Magical Affinities

Steve led Alan to the storeroom, where raw materials, charcoal, and various metals were kept. Explaining the properties of different iron and steels, Steve showcased a pitch-black metal block that caught Alan's eye. Intrigued by its appearance and shine, Alan felt as though it emanated a powerful, dark aura. Steve observed Alan's fascination, smiling to himself. However, he was shocked when Alan's reaction defied the usual response to the metal.

Normally, people would be captivated for a few minutes, then avert their gaze and forget about it. They wouldn't even inquire about the metal. Yet, Alan walked toward it as if drawn. He picked it up, observed it carefully, placed it back, and asked, "Master Steve, what metal is this? I felt like it was calling me."

Steve paused for a moment, then inquired, "What exactly did you feel, lad? Did you touch it instinctively, attracted by its shine and smoothness, or did it stand out as it was placed separately like a showpiece?"

"Neither, Master Steve. I felt like it was calling me towards it. Once I picked it up, it felt content, like it had slept peacefully. Now, even when I'm away, I can still feel that calling slightly."

"Come with me, lad, leave everything here," Steve almost dragged Alan toward the shop, bringing him into a room that Alan had never seen before.

In the room, Alan's eyes fell upon a few weapons, each more exquisite than the other. Each weapon was securely encased, accompanied by a label indicating its details. At a glance, Alan recognized these as the masterpieces crafted by Steve.

Before he could delve into the descriptions, a tugging sensation echoed within him, similar to the one he experienced with the black metal. Confused, Alan looked at Steve and inquired, "Master Steve, why am I feeling the same tugging sensation from all these weapons?"

Steve sighed heavily, shaking his head. "Lad, you are the only one who has sensed it. Typically, those who have awakened their magical abilities can feel the tugging, but usually from a specific type, not all weapons. And that too once they completetheir 18th birth year."

"Is it okay if I test your aptitude for magic? I promise, on my skills, that I will not disclose it to anyone," Steve proclaimed.

Alan nodded, intrigued to learn about the process and his own abilities. He knew from his studies that inheriting magical abilities was exceptionally rare. In fact, he had only heard of his grandmother, grandfather, and his grandmother's master possessing magical abilities.

Considering this feeling as a potential magical property, he realized he had sensed it from a few people, including Steve and... Wil! Alan exclaimed. The feeling from Williams was faint, given his young age. Alan began to recall whom else he had sensed these feelings from when Steve brought a metal box and placed it on a table.

The box appeared sturdy, featuring a number lock that Steve opened by entering a code. Once unlocked, Alan discovered a white silk cloth covering an item. Steve carefully removed the cloth, revealing a glass ball about 8 or 9 inches in size.

"This is a crystal orb used to detect magical affinity or it is also called Mana in the recent terms. It can show you whether you possess any magical ability or not. While not the most accurate method for identifying specific magical properties, it's the oldest way to detect the presence of any magical affinity." Steve placed the orb on a small stand atop the table.

"Place your hands on this orb and try to find the same tugging sensation you felt with the black metal," Steve encouraged.

Alan complied, closing his eyes to concentrate on sensing the familiar tugging sensation. After a few seconds, it intensified. Alan opened his eyes abruptly to find Steve staring at the orb in disbelief. As he looked closer, he saw multicolored lights swirling inside the orb, each color clear yet intertwined.

Puzzled, Steve asked Alan to remove his hand and try again. The result remained the same—multicolored intertwined light.

After a few minutes, Steve placed his hand on the orb, witnessing a dull silver light glowing brightly. He removed his hand, covered the orb, placed it back into the box, and sat back on his chair, exhaling.

"Lad, I've never seen something like this before. Usually, you'd have one color like mine. But based on this, if the crystal orb is accurate, you have multiple magical affinities."

"How can you identify which affinity a person has, Master Steve?" Alan asked curiously.

"Red and orange indicate Fire affinity, blue for Water, green for Wind, grey for Earth, brown for Wood, dull silver like mine for Metal affinity. Black signifies Dark affinity, white for Light affinity, and so on. There are rarer affinities like healing, null magic to nullify any cast magic on a person, enhancement magic, and so forth. Still, acquiring any of these affinities is one in a million."

Well, can't do anything for now. But don't let anyone know about your affiliates or ability to sense magic lad. Steve warned him.

Come lets start the work, you will get familiar with you magic affinity sooner or later." Steve got up from his chair and patted Alan on the shoulder.