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Recommended music : Darren Curtis - I'm not what I thought (link in the footnote)
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When he came back to himself, Elenael blinked several times before recognizing the room of the ritual, in the mage tower. The four technicians were still busy with their devices, and the boy's gaze caught Reginald's deep and mysterious one. The prince stood by the wall and gave him a slight nod. Alisan, at his side, was talking briskly with a young woman with hairs that were almost red. He had not yet realized that his new disciple had returned.
Elenael's first instinct was to examine his arm. Like a discreet tattoo, a mark now appeared above his wrist. It was a deep purple symbol that represented two wings: those of a bird, of a butterfly or… of a dragon. Everything that had happened in the spirit world then came back to him: the multiverse, the Fravashis, Sylha and her offer to guide him. Somehow he could feel her presence, as if she was standing at his side, invisible. He couldn't have explained how, but he was feeling that she was very close, and a happy smile tugged at his lips.
He suddenly realized that all noises in the room had disappeared. He looked up to find that all eyes were on him. Especially the excited, almost greedy ones of Alisan. Unsure of what was expected of him, Elenael straightened up and then stood motionless in the middle of the ritual circle. With a big smile, his master approached him and said warmly: “Welcome back, my young friend. Don't worry if everything seems strange, confusing: no one ever remembers what happens during their Detection. It is a mystery, an oddity: the new magician forgets the experience, but he remembers precisely the power or powers he has awakened. The same goes for you, doesn't it?”
Elenael was surprised to hear that: after all, the whole memory was still very clear in his mind. He didn't dare to contradict his master, but he didn't want to lie to him either. He decided to nod his head without answering, in a deliberately vague movement. Alisan took the child's silence as confirmation, not suspecting for a moment that his disciple was much more exceptional than he could ever imagine. He stood facing Elenael and waited impatiently to learn the result of the ritual. His behavior was strange, almost excessive: one had the impression that he wanted to announce his own success to the world.
“So,” he pressed, “can you show us your affinity? Which element is yours?”
Once again the boy hesitated: he had promised Sylha not to talk about the Fravashi, his new calling, or his ability to see the light in people. And yet, the adult in front of him demanded an answer. In a somewhat abrupt movement, as if seized with panic, he raised his arm and held out his wrist in front of him. The mark was now visible to all. Silence settled for a few very long seconds, then suddenly the tattoo began to glow, lighting up the scene with a ghostly glow. Timidly, a wing, then another seemed to detach from the skin. The rest of a butterfly's body, consisting only of light, took the same path. The strange and beautiful creature then twirled around Elenael, like a curious little animal, before starting to explore the room.
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Recommended music : Dark Fantasy Studio - Feel so alone (link in the footnote)
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Everyone in the room seemed frozen and only their eyes were moving slowly to follow the flight of Elenael's summoning. He waited for the verdict of Alisan who was standing in front of him, motionless like a statue. As time passed, different emotions followed one another on the wizard's face. Anticipation and excitement at first, then surprise when the butterfly appeared. Finally, the reality of the situation imposed itself on the magician and his gaze did not try to hide his disappointment. His features froze in an expression of cold anger. His attitude, hitherto friendly, suddenly became icy and far removed from his usual flamboyance.
Everyone remained motionless like this for a few moments that felt like hours for Elenael. Then, suddenly and without saying a word, Alisan turned around and left the room at a brisk pace. Reginald, equally silent, followed him. The departure of the master and his disciple freed the technicians who began to discuss among themselves, without taking care to lower their voices, as if the presence of Elenael no longer had any importance.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
"What bad luck: the greatest potential since the creation of the tower. Any affinity would have made him an exceptional magician. Any one, except one of the two useless..."
"Yes, it's a shame. No one has ever managed to do anything with light..."
"Poor kid..."
Elenael had been proud and happy of his meeting with Sylha, even if he didn't quite understand what a fravashi was yet. However, the negative reaction of the adults dampened all his enthusiasm. He left the room in silence, quickening his pace to try to catch up with Alisan. The wizard was still his master and the boy’s fate was in his hands. The butterfly followed him cheerfully, twirling in a graceful dance that betrayed infinite joy.
When Elenael came around the corner, he heard the voices of Alisan and Reginald chatting away. The child slows down to listen to them.
“What do you wish to do, master?” calmly asked the prince
"What a disappointment... The boy's affinity is useless, and the whole town knows he is my disciple. What a shame ! I would send him back to his village, but my enemies would laugh at me for years if they found out.” Alisan's anger and the unfairness of the situation hurt Elenael. He felt his eyes sting, threatening to let out tears.
His master paused to consider what to do with the child. Finally, he continued in a firm voice: “We will send him to Kaehos, far from the tower, far from sight.”
“Master, maybe his power will develop further…”
"And what ? He will be able to illuminate the night with his light?! Everyone knows that this element is useless! Even the affinity of space is more effective, that is to say..." He made an effort to calm down, then finally let go in disgust: "No, I don't have time to waste with him. Do what is necessary. I will return to my research.” The wizard had not yet finished pronouncing these words that sealed Elenael's fate that he was already leaving.
“Yes master, it will be done according to your will.”
Alone with his butterfly of light, leaning against the wall and his whole body trembling, Elenael was looking at his world collapsing. Distractedly, he listened to the sound of the footsteps receding: Alisan's quick, determined footsteps first, then Reginald's slower ones.
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Recommended music : Dark Fantasy Studio - Day 0 a thousand dreams (link in the footnote)
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Wyann was a little anxious. He had waited for his friend the whole time of the ritual, settling in an unoccupied adjoining room as he did not wish to meet his brother. When he saw the technicians leaving the scene, he understood that the procedure was over. He then overheard the words of the adults and he instantly realized that something serious had happened. He suddenly had a bad feeling. He looked for Elenael for long minutes before finding him. The downcast boy wandered randomly through the halls, closely followed by his pretty butterfly. Without saying a word, Wyann began to walk beside him.
"It doesn't seem to be going well. What did you get, several opposite affinities?" This was the situation that all the apprentices dreaded: not only was it impossible to operate opposing elements at the same time, but even using just one of them was much more difficult. It had been every student's nightmare since the day one of them had awakened water and fire. He had tried to do something about it, but had finally left the tower in despair.
"No" replied Elenael with a sad smile, "I only have one, but it's light. When he understood it, Alisan left without even speaking to me."
Wyann reassured him. "Well, okay, light isn't the best, but you, my young friend, are a genius and I'm sure you'll find ways to use it... Is it your power?" he said, pointing to the butterfly.
"Yes."
"It’s very beautiful. Did you know that students who can summon creatures of their element are considered the most powerful?"
"It's true ?" Elenael asked hopefully. However, his disappointment was still strong and he added right away. "It works for the other elements, probably not for me though. I also heard him say that I will have to change to a new master called Kaehos."
"They send you to the little tower? Pfff, I'm not surprised about this: they're all the same, if you're not exactly as they want, they send you away..."
The two companions continued walking in silence, each lost in thought.
After a few minutes, Wyann suddenly declared with conviction: "It's decided, I'll go with you!"
Elenael looked at him in surprise. When he understood what that implied, he jumped into the arms of the one he had come to consider as his big brother. Wyann was embarrassed by this demonstration, but he knew that his friend was sad, so he said nothing and patted him tenderly on the back. They parted quickly and Elenael wanted to confirm. "Is that true? Would you come with me? What's the little tower, by the way?"
Wyann chuckled derisively. "Students who don't live up to their masters' expectations are sent to another school. It's called the Little Tower. It's where apprentice magicians studied before the big one was built. Of course I'm coming with you! I don't want to be alone here with guys like Leonn. Besides, I have a friend there. It's been a long time since I've seen her, but I'm sure you'll get on well with her. Come on," he concluded, "let’s start packing our things!"
Elenael was now smiling again and he followed Wyann without thinking about the disappointment of the adults. He was happy to have had the chance to meet the prince and he was starting to think that if they went together, this new school would undoubtedly be as good, and perhaps even better, than the one where he was now.