9. NOTHING BUT CHAOS

『 Sullyoon's POV 』

If I had to sum up the experience of learning to control our powers in one word, it would be chaos—pure, unfiltered chaos.

We split into groups. The elementals went with Edlynne, who immediately gave me a gay panic because, seriously, she’s so pretty. It didn’t help that she sat directly across from me during breakfast, making it impossible to look anywhere else.

The sorcerers—or magic people, as I like to call them—gathered to try deciphering Avyanna’s spellbook.

That left me and Ni-ki with Huening Kai. And honestly? Both of these guys scare me. They have the most serious, intimidating faces when they’re near me.

"Okay, so you guys are with me because Edlynne takes too long to teach anyone anything," Huening Kai announced, crossing his arms. "I’ll finish with you quickly so we can help the magickers."

"Dude, I think she heard you," Ni-ki said.

A second later, a jet of water shot across the field and splashed Huening Kai in the face.

"And that," Edlynne’s voice rang out, "is just a fraction of a billion of how powerful water can be."

Kai wiped his face, ignoring her as he turned back to us. "Anyway. You two are here because you have wings, and I’m going to teach you how to use them. First lesson: transforming. It’s actually easy. Just think about it. Will yourself to transform, and that’s it."

Easy, he said. Just think about it, he said.

I closed my eyes and focused. I tried thinking fairy-ish thoughts. Flowers, sparkles, soft magic. Then, suddenly, the warmth of the sun on my face disappeared.

When I opened my eyes, I gasped.

Next to me stood a massive creature I had only seen in books.

Ni-ki had transformed into a dragon.

"Good job, both of you," Huening Kai said, nodding approvingly.

I looked down at myself. My clothes had changed—a flowery dress, shimmering with magic. My hair glittered with tiny specks of light, and I could smell the faint scent of flowers. I felt something on my back, and when I turned, I realized—wings.

"Sullyoon," Kai said, looking at me in awe. "You might be the most powerful fairy to have ever existed."

"Why?" I asked, blinking in confusion.

"The designs on your wings," he explained. "You'll have to talk to Edlynne. She can read them. I know this makes no sense right now, but you’ll understand soon enough."

Then, turning to Ni-ki, he added, "And you… The only dragon stronger than you would be Rhys, the Guardian." He mumbled something under his breath. "You’re even bigger than Drayce…"

Who the hell is Drayce? I thought. What is he talking about?

"Anyway," Kai clapped his hands. "Time for flying lessons."

• time skip •

After what felt like forever, Ni-ki and I were finally done with flight training.

"I’m gonna go practice fire breathing or whatever else dragons do," Ni-ki said before taking off. Honestly? Kai and Ni-ki were actually fun. I don’t know why I thought they were scary before.

Deciding to test out my healing abilities, I spotted a broken branch and some wilting plants. I held out my hand, focusing.

Nothing happened.

I tried again.

Still nothing.

"What am I doing wrong?" I muttered, frustrated.

"You’re overthinking," Edlynne’s voice interrupted my thoughts as she walked toward me.

"Transforming is different from using your powers," she explained. "Thinking about it won’t work. You need to become one with your power. Feel it. Connect with the plants. Imagine them healthy again. It’ll get easier over time, and eventually, it’ll happen without you even trying."

Taking her advice, I closed my eyes and envisioned the plants turning vibrant green again, the branch restoring itself.

I opened my eyes.

It worked.

"Wow! It worked!" I gasped.

Edlynne smiled. "See? Now, about your wings… Kai said I needed to read them."

I nodded and transformed again, this time keeping my eyes open so I could see the process.

Edlynne studied my wings, then exhaled. "He was right. You’re incredibly powerful. You’ll be able to communicate with animals, and your healing abilities are beyond anything I’ve seen. When you’re in this form, you’re practically invincible. Your wings may look delicate, but they’re enchanted. That’s all I can tell you for now."

"Wow," I breathed. "How do you know so much about this?"

Edlynne hesitated before answering with a sad smile, "You learn a lot in a thousand years."

I swallowed. "I’m sorry."

"You don’t have to apologize." She shook her head. "Come on, everyone’s going to need you."

We walked back—only to find absolute chaos.

"Well," Edlynne sighed. "Time to put those healing powers to use."

『 Jinni’s POV 』

"Oh my God, Jungwon!" I screamed as he fell off the floating rocks.

Before he could hit the ground, a massive dragon swooped in and caught him. Ni-ki. Thank goodness.

Once Jungwon was safely back on solid ground, I rushed to him. "Jungwon, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean for the stupid flare to light the tree on fire, and then the smoke got in your eyes, and—shit, you’re injured too!" I rambled.

"Jinni, it’s okay," Jungwon assured me.

"Sullyoon, is he okay?" I turned to see her approaching.

"Guys, seriously, I’m fine," Jungwon insisted.

"That’s the concussion talking," Jiwoo deadpanned.

"Yeah, you’re bleeding," Sunghoon pointed out.

"And the impact when I caught you must have been rough," Ni-ki added.

"Let’s fix you up," Sullyoon said, and within moments, Jungwon’s injuries disappeared.

"Wah! Sullyoon unnie, that’s so cool!" Jiwoo exclaimed.

"Not as cool as you swimming at lightning speed and emerging from the water completely dry," Sullyoon shot back.

"But Jinni unnie appearing out of nowhere in a column of fire is awesome too!" Jiwoo added quickly.

Jungwon dusted himself off. "Let’s get back to training."

We all listened, returning to our respective lessons.

Huening Kai and Edlynne were amazing teachers. Edlynne taught us how to harness our abilities, while Kai focused on combat training. He had this weird feeling that we might have to fight Cadmodeus someday, so he wanted us to be ready. He even taught us how to create weapons using our powers—I could summon a flaming sword, and I won’t lie, it made me feel so cool.

Later, I watched as Edlynne and Kai trained Yuna, Sunoo, Kyujin, and Bae.

Bae was standing apart, moving her hands, controlling a maze of mist while Kyujin, Sunoo, and Yuna chanted spells.

"If you’re wondering what’s happening," Kai said, appearing beside me, "we’re helping Bae control illusions, while the others are learning to cast spells on the spot."

"That’s interesting," I said.

"Yeah, you and the other elementals will have a practice battle soon," he mentioned casually.

"That’s unfair—Sunghoon can freeze time!" I protested.

"It’ll be in pairs. You can team up with him if you want."

"Nah, I pick Jiwoo," I said immediately. "She’s my closest friend here."

"How are you planning on dealing with Sunghoon?" Kai smirked.

I grinned. "I have my ways."

Kai chuckled, shaking his head.

I walked off, laughing to myself. Everyone was so obvious.

This was going to be fun.

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So I'm back after so long only to go away again
I'll go on a hiatus after publishing a few more chapters

Well I hope you guys are enjoying the story
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