POV Aron Brightcloud

My mum and I sat in her office. We had left the others behind to talk freely about my affinities. Due to their specific nature, magicians were often able to hide some of them, giving the spell-slinger an advantage in life and death situations.

“So, out with it, what affinities have you acquired?” My mum looked at me expectingly.

I grinned at her excitement. I had truly lucked out this time. The light- and arcane magic had settled into my core and divided it into two. The far stronger light-sphere inhibited the lower and larger spot. It churned in on itself, a mass of pure light turning in a stable rotation.

The affinities manifested themselves as runes that had burned themselves into the sphere. I had two of them. When my inner self touched them I instantly understood their function. The first affinity was a well-known, yet very important one: Manipulation. It allowed to manipulate light-magic in more detail, letting me build complex spells with greater ease and form delicate constructs I would have otherwise no chance creating.

The second one showed more options for creativity. Endurance could change all my spells and make them harder to vanquish. That included their physical and ethereal trait, depending on how I structured the spell.

Most people would have been more than happy with this much already, but I had even more. Not only my light magic had fused with affinities, the arcane magic had as well.

Another two runes glowed on my arcane sphere. Far-reach and shield, they did as they said. Far-reach allowed me to command arcane magic further away with great ease and shield pushed my defensive spells to a whole new level.

“Oh my god!” Mum was speechless when she heard it. Two primaries and four secondaries added in the fact that I was a light’s chosen and I had become a magical genius. The chosen title alone would elevate me into the top 1% of all magicians. Every piece of experience energy I got would enable me to grow further than other mages with the same amount of experience due to my great connection with the light. My potential was limitless.

“This is great, but listen my son. A bright star is seen as a gift, a too bright one as a threat. Don’t tell anybody about endurance and far-reach and manipulation. You have to show shield to get specialized training. Otherwise you will have even more assassins trying to kill you. The chosen’s title alone will make you a treat to many people already, don’t let them see you as even more of a monster.”

The hunter in me understood her completely. Every weapon or skill my enemies didn’t know would make them underestimate me. I had yet to become strong, now was not the time to boast.

“Yes, mum, I get it. I won’t tell anybody.”

“Good, my son. I am so proud of you. Now go, enjoy the rest of the day. Tomorrow we will arrive at the academy for the entrance and familiar ceremony. I am really interested to see what familiar you will bond with!”

Grinning, I took my leave. I did wonder myself. The familiars were attracted by one’s soul, magic and overall feeling. So what would choose me? I really looked forward to it. Outside the door, Sephiroth quietly joined me.

Only when we had reached my room did she relax her robot like behavior. I turned myself to inform her of my lucky encounter. My plans proverbially got thrown over as Sephiroth had launched herself at me, embracing me in a tight jumping hug. Her arms and legs wrapping themselves around my body like snakes.

“I am so happy for you! I would never have thought that you’d become an element’s chosen! And four affinities at that. This is awesome. You are the best!”

Sephiroth happily nuzzled my neck. How did she know!? My mum had taken precautions against listening. She must have found out because of the bond. But how did she do it? I couldn’t feel a thing from her.

“Sephiroth, how do you know that?”

My guard grinned mischievously at me. “Secret. Maybe if you give me a deep kiss I will tell you.”

Right, as if she would do that.

“Forget that I asked…”

She only laughed and let me out of her “embrace”.

“But this is great, thanks to my training you are now fit and well versed with the sword, with the magic you will become a truly fierce fighter! I am sad that I won’t be able to follow you into the academy. Servants are not allowed there. I will be staying outside in the city. So please come and visit me often.

Your mum has given me the command to wait there and be prepared to support you during your future excursions. That means tomorrow will be the last day I will see you.”

Her sad eyes bored into mine. “I will miss you, you know.” Sephiroth scuttled closer, looking up at me with her beautiful eyes.

“I will miss you too.” And I meant it.

Not daring to stay any longer, I stepped away. A part of me felt surprised at her not capitalizing on my weakness. Sephiroth followed me with her eyes, her expression unreadable.

______

POV Archmage Mandor

“Haha! I can’t believe how much luck we have! The boy has become a light’s chosen! Amanda will fall over herself to teach him the secret arts of her ancestors. They will think they have secured their continued prosperity and success of their life's task. Yet they will only strengthen our forces. It will be a glorious sight when the Brightclouds realize that their priced genius is in reality a servant of the old gods!”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

The evil magician laughed and enjoyed the bloodwine Donson had poured for him.

for him“Donson, prepare to meet our agent after the ceremony, we have to verify his ongoing loyalty, nothing is allowed to go wrong, do you understand me?”

The old servant bowed. “Yes Archmage, I will take care of everything, nothing will go wrong. I promise you.”

“Good, now go.”

________

POV Aron Brightcloud

Today was my last day here at Brightcloud manor. Soon I would journey with my mother, Sandra and Sephiroth to the meeting spot before we would depart to the magic academy. As a noble, I had the benefit of being allowed to take some people with me to the entrance ceremony. My mum and Sandra would leave afterwards while Sephiroth would stay in the city, giving me support when needed.

Everything was prepared. I visited our back garden one last time. The memories of my fights and trainings flowed through my head. How quick the month had passed, it had been truly marvelous.

Suddenly my musings were disturbed by one of the servants.

“Young master Aron, I am so happy for your fortune. I have seen you standing outside and wanted to ask if you are thirsty?” Following his talk, he pushed the tablet he was holding towards me. On it a glass cup filled with fresh orange juice, waiting to be drunken.

I was a bit surprised at his sudden appearance. Donald normally avoided me. He was one of the oldest servants and resentful of his hard life. A part of me wanted to question him on his sudden arrival. But I had other things to do, so I left it at that.

“Thanks, but I am not thirsty. Why don’t you drink it by yourself? It would be sad if its wasted.”

He didn’t seem too thrilled about it. Should I-?

“Aron, there you are. Let’s go, it is time.”

“I am coming.” I would have to get to the bottom of this another time. The academy awaited.

Our group of four arrived soon at the magic guild’s building. There a young magician stood, forwarding any newcomers that had passed the awakening ceremony toward a waiting room. We followed his instructions and seated ourselves. Soon everyone that was allowed to proceed had arrived.

“Very-well, follow me. It is time to travel to the academy.” The old head magician made himself known and led us towards the portal-room.

The well-known sphere of white energy greeted us before it expanded, forming a six feet wide arc build from energy. This time I felt much more relaxed. Our entire group passed through and arrived in the academy.

We arrived in a wide ancient looking stone hall. Bright runes glowed on the walls. I didn’t see any people in the room. Yet it would have been a misconception to say that this room was unguarded. The runes alone made my back itch. I didn’t understand their meaning, but my danger-sense screamed at me when I mustered them in more detail.

Our group moved out of the room through a corridor. To its sides many more halls were located where other groups came through, joining our procession. They must be other delegations of initiates who had passed the elemental awakening ceremony. It was a colorful troupe, nobles and commoners mixed in one.

We walked up the stairs and exited the portal building. A spacious garden extended itself around us. Farther away a lush forest impeded our sight. The street lead us towards a magnificent castle with numerous towers. I connected with the place instantly. More than enough space, it was simply beautiful.

The headmage led our group further, integrating our group into the not stopping stream of people that walked towards the castle in the distance. Soon we had arrived. The mighty gate loomed over us, its structure alone warranting awe and respect from each one who passed.

In the empire 8 academies existed. Two per sub-country. Each of them specialized in one to three elements. Depending on their performance, the novices could be transferred to other academies if their contribution seemed adequate. The academy we had arrived specialized in earth magic. This academy was called Institute of the all-enduring earth. It was not my sort of magic, yet that didn’t mean that they didn’t teach light magic here as well. They were simply less well equipped for it then the soaring light academy in Karsk.

In the future I would travel over the entire empire, getting to know wonders I had never seen or imagined before. My spirit lifted at my boundless options and possibilities.

Our procession was led into the main-hall were the soon to be students were separated from their group. My mom, Sephiroth and Sandra parted ways with me after they quickly wished me luck. Sandra slipped me a small water bottle for when I got thirsty. It felt good to have her care. When I got back from my first year at the academy, I was going to gift her a present. Sandra had been taking care of so many things in the background. It was time for a thank you.

The hall was one of these high built old gothic stone halls, white, grey marble built its structure. The accompanying mages made us stand in orderly fashioned lines in front of the podium. On the sides in elevated positions, the spectators watched the soon to be starting show.

I drank Sandra’s water while I waited for it to begin. The novices next to me were fidgeting. It was understandable. They were all young teens right before their start of a path that would change their life forever. Soon we were going to form a contract with our familiars and learn magic. The familiar bonding ritual was famed throughout the world. We would get a partner which protected us for the reminder of our life. It was only natural to be nervous.

The situation suddenly changed. White teleportation spheres appeared on the podium, they quickly were replaced by seven magicians. Their dark brown robes hid most of their futures, only the long beards and part of their lower faces could be seen from below the hoods. The middle magician stepped forward and showed his face to everyone. I’d estimate his age to around fifty. His strict appearance and sharp eyes commanded respect and let one to automatically want to take a step back and follow his lead.

He didn’t show it but the hunter in me immediately felt an aura of danger. The man reeked of power, it embraced him naturally. No, I was wrong. He didn’t reek of it; he was power. Pure and absolute. There was no fighting it. I was an ant compared to him.

As soon as the picture had sprung up in my mind it had vanished again. Replaced by his benevolent countenance that smiled at all of us.

“Greetings young novices! It is my pleasure to welcome all of you to our magic academy. The Institute of the all enduring earth is famous for its brilliance in earth magic. But fear not, you who have not been embraced by the grace of the mother, we are well versed in the other elements as well.

But enough of this, now is the time for you to make the first step towards magic and find yourself your fated bonding-partner! As your elements are still pure, they have a better connection to the spiritual planes where the familiars live. This will be a big step on the road to finding your magic. Some even argue that you are not a true magician if you haven’t bonded with a familiar. So fulfill this step and join us in the prestigious profession as a real Sorcerer.

Sit down where you are in your meditation position. The formation will connect you to the spiritual planes. Remember, the farther you can go, the stronger the creatures will get. Yet sometimes it is better to not go as far and choose a weaker creature that is well suited to you. The formation will not only connect you to the spiritual planes, it will also supplement you with energy to reach further into the planes. It is very important to keep control over the energy, otherwise it will burn you out. But fear not, that normally never happens.”

Listening to his monologue, I checked the surroundings, what formation? At that moment blue glowing lines appeared all around us. A huge pentagram had formed, filled with runes and lines. It didn’t end there, the formation grew and grew until it filled the entire room, even flowing up the walls around us, connecting the ceiling with its lines. A truly spectacular sight.

I lowered my body while most of the youths were still gawking. It was time to get to work.