Under Fire

It was our fire magic lesson, and Winona, known as the Red Witch and mentor to both Tabitha and Amon, was the one leading the charge.

“Fire magic is raw power,” Winona began, her tone clipped and precise. “It’s not subtle. It’s not forgiving. It’s the magic of attack, and today, you’ll learn to wield it with precision.”

Her gaze lingered on me for a moment, her lips pressing into a thin line. It wasn’t hostility, but something close—a prickly disapproval that I had learned to expect from her. As someone who clearly admired Master, she always seemed to scrutinize me more harshly, as if I were somehow intruding on her domain.

“Valkyrie,” Winona said, singling me out, “you may have rare affinities, but let’s see if you can channel them effectively. Fire magic demands discipline, and discipline is not just about throwing power around.”

I nodded, biting back the urge to respond. There was no point in arguing. Winona always found a way to make me feel like I had to prove myself twice over—once as a human and again as someone who worked closely with Master.

She snapped her fingers, conjuring humanoid stone figures at the far end of the room. “Each of you will aim a firebolt at these targets. Your goal is to strike the center—no wild bursts, no scattered flames. Precision is key.”

The other students began immediately, the air filling with bursts of flame and the sharp crackle of mana being released. I took my place, ignoring the glances from some of the others.

Drawing on my magma affinity, I conjured a fiery orb, its glow tinged with molten red. With a steady breath, I hurled it at the target. The bolt struck, leaving a glowing scorch mark on the stone’s chest.

“Barely adequate,” Winona remarked, her tone sharper than necessary. “Your mana output is uneven. Focus on stabilizing it before releasing your spell.”

I clenched my fists, swallowing my frustration. It wasn’t the first time she’d critiqued me more harshly than the others.

Tabitha’s firebolts were praised for their precision, and Magnus received a nod of approval for his sheer destructive force, despite his lightning affinity. Even Mira, adapting her water affinity into superheated steam projectiles, earned a faint smile from Winona.

When my next firebolt veered slightly off-center, Winona raised an eyebrow. “You’re rushing. Don’t let your emotions cloud your magic. Or is that too much to ask?”

The jab stung, but I refused to let it show. “Understood, Miss Winona,” I replied evenly, my voice steady.

Her lips twitched, as if she were disappointed that I didn’t rise to the bait. “Good. Now, let’s move on.”

She waved her hand, and the targets began to move, dodging and weaving unpredictably. “Precision under pressure,” she called out. “This is the difference between a trained mage and a reckless one.”

I focused on the erratic movements of my target, summoning another molten firebolt. The figure darted to the left, and I adjusted my aim, releasing the spell just as it shifted again. The bolt struck its arm—not a direct hit, but close.

“Better,” Winona admitted grudgingly. “But close isn’t enough in real combat. Aim for the core next time.”

As the lesson progressed, Winona’s sharp comments continued, but I tuned them out, focusing on refining my attacks. My mana reserves were dwindling, but I pushed through, determined to meet her exacting standards.

The classroom grew tense as Winona continued, her eyes narrowing. She crossed her arms, her posture exuding authority.

“Your final exercise is teamwork,” she announced. “You will engage in a mock-up combat scenario. It will test not only your precision, but your ability to work together under pressure. You’ll face each other as enemies, but also as allies to your teammates. Remember: combat is not just about individual strength; it’s about strategy, coordination, and adaptability.”

The air crackled with anticipation, and I could sense the weight of Winona’s challenge. This wouldn’t be an easy task, especially with her eye on us.

Group 1: Magnus, Caine, Farrah, Dion, and Amon.
Group 2: Valkyrie, Tabitha, Jared, Mira, and Elara.

She gestured toward the training grounds behind her, where the mock battle zones were set up—large arenas with stone walls, defensive barriers, and obstacles to navigate. The areas were designed to simulate real combat, complete with dynamic environmental elements to test the mages’ adaptability.

“I’ll set the stage,” Winona declared. “The goal is simple: capture the opposing team’s flag while protecting your own. But each of you has a set of restrictions. For example, fire magic will cause the terrain to shift, creating hazards or cover, and you must manage it wisely. No wild spells. Think about the bigger picture.”

She turned to face each group. “Group 1, you’ll be defending your position with a focus on offense. Use your elements to create strategic obstacles. Farrah, your wind can shape the battlefield. Caine, use your earth magic to create barriers or traps. Dion, your water affinity will help manipulate the environment or douse incoming fire. Amon, your fire will be key for creating powerful bursts of attack, but don’t be reckless. Magnus, your lightning can clear paths, but it’s your strategic thinking that will set you apart.”

“Group 2, your mission is a bit more complex. You’ll need to breach Group 1’s defenses while managing your own vulnerabilities. Tabitha, your fire will be pivotal in creating both offense and cover, but you’ll need to control it. Jared, your poison affinity can weaken the opposition if used subtly. Mira, your water magic can disorient your enemies and create barriers to block attacks. Elara, your celestial magic will be critical for revealing the enemy’s movements and providing guidance. Valkyrie, you have both earth and magma magic—use them wisely to either disrupt their attacks or fortify your defenses.”

There was a brief pause as the tension in the room mounted.

“You each have twenty minutes to prepare,” Winona added. “Make sure to communicate and strategize. Combat is about more than just your magical abilities—it’s about your ability to read the battlefield and predict your opponent’s moves.”

With that, she signaled the beginning of the exercise. The group assignments were clear, and the atmosphere shifted from tense to focused as each team began strategizing their approach.

I felt a pang of unease as I looked at my teammates. The task ahead seemed simple enough, but I knew the stakes were high, and I had to make sure we didn’t fail. Yet, deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my approach to the situation wasn’t clicking. The strategy, the communication—everything seemed like it was missing something, and I didn’t know how to put it all together.

Elara and Tabitha were trying to strategize with me, but Jared and Mira wouldn’t even spare me a glance. Perhaps they were disgusted, knowing they were stuck with a human in their group. I tried to push the thought away, but it lingered, an uncomfortable weight. Despite passing the Final Selection, it was clear that the others still viewed me with wariness, if not outright disdain. Their glances spoke louder than any words ever could, a constant reminder that, no matter what I achieved, I was still an outsider to them.

With that weighing heavily on my mind, I suddenly heard Winona's sharp command cut through the tension: "Begin!"