Echoes of the Core

Chapter Six: A Growing Divide

The room was filled with a soft hum of energy as Aeris and her classmates stood around their assigned plots of earth, waiting for the Lifebloom professor to give instructions. Rows of withered plants and soil in disarray lay before them—an ecosystem in need of restoration. The task was simple enough: use Lifebloom Magic to bring the area back to life.

"Alright, everyone," the professor began, pacing slowly in front of them, his voice calm but authoritative. "Today, we'll focus on restorative abilities. This isn't just about bringing things back to their original state; it's about how to fix things without blowing them up. Begin when ready."

The classroom buzzed with anticipation as students gathered their materials—an assortment of herbs and flowers scattered across their desks. Aeris felt a familiar flutter of excitement; today was all about healing, and she was eager to learn more about Lifebloom Magic.

As the professor demonstrated a simple spell to mend a wilting flower, chatter erupted among the students, their voices rising in enthusiastic clamor.

"Thalirion Mirt was a great healer," one student blurted out, leaning back in his chair. "They say he might have been the first to practice Lifebloom, but no one really knows what happened to him after the Worldscar. Some think he got into some shady stuff, while others say he just vanished because he couldn't handle it."

"Yeah! And Sylvara Moonglade!" another student jumped in, waving her hands. "She was amazing! They say she could heal entire forests! If I could do that, I'd be like a superhero!"

"I wanna be like Sylvara too!" a younger kid piped up, wide-eyed with excitement. "Imagine just touching a tree and it comes back to life! That would be so cool!"

"Cool, but scary, right?" a boy next to him said, shrugging. "What if you mess up and the tree dies? Or worse, what if you can't fix it? That'd suck."

Aeris felt a cold knot form in her stomach. The boy's words echoed in her mind like a haunting whisper. What if she couldn't do it? What if she messed up? She tried to shake off the creeping fear, focusing hard on her breathing to keep it at bay.

The professor, noticing the chatter, cleared his throat. "Uh, let's stay focused on the lesson, okay? Lifebloom is about using your magic to help things grow again. Thalirion and Sylvara were both involved in closing the Worldscar, so they knew a thing or two about healing," he said, trying to sound knowledgeable, but there was no depth behind his words.

"Yeah, but what if you can't?" another student interjected, looking skeptical. "What if you totally screw it up?"

The knot in Aeris's stomach tightened, and she felt her heart race. Her hands trembled slightly as she clenched them on her desk, trying to project calmness despite the storm of doubt inside her. She couldn't let anyone see her fear. She couldn't let them see her weakness.

The professor shrugged. "Look, just try your best. Healing isn't easy. It's kind of like, uh, fixing a broken toy. You gotta know where it's broken and what parts you need." He waved his hands vaguely, clearly grasping for something profound but landing flat.

Aeris listened intently, her admiration for Thalirion and Sylvara swelling within her even as her insecurities threatened to pull her down. She imagined Thalirion wandering through a dense forest, feeling the pulse of life all around him, while Sylvara stood in a clearing, glowing as she restored the land. Their legacies were alive in the air, sparking a determination in her.

"Remember," the professor said, shifting gears as he handed out herbs, "this is all about using the right plants. Thalirion and Sylvara knew their stuff, and you should, too. Just focus on what you're doing, alright?"