Mira stood on the edge of Elio's sacred tree, the towering ancient figure that radiated serene energy, calming the air around them. 

At the tree's border, just where the soft grass met the gleaming water, stood Cedric, Elysia, and Olivia, their expressions ranging from nervous excitement to quiet determination. 

Across the lake, Zephyr stood silently with Aurelius and Evelina, their watchful eyes reflecting support and expectation.

Elysia turned to Mira, her eyes glittering excitedly at this chance to learn magic from Mira. "So, what's our test going to be, Auntie Mira?" Her bright and expectant smile could have lit up the entire clearing.

Mira hummed thoughtfully, her fingers brushing the bark of Elio's tree. She took a moment to consider her words, ensuring they would both challenge and encourage. 

"Well," she began, her voice soft but firm, "this will be a test of not only your magical power but your concentration as well. Turn around and face the water."

The three did as instructed, the crystal-clear surface of the lake reflecting their eager faces. Each was mesmerized by the purity of the water, though nerves shimmered just below the surface of their confidence.

"Since this test will be purely for defense," Mira explained, stepping closer to the group, "I want you to conjure a shield beneath your feet and hover above the lake. Let’s start with… five minutes. If you succeed at maintaining it for that long, we’ll add five more, and so on. After that, we’ll move on to something more advanced. Now..." 

She paused, her gaze moving over each of them. "Any questions before we begin?"

There was a stunned silence before Elysia and Olivia spun around, their jaws practically hitting the ground. Cedric, for his part, only managed to widen his eyes in disbelief.

"You want us to do WHAT?" Elysia exclaimed, her voice rising an octave. She pointed toward the lake as if Mira had suggested they leap into a pit of fire. "What if we fall in? I can't swim!"

Mira smiled sympathetically, her tone gentle but unwavering. "Don’t worry. I promise you won’t fall. Even if you do, I'll be here to catch you." 

With a flick of her wrist, a shimmering bubble surrounded the three of them, lifting them into the air and hovering them above the water. 

Mira's wings unfurled, their glow catching the sunlight as she hovered beside them.

Elysia's breaths came fast and shallow as she looked down at the lake below. Her eyes darted between the water and Mira, panic threatening to overtake her. 

Mira reached out, her calm energy radiating through her words. "Elysia, listen to me. You’re safe. I won’t let you fall. Just focus on your magic. Take a deep breath and trust yourself."

For a moment, Elysia's fear held her frozen, but then she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Slowly, she exhaled, her small hands steadying. 

"I'll trust you, Auntie Mira! I promise to try my best and make you proud!"

Mira’s heart swelled with pride. "Make yourself proud, Elysia. That’s what matters most. Now, shall we begin?"

The three nodded, determination replacing hesitation. Their hands glowed as they summoned their magic, and shimmering shields of light appeared beneath their feet. 

Tendrils of magic snaked up their legs to stabilize them as Mira gently released the bubble, allowing them to settle onto their platforms.

Cedric and Elysia managed to maintain balance and control, their shields holding steady above the water. 

But Olivia struggled. 

Her magic flickered and wavered, her demonic lineage making light-based spells a challenge. "Olivia, just breathe and focus on your feet," Mira encouraged, her voice steady.

But frustration quickly overtook Olivia. Her magic sputtered, the platform beneath her feet rocking dangerously. She clenched her fists, her voice rising. 

"NO! I can do it, I CAN!" Her desperation only made her magic falter further, the glow beneath her dimming until, finally, it vanished entirely.

Olivia let out a sharp cry as she plunged into the water, disturbing its serene surface. Mira’s magic acted instantly, pulling Olivia out and encasing her in a warm bubble. 

But the young demi-human’s frustration boiled over. She pounded at the bubble walls, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Olivia!" Mira hovered beside her, her voice firm but kind. "It’s okay! You don’t have to perfect it in one go. This is just the beginning." She brought the bubble back to the shore, setting Olivia down gently.

Olivia sat curled in on herself, her damp clothes clinging to her as she stared at the water. 

Jealousy and self-doubt flashed in her eyes as she glanced at Elysia and Cedric, who still floated steadily on their shields. Her lip quivered, and she bit it hard, a metallic taste spreading through her mouth.

Before Mira could speak, she felt the warm presence of Zephyr behind her. He knelt beside Olivia, wrapping her in his strong arms. 

His naturally high body temperature seeped through her, chasing away the cold.

"I know what you’re feeling, Olivia," Zephyr said, his deep voice steady. "You’re pushing yourself too hard to be perfect. But perfection isn’t the goal. Even Mira and I have things we can’t do. This isn’t a failure; it’s just a lesson. Do you understand?"

Olivia let out a shuddering sob, burying her face in her hands. After a moment, she looked up, a small, self-deprecating chuckle escaping her lips. "I guess I’ll just have to be a different kind of defender, huh?"

Mira and Zephyr exchanged a smile, their pride evident. "Exactly," Mira said, brushing a stray lock of hair from Olivia’s face.

Meanwhile, Elysia’s voice broke through the moment, strained and breathless. "Um, Auntie Mira? Are those five minutes up yet?"

Mira couldn’t hold back her laugh as she flew back to the lake to check on the other two. Behind her, Olivia sat up a little straighter, determination flickering anew in her eyes.

To be continued...