Chapter 91: Limits
-13 years ago-
Inside one of the training areas at Graheel University, a young Mitra, in her Lionheart uniform, dedicated herself to magical practice. In her hand, she held a block of wood covered in mycelium, its surface pulsing softly with life. Mitra’s brow furrowed in concentration as she poured her energy into the block, drawing upon every ounce of aetheric essence she could muster. The surrounding air shimmered faintly, resonating with the raw power she summoned.
As she stared intently at the mycelium, a bulge began to form on one side, subtly pushing outward as if responding to her focused will. She could feel the vibrations of the aether coursing through her, mingling with the organic structure of the mycelium, which seemed to awaken under her influence.
Mitra: “I’m so close!”
Suddenly, the bulge in the block burst forth with a forceful energy, and from it blossomed a stunning red flower, its petals vibrant and glistening like rubies in the light. The unexpected transformation momentarily took Mitra by surprise, but as the flower fully emerged, her expression contorted into one of disdain.
Mitra: “Damn it!” she yelled before throwing the block of mycelium on the ground.
This wasn’t the outcome she had envisioned; she had aimed to cultivate a mushroom, something that would showcase her growing mastery over magic. Instead, the simple beauty of the flower felt like a mockery of her intentions, a reminder of her limitations in the face of nature’s unpredictability. The flower brilliance only amplified Mitra's irritation as she grappled with the disappointment of her efforts, feeling that they had fallen short of her ambitious aspirations.
Mitra stared down at the ground, her feelings of anger and disappointment swirling within her like a tempest. Each passing moment felt heavier as if the weight of her self-criticism pressed her down into the earth beneath her feet. Some time passed before the voice of another woman brought her out of her self-loathing.
???: “Quite impressive.”