Torric strides in like he owns the place, already rolling up his sleeves. "Finally. Someone new to throw around."
"Try it," I mutter, my shadows coiling defensively.
Seren squeezes my arm. "Have fun!" she grins before darting off to her training group.
"Aw, look at them," comes Finn's voice from above. I look up to find him perched impossibly on top of one of the pillars, grinning down at us. "Your shadows are like tiny drunk octopi and I love them."
I blink at him, confusion warring with surprise at his comment, but before I can ask what he means, Torric interrupts.
"Can we focus?" he growls, though I catch the slight twitch of his lips. "Some of us are trying to train here."
Aspen steps forward, ever the mediator. "Kaia, let's start with something basic. Shadow magic isn't unlike water—it needs to flow naturally, not be forced."
He demonstrates, creating a smooth arc of water that catches the light beautifully. I try to mimic the motion with darkness, but my attempt sputters and breaks apart. My personal shadows twitch anxiously, making it harder to concentrate.
"No, no, no," Torric cuts in. "You're thinking too much. Magic is about instinct." He summons a flame to his palm. "Feel it, don't overthink it."
"Really helpful," I snap as my shadow construct dissipates. "Any other vague advice you want to share?"
"Oh! Oh!" Finn waves his hand enthusiastically. "I have some advice—your little friends are about to cause chaos."
I glance down to see my shadows reaching mischievously for Aspen's water flask. I quickly pull my focus back, trying to ignore Finn's knowing grin. "Sorry, I'm just having trouble concentrating."
Aspen's expression softens. "The magic will come. You just need to find your center."
"That's the problem," Torric says, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "You're fighting your instincts instead of working with them. Watch." He drops into a fighting stance. "Try to defend yourself."
"Wait, what—"
He launches forward, flame wreathing his fist. This time, instead of my personal shadows reacting, I manage to pull darkness from the air itself, forming a visible black barrier. The fire crashes against it with a hiss.
"See?" Torric's grin is wild and bright. "When you stop overthinking, you know exactly what to do."
"Great," I pant, letting the construct dissolve. "So I just need to be attacked to use magic properly. Really sustainable training method there."
"I mean, I volunteer to keep attacking you," Torric offers with a wink that makes my stomach flutter traitorously.
"Or," Aspen cuts in smoothly, "we could try something less likely to end in injury."
Finn, now sprawled on the ground, flashes a grin as chaotic as his commentary. “Let them fight. Ten coins on Kaia dumping him in the fountain.”
I groan, fighting the smile threatening to form. “Don’t encourage anyone,” I mutter, though my shadows ripple eagerly, feeding off the energy of the moment.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Aspen watching me, his expression unreadable. For a split second, it feels like he sees something in me that I don’t understand. It’s unsettling—but I don’t have time to dwell on it, not with Torric about to charge again.
"Let's take five," Aspen says, tossing me a water bottle. "Before Torric actually does burn something down."
I catch it gratefully, but before I can drink, one of my shadows knocks it sideways, spilling water down my shirt.
"Hey!" I sputter, glaring at the invisible culprit. "What was that for?"
"That one's definitely Patricia," Finn announces, materializing beside me with his usual impossible grace. "She's got attitude."
I stare at him. "You're... naming my shadows?" Then it hits me again. "You can actually see them?"
"Obviously." He points at my largest shadow, currently trying to look dignified. "That's Bob. Very serious fellow. Takes his job very seriously." The shadow actually straightens up at this, and I swear it preens.
"You can't just—" I start, but Finn's already pointing at another one.
