The Last Dragon's Mage

[Valerie] “Very good, Val. You are improving.” I had scowled at Elias’ praise. My mentor had returned the scowl with one of his gentle smiles. I had averted my gaze and focussed it on my palms. ‘Why can’t I control a small amount of water?’ I had wondered petulantly. How childish and idiot I was... “You will learn and improve, eventually. Your mother didn’t start before she was 18.” He would give me that calming smile that he did every time he saw me frustrated at my failure.  “But mom had no freaking clue who she was, Elias. I know who I am,” I would whine, which would usually be answered with silence. However, I have stopped whining now. The initial frustration had been a foundation to the present anger and resentment. But standing in the arena at the moment, I felt nothing but fear and regret. Fear that I would completely disa

[Valerie] “Yes, I have eaten. No, it’s not a takeaway.” I stabbed the tofu with more force than necessary, the food crumbling slightly. “Viola and Xyan? They haven’t arrived….How will I know?” I shoved the spoon in my mouth. “....Yeah. Love you too, mom.” I ended the call and placed the phone on the dining table. I was not expecting much, but still…I concentrated on the food on my plate. However, when I tasted the salt drops, I realized I was crying. I sniffled as I continued eating. My parents could have spared some time for me today, couldn’t they? Even my siblings had no time for me now. It was not like I wouldn’t see them. After all, Crescentville was a place I was familiar with since my childhood. But still…I would be away and….and wouldn’t they miss me? I swallowed the piece of garlic bread without chewing. It wasn’t always like this….was it? I wondered where everything went wrong? Why did everyone or when did everyone become so busy? Was it when Xyan began to help him and

[Valerie]   That night after an uneventful dinner, I locked myself in my new room. Thankfully, mom managed to get me a room of my own. Maia has to share hers with another girl from the pack even though she is practically the soon-to-be Alpha of the pack. She said, “In Pa’s words ‘Sharing will enhance your sense of responsibility and keep you humble,’ and I don’t see anything wrong there.” Well, she was an extrovert, so of course, she wouldn’t have problems. I, on the other hand, did not like socializing that much.    I stared at the glass of water near the bedside table and scooted toward it. Removing the lid, I hovered my hand a few inches above the rim. I wiggled my fingers slowly and, as mom had once said, concentrated on feeling the heat in the middle of my palm.    “Feel it spread

[Valerie]   “So, you mean to say….you showed a cool act for the first time and we weren’t there to witness it,” Sarah said petulantly. I felt the corners of my lips tip upwards. Kenneth scoffed before asking, “How are you feeling?” And yet again my traitorous heart skipped a beat. It was so…him. He knew me like the back of his hand and maybe because we have been friends since we were barely crawling, we had that special bond. I didn’t immediately answer, as I tried to push back the lump in my throat.    “I am…fine, just surprised,” I finally replied airily. It was easier over the call because if he had been in front of me, he would know immediately that I was anything but.    “Okay. So how did Elias react?” Sarah, ever the tension dispeller, interjected.   

[Valerie] The days pass by but neither mom nor Elias mention or even utter a word about the Challenge. I try to not let that affect me but somehow it does and even more so because dad is still kind of pissed at me and I know because unlike other times he didn't try to pacify me. “Concentrate.” Elias’ voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I glance over to see him frown back at me. The Challenge is two weeks away and I am still staggeringly behind. While I can now control Element a little and not make a total fool out of myself, my peers have progressed immensely. I let out a sigh and begin anew. The classes have been hectic along with other studies and training. Mom seems to be avoiding me while Elias seems to be only focusing on developing my skill.~~~~I was woken up yet again and this time because I felt restless. I rolled over on my back and started in the dark. The night was humid so I had kept the window open. When after several minutes I couldn't fall