“Try reducing the mana you use in your spell.”

Fel nodded, trying it out for herself, scrunching her forehead in exertion.

“This is impossible.” She finally said, giving up with a shake of her head. “You would need an insane talent for mana sensitivity to even feel how much mana you use for your spell.”

“No, not talent. Just practice.”

“Sit down and cross your legs.”

“On the ground? I thought you hated getting dirty.” Fel said with a smirk.

Evan shuddered, “... it won’t be for long.”

“Alright.”

Fel sat down

“Now place your hand above your stomach and relax your mind.”

Fel obeyed silently, bringing her hand towards her solar plexus.

‘Relaxing my mind… relaxing my mind.’

“You’re still thinking.”

‘Yeah, of course I am, blockhead.’

“Still thinking.” Evan snickered.

“Shut up.” She said with a glare.

Evan jumped backwards in fake cowardice with a grin before continuing.

“Breathe in and out. Don’t think about anything.”

“Let the world breathe through you, and you through it.”

“Do you feel anything?”

“I think I can.” Fel replied with a nod. “It feels… familiar to me.”

“Like I’ve known it all my life.”

“Good. Focus on that feeling. Feel the energy move through you, course through your veins.”

She concentrated, breathing rhythmically and slowly. She could feel her senses heighten.

The wind rustling, the warm touch of sunlight on her skin, Evan’s sweet scent…

‘No!’ She thought with a blush. ‘Focus, Fel.’

Suddenly, the world burst into colour in front of her eyes.

‘Beautiful.’

That was the only word she could think of as she stared in awe, like a blind person finally being able to see.

Mana danced freely like air, flowed shapeless like water, burned brightly like fire, and solid like earth.

Tears streamed down her face at the sight.

“Is- is this what the world really looks like?”

“It is. Looks beautiful, doesn’t it?”

Fel nodded excitedly.

“Keep practicing that breathing technique and you’ll be able to use it without thinking.”

Fel nodded before standing up off of the ground. The moment the she stopped using the breathing technique, the world seemed to grow bleak. As if life was somehow stripped away by the lack of mana around it.

She sighed, 'I guess I have a lot to do and a lot to learn, huh.'

As she dusted herself off, she asked, “What about my spells? How do I control how much mana I use in each spell? And how much should I use for each spell?”

“Whoa, calm down.” Evan said, raising his arms in defense with a chuckle. “It’s easy.”

Fel rolled her eyes, “Alright, genius. Spill it.”

“Cast the same spell over and over again until your mana is depleted, then rinse and repeat a thousand times. You’ll start to feel how much mana each spell uses and how to fine tune it.”

“You’re joking.”

“Why would I?”

“Because that’s absurd! Why would anyone want to do that?” Fel blurted out.

“Didn’t you want to grow stronger?”

Fel paused, realizing the truth in his words. She stood in silence with a meek expression on her face.

“Did you do this too?”

“Every single day while I read.”

She sighed, “Guess there really isn't much of a choice then.”

“Of course there do. You can give up.”

Fel was stunned. “What did you say?” She muttered darkly.

“You can fool Zed and Wyra, maybe my parents too, but you can’t fool me.” Evan said with a shrug of his shoulders.

“You still can’t accept that you got exiled, can you?”

Fel laughed, turning away from Evan.

“Wh-what do you mean? Those people were snobbish, stupid pricks who couldn’t get their own head out of their asses. My own parents chose the law over their child. Everyone has been nice to me and I love living here. Why would I want to go back?”

'Don't. Please don't.'

Then, she could feel her arm getting tugged back.

“When you’re nervous, you tend to shy away from the source of the problem.”

“You also start shivering a lot.” He said as he held up her arm which was shaking uncontrollably.

Now that she was facing him, Evan could see the tears streaming down her face.

'Damn it.'

“It’s not fair!” She cried out as she finally broke down. “No one could have avoided getting kidnapped by those slavers. No one except the sages or the other prodigies.”

“Why did it have to be me?”

"Why did they have to capture me specifically?"

"I hate those humans!"

She dropped to her knees crying.

“Do you miss your parents?” Evan asked, kneeling down beside her.

“Of course I do, you idiot! All my friends, the old sages that taught us all I know, the neighbours who would give us snacks and fruits as we played, the different traders who would come into our city bringing their exotic goods.”

“But why did my parents choose to abandon me? Why did they choose some stupid law over their own child?”

“Why?” She bawled out.

She pulled Evan into a bone crushing hug, crying openly on his shoulder. He only barely managed to stifle a scream as he felt ribs creak dangerously.

‘How the fuck is she so strong?!’

"Let it all out. It's okay to cry sometimes."

"Sometimes when you feel sad, you just have to let it out."

"It's okay to be sad, and whenever you're sad..."

"I'll be here for you."

...

Fel cried for what seemed like hours before finally dying down to some light sniffles.

“Why don’t you ask them then?” Evan asked. "Why don't you ask your parents your questions?"

“I can’t.” Fel sniffled with a shake of her head. “Exiled elves are not even allowed to interact with other elves.”

“What happens if you break that law?”

“The Rangers come for you.” She said with a shudder.

“An elite force of elves, made up solely of the strongest of our race, led by the Hunter King.”

“Legends say that he can shoot down a wyvern with a single arrow from his bow.”

“Then just shoot a dragon with yours.”

"Wh-what?"

Fel rose, looking Evan straight in the eyes. She expected to find hilarity or amusement in his eyes, but…

They were serious.

“That’s absurd. No one has ever done that before.”

“Great, you can be the first! You’ll be famous and I can brag about being friends with the new Hunter Queen.”

Fel laughed and punched Evan in the arm, “Idiot.”

‘I think she dislocated my shoulder with that.’ Evan thought with a wince.

“No one has ever done it because no one can do it, Evan.”

“Not even the Hunter King.” She said with a shake of her head.

“Then become stronger than him.”

“Be stronger than anything that stands in your way. If an army stands in your way, then cut through the army. If the world stands in your way, then sever the world.”

“If even the gods stand before, then become a god killer.”

Evan was a boy of many faces. He was methodical and persistent in whatever he did, but always maintained an air of humor and nonchalance around him.

And yet, for a moment, Fel could see Evan without his mask on.

His insanity.

His pride.

“You’re insane.” Fel said with a smile.

“What’s insanity to a dead man? And who is a deader man than a man that no longer dreams?” Evan smiled back.

“Fine. Whatever you say, gremlin.”

“Remember, Fel. You will never be alone again. I swear it to you.”

“Wh-what?!” Fel yelled, blushing up to her ears.

“B-but doesn’t that make us m-ma-”

“NO!!” Evan cried out.

“It’s not like that.”

“O-oh.” Fel hung her head.

“I-I mean. I do like you but-”

“Hey Fel?”

“Fel?!”

“Patient appears to be experiencing cardiac arrest from shock! Starting chest compressions.” Evan muttered as his medical training kicked in.

“Don’t touch me!”

“Ah good, you’re awake. Do you mind wiping off the snot stains on my shoulder? I didn’t bring my gloves with me.”

“IDIOT!!!”

…

“Mom, we’re home! Could you call a sister from the church?” Fel called out.

“That’s great, dear, but why? Are you injured?” Cara asked as she checked Fel’s body.

“Oh, it’s not for me.” She said, shaking her head.

“Hey mom.”

“Evan! What happened to you?”

He was limping slightly behind Fel, clutching his right shoulder and a massive bruise on his left eye.

“Nothing mom, just an accident. Isn’t that right Evan?” Fel said sweetly.

“Yeah, a big, green haired, long eared accident.”

“What was that?”

“Nothing. Must have been the wind.” Evan replied innocently.

“Really? Then the wind must be really strong today.” Fel said, giving Evan a sharp kick to his rear.

“Indeed it is.” He whispered into Fel’s ear as the doppelganger he had placed disappeared under Fel’s kick.

Fel flinched at the sudden sensation in her ear darting away from Evan as he appeared behind her.

“Y-you gremlin!” She moaned. “N-nyever do that to an elf’s ear unless you’re married to them.”

“Why?”

“They’re sensitive!” She cried out, flushing red with shame. “You humans have your first kiss while we have our first whisper. It’s supposed to symbolize intimacy between the couple.”

“Ahem.”

Cara cleared her throat to get their attention.

“Both of you are grounded for the rest of the week.”

“But mom-”

“No buts in this house!”