Rose's POV

"Hello class. My name is Mr.Monroe, and I am your Advanced Manipulation Learning and Control of Air instructor. In this class we will focus on the teachings of Air Nomads and meditate quite frequently. I will develop your abilities through practicing basic etiquette teachings. Balance and peace are two main principles I will preach throughout the year."

"This year, we will also combine classes with Level 1 Water manipulators a couple of times because both elements require grace and elegance. Now, we have 42 students in this class, quite a big batch this year. I only recognize 10 of your faces, meaning the rest of you are not used to Level 1 teachings. We will head down to the items gallery and get the rest of you your items, after this we will head back to my classroom and await my instruction. My assessments of each of you begin now. Since that is out of the way, please follow me to the gallery." Mr.Monroe says. He is fairly younger than some of the other elemental masters, yet still looks like he beholds lots of wisdom.

As a class, we make our way to the items gallery. It may seem like I am getting sick of coming here, but I enjoy looking around at all of the items in the allowed sections. Because I have not been able to see the air or water sections yet, I am eager to look around. I enter the gallery first, making a beeline for the air items, the thirty other item less students following my lead. I notice that many, if not all of the boys head for the watches and chains. I mean yes they are nice, but they look rather ordinary. The only jewels I have seen on a persons item are the earrings advanced wielders wear and my own. Although, I did see a couple of watches covered in quartz as I passed the watch area.

I head towards the back of the section. I have observed that the nicer items are back here, yet few people ever make it to the back section because they are so occupied with getting an item registered in the first place.

There is a nice looking pendant I see, but it doesn't feel right. With both of my items so far, I have felt this weird pull towards it. After I find my item, it's like I can't take my eyes off of it until it is officially mine. I continue searching the racks of items not really seeing or feeling anything right. I then get to a similar looking glass drawer that was in the fire section, yet this one is full of Air wielding items.

I look through the glass, nothing really catching my eye. It isn't until I notice an elvin-like head piece on a pedestal that I stop looking around. It is surrounded by a glass box, the diamond encrusted piece reflecting every beam of sunlight. It's main attraction has a diamond infused stone. I can't sense which healing stone is infused with the diamond until I remember Luke informing me of the rarest crystal known to man.

It is called Selenite and is a reflective white crystal, rumored to be found behind the fountain of youth. This specific crystal is known to be a goddess given blessing, for all who come across Selenite will be favored and blessed by the heavens above.



I stare at the gorgeous diamond encrusted head wear. It is covered in diamonds to the brim, the center piece of my item seemingly blessed and beautiful. I remove the top of the glass from the box, allowing me to gently pick up my item. When I place the covering back on the pedestal, I carry the delicate item to the front. The worker, whom I assume works here full time, looks at me, then at my item.

He shakes his head, eyeing me in awe. I take back my item when the registry is done and look for a mirror. When I find one, I place my head wear onto my forehead, having to rearrange my hair so it is secure. I look at myself in the mirror, holding back a gasp. I know that my angelic hair, porcelain skin, and symmetrical face do wonders for my appearance, but my item tops the cake. It lays on my head as if it were meant to be there, I know for a fact that this is a one of a kind item.



I head back to the front of the gallery where the rest of my class is. I receive looks of lust, awe, and jealousy as I walk by, which kind of creep me out. Mr.Monroe looks at me with his inquiring eyes, assessing me to the bone. Soon enough everyone has found and registered their items.

As we walk back to class, I admire my surroundings. I see the happy faces of dragon riders carrying their eggs from the hatchery. I can hear the clashing of swords from the combat class in the distance, using my enhanced hearing. I find myself back at the classroom, heading towards my window seat.

Just as I am about to reach my seat, somebody sticks out their leg in front of me. Thankfully, my quick reflexes save me from embarrassment and I dodge it. I look back to see the person who tried to trip me, only to find a red haired boy with a scowl on his face. I recognize him from before, he is one of the returning Air wielders. He is surrounded by a couple of his friends, they are watching us intently. I ignore them and sit down in my seat.

"So now that we are settled again, listen to my instructions. Because we have a much larger classroom, we are able to meditate on the floor. I will have you move towards the very back of the room, and sit down in your meditative position. I will be observing your focus and concentration. I have developed a technique to sense when your energy is restless, therefore if I call out your name, you must return to your seat. If I call out your name, it means that you do not have the concentration or focus required to be a successful air wielder ... yet. I will be marking down your times on my sheet of paper to track your progression throughout the year. If you remain and your name is not called out, I will tap you and will gift you a surprise." Mr.Monroe tells us. "Now, head to the back of the room and meditate."

I walk right to a spot where the sunlight is able hit every part of my body. I cross my legs over one another and rest my hands on my legs. I relax my muscles, roll out my shoulders, and straighten out my back. I recall the many times I have meditated for hours on end, soaking in all the earth has to offer.

I clear my mind completely, all thoughts of my companion, classes and friends are now out of my mind. I envision my mind space like a blank canvas. I begin to tune into my enhanced senses, focusing on the small details. I subconsciously hear names being called aloud but I do not deter my focus. I inhale the chamomile scent with a hint of lavender that presents itself throughout Mr.Monroe's classroom. I know that the two scents are meant to make those who inhale the smell relax, but I do not ponder the thought anymore.

I listen for the stabilized breaths of mine, my heart beating it's rhythmic pattern. I can hear the wind just outside of the classroom continuing it's never ending tune. I do not feel a breeze physically, yet I am able to imagine the draft flowing through my hair. It's gentle blow covering my smiling face. "The small things in life make the largest difference." Nicholas used to tell me. I appreciate mother nature for what it is everyday, in turn, I see the beauty of my surroundings in the finest form of detail.

I can already imagine the sunlight glowing on my face, giving me an ethereal look. The warmth it provides my skin leaving me content and rejuvenated. The sun's rays penetrating me in a way I would like to think of as a sign from the goddesses, understanding my praise for the planet they began.

I embrace the sunlight washing over me, a power source to my never ending appreciation. I remain in my own peaceful world, it full of love and respect. I am taken out of my fantasy when I feel a faint tap on my shoulder. I lessen my focus and instead open my eyes to find the whole Level 1 class looking at me intently. Mr.Monroe is off to my side, he must have been the one to reel me back in from my meditative state. I get up from my sitting position.

"Well done class, but Rose and Iverson are the only ones who did not break concentration. I purposefully call out names of those who lost their focus in hopes of deterring more students. If my voice can break your concentration, your focus was not great to begin with." My teacher starts.

"Now," He says, turning his gaze to me and the red haired kid who tried to trip me. I assume his name is Iverson. "My surprise to you is a saying, The mind is everything. What you think you become." Mr.Monroe finishes.

"Thank you." I politely respond, still reeling back from the tranquility of meditation. There is a reason why he told us those words specifically. I will be sure to remind myself of the quote occasionally, for there is a meaning as to why he chose to tell us that. I hear Iverson groan from beside me.

"That's it? It was super hard trying to remain focused and we get a quote in return." Iverson frustratedly says. I look at him bewildered.

"There is a reason for everything. Thus, the quote must have been important and hold much meaning for our instructor to grace us with. You should be thankful for his wisdom." I remind the boy. He looks at me angrily. Just as he is about to speak, Mr.Monroe adds in his opinion.

"Actually, Iverson, only you will be given a quote as a reward." Our teacher says with a knowing smile. "For Rose will be rewarded with the quote and an aura crystal. Because she did not complain about my words, and wisely told you off, she will receive my true surprise." Mr.Monroe smiles. I gasp, along with everyone else in the room.

Aura crystals are extremely rare and are difficult to come by. I believe that there are 20 different aura crystals, majority of them are under the protection of the Air Nomad clan. They are the strongest and most powerful air wielders known to man, and the air wielders who mastered levitation, teleportation, and telekinesis all reside in the clan. Iverson looks like he is about to blow a blood vessel, his face an angry red, his eyes narrowed. Before he can say anything to me, I follow Mr.Monroe to receive my gift.

"You do not have to gift me anything, for your knowledge is rewarding itself." I tell my superior humbly, still wanting to see an aura crystal though.

"Nonsense, you earned my surprise fair and square. I tell the quote to everyone who didn't break focus, just observing their reactions. Nobody, for the past 5 years I have been teaching here, has actually appreciated my words of wisdom after the exercise. You are the first, which is why I have waited to gift my aura crystal to someone who truly deserves it. That someone is you." Mr.Monroe finishes with a smile. I thank him once again as we reach his desk.

"As you probably know, there are only 20 aura crystals in the world, each one symbolizing something different. What you probably don't know is that if the aura crystals are placed in the wrong hands or sense danger, they emit their raw power. This is turn badly wounds the person negatively affecting the crystal. The crystal I will pass down to you is the sapienti est aura crystal, known as 'the wise one' or 'wisdom crystal'. Please take care of it, and always wear it on you." Mr.Monroe concludes.

He reaches around his neck and takes off a braided, leather brown choker with the crystal in the center. The thing about the aura crystals is that they come in all different shapes and sizes, this one just happens to be a murky white color with a rounded off shape.



I put it on with caution, looking back to Mr.Monroe for reassurance. He smiles back encouragingly. I clasp on the choker and immediately I feel a sense of power being awaken from within me. The stone glows a whiteish-grey, then dies back down. Mr.Monroe smiles widely.

"The crystal has accepted you, I knew you were the one." He cheerily says. I hear the bell chime, another hour has passed. I thank Mr.Monroe repeatedly, gathering my stuff together and walking out the door. I am not oblivious to Iverson's jealousy filled eyes, but I choose to ignore it for now.

I make my way towards my last elemental class of the day, admiring my new possessions. I feel an immense amount of pride for bearing the 'wisdom crystal', in addition to my other Level 1 items. I walk into my Water Manipulation class with a huge smile and a determined mindset, I will not let anyone down.

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