Chapter 8

A few moments had passed since I took the crystal in my left hand. Pendragon stared at the crystal curiously, as if waiting for something to happen.

“Well, are you going to tell me how to test my affinity? Or are we just gonna stand around like lemons?”

“Ahahaha, well, normally the White Azurite Crystal instantly displays the affinity of the person that holds it. There isn’t anything in particular that you need to do. The relevant Elemental usually manifests within the Azurite.”

“But nothing is happening?”

“I’ve never come across a situation like this, give it here for a second.”

Pendragon showed a bewildered expression, I handed the crystal back to him as requested. The moment the crystal left my hand and made contact with Pendragon’s, it radiated.

A fiery red hue emanated from the crystal. It set the surroundings alight with an impassioned glow. In spite of the animosity I had shown toward Pendragon, I was impressed by and in awe of, this development.

“Well it’s definitely not the crystal, here, try it now.”

Pendragon handed me the crystal for a second time. The moment I took the crystal in my hand, the intense red beam of light, instantly disappeared.

“Ahahaha, OK this is weird.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well normally, there is some indication of affinity with an elemental. I’m only at the level of an apprentice, but in the hundreds if not thousands of times I’ve done this, there’s never been anyone, that hasn’t displayed some level of affinity with an elemental.”

“You’re saying that I have zero affinity with any of the 4 elementals?”

“Ahaha, I guess so.”

“Is that even possible?”

“Not to my knowledge.”

“I see...”

“Ahaha, I’d love for you to come back to the academy with me, so I can show my professor. He’d know why the Azurite failed to react, but unfortunately, since neither of the 4 elementals manifested in the crystal at all, let alone to a satisfactory percentage, I’m afraid you failed the affinity test.”

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I looked toward Astoria, she shook her head and looked away in disappointment. It’s not like this news bothered me. But I assumed that I’d at least have some affinity. I shrugged my shoulders at this outcome and stepped aside so that Astoria could take the test. When she failed to demonstrate a “satisfactory percentage” we would put this incident behind us and return to our peaceful lives anyway.

“Oho, I remember you from yesterday, you’re the charming young lady from the Gastwirt’s Inn. Arthur Pendragon, at your service.”

Pendragon bowed elegantly, he then grabbed Astoria’s hand and proceeded to kiss it. I initially assumed that Astoria would react unkindly to this friendly gesture, but she immediately reached for the crystal instead.

The second Astoria had her delicate hand around the Azurite, it shone the same radiant red as earlier. Although it wasn’t as intense as when Pendragon held it, it was still fierce.

“Whoa, 50% affinity with the fire elemental, Jinn...”

Before Pendragon could finish his sentence, half of the crystal changed colour. It now displayed a leaf green colour, in addition to the fiery red from earlier. Although the colours were on opposite ends of the spectrum, they somehow suited Astoria’s personality well.

The red emitted from the top of the crystal and the green emitted from the bottom. It was like the crystal could tell that Astoria was red hot on the outside, yet tender and benign within.

I focused my attention from Astoria to Pendragon and saw his mouth agape. Before I could gather the words to question his reaction, he spoke.

“D-dual affinity.”

Astoria smiled triumphantly at this comment.

“50% affinity with the fire elemental Jinn and 50% affinity, with the wind elemental Sylph.”

“Hmph, naturally.”

Astoria handed the crystal back to Pendragon, however this time it failed to showcase any light. I suppose being a fully fledged mage, meant that he could choose when to allow the elemental he had an affinity with to manifest.

“Name, what is your name?”

“Astoria, Astoria Gastwirt.”

Pendragon finally regained his composure. He put the crystal away and signalled for Astoria to follow him into the village head’s house.

“H-hey, wait!?”

“Dual affinity, I’ve discovered someone with dual affinity…”

Pendragon failed to notice my outburst and Astoria followed the dazed looking Pendragon into the village head’s house.

Just when I was about to pass through the arching doorway behind them, a sword blocked my path. It belonged to the soldier from earlier.

“Authorised persons only.”

“Eh? Step aside, I’m with the girl, she's my friend.”

“I’m afraid I can’t let you in.  On the off chance he actually finds a suitable recruit. He allows him/her to say goodbye to friends and family prior to departing, so you'll have to wait for her back home.”

“W-what?”

I was stunned. The soldier refused to converse with me any further and continued to deny me access to the village head’s house.

I initially came here to convince Astoria to drop her desire to enlist with the Order of the White Mage, by showing her that like many other's, she lacked the level of affinity required to join. However, circumstances have led to the complete opposite, and I myself have been utterly emasculated in front of Astoria and Pendragon.

I lowered my head in defeat and made my way to the Inn to report back to Gladus.

Astoria the “dual affinity mage” huh. What others secrets am I going to find out about the people around me?