The Green Eyed Immortal.

Eren moved his steps unhurried but deliberate as he strode across the academy grounds towards the training area. His sharp eyes scanned the groups of students engaged in various exercises, assessing each movement with a calculating gaze. 

He observed their control over their elements, the way they bent fire, summoned water, moulded earth, or manipulated air. Yet none of them displayed even a fraction of the refined touch he had sensed earlier. 

Most of them still relied on force rather than finesse, their abilities raw and unpolished. 

Not one of them had the kind of expertise necessary to alter the wind's course with such subtlety. 

Eren's expression remained unreadable, but internally, a storm of thoughts brewed. 

Had he been mistaken? 

No, he knew what he had felt. 

The brief, unnatural shift in the wind, controlled yet uncertain wasn't a trick of his imagination. Someone had unconsciously tapped into elemental energy at a level beyond beginner capabilities.

Yet, if none of these students were responsible, then who? 

His gaze swept the training grounds once more before he exhaled, turning sharply on his heel. If the answer wasn't here, he would have to search elsewhere. 

Meanwhile, across the academy grounds, Aster, Arian, and Mirielle made their way towards Donovan's private quarters, which were nestled deep within the university's sprawling grounds. The elder elf's residence was grand yet inviting, a reflection of both his wisdom and eccentric nature. 

Aster, walking ahead of the twins, clapped his hands together, a wide grin on his face. 

"Look at you two," he teased, glancing back at Mirielle and Arian. "Marching in here like you own the place. You do realise that most students can't just walk into the elder elf's house whenever they please, right? Having an influential great-grandfather does have its perks, I suppose." 

Arian rolled his eyes. "Donovan doesn't exactly seem the type to enforce strict rules. But he surely is different as a professor though" 

"Maybe, maybe not," Aster replied, his grin widening. "But still, it's amusing to watch you two act so casual about it." 

Mirielle, who had been quiet for most of the walk, simply sighed. Her thoughts were still stuck on earlier events, her mind weighed down by the growing frustration of her failed attempts at magic. 

Arian, noticing her expression, nudged her lightly. "Hey, are you okay?" 

She forced a small smile. "I'm fine." 

Aster, catching the exchange, merely smirked. "Well, lucky for you, I have another test in mind." 

Arian narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What exactly are we here for?" 

Aster didn't answer right away. Instead, he walked further into the house, weaving through the familiar halls as the twins trailed behind him. 

Finally, he came to a stop. 

In front of the bathroom door. 

Mirielle blinked, confused. 

Arian, however, immediately tensed. His entire body moved instinctively, stepping protectively in front of his twin as he eyed Aster with suspicion. 

"What the hell are you doing?" Arian demanded. 

Aster scoffed and shoved him lightly aside. "Relax, you overprotective wolf. I'm not here to drown your sister." 

He turned to Mirielle and gestured for her to come closer. "Come here, Miri." 

Mirielle hesitated, glancing between Aster and the bathtub filled with water behind him. "...Why?" 

"Because," Aster said simply, "we're going to test your water abilities." 

Arian immediately scowled. "Are you insane? If she hasn't shown any ability so far, why would throwing her into a bathtub suddenly awaken her powers?" 

Aster raised an eyebrow. "Who said anything about throwing? Honestly, Arian, have some faith in me." 

Mirielle, still uncertain, hesitated for a long moment before finally stepping forward. She moved slowly, dipping her hands into the cool water, her fingers making ripples across the surface. 

For a few moments, she simply sat there, staring at the water, willing something to happen. 

Aster watched intently. 

Arian remained tense, his arms crossed. 

But nothing changed. 

The water remained still. 

No flicker of magic. No shift in energy. 

Mirielle's shoulders slumped, and she withdrew her hands. The disappointment that had been steadily building inside her felt unbearable now, like a heavy weight pressing against her chest. 

She was tired of this. Tired of trying. Tired of failing. 

Aster, noticing her expression, let out a small sigh. He patted her shoulder lightly. "Well, guess water's not your element either." 

Mirielle clenched her jaw, saying nothing. 

Arian turned to Aster, irritation still lacing his voice. "Are we done with this nonsense now?" 

Aster shrugged. "Hey, I had to try. You never know how someone's magic will manifest. Sometimes it just needs the right trigger." 

Mirielle looked down at her hands, the remnants of water slipping from her fingertips. 

What was the right trigger for her? 

Would she ever find it?

But Aster was not one to give up easily.

Mirielle had failed to connect with earth, air, and water but that didn't mean she was without magic. He refused to believe that. There had to be something, some spark within her that just hadn't awakened yet.

And there was still one element left to test.

Fire.

Aster turned to her, his expression unreadable, but his usual teasing edge was absent. This time, there was nothing but quiet determination. "Alright, Miri, we've got one more to try."

Mirielle lifted her head, her gaze meeting his. Something inside her twisted at his words.

One more.

This was it.

The last element.

And, unfortunately, it was the one that terrified her the most.

Fire.

It was not just any element. It was her mother's element.

Nila, the woman who had been fire itself.

Her mother's very essence had been flames. She had wielded it with such unmatched mastery that people still spoke of her.

Mirielle had grown up hearing tales of Nila's strength, of how she could summon fire as effortlessly as breathing. Her mother's presence had been warmth and destruction, an unstoppable force no one could ignore.

And now, here Mirielle was, standing at the edge of yet another failure.

If she couldn't even summon a single ember, what would that mean?

Would it mean she wasn't her mother's daughter after all?

The thought made her stomach churn, but she swallowed it down as Aster led her and Arian to the fireplace in Donovan's sitting room. The old hearth had been constructed centuries ago, its stones worn and darkened by the flames that had burned within it for generations. The fire crackled softly, its golden glow flickering along the walls.

Aster gestured towards it. "Alright. Let's see if this does anything."

Mirielle clenched her fists, her nails pressing into her palms. The pressure weighed on her, heavier than before.

She wasn't just afraid of failing.

She was afraid of what failure would mean.

Would she ever be able to call herself her mother's daughter?

Aster must have noticed the hesitation in her eyes because he softened his tone. "Hey. No pressure, alright?"

Mirielle let out a shaky breath. No pressure? This was everything.

Still, she stepped closer to the fire, feeling the warmth brush against her skin. She extended her hands, palms facing forward as if she could will the flames to move to respond to her.

She focused.

She reached.

She tried.

Nothing happened.

The fire continued to burn the way it always had, its flames indifferent to her presence.

She swallowed hard, squeezing her eyes shut as she tried again.

Come on. Please. Just one flicker. Just one spark.

Still, nothing.

The fire ignored her.

Mirielle's chest tightened. She could feel Aster and Arian watching her, waiting.

She tried again.

And again.

And again.

Each time, the result was the same.

The fire did not answer her call.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she let her arms drop to her sides.

Silence filled the room.

Aster shifted on his feet. Arian remained still.

Mirielle turned away from the fireplace, her expression blank, but her insides were in turmoil.

This had been her last chance.

And she had failed.