Rynhara stood in the training yard, panting heavily as Selara circled her like a predator assessing its prey. The rogue was relentless, pushing her through another set of drills with the twin daggers.
"Faster, Princess! Those blades won't swing themselves!" Selara barked, clapping her hands to emphasize the tempo.
Rynhara growled under her breath, gripping the hilts of her daggers. Her strikes were quick but erratic, her mind racing to process Selara's constant corrections.
"Strike, block, counter! It's a rhythm, not a random flailing!"
With a frustrated shout, Rynhara slashed downward. As her arms moved, a strange sensation rippled through her hands, and the daggers began to glow. Their shapes shifted, elongating and flattening, until she held two elegant, dragon-themed war fans.
"Whoa," Rynhara whispered, staring at the transformed weapons. The fans were made of dark metal with shimmering rainbow edges, their sharp tips glinting ominously in the sunlight.
Selara blinked, her sharp expression softening in awe. "Well, I'll be damned. They've bonded with you."
"Bonded?" Rynhara asked, testing the weight of the fans. They felt natural, almost like extensions of her arms.
Selara nodded. "Weapons that resonate with their wielder have the potential to evolve. It's rare, but not unheard of. It means these fans are as much a part of you as your wings and tail."
Rynhara grinned. "Guess I'm doing something right."
"Don't get cocky," Selara warned, though her smirk betrayed a hint of pride. "This just means you've got more training ahead of you. Fans require finesse, not brute force."
"Great," Rynhara muttered. "As if I wasn't busy enough."
After her fan training, Rynhara was summoned to a new chamber deep within the castle. It was a grand hall filled with ancient tomes, glowing runes, and an oppressive aura of power.
"Welcome to the Arcane Hall," Tiamora said, her voice resonating with pride. Beside her stood a tall, ethereal woman with silvery hair and violet eyes.
"This is Lady Astraea, the kingdom's finest magic instructor," Tiamora introduced. "She will guide you in the art of magic."
Rynhara raised an eyebrow. "Magic, huh? Do I even have any aptitude for it?"
Astraea chuckled softly. "We shall see." She gestured for Rynhara to step forward. "Place your hands on the crystal."
In the center of the room sat a large, multifaceted crystal that pulsed with light. Rynhara hesitated before pressing her palms against it.
The crystal flared to life, colors swirling wildly as Astraea observed with interest.
"Well, well," Astraea murmured. "You have a rare affinity."
"What does that mean?" Rynhara asked nervously.
"You possess talent in lightning, wind, water, darkness, time, space, destruction, stat and barrier magic," Astraea explained. "And not just the basics. You also have an aptitude for their sub-magics—storm, ice, teleportation... The list goes on."
Rynhara's jaw dropped. "You're kidding."
Tiamora smiled, her eyes gleaming with pride. "Not at all. This level of versatility is extraordinary. You truly are my daughter."
"Yeah, yeah," Rynhara muttered, scratching the back of her head. "So... does this mean more training?"
"Absolutely," Astraea said, her voice tinged with amusement. "With your potential, it would be a crime to neglect such talents."
"Nooooo! More lessons will kill me!"
Astraea began with simple exercises, teaching Rynhara how to channel her mana. It was frustrating at first; the energy felt slippery, like trying to grasp water.
"Focus," Astraea instructed. "Feel the mana flow through you. It's part of you, like your breath or heartbeat."
After several attempts, Rynhara managed to produce a small spark of lightning that danced between her fingers.
"Not bad," Astraea said, nodding approvingly. "Now, let's see what you can do with wind."
By the end of the session, Rynhara had conjured a small storm cloud, formed a barrier of shimmering energy, and even managed a brief teleportation across the room.
Kaelira, who had been watching from the doorway, whistled. "You're turning into quite the powerhouse, Princess."
"Jealous?" Rynhara teased, wiping sweat from her brow.
"Hardly," Kaelira said, smirking. "I'll just hide behind you when things go south."
That night, Rynhara sat on the balcony of her chambers, gazing at the stars. Her new fans rested beside her, their edges catching the moonlight.
Tiamora appeared, her wings casting a shadow over the balcony. "You've impressed me today," she said, her voice warm. "Your growth is remarkable."
"I feel like I'm being pulled in a million directions," Rynhara admitted. "Daggers, a katana, a scythe, now magic... How am I supposed to master all this?"
"Step by step," Tiamora said, sitting beside her. "You're not alone in this journey. Trust your instructors, your instincts, and your family."
Rynhara looked up at her mother, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks, Mom."
Tiamora's eyes softened. "You're welcome, my little destroyer."
For the first time in a while, Rynhara felt fate was finallystartingto smile at her. Maybe, just maybe, she could handle the challenges ahead.