At the same time, the young wizard's efforts had borne fruit, after continuous training, he had managed to improve significantly and could now cast many spells without a wand. Moreover, his relationships with his classmates were good, and he had even made a best friend — Saïr — with whom he often played pranks and tricks on their peers. Thus, in general, the young wizard faced no real problems at school, except for a few times when his classmates teased him for his dark features and his short height. The elves would call him either "shorty" or "smudge," but Foskir would just smile and not really care about their teasing.
On the other hand, Foskir and his friend Saïr weren't exactly model students either, since they too enjoyed pulling pranks on classmates and even on their teachers. This mischievous and playful side of their character was precisely what made them get along so well and become best friends. Once, they were even caught popping the girls' balls with pins, so the boys wouldn't have to share the schoolyard field with them during recess. The girls reported it to their supervisor, Elanor, who suspended the two boys for two days.
They were both troublemakers and often caused chaos and headaches at Ezami, but at the same time they were excellent students in nearly all subjects. So the teachers often let things slide and forgave their mischief. However, sometimes they went too far, and so they were punished with suspensions and extra homework.
One day, Professor Elanor entered the classroom and told the students they needed to pay close attention, as he would talk about something very important—something they already knew about magic, but not completely.
"As you've already learned at the School of Donidous in previous years," he began, "magic is based on four primary elements. Can someone remind us what they are, and describe their unique properties?"
A student raised his hand, and Elanor said, "Go ahead, Stiknor."
"Magic is based on the four magical elements and their combinations — earth, water, air, and fire."
"Excellent, Stiknor. Do you also know their magical relationships to one another?"
"Yes, professor. As we said, all spells are based on these four elements and their combinations. However, earth magic is stronger than water spells, water is stronger than fire, fire is stronger than earth, and air is neutral — meaning it neither overpowers nor is overpowered by any of the others."
"Well done, Stiknor! You explained that clearly and concisely. Today, children, I will reveal to you that there is also a higher form of magic, based on a fifth element — the element of aether. Aether magic surpasses all other magical elements, with one exception: the element of air. Air behaves the same way it always does — remaining in perfect balance. It neither dominates nor yields to aether.
"Today, you will learn that the magic of aether is accessible to only a small number of wizards, and we will discover which among you have the ability to wield it. You must know that aether magic remains a mystery, even to those few who can control and use it. So now, it is time to see who among you can sense and command this mysterious element, known also as the ancient magic."
On the teacher's desk lay five spheres, and Elanor explained that only one of them was imbued with aetheric magic.
"I want each of you to come up, one by one in alphabetical order, and tell me which of the five metal spheres you believe has been enchanted with ancient magic."
The students approached one after another, trying to feel the magical aura of aether around the spheres. Elanor had enchanted the other spheres with different auras to confuse them, but he did not tell them this — so that those who chose correctly would not be doing so by chance.
So, those who succeeded were told to stand upright by the board and wait for the rest of the thirty-one classmates to finish the trial. Almost all the children had finished, and six of them were already standing by the board — among them was his close friend, Saeir.
Thus, Foskar slowly approached the teacher's desk; he was last on the list of names, and it was his turn to examine the metallic spheres. Foskar had been sitting at the very back desk, and as he walked toward the front, he hoped he too would manage to find the correct magical sphere of aether.
As he made his way between the desks and drew nearer, he noticed that a white aura was hovering above the metallic spheres. The young mage reached the teacher's desk and saw that the white aura was emanating from the sphere at the far left.
Before asking him to examine the metallic spheres, Elanor threw a black cloth over them and, with his wand, made them switch places among themselves. Then, lifting the black cloth, he said, "Now, show me which of the spheres is enchanted with aetheric magic."
Foskar could distinguish the white aura coming from one of the spheres, but before pointing to it, he suddenly felt that magical auras were present around the other metallic spheres as well, and so he hesitated.
Elanor, astonished, realized that Foskar had been ready to point out the sphere with the white aura easily — yet the young mage pulled his hand back and began examining each one carefully, one by one.
Foskir realized that one of the spheres possessed that strange white aura, yet he was certain that the rest of the spheres were also enchanted. So, he decided to examine them all, leaving the one with the white aura for last. Instead of choosing hastily, he chose to do as the previous students had done — to take each sphere in his hands and study it carefully.
Foskir examined all the spheres and understood that each one had been enchanted with a different magical element. In the end, he took into his hands the metallic sphere with the white aura, and then he felt a peculiar sensation — along with the fact that it was slightly colder than the others.
He held it a little longer and brought it close to his face. Suddenly, the young mage began to hear a strange whisper coming from within the metallic sphere. At that moment, he decided to hand that sphere to Elanor and tell him that he believed this was the sphere of the ancient magic.
— "Well done, Foskar, you found it," said Elanor. "Good. Now, the rest of you six come to the front of the class, so that each of you can tell me how you recognized and chose the sphere of aetheric magic."
The children lined up, and one by one they began explaining to their teacher how they had managed to identify the correct sphere.
First was Dochaia, who answered the teacher that when she picked up the metallic sphere, she felt an electric current run through her body. Elanor gave her a stern look and said, "Thank you."
Dochaia turned her back and walked happily back to her desk, smiling, believing that Elanor hadn't realized she had chosen the aether sphere purely by chance.
— "No, don't leave yet," he said. "Stay here and let's hear how your other classmates found the sphere of aether."
The next student was Galychar, who replied that when he held the aether sphere, he felt it was colder than the rest. He also added that a chill ran through him, unlike with the other metallic spheres, which were indeed enchanted but carried the familiar auras of the four basic elements.
The next student looked at his classmates and the teacher with a grin and said, "That was easy!"
"It was the only sphere in which I couldn't feel any aura of magic, unlike the others, which were each enchanted by one of the basic magical elements. So, by the method of elimination, it had to be the only one that could possibly be the sphere of aether."
Elanor smiled at him and said, "Well done—for both your correct choice and your honesty. But go on now, take your seat; I won't be needing you for anything else."
Dochaia looked at her classmate, Airopon, who walked back to his desk filled with satisfaction for his clever achievement. In a similar manner, the next two students revealed how they had found the sphere of aether as well.
Then it was Saeir's turn. Elanor asked him, "And you, my young mage—how did you identify the sphere of aether?"
— "There was no need, professor, for me to even touch the metallic sphere," Saeir replied. "It's obvious—it emits a bright white aura around it, unlike the others. And when I went to point it out, I felt the same chill that Galychar described."
"Thank you, Saeir. Don't leave—wait here at the desk," Elanor said, casting a glance toward Dochaia, who was staring absently at the floor.
"And you, young Foskir—did you find it through a similar method of elimination, like your classmates, or by some other chance?"
"No, master," Foskir replied, "I too felt its cold aura when I held it, just like the others. Also, as Saeir said, the sphere of aether has a distinct white glow around it—it's visible even from afar."
"Very well then. You four, stay here. The time has come for the truth—the final test!" Elanor announced. "Does anyone wish to return to their desk before the trial begins and be exposed before the entire class? Last chance—I'll ask again."
All four students remained silent, waiting for their teacher's trial.
"Good. Since no one is leaving, let's begin with you, Dochaia."
Elanor waved his wand, and a platform appeared magically in front of the board.
"Now then, Dochaia, step onto the platform and repeat the spell 'Oria' as you walk along the enchanted path."
There was a magical walkway upon the platform—an enchanted carpet imbued with the same aura as the sphere of aether. Beneath the carpet lay many feathers and soft pillows.
Dochaia climbed onto the platform hesitantly, and as she attempted to walk across the bewitched carpet, she spoke the spell "Oria."
At her very first step, her foot sank through the carpet, and Dochaia fell down onto the soft cushions and feathers below. The whole class burst into laughter at her mishap, and Elanor told them to stop, giving Dochaia a disapproving look for trying to deceive both him and her classmates.
"You should know, Dochaia, that you're quite lucky," said Elanor. "In my time, beneath the enchanted carpet of the path there used to be a pool filled with icy water. And those who tried to cheat during the examination of the aether element were treated to a refreshing bath afterward—to teach them not to deceive their teachers or their classmates.
Now then, children, let's continue with the trial of the magic carpet—and let's hope we don't have any more tricksters..."
'Why, teacher? It'll be fun to see someone else dive into the pillows!' one student said, laughing.
So Galychar, who couldn't see the white aura around the sphere or the carpet, stepped up onto the platform. With slow and steady steps, he managed to reach the end of the path successfully, though the carpet occasionally sank slightly beneath his feet. The class and Elanor applauded his success, and he descended from the platform proudly.
"Too bad!" the same student shouted mockingly, disappointed that Galychar hadn't fallen into the feathers below for everyone's amusement.
"If you want so badly to see someone else fall, Chiron, then perhaps you should go up and try it yourself," said Elanor.
"No thank you, teacher," the boy replied. "I'll leave that to the lucky ones who found the magic sphere."
"You'd better stop your sarcasm, or you won't escape a dive into the feathers yourself," Elanor warned.
Next, Foskar's close friend Saeir climbed the platform with confidence and loudly spoke the spell, "Oria." With ease and swiftness, he crossed the floating enchanted carpet and reached the end of the platform without difficulty.
Then Elanor turned to Foskir. "Your turn now, young man. Step onto the platform."
Foskir approached, climbed up, and uttered the spell "Oria" as he walked along the magical carpet, fearless. He crossed the entire floating path and reached the end without any trouble. His classmates applauded him—though not as loudly as they had applauded the others. Deep down, the elves felt a twinge of envy and disappointment that a human had surpassed them in the trial of the aether.
Most of the elves couldn't accept that even Foskir—a human—had succeeded in mastering the rare magic of aether when they themselves had not. It was enough reason for jealousy.
"Well done, my young friend," said Elanor. "So you did not deceive us after all. You truly possess the power to wield that mysterious and ancient magic of the aether."
"Of course, teacher—I didn't lie," Foskir replied. "Uh... teacher, I'd also like to ask something. Is it normal that, besides feeling the cold aura and seeing the white light from the metallic sphere, I also heard a strange whisper coming from it?"
The wise Elanor looked at his young student in surprise and told him to return to his seat.
"We'll speak about that matter privately later," he said. "Now's not the time. Please sit down. And the rest of you, back to your desks so we can continue the lesson."
"It's a great achievement," Elanor continued, "and well done, Galychar, Saeir, and Foskar—you possess the power to control this aetheric element of magic. You must know that you are fortunate and gifted to handle a very mysterious form of magic, a privilege granted to only a few mages. Especially you, Foskir—you should feel even luckier, for the magic of aether is an even rarer gift among the human race than it is among us elves of Knosaeon."
"Thank you, master," said Foskir, realizing just how truly fortunate he was to possess the power to sense this ethereal magical element.
"At the end of the class, I want the three of you to stay," Elanor said. "We need to discuss the extra lessons you'll be attending in aether studies—known as The Magic of the Ancients."
Time passed, and eventually the bell on the classroom wall rang. The students left the room to go on their break. The bell had the form of a bird—a small, enchanted golden statue—and each time the lesson ended, it sang a melodious chirp to signal both the teacher and the students that class was over.
Saeir and Foskar were about to leave the classroom when Elanor suddenly called out, "Hey! Where do you two gentlemen think you're going? Didn't I say I'd speak with you about the lesson schedule for The Magic of the Ancients after class?"
Saeir sighed and muttered, "Oh great... while the others play outside, we'll be stuck inside again, studying the magic of the primitives..."
"Exactly, Saeir," said Elanor. "And you'd do well to appreciate your gift—and to understand just how lucky you are to have such magical power, instead of complaining about it."
Saïr leaned toward his friend and whispered in Fhoskar's ear,"We've sunk the boat this time, mate."
The two of them turned on their heels and headed for the teacher's desk, where Galychar was already standing. Elanor looked at them calmly and said,
"I'll be teaching you the Magic of the Ancients on set days and hours. But understand this—Aether magic remains a mystery. We still do not truly know its origin, nor the full extent of its workings."
He paced slowly before them, his hands clasped behind his back.
"In ancient times," he continued, "according to legend, the gift of Aether was far more common. Many more wizards could wield it. Yet over the centuries, its power waned… and eventually began to fade away. That is why this class bears its name—the Magic of the Ancients."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle."Some magi also believe that those with strong telepathic abilities are more likely to possess the gift to command the ethereal element."
Saïr and Fhoskar exchanged a knowing glance. Suddenly it made sense—why they, of all people, could feel the pulse of Aetheric energy. The two friends often spoke telepathically during lessons, so the teachers wouldn't overhear them. Whenever they were bored, or plotting some prank on their classmates, they would communicate silently—completely unnoticed.
Almost completely.
"Almost no one…" came a voice aloud.
It was Elanor. He was looking straight at them, his expression sharp, almost amused. The two froze where they stood. They realized, with a shiver, that their teacher must have been hearing their telepathic chatter all along. He likely knew every prank, every mischievous plan they had shared in secret thought, laughing quietly to themselves.
Galychar, who had been watching the exchange, quickly understood what had happened.
"Master," he said, "I can't speak telepathically. But I often heard my grandfather—Lethodar—inside my mind when he wished to scold me or offer advice, without others hearing. Sadly, I can only hear him when he speaks that way; I can't answer him back. Still, I have this strange ability to sense his feelings. Once, when he was unwell, I felt it from far away. I told my father, and we reached him in time to help."
Elanor nodded thoughtfully."That, Galychar, is exactly what many of us suspect—that the ability to command the Aetheric element is tied to the mind's telepathic strength. And as with the four fundamental elements, so too with Aether: constant practice brings greater control… and deeper understanding of its nature."
Finally, Elanor informed them of the days, times, and classroom where the lessons of the Magic of the Ancients would take place, and allowed them to leave for their break. As they departed, Elanor sent a telepathic message to Fhoskar: he hadn't forgotten the matter of the whispers from the metallic sphere, but thought it better to discuss it privately at another time.
Fhoskar replied silently in his mind, "Understood, Master," and left with his classmates to enjoy the remainder of their break.
As the three friends stepped out of the classroom, they spoke quietly about the strange and mysterious experience they had just shared—this new and enigmatic form of magic that had revealed itself to them.