The old man wasn't able to tell me too much through the flight, but I made sure to memorize what he had explained, I feel as if I understand 'wind' better if that makes any sense.
A voice comes over the intercom "Captain Vale, we will be nearing the barrier soon."
"Ah, that is my cue, would you like to come along? They will need me to open a hole in the illusion for us to approach the island, otherwise we will just get misdirected away." The old man now known to me as Captain Vale explains, walking towards the front of the plane.
I hesitate, looking at the wind magic array, then turn and follow him towards the front of the plane, curious to see our destination.
Through a hallway we hastily reach the front of the plane, where a pilot and copilot sit, staring out into the endless ocean.
"Hello there captain, we still have about thirty miles before we reach the barrier." The co-pilot explains while the pilot focuses on the controls. "Oh, and who is this?" He looks towards me.
"This is Jack Bell, grandson of the patriarch." Captain Vale explains to him.
"Err.. patriarch? Like in wuxia novels?" I pride myself on my knowledge of lightnovels and wuxia. Countless of hours in a dark room finally paying off.
"Wuxia? Err. It just means that he is the head of the family." The Captain explains for me. "You see you actually have a lot of distant relatives on the island and in the Stratyn company, considering that a majority of the higher ups are from the family. Unfortunately it is not my place to tell you about the family, I am sure that Mr. Stratyn himself would prefer to explain these things. However there is one thing I should definitely inform you about. You are the only direct descendant of Leonard Stratyn, which would give you the direct line to become the next patriarch, however there are those in the family who wish that position for themselves, as before you were discovered to have magic potential they were candidates to replace Mr. Stratyn. They're mostly around your age but they have far more experience with magic than you do since they have been practicing since their youth, therefore I recommend that you be cautious of others from the family aside from your Grandfather."
"Then should I be cautious of you as well?" I take his words to heart.
"Of course, you don’t know me and I could be extremely ambitious." He speaks with a light smile, before turning his attention towards the front of the plane and mumbling a long incantation, which I focus onto and memorize.
'He may say that I shouldn't trust him as well but it really seems that he’s looking out for my best interests.' I think to myself as I look out the front window of the plane. There's still only ocean as far as I can see.
"Captain we are nearing the barrier." The co-pilot states.
In response the Captain holds out his hand, a ball of silver light growing in front of it, before blasting off, fazing through the windshield of the plane and through the air, Tearing open something similar to a sheet to reveal a sprawling city beyond on the coast, for a magical city it seems rather normal, with towering skyscrapers and suburbs the town is massive, as is the so called island.
"Err.. How big is this island?" It seems that no matter how far I look Left, right, Or inland there's just more land. There's even snow peaked mountains in the distance
"Hmm.. I'd say about half of the size of Australia? Though that doesn’t make it much of an island now does it. There’s more cities and towns spread out across the land. In total there is Four cities and Nine villages, not to mention the families that prefer to exclude themselves" Captain Vale explains with a smirk.
"Well damn.." I look over the city, finding what looks like a massive campus near the coast. "Is that the Academy?" I question as I point it out.
He nods his head. "Yes, it's where all people go to school to master magic. There's a wide variety of subjects so I'm sure you'll find one that will catch your interest. You should take your seat for the landing."
Taking his advice I return to the seat by Grandfather who was slumped over in his chair asleep. "Hey grandpa. We've arrived." I reach to shake him awake to find a sharp piece of stone floating at my throat.
"Oh it's just you Jack, ahaha wake grandpa more gently last time." He explain as I feel a cold sweat go down my back. "Y-Yes" I sit quietly as the plane begins to lower on to the runway.
"You'll start school next semester, which will be in two weeks. In the meantime we need to test your affinity and get you a bit more acquainted with magic. Not to mention introducing you as my heir."
"Speaking of heirs who would have succeeded you before I came along?" I was curious since that person and their friends would likely hold a grudge against me.
"Hm, my old choice would have been Daniel, he is my brother's grandson. He has exceptional affinity with fire and darkness but he has a horrible mindset, spoiled rotten and things of himself before the good of the family. I would be surprised if he didn't cause trouble."
"Ill try to watch out for him then, how are we going to test my affinity anyway?" I question as we climb out of the plane.
"Oh you'll just need a testing tablet and a drop of your blood, we have plenty of those back at the famil-"
He is interrupted by an elderly man in a professional black suit with grayed hair and beard. "Brother! You are back, and this must be your grandson, My name is William Statyn. I am your grandfather's younger brother." He proclaims with a smile that leaves me uncomfortable.
"What are you doing here brother?" Grandpa questions William in a calm tone.
"I figured that I should welcome your grandson, I understand that he still needs to test his Affinity, I figured we could make it a grand occasion for the family with a welcome party. Everyone has already gathered at the tower, they're waiting on us."
"And what made you think that you could decide such matters without my permission?" Gramps seemed upset, It seems that they didn't have that great of a relationship.
"What's wrong brother? This is a happy occasion I thought you would be elated. There's even guests from the various families."
"Haahh.. Very well, let us go." Grandpa walks forward with old man william at his side.
I followed along behind them with Mr. Vale walking alongside me.
He leans down to whisper quietly in my ear as we walk. "Beware of the Patriarch's brother. He is just as vile as his grandson."
I nod my head in understanding, I just hope that my affinity will be good enough to make me worth more as an heir. If it’s bad there is likely to be trouble.
The rest of the walk was kept in relative silence, aside from me pestering Vale about magic, Apparently only eight types of magic had been properly researched and were testable and they were Earth, Wind, Fire, Water, Lightning, Darkness, Holy, and Space. But there were many more that were continuously being researched, both at the academy and privately.
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After a short car ride we arrive at a large skyscraper, with a marble sign out front claiming it as Stratyn HQ. A few passerby's give my grandfather, vale, and william admiring looks as we passed them going into the building.
"Everyone is waiting for us in the ballroom on the thirteenth floor. We should hurry." William explains with a sly smile, Leading us into one of the elevators.
"Remember not to be intimidated Jack, just keep your back straight and stay composed." Grandpa explains.
"Oh I'm sure he will be fine brother! After all he is the heir you chose over my own grandson." William tell's him with a seemingly relaxed smile that caused Grandpa Leo frowns at.
With a ding the elevator door opens, to reveal a massive and crowded ballroom with a stage on the far side. Several people bow towards grandfather.
"Greetings towards the patriarch." They chant, while several others with intimidating air's step forward.
"Greetings brother Leonard." speaks a man who appears around thirty with light blonde hair and pointed ears, coupled with an attractive face and lean body structure. "Oh? And this must be your grandson?" He turns to look down towards me. "It's a pleasure to meet you young man, My name is Aavin, and I am the current patriarch of the Elvae clan." He holds out his hand to shake.
"Ah, Like actual elves?" I take his hand to shake, immediately upon contact feeling a connection to his mind.
'Ah, leo must have not told him about us.' Aavin thinks.
'What is that? Are those his thoughts?' I look at him in confusion as he returns an expression of shock.
"Boy, you can hear my thoughts?" He looks me over inquisitively.
"I.. guess?" Thought reading. It seems as though all of my abilities are focused onto my mind.
"Well I'll be damned, I thought that only us Elvae were capable of creating Telepaths." He doesn't look angry, if anything pleasantly surprised would be an accurate description.
"What are you talking about Aavin?" Questions Grandpa. "You're saying he is capable of telepathy?"
"Yes, though he seems to still be at the stage that he is only able to read those he is in contact with, however with proper training he should be able to excel. Since we are old friends Leo if he ever wishes to I can send over a Telepathy teacher." Aavin offers.
"Of course, thank you for your generosity." Leonard smiles.
"Grandfather!" A voice comes from the crowd, Out steps a boy who seems about my age with black hair and eyes, his appearance was above average aside from how he seemed to look down on others. "Is this the boy? The one who is supposed to take over as heir?" He glares condescendingly at me. "He's rather short, his hair is long and his face... You're sure this isn't just a crossdresser?" He looks smug.
"Ahahah, show a little respect to the young master. We still need to test his affinity, I had them connect the tablet to the monitor so that everyone can see his results." William speaks, leading me and grandfather up to the stage, while the punk and mr vale stay in the crowd.
On the stage is a plate covered in runic symbols connected to a large screen on the wall. "Alright just go ahead and place your palm on the middle of the plate and your results will appear on the screen." My grandfather explains.
I do as he says and place my hand onto the plate, it glows faintly before a chart appears on the tv.
AFFINITY:
Earth: 0.1%
Air: 0.1%
Fire: 0.1%
Water: 0.1%
Lightning: 0.1%
Light: 0.1%
Darkness: 0.1%
Space: 0.1%
A tenth of a percent for all of them. Silence spreads through the crowd for several moments before it erupts with laughter, aside from the Stratyn family members who appear extremely embarrassed.
"Ahahah, I've never seen one so low! He is practically a normal!"
"If this is the heir that they have chosen it seems the Stratyn family will lose its place in the future.
William steps up as the crowd calms down. "Such low affinity, it's unheard of. Brother since the founding of our family we have never taken in someone who has less than thirty percent in one element, let alone allow them to become the heir, it's against our principles." He explains to grandfather happily.
"Tch.." He looks me over for several moments before speaking. "I cannot change the fundamental laws of our family..." Grandpa looks towards me with regret.
I stand with my hand stuck to the plate, my face bright red with embarrassment. "Isn't there some way to change it grandpa...?" I question hopefully.
He shakes his head in dismay. "Not that we know of.. Magic originates from the mana core in the brain and there is barely any research on it."
"The brain..." I think back towards my abilities which continue to grow, maybe I could learn how to change it... "Grandfather, please. I.. can change it. I just need time." I don't want to be sent back to the regular world, not after knowing about all this magic.
"Hah! People have been researching the mana core for countless years but have yet to discover much about it. Like you could." the grandchild of william steps forward with a sneer.
I frown at him for a brief moment before turning back to my grandfather, Waiting for him to decide.
He stands in silence for several moments before speaking up. "Since your affinity is too low I am forced reluctantly to expel you from the family. However if you were to manage to raise one of your Affinities to above thirty you will be allowed back into the family with open arms and take the position of heir." He says in an official tone before guiding me personally out of the room while William and several others from the crowd smile triumphantly.
"Grandfather, does this mean.. I have to go back home?" I stare him in the eyes. If he decides to send me back I would do everything in my power to return.
"Of course not, I'll be damned if I let that brat become the heir, He'll turn the family to rubble. However you won't be able to stay here with the family, But don't worry. I'll make sure to pay the school expenses and find a proper place for you to live near the school. Just tell me what you need and I'll make sure they add it. Think of it as a birthday present for all of the years I miss." He smiles apologetically.
"Don't worry grandpa. I'll change it and make you and myself proud." I feel determination well up inside me, I'll be damned if I'm going to be pushed around by those bastards.
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Authors corner: Thanks for reading! ^^ I didn't post a chapter yesterday cause I napped half of it away, Ill try to get another one out today but if I cant it will be tomorrow, I also wanted to just make him raise his affinity right there but this way seems more fun~ Please Comment, like, follow, favorite blah blah blah!! Also how quickly do you guys want his ability to increase?