-Roxy-

  My time as the Greyrat's teacher was coming to an end. I had been hired around Aisha and Norn's fifth birthdays, and as their tenth approached, they were thinking about their futures. Both were determined to continue studying magic and swordplay. It seemed they saw each other as rivals, both striving to attain skills they envied the other for having. To that end, I suggested they attend the Ranoa Magic University. That would allow them to continue their studies, while also gaining life experience in a larger town than Buena Village. The chance to study at my Alma Mater was all it took for them to be convinced.

  So, we planned for the final exam to take place a week before our departure. Following their graduation, we'd all prepare for the journey to Sharia, the town which housed the magic university. I would accompany them at Paul's request, which was fortunate, as I wished to hand deliver our alternative casting research to Jenius. After that, I would need to find new employment. With that, My plans, as well as those of the Greyrat siblings, were set in stone. That only left my third student's future up in the air.

  I had been concerned about Sylphie for a good while. She'd been acting odd. Sometimes, she'd stay at my side, much to the chagrin of Paul, Aisha and Norn, who she would neglect on those days. Other times, she'd be distant, avoiding contact with me for as long as possible. This ebb and flow of her mood had been ongoing ever since we'd set the final exam in stone.

  On the day of the test, Sylphie had plans in the morning. It seemed strange, as she knew we'd be doing the casting in the fields by noon. There wouldn't be much time beforehand, but she told us she would catch up if she missed us. Sure enough, we had to depart without her. I worried she was in one of her distant moods and might skip the test entirely.

  As we reached the city limits, still a good hours walk from our destination, we ran across an unusual scene. One of the boys from the village was talking to Sylphie. Whatever they were discussing, he seemed to be disappointed with the direction things had gone. With slumped shoulders, he headed back to town.

  Noticing us, Sylphie ran to join our party. “Hello, Teacher. Sorry for being late.”

  “That's fine.” Looking back at the depressed boy, I couldn't withhold my curiosity. “What were you two discussing?”

  With a blush, Sylphie flipped her hair over her shoulder. She had gained a habit of twirling her braid when she was nervous. “Nothing important.”

  Clearly it was important to the two of them, given both of their reactions, but I wasn't going to pry into the affairs of two young adults. “Very well. Shall we get going?”

  Cumulonimbus is unlike my usual weather magic. It's a spell designed to ravage armies on the field of battle, sowing discourse for any caught unawares. Rain came down in sheets, thunder boiled through the clouds, and lightning lashed out in unpredictable intervals. After demonstrating what the destructive deluge should look like, I dispersed the spell. From the cover of the earthen shelter I set up for my students, Norn and Aisha looked on in awe. Verbal descriptions couldn't compare to the genuine fury of a Saint Tier Spell.

  “Now, who wants to try first?”

  Norn nervously started to rise, but Aisha was faster. “Me! I'll go first!”

  Aisha came out of the shelter, quick to raise her hands to the skies. Wordlessly, she began silently casting the spell. After a moment, clouds began to gather. When it started to drizzle, it was nothing more than a standard rain spell. A few minutes went by. I was about to step in, when she began chanting the incantation. Learning her limits was Aisha's greatest weakness, so I was proud she was able to accept that she couldn't use silent casting when trying to manage such a powerful spell. Once the full squall was in effect for thirty minutes, I told her she could dispel it. I would have preferred she kept it going for an hour, but she had clearly proven her mettle and we had two more students to test.

  “Very good. You pass, Water Saint Aisha.”

  “Someday, I'll manage it without a single word.” Pushing her chest out, she proudly accepted the title.

  “I'm next!” Norn shot up, quickly running to my side. She pulled out her wand, a present from when she mastered elementary magic.

  “Still need your pacifier?” Aisha teased, but I smacked her head with my staff. “Ow!”

  “There is no shame in using an aid when casting. Even I have my staff.” I looked up at the blue crystal resting in the crest of my magical tool. “It is merely an extension of one's self. Like a sword to a swordswoman. Even you and Sylphie need to direct your magic with your hands.”

  “Sorry...” Aisha was often scolded, but she still took it pretty badly when it happened. She trudged off to take shelter with Sylphie, lacking the luster she had from passing the test.

  “Norn, you may proceed.”

  Norn was nervous, which reflected in her casting. She took her time, careful not to misspeak when chanting. It took as long for Aisha to start using incantations as it did for Norn to finish her chanting. Once it began, she struggled to maintain it. Luckily, that meant a dull rumble here and there, with a substantial amount of rain coming down. However, it broke apart after a couple of minutes. I allowed her to retry, but after an hour, she had simply repeated to fail over and over. As much as it pained me, I had to call it off.

  “I'm sorry, Norn.” I had her turn to me. She was crying, clearly frustrated over her failure. I rubbed her head, letting her get it all out. When the tears stopped, I continued. “You are already doing so well. Given a few more years of study, I'm sure you'll become a Water Saint too.”

  Wiping away her tears, Norn nodded to me. “Thank you, Roxy.”

  That only left one student. “Sylphie, it's your turn.”

  “Huh?” Once again, she seemed to be lost in thought. Coming back to reality, she started to rise. “Oh, right.”

  “Are you ready?” I wanted to offer her some time, maybe taking the test another day, but our schedules where set. It needed to be today.

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  “Yes, Teacher.” Sylphie prepared herself for the spell.

  Unlike the other two, Sylphie cast the incantation with no issue. Without the pride or hesitation the other two struggled with, she was off to a good start. However, I could tell she was forcing herself through one of her detached moods, just going through the motions. I worried, but if her mind was elsewhere, the results should have been a similar loss of vigor that Norn's spell had. That was what I expected, anyways.

  “Sylphie.”

  As the storm raged, it began to grow tense. While the rain and thunder subsided, there wasn't the same relief a failing spell should have had.

  “Sylphie?”

  My calls went unheard, as the wind picked up and the sky started to churn. The eye of the storm began to widen, the clouds surrounding it starting to circle. As a funnel began to form, I realized this was much worse than a simple failed spell.

  “Sylphie!”

  -Sylphiette-

  My mind was elsewhere. I had been in a state of unrest since the Greyrats had decided to send Norn and Aisha off. I would miss them, but the greater loss would be Roxy. She would travel with them, then find a new life outside of Buena Village. Meanwhile, I'd still be here. I'd have my family. Paul, Zenith and Lilia would still be there for me. But, I'd lose the person I respected the most.

  Roxy had come into my life five years ago, but it felt like she was always there for me. She taught me magic, of course, but she also taught me how to live as myself. I hated my hair, thought it caused nothing but trouble. Then, Roxy said I needed to accept who I was and I found the beauty in it. I was able to express my femininity after having it stolen, and she supported me every step of the way. Paul may have given me the strength to defend the boy my bullies turned me into, but Roxy gave me the confidence to become the woman I wanted to be.

  When I was lost in that haze of impending loss, one of those bullies called me out. By some twist of fate, he wanted to meet the morning of our final test. I'd still have a week before Roxy left, but it was the last day she'd be my teacher. I should have just ignored him, but this felt like a chance to show my growth. Whatever he threw at me, I'd be fine. I could live without Roxy.

  I expected a fight, or at least some insults, but instead it was an apology. He had spent the last few years feeling guilty about how he'd treated me as a child. Even more surprising, he confessed his feelings. I was shocked that he could go from hating me to expressing his affection. It seemed my feminine charms had done him in. I was given the chance to forge a new path, as a woman with a man.

  Even if it wasn't this boy, one of my former tormentors, I could find a new life with a lover. I didn't need to get hung up on Roxy. When we parted ways, I could move on. The moment that thought entered my mind, my heart sank.

  “Sylphie.”

  My stomach felt empty. Picturing myself with some man, it just felt wrong. I knew that I needed to let Roxy go, but it tore me up inside.

  “Sylphie?”

  My emotions started to go out of control. Dread, fear, envy. The thought of someone else having me. The thought of Roxy being with...

  “Sylphie!”

  I snapped to attention. Where a savage storm should have been taking place, a funnel of clouds was descending. Confused, I tried to stop chanting, only to find I hadn't been using an incantation. Still the mana flowed from me. I could feel the control of the wind, just like I felt when using silent healing magic.

  “Stop the spell! Now!” Roxy was terrified. I had never seen her lose her composure like that. “If you lose control, we could all die!”

  I looked back to the spiraling storm. The cyclone was reaching out for the ground. I could feel its path. I wasn't afraid. “I can control it.”

  Roxy was stunned. She tried to respond, but kept stopping to think. Finally, she looked at me with a stern stare. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.” I held it off, keeping it meters from the ground, restraining its growth. “Should I stop?”

  Another moment passed as she thought, before shaking her head. She cast a spell to reinforce the stone shelter around Aisha and Norn, then turned to me. “Keep it like this for ten minutes. Then, slow it until it dissipates.”

  “Right!”

  I did as I was told. The longer it went, the less cooperative the winds were. Despite my control, I needed to strengthen my restraints with every passing moment. This unfamiliar form of wind magic was far more draining than when it was guided by incantations. When I got the signal to dispel the storm, I slowly calmed the winds. They began to rest, slowing to a breeze, until the clouds I formed parted. The sun was near-blinding as it broke through the overcast. Only then did I realize how shallow my breathing had become. With a deep breath, I regained my composure.

  “Sylphie.” Roxy stood before me. I was uncertain what came next. While I had controlled the storm, it was unlike the Cumulonimbus she had shown us. With a gulp, I waited for my teacher's judgment. “You failed the test.”

  My heart sank. I knew this was my one shot and I blew it. “I understand.”

  “I don't think you do.” With a grin, Roxy turned to the field where the funnel had rested just above the surface. “There is no doubt you failed to cast Cumulonimbus. I can't grant you the rank of Water Saint.” Turning back to me, she motioned to the unmarked grasslands. “However, you managed to summon and control Tornado with no prior practice or research. A single slip up would have left this entire area decimated.” Smiling up at me, she declared. “Only a Wind Saint could manage such a feat. Congratulations, Sylphie.”

  The joy that filled me was indescribable. Acknowledgment from Roxy of my skill, becoming a Saint in my own way, the look of pride on her face. I couldn't help but reach out and hug her. “Thank you, teacher!”

  After a brief moment of hesitation, she began to pat my back. “Now, I expect you to keep studying. Next time we meet, I'm certain you'll be a Water Saint as well.”

  “Oh...” With a reminder of her impending departure, I lost most of my excitement. Still, I needed to stay strong. “Yes, teacher.”

  “What was that?” Aisha ran over. “You have to teach me!”

  “You know we have to get ready for the trip.” Norn followed shortly behind, bursting her sister's bubble. “Good job, Sylphiette.”

  The four of us chatted as we returned to Buena Village. The final test over, we had all graduated. Before long, these three would depart, and I would be left behind.

  “Can you help me pack some things?” Roxy was in the middle of getting her belongings packed. With how much material had trickled in over five years, and how many we'd produced ourselves, she was having trouble sorting it all on her own.

  “Sure.” I came up to her room, which looked like a library had exploded. Piles of papers lined most of the floor. A little confused by the chaos, I looked to Roxy. “What's going on?”

  Crouching down, she started shuffling through a pile. “I'm trying to lighten the load, so I'm disposing of any redundant documents.” Comparing two sheets, she folded one, leaning over to drop it into a crate full of folded paper. “While I focus on this, can you clear off my desk? I'll let you know where things go.”

  A little less confident in how much I could help, I walked around the piles to reach her desk. Ironically, it was immaculate. There were three neatly sorted piles of papers, with some spare parchment and an empty inkwell at the center. Pulling the first pile out, I was surprised to see unfamiliar handwriting.

  The pile was a collection of letters. Each one had the same messy handwriting. While the contents were nothing that impressive, mainly life updates, there were dozens of them. Turning to Roxy, I held up one of the letters. “What are these?”

  Looking up for a moment, she returned to her sorting as she explained. “Those are from my former student. She sends me a letter once a month. I'm impressed she's been keeping it up for so long.”

  “Right.” I looked at the pile. Over fifty letters on a fixed schedule. Whoever this student was, she was clearly as enraptured with Roxy as I was. That gave me a comforting thought. “It will be nice to stay in touch like this.”

  “We can certainly try.”

  The offhand comment took me off guard. “What do you mean?”

  Still shuffling through papers, she explained. “I've been able to stay in touch because I've lived here for so long. Once I start traveling, it will become much harder to receive letters until I settle down again.”

  “Oh. That makes sense.” My enthusiasm died, as I realized I may not have the same privilege as her previous student. A part of me was envious. I knew I shouldn't, but I started to resent this fortunate girl. Such dedication showed she was enamored with Roxy. I felt she might try to steal her away, not that she was mine to keep. I wouldn't remain by her side much longer either. I memorized the name despite myself: Eris Boreas Greyrat.