Ch 01. Affinity Assessment

Sunday, 8:05 AM. Gartenia Tamer's Academy was filled with noise as students and teachers gathered for the big event.

Today marked the long-awaited Affinity Assessment Ceremony, a pivotal moment where young aspiring tamers would finally learn their affinities.

Affinities. This single word held the key to their future. It determined not only which creatures they could bond with but also their potential to become powerful tamers.

Without the right affinity, one could never form a contract with their desired creature.

'Has it really been a year?' Xian thought to himself, standing off to the side of the bustling crowd.

'A whole year since I woke up in this strange world. It's still hard to believe sometimes.'

'A new body… a new world…'

He shook his head, clearing his mind. There was no point in looking back now.

'What's done is done. This is my life now.'

His eyes wandered toward the front of the line where students were stepping forward one by one for their assessment.

"I wonder what kind of affinity will I have? Will it be something like my older brother's or sister's?'

'Ice… fire… they always made it look so impressive. Or will I get something completely different?'

Either way, he was excited. Even if his face didn't show it.

Time passed as the line grew shorter. One by one, students stepped forward, underwent the process, and either left excitedly or with quiet contemplation.

Finally, it was Xian's turn.

The instructor glanced at him and nodded. "Xian Corrona, right?"

Xian gave a brief nod in return. The instructor then presented a small white stone and a needle, gesturing toward the setup.

"This is a fragment of a heart stone," the instructor explained, though Xian already knew the process.

"All you need to do is drop your blood onto it and consume it."

Xian took the needle without hesitation. A quick prick on his finger brought a drop of crimson, which he let fall onto the white stone.

As soon as the blood touched the surface, the stone reacted violently. Dark, intricate runes spread across its surface, twisting and glowing faintly.

Gasps rose from the surrounding students, and even the instructor seemed taken aback for a moment.

Xian ignored them. He picked up the stone without hesitation, and consumed it in one quick motion.

The moment it settled in his stomach, a cold energy rushed through his body. His chest tightened, and for a brief moment, the world around him seemed to pause.

The Heart Stone had begun its work, unlocking something deep within him.

Then, a sharp burning sensation flared on the right side of his neck and also right upper back. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was enough to make him wince.

It felt like something was being etched into his skin.

As the seconds passed, faint shapes began to appear on the back of his neck and shoulder—a visible tattoo slowly taking form.

This wasn't unusual. Tattoos, or Affinity Marks, were a natural part of the process. They appeared as a physical manifestation of a tamer's affinity, serving as both a symbol and a conduit for their power.

The pain lasted only a few seconds before fading entirely.

The instructor, observing closely, stepped forward.

"Is the sensation gone?"

Xian gave a small nod. "Yes, it's gone now."

The instructor studied him for a moment before asking. "Did you feel it only on your neck, or was there another spot as well?"

"There was another one. I felt it on the right side of my back too."

The instructor's eyes widened slightly, a spark of realization lighting up his face.

'Dual affinity.'

Most people had only one affinity, limiting the types of creatures they could bond with and the abilities they could use. But those with dual affinity had access to twice the potential, making them incredibly versatile and sought after.

"Alright. Let's take a closer look. Remove your shirt so I can examine the marks properly."

Xian pulled off his shirt. His physique wasn't bulky, but the well-defined muscles of someone who trained regularly were clear.

The slight ripple of toned strength caught more than a few glances from the surrounding students, especially some of the girls, who whispered among themselves as they stole quick looks.

Xian, unaware to the attention, waited calmly.

The instructor ignored the chatters, holding up a small device shaped like a scanner.

"Hold still." the instructor said, pointing the scanner at the tattoo on Xian's neck. The black mark resembles a snowflake, with fine lines radiating outward like frost spreading on a window.

The device beeped softly, and a small holographic projection appeared above it. The instructor squinted at the glowing symbols, then nodded with a faint smile.

"This mark symbolizes Ice Affinity. A strong and versatile element. You've inherited a good gift."

Xian gave a polite nod, feeling a quiet sense of satisfaction.

"Ice, huh…" he murmured to himself.

"Now, turn around." the instructor instructed, motioning to Xian's back.

Xian complied, presenting his right side. The instructor repeated the process.

This time, the tattoo looked ominous—a circular spiral of black mist, with a skull etched at its center.

When the scanner beeped again, the instructor's expression changed. His smile faded, replaced by a mixture of worry and disbelief. He stared at the hologram for a long moment before finally speaking.

"Young man, it seems you are both fortunate… and unfortunate."

Xian glanced over his shoulder.

"What do you mean sir?"

The instructor took a deep breath, as if weighing his words carefully.

"You have dual affinities. You already know what that means, right?"

"It's a rare blessing for tamers. Having two affinities increases your potential, allowing you to form contract with creatures of both types."

He paused, his eyes to the hologram.

"But your second affinity… it's an exceptional case. It's called Corruption."

"Corruption affinity is incredibly rare. In fact, it has only appeared three times in the recorded history of tamers. But it is a double-edged sword. Those who have wielded it… all faced great misfortune."

"The nature of Corruption is dangerous. Its power often comes at a cost, and tamers who've tried to harness it have either lost control or found themselves consumed by its influence."

***

Author's Note: Kae, here! Be sure to check out the comment section for images of the affinity marks and a picture of our boi, Xian. I'll be adding these extra images in every chapter, so look forward to it!