"The first thing that you need to know to become Decimators, is to understand your valtite affinities. Not every Aestari can manifest Valtite, and some manifestations may not be suitable for our line of work. Your affinity determines how you will train to unlock your true potential."

He went on to briefly explain the six affinities:

"Amplification focuses on enhancing your natural abilities; Command allows you to control beings or objects; Genesis is about creating and manipulating elements; Alteration deals with changing properties or forms; Dominion harnesses the power of various energies and forces; and Equilibrium maintains balance and harmony."

Brian raised his hand. "Sir, why is it so important to know our affinities?"

Darius looked at him, his gaze stern. "Each affinity requires a different training approach. Knowing your affinity will allow you to maximize your potential and focus on the skills that are best suited for you."

Brian nodded. "So, it's like how people have different learning styles: visual, auditory, kinesthetic, or reading/writing. The affinity helps us understand the most effective way to train. That makes sense."

"Exactly," Darius replied, acknowledging Brian's insight. "It's crucial to understand your own strengths and weaknesses so you can adapt and grow."

Darius moved to the side and unveiled a small table shrouded in a silken cloth. He theatrically whisked away the fabric. There, resting atop the table, was a valtite core. The crystal-like sphere emanated a surreal white glow, casting dancing shadows on the walls of the room. The sphere seemed to hum with an otherworldly energy, as if a magical realm had been captured within the shimmering orb.

Brian squinted at the core. “Touching that thing looks more dangerous than accepting a drink from Mandrix on his pay day."

Sophia fought to suppress her amusement, but a stifled giggle managed to slip past her lips.

"You two. SHUT UP! Listen carefully, everyone. We will be using the Affinity Core to determine your valtite affinities. I guess technically, you could develop your affinity the old fashion way, but we have found that this core unlocks your affinity instantly. Cores are remarkable. Anyways, when you hold the core, it will react differently based on your affinity, allowing us to identify your individual strengths."

He gestured to the glowing sphere, his voice firm and clear. "Each affinity will cause the core to emit a distinct color. Amplification Affinity will heat up the core. Command Affinity will make it form intricate patterns on its surface. If you possess Genesis Affinity, the core will radiate small sparks that will swirl around it."

Darius continued. "Alteration Affinity will result in the core's surface momentarily melting and reshape before returning to its original form. Dominion Affinity will make the surface crackle and begin to shatter, but dominion is extremely rare, so I doubt anyone will get it. Lastly, Equilibrium Affinity will make the core vibrate gently."

"You will each take turns holding the Affinity Core. Once it reacts to your affinity, place it back on the table, and it will return to its neutral form. This will help me tailor your training to your specific abilities."

One by one, the students approached the Affinity Core.

Kael revealed his Amplification Affinity as the core pulsed with a golden light and grew warm in his grasp. “A welcomed discovery,” Kael said.

“You seem happy,” Brian said.

“Indeed I am. I suspected my affinity would be ‘Amplification’.”

Next was Jax, who watched the core shift to a fluctuating iridescent light, the surface melting and reshaping, signifying his Alteration Affinity. "You know, in a way, we're all altering our realities every day. I mean, if I decide I want to wear mismatched socks, isn't that an alteration? I'm not saying I'm ready to rewrite the laws of physics... but I'm not not saying it either."

Sophia also discovered her affinity for Alteration when the core reacted similarly in her hands.

“Let’s call ourselves the Super Affinity Siblings!”

“Ok, Jax,” Sophia chortled.

However, as Livia reached for the Affinity Core, her gentle touch met the crystal-like sphere, but no change occurred. Its ethereal white glow remained constant, and no affinity revealed itself. Livia’s kind-hearted features shifted to disappointment.

“Better luck next time. Some people simply can’t manifest valtite.” Darius gruffed.

“What happens to you now?” Brian asked.

Livia responded with an affable smile, “Oh not much really,” she places her finger under her chin, then continued. “I am the Junior Decimator Liaison, so I will just continue with my government job. That is why I wear this uniform, silly”

“Stop chit chatting, go next. Livia, see yourself out.”

Inside, Brian was all nerves. The sweat wasn't just from the heat - it was the fear. Livia's fate? He didn't want that. Every thump of his heart was like a timer, counting down to... what?

Sophia was over there, trying to seem all serious, but he saw it. That little nod. Like she was telling him 'It's okay, you've got this.' He'd never tell her, but that nod did more for him than any pep talk could.

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The Affinity Core was right there in front of him. It was just a thing, really, but it felt like so much more. Like it was staring right back at him, seeing all his doubts and fears. It made him uneasy, but he didn’t let it shake him. Not here, not now.

With hesitant fingers, he grasped it…

[Affinity Core] - This core resonates with the individual's specific valtite, aligning itself with the unique affinity of its bearer. It identifies and represents the wielder's affinity, creating a bond that echoes the singular nature of their connection to valtite.

Brian blinked in the sudden brightness, taking in a radiant hexagonal chamber. He was surrounded by shimmering crystal walls, ceiling, and floor, each humming with an undercurrent of energy. He felt like an insect trapped in amber, or maybe the centerpiece of a high-tech jewel. As he tried to grasp his surroundings, a figure coalesced before him, a being of orange pixie dust, radiating with a soft, warm light.

Deja vu struck Brian, throwing his thoughts back to his dream with the elusive shadow. "Have we met before?" he asked, his voice reverberating in the luminous chamber.

"No," the figure replied, a harmonic note threading through its words, "this is your first encounter with the Affinity Core."

Brian's mind whirring to process this. "We are inside the Affinity Core?"

"Yes, usually beings come into the world with an inherent affinity. It's the core's task to reveal it. But your case," the figure's glow pulsed, "is unique. Your consciousness reached this realm, allowing you to choose your own affinity."

Brian digested this, feeling a pull toward the idea of choosing. "What's the deal with these affinities?"

"The affinity you choose," the being answered, "will profoundly influence your valtite manifestation. Each wall represents a different affinity. Walk through one of the walls to choose.”

Brian carefully looked at each wall and his Valtite Vision revealed his options.

Amplification Affinity - This affinity focuses on enhancing the user's physical abilities, senses, or other natural attributes. It allows the user to push their body beyond its normal limits.

Cool, he thought. Super strength, super speed, heightened senses, all sorts of physical upgrades. The thought of his physical attributes reaching superhero levels appealed to his competitive side. Still, he shook his head slightly. It felt too straightforward, too... ordinary for a world that was anything but.

Command Affinity - Users with this affinity can control and manipulate other beings, objects, or external energies. This includes abilities such as telekinesis, mind control, or puppeteering.

His lips curled in amusement at the idea of controlling things with a thought. It was tempting, yes, and aligned with his love for control. But it didn’t quite hit the mark. Too broad, perhaps? Or too intrusive? He wasn’t fond of meddling with others' wills, after all, it seemed to cross an invisible line of respect. Although, he couldn’t deny the potential for strategic advantages.

Genesis Affinity - This affinity deals with the creation and manipulation of elements or substances, such as fire, water, or ice. Users can generate these materials and control their properties.

The familiar pull of video game mage classes tugging at him. Being able to create and manipulate elements was straight out of an anime. Cool for sure, but too flashy. He preferred subtlety, and this was anything but. In a world where he was already an anomaly, he wanted to keep some sort of edge, an unpredictability. Genesis was too… predictable.

Alteration Affinity - This affinity is about changing the nature or properties of things, including oneself. Users can alter their own form, the form of objects, or even the nature of energy around them.

Now that was interesting. Changing things, including oneself, had a ton of potential uses. It held a certain appeal, but would it be unpredictable? He wanted to dictate terms, not alter them. This affinity appeared suitable for adapting in battle. While he recognized the value in such flexibility, it wasn't what he wanted. Brian desired an affinity that would allow him to approach a fight with confidence and a well-crafted plan.

Dominion Affinity - This affinity is centered around harnessing and directing various energies or forces, such as sound, light, or gravity. Users can wield these forces to attack, defend, or control their environment.

Darius had mentioned it, called it the rarest. So there was a certain prestige to it. Something clicked with this one. In his mind it echoed a sense of overpowered versatility, a feeling of enigma. A grin spread across his face. He could feel it, the pull, the thrill of choosing something rare, something potent.

Equilibrium Affinity: This affinity is concerned with balance and harmony. Users can heal, buff, or debuff, and are adept at maintaining equilibrium both in themselves and their surroundings.

Healing and balancing. He shook his head almost immediately. Brian wasn’t one for playing the supporting role. He needed something more hands-on, more dominating.

“Well, make a choice before you lose this rare opportunity,” the ethereal being said. “Just walk through the wall of your choice."

Without a second thought, Brian moved towards the wall featuring his chosen affinity. It seemed like a solid, sparkling piece of glass. His host had instructed him to walk through it. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward, silently hoping he wouldn't end up looking like a fool running into a wall.

Brian opened his eyes to the faint sound of cracking glass breaking the silence. Brian found himself back at the academy. To everyone else, it was as if no time had passed at all.

Affinity Unlocked: Dominion - You have embraced an energy both formidable and fine-tuned, granting you the command of diverse forces and energies within the cosmos.

Affinity Effect: Dominion - Constitution Boost. Controlling fundamental energies requires a large amount of stamina. As a result of the Dominion Affinity, your constitution is bolstered, fortifying your energy endurance. Experience an increase of +10 Constitution, +10% to Constitution.

Affinity Effect: Dominion - Valtite Energy Enhanced. The infusion of Dominion affinity enhances your Valtite reserves, increasing their potential. You have gained +100 to your Valtite reserves.

‘DING’ Your valtite energy grows to level 13, empowering your stats and increasing your potential. +2 to each stat and +2 untrained points.

‘DING’ Your valtite energy grows to level 14, empowering your stats and increasing your potential. +2 to each stat and +2 untrained points.

Unfamiliar power coursed through Brian, imbuing him with an unprecedented sense of robustness. It was an odd sensation; he felt as if he could leap off a two-story building and land on his feet, unscathed and ready for action. This dramatic boost in constitution validated his choice of the Dominion affinity. Now, with his vitality at 340, he could hardly imagine the extent of his enhanced durability.

"The rarest affinity for the weakest one of the bunch, really?" Darius retrieved a pair of advanced SpectraSight V-Scanners, far more sophisticated than those worn by Mandrix, and he scrutinized Brian with a critical eye. After several tense moments, Darius's frown deepened, and he gestured for Caelis, busy at a desk across the room, to join him. Caelis obeyed, her swift footsteps echoed as she reached his side. Darius whispered something into her ear, and her stare widened in shock. Her gaze darted to Brian, and without a word, she hurried away. “Let’s take a break. We will resume training in 20 Minutiae.”

“Shit.”