Magic Affinity

Ryne was feeling a mix of uncertainty, nervousness, and excitement. Having already experienced enough dismay to deteriorate the hearts of adult warriors, his mental strength and willpower had undergone a significant change.

Danulo's consistent acts of 'selfless' kindness had unknowingly stopped the deterioration that his mind and heart were going through after having accumulated bitterness and negativity.

Instead, a ray of bright hope for the future now shone upon him. After all, no matter how bad life turns out to be, it wouldn't be as bad as stumbling in the darkness, weakened and starving for days.

But along with hope came uncertainty and self-doubt as well. He remembered his father's words and wondered if he had a good magic affinity.

'Ryne, Magic, at its core, is exceedingly simple but if you refuse to feel and only focus on seeing, it could be exceedingly complex as well. Your magical affinity will be tested when you're 7 as it's considered that it would be relatively stable by then. 

There are 7 basic or primary elements - fire, water, earth, wood, wind, light, and dark, and then there are various secondary elements such as ice or lightning. A good affinity with a secondary element has both merits and demerits as it gives one superior combat prowess and unconventional moves while making it harder for them to advance farther down the road of magic. People generally have a good affinity with only a single element but someone with good wind and water energy would have a higher chance of having a good ice elemental affinity as well. Some also call the secondary elements 'variant' or 'mutated' elements. Some of these variant elements already have a reputation revered by countless people. Remember this son, I met a sage once, and he told me that your affinity doesn't make much difference beyond a certain level, so never refrain from putting in all your efforts.'

As Ryne kept walking forwards, his gait started slowing down once he crossed the main gate of the tribe.

'I'll try my best, for everyone. I wonder if Mumma cried for me when I disappeared. Elder brother too, I bet he wouldn't drunk that day.'

The lingering thought that even if there was a minuscule possibility of him going back home, it would be many years in the future, leaving him around with only these strangers whose intentions he could never clearly see. He kept his head glued to the ground and tried to avoid eye contact with any of the children his age or the women working around them.

The ground appeared to be swallowing him whole as he felt his presence diminishing more and more along over time. He felt an urge to run away somewhere back in the jungle and cry for a little while but maintained composure when he thought of Danulo. He couldn't afford to lose the goodwill of this mountain-like warrior. The only way to leave this God-forsaken tribe was to climb upon the shoulders of this giant tribe.

Danulo seemed to have a good reputation as ladies kept greeting him with smiles and light-hearted jokes. Danulo, in return, also complemented them and made cheeky remarks before walking ahead.

When the group of three was about to pass by the lady teaching that mixed group of children of different ages ranging from 5-10, one boy turned his head and spoke aloud in excitement,

"Hey, elder bro Daney, you back from martial arts practice so early?" Hearing him, some more faces lit up in delight as they started asking Daney a series of questions.

Daney felt a little better due to the attention he was getting. His lips curled up slightly as he flashed a self-satisfied smile towards Ryne but finding that he was standing in the back with his Danulo, he decided to chat with his friends but just as he was about to reply, he heard a voice that made his legs shiver again

"Either shut up or scram." It was the lady that was teaching the children that ordered Daney icily.

Danulo and Ryne stood at the back. The clamor had also attracted Ryne's attention as he subconsciously turned his face towards Danulo.

Danulo felt Ryne's blank stare and replied with a chuckle,

"She's my wife and Daney's mother, you can call her Aunt Breta. She teaches kids basic mannerisms, conduct, and common knowledge to prepare them for the cruel jungle outside. If your magic affinity test doesn't go well, you don't need to worry as she will then be teaching you to be a mighty warrior not weaker than any of those mages. In that case, follow her advice ok? She knows what's good for you." Danulo's words radiated an unshakable belief in his strength. After all, although he and Chief Hans were only below one person in strength, that person already had one foot set in his grave, while both of them were comparatively very young, and therefore flaring with ambition.

Ryne nodded his head and uttered a low hum in response as he turned his attention back towards the tribal village.

To Ryne, people seemed too happy there, as if this was their sacred sanctuary, not taking the stress of their fragility and uncertainty of life. 

He took a few deep breaths and recalled what he needed to do. Danulo had told him earlier today that mages held a special place within the village.

They were respected and admired by everyone. Their words held great weight. Everyone that became a grade-3 mage or stronger was qualified to enjoy all the luxuries the village could provide without even them being forced to hunt.

The warriors held a comparatively lower position as even the vice-leader of their main hunting party, Danulo, a mid-grade-4 warrior was required to lead a hunting expedition every week. 

What it meant wasn't that mages were stronger than warriors or that they held a higher place. It just wasn't worth it for the mages to engage in constant combat, hence they were more of a reserve force for emergencies, while warriors thrived during dangerous battles. Life-threatening battles boosting their strength, endurance, and vitality, helping them with their breakthroughs.

These 'respected' mages passed their knowledge, arts, and experience only to their disciples. Those disciples would then grow up to become respected mages themselves and the magic spells, runes, and arts would be kept within a small circle of mages.

This happened everywhere, except in the cases of academies sponsored by the Royal families of various countries. 

Ryne needed to have his magical affinity tested in front of these respected mages and the Tribal Chief. He was still kept in the dark regarding the deal Danulo made with Hans, and therefore he was even more worried about the only opportunity to be accepted in the tribe and use its help and resources.

As Ryne kept reminding himself of the criticality of the situation and taking even more stress, Daney came back fuming after being lectured harshly.

Danulo coughed lightly and started moving again, urging the two little boys to follow behind him. 

As they arrived towards the edge of the clearing, Danulo continued moving and entered the woods. Ryne hesitated for a moment as the jungle reminded him of his deepest recent fears. Daney looked back at him only to sneer before walking quicker with a 'harumph'.

Entering the woods, Ryne felt like he had entered a whole new world. The breeze there felt clearer, it seemed to him as if he was breathing from all its pores. The sounds there felt like the whisper of mother nature and everything seemed to have come alive. The trees, rocks, grass, and water seemed to be breathing.

Ryne stood there, dumbstruck, admiring the view and calming his anxious heart. He was about to look at the sky when suddenly he heard Daney' voice,

"Continue walking, dumbo."

Ryne felt his voice grating to his ears but he held on and tried to maintain composure as he started following Danulo's back. After walking for 5 minutes, one middle-aged man and two little kids arrived before a huge tent with some fine embroidery done to its sides.

It seemed to be an anthill from the perspective of an ant, jet-black and lacking any other color.

All three of them arrived before the tent as two strong warriors guarding it bowed before the burly Danulo and greeted him with respect. Danulo, in turn, raised his voice and asked in a solemn voice,

"May I come in, Senior Hans?"

"Yes, Danulo."