The anticipation in the Academy was palpable. Affinity discovery day had finally arrived for all 4th years, a milestone that every student awaited with a mix of excitement and apprehension. Whispers filled the air as we gathered in the large, open hall where the ceremony would take place. The room was awash with the hum of ambient mana, the walls lined with intricate carvings that glowed faintly with runic inscriptions.
I stood near the edge of the hall, watching as the instructors prepared the tables holding small, shimmering fragments of Indentfium, the mana-rich metal that would reveal our affinities. Each shard sparkled faintly, catching the light like crushed starlight, a tangible representation of the unknown potential locked within us iIf there were any.
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“This process is critical,” Hexa said in her usual analytical tone. “The affinities revealed by the Indentfium will dictate your specialized education and future class options. Pay close attention. It will also Mark what you would have understood as your promotion to middle school.”
I chuckled inwardly. “I know,” I whispered under my breath, my hands flexing nervously. “It’s not every day you get handed a roadmap to the rest of your life.” rolling my eyes
Hexa’s tone softened, just a fraction. “Remember, affinities are not final. While they are a strong indication of your inclinations, they can shift and expand with time and effort. Your choices will still play a significant role.”
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Before the ceremony, we were each handed a slim booklet titled Understanding Your Affinities. The cover was a dull gray, with the Academy’s crest embossed in silver, but the content inside shimmered faintly with mana-infused ink. It seemed the Academy spared no expense in making sure we knew exactly how important this moment was.
I stood, flipping through the pages while Hexa read along silently in my mind.
“Comprehensive,” she noted. “This should provide adequate foundational knowledge.”
“Yeah, let’s hope it’s not as boring as it looks,” I muttered.
The first few pages outlined general information about affinities: how they influenced one’s class choices, how percentages indicated natural attunement, and how they could grow or shift over time. Then came the detailed breakdowns. I skimmed through the list, my eyes scanning each section quickly..
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Pyromancy (The Blazing Inferno)
* Overview: Control of fire and heat. Mastery includes summoning flames, explosions, and thermal manipulation.
* Common Classes: Sorcerer, Warlock, Fireblade.
* Unique Ability: Enhanced fire spell damage and burn effects.
“Pyromancy,” I muttered. “Classic. Who doesn’t want to throw fireballs?”
“Pyromancy is straightforward but effective,” Hexa commented. “Its destructive power makes it ideal for direct combat. However, it lacks subtlety.”
“Subtlety’s overrated when you’ve got explosions,” I joked, flipping the page.
Cryomancy (The Frozen Path)
* Overview: Control over ice and cold. Users can freeze enemies, create barriers, or summon snowstorms.
* Common Classes: Frost Mage, Winter Warden, Ice Archer.
* Unique Ability: Strong slowing effects and enemy immobilization.
“Cool, literally,” I muttered, moving on.
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Electromancy (The Sparked Domain)
* Overview: Manipulate electricity for shocking attacks and magnetic control.
* Common Classes: Stormcaller, Battle Engineer.
* Unique Ability: Paralysis and chain lightning attacks.
Hexa’s voice chimed in. “A moderately rare affinity, but its utility depends heavily on precision.” “Electromancy requires precision, It is versatile but demands constant focus to maximize its potential.”
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Geomancy (The Earthen Bastion)
* Overview: Manipulate earth and metal. Geomancers summon rock formations, earthquakes, and fortifications.
* Common Classes: Earthbound Guardian, Runic Druid.
* Unique Ability: Enhanced defense and reinforced armor or shields.
“Now this,” I said, “sounds like a tank’s dream. Defensive and offensive all in one.”
“Geomancy provides resilience,” Hexa said. “Its adaptability to both offense and defense makes it a popular choice for melee-oriented combatants.”
“Too bad it’s not on my list,” I muttered, moving on. I clearly had favorites.
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Aeromancy (The Whispering Gale)
* Overview: Control over wind and air currents. Aeromancers enhance speed, flight, and slicing attacks.
* Common Classes: Wind Dancer, Skyblade.
* Unique Ability: Amplified movement and evasion skills.
“Flight? Now that’s cool,” I said. “But evasion feels a bit... slippery.”
“Aeromancy prioritizes agility,” Hexa said. “It is ideal for those who rely on speed and precision rather than raw strength.”
“Definitely not my style,” I admitted.
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Aquamancy (The Flowing Tide)
* Overview: Mastery of water for healing, crowd control, and offensive spells.
* Common Classes: Tidal Mage, Marine Priest.
* Unique Ability: Amplified healing and enhanced control in aquatic environments.
“Water for healing,” I mused. “I guess that’s practical, but it doesn’t scream excitement.”
“Aquamancy is indispensable in group dynamics,” Hexa said. “However, its offensive capabilities are limited compared to other affinities.”
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Necromancy (The Whispering Grave)
* Overview: Command over death. Necromancers summon undead, drain life, and curse foes.
* Common Classes: Death Knight, Shadow Warlock.
* Unique Ability: Revive fallen enemies as loyal minions.
“Now we’re talking,” I said, grinning. “Undead minions? That’s right out of an MMO.”
“Necromancy carries significant social stigma,” Hexa warned. “Its utility is undeniable, but its practitioners often face mistrust.”
“Yeah, but still... skeleton army.”
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Lumimancy (The Radiant Beacon)
* Overview: Harness light magic for healing, buffs, and banishment of darkness.
* Common Classes: Paladin, Holy Cleric.
* Unique Ability: Increased resistance to dark magic and healing potency.
“Paladins,” I said with a faint chuckle. “The DND classic.”
“Lumimancy is foundational in group settings,” Hexa said. “It ensures survivability and counters darker forces effectively.”
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Umbramancy (The Shadowed Path)
* Overview: Control shadows for stealth, illusions, and corruption.
* Common Classes: Shadowblade, Void Caller.
* Unique Ability: Amplified damage from sneak attacks and enhanced crowd control through illusions.
“Okay, sneaky assassin types,” I said. “Not bad, but definitely niche.”
“Umbramancy relies on subterfuge,” Hexa said. “Its effectiveness diminishes in direct confrontations.”
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Gravitomancy (The Pillar’s Embrace)
* Overview: Manipulate gravitational forces to crush enemies, create singularities, or enhance mobility.
* Common Classes: Gravity Knight, Void Manipulator.
* Unique Ability: Battlefield control through slowing, immobilizing, or amplifying force.
“This one’s mine,” I said, grinning. “Crushing enemies with gravity? Sign me up.”
“Gravitomancy offers unparalleled control,” Hexa said. “It aligns well with your strategic mindset, though it demands considerable focus.”
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Spatial Magic (The Folded Realm)
* Overview: Manipulate space for teleportation, portals, or dimensional distortion.
* Common Classes: Riftwalker, Dimensional Sage.
* Unique Ability: Instantly reposition allies or enemies and alter battlefield dynamics.
“Also mine,” I added. “Teleportation? Portals? I might be a one-man army with this.”
“Spatial Magic requires exceptional precision and again rare,” Hexa said. “It is among the most challenging affinities to master.” “Spatial Magic requires exceptional precision,” Hexa said. “It is among the most challenging affinities to master but also the most versatile.”
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Cosmic Magic (The Starlit Ascension)
* Overview: Channel celestial energy for overwhelming power.
* Common Classes: Cosmic Sorcerer, Stellar Monk.
* Unique Ability: Summon meteors, radiant starlight damage, or celestial shields.
“Okay, now that’s overkill,” I said, laughing. “Meteors? Really?”
“Cosmic Magic is exceedingly rare among humans,” Hexa noted. “Its users often influence battlefields on a massive scale.”
Just then, Magister Althea, the same no-nonsense instructor who had introduced us to the Academy, stepped forward to address the room.
“Today marks an important step in your journey,” she said, her voice carrying easily over the murmur of students. “The Indentfium will reveal your innate affinities, which will guide your curriculum and, ultimately, your class evolution. Remember, these affinities are only a part of who you are. Hard work and determination can elevate even the most modest potential.”
Her gaze swept across the room, lingering briefly on me before moving on. “When your name is called, step forward, take a fragment of Indentfium, and crush it in your palm. The metal will respond to your mana, displaying your affinities and their percentages.”
I shifted on my feet, watching as the first name was called. A boy from the far side of the room stepped up, visibly trembling as he approached the table. He took a shard of Indentfium, cradling it like it might shatter before he was ready. The moment he crushed it in his hand, a soft glow enveloped him, and the Voice of the Gods boomed in the air above him. The room buzzed with excitement as it read out his affinities: Cryomancy 45%, Aeromancy 30%, Lumimancy 25%.
One by one, students were called, their affinities revealing a dazzling array of possibilities. Most had three affinities, some had four and the rare few had five.
“Wolfhart Valda-Ashdock.”
The sound of my name made my stomach flip. I walked forward, my boots clicking against the stone floor, and stopped in front of the table. The shard of Indentfium seemed to pulse faintly as I picked it up, its smooth surface cool against my skin.
“Take your time,” Magister Althea said, her voice softer than usual.
I glanced at her, then down at the shard in my palm. This was a moment that would define my path. With a deep breath, I closed my fingers around the metal and squeezed.
The fragment resisted at first, but as I channeled a faint thread of mana into it, it crumbled like brittle glass. A brilliant light erupted from my hand, and the air around me seemed to vibrate. Symbols materialized in the space above my head, glowing with a radiant energy that made my heart race.
Results:
* Cryomancy: 20%
* Electromancy: 15%
* Spatial Magic: 30%
* Gravitomancy: 25%
* Umbramancy: 10%
The room fell silent as the Voice of the Gods shared the results, their expressions a mix of curiosity and surprise.
“Interesting,” Magister Althea murmured, studying the symbols. “Spatial Magic as a dominant affinity, along with Gravitomancy. Rare, but not unheard of.”
Hexa’s voice echoed in my mind, tinged with approval. “These affinities align with your analytical and methodical nature. Spatial and Gravity magic both rely heavily on precision and intelligence—areas where you excel.”
I couldn’t help but smile faintly. “Guess I’m not too bad off, huh?”
“On the contrary,” Hexa said. “These results place you in a mid level position. Few students exhibit this many affinities at this stage. However, their complexity will require significant effort to master. Combined with your low to medium attunement percentages we will need to progress over the next two years.” As I returned to my place in the crowd, I couldn’t help but notice the glances from the other students. Some were curious, others envious, but none of them lingered long. The ceremony continued, each new set of affinities drawing fresh murmurs and excitement.
Sitting in the quiet of my dorm room that night, I replayed the moment over and over in my mind. Spatial Magic and Gravity Manipulation. Hexa was right—they were rare, and they felt right. Something about them resonated with me, like pieces of a puzzle I hadn’t realized I was solving.
“Do you think these affinities will shift?” I asked Hexa as I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling.
“While it is possible,” she replied, “it is unlikely that your primary affinities will change significantly. However, their percentages may refine further as you continue training and absorbing mana.”
I nodded, the weight of the day settling over me. This was just the beginning, but for the first time, I felt like I had a real glimpse of what lay ahead.
“Spatial Magic, Gravitomancy,” I muttered, a faint smile tugging at the corner of my lips. “Not bad for a fish boy.”
Hexa didn’t respond, but I could almost feel her agreement.