"From today onwards… you will be known as The Elite 7," Chris announced, his voice cutting through the low hum of chatter in the classroom.
The students froze. Leo, sitting near the front, felt a thrill of curiosity spike through him.
Chris's presence was impossible to ignore. His red hair, streaked with black, caught the light like fire dancing over obsidian, and his jet-black pupils — so similar to Max's — made his gaze feel like it could see straight through someone's chest. For a moment, Leo wondered if this was why Max always seemed… untouchable.
Chris stepped into the classroom with a background track that seemed ridiculously dramatic, each beat timed with his movements. His narcissistic smile widened as he surveyed the room. "Ah, I see some of you are already wondering," he said, voice dripping with charm and condescension all at once. "Red hair… does it make us superior? Or just annoyingly irresistible?"
A few of the non-red-haired students rolled their eyes, muttering under their breaths. Chris caught the glint of their skepticism and smirked. "Ah, I see. So it's not universal, just selective." His laughter, low and musical, rippled through the classroom, leaving an uneasy mix of awe and irritation in its wake.
Then he straightened, voice dropping to a commanding tone. "I am Chris Von Ainsworth — Max's uncle, for those who didn't know. And from this day, you will train, you will fight, and you will surpass every expectation placed upon you. The Elite 7 will not just be a name. It will be a legend."
Leo's heart thumped. There was something electrifying about this man — terrifying, yes, but exhilarating in a way he couldn't explain. He glanced at the others, seeing the same mix of fear and excitement mirrored in their eyes.
Chris paused, letting the weight of his words settle over them like a storm. "And now," he said with a flourish, "let's begin." Chris clapped his hands once, sharp and commanding. "Enough chatter. Let's see what each of you brings to the table. Spell out your elements. Max, you will begin."
Max stepped forward, posture confident but calm. His jet-black pupils gleamed, and his usual composed expression betrayed nothing. "My elements are fire and earth," he said, voice steady.
Chris's eyes sparkled with approval. "Ah, fire and earth," he repeated, letting the words linger in the air like a spell. "Many assume this combination is exclusive to the Ainsworth bloodline. That's a misconception. While your family may possess one of the strongest affinities to it…" He paused, letting a sly smile curl his lips, "…it is not unique. Fire and earth can be found elsewhere. What makes your family exceptional is the ability to merge them seamlessly — to create magma itself."
He leaned closer, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, though everyone could hear it. "Imagine controlling molten rock, the raw, destructive power of fire stabilized by the patience of earth. It's not just strength… it's artistry. And Max, you, my boy, have inherited it."
The other students stared, a mix of awe and nervous excitement flashing across their faces. Leo's heart thumped as he watched Max. The idea of merging fire and earth — controlling literal magma — sent a shiver down his spine. Chris's gaze shifted to Theo, who fidgeted under the intensity. The red-and-black-haired instructor's stare made him hesitate.
Theo scratched the back of his head nervously and finally muttered, "My element… is ice."
For a heartbeat, Chris said nothing. He simply studied Theo, head tilted, eyes narrowing as though weighing unseen scales. The silence stretched, almost uncomfortable, until Chris finally spoke, voice calm but edged with intrigue.
"Ice," he repeated slowly, letting the word roll off his tongue. "A mutated element… and a very rare one at that." His eyes gleamed with a mixture of curiosity and approval. "Ice is not merely a weapon of cold or frost. Its potential lies in versatility — in control, in patience, in precision. Few can wield it effectively, but those who do… can change the battlefield itself."
Chris turned to Ray. Ray calmly said, "My element is fire." Chris paused. "Your naivety is… charming," he continued, voice tinged with a mix of amusement and challenge. Chris shook his head slowly, a bemused smile playing at his lips. "Ray," he said, leaning slightly closer, his voice low and measured. "The Talon's fire — your fire — is not the same as a common flame. It is… raw, instinctive, and often uncontrollable. Many mistake it for strength, but without discipline, it becomes a liability rather than an asset." Chris shook his head, a faint smirk curling his lips. "Ray, your fire is not just ordinary fire," he said, his tone carrying both amusement and gravity. "It is a variant — Destructive Fire. The kind that forged the Talons. Powerful, aggressive, and… feared. Few can wield it without losing themselves to its intensity." Chris's piercing gaze shifted to the next student. Grey stepped forward, expression calm and unreadable as ever. "My elements," he said, voice steady, "are space and time."
For a moment, the room went silent. Even Leo felt the air thicken, heavy with disbelief. Chris didn't speak immediately. He simply studied Grey, letting the weight of his scrutiny settle over him. Then, after what felt like an eternity, Chris finally exhaled sharply and exclaimed, a mix of awe and excitement in his voice, "Space and time?! You… you're a one in a million!"
He stepped closer, eyes glinting. "Both of these are extremely rare elements. It's almost unheard of to find even one in a person, let alone both. Grey, what you carry… it's monumental."
Chris's expression softened slightly, though his tone remained serious. "But rarity is a double-edged sword. There's limited knowledge, limited guidance, and very few precedents. Progress will be slow. You will face challenges that others cannot even imagine. Yet…" His gaze locked onto Grey's, intense and unwavering. "…as long as you remain determined, you will find your path. You will carve your own way forward."
Grey's calm demeanor didn't waver, but Leo noticed the faintest spark of resolve ignite in his eyes. how many words