Mana Affinity[2]

While writing the novel, I included many side stories.

Some were completely unrelated to the main story, while others were important for later development.

One such story I remember writing was about an incident during the school entrance arc; a short story about a group of low-ranking adventurers who died during a dungeon failure.

I don't remember the exact date or the people involved in the incident, but I remember the event itself without the finer points.

Everything thus far in this world has adhered to what I've penned in the novel, and so and so... so, whose responsibility for those adventurers' deaths?

I somewhat have a tiny urge to save those guys.

I obviously wasn't a saint.

The only reason I was even thinking about saving them is becuse they had no relation to the story.

If their deaths were to cause a significant shift in the later half of the story, I wouldn't think of saving them.

If the story deviates from what I have penned, I wouldn't even know what kind of twist it would take.

And honestly, I wouldn't want to create a scenario that could bring misfortune back to me.

Taking me out of my thoughts was the principal's voice, "But it all means nothing if you do not work hard to achieve those goals."

He continued his speech, "Arcanum Blades is a place where we push students to their limits, but it is also a challenging enviro..."

His speech continued for the next five minutes, and everyone listened intently to every word he said.

After the boring speech was over we were required to test for our core's affinity.

Currently our class was being led to section A-1, wizard's workshop.

That's were our core affinity will be tested.

According to the storyline, Doschit Voss was the wizard instructor.

We were being led in groups and I could glance to see professor Riya at the forefront.

They test the mana affinity by a simple ritual using a mana crystal.

While mana crystals were rare...it wasn't that rare.

Rich people after all did posses them.

At the front, I could see Aoi and Aurora together.

Behind them, Emily, Sophia and Kai Lee, among others followed.

I looked to my side to find James Reeves walking silently without saying much. He looked at me and gave me an awkward smile.

Was he nervous? I chuckled.

But as I walked, I noticed something odd.

Takahashi and Aurora were whispering to each other. Their gazes frequently darting to our direction.

They were stealing glances at...me.

'Me? Were they looking at me?' My eyes narrowed.

Nope. I think...not? I wasn't sure.

Then, I saw that some of the other girls were also eyeing at my direction, blushing.

Well...

I couldn't help but smile.

It seemed like my beauty was the culprit here. So, I greeted them with a nod.

Needless to say, my delusions were not entertained as their rosy cheeks contorted and a collective glare potent enough to melt steel beams was shot at me.

Well, that was one way to burst my bubble...

Welp!

Clearing my throat, I smoothly looked away, feigning indifference.

Anyway.

Following their gaze, I realized they weren't ogling me after all. Nope, it was someone else entirely.

Aeravat Indrath.

The guy was walking behind us despite being the sole rank (E+) in 1st year.

He didn't seem bothered about hirerchy of others, niether did he seemed intrested in any of the girls.

He walked, hands casually tucked in his pockets.

Laid-back demeanor, yes. But there was an undeniable style in his gait.

His observant eyes scanned the hallway and the surroundings.

'Yet, somehow I feel pity for him...' I shook my head.

How would he react, once he learns his fate? I wasn't sure.

***

"Rank 1, Aeravat Indrath, step forward and place your palm on the crystal ball." Instructed Doschit Voss.

Doschit Voss.

He was a researcher in ancient magic who was working as a wizard instructor at Arcanum for money as the job paid well.

He was also the alchemy researcher in the 2nd year's chemistry club.

But, I knew his back story and it was disgusting to say the least.

Anyway.

The ritual was typically conducted by shamans and ancient mages in the past. Ritual to test mana core's affinity.

However, with the passing of time, shamans ceased to exist and the knowledge of ancient mages was lost.

During the ritual, if pleased with a person, deity Virios would mark their cores, which would increase their ability to grow.

No one in our class was going to revieve this blessing, I already knew.

Not even Aeravat.

This blessing was only bestowed upon a few people in the world.

One such person was the hero of light in the Revati continent.

Currently hero of light, Rune Valtari should be around 17 years old.

Later into the story, he would be chosen as the hero of light by godess Rebecca.

Aeravat, the protagonist of the story, deviates from the traditional hero of light archetypes.

Unlike the hero of light, who had access to a cheat system that exponentially boosted his abilities, Aeravat had no such advantage.

Remarkably, he achieved a rank of (SS+) by the third volume without these perks.

This is thanks to his origins... his link to the mysteries.

As Aeravat approached the ball, his confident demeanor never faltered, and he placed his right hand on the crystal.

Just that.

In that very moment, a burst of blinding light erupted from the crystal, causing the entire room to gasp in shock.

It was not the intensity of the light which shocked them, no.

It was the colour.

White.

Whispers and murmurs of shock were heard around the room.

Nobody had witnessed such 'affinity' on display before.

-"Amazing...so this is the talent of Rank 1," one of the students gasped.

Well, most of them were teenagers so it was understandable for them to get excited by something like this.

But there was a good reason behind their excitement.

Another chimed in, "Amazing..."

-"Look! A glowing white light. He has a white mana core!"

It should be noted that having a white mana core was extremely rare. It allowed affinity over any four from the six elements of nature.

-"Is this for real?" Someone wishpered in disbelief.

In contrast to the onlookers' excitement and surprise, Aeravat was impassive. No joy or satisfaction.

His behaviour most of the time was like an object which came to life rather than a real living human.

Very slolwy did he start to gain emotions in the story.

Aeravat removed his hands from the crystal and walked out of the room as if nothing happened.

No one approached him to ask why.

Well, it wasn't neccessary to stay in the room once the ritual was over anyway.

"Next Rank 2, Takahasi Aoi step foward and place your hands on the crystal."

Takahsi Aoi stepped forth and placed his hand on the crystal. Soon, it began to shine with a violet light.

Every student present in the room could feel the energy emanating from the ball and were left awestruck once again.

The reason for their behaviour was simple.

Violet light indicated affinity for 'darkness', an extremely rare element.

Light and darkness were one of the rarest qualities.

No one in this school possessed a light element? I think.

Only Aurora's father had a light affinity.

-"It's Violet? I've only heard rumors about that before!"

The instructor stood silently, watching Takahashi with a smile on his face.

I was pretty sure that the instructor knew Takahashi but, I couldn't remember the storyline properly right now.

'Fuck, why is my memory this weak?'

Takahashi himself looked smug as he surveyed the room, taking in the wide-eyed expressions of his fellow classmates.

With a smirk, he removed his hand from the crystal and turned to leave the room.

"Wait, where are you going?" Barked one of the students.

'Oh boy, why would you ask that.'

Knowing his character, I was sure he would reply with something like, 'I've got more important things to do than wasting my time here with weaklings'...or something along those line.

"I've got more important things to do than waste my time here with weaklings," replied Takahsi, his voice dripping with disdain.

Yep, I was right.

This was so stupid honestly...

And with that, he strode out of the room, leaving the rest.

.

.

.

Instructor Duscit Voss called out, "Rank 1872,Noah Grey."

'Finally it's my turn. Time to shine.'

I was confident in my talent. I approached the crystal ball and placed my palm on it.

But, nothing happened.

It was as if the crystal was not there.

I turned towards the instructor, who was regarding me with a look of concern as he peered over my shoulder.

'Was it because of my mana capacity?'

"Is everything alright, Noah?" he asked.

'I don't think so...?'

Without answering him directly, I put my palm on the crystal again, but once again, nothing happened.

'Why me?'