Our affinity rating system was created after three centuries studying the 'appraisal' ability displayed by otherworlders with the combined efforts from the archmages of the Magi Assembly. With 8 categories, going from G to S, it allows magical education institutions to tailor the curriculum for the student's capabilities. In-depth analysis can also show fluctuations in a rating. They are usually called upper tier, middle tier and high tier inside a rating. Even the very letter classification was adapted from testimonials given by otherworlders. Although very difficult, one's affinities can be developed, or 'attuned' with effort and training. Changes up to four tiers are documented.
Ratings G, F, and E in elemental affinity are too weak to handle spells above the first circle unless paired with an exceptional mana affinity. Below a D in mana affinity will also compromise the fledgling mage but can be compensated by study and by relying on using monster cores as mana batteries. The path of the artificer is also a viable option. A low mana affinity is not as detrimental as a low elemental affinity. Scoring a D in both elemental and mana affinities are considered the bare minimum for a full-fledged mage but even so the person might be turned down by tutors unless they possess a rare element. From C through A are what we look for in pupils and apprentices, able to cast high-circle spells and given enough training and personal ambition, reach the status of archmage.
The eight categories, the controversial "S" rating is unattainable by our people through normal means. It is often reserved to classify magic-oriented otherworlders that display absurd elemental affinities or amount of mana. Since they do pop from time to time and there were enough problems with measuring devices exploding when an unsuspecting otherworlder was tested, the new generation of testing devices is properly calibrated to handle this kind of reading.
Excerpt from the Magic affinity measurement guide, Yutis Royal Academy.
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They floated out of the hastily built stone building covering the tunnel entrance in style. They were the untouchable flowers sitting at the pinnacle of the world. They were princesses. A ragtag band of guards dressed in commoner clothes escorted them but their faithful maid retinue came after them.
Aidan was impressed at how naturally that poise came to him as he moved Lumina's body on the street. Gone were the Staghorn Inn to make way for that hideous stone box.
People were making haste to see what had already become a parade. And there they came. The worms that ruled this small piece of civilization.
"We greet the esteemed princesses to our humble village."
The other guards ran to fetch the village chief after eavesdropping on what was happening. The village chief arrived right after the two girls in royal dresses left the stone garrison built where the former Staghorn inn was located. And indeed they were escorted by two young people, one of them with a dragon, a hulking man dressed in furs, two maids and a young elf girl.
"Are you this village chief?" The one they identified as Lumina asked.
"Yes, your Highness."
"What happened to the kind lady that ran the inn?"
The mayor took a step back, fear stamped in his face. After the princess was captured and taken away to the capital by the royal scouts, an order came to find out where the kidnappers escaped. They soon found out they ran away in an old smuggler's tunnel from the war two centuries ago. And the innkeeper was imprisoned and charged with helping the kidnappers escape. The group of four that stayed at the inn for a month consisted of a young man, a squirrel-kin, the woman that was taken away to the capital and another of remarkable beauty. The woman claimed she was helping the princess evade assassins. Of course, nobody believed them, but in the face of this new evidence, the mayor was forced to re-evaluate the truthfulness of the woman's statement.
"I won't ask a third time. What happened to the kind lady that ran the Staghorn inn?" Dawn's eyes were half-closed, she was clearly angry.
"She is in prison. We.."
And the boy in princess skin anger reached the top. Instead of burning anger, icy cold detachment and a promise of eternal sleep followed the princess' voice.
"I accept no excuses. You are to bring the innkeeper and every village healer here at once. If I find but a single recent wound on her, you will burn. And don't stand there gawking and showing me your ruined teeth. Hurry!"
They brought the woman, dressed in dirty rags and covered in scabbed wounds. Dawn ran to get her, not an iota of worry about getting her clothes dirty.
"Lady Anders the innkeeper, I am sorry for what happened to you."
The woman was all smiles despite her terrible condition.
"Your Highness, I praise the gods for your good health. Oh, how much I prayed for your safety. I'm sorry I couldn't keep your secret, they forced..."
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Dawn glared around and Aidan drew his sword. Sora imitated him instants after. Even Gurf readied his hatchets.
"Where are the healers?"
Inside, Aidan was trying something else. 'Lumina, are you there? You know healing magic, please help me. I don't care about affinities, just show me a good healing spell formula. This woman helped us escape pursuit, we would be dead without her help. Look what they did to her. Please, Lumina. You surface at the most inconvenient times whenever you want. Now it is time for you to work with me. C'mon'.
He relaxed his body trying to let the fragments of Lumina take over. At first, it looked like the boy was slowly fainting, but he regained his bearings before falling down.
"Healing Light."
Lumina cast a spell. A signature spell of the Yutis' ruling family. Everyone in the royal family could use light magic, an affinity deeply bound to their blood. Dawn watched as her own hands drew the glyphs, as her own mouth moved and as her own mana stirred into the formation. All in the princess' body. The innkeeper was covered in light and when the spell faded her body was completely healed. After the spell ended Aidan found his psychic strength drained, likely the result of forcing Lumina to surface.
Any doubt the people present had of the girl's identity vanished.
Dawn stood up and pulled the woman up. She turned around and looked at Deb.
"Deb, please make sure she is well fed and dressed."
"At once, your Highness." Deb took her own winter cloak and placed it over the innkeeper. She and Lola went back in the garrison building where they left their bags.
Pearl was flabbergasted. Not only Lumina began to behave like Lumina after crossing the tunnel, she even used Light magic to heal the woman. The kindness with commoners was something she was already used to, but this commanding tone, this haughtiness, this poise, that was the Lumina she admired. The meek, honest and kind Lumina was also nice and good for cuddling with but it wasn't regal.
Her heart wavered. Would she find the perfect Lumina between both extremes?
Dawn waved her hand and Aidan sheathed his blade right afterward. Sora and Gurf also put their weapons away. Aidan was exhausted. All this forced acting took a toll on him and the stunt he pulled with Lumina's fragments was that kind of exertion that made people feel sore the next morning. He kept his male body's gaze firmly on the surroundings but looked at the sky with the girl's eyes. It was still off-putting but he was getting better at managing the double sensory input. It helped to imagine the picture of the whole space around them and then a box with only two big holes that moved around.
"Village chief," Dawn called.
"Yes, your Highness."
"I want the Staghorn inn rebuilt. Not over the tunnel entrance, of course. That inn has my favor and I expect something worthy. Also the innkeeper, Mrs. Anders, if I recall, is under my protection. Any slight against her is a slight against me. Now, can you do that or do I need to put another head in control of the village."
It came with the implied threat that his own head would be unavailable to command.
"No, of course not, your Highness. Spring is coming this week or the next, we will have a lot of wood to build a new inn for our town."
"Make it a big one. For the first year, all expenses for the staghorn inn are to be paid by you. The guards that denied me passage, I am letting them live but they are to do night soil duty for the entire village during an entire year every single day. With a smile on their faces. If they complete this task they can keep their jobs."
"It shall be done." The guards were relieved. One year collecting and emptying chamber pots? In exchange for their neck? Sergeant praised the princess.
"And now we are tired and I am extremely displeased. Is there a place for us to rest?"
"I can only offer my own house." The village chief pointed at a two-story house in the middle of town. It was about a hundred meters from the tunnel opening.
"We are using it then. You can bivouac on the open tonight. A lovely starry sky, isn't it? And isn't that a good place to build a new inn. It is decided. The staghorn inn will be rebuilt using that house as a base."
"Yes, your Highness." The village chief could barely hide his indignation.
"Do you have a problem with that? I felt some anger from you." Dawn placed a hand on her rapier.
"No. No, no, no. Everything will be done as you command, your Highness."
"Look after Mrs. Anders. She is the most important person in this village right now. Get all the available hunters at once. I have a task for them. Have food and drink delivered for us. We are resting there and leaving for the capital the day after tomorrow. I want a wagon for my transportation ready by then. Any expenses are to be paid by you. Tomorrow two hours after noon come and I will grant you an audience. I have something to discuss with you."
"It shall be done, your Highness."
"You are dismissed. After we discuss our plans tomorrow, you will thank the day you met me, village chief."
"I already do, princess." A terrible liar.
Aidan knew the village chief was seething inside. He had to throw a bone to the man.
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"I can't believe it. You could crush them with a blink of your eyes, ruthless just like the old times!" An over-excited Pearl clung to Dawn's arm. Her beady amber eyes were sparkling.
"It was tiresome, Pearl. I just tried my best to keep them under control. I still don't remember much."
"And you used Light magic. It isn't Lumina without Light."
"I am forced to agree, but... we have visitors. The hunters arrived. Come, let's go downstairs to meet them." Dawn was glad Pearl left her grief behind in Gohar.
Aidan placed himself near the house entrance exactly for that reason. It was very important to draft the hunters into gathering the rest of the materials for his ritual.
"Your Highness, the hunters you requested are here."
Six hunters were kneeling in the main hall of the chief's house. Two humans, two lizardfolk, one half-elf, and a dwarf.
"Gentlepeople," Dawn spoke. "I am in need of materials for a magic spell. Gather the entire list for me by tomorrow noon and you'll be paid triple the usual fetch value. If all of you return without any serious wounds I'll pay quadruple. Any wounds you have will be healed by me. Questions?"
Pearl nodded, realizing what Dawn had done. It would stop the hunters from going at each other's throats instead of gathering the herbs.
"Lord Aidan, please give them the list. I don't mind if you gather extra, but any infighting will be punished."
The dwarf requested to speak with a nod. Lumina conceded.
"We will gather your materials, your Highness. I don't think there will be any problem, every one of us is a comrade. Now if you excuse us. Let's go while there's still sun. We will camp in the field tonight."
The hunters left.