Chapter 129 - 128: Fireballs and Footnotes
Sunlight filtered through the emerald canopy, casting dappled shadows on the soft moss below. In the center of the clearing, Aurelya stood with one hand raised, a faint shimmer of mana curling around her fingertips. Across from her, Lumberling crouched behind a tree stump, frowning in concentration as his own mana fizzled out with a weak puff.
"That’s the third time it sputtered," Aurelya said, her golden eyes twinkling with amusement. "Are you trying to scare mosquitoes with your mana flare?"
"At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if the elements just hated me," Lumberling said dryly, flicking his hand once more. As expected, nothing.
Aurelya smirked and stepped closer. "It’s not rigged. You’re just hopeless."
He gave her a pointed look. "Funny, coming from someone who still refuses to reveal her element."
She tossed her golden hair over her shoulder, eyes narrowing playfully. "Some secrets are better left mysterious. Unlike your elemental talent, which is mysteriously missing."
"Maybe I’ve unlocked a hidden element," Lumberling muttered. "Struggle. Pure and refined."
She chuckled, then took a seat on a mossy rock, crossing her legs. "All mages have innate affinities. One or two, usually. The more you have, the more versatile your magic. Just like with Knights, more skills, more power."
He wiped sweat from his brow. "So... how many do you have?"
"Two." She raised an eyebrow. "Same as Thessalia."
"Let me guess. Fire and drama?"
Aurelya flicked a pebble at him with a precise mana burst. It pinged off his forehead.