The first light of dawn found Relar awake, staring at the ornate ceiling of his dormitory. He had slept soundly, a strange comfort in this unfamiliar place. Rising from his bed, he glanced over at Kian, who was still sleeping peacefully. Relar was tempted to summon his spirt beast and make it bounce him awake, but after finding the timekeeper on the wall, which showed there were still two hours before the assembly, decided to let him sleep.

He made his way to to the common hall for breakfast after donning his newly given uniform. Though newly given didn't mean new clothes. While they were good fabrics, they one and all bore marks of long wear.

Relar, still standing, scanned the faces of his peers, his gaze eventually finding Tomas, Lorelai, and Jarek. They sat closely, their heads bowed together in earnest discussion. Coincidence for them to have found their way down first? Yet to Relar, it was a stark reminder of the divide that had just opened between them. They might not have a perfect match between their affinities, but they shared camaraderie, trust. It would be a challenge to find that with someone else.

Relar took a seat next to Jarek, Tomas, and Lorelai. Their conversation flowed easily to include him. And shortly after Elia arrived as well.

"You won't believe how much the nobles in our dorm complained last night," she said, her voice barely containing his amusement. "It seems the beds here don't match the comfort of their feathered ones at home. And don't even start with the uniforms." She laughed and pointedly stuck her finger through one of the holes in her sleeves. And mentioned that the nobles in their dorm had been complaining for hours last night.

"Imagine the horror of surviving without silk sheets and tailored clothes," they quipped.

"Yeah, truly a trial by fire for them," another added, rolling their eyes. "Next, they'll tell us how they've braved the harshness of only having one pillow instead of four."

Their laughter carried a subtle edge, a shared recognition of the divide between their own experiences and those accustomed to privileges.

Relar picked at the coarse bread on his plate, his thoughts more on the day ahead again as the conversation pivoted to the masters they planned to approach.

"I'm thinking Master Elric," Tomas said, "the others just don't seem to fit."

Lorelai nodded, her fingers tracing patterns on the tabletop. "I'm going to Hessmin. It's all liquids and water droplets for me. Though I wonder if the stealth factor is basically a combat augmentation. Mistweave—Thessally is called Combat Weaver after all. But I figure Hessmin is still better for the basics of the pages."

Jarek chimed in with a grin that held a hint of mischief. "I am going to Thessaly for sure. Fighting with fire. The leech part is really more about holding the fire than shooting it. I actually think there must be some good synergies with Lorelai, though it's really hard to pin them down."

Elia sighed lightly, her gaze drifting to the window where morning light streamed in. "Baelor's really an obvious choice for me. Runescribing will be hopefully more fun than history…"

"Gumnik," Relar stated simply, and his friends' nodded.

"Me too." Kian chimed in.

"The Beast Master, pretty obvious for you two." Tomas added.

Breakfast wound down quickly, as all initiates were eager to get to testing their spells. Already there were flickers of casting around the breakfast hall, with some initiates trying their pages. Though that had stopped before anything could escalate once Master Gelrin had joined the breakfast at the head of the hall and glared at a few students.

Relar and Kian excused themselves from the group, their voices fading into a comforting buzz behind him as they strode towards Gumnik's domain. The anticipation of finally exploring his abilities coursed through him as he approached the overgrown expanse where Master Gumnik would be waiting.

The path led them through lush gardens to an overgrown corner of the academy where Master Gumnik held his classes. The wild vines and leaves adorning his attire seemed to merge with the surroundings.

Master Gumnik stood at the end of the path, before it opened up into a wide clearing. He welcomed each initiate, before sending them to form a circle on the grass.

"You two," Master Gumnik beckoned them forward. Relar glanced at Kian who gave him a nod to go first, as they stepped forward to meet the Beast Master.

"Your affinity?" Gumnik stated, his gaze boring into. His hands rested on a long gnarled staff, the many roots that formed it seemingly have grown just for the purpose of being a staff, knotting in tight organic patterns.

Relar swallowed hard, meeting Gumnik's piercing gaze, "Spirit beast affinity, Master Gumnik."

Master Gumnik nodded, the staff tapping lightly on the ground as if to punctuate his interest. "And your pages?"

Relar took a deep breath. "Spirit Companion and Spirit Sense, Master."

Gumnik's eyes flickered with approval. "A strong start. The Companion will be your ally, an extension of your will, spirit and senses. It makes sense for you to be here, but while I can tell you about the beasts, spirits are Baelors domain. Not all spirits are natural, and many far from beasts. You need to learn the distinction."

He motioned for Relar to step into the circle before turning his attention to Kian. "And you?"

"Heart of the Wild, Master Gumnik." His voice held a note of pride towards the master. "I have Nature's Whisper and Vine Grasp," Kian responded, the corners of his mouth turning up ever so slightly as he spoke.

"A little surprising pages for this affinity. I would expect your next ones to be more focused on your own physique." His eyes rested on Kian a bit longer before speaking to both of them.

"You are both strongly equipped for rangers at the moment, but this is just the beginning, don't fool yourself into thinking this is going to be your only path forward." Gumnik declared, gesturing towards the dense foliage surrounding them. "Your affinities tie you deeply to this world in the tower, in ways that like nature adapt to you and your circumstances. We shall explore those ties together for now, but both of you need to also take up classes with another master. Baelor for him, Thessaly for you."

As Relar joined the circle, he couldn't help but feel an odd sense of belonging here amidst these ruins overtaken by nature. There was abandonment here, just like in Sheath. In Sheath, the darkness was a constant reminder of a world lost to shadow, where the only light came from the towers themselves—a false sun for a false hope.

Once grand and now humbly reclaimed by the embrace of nature, rather than the darkness and decay that fell outside the light the tower in Allei. Here, vines crept over fallen columns, flowers burst through cracks in the stone, and the air was alive with the chirping of hidden creatures and birds overhead.

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This world inside the tower, so starkly different from the bleak, sunless expanse of Sheath, had its own heartbeat, with a vibrancy that tugged at something deep. It was as if this place, held onto the essence of what the world outside had once been—alive, flourishing, and untamed.

These thoughts stirred a mix of emotions within him—wonder, but also a pang of sorrow for the world outside and himself, for the time in the tower was always temporary.

His attention was drawn back to Gumnik as the Master began to speak. Relar gripped his own book tightly, as the master raised his hands.

Master Gumnik's voice filled the clearing, cutting through the ambient noise of the academy grounds.

"Your spellbook, your pages are your arsenal," Gumnik began, his voice firm and clear. "They enact your will, bend reality to your desires. But remember, each one you invoke demands a piece of you, a fragment of your Aether."

The students around Relar nodded, the theory wasn't new. But for the first time, each of the initiates could actually act upon the lessons. Relar's own spellbook, invisible to those around him, felt light in his grasp. He could sense the pages within as if they were extensions of him—ready to unfold at a moments notice.

"Your affinities, now," Gumnik continued, "they are the keys to this tower world. They define your connection to this world, or worlds." His eyes scanned the circle of initiates. "Beast, Nature, Fire, Water, Wind, and all their variations, they opens doors unique to you."

A few initiates shifted on their feet as Gumnik's gaze passed over them. It was daunting to hear the words of the master, but Relar couldn't help but feel the gravity of the words as a burden of expectation.

"Soon enough, we will get to your pages, and you will no doubt have to master them. Many watch casters for those spells in battle," Master Gumnik said, lowering his hands slowly. "And judge them if their battles are won or lost. But battles represent the final test, true, they are decisive moments that often conclude the extensive and challenging journey you've undertaken. And persevering through them will be essential to all of you, since battles are a part of your journey in the tower. But, and remember this, your affinities will be the ones that help you find battles that are worth fighting."

Relar watched as Master Gumnik walked among them now, pausing to look each initiate in the eye. "Survive long enough," he said, "and your affinity will shape you and your path through this world more than any battle you fight."

The clearing grew silent but for the rustle of leaves and distant murmurs from other parts of Moraine Academy. Master Gumnik stepped back into the center of their gathering, hands once more raising—"Let us begin."

"Observe," he commanded.

Gumnik's fingers moved deftly, as if plucking unseen threads in the air. "Your spellbook is your true guide to your pages. It will tell you what to do. Follow it, trust it, and your only challenge will be to control the flow of Aether."

The space around them seemed to bend, leaves rustling without a breeze. Gasps escaped the students as they watched a beast materialize before their eyes. It was a beast, conjured from Gumnik's pages—a bear made from vines and earth, its eyes two glowing embers of green. It lumbered forward with a presence that was both menacing and majestic. Relar's heart raced at the sight, and he stumbled back, along with a few of the others.

"This is an elemental bear," Gumnik's voice remained steady, as the creature he'd summoned pawed at the ground. "Casts from nature are often more akin to summons. Your connection with those beasts, or whatever you summon will depend on your ability to understand their essence. Effective use of summons is often a harder path compared to the casting of pure forces, but they will reward you with an inherent understanding of your intent if done right."

Relar edged closer, entranced by the bear's every move. The way its form seemed both solid and fluid was a dance of natural forces, a visual symphony that reminded him of the Golems in Sheath.

He looked up and found that the bear had turned its gaze on Relar as well. For a moment, time stilled for him. In those fiery eyes, he saw an echo of the wilds, a call to something primal. He felt his own affinity stir, responding to the beast's silent challenge.

Relars eyes flicker to Gumnik and found the Master staring at him as well as he intoned, "Spirits, are the highest form of intelligence you will find in summons. Followed by elementals, and lastly artifacts or forces."

To Relar he said, "Approach, keep your intent clear and try to understand its essence."

Relar stepped forward, lost as what to do, but following instructions. He strained to focus his mind solely on the bear, the monster before him. For a long moment there was nothing. Then the air tingled as if charged by the meeting of two worlds.

"Good," Gumnik murmured as the bear sniffed the air in front of him. "You've made contact. What did you learn?"

The bear snorted, its breath carrying the scent of fresh earth. It was a scent that spoke of growth and life. Then turned away from the young caster.

Relar answered, "I am not sure, Master, I… I touched it, but I couldn't connect."

Gumnik clapped his hands once, and the bear dissipated into a shower of leaves and soil that settled gently back onto the earth.

"Your affinity is for spirits, this is an elemental. You felt the difference. Hopefully next time you will know what to look for."

Relar nodded along with his classmates, their faces eager.

"Elementals are forces of nature given shape and purpose," Gumnik explained. "This is important to understand even if your affinity is not connected to them, because you will fight them at some point. Indeed, you will do well to learn not just about your own affinity, but about everyone else's as well. As those powers are what you will be fighting in some form or other in the Climb."

The initiates exchanged glances, each processing the demonstration in silence.

"Turn outwards." Master Gumnik told them.

Relar, along with his fellow initiates, now stood in a wide circle around Master Gumnik. They turned their backs to each other, facing the edges of the clearing. The hush of anticipation settled over them, and the only sound was the soft whispering of the leaves, as they waited for the next instruction.

"Open your spellbooks," Gumnik's voice cut through the quiet. "Choose a page with a spell that holds little risk for your neighbors. If you can."

Fingers trembled and eyes darted as invisible pages flipped open. Relar focused on his book, feeling the pull of two spells at his fingertips: Spirit Companion and Spirit Sense.

Spectral Crane—Spirit Companion (Level 1, Mastery: Initiate) This spell allows the caster to summon a spectral crane, a creature born from the essence of spirit beasts and the ethereal beauty of the night sky. Its form, composed of stars and darkness, moves with grace, serving as guardian and ally. The spectral crane is capable of performing tasks at the behest of its summoner, within it's range of capabilities. Its presence is a testament to the caster's connection with the spirit world.

Spirit Sense (Level 1, Mastery: Initiate) Spirit Sense is a spell of deep connection and understanding, allowing the caster to temporarily share the senses of a spirit beast. By invoking this spell, the caster can see through the eyes of their spirit companion, hear what it hears, and feel what it feels, gaining insights and perceptions beyond human capabilities. Reveal hidden paths and uncover secrets beyond mortal eyes.

"Now," Gumnik continued, "feel the connection from your book to your core. That's your spellbook seeking Aether."

Relar quickly choose the former, and he felt it—a faint tugging sensation that seemed to reach deep within him, in the center of his being.

"Begin the casting," came Gumnik's command. "Let it draw on you while you cast, but be mindful of the connection. When you sense the draw lessen, step forward and cast."

Around him, initiates began to concentrate. Some with confidence, others with hesitation. Relar took a deep breath and tried to relax what felt his hold on the Aether. They symbols that guided the casting rose off the page and into the air, stretching around him. Instinctively he reached out with his hands and upon contact, additional lights spread out, drawing path for him to follow. Meanwhile the page filled slowly, absorbing his energy like parched earth soaking up rain, turning bright with light.

Beside him, Kian grunted in concentration. The air around him shimmered faintly as he prepared to cast. Another student's face screwed up in effort; her hands flying through the air to seemingly no avail.

Finally, when Relar completed the last gesture of the cast, and stepped forward. During the casting the palm of his hand had slowly turned black. What had alarmed him at first had slowly turned into a window to a night sky.

For a moment his whole hand seemed to turn immaterial and in that instant, the unmistakable shape of a bird escaped through Relars right hand. Wings folded back onto the body, the bird looked primed to dive for pray, as it crossed into Relars field of view, before it suddenly spread its wings wide, right in front of Rez.

Unprepared for the spectacle and too surprised, Relar clamped down on his Aether connection. The last thing he saw was the cranes eye firmly locking on Rez's own, as the birds shape of stars and shadows quickly dissipated.

Relar released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. The clearing was alive with whispers of power as spells manifested bursts and sputters. Flowers, trees, rocks, water, even small beasts. A multitude of spells took shape around him.