One, two, ...?

The spell list featured descriptions of two basic air spells, complete with very detailed instructions on how to perform them.

"Sigh. It's spell quantity over quality this time. Why can't there be a balance between the two?"

The spells included were about creating gentle breezes, a very limited control of the wind direction and forming a small and harmless whirlwind.

They were three of the most common, rank one air spells, unlike the shield spell that was a quite rare rank 2 spell, if the author of that book was to be believed.

'And I was so sure that this book was of so much better quality than the other one. In a way it is… At least, the spells are so easy that I should be able to cast them pretty quick. That is, if my second aptitude is towards air magic.'

Since the spells were nothing but harmless, Ender decided to try them in his house. Was that a blessing in disguise?

If they were of the destructive type, Ender wouldn't dare trying them at home. And he didn't want to go back to the forest yet…

The book showed its money's worth with the casting instructions. They were so detailed, that the shield spell's instructions were a big joke in front of them.

It took Ender barely a few minutes to understand and memorise all three spells. Without any delay, he proceeded to cast the first one.

Closing his eyes briefly, Ender visualised the result he sought.

"Zephyr's Whisper!"

A subtle transformation began. At first, it was barely perceptible, but then the air in the room stirred ever so slightly.

A delicate and ethereal breeze emerged, its presence heralded by a soft, melodious sigh. Ender's eyes widened as he watched the room come to life.

Curtains swayed gently, casting dancing shadows on the walls. The sunlight filtering through the window played with the newfound breeze, creating patterns of light and shadow that seemed to waltz with the invisible current.

Ender extended his hand towards the breeze, feeling its cool caress against his skin.

"HAHAHA. I have two aptitudes!!"

With newfound enthusiasm, he continued with the other spells from the book.

He tried the second spell, focused on controlling the direction of the wind. It took him two tries before he could feel the wind responding to his command, slightly shifting its direction as he willed it.

The last spell was successfully cast in the first try. Ender spoke the incantation and watched as a miniature vortex of air swirled into existence before dissipating harmlessly. It was truly exhilarating. It was like having a tiny tornado at his command.

While he did cast the spells successfully, there was an obvious room for improvement for all of them.

"I can't believe it!! I only tried two schools of magic and found both of my aptitudes. How lucky!" Ender continued his musings in a state of bliss.

He was one of the rare cases that had aptitude to two schools of magic!

Eventually, the absurdity of the situation had dawned him.

"Wait a minute!! This doesn't make any sense. If mum was a sorceress specialised in abjuration, where do I get my air magic aptitude from?"

Ender went quite after that thought. It didn't make any sense to him. Had the author of the book been wrong and a mage's aptitudes weren't actually hereditary? Or was something different with him because his parents were divine beings.

"Also what are the odds of having two aptitudes and finding them back to back. It must be very low. It would be stupid of me not to try casting a spell from another school of magic wouldn't it?"

He couldn't know. Not for sure. He knew a way to make sure though.

His previous excitement seemed to deem. In truth, it just became incomparable to the one he felt a moment ago.

'More than two aptitudes?'

That phrase completely dominated his thoughts.

He reached for another elemental spell book that he got. This time, it was a tome on the water element.

"This one, was more expensive than the air tome," he mused out loud.

It had cost him one hundred and a half dragnariums, two times the air tome's cost.

Its cover was made from a smooth, deep blue leather, which resembled the surface of a tranquil lake. Intricate patterns of water ripples were embossed into the cover, giving it an aquatic aesthetic.

"Damn these tomes look good," Ender exclaimed.

However, that was but a momentary distraction. He couldn't care less about the aesthetics in that moment.

He quickly opened the book and found out that it's structure was the same as the last one.

'The abjuration book sure is lacking compared to these two, huh,' he mused.

This book didn't contain any drawn diagrams and its illustrations seemed a bit lacking in front of the air tome, but it was good.

The essence of water embodies fluidity, adaptability, and life-giving properties. It represents the ever-changing, tranquil, and yet powerful nature of the element. Water symbolises emotions, cleansing, and the ability to shape and be shaped by its surroundings, making it a very versatile and essential element.

Ender speeded through the whole content and reached the spell list. It was quickly becoming his favourite part of the tomes.

A single spell. Ender didn't mind.

He quickly read its description.

Aqua Orb is a common spell that will allow you to conjure a small, floating orb of water, which you can then use for a variety of purposes. You can chose to extinguishing flames with it, or even use it as a clean water source.

...

He quickly sped through the instructions and closed his eyes, imagining the spell.

A small orb made of water floating in front of him. He went through the water's essence, as the author described it, in his head and with a surge of adrenaline, Ender chanted the spell…

"LiquAorbis!"

Nothing happened?

"…"

"LiquAorbis!"

"LiquAorbis?"

"LiquAorbis..."

'Was I wrong? Do I only have aptitudes towards abjuration and the air element?'

After continuing that train of thought for a little while, Ender decided that it made no sense.

"Perhaps I did something wrong. I'll try again."