Talax was fidgeting nervously while he waited for his trial to begin. His heart was racing, and his palms were sweaty as he sat alone in a dimly lit chamber. The room was small and bare, with only a simple chair and a long, thin table with small indentations in the middle. The only source of light was a small window, which let in a sliver of sunshine that barely illuminated the room.
Despite his anxiety, Bene had assured him that the test was fairly easy, and the results were instantaneous. Talax would soon know whether he had what it takes to become a mage or not. He wasn't sure what would happen in either case, but he was sure of one thing: he didn't want to become a lackey for some noble. He wanted to travel, meet strange people, and have adventures.
His musings were cut short when a man entered the room, and he felt his skin prickle from the man’s power. The man was tall and imposing, with a sharp gaze that seemed to pierce through Talax's soul. Unconsciously, Talax took a step back, trying to keep a safe distance, while the man looked up from his papers.
"So, you must be Talax," the man said, his voice deep and commanding. "I've got to admit, I was expecting someone younger."
Talax squared his shoulders, trying to overcome the urge to bolt from the room. He knew that he had to face this test head-on if he wanted to know whether he had magic or not.
"Yeah, I haven't passed my trial yet," Talax said, trying to sound confident.
The man nodded and reached into his robes, pulling out a small pouch. He placed it on the table and started placing small crystals into the indentations that Talax had noticed before. Each crystal was clear and beautiful, with a slight iridescence that caught the light in mesmerizing ways.
"Let me explain the procedure. It's pretty simple," the man said, his voice low and soothing. "Each crystal represents one of the ten basic elements. Earth and air, fire and water, light and dark, life and death, ice and lightning. The predominant elements in our kingdom are earth and fire, although sometimes, depending on the race, that changes."
As the man finished placing the crystals, he motioned for Talax to move closer. Talax inspected the clear crystals and realized that he could spot small vortexes of energy in the center of each stone. Every crystal had a slightly different signature, a feeling that he couldn't quite grasp.
Without meaning to, Talax kept moving closer and closer, like a moth to a flame. Suddenly, a dark, all-consuming feeling rose inside him, urging him to devour everything. He wanted to savor the energies hiding behind those fragile cases. He could almost taste the ozone before the thunderstorm, the black clouds clamoring to unleash their wrath.
"Young man, are you okay?" the man asked, his voice full of concern. A hand roused Talax from his trance, and he shook his head, trying to dispel the dark feeling that had overtaken him.
He finally managed to regain control of his troubled thoughts and looked at the man, who was looking at him with worry.
"Sorry. Um, could you help me? I have no idea how to channel mana." The man's worried expression turned to one of bafflement.
"How is that possible?" the man asked, shaking his head. "How have you been developing your skills and unlocking your gates?"
"To be completely honest, I haven't the slightest clue what you are talking about," Talax admitted, feeling a sense of unease wash over him.
The man's eyes bore into Talax with suspicion, his gaze cold and calculating. Talax felt a shiver run down his spine, as if he had been caught red-handed. The air around him crackled with an electric tension, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. He couldn't shake off the feeling that the man was about to unleash some kind of magic upon him.
Suddenly, the man raised his hand and began to make strange, intricate gestures, his fingers moving in a blur of motion. Talax stumbled backwards, his heart pounding in his chest. He felt as if he was caught in the middle of a thunderstorm, the energy around him building to a crescendo.
"Wait, wait!" he cried out, desperate to defend himself. "I have no memories! I don't even know my name!"
The man hesitated, lowering his hand slightly. His expression was unreadable, a mix of suspicion and curiosity.
Slowly, the man reached into his robes and produced a small, glittering object. As he placed it in front of his right eye, Talax realized with a start that it was a monocle. The man looked at him through the lens, his gaze penetrating and intense.
"What is that?" Talax asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Hmm, oh, it is called the Monocle of Clarity," the man replied, his voice deep and resonant. "It's a low-tier treasure that lets me see the level and skills of an individual."
Talax felt a sudden surge of anxiety wash over him. He had no idea what the man was talking about, but he had a sinking feeling that it wasn't good news.
“That is peculiar... I cannot see your level or skills...” The man hummed as he looked him over like he was a science experiment.
“Do you have some kind of ability that obscures your information? Wait.” A deep frown marred the man’s features as Talax recalled the Gods saying something similar.
“I cannot see your level but can still see your mana pathways...” the man scratched his head before continuing. “That can’t be right! All your gates are still blocked! How is that possible?” The man looked at him with wonder and confusion.
"This is astounding!" the man exclaimed, his voice rising in excitement. "You must have no skills! Not even the cleaning skill! You must be level 0! No wonder you look like that!"
Talax felt a pang of shame at the man's words. He had no idea what any of it meant, but he knew that it couldn't be good.
"Is it bad?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"It's like you were just born!" the man said, shaking his head in wonder. "Incredible!"
Talax was starting to feel uncomfortable under the man's intense scrutiny. He coughed, trying to get the man's attention, but the man kept staring at him, as if he were a specimen under a microscope.
"Excuse me, what about the trial?" Talax asked, hoping to redirect the man's attention.
"Oh, right!" the man exclaimed, his eyes lighting up. "I am sorry, but you cannot comprehend what a rare specimen you are! An adult man with the stats of a baby!"
Talax felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment. He had no idea what the man was talking about, but he knew that he didn't like it.
"So, how do I channel mana?" he asked, hoping to steer the conversation back to something he could understand.
The man finally stopped staring at him, but he didn't remove his monocle.
"Ok, so our bodies have organs that have specific functions. For instance, the heart circulates blood throughout our body while the lungs supply us with oxygen. Our Core functions in a similar fashion; it's an intangible organ that collects ambient mana and refines it, distributing it later in our bodies. The refined mana can then be used to either strengthen your body by opening your gates, leveling up as some call it, or to enhance your skills. If you have the cooking skill, for example, by enhancing it, you can make your meals savory, or instinctively know which ingredients pair well with each other. The King's cooks, for instance, have devoted their whole lives to their craft and can make meals that enhance one's vitality or even prolong their lifespan!"
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Talax was listening with his mouth hanging open. He had come to terms with the presence of magic, though he had viewed it as something obscure, something that mysterious individuals possessed, and normal people just watched from the sidelines with awe and envy. What he was hearing now, though, changed everything. Even if he did not have an affinity for magic, he could still achieve magical feats, even if it were a meal that tasted slightly better than his neighbor's.
"Now, it’s best if you close your eyes. Concentrate and find your mana coursing through your body," the scholar said in a hushed tone, leaning towards Talax with a glimmer in his eye. Talax took a deep breath and followed the instructions, feeling a sense of anticipation rise within him.
As he closed his eyes, he felt his surroundings fade away, and his mind's eye took over. The world he had known disappeared, replaced by a swirl of colors, energy, and magic. He felt a surge of excitement, realizing that he was about to tap into the very essence of his being.
“Once you detect the refined mana, trace their origin, where they come from. When you do, you have found your Core,” the scholar instructed, his voice echoing in Talax's mind. Talax's focus sharpened, and he began his search, feeling a warm glow within him, like a wellspring of power waiting to be unleashed.
He concentrated and inspected his body in his mind's eye, feeling a resonance permeating his body, like a layer of energy that was interwoven with his very being. It was like nothing he had ever experienced before, a sensation that made him feel alive and powerful. But he couldn't pinpoint where the feeling was coming from.
He searched and searched to no avail, his frustration mounting. He huffed in irritation but didn't give up. He realized that his current method wouldn't succeed and decided to take another approach. He started analyzing his body in parts instead of a whole, feeling the magic coursing through his veins.
He started with his legs, feeling the energy flowing through his muscles and bones, surging like a wild river. To his surprise, when he reached the knees, he discovered a knot of what he could tell was mana. It was like a bright spark of light, pulsating with energy. Once his mind registered the mana there, something inside him clicked, and his body became a map of intricate tracings and at the center of his being a wellspring of power. Streams of mana coursed through his body, some more robust while others were barely a trickle.
He realized that the two knots in his knees were not the only ones. He had two more higher in his legs, two on each hand, one on his torso, and another one on his forehead. He inspected each knot and discovered that the mana there was blocked, like a dam holding back a flood of power. Only a trickle managed to pass through.
He furrowed his brows in concentration and tried to loosen the knot, but no matter how hard he tried, he was unsuccessful. He could feel a concentration of mana on his right hand and tried to push it through the knot. The mana seemed to obey him and started to gather next to the gate, as much as he tried though he realized that the mana accumulated there weren’t enough to break the gate open. He needed more mana.
He experimented with his mana for a while longer, feeling the waves of energy wash over him, like a warm breeze on a summer day. He traced the pathways it travelled through, noting that in places around the gates, it seemed to lose cohesion and was harder to control. It was like a wild beast, eager to break free, but trapped by the bars of his own body.
When he managed to transfer mana into his hand, he heard an approving grunt, like a master acknowledging his student's progress. He felt a sense of pride welling up within him, like he had achieved something monumental.
“Very good, now place your hand on one of the crystals,” the scholar said, his voice low and smooth, like a warm caress. Talax opened his eyes and saw his hand emitting a soft light, like a beacon of power. An involuntary smile graced his face.
He moved to the edge of the long table and placed his hand atop the first crystal. Flames licked his hand, and the smell of burning wood reached his nose. The unsettling feeling of hunger surfaced again, but this time he was somewhat prepared and managed to control it. It was still there, but his mind was clear enough to be aware of what was happening.
“Hmm, no response. Let’s try the next one,” the scholar instructed, and Talax, hiding his disappointment, moved to the next crystal.
This time he felt frothy waves and a salty breeze touch his skin, but the crystal remained unchanged. He shook his head and moved to the next one, hoping that one of the crystals would light up and allow him to have adventures full of wonder and magic.
His hopes were dashed as the last crystal gleamed in the soft light of the room, casting a cold, blue glow across the walls. Talax watched in disappointment as the crystal remained dormant, a stark contrast to the burning desire he felt inside.
The man let out a deep sigh, his disappointment mirrored in the droop of his shoulders. "I had hoped that at least one crystal would light up given your special circumstances. Alas, it was not meant to be." His voice was heavy with regret, as if he had failed Talax in some way.
Talax stepped back, his heart heavy with the weight of disappointment. He looked around the room with blank eyes, lost in thought. For an inexplicable reason, he had been so sure that he would become a mage. His conviction had been so strong that he hadn't even considered what he would do if he had no affinity.
He turned to the scholar, his voice uncharacteristically pleading. "Are you sure that I don't have magic?" He searched the man's eyes for any sign of hope, but found only sympathy.
"I am afraid not," the man replied with a heavy heart. "Affinities don't change; we are born with them. Although there are ways to raise your affinities through magical artifacts or special consumables, I wouldn't be hopeful if I were you. There wasn't even a flicker of resonance to your mana. Usually, even those who don't have a high enough affinity to practice magic are able to light a small spark in the crystals. You, on the other hand, weren't able to manage even that." He shook his head perplexed. "You are a walking enigma. Everyone has at least a small inclination towards some elements, while you seem to have zero affinity to every element of magic."
Talax heard the man's words and felt a sinking feeling in his chest. Maybe he was indeed cursed by some God. Considering his lack of affinities, skills, and opened gates, it seemed highly plausible that he was being punished for something.
He nodded at the man in thanks and walked out of the room. As he stepped into the hallway, he was hit with a wave of cold air that made him shiver.
Bene was standing right outside the room, his wrinkled face creased with worry. Upon seeing Talax's dejected face, he nodded and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let's go do some shopping," he said with a warm smile. Talax followed the old man without really seeing or hearing anything around him. His mind was consumed with thoughts of what he would do now that his dreams of becoming a mage were shattered.
Talax was roused from his gloomy thoughts by an overwhelming power that seemed to permeate the very air around him. The groans of strain from those nearby brought his focus into sharp clarity. A small circle of pulsating energy materialized at the wall, and through it stepped an old, decrepit man. The audible thuds of people fainting surrounded him as the divine presence of the God overwhelmed those in his proximity. However, instead of succumbing to unconsciousness, Talax felt a surge within him, a wild beast awakened and ready to challenge the divine aura that invaded the room.
His gaze fixated on the old man with the overgrown beard trailing behind him, the slight build, and the absent-minded chewing on the feather of his quill. A stack of books floated beside him, seemingly oblivious to the scene of chaos he was causing. Despite the appearance of weakness and frailty, the aura surrounding him spoke volumes. He was a God, the God of Enlightenment and Knowledge.
Beside him, Bene faltered, and Talax instinctively reached out, grabbing him to prevent him from collapsing. His weak body though found it hard to bear the weight, and a pained groan escaped his lips. The sound seemed to jolt the distracted God out of his musings, and with a cheerful "Oops!" the tyrannical aura dissipated.
As the divine energy vanished, the hungry beast within Talax, eager to defy the God, subsided. The unsettling feeling diminished, and the room regained a sense of normalcy. The God resumed his chewing, engrossed in a small book, and nonchalantly passed through another portal, leaving behind a room in disarray and a group of bewildered individuals trying to make sense of the divine encounter.
The disoriented people in the room slowly came to their senses, wearing bewildered expressions. Bene, recovering from the unexpected divine appearance, looked at Talax with wide eyes.
"What can I say, young man? You seem fated to an untimely death by the hand of the Gods!" Bene remarked, even though his tone was light, it carried genuine concern. Talax shook his head, too drained from the ordeal. Bene, sensing Talax's weariness, didn't press the matter further. Instead, he wordlessly guided Talax out of the house of Erling.
At some point, he realized they were in front of a stall, and Bene was pointing at some yellow fruits. The stall was a riot of colors, with bright red apples and plump purple grapes stacked high in wooden crates. The air was filled with the sweet scent of ripe fruit, and Talax felt a sudden pang of hunger.
"What do you think? They are quite delicious!" Bene said, holding out a handful of the yellow fruits. Talax saw the man's forced smile and the worry in his eyes and realized that things could have been a lot worse. If that kind man hadn't found him, he would have probably still been wandering around without a clue where he was or what was going on.
For the first time since he learned he couldn't become a mage, he felt some optimism. So, what if he couldn't learn magic and become a flashy battle mage? He could still learn some skills and become proficient enough to perform magical feats that even kings would envy!
He smiled with the gratitude he was feeling and responded, "You know what? They do look delicious!"