Elara led Aric to a counter near the back of the Hall of Nexus. Behind it, an elf with piercing blue eyes and silver hair tied back in an intricate braid looked up from a ledger. A few loose strands of hair hung down, knocked loose throughout the day's activities no doubt, that framed the elven woman's beautiful face. Meanwhile, the tight robes she wore seemed to only accentuate her large bust.
Another stunningly beautiful elf, Aric thought, finding himself self-consciously adjusting his tunic. Is everyone in this world so absurdly attractive? What's the deal here?
"Ah, Elara. Back so soon? And with a companion no less," the elf said, eyeing Aric with a blend of curiosity and skepticism.
"Indeed, Talia. This is Aric. He's new here and needs to be registered with the guild. We'll also require magical aptitude testing," Elara explained.
Talia turned her gaze towards Aric and extended a delicate hand in greeting. "Welcome, Aric. I hope you're ready for an illuminating experience."
Yeah, about as ready as I was when I woke up to fire in the sky, Aric thought as he filled out several forms that he had been handed by Talia. Each essentially confirming his intent to join the guild and that, yes, he accepted that the testing could be dangerous. Despite his internal reservations, the action of signing these documents lifted a weight off his shoulders, making his foray into this fantastical world seem all the more real.
Once he had finished the paperwork and handed it back to Talia, he followed Elara and Talia away from the edge of the room. As they approached a door near the entrance to the hall, Aric swore he could feel the energy in the air swirling around him, growing more agitated with every step. If his nerves were made to be any more taught, they may very well snap.
Passing through the mysterious door, the frantic nature of the energy seemed to abate, allowing Aric to finally draw a steady breath again. Like everything else he'd seen since entering the Hall of Nexus, strange instruments and glowing relics covered every nearly every surface, etched with arcane symbols he could scarcely comprehend. The elaborate circles etched into the stone floor made the hairs on his neck stand up – this had to be powerful magic for someone who was unaware of magic twelve hours ago to be able to feel it.
Old memories surfaced as he looked around the room, judgments from a past life where he’d been found wanting. Would he disappoint again here? Elara clearly had high hopes of him, mysterious as her reasoning may be, she was the only person he remotely trusted in this new world.
“Right this way,” Talia said, gesturing to the stone platform holding the pulsing orb. Apprehension clenched Aric’s chest. Elara gave him a gentle, reassuring nod as he stepped up onto the platform.
Talia spoke, "This is where we'll assess your magical aptitude. The orb is imbued with Aether and will react to any innate magical attributes, you may possess."
Worry once again shot through Aric, but he pushed it down for the moment and tried to pay attention to the elven woman's words.
Elara elaborated, seeming to pick up where Talia left off, "Magic in most realms manifests as one of two broad categories—casters and body specialists. While being tested, casters like me often have tendrils of power that radiate outward, interacting with elements and the world. Each color representing a different element that they have an innate bond with, whether that be fire, water, earth or something more esoteric. Body specialists on the other hand, glow with an inner light, with a much smaller range of colors, indicating what kind of specialty they likely have, red for instance, generally has a tendency to increase one's physical power."
Talia nodded her agreement, "Once you're ready, please step up to the orb and place your hand on it. We'll be watching carefully to make sure your results are recorded, and should anything happen, we will be able to intervene."
Aric wiped his palm discreetly on his tunic before reaching out to touch the orb. The moment of contact sent a painful spike of energy shooting up his arm and straight through to his center. He gritted his teeth, fighting the urge to pull back. There was a resistance, like pressing against a fierce wind. The orb’s pulsations quickened, light fluctuating wildly. He braced himself, willing his fingers not to break the connection. Sweat beaded on his brow with the effort.
A resonating hum filled the chamber, and the lights seemed to dim. Then, with a concussive blast, the orb erupted. Aric was blinded as black tendrils of energy lashed violently out of him in all directions. They whipped through the air, cracking around him with palpable force. He struggled to maintain his footing as the shadowy tendrils threatened to shove him bodily back. Across the room, Talia shielded her face behind her ledger, squinting against the dark spectacle unfolding before them.
Elara, however, was starting intently into the corona of the spectacle. Within that dark storm surrounding Aric's body, she was positive lay an even darker glow of energy bubbling up to the surface of his skin.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
The orb’s chaotic light built to a frenzied crescendo before, finally, the energy subsided. Aric stumbled back, the floor seeming to pitch and sway beneath him. His heart hammered in his ears, muscles quivering in the aftershock. Blinking the last lingering spots from his vision, he saw Talia frantically scribbling notes, visibly shaken by what she had witnessed.
Before Aric’s legs could give way, Elara was at his side, grasping his arm to steady him. Her touch was an anchor, cutting through the hazy disorientation that clouded his mind. “Well done,” she said softly. “Just breathe. I’ve got you.” Her emerald eyes radiated confidence and compassion. With effort, Aric's breathing slowed, the trembling subsiding. Though his body was spent, her faith kindled a spark of hope inside his chest.
"By the Ancients, I've never seen such magnificent levels of force be generated during a test. Not just that... The color... Such a deep black—a color that encompasses all. This merits further study, and the Council will certainly want to hear about it," Talia said, continuing to mutter and jot down notes at a feverish pace.
Wonderful, more politics, Aric sighed inwardly, even as his mind tingled with curiosity about what this newfound ability entailed.
"Don't worry," Elara whispered softly, leaning over Aric, face a mixture of awe and an emotion he couldn’t quite place. "You won't be alone in this."
"Ah..." Talia started, finally pulling herself from the notepad, "Right, you'll likely be exhausted for a while following this testing. Make sure you eat a hearty meal and get a solid night's rest."
Aric only managed a nod in return to the flustered woman.
With Elara's help, the group managed to make their way back into the Hall of Nexus, with Talia muttering incoherently to herself the entire way. The feelings that inundated Aric were nearly overwhelming, as a flood of conflicting emotions—confusion, excitement, apprehension. Yet, he felt that this was where he was meant to be right now.
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Once all of the final forms and formalities had been completed, Aric followed Elara as the pair exited the Hall of Nexus.
They moved through the bustling streets of a town that, only this morning, had been entirely foreign to him. Elara navigated through the winding roads and labyrinthine alleys with the ease of familiarity, her lithe figure a constant beacon through the sea of bodies. Aric's focus was entirely on her toned backside as the majority of the town blurred past him.
The glimpses of the town that actually managed to register in his exhausted mind were an architectural mosaic—wooden structures with intricate carvings sat side by side with homes made of earthen bricks and thatched roofs, dotted with the mixed stone and wooden beauties like what was at the entrance to the city. There was something that Aric couldn’t help but marvel at about the harmonious blend of nature and craftsmanship on display. Ivy creepers elegantly coiled around wooden beams, and flowering plants sprouted from the most improbable of places, like a living, breathing entity.
It's like a page ripped out of a fantasy book, Aric mused.
Street vendors shouted to passersby, offering all manner of goods: fragrant spices, rich textiles, and assortments of what appeared to be magical ingredients. As they walked, Elara would occasionally stop to exchange pleasantries with folks they met. Despite her aloof demeanor with him, her interactions with the townfolk seemed to show a more serious side. She was clearly well-known and respected throughout this city
The crowd thinned as they moved to the outskirts of the town and eventually, the buildings gave way to lush greenery and open space. Aric felt a tension he hadn't even realized that he'd been holding dissipate, replaced by a calming sense of peace.
He'd never been a fan of being in the cramped cities back home, too many people, too many potential threats. Here though, with Elara with him, that sense of panic was muted.
The pair finally came to a stop, as they stood before Elara's residence—a stunning two-story structure crafted from dark mahogany wood, its design resembling the traditional Japanese homes he'd once read about in books. The perimeter was enclosed by a modest stone wall, covered with moss and vines.
The wooden gate creaked open as they entered, revealing an inner courtyard. A garden pond filled with koi fish was clearly the centerpiece, surrounded by meticulously arranged rocks and dwarf trees. The atmosphere was imbued with a quiet tranquility, and Aric felt as though he had entered another realm altogether.
"I hope you find this place to your liking," Elara said, breaking the silence.
"It's breathtaking," Aric replied. "Is all of this yours?"
Elara laughed softly, "Yes, this is my little sanctuary."
At that moment, a figure appeared from inside the house—a middle-aged woman wearing a simple, yet elegant robe. She bowed deeply as she approached.
"Welcome back, Mistress Elara. I see we have a guest," she said, her eyes briefly meeting Aric's.
"Seraphine, this is Aric; he'll be staying with us for the foreseeable future. Could you please prepare a hearty meal for him? He's had quite the day," Elara instructed.
"Of course, Mistress," the woman bowed again before retreating into the house.
Not long after, she returned with a large tray filled with an assortment of foods—fresh vegetables, smoked fish, and steaming bowls of rice. The savory aroma filled the air, and Aric realized just how hungry he was.
This feast could feed a small army, Aric thought as he dug in. Every bite was an explosion of flavor, a testament to the culinary artistry of this world. Surprising even himself, his plate was completely cleared within minutes of it being set down.
After the meal, Aric felt the fatigue of the day crashing down on him. As if reading his thoughts, the woman gestured toward a wing of the house.
"I have prepared a room for you," she said. "I hope it provides you with the rest you so dearly need."
Aric thanked her and, with a brief glance at Elara—who gave him a reassuring nod—followed Seraphine to his new quarters.
The room was modest but cozy, furnished with a low bed covered in soft linen. The walls were adorned with scrolls depicting various natural scenes—mountains, rivers, forests. Aric's eyes felt heavy as he lay down, his mind racing over the events of the day.
What does it all mean? Is my old world even intact anymore? These questions danced through his mind but found no answers. As he drifted off to sleep, his last coherent thought was of the ethereal black tendrils he'd seen during his testing—a mystery waiting to be unraveled.