"I have to teach Magic?" Roselle repeated."You realize I'm still learning myself too, right Dr. Kintovar?"

  Dr. Kintovar waved a hand infront of her with the pink headphones perched on her head slipping slightly. “Oh, Roselle, you’re sweating smaller details again! You’re capable. After all, you completed your last mission alongside Risebelle and showed tremendous growth. Surely, you can teach Runebelle a thing or two about magic. Think of it as… bonding time! Sisters learning from each other—it’s perfect!”

  Roselle groaned internally, but she didn’t dare let it show. “I mean, sure, I’ve learned a lot and yeah, I can control the lightning power now, but…” Her thoughts trailed off. Her gaze went from Kintovar to Runebelle.

  The melancholy practically radiated off her younger sister’s face, and Roselle couldn’t stand it. Not one bit.

  Roselle inhaled sharply, then flashed a grin at Runebelle. “You know what? We’ll figure it out together. We’re sisters, right? So don’t worry, Runebelle. I’ll do my best for you!”

  Dr. Kintovar clapped her hands together. “That’s the spirit, Roselle! I knew I could count on you.” She gestured for them to follow. “Come along now. I’ll take you both to the training area. It’s been repaired and upgraded since your session with Risebelle, Roselle. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”

  As they walked through the labyrinthine corridors of the lab, Roselle fell into step beside Runebelle, nudging her gently with an elbow. “Hey, don’t look so gloomy. The training room’s pretty cool! It’s got all these square platforms that move around. Plus, you’ll get to see me in action!” She winked.

  Runebelle glanced at her. Her lips curved into the faintest of smiles. “You’re….something, Roselle.”

  Roselle grinned. “Just wait until you see what you can do. You’re going to love it!”

  When they arrived at the training area, the door slid open, revealing a massive room filled with glowing panels and sleek, upgraded platforms. The walls were lined with reinforced barriers and flickering lights.

  Dr. Kintovar spread her arms theatrically. “Welcome to your new playground, ladies! It’s state-of-the-art, designed to push the limits of your abilities and then some.”

  Roselle let out an impressed whistle, but her excitement was tempered by her motivation. She pumped her fists in front of her. “Okay, little sis, time to get started. Let’s see what you’ve got!”

  Runebelle took a deep breath, stepping forward. For the first time since her awakening, a spark of curiosity came to her eyes.

  Roselle clapped her hands together, creating a small spark of static electricity in the process. “Alright, sis, let’s start with the basics. Inside us, there’s a system—kind of like a built-in operating manual. It manages our--.”

  Runebelle interrupted with her head tilted slightly to the side. “I already know that part.”

  Roselle froze mid-explanation, blinking at her younger sister in astonishment. “Wait, what? You already know about the system?”

  Runebelle nodded. “Yes. I became aware of it when I woke up. I can use it to see my life force, magic levels, and even how much time has passed since I was activated.”

  Roselle stared at her for a moment, then laughed nervously. “Wow, okay. Talk about skipping the tutorial… Guess that saves me some work!” She regained her composure and motioned for Runebelle to watch closely. “Alright then, let’s move on to something cooler. Magic.”

  Roselle extended her hand. Her energy coalesced into yellow sparks that danced along her palm before surging into a small bolt of lightning. “This is how we channel our magic. The energy inside us—it’s like a part of who we are. You’ve got to feel it, focus on it and guide it to your hands. It’s all about connection and control.”

  Runebelle studied Roselle’s demonstration intently. She closed her eyes and searched for the energy within herself. Moments later, a faint green glow began to form in her palms. The light swirled into a vivid green aura.

  Roselle’s jaw dropped. “Whoa! You’re already doing it?! You’re amazing!”

  Runebelle opened her eyes. She gave Roselle a small, almost shy smile. “I just... followed your instructions. It felt natural.”

  "Runebelle," Roselle began with one finger raised, "I've noticed that your energy has a unique green color. That's not a common energy affinity among our kind. Each of us has our own affinity, which determines the type of magic we can use most effectively. Green energy is quite rare."

  Runebelle looked at Roselle curiously. "What do you mean by energy affinity? Is it related to the type of magic we can use?"

  Roselle explained, "Think of it as a special connection you have with a certain type of magic. For example, my energy affinity is lightning, which is why I can manipulate lightning. Risebelle's is water, so she can control it effortlessly. And now, it seems your affinity is this green energy."

  Roselle tilted her head with fascination at Runebelle’s swirling green energy. “Huh... I wonder what type of element that could be? “She rested her chin on her fist.

  Before Runebelle could respond, Dr. Kintovar’s voice broke through the moment. “Why don’t we find out with a battle test?”

  Both sisters jumped at the sudden declaration. Roselle spun around. “A battle test? Already? Don’t you think that’s a bit... soon, Dr. Kintovar?”

  Dr. Kintovar adjusted her sunglasses with a playful smirk. “Nonsense! The best way to understand an energy affinity is through practical application. Plus, this is an excellent opportunity to assess Runebelle’s combat abilities now that she’s successfully summoned her energy.”

  Roselle frowned. “Waitaminute! Isn’t this the same thing you did with me? You threw me into a battle test with no experience and I barely knew how to control my powers!”

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Dr. Kintovar raised an eyebrow. “And look how well you turned out. Don’t underestimate my methods, Roselle. Besides, you’ll be her opponent, so it’s not like I’m throwing her to the wolves. You’ll guide her.”

  Roselle’s mind flashed back to her trial-by-fire training under Risebelle. She sighed, glancing at Runebelle who seemed both nervous and eage. “Fine. Let’s do it..”

  Dr. Kintovar adjusted her sunglasses with a smirk, pacing slowly past the two combatants. “The objective of this test battle is to gauge your combat skills and the extent of your magical abilities. The battle will end when one of you reaches 25% Lifeforce or lower. It’s a training exercise, not a death match, so keep that in mind.”

  Roselle stood at her mark, stretching nonchalantly. “Got it,” she said casually.

  Kintovar’s gaze narrowed into a more pointed tone. “Roselle, promise me you won’t break her on her first fight.”

  Roselle let out a deepgasp, throwing a hand to her chest. “Break her? Me? Come on, Dr. Kintovar. I’m not Risebelle!”

  Dr. Kintovar sighed and raised a hand to her forehead. “Okay, maybe ‘break’ is a strong word. But just don’t go destroying the room unnecessarily.”

  Roselle raised an eyebrow and jabbed a thumb in the air. “You mean like Risebelle, who literally flooded this place last time? Maybe we should talk to her first before worrying about me.”

  Kintovar held up a finger. “That’s precisely why I’m reminding you. The room’s been repaired and upgraded, and I’d prefer it stays that way, for now atleast.”

  Roselle smirked at Runebelle. “Alright, little sister. Let’s see if you can handle a proper sparring match.”

  Dr. Kintovar stepped to the side of the room, raising her hand in signal. “Combatants, take your positions.”

  Runebelle squared her shoulders. Roselle bounced lightly on her feet with a widening grin as anticipation built.

  “Begin!”

  Roselle summoned a massive cannon into her arms with a confident shout of, “Weapon!” The cannon sparked with yellow energy. Arcs of lightning crawled along its metallic surface. Roselle balanced it easily.

  “This,” Roselle began, “is my—”

  Before she could finish her explanation, Runebelle, looking intrigued simply said, “Weapon.” In an instant, a cannon materialized in her hands. However, unlike Roselle’s behemoth, hers was sleek and compact, glowing faintly with her green energy affinity.

  Roselle’s jaw dropped. “She’s picking this up way too fast…”. She then smirked. “Alright then. If you’re such a quick learner, let’s see how fast you can dodge!”

  With a surge of yellow energy, Roselle fired a powerful shot from her cannon. Before it could hit, Runebelle’s body shifted into a smooth, sliding motion, almost gliding across the platform. The shot of energy harmlessly passed by her.

  Roselle blinked in shock. “What was that?!”

  Runebelle steadied herself and aimed her smaller cannon. Despite her sadness, there was a flicker of excitement in her eyes when she pulled the trigger.

  A rapid barrage of green energy bolts erupted from Runebelle’s cannon. The shots came in precise succession like a Gatling gun.

  “Whoa! Whoa! WHOA!” Roselle yelped. She zigzagged across the platform, narrowly dodging shot after shot with the green energy bolts pelting the air around her.

  Roselle dove behind one of the square platforms once the rapid-fire barrage of green energy bolts ceased for a moment. “Okay. I did not expect to get pinned down like this…”

  Runebelle, standing poised and calm adjusted her grip on her cannon. Noticing Roselle’s movements, she resumed firing. A fresh wave of green energy bolts came hurtling toward Roselle’s position.

  “Ahhh, not again!” Roselle yelped, darting to the next platform just in time to avoid a volley of shots. Sliding behind a third platform, Roselle’s mind raced. “I’ve got to do something to change this situation,” she thought, gripping her massive cannon tightly. “That rapid-fire is making it impossible to counterattack.”

  Peeking out, Roselle spotted Runebelle’s stance. Though her aim was steady and precise, her posture left a small opening that Roselle might be able to exploit.

  A grin spread across Roselle’s face. “Alright, little sister,” she whispered. “Let’s see if you can keep up when I do this!”

  Roselle narrowed her eyes, watching Runebelle closely. As Runebelle raised her cannon to fire again, Roselle caused yellow lightning to surge around her massive cannon, forming a crackling barrier. The incoming barrage of green bolts collided with the reinforced weapon, deflecting them harmlessly to the sides.

  Runebelle's eyes widened. "She’s blocking my shots?"

  Roselle smirked. "That’s right. And now…"

  Before Runebelle could react, Roselle swung her cannon like a battering ram and tossed it straight toward Runebelle.

  "Wait, wha—?" Runebelle gasped. She tried to sidestep; however, Roselle’s cannon clipped her shoulder which knocked her off balance.

  Roselle wasted no time. She spread her arms wide, summoning an electrifying storm of energy. "Watch this, Runebelle!" she called with excitement. "This is what I can do!"

  Roselle thrust her arms forward, and the air erupted with a violent burst of yellow lightning. The energy spun out in a dazzling fan, crackling and spinning wildly as it arced toward Runebelle.

  “Thunderclap, Surrge!”

  Runebelle’s eyes widened in shock, but she couldn’t move fast enough to evade the attack. The lightning tendrils struck her body with pinpoint precision, sending shockwaves of energy coursing through her.

  Amidst the chaos of the attack, something clicked in Runebelle's mind. Her system was beginning to make sense.

  ‘Magic can be used for offense and defense...’

  The realization hit her with clarity, even though she couldn't fully grasp all the implications. Her eyes flared open in sudden focus. A new ability—one she didn’t fully understand but could feel surging within her began to activate.

  “Fury…Pillars!”

  Runebelle slammed her hands against the floor. The air around her seemed to crackle with energy, and then the ground trembled as pillars of ice, fire, and earth erupted from the ground. They rose rapidly, forming a protective barrier around her.

  Roselle watched in awe. The pillars that surrounded Runebelle dissipated some of the residual energy, blocking most of the remaining damage, though she still winced from the impact.

  Her face, however, remained unchanged. There was still that familiar sadness on Runebelle’s face.

  “Wait a second…” Roselle muttered under her breath. “You’ve got three elements? That’s unheard of…” She blinked in shock, glancing back at Dr. Kintovar who was standing in the background with a wide grin.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Roselle said, turning her gaze back to Runebelle. “This… this is a whole new level! I thought we all had one element affinity, but you—”

  Kintovar, still grinning, nodded to herself. "It appears I underestimated you, Runebelle," she remarked with amusement.

  Roselle watched Runebelle for a long moment. Her excitement soon faded into concern. “That was incredible, but you took a lot of damage there...”

  The three pillars surrounding Runebelle began to move and surrounded Roselle. The ice pillar sent a sudden chill through her, the flames of the fire pillar licked at her skin and the earth pillar’s shifting movement radiated a raw force that seemed to press in from all sides.

  “What the—?” Roselle gasped,

  Runebelle spoke solemly. “That’s okay, Roselle. You’re about to take even more than I did...”

  Roselle grit her teeth, summoning more of her lightning. The yellow bolts surged outward, but they met resistance. The fire pillar was too intense, the ice too freezing and the earth too unyielding. Roselle’s own strength failed to push the barriers back.

  ‘Why is her magic so strong?’ Roselle thought to herself. Her eyes narrowed. Runebelle’s power was not like anything she’d encountered before. She had only just learned to channel her magic, yet now she was forcing Roselle to backpedal.

  She staggered under the strain. The pillars pressed in closer, forcing her to her knees. She knew she needed to find a way to break free, but now, she was faced with the possibility of defeat.

  "I—I didn’t expect this…" Roselle muttered to herself. “Nghhh! I’m supposed to be the one teaching you Runebelle, not the other way around!"