Echoes of the Core

Chapter Thirteen: Mirthwood's Mysteries

Days turned into weeks, the sun tracing its path across the sky as Aeris and Mirthwood worked side by side in the verdant sanctuary. The garden thrived under their care, vibrant greens mingling with bursts of color, the air rich with the scent of earth and blossoms. Aeris felt herself transforming amid this lush tapestry, her powers unfurling like the petals of the flowers they nurtured.

As she tended to the plants, her anxiety began to dissipate, soothed by their gentle presence. Each day, she wielded more power through her hands, coaxing life from the soil. The plants responded to her touch, guiding her movements and allowing her to tap into their energy without overwhelming her senses. At first, they'd only shared small amounts of their essence, a cautious dance of give and take. But as trust blossomed between them, the energy surged, filling her with warmth and strength.

Yet, despite this newfound connection, Aeris couldn't shake the feeling of Mirthwood's skepticism. His watchful gaze scrutinized her every move, a reminder of the gulf that still separated them. Aeris often wondered if he suspected her true potential—if he sensed the lingering shadows of her past, the dangerous threads of Chasm Magic woven into her very being. She oscillated between exhilaration and unease, eager to prove herself yet fearful of his disapproval.

One evening , after a particularly intense session. Aeris wiped the sweat from her brow, frustrated with the sequence Mirthwood had left her to practice. Lifebloom magic was supposed to flow like a gentle stream, but today it felt like a stubborn dam. She glanced up, searching for her mentor, and saw him a short distance away, tending to a cluster of plants spreading along the nearby hills.

At first, she didn't think much of it—Mirthwood often wandered off to care for the vegetation that surrounded them—but this time, something felt different. She squinted, her breath catching in her throat as she watched the plants under his care react in ways she had never seen before.

The small patch of wildflowers he was working with began to flourish, expanding rapidly, their vibrant petals stretching toward the sky. Roots weaved through the earth like threads in a tapestry, and within moments, the plants had covered twice the ground they had just moments ago. The hillside, once dotted with patches of green, was now a blanket of lush, thriving flora, as if nature itself had been set into fast-forward.

Aeris's heart raced. In Lifebloom class, the number-one rule was always: slow and steady. Push too fast, and the plants would wither from the strain. But here Mirthwood was, coaxing the earth to life with a speed that defied everything she had been taught, and yet... the plants seemed healthier, more vibrant than ever. There was no sign of strain or weakness.

Unable to hold back her curiosity, she called out, her voice tinged with awe. "Mirthwood! What are you doing? How are they growing so fast?"

He turned, his expression calm, as if he hadn't just reshaped the landscape in front of her. Wiping his hands on his robes, he gave her a small smile, though there was a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "Practice," he said, his tone light. "I've been at this longer than most."

Aeris blinked, still trying to reconcile what she had seen. "But we were always told to go slow, that pushing the plants too hard would—"

"—harm them," Mirthwood finished, nodding. "Yes, that's what they teach. And for most, it's the right lesson. But when you understand the flow of energy, when you truly feel the magic in its entirety, there's more flexibility than you might think."

His words lingered in the air, cryptic and full of weight. Aeris stared at him, her mind racing with questions she couldn't quite put into words. There was something more here—something he wasn't telling her.

She wanted to push, to demand answers, but the way he casually returned to tending the plants made it clear that he wasn't ready to share. Not yet.

"I see," she said softly, though she didn't really. Not fully. But as she watched the plants continue to flourish under his care, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was much more to Mirthwood—and Lifebloom magic—than she had ever imagined.