In the days that followed, Alex and Lyra rose at dawn to begin their training. Weather didn't matter—rain, morning fog, or cold were no excuse. Every day, they worked on mastering nature magic, learning patience, humility, and gentleness. Thalien, their mentor, placed little importance on spectacular results. Instead, he repeated that true magic begins in small gestures and attentive listening.
Each morning, Thalien brought new seedlings, often differing not only in species but also in temperament. Some were temperamental, others overly sensitive. Each required a unique approach, a different note of magic, a distinct kind of energy. Alex tried to adjust to nature's rhythm. Sometimes he succeeded—the plant responded to his touch, leaves bloomed, the stem straightened, roots spread. But other times, the result was the opposite. Too much energy would cause the seedling to wither; too little, and it wouldn't react at all.
