The flames danced between Vell's fingers, flickering like restless spirits.
The candlelight in the room paled against the ember hovering above his palm.
Across from him, the witch sat wide-eyed, watching in rapt attention. Beside her, Sonder observed with a small, encouraging smile.
"Fire," Vell began, his voice measured, "is the most eager of all elements. It's hungry, impatient. It craves fuel and air, always seeking to spread. That's why it's the easiest to summon but the hardest to control."
"How do I control it?" the witch asked, as eager as the flame in Vell's hand.
Vell nodded toward Sonder. "You're in luck. We already have someone who can summon it. Sonder, show her."
Sonder leaned forward slightly, her voice soft but sure. "It helps to think of it as… listening. Vell told me there are different ways to cast fire." She lifted her palm, exhaling gently. A small flame bloomed, steady and warm. "I think of it as a friend, not something to control outright. It's a bond. I give it energy, and if it wants to, it comes."
"I don't care about making friends with fire," the witch scoffed.
"Interesting," Vell mused. "I don't want to generalize, but girls usually want a bond with the elements. What kind of relationship do you want with it?"
"I want to control it—bind it to my will and nothing else."
Vell arched a brow. "That sounds… intense. But fire mages do need a strong will—and, forgive the pun, a fiery spirit—to truly command it."
Sonder cast the witch a wary glance but nodded. It was her choice, after all.
Vell continued, "That method can work, but it's dangerous. Fire doesn't like to be chained. If you force it, it will either consume everything in its path—or turn on you."
The witch smirked. "I'll take my chances."
"Very well. We'll try it your way."
Vell adjusted his teaching approach. This witch had barely any control over her mana yet, so he had prepared a bowl filled with slow-burning herbs that would create only small, weak flames that couldn't pose much danger.
The air around his palm wavered, and a small flame flickered to life—fragile yet eager.
He extended his hand, and a small fire flared to life. "The training is simple. Scoop up the flame with your hand and contain it."
"How?" the witch asked.
"You will it. That's what magic is about. Fire is alive. First, dominate it with your mind—make it flicker at your command. Once you master that, use your hands to take it. Unlike Sonder's method, you can't waver, or it will slip from you."
An hour passed. The witch struggled, barely able to influence the fire. Frustration darkened her expression.
She huffed, impatient. Progress was too slow. So she tried something more daring.
She extended her hand, fingers tense with determination. Holding her breath, she plunged her hand toward the fire, seizing a flickering strand of it.
The air around her palm shimmered as she held a sharp flame, wild and erratic.
The fire crackled angrily, licking at the air, seeking something to devour. The witch gritted her teeth, trying to hold it steady, but the flame resisted, twisting unpredictably.
"Stronger grip," she muttered, narrowing her eyes. The fire flared higher, nearly leaping out of her hand—until Sonder reached out, her palm hovering above it. She exhaled slowly and took it into her own hand.
The flame stilled in hers, lowering into a controlled burn.
The witch gasped, yanking her hand back and cradling her palm, crying in pain. Burns seared across her skin. "What did you do?"
"She offered it something better," Vell said simply, having expected the witch to burn herself. "You fought it. Fire doesn't like being dominated. You can control fire through sheer force of will, but it will always resist you."
After Vell bandaged the girl's hand, the lesson was over.