Chapter 31:Affinity Assessment

Classes were quite difficult to follow. Still, there was always a different level of enthusiasm when it was time for Miss Ami's class. Reaching 8-Star at the early age of 29, she was one of the greatest genii of the previous generation

However, on top of that, her looks were quite great coming straight like the character in the novel described as jade beauty.

And yes, there was no shortage of fools ogling at her.

A lesson with Miss Ami was quite pleasant without much tension until she started her roasting session.

And from the annoyed look on her face, Lucas was sure that someone is going to die today. Hopefully, he did not fall under someone's category.

'I should pay 200 points to her lest she finds trouble with me.'Lucas made his decision.

Miss Ami first took attendance and gazed all around the class.

Like a hawk, her gaze seems to notice each one of their movements.

"Before starting the class, I want to ask."

"Who is that idiot who made a scene yesterday?"Her voice became cold and the atmosphere became chilly suddenly.

Lucas's brows furrowed and he looked aside only to find a few staring at him.

'What the hell? I wasn't even in the Academy yesterday so why are these bastards looking at me?'

Instead of shrinking back, Lucas glared back at them fiercely.

"Silence!"

DUSH!

An air pressure hit everyone ruffling their hair.

"Since you are embarrassed, I will forgive you this time so don't embarrass me again."

"Knowing your sharp ears, you might already know about what happened yesterday. One student here brought a skill for 100 points only to find himself unable to use the skill."

"And the reason is simple."

"He did not have the affinity for that element."

Lucas's lips twitched for a moment.

'What a way to murder silently.'

Just highlight the matter and let the public know the deeds. They will handle the rest.

"Let me ask you one thing."

"Do you seriously not know that skills are like pre-programmed spells that you could use without spell casting and calculation and as spells depend on your element affinity, skills also depended on the affinity you possess."Ami stared at them for a whole minute and her eyes twitched seeing some making bewildered faces as if they got to know one of the greatest secrets in the world.

Lucas knew that those who are making such faces are the ones who mostly sleep around unable to tolerate the lecture.

"Miss, I have doubts."

Everyone's attention was drawn toward the boy who raised his hand.

'This guy...Just how can you ask questions in such a situation.'Lucas gave him a perplexed class.

He was Axel's friend who tried to present himself as the top scholar.

Honestly, in every class, you ought to find someone who will surely ask a question to get on the teacher's good side without giving a damn about the situation.

"Miss since there are skills, is there any need to waste time learning spells?"

Ami nodded seemingly pleased and walked forward.

"Skills can be considered synonymous with spells. When skills started to appear wildly. Senior Mages were quite concerned about this so they experimented and researched to find flaws and distribution."

"The result they achieved showed that skills had severe flaws."

"For example, think of a 1-Star spell. In terms of speed, by the time a 1-Star mage finishes casting, the mage would already be hit by a skill of the same spell."

"So skills have the advantage over spells in the same rank. But as you know Mages become proficient and their casting time decreases with their rise in rank."

"If the same opponent faces each other at a higher level. The spell of the same skill would be deadly and would overpower the skill attack."

"Skill is like a button that you can only switch on and off. You cannot increase or decrease the time of the attack nor increase the mana output poured into the attack. But in the case of spells, even a simple 1-Star spell attack power can be increased."

"A gentle reminder to all of you. If you have the aptitude for magic, try to learn the spell matrix behind the skill so that you could use it at a higher rank otherwise you will just waste the skills"

"That's all. And also I wanted to announce something."

"Tomorrow you will have your first dungeon trials. So prepare yourself.

"What.."

"Why so soon?"

"You should inform us before a week."

The students gasped in shock and started to murmur in a panicked tone but they were forced to quiet down under Miss Ami's wrath.

........

After class, the first thing Lucas did was look for Miss Ami.

The talk with elemental affinity made him remember that he did not know his affinities.

Each student has their affinities measured after the opening ceremony which he missed due to fighting.

"I was about to announce that but I forgot."Ami shook her in embarrassment as she walked through the hallway accompanied by Lucas.

"8 students have missed the affinity assessment. You are the only one in my class."

Lucas's steps halted for a moment.

'8....I'm sure there were seven including me and the demon.'

Unknowingly Lucas had a bad premonition.

Who is the last one and why did he fail to appear?

Amid his stupor, they entered the room at the end of the corridor which looked more like a lab.

The room was quite big and filled with all types of equipment and machines.

Lucas, who was marveling at the sight, heard a grumpy voice.

"Don't touch anything."

A woman with a haggard expression and lab coat jumped out from piles of scrap...he meant machines.

"Leona, test his affinities."

"Affinities...okay, come here kid."

She beckoned him towards a large orb that was attached to a complex set of wires.

"Are you one of those problematic kids?"

"No, why?"Lucas denied with a frown.

Not believing it, she squinted her eyes at Ami.

"Most of the students who came late for assessment fall into this category."

"Put your hands on the orb. The orb will flash with bright light according to the affinities you manifest and the screen will name the affinity."

"The first affinity that appears or the brightest glow of affinity is considered as the strongest affinity of yours."

Lucas nodded and placed his hands on the orb.

Lucas felt a suction force and mana was sucked out of his hands.

The ball started to shine with an orange austere which then became colourless and then became blue and then black.

'This looks more like disco lights.'Lucas thought with an amused expression.

"Woah kid...Are you a bigshot?"

"Why do you have so many affinities?"

"How many do I have?"Lucas asked with a brightened expression.

"Look at the screen."

Lucas raised his head and saw the set of words.

Fire, wind, water, earth, lightning, ice, and darkness.

"It seems he might have an aptitude for magic," Ami said, rubbing her chin.

Lucas's eyes widened seeing the elements and his back was drenched in sweat.

"I am not going to be hunted for the darkness element, am I?"

"Of course not. That was in the past. As long as you don't practice necromancy and forbidden research, or become a lich, you are going to be alright." Leona explained hopefully.

"I don't have light affinity which means I can't use healing. That's a bummer but it's okay."

Lucas muttered and consoled himself. It would be great if he had light instead of darkness.

Dark arts are very difficult to find however they are quite deadly and prove fatal when used.

Basic affinities come with various sub-affinities. Metal derives from the earth, plants from water and earth, lava from earth and fire, and ice from water.

Having so many affinities to combine, Lucas sighed in relief feeling fortunate that at least this worn and torn body possessed something.

While Ami and Leona marveled at Lucas's affinities, Lucas thought about his system.

'I have the affinities of the skill system offered. It's as if it knew about this from the beginning.'

'System...just what is your origin?'

'I hope it has some great skills, especially skills under the darkness category.'