her tone, relieved to be free of the playful banter.

"See you tomorrow," Eloise's voice drifted back, her playful farewell carried by the wind. And with that, she continued on her way, eager to return to the embrace of her own home.