"Truth number three," Fizz said, pacing the front of the hall like a tiny professor who had misplaced his patience but not his sparkle. "Visualization is not pretending. It is hospitality."
He raised a paw, and the air trembled faintly around it, like it was leaning closer to listen. He continued again, "Do not tell fire what you want. Fire hates being bossed around — it has opinions, and it will make you regret every order. Instead, ask the air to remember heat. Do not order earth to rise — it has a bad back and no sense of humor. Ask your feet to make room for a small sky. And do not bully water." He gave the word bully extra weight, squinting at a row of students who looked guilty without knowing why. "Invite it to stay still long enough to see its own face."
The hall had gone utterly still. Dozens of young mages leaned forward in their seats, some grinning, some frowning, all trying not to breathe too loud in case they broke the spell.
