"I—I was trying to save a bunny family," Grace said, her voice trembling slightly. "Their burrow had caught fire. It wasn't a large flame, but the space was so small… and there were so many of them. It was exhausting."
Her mother's expression softened instantly. "Aww, that's very sweet, my darling."
The King, however, regarded her with a measured gaze. "Compassion is admirable," he said firmly. "But if such a small task left you drained, then you must train harder. You are capable of far more than that."
Grace lowered her head respectfully. "Yes, Father. I won't let you down. I'll take a stroll through the kingdom for now."
"Very well," the King replied. "Take care—and stay out of trouble."
The city buzzed with life as Grace and her attendant, Renee, walked through its sunlit streets. Merchants called from their stalls, children ran laughing between fountains, and banners bearing the royal crest fluttered proudly in the wind.
After wandering for some time, Grace led them toward the outer edges of the kingdom, where a vast lake shimmered beneath the open sky.
Renee slowed her steps. "Your Majesty… what are we doing here?"
Grace's eyes fixed on the water. "What do you think? I need space to practice. You saw what happened at the academy."
Renee hesitated but nodded.
Before Grace could summon the lake's waters, familiar voices called from behind.
"Look who it is—Arnold! Maria!" Grace brightened, running toward them and pulling them into a warm embrace.
"How have you been, dear Crystal?" Arnold asked gently. "We're sorry we couldn't check on you sooner."
"He's right," Maria added with a soft smile.
"It's alright," Grace assured them.
Maria glanced at the lake. "You normally don't come this far from the palace. What brings you here?"
"I needed to improve my skills," Grace replied casually. "There's plenty of water to train with."
Arnold blinked in surprise. "Crystal… you don't need a lake for that. Generating water from the moisture in the air is basic control for you."
For a split second, Grace's composure faltered.
Then what have I been doing all this time?
I have to catch up—no, surpass everyone… no matter what.
She forced a small laugh. "Well… I also wanted to enjoy the scenery."
"Oh… okay," Arnold and Maria said in unison.
Grace's competitive spark flickered to life. "Come on, Maria. Let's have a little showdown."
Maria's eyes glimmered with playful challenge. "Hehe… challenge accepted, Your Majesty."
A soft emerald glow enveloped her form. Delicate wings unfurled from her back, translucent and veined like living leaves. Vines curled around her ankles like elegant sandals, blooming faint white blossoms as she rose effortlessly into the air.
Grace stared, momentarily stunned.
A fairy? A pure nature fairy?
Maria was not just any fairy—she was a guardian of nature itself.
"Let's warm up first, shall we?" Maria said lightly.
Without warning, green vines shot from the earth, twisting rapidly toward Grace.
Grace reacted instinctively. With a swift motion of her hands, water surged from the lake, shaping itself into sharp, glistening blades. She sliced through the vines midair, droplets scattering like rain.
"Not bad," Grace complimented.
Maria laughed softly. "Are you kidding? That was barely a greeting."
"Then give me your best shot," Grace challenged, a confident smirk tugging at her lips.
The atmosphere shifted.
The ground trembled as thicker vines erupted outward, reinforced with glowing emerald energy. Trees along the lake's edge leaned toward Maria, their leaves spiraling into the air at her command.
Grace inhaled slowly.
Harmony between soul, body, and power.
The lake responded instantly. A towering arc of water rose behind her, swirling with controlled intensity. The surface rippled violently as she shaped it into a rotating shield.
Maria thrust her hand forward. Thorned vines lashed like whips, striking against the water barrier with force. The impact sent sprays of mist into the air.
Grace pivoted and launched crescent waves slicing toward Maria.
Maria flipped gracefully, her wings scattering luminous green dust that hardened into petal-shaped shields. The water blades shattered against them in bursts of shimmering droplets.
"Impressive," Maria called.
Grace's eyes sharpened. She spread her arms wide, drawing moisture not just from the lake but from the air itself. Water condensed rapidly around her, forming a spiraling current that lifted her slightly off the ground.
Maria's smile widened. "Now that's more like it."
With a fluid motion, Maria summoned roots from beneath the soil. They twisted together, forming a massive guardian beast of wood and leaves—a stag with glowing green eyes. It charged across the shallow water toward Grace.
Grace answered with a surging tidal wave, shaped like a roaring dragon of water. The two forces collided with a thunderous crash, sending a shockwave across the lake. Water splashed high into the sky while leaves scattered in every direction.
For a moment, neither side yielded.
Maria descended swiftly, launching a barrage of razor-sharp leaves propelled by wind. Grace countered by spinning her currents into a vortex, deflecting the leaves and turning them into harmless confetti that rained around them.
Breathing heavier now, Grace focused deeply. The water around her condensed into twin spears, gleaming with precision. She hurled them upward.
Maria crossed her arms, and a massive blossom bloomed before her like a shield. The spears pierced through several layers of petals before dissolving into harmless spray.
Silence fell for a heartbeat.
Then both moved at once.
Maria summoned a forest of vines from every direction.
Grace lifted the entire surface of the lake into a sweeping wall.
Nature and water collided in a magnificent explosion of emerald and silver.
The force sent wind rushing outward. Birds scattered from the trees. When the mist slowly settled, the lake returned to calm—though its edges were marked with torn vines and scattered leaves.
Grace stood at the shore, slightly breathless but steady.
Maria hovered just above the water, her wings dim but unbroken.
They stared at each other.
Then Maria smiled.
"A draw?" she offered.
Grace exhaled and allowed a grin to spread across her face. "A draw."
Arnold clapped enthusiastically from the sidelines. Renee released the breath she had been holding the entire time.
Maria landed gracefully, her wings dissolving into particles of green light.
"You've grown stronger, Crystal," Maria said gently. "But remember—true power isn't about surpassing others. It's about understanding yourself."
Grace looked at the calm lake, thoughtful.
"And you," she replied with a playful smirk, "are far stronger than the books say."
They both laughed.
The sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting gold across water and wildwood alike.
And somewhere deep within her heart, Grace realized—
Today wasn't about winning.
It was about awakening.