Jack was down on his knees, much like a pro footballer who had just scored a winning goal in extra time. He was grinning so hard his cheeks hurt. To be frank, he didn't fully understand all that divinity and divine beings stuff, but he knew that this special awakening would grant him an affinity.
Affinities are a form of connection to the world. By using mana, one can bend the world to their will. Regardless of the scale of power, it was a powerful gift that grew stronger as one refined their cores and gained insight. Insight was a form of knowledge that could not be taught or expressed, but gaining it unlocked abilities based on one's affinity and strengthened it further.
Of course, this wasn't all-powerful; all sorcerers awaken to affinities naturally at some point. But having this power early gave Jack many opportunities to grow fast. He didn't even know what his affinity was, but he was still ecstatic, his mind a chaos of excitement.
Just as he finished kneeling, he heard a voice from behind him, "Nine, huh... this year is sure gonna be chaotic."
Jack stood up completely and looked back. It was another one of his teachers, 'Black Raven...' It was Raven, the Sage who had given directions on the first day. She was dressed entirely in black, even her glasses had a hint of a black tint.
"Scholar Jack, follow me."
Jack lamented internally, 'She looks... rather old...'. He looked around in panic but suddenly felt relieved, realizing that neither she nor Giraffe could read his mind. Jack followed her without question, knowing there was no hiding his affinity. Sages, having refined Five mana cores, were more divine than a Scholar; of course, they could sense someone receiving a blessing.
[Author's Summary] People who have just awakened and have one mana core are called Scholars. With two, they are called Mages. With three, Bishops. With four, War-Bishops. With five, Great Sages or Sages. No one has gone past that yet.
Raven was completely silent as she led Jack toward the Elder Tree on the training field. For a moment, Jack panicked, thinking she'd found out he used to secretly eat cream buns there, but when he saw eight other students already gathered, his worries resolved. 'It really is nine this year... nine Scholars who had received a blessing,' Jack thought.
As they neared the large tree, the faces became clearer. Though it was night, a small floating ball of light hovered above each student, illuminating the area. Upon looking closer, Jack also saw Giraffe leaning against the tree with his usual annoyed look.
Raven suddenly spoke, "Giraffe, this is the last one."
Sage Pale Blue Giraffe looked toward them. "It's you... Scholar Jack."
Jack felt a chill go down his spine. "Ah yes... who could've known I would get so lucky," Jack tried to grin but was too intimidated.
"Sage Black Raven, you have done your job. You can go back now," Giraffe said in a tired tone.
Raven turned back and suddenly disappeared into a murder of crows who flew back toward the academy. The other Scholars watched this with a sense of wonder. Jack was especially excited. 'These abilities are straight out of video games... I wonder what I can do now.'
Jack began thinking, 'I can feel the mana around me now, be it to a weak degree, but that is normal since I am just a Scholar. A Scholar is just slightly stronger than an average adult human physically, but their sorcery is what makes them dangerous. They can't control mana as fluently as Sages, but they too can cast devastating spells.'
A grin had started to form on his face again, which, however, was interrupted by a chilling voice. Giraffe was standing right in front of him.
"What are you grinning about?" (Long silence) "Go toward the other Scholars, introduce yourselves, and get acquainted. I am going to be back in five minutes; I need to set something up." (Another long silence) "Now go."
"Ahh—yes, sorry, I was just thinking something..." (Awkward silence).
Jack quickly ran toward the group of fellow Scholars.