Chapter 29
1020 Words
I woke up at dawn.
Sleep didn’t come back. The events of yesterday had drained me completely. I didn’t know what to do. Whether to return the pendant to Ray or keep it. The scorpion both tempted and frightened me. Under its influence, I frightened myself.
It lays on the table… watching me.
I sat down and began to practice breathing.
Inhale. Exhale.
Inhale… exhale.
The thoughts tormenting me dissolved into nothing.
Inhale—exhale. Inhale—exhale.
Again, I felt that warm breeze. A deep breath… then another slow release. Everything settled into place. Calm returned. My mind… healed.
Why had I let myself get so shaken?
Everything that had happened over the past few days didn’t truly concern me. Nothing could break me. Nothing could crush me.
I would uncover the truth for Aria, help her bring justice to the one responsible… and then return to my world.
Another breath. Another release.
I felt oxygen fill my mind, felt it move, transform, flow through my body with my blood. I felt like a vessel being filled.
That was it.
I am a vessel.
What I hold… is what I become.
I opened my eyes and looked at my palms.
Then I closed them again and focused on my left hand.
The human body is made of water, almost entirely. All I had to do was guide it. Feel the current. Become part of the flow.
I concentrated as deeply as I could.
Inhale… exhale.
Another breath and with the next exhale, I released energy from my mind.
Without opening my eyes, I felt it.
Water.
A small pool formed in my palm.
It wasn’t much but it was proof.
Proof that I could do it. That I was on the right path.
A satisfied smile spread across my face.
I liked this feeling.
I took another breath, then let it go.
I imagined a sphere of water floating in the air.
I couldn’t see it but I could feel it.
It was part of me.
An extension of my will.
When I opened my eyes — it was there.
I played with it, just as I had with fire the night before. I didn’t need the amplifier anymore. I had understood the essence.
You just have to believe… and feel.
Suddenly, the Androctonus scorpion on the table made a harsh, grating sound, like metal scraping against rusted iron.
It raised its tail, taking a threatening stance.
The moment my attention shifted, I lost control.
The water sphere collapsed, splashing onto the floor in a wide puddle.
The scorpion relaxed, returning to stillness.
Was it reacting… to water?
An amplifier of fire magic — rejecting another element?
I hesitated to approach it, afraid it might sting me.
After wiping the puddle away, I got ready for breakfast.
I didn’t want to linger.
I grabbed a few apples and slipped them into my pocket, took a croissant and coffee, and practically swallowed my breakfast on the move. It took no more than five minutes.
Since the dining hall was nearly empty, I decided to leave quietly.
But the moment I stepped down into the park I ran straight into Ray Flaming and his friends.
“Leaving already?” he asked, almost gently.
“Yes. I’ve already had breakfast. Enjoy yours.”
“What happened to your lip?” he asked, concern flickering in his eyes.
“Nothing. It’s not worth mentioning,” I said with an awkward smile.
“Not worth mentioning?” Dan laughed. “This little thing nearly killed Eleanor yesterday!”
“But I didn’t,” I snapped. “Tell her to stay away from me. Next time, I won’t hold back.”
“Where’s the scorpion?” Ray asked, his gray eyes locking onto mine.
“The scorpion? I’ll return it to you. It didn’t suit me. You shouldn’t play with fire… right, Dan?”
“What does that mean?” Ray turned sharply to his friend.
“What?” Dan blinked, confused.
“No need to focus on that,” I said quickly, realizing I’d said too much. “Fire just isn’t my element. I can’t keep it. But I do appreciate your help. I learned a lot, thanks to it… and to you.”
I smiled, hoping to ease the tension.
But Ray didn’t look at me.
He kept staring at Dan.
“Ray, what’s with you? I don’t know what she meant ask her.”
“What did you mean?” Ray asked directly me.
“Nothing,” I said. “I didn’t mean anything. It’s simple, it didn’t suit me. Don’t complicate it. Go and eat your breakfast.”
“You’re giving me orders now?” he asked, surprised though a hint of a smile touched his lips.
“No,” I said, flustered. “I just think skipping breakfast isn’t wise. You shouldn’t underestimate proper nutrition… remember?”
“So you’re worried about me?” he asked, clearly pleased.
“I think you’re smart enough to know it’s unreasonable to skip breakfast. I can recommend fresh croissants with coffee.”
“You like croissants?” he asked.
“Oh, very much,” I said, letting a playful note slip into my voice. “Fresh pastries made with love have a taste you never forget.”
“Made with love?” he echoed, amused. “That’s a new one.”
“Everything made with love tastes different. And becomes more valuable. It’s the best secret ingredient.”
“Interesting,” he said. “We should discuss that in more detail. Care to join us for breakfast?”
“No,” I said. “Not today. Maybe next time.”
“Then I’ll hold you to that. Tomorrow you’ll have breakfast with me.”
“We’ll see,” I smiled. “We still have to stay alive till tomorrow.”
“Planning to die?” he smirked. “Don’t. Life is beautiful. And if you ever need anything, just say the word. I’m at your service.”
“For one my kiss I guess?” I caught him.
He smiled with quiet arrogance.
- Writer
