The Green Eyed Immortal.

Raven took her time observing the students, letting the disappointed murmurs settle before she continued. She clasped her hands together and leaned against the desk at the front of the room, her movements deliberate, exuding effortless control.

"Now that we've cleared up your misconceptions," she said smoothly, "let's get to the basics. Mind Manipulation is not as simple as waving a hand and bending someone's will."

Some students sat up straighter at that, realising this would be more than just a flashy ability.

"At its core, this magic is about subtlety," Raven continued. "Unlike elemental magic, where force and power are often essential, mind manipulation relies on precision, patience, and above all, an unshakable mind."

She pushed away from the desk and strode across the front of the room, her dark eyes scanning the class.

"Most of you won't even be able to cast a proper suggestion spell for months, if not years," she said bluntly. "Because controlling a mind requires mastery over your own. If you lack discipline, your magic will be weak. If your thoughts are chaotic, your influence will be unstable. And if you let emotions control you…"

Raven smiled, but there was no warmth in it.

"You will fail."

The class fell into silence, many students shifting uncomfortably under her gaze. The excitement they had felt earlier had dimmed, replaced by her blunt words.

Mirielle remained still, absorbing everything. This wasn't a subject that could be conquered through sheer force. It required patience, balance, and an unshakable focus.

It was something that, in theory, she could excel at—her mind was naturally quiet, her presence often overlooked.

Still, she wasn't certain if she truly wished to wield this power.

"Today," Raven announced, "we will not be attempting any spells."

A few students groaned audibly.

Raven arched a brow, her expression sharp. "Did you expect me to let you play with someone's thoughts on your first day?"

That shut them up.

"Good," she said, satisfied. "Instead, we will focus on what makes a successful mind manipulator aka mental stillness."

She walked behind the desk and folded her arms.

"Your thoughts should be a calm river, undisturbed and steady. A chaotic mind cannot control another."

Mirielle listened intently. This was something she understood.

Raven continued, "Close your eyes."

Some students hesitated, but eventually, the entire class obeyed.

"Focus on your breathing," Raven instructed. "Inhale. Exhale. Let go of stray thoughts. Feel your mind settle, like still waters."

A few moments passed in silence.

"Now," Raven's voice softened, becoming almost hypnotic, "imagine a single flame in the darkness. Small, steady. It does not waver. It does not flicker. This is your mind, controlled, unwavering."

Mirielle followed the instructions with ease. Her mind had always been a quiet place.

The exercise continued for several minutes before Raven finally spoke again.

"When you have mastered this," she said, "only then will you be ready to influence another. Dismissed."

With that, she strode out of the room, her robes flowing behind her.

As soon as she left, the silence broke.

"That was…" Arian exhaled dramatically. "Intense."

He turned to Mirielle. "Did you see the way she looked at us? Like she could see right through every single thought in our heads!"

Mirielle nodded absentmindedly, though her mind was still on the lesson.

"Do you think we'll ever actually get to manipulate minds?" a student nearby asked.

"If we even make it that far," another muttered.

As the students began gathering their things, a buzz of excitement returned.

"What's next?" someone asked.

"Elemental Control," another student replied, and immediately, the mood in the room shifted.

Excitement. Anticipation. Even a little nervousness.

Elemental Control was regarded as the most difficult subject in the entire course. Unlike the others, which were largely theoretical in the first year, this was one of the few practical classes.

And practical meant real magic.

The students made their way towards the training grounds, murmuring amongst themselves.

"Who do you think the professor is?"

"Someone who has mastered all four elements, obviously."

"That's rare, though."

Mirielle listened quietly to the speculation. Mastery over all four elements was almost unheard of. Most mages specialised in one, maybe two. A professor capable of all four would be incredibly powerful.

The question lingered in the air as they approached the training hall.

Who could it be?

The training grounds were a vast expanse of open space, encircled by towering stone pillars. A soft breeze carried the scent of damp earth, and the sky above shimmered with magical wards, shielding the area from uncontrolled magic.

The students whispered amongst themselves, their curiosity mounting.

Who could possibly be skilled enough to teach all four elements?

As they waited, the murmurs grew, and Mirielle found herself listening, though she said nothing.

Then a familiar voice rang out.

"You're all youngsters, so restless."

A collective gasp rippled through the class as Donovan strode into the training grounds.

Arian nearly choked. "No way—him?!"

Mirielle's brows furrowed. She had known Donovan since childhood. He was a man with versatile skills but he was not someone she had ever seen wield all four elements.

Silence fell over the group.

Donovan clasped his hands behind his back, looking at the expectant faces before him. "I can already see the disbelief written over some of your faces," he said, smirking. "And while I'd love to bask in your admiration, I'm afraid I must disappoint you."

He took a step forward.

"I am not the one who will be teaching you Elemental Control."

The tension eased slightly, but confusion lingered in the air.

"Instead," Donovan continued, "allow me to introduce the man who will be your instructor. A master of all four elements and a scholar in the art of elemental balance."

He paused relishing in the student's anticipation.

"This will be his first time teaching, so behave yourselves. Join me in welcoming Mr Valen."

The moment Donovan spoke the name, a strong gust of wind swept across the training grounds.

And then he stepped forward.

A tall, commanding figure emerged from the shadows, his presence effortlessly magnetic.

Mirielle's breath hitched.

Silver hair. Long, perfectly shaped elven ears.

Eyes as green as the untouched forests.

She barely heard the hushed gasps of her classmates. Everything else faded.

There was something about him something that pulled at her, something she couldn't place.

It wasn't just his striking features. It was the energy he carried, the quiet strength in the way he held himself.

Powerful. Controlled. Untouchable.

His gaze swept across the students, unreadable, but when his eyes briefly landed on Mirielle and just for a moment she felt a strange warmth curl in her chest.

She inhaled sharply, looking away.

What was that?

Donovan, ever observant, caught the change in Mirielle's expression but said nothing.

Valen stepped forward, his voice smooth and measured.

"I am Valen," he said, his tone carrying an effortless authority. "I will be instructing you in Elemental Control. If you are here expecting an easy class, you may leave now."

No one moved.

"Good," Valen said simply. "Then let's begin."