Chapter 8: The Path of Affinity
"Daniel…"
My mother's voice was soft as she brushed her fingers through my bleached hair, careful, gentle—as if afraid I might break.
Leslie: "Your father was a very powerful elemental user."
She smiled faintly, but there was pain behind it.
Leslie: "And I… I don't have even a trace of magic."
Leslie: "I may be useless when it comes to mana, but I promise you this—"
Her eyes hardened with quiet determination.
Leslie: "I will make sure you grow stronger than me."
Leslie: "Stronger… like your father."
She placed the book beside my pillow, smoothing its worn cover.
Leslie: "When you're old enough to understand, I'll read it to you."
Leslie: "I'll try to explain the basics, even if I don't fully understand them myself."
I looked at her.
This woman—poor, alone, mocked behind her back—was still thinking about my future.
Daniel: You don't have to worry, Mother.
Daniel: I'll surpass him.
Daniel: And I'll make sure you never regret giving birth to me.
Outwardly, I just made a soft sound, pretending to be an ordinary baby.
Inside, my resolve hardened.
Daniel: "Sensei."
Sensei: "I am listening."
Daniel: "I'm going to start learning magic."
Daniel: "Put everything from the book into your memory."
Sensei: "Already done."
Sensei: "Restrictions on basic magical theory have been lifted."
Daniel exhaled slowly.
Daniel: "Good."
Daniel: "Now tell me—how does one determine elemental affinity?"
Sensei: "There is a standardized method."
Sensei: "Elemental Crystals."
Sensei: "An individual channels mana into the crystal."
Sensei: "The crystal changes color according to the user's elemental affinity."
A structured list appeared in my mind.
Sensei:
"Red — Fire"
"Blue — Water"
"Green — Earth"
"White — Air"
"Gold — Light"
"Black — Dark"
Sensei: "If a person has two elemental affinities, the crystal splits into two colors."
Sensei: "The dominant color represents the stronger affinity."
Sensei: "For example: more red and less white indicates Fire-dominant with secondary Air."
Daniel: "Has anyone ever shown more than two?"
Sensei: "No."
Sensei: "In recorded history, no individual has manifested more than two elemental cores."
Daniel narrowed his thoughts.
Daniel: History is made to be broken.
Daniel: "Where can I find an elemental crystal?"
Sensei: "Churches."
Sensei: "Magic academies."
Sensei: "Aristocratic households."
Daniel glanced around the room.
Daniel: "So… there's a chance one exists in this mansion."
Sensei: "Highly probable."
Sensei: "Most likely locations: the Baron's private office or treasury."
Daniel: Both currently unreachable.
Daniel: "Is there another way?"
Sensei: "Yes."
Sensei: "The second method bypasses crystals entirely."
Sensei: "One attempts to activate each element through direct training."
Sensei: "If you possess affinity, the element will respond."
Daniel considered this.
Daniel: "So… trial and error."
Sensei: "Correct."
Sensei: "I recommend starting with necromancy."
I almost choked internally.
Daniel: "Are you trying to get me executed?"
Daniel: "Necromancy is a crime in Valoria."
Daniel: "I'm a baby, not suicidal."
Sensei: "I am only providing the most efficient path."
Daniel: "Efficiency doesn't matter if I'm dead."
Daniel paused.
Daniel: "We have darkness at night."
Daniel: "And light during the day."
Daniel: "Let's start with those."
Daniel: "Sensei, how long does it usually take for someone to awaken their first element?"
Sensei paused briefly.
Sensei:
"Average individual with normal talent: one to four weeks."
Sensei:
"Low-talent individuals or rural populations: one to three months."
Sensei:
"Talented students in elite academies: one to seven days."
Sensei:
"Prodigies: within a single day."
Sensei:
"Extremely rare cases—infinitesimal probability."
Daniel smiled faintly.
Daniel: "So when should I give up on an element and move on?"
Sensei: "Seven days."
Sensei: "If no response is detected, move to the next element."
Sensei: "Standard averages do not apply to you."
Daniel: "Because of the king's blood."
Sensei: "Correct."
Daniel: "Good."
Daniel: "I don't plan on being average."
Night settled outside the window.
Shadows stretched across the room.
A faint lamp glowed near the door, casting warm light.
Daniel: "Perfect."
Daniel: "Darkness and light—both present."
Daniel: "Sensei, guide me through basic elemental training."
Sensei: "Understood."
Sensei: "Elemental training requires three steps."
Sensei:
"First — Mana Awareness."
"Second — Mana Circulation."
"Third — Elemental Resonance."
Sensei: "Begin with awareness."
Daniel closed his eyes.
For the first time since my rebirth, I stopped thinking like an assassin.
I slowed everything down.
My breath.
My thoughts.
My rage.
I searched inward.
At first—nothing.
Then—
A faint sensation.
Like warmth beneath my chest.
Like a pulse.
Daniel: That's mana…
Sensei: "Correct."
Sensei: "Do not force it."
Sensei: "Observe."
The warmth spread slowly, timidly, like a frightened animal.
Daniel focused on the darkness first.
The shadows beneath the bed.
The quiet stillness of night.
Daniel: If darkness exists everywhere… then it must also exist inside me.
The warmth reacted.
Barely.
But it reacted.
Daniel's heartbeat quickened.
Daniel: "Sensei… did you feel that?"
Sensei: "Yes."
Sensei: "Minor response detected."
Sensei: "Affinity… possible."
Daniel opened his eyes.
My body was trembling—not from fear, but from excitement.
Daniel: So this world really does respond to will.
Daniel: Good.
Daniel: Very good.
Leslie turned in her sleep, murmuring softly.
I watched her for a moment.
Daniel: I'll learn this.
Daniel: Slowly. Carefully.
Daniel: Without anyone noticing.
Daniel: And when the time comes—
Daniel: I'll protect you.
I closed my eyes again.
Daniel: "Sensei."
Sensei: "Yes."
Daniel: "Let's continue."
The night deepened.
And for the first time since my rebirth—
The path ahead began to take shape.