How did this happen?

I was out in a field with Nix and Lea, with Alaric on the side, standing far so as to not bother me.

He had recently been scolded by me.

Thinking a little bit, the reason that I had stepped up, was because Alaric’s teaching was worse than I thought.

“Pour out your magic force,” moments ago, I barely heard Alaric say, beginning his lesson. He quickly grew frustrated when Nix and Lea couldn't do it.

I smacked his head, “They don’t know what magic force is, you dunce!” I scared Alaric off, barking at Nix and Lea. Lea was a meeker girl, younger than Nix by two years--Nix was fourteen, nearly fifteen, and Lea was twelve. I began reciting the basic, “Magic force is known as one of three forces within a body. I won't go over the other two--it's not important--Mastery of magic force is known as magic--spells are also an applicable term here. Almost all magic is based on the transformation of magic force into an elemental force--known as your affinity.”

I pointed at Alaric, “You know his affinity, don’t you?” I asked, expected it to be an easy answer. Nix barely cared, not bothering to answer. Lea squinted at me, trying to come up with an answer. Her mouth suddenly opened, like she figured it out. I looked at her expectantly.

Lea said, with unfounded confidence “River?”

I spat out in surprise--river? That made no sense. It was vaguely related to water, I suppose? I stopped trying to rationalize it. I quickly explained, “Affinities are not so restrictive!” I calmed down, “His affinity is water. He can transform his magic force into water.”

Nix was more curious about something else, “Old man,” he said, furrowing his brows, “You know magic too?” he frowned, “You didn’t say anything about this.” His question was natural. I had been in the village for a while already, avoiding revealing my proficiency with magic. Of course Nix would ask about it. I ran away from his question.

“I don’t know magic,” I lied.

“You’re obviously lying,” Nix complained.

“Why would I lie?” I said without shame.

“I’m not stupid,” Nix claimed.

“Then prove that I can use magic,” I said.

“I don’t need to,” Nix said, “I can see it on your face.”

“My face shows nothing of the sort.”

“Then how do you know the specifics of magic?” He asked.

“Coincidence.”

“You’re lying,” he repeated.

“Then what’s my affinity? Surely, if you claim that I can use magic…” I smiled, “What is my affinity?” I said, knowing full well that Nix could probably piece it together. It was worth trying, even if just to stall his questions.

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“That’s not fair,” he said, and I looked away, like I was about to say something meaningful.

“You should be able to figure it out,” I said, slightly correcting myself, “Assuming I know magic,” I lowered the hand holding the maryseed from my mouth to my chest, speaking proudly, “Which I claim to be untrue.”

Nix looked down, counting something on his fingers. Perhaps it was just a movement to get his thoughts flowing.

“Deception affinity?” he attempted.

“That affinity doesn’t exist,” I said, remembering how little that Nix and Lea truly knew of magic, “But why did you think that?”

“The tricks you show the smaller children,” he explained, “They’re unnatural, impossible without some form of unnatural trickery. Hence, deception affinity.”

“You’re still wrong,” I said.

“Fire affinity,” Alaric interjected, sneaking up on me, and I frowned.

“Take a step back, Alaric” I ordered Alaric, “And--just so you know--you’re incorrect.”

“Better to check than not to,” Alaric muttered,

Lea, looking at the maryseed cigarette at my lips, asked a few questions, “Is it a good affinity?”

I smiled at the question, looking at Alaric, “If you ask Alaric, he would probably call it trash.”

“I don’t even know your affinity,” Alaric defended, a little hurt.

“But you know of the affinity,” I clarified, shaking my head, “Just not that I possess it.”

Alaric gripped his hand, and had a moment of realization.

“Light?” he finally arrived, with an ashen expression. He almost didn't believe himself.

A smile crept onto my face, but I only smoked the maryseed; a form of tacit approval. Alaric had finally reached the answer.

“But… you burned me just earlier…” he said, confused, “Light magic, can do no such thing. Light is entirely formless… unable to touch or harm an opponent… it’s harshly regarded for valid reasons. It’s impossible for light magic to have true physical effects--except perhaps blinding an opponent.”

“Perhaps,” I said, feeling a little cocky, “But that’s only true for an ordinary light mage--those that you would call ordinary.”

Alaric was deep in thought.

“Light magic,” Alaric shook his head, thinking my abilities through “Illusion… fire… illusion… color…” he sighed, unable to process it all, “So the ultimate power of light magic is sovereignty over sight?” Alaric concluded, “Though fire doesn’t quite fit.”

“A word of advice;” I looked at Alaric, “Rather than advice, it’s a request,” I changed my tune, “Don’t share my abilities with those you are affiliated with. I’d rather not be exposed to the rest of the society of magic,” I told him.

“Why not?”

“I’m presumed dead,” I said, “My presence being known will complicate my life, so just know,” I stared Alaric down, “I’ll hunt you first the moment I’m forced back to the society of magic.”

I looked at Nix.

“My proficiency in magic,” I prefaced, “It was impossible to hide the moment Alaric entered the village,” I shook my head, “It’s unfortunate. I wasn’t hiding it from you, Nix--let me be clear--I was hiding it from everyone, myself included,” I told him. Thought that last part wasn’t quite true. I was using magic here and there despite my misgivings about it. It was quite convenient sometimes.

“So what’s my affinity?” Nix asked.

“Couldn’t say,” I revealed, “It’ll only be apparent once you learn magic force, and even then, it’ll have to wait for you to manifest your affinity for the first time,” I shook my head, “I really don’t know.”

“And me?” Lea inserted herself.

“Same applies,” I said, exhaling verdant mist.