Third-Person POV

The morning sun rose over the village, casting warm hues across the rooftops and cobblestone streets. The quiet hum of daily life filled the air, from shopkeepers setting up their stalls to villagers preparing for the day. Inside Mira's family restaurant, two figures bustled around, setting chairs in place and wiping down tables. Noah and Mira, now both nine years old, moved with an ease that came from years of familiarity with the task.

Noah had grown a little taller over the past year, though his frame remained wiry and quick. His dark hair had grown longer, falling in gentle waves around his face, his brown bright eyes full of focus as he placed each chair with precision. Mira, on the other hand, had grown more confident in her movements. She wore her brown hair tied back in a loose braid, her cheeks flushed with the early morning chill and her expression thoughtful as she worked beside Noah. Mira bright amber eyes just looking around.

A soft clang of silverware snapped Noah from his task, and he glanced over at Mira with a grin. "Hey, Mira, do you think fourth grade's going to be as boring as third?"

Mira shot him a sideways look, her lips curling up in a smile. "Well, it's school, Noah. It's supposed to be boring. And besides, I think it's a bit late to start complaining about it now." She crossed her arms, leaning against a nearby table. "But... maybe it won't be so bad. We'll get more time to practice magic, after all."

Noah's eyes brightened at the mention of magic. The thought of refining his skills with mana sent a thrill through him, and he nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! And, since I can't use any spells, maybe I'll finally get better with those mana reinforcement techniques."

Mira laughed softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Oh, you mean like the time you tried to reinforce that barrel and ended up breaking the whole thing?" she teased, her eyes glinting with amusement.

"Hey, I was just practicing!" Noah protested, his face reddening slightly. "Besides, if it weren't for that, your mom would've never told me about my core!"

Flashback - 3 Years Ago

Noah could still remember the feeling after that first fight with the robbers. He'd been so curious about what he'd felt in that moment—the rush of power that had saved him and Mira. With Mira's encouragement, he'd started experimenting more with his mana, his excitement spilling over into countless hours of practice. Mira had even taken to practicing with him, feeling a sense of gratitude toward Noah for protecting her during the robbery.

It had been Mira's mother who'd taken notice of his determination and decided to guide him. She'd watched him closely one day as he sat cross-legged on the floor of the restaurant, his eyes shut tight as he struggled to feel the faint threads of mana within him.

"Relax, Noah," she'd said gently, her voice guiding him. "Mana is like a river. You don't force it; you let it flow, and guide it carefully."

Noah had nodded, taking a deep breath and focusing on the feeling of energy within him. After what felt like an eternity, he managed to reach a steady flow, his whole body humming with mana. But Mira's mother's eyes had widened slightly as she watched, a look of quiet surprise crossing her face.

"Noah," she'd said thoughtfully, "it seems you have... a broad core."

Noah had opened his eyes, puzzled. Mira had been just as confused, her gaze darting between her mother and her friend. "A broad core?" she'd asked. "What does that mean?"

Mira's mother explained, her tone patient but serious. "Most people have a mana core with a set element—fire, water, earth, or air. Their magic naturally channels through that element, making it easier to use. But a broad core means that mana doesn't align with any particular element. Instead, Noah, you'll have to learn how to use pure mana, which is much harder to control."

Mira's face fell, her heart sinking as she watched Noah's expression, fearing he'd be devastated. But to her surprise, he was staring up at her mother in awe, his eyes shining.

"That's... so cool," he whispered, his voice full of wonder. "I get to learn to use pure mana? That sounds amazing!"

Mira had felt a strange warmth in her chest as she watched him, an unbidden smile spreading across her face. She'd nudged him playfully. "You're such a weirdo, Noah," she'd said, though there was a faint blush on her cheeks as she spoke. "Most people would be terrified to learn that."

Noah had just laughed, shrugging. "Well, I guess I'm not most people, then."

Present Day

Now, as they finished up their morning chores, Noah smiled to himself, remembering those early days of training. He looked at Mira, who was fixing her braid in a small mirror hung on the wall, and said, "I'm glad we get to keep training together. Even if I can't throw fireballs like you, I'll be just as strong one day."

Mira rolled her eyes, but her smile softened. "You know, you're not so bad at close-range combat. Maybe that's where your strength will be." She picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder. "Come on, let's get going before we're late."

They said their goodbyes to Mira's mother, who wished them luck and waved them off with a smile. As they walked along the familiar path toward the school, the cobbled streets lined with quaint houses and shops, Noah couldn't stop talking about the different ways he might improve his mana usage.

"Maybe if I practice more with reinforcing my arms, I can hit even harder," he mused, clenching his fist and studying it as if imagining it cloaked in mana. "What do you think, Mira?"

She shrugged thoughtfully. "It's possible. But you have to be careful—you don't want to end up hurting yourself in the process. Remember, mana reinforcement is tricky, and if you're not careful, it can backfire."

Noah nodded, determined. "I know, but I think if I keep trying, I can get it. It's just... I feel like I'm so close to figuring it out."

They were deep in conversation when they heard the sound of muffled voices nearby. Noah's sharp ears picked up a familiar tone—one of fear mixed with laughter. He stopped in his tracks, his gaze narrowing as he looked toward a nearby alleyway.

"Did you hear that?" he asked, his voice tense.

Mira looked uncertain. "Noah, maybe we should wait and—"

But he was already moving, his feet carrying him toward the sound without a second thought. Mira hurried after him, her heart pounding. "Noah, wait! We don't know what's going on—"

When he reached the alleyway, he stopped short, taking in the scene before him. Three boys, each taller and broader than himself, were surrounding a smaller figure—a boy with messy grey hair and cat-like ears, his tail tucked low as he crouched defensively. The boy looked to be around their age, his large golden eyes filled with fear as the bullies jeered at him.

"Look at this little scaredy-cat," one of them sneered, giving the boy a rough shove. "Where's all that speed and agility you Felinors are supposed to have, huh?"

Noah felt a surge of anger bubble up inside him. Without hesitating, he looked around and spotted a stick on the ground. Grabbing it, he stepped forward, channeling mana through his body. The familiar warmth spread through his limbs, and he felt his grip on the stick tighten as he reinforced it with mana.

"Hey!" he shouted, his voice clear and defiant. "Leave him alone!"

The bullies turned, momentarily surprised, but they quickly recovered, sneering at the sight of Noah standing there, holding nothing but a stick. One of the bullies stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. "What are you gonna do with that, twig-boy?"

Noah gritted his teeth, keeping his focus. He'd trained for this—no fireballs, no spells, just pure mana strengthening his movements. As the bully lunged forward, Noah sidestepped and brought the stick down in a quick, controlled strike, reinforced by his mana. It connected with a sharp crack, and the bully stumbled back, clutching his arm in shock.

The other bullies hesitated, exchanging glances. Mira finally caught up, her eyes widening at the sight. She quickly stepped forward, positioning herself beside Noah, her hand glowing faintly with a spell ready to cast. "Leave now, or you'll regret it," she said firmly, her voice steady.

The two remaining bullies backed away, dragging their injured friend with them, grumbling as they disappeared down the alley. The Felinor boy looked up at Noah and Mira, a mixture of relief and gratitude in his wide golden eyes.

"Thank you," he murmured, his voice soft but earnest. "They wouldn't leave me alone... just because I'm different."

Noah offered him a reassuring smile, extending a hand. "Don't worry about it. I'm Noah, and this is Mira."

The boy took Noah's hand hesitantly, his grip light and tentative. "I'm Kael. I... I'm a Felinor, as you can probably tell. I just moved here."

Mira gave him a friendly nod. "Nice to meet you, Kael. Are you heading to school too?"

Kael's ears perked up slightly, his eyes brightening. "Yes! I'm... I'm in the same grade as you, I think. I know a little bit of wind magic, but... it's not very strong yet."

As the three of them walked toward the school, Kael's shyness gradually melted away, and he began to talk about his wind magic, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. For the first time since the morning, Noah felt an odd sense of excitement. Not only had they made a new friend, but Kael's wind magic might even be something they could all learn from together.

And as the three of them arrived at the school gates, Noah couldn't shake the feeling that this year was going to be different..