The day was bright and the solar sphere's blinding rays reached each and every part of the world. An era of peace flourished.
A large, extravagant Manor stood tall
and high on a raised hill of green grass and was surrounded by a dark green wall of forests on all sides, as if nature itself wanted to protect the royal residence.
The manor was large and dwarfed any other building, if there were any. It was the household of the Frayders. Home to the royal candidate and her noble family.
In one of the countless well decorated rooms of the residence, was a young boy. He was a child around the age of five, had long black hair, bangs covering his porcelain skin.
His eyes were closed, his long eyelashes clearly visible. He looked like a doll, a beautiful and breathtaking doll. He wore a simple puffed silky blue top, loose and comfortable pants of the same material were also worn.
Artorius was meditating, he was focused. An ethereal flow of air surrounded his body, endlessly swirling gently in a warm mix of purple and yellow. Small dots of light surged around his presence, like numerous fireflies.
He then opened his eyes, taking in the view of his room. The mystical aura around him faded into the atmosphere.
Wow, today's Mana haul was insane…
I thought, as I swiped a few drops of sweat from my face.
The process of cultivating Mana was a tiring and hot process, literally. The Raw Mana engulfing my body felt like a heater constantly throwing hot air directly on me on a warm spring day. Not pleasant.
I got up, moving to my desk.
I have been reading about Core Reformation often. The old book I used to learn the method of cultivation was quite an old one, so I replaced it with a bit more recent one.
This one was clad in thick crimson leather and was bound by brown string, probably made of some animal's hide due to its thickness. The pages were clean, yet had a musky white colour.
It contained the same information but the text was more refined and not that broken in between. Also, there was no mention of Manual Reformation anywhere in this book. It was abandoned, officially. Yet, I still used it.
For research and survival purposes – although I'd probably never need to – I seldom read the botanical encyclopedia that Illa gave me from her small collection.
"..Well, I should take a bath.." I spoke in a low whisper to myself.
I headed towards one of the big baths, built extravagantly. The baths here remind me of those big Greek bathhouses. I read about
it in an old antique magazine, when I was a child in my past life.
—
After the heavenly bath, I head to my room,
fully refreshed.
I wore a loose, collared shirt, black pants ending at my knees and a maroon bowtie-like accessory with a moderately sized dark-blue jewel embedded in it. Due to my ability, 'Essence Insight', I knew right away that the jewel had magical properties, due to a thick bubble of Mana surrounding it.
I quickly crept back in my room while avoiding contact. Mainly because I couldn't keep my excitement about magic at bay.
Yesterday, before my usual sleep time, I asked Violet if she knew any good books relating to magic. She looked at me with a weird expression for a minute, but then named a few.
Guess I still need to keep in mind that I'm still just five years old.
Entering my room, I went to my window, taking a glance at the picturesque look of the outside world. In the past four years, this view hasn't changed a bit. I never get tired of it.
Alright, enough stalling.
I thought.
Sitting at my desk, I set aside a small black diary – the one in which I practiced the Human Apostle's language daily. It's the third diary I've filled. I'll get it replaced with a new one later.
From a small shelf embedded in a wall beside my bed, I went and took a large, heavy book. I had trouble carrying it over. Putting it on the table with a large thud, I sat back down and admired its modest beauty.
The book wasn't particularly decorated. It was simple, the way I liked my books. Though.. this one felt a little ominous. And with the Essence Insight, I could see small residue of magical essence all over the book in small patches.
Hmm.. weird.
I shrugged it off.
I opened the book. A big, detailed illustration of a sorcerer in long robes and a hooded cloak was drawn, holding a candle in one hand and a dagger in the other. There was text on the bottom of the illustration. It read:
'Burn in its holy flame; Bleed from its divine blade. Azael The Endless finds all who seek.'
It ended with a symbol that looked like a tree, trapped in a triangular seal with five jewels in the root of the tree. I suddenly felt as if something deep inside me opened up, a new section of my soul, that I myself am not aware of. Yet.
I ignored it for the time being.
This is interesting. Who is this.. Azael? The Endless? What is he, some god? What do the candle and the dagger represent? Why is he.. or maybe she, referred to with 'it'? Finds all who seek? Who seeks what?
My mind was trapped in a chain of questions.
The weight left by these two sentences on my mind was fantasical. I felt excited, thrilled and..It's embarrassing to admit, but a little scared. It's not everyday that you read a textbook based on magic. Especially not a former deadweight fantasy-obsessed orphan like me.
Moving through the contents, I was astonished with the system of this world's power system.
Core Reformation can lead to the increase in spirituality, which increases the chances of one attaining an Affinity. Spirituality works like an intangible artifact that raises your chances of obtaining an Affinity.
The more you meditate, the more you spend time honing your Mana, the more your spirituality increases.
That should mean it'll be really easy for me to get one! This is good news, good news indeed..
I thought, tapping my feet on the wooden legs of the chair.
Affinities are the equivalent to magic. Well, it's an excuse for a name. It's basically magic.
But, there is a difference though.
It is called an Affinity as once you obtain a type of affinity, your entire power will be based around that one affinity. Like upgrades to a single spell, or varieties relating to the nature of the magic you wield. Whether you like it or not, it tethers itself to your soul, your existence.
My eyes moved to a patch of text. I read it and my eyes slightly widened.
Affinities are uncontrollably randomized.
They could be something as simple as controlling and creating Fire, or something like disrupting the balance of a person's existence.
I mentally spoke.
I was surprised for a moment.
A person's existence? That can't be true..
I wondered.
Artorius then scoffed and muttered under his breath:
"As if.."
[Sorry for the sudden perspective exchange, the novel will now continue like this.]
He then continued reading further, embedding the cores of magic, the ifs and hows. He then read another interesting patch of text.
Ooh.. I see, I see.. The type of affinity you obtain also depends on your nature, your family blood and environment.
Flipping to another page, he saw a label: Different Types of Affinities
This intrigued him.
He continued reading further.
Hmm.. There are three basic types; Elemental, Chimeric and Augmentation.
Elemental Affinities are affinities that derive from natural forces. Like Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Thunder, Light, etc.
These affinities are very common among most people. They are useful, yet can be destructive as well. Academies and Masters put surplus amounts of effort in making sure that the newly gained elemental powers are not used for ill purposes.
Come to think of it.. I once saw Mother using a particular gesture to freeze a small butterfly three years back. It stayed in my mind since that was the first magic related event I got to witness in this world.
He had thought so back then too, which is surprising to him that it turned out to be true since he does think to be a little ill in the head.
Past life habits don't leave so early, after all.
Artorius continued reading.
Elemental types must be sought after for a lot. Despite being so common, they do seem to be very useful. I mean, what if you're stuck in a large desert and have no water source? Boom, water magic. Caught in a terrible blizzard? Boom, fire magic. Well, fire affinity, to be accurate.
Turning the page of the heavy book, Artorius read about the second type of Affinity.