Page 375 of Axis of Fire

“If I understand this correctly,” Seris said, “they grouped us according to our elemental affinities.”

“It's nice that most of our group are elemental mages,” Gianna replied with a gentle smile. “It makes me feel... safer.”

I couldn't have disagreed more.

Privately, I was already praying we wouldn't be paired together during practical exercises.

I still hoped our schedules would eventually split apart, giving me time to return to my room and speak with the spirits.

Unfortunately...

My prayers went unanswered.

And speaking of spirits—

Where had they disappeared to?

'd grown so used to their constant presence that their absence felt strangely unsettling.

“I feel the same way,” Seris agreed.

I listened to them in quiet surprise.

It never ceased to amaze me how people could experience the exact same circumstances...

And feel something completely different.

Other than Stasia, I didn't have anyone here I could truly call close.

Suddenly, the temperature around us dropped.

Goosebumps raced across my skin as the cold wrapped itself around my body.

“Are you feeling this too?” Loretta rubbed her shoulders as she pushed herself away from the wall and walked over to us.

I nodded, unconsciously doing the same.

Oddly enough, everyone else seemed completely unfazed by the sudden drop in temperature.

I immediately looked for Alicia.

Gone.

When had she disappeared?

And how had none of us noticed?

“It definitely got colder,” Seris agreed, exchanging a glance with Gianna.

“You don't feel cold the way we do?” I asked.

“My body doesn't really register heat,” Gianna said with a small shrug.

“And I'm an Iceflame mage.”

“I'm a fire mage, and I'm freezing,” I muttered. “I'm pretty sure my breath is fogging.”

A cloud of white escaped my lips, proving my point.