As Overon and I caught our breath after the sparring session, a tall, lean elf with an air of quiet confidence approached me. His hair was a deep shade of green, and his eyes sparkled with a mixture of curiosity and wisdom. He extended a hand in greeting.

  "I'm Elarion, one of the instructors here at the guild," he said, his voice smooth and melodic. "I couldn’t help but notice your performance earlier. There's something about you... a latent talent for magic. You carry a great deal of power within you."

  I shook his hand, trying to keep my surprise in check. "I'm Deserter. I always knew I had a bit of magic but I’ve never had any formal training. Can you teach me?"

  Elarion smiled with a hint of surprise. "a bit of magic? From my perspective, you’re quite a powerhouse, but of course. Magic is not just about power, but about control and understanding. Follow me."

  He led me to a quieter corner of the training hall, away from the noise and bustle of the other adventurers. Elarion gestured for me to sit on a wooden bench, and he sat opposite me.

  "Magic flows through all things," he began, his tone instructive yet gentle. "To harness it, you must first feel it. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Imagine the magic within you as a river, flowing through your veins."

  I did as he instructed, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. I tried to envision the magic within me, but it felt elusive, just out of reach.

  "Relax," Elarion said softly. "Don’t force it. Let it come to you naturally. Feel the energy in your blood, the way it pulses and moves."

  I focused on my breathing, trying to sense the flow of magic within me. Slowly, I began to feel a tingling sensation, like a gentle current running through my veins.

  "Good," Elarion encouraged. "Now, direct that energy to your hands. Imagine it flowing from your core, through your arms, and into your fingertips."

  I concentrated, visualizing the magic as a stream of light moving through my body. My hands began to tingle, and I felt a surge of power building within them.

  "Open your eyes," Elarion instructed. "Focus that energy into a simple spell. Try to create a small flame."

  I opened my eyes and concentrated on my hands. A small, flickering flame appeared above my palm, wavering unsteadily. Elarion nodded approvingly.

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  "Well done. You have a natural affinity for fire magic. Now, tell me, do you have any idea what other types of magic you might be able to use?"

  I hesitated for a moment, not wanting to reveal too much. "I think I can use elemental magic. Fire, water, earth, air... I feel like I can connect with all of them."

  Elarion's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "That's quite a rare talent. Elemental mastery is no small feat. Let's test another element. Close your eyes again and focus on the flow of magic, but this time, imagine the cool, steady strength of water."

  I closed my eyes and concentrated on the sensation of water, its fluidity and power. I felt a cool energy building within me, different from the fiery warmth of the flame.

  "Now, open your eyes and direct that energy into your hand," Elarion instructed.

  I opened my eyes and focused on my hand. A small sphere of water formed above my palm, shimmering and pure. Elarion smiled, clearly impressed.

  "Excellent. You truly do have a gift for elemental magic. But there's something more... something deeper within you. A potential for a rare and powerful form of magic. Have you ever felt a different kind of energy, something tied to your very essence?"

  I thought about it, recalling the times in the game when I had used blood magic. It had felt powerful and instinctive, almost like an extension of my will. I decided to hint at it without giving too much away.

  "Sometimes, I feel an energy that’s... darker, more intense. I’m not sure what it is, but it feels like it’s tied to my core."

  Elarion nodded thoughtfully. "I see. That sounds like it could be some kind of dark element magic, a rare and potent form of magic. Let's see if you can access it. Close your eyes once more and focus on the blood flowing through your veins."

  Although he wasn’t entirely right he wasn’t wrong either as what he was referring to was my blood magic, which was the special racial magic Demonoids had in the game.

  I did feel a pang of anxiety at the mention of the dark magic, but I did as he said. I closed my eyes and focused on the blood in my veins, feeling its rhythm and pulse.

  "Imagine drawing that energy out and shaping it into a weapon," Elarion continued. "Feel the flow of your blood, and direct its power."

  I concentrated, visualizing the blood in my veins. Slowly, I imagined it flowing out of my body and forming into a blade.

  "Now, open your eyes and manifest the weapon," Elarion said.

  I opened my eyes and, to my shock, a crimson blade materialized in my hand, glowing with an eerie light. The power coursing through it was immense, almost overwhelming.

  "Careful," Elarion cautioned. "Dark magic is powerful, but it can be dangerous if not controlled properly."

  I tried to focus, to control the power of the blade, but it felt like trying to hold back a raging river. The blade pulsed with energy, growing brighter and more intense. Suddenly, it exploded in a burst of crimson light, sending shockwaves through the training hall.

  Elarion shielded his eyes from the blast, and when the light faded, he looked at me with a mix of awe and concern. "You have incredible power, Deserter. But you must learn to control it. We have much work to do."

  I nodded, feeling both exhilarated and humbled. The path ahead was clear. I had to master my abilities, not just for my sake, but for the safety of everyone around me.