Evening had already fallen, casting the land in a faint twilight glow. The breeze was cool, the weather delightfully crisp. The clouds above burned crimson and gold, painted by the dying light of the sun as it slowly dipped below the horizon.
"Close your eyes, child, and try to feel it," said the Grand Mage calmly, his voice deep and resonant.
Julius was seated cross-legged atop a large, flat rock, both hands resting on his knees. His eyes were shut tight as he tried—really tried—to feel it. The essence. The pulse of nature's energy.
They were in a secluded area between two large rocky hills, like a hidden cradle of stone. Only one tree stood nearby—solitary and aged—rooted right atop the very rock Julius sat on. On either side, narrow trails led off into unknown paths.
"I can't feel anything," Julius finally muttered, frustrated.
"That's because you and this tree have yet to establish a proper connection," replied the Grand Mage.
Julius opened his eyes and glanced toward him. "What do you mean?"
The Grand Mage rested his right hand atop his ancient wooden staff, while his left stroked the long silver beard flowing down his chest. He looked thoughtful, wise, timeless.
"Tell me—where do you believe nature's energy comes from?"
"Isn't that kind of obvious? If it's nature's energy, then... from nature itself."
The old man chuckled. "Yes. But even nature has a source—a root, something that gives that energy."
"And what is that?"
"The Four Elements of Nature: Fire, Wind, Water, and Earth."
"Then shouldn't you be training me in a place that actually has all of those elements?"
"No," the Grand Mage replied firmly. "If I did that, your training would amount to nothing."
"But what's the point of training like this if I can't learn anything?" Julius asked, irritation creeping into his voice.
"You already are surrounded by three elements," the mage said. "Wind—the air you breathe. Water—in the form of vapor around you. Earth—the very rock you're sitting on."
"And what about Fire?"
"Fire... is your determination."
Julius raised an eyebrow. "And if I focus really hard, will I gain the fire element that way?"
"No," the mage said—and then burst into laughter at his own mischief.
"Can one truly master nature's energy using only three elements?" Julius asked.
"Even one is enough."
"Did you train with one?"
"No, with all four," the mage said with another hearty laugh.
"Ugh. Talking to you only makes my brain hurt."
With a sigh, Julius shut his eyes once more and tried to concentrate.
"Try to imagine it," the mage said, voice suddenly softer. "Picture nature's energy as golden particles. Let their number grow—slowly. And then, draw them into your mana. Infuse them. Let them flow."
Julius said nothing. He tried to focus. To visualize.
The breeze picked up, tousling his hair. But all he saw was blackness. An empty void—no golden light, no energy.
Then… a flicker. The faintest glimmer of gold, just for a moment.
His eyes shot open. He was breathing heavily now. Night had completely fallen.
The air had grown colder, the sky above stretched in a canvas of pure black, painted with countless stars. Without pollution, the view was breathtaking—bands of dust and clustered stars made it look like a glowing arm of the galaxy overhead. No moon. Just the eternal, glimmering heavens.
Julius looked exhausted.
"What happened? What did you see?" asked a voice from behind.
It was the Grand Mage, still standing close.
"I saw... a very tiny golden light," Julius answered.
"And that's all it took to drain you this much?" the mage asked, amused.
"Yeah."
"Hmm... that means nature's energy is rejecting you."
"What does that mean?" Julius asked, frowning.
"Not every mage is accepted by nature's energy. Nature chooses whom it allows to channel it. For some reason, it's rejecting you. And now, you must discover why—and fix it. Otherwise, you'll never be able to use it."
With a deep sigh, Julius leaned back and let himself fall flat on his back, arms splayed across the ground.
"I'm done. I need sleep."
"Very well, we'll sleep out here tonight. Maybe nature will change its mind," the mage said with a chuckle.
"No way. I can't sleep outside like this."
"Too bad," he laughed again. "Come on, gather the supplies. Let's make sleeping bags."
"Ughhh… I wanna go back," Julius grumbled, but he began gathering the supplies anyway.
But high above them, on the top of the right hill, someone stood—shrouded in shadow. Their form was humanoid, but their features were unclear.
They were watching Julius and the Grand Mage silently.