Zenaida
Nyx took a seat at the round table that dominated the room with an expression of open curiosity and amusement. Her bright smile reminded me that the distance between us had truly closed—that she actually wanted me here.
I took a deep breath to calm my nerves, then I did a final check to make sure the holographic projectors were ready. Connecting my tablet, I transitioned into tutor mode. Professional. Steady. You got this, Zen. This will look amazing on your resume. Also, Lima is low-key taking pictures, so these lessons will also be new memories made and kept.
"Alright," I began, voice bright. "Today, we will expand into the different variants and affinities for 5 of the 6 races." The first image was a chart graph showing how each race has evolved over the centuries. "Going in alphabetical order first up are Blood-Forged."
The two affinities a Blood-Forged can develop are combat and battle-craft. Most Blood-Forged have a single affinity, though some develop dual affinities.
"Master Keir is an example of single fighting affinity, and Patriarch Ajei is an example of dual affinity. Next, we have psychic affinities."
Psychic variants are as follows:
Clairsentient- psychic empaths (Example: Master Aspen) Clairvoyants- psychic visual insight Clairaudients- psychic hearing Psychometrist- memory and impression reading through touch Telepaths- mind to mind communication Precognitive- real-time future sense Synesthetic— cross-sensory emotional and magical perception Echo-casters—replay ambient energy and sound echoes Kinetic Reader— read intention through motion (Example: 2nd Crown Consort Xerxes Dillard of the Dillard Enclave) Aural Weaver— shape, suppress, or reveal aura signatures (Example: Master Xi Skye of the Xi Clan) Path-minders— track people or events via emotional/magical residue
"Wait, isn't the Xi Clan a clan of vampires? Is he not a vampire?" Nyx asked, proving she had been paying attention in her lessons.
"Yes, he is a vampire. He is the first and only recognized psychic-vampire hybrid alive since the 3rd era. There are rumors of others both here and on the East Continent, but no actual proof." Nyx nods absently in understanding, her focus on 2nd Crown Consort Dillard's name was unnerving in a quiet kind of way.
Despite her expression being blank, it was the scary kind—like she was quietly envisioning something violent and horrible. I cleared my throat to bring her attention back to the lesson. Nyx broke her stare and cleared her own throat, before giving me her focus with a smile. Nyx has become way scarier in our time apart.
I smiled, hoping I hadn't unintentionally upset her. "Next up are shifters. For them, they are categorized by their animal forms into three variants of common, rare, and mythical. What variant type a shifter is classified as depends on the rarity of their animal form plus what their base power level is measured at.
Some examples would be: horse shifters are classified as common variant because horses are common, and they would not be able to ascend higher than Veil 3. Flame horse shifters are classified as rare variant because elemental horses are not common, and they have the potential to ascend to at least Obsidian 3. A shadow pegasus shifter is classified as mythical variant because they are currently only found in history but were documented to have reached Mythos." I used a laser pointer to point out the examples on the projection. I took a drink and paused to allow Nyx to ask any questions she may have.
"What variant is Lux classified as? Is he a rare type?" She giggled when she asked, and I swear she muttered, "I choose you, Lux." She hasn't been re-introduced to his horned-wolf side yet; otherwise, I do not understand how she could think anything about that majestic creature is merely rare.
"No, Lux is actually mythical. Only in legends and history before his birth was his animal form seen. If he hasn't already, I suggest you firmly ask him to show you his animal form. He is a very handsome creature." I could not suppress the tone of deep admiration in my voice. Though maybe I should've restrained myself—Nyx was now smirking at me with clear suspicion.
"He has not shown me yet, but with your recommendation, I will harass him until I do. Should I take pictures for your shrine? Do you have a shrine? I wouldn't judge you too much if you do. I mean, I can objectively admit Lux is an attractive man. Do thoughts of Lux lube your..mmff…hahaha. Okay, okay, I will stop teasing you!" I clapped both hands over her loud mouth only for her to tickle me, making me jump back. Now we were both loudly laughing. I could sense nearby sensory probing from the staff, probably curious about why we were being so loud.
I'm not sure what Líma said to them, but soon the probes had gone away. Calming down, I gave Líma a thumbs up for handling that for me. She comedically gave me a sideways thumb in response, which set Nyx off again as she adjusted Líma's thumb upwards.
Líma set me off again by studying her upright thumb, then tentatively gave me a thumbs up. I nodded with a big smile. Líma's lips pulled into a pleased smile as she walked back to her position against the wall.
We both took a drink of water before jumping back in where we had left off, like we hadn't just taken a laughter break.
"So next up are vampires…" Nyx interrupted me, looking smug. "I've been talking with our Kin-Branch to get to know them, so I've got the scoop on vampire affinities. When they drink blood—they aren't feeding for physical nutrients, though they do get some as a bonus effect—they are feeding on essence, memory, or emotions." Nyx's smug smile was simply adorable and a joy to see again, so I didn't stop myself from patting her head.
"Yes, very good girl. You know the vampire affinities. I'm so proud of you. Such a good girl." I chuckled when Nyx smacked my hand away, glaring at my teasing. I playfully flicked her forehead as I pulled up a chart that explained each vampire affinity.
Essence Affinity: mastery over raw essence carried through blood: vitality, magic, stamina, and tiered power. (Examples: Branch Crown Consort Hael, Patriarch Xi and Scion Xi River)
Emotional Affinity: mastery over emotional states encoded in blood—fear, devotion, grief, love, rage. (Example: Master Xi Skye)
Memory Affinity: mastery over memories, learned skills, instincts, and lived experience carried in blood. (Example: Master Xi Raine)
Nyx took down some notes but did not ask any questions, so I continued after a pause: "Before we continue on to the last race, we will go over. I want to bring up who is missing from the graph: demons. As you have probably heard often by now, we don't know much about demons. We only know the little they make public knowledge. Anyone who is still alive from when demons did not hold themselves apart from us either won't speak of any details or what they tell is considered fairytales."
"No one truly comprehends the actual structure of demon subtypes—if they even exist—but the prevailing theory is…" The door swung open, allowing an aura of immense essence to precede the woman I consider my #1 idol into the room. I jumped to my feet and immediately bowed.
Matriarch Davina entered with the calm gravity of an eclipse. Her hair was bound in a simple braid. Her robes were understated. But her presence? It pressed against the room like soft thunder. "Please continue, Lady Zenaida," she said as she took a seat beside Nyx — close enough to observe, far enough not to interfere.
My hands nearly fumbled my tablet, trying not to fangirl. Most of the time, I'm pretty good at keeping my cool, but that is when I'm prepared for her presence. I'm not ready! OMG! Breathe, Zen. Breathe. "Y-yes, Matriarch Davina." Matriarch Davina smiled, and I wanted to melt into a puddle until I caught Nyx's amused smile out of the corner of my eye.
After covertly sticking my tongue out at Nyx behind my tablet, I jumped back into the lesson, hoping to impress my idol just a bit. "As I was saying, no one knows much about demons, and there are theories that have neither been confirmed nor denied, so demons continue to be the most mysterious of the six races. Now, on to the last but not least of the races, Witches. Yes, this did indeed work out well alphabetically, so we can flow into the affinity assessment part of our lesson."
Since I had told Nyx we would be doing this assessment today, she came prepared in her hooded shawl to help stabilize her essence usage while we tested her. Nyx's hooded shawl glittered faintly as she settled deeper into it while pulling it tighter around her shoulders.
I gave myself a pat on the back for including this precaution. Master Aspen's warnings to stretch, not stress, her essence system were not subtle. This was probably why Matriarch Davina had come to observe. A safety precaution in case this assessment goes in a direction I can't control at my tier level.
"The test will be simple. You will attempt to shape your essence into a form associated with each affinity. Here is a reference list you can just go down. You may have more than one affinity, so you should try to shape all of them. We will record your dominant affinity and any others deemed strong enough to be close seconds." I pulled out what I needed to set up while I talked.
"I can, with Matriarch Davina's permission, adjust your medical bands to function as affinity readers for the duration of the test. They will be able to measure you better than anything I have brought. Do I have your permission, Matriarch Davina?" After Matriarch Davina nodded once, I tapped each band to unlock this function.
I placed an extra-large sheet of ritual paper on the ground, then secured it before we moved on to the next part. "Now come stand in this protective circle. This will minimize any potential damage in case your essence gets away from you. I'll activate the circle, and once it stabilizes, you can begin." Nyx followed my guidance so she wouldn't mess up the wet ink of the drawn circle.
"Oh, before I forget, here is a neutral essence crystal for you to use. Hold it in one hand and pull essence from it as you test your affinity." She nodded absently, a curious look in her eyes. I can't tell if she is getting in the zone or just bored. With a snap of my fingers, I activated the circle. Matriarch Davina was watching, so I swallowed down some water to hide my nervousness.