There are an infinite number of affinities in existence. While they are not ranked, rare affinities are the most sought after since Mages with uncommon, powerful affinities usually have the most successful careers in the Empire. Often, they are rewarded with land and titles, as was the case with Hans Geisler, infamously known as the Blood Mage.
Since it was always believed that Mages and their children would share the same affinity, it was no surprise that his son, Adolf Geisler, would also inherit the blood affinity. It is what Jonas had been thinking about as he walked towards the platform where the official Mages are, ready to assess him.
If I also get blood affinity, can I kill them with it? He asked himself.
Jonas was still distraught from what he heard from both Hans and Adolf. His fists trembled, his steps were heavy, and the wooden stairs creaked. Rage spread throughout his mind like a disease. Mindlessly, he found himself on the platform.
"I didn't know the Blood Mage had two sons?" a Mage whispered behind Jonas.
Another older Mage with a husky throat shushed before turning to Jonas. "Step into the circle, Jonas." The old Mage pointed at a circle drawn in chalk on the floor.
Jonas took two steps into the circle, and his body froze as his mind raced. How can I kill them with the same affinity? He asked himself again.
He kept imagining scenarios in his head where he had killed his master a thousand times. But, he was realistic; he knew he couldn't defeat the Blood Mage with the same affinity. He wanted something more powerful.
How can I kill them both? Where is Adolf?
The Mage cast the spell to assess him, and a bright light suddenly beamed down from the sky. Jonas was blinded by it, and yet, his thoughts are still filled with rage.
If I kill them both, what's next for me?
Runic symbols and unfamiliar letters shimmered into existence, drifted through the air around Jonas's sight.
I need a powerful affinity. One that could kill them. I want to kill them all! Let me kill them all, oh Gods, please!
Jonas let out a soft whimper as he prayed harder. Tears swelled his blinded eyes. The platform shook visibly before a burst of energy flung the flags and other props away from the platform. The Mages and the crowd were in awe.
Even Hans stepped in, leaning to have a closer look. Beside the lord was a blindfolded, fatigued Adolf, who grew weary of the whole event.
When the light vanished, Jonas unfroze and immediately dropped to the floor.
"Get the blindfold!" the old Mage nervously said as he helped Jonas sit up.
Before the other Mages hurriedly grabbed a spare cloth to cover Jonas's eyes, the older Mage stood up, scanning the words that only he could see.
"Jonas Geisler, ascended…" The old Mage's eyes blinked, golden lights flickered in his irises, and he looked confused.
"Affinity… Affinity…" Prolonging the suspense, the old Mage sounded unsure. He tilted his head to try to read Jonas more carefully.
Hans was standing on his toes. He knew from there it wasn't blood affinity, but something rare, a new affinity he had never heard of. The thought of it excites him, almost to an arousal degree.
The crowd was silent, eagerly waiting for the old Mage to say the next words. To them, it was a spectacle, and Jonas was their amusement. A slave boy with a rare affinity.
"Atomic?" the old Mage's husky voice whispered, hesitant to announce since he was unfamiliar with the word. Afterall, only someone like Jonas would know what an atom is.
But before the old Mage could understand, Jonas opened his eyes, without everyone knowing. His body was slouched, and his head jutted forward. Unbeknownst to everyone, he was the first to comprehend his affinity.
Fifteen years of slavery, most of them faced with humiliation and abuse. He was discriminated against and oppressed. Fifteen years he served Hans, who treated him like a trained animal. Tormented by Adolf, who saw him as a punching dummy.
Even from the platform, Jonas could sense Hans's interest in owning him. Now, even after ascension, Hans still dares to claim him. The thought of it sickened Jonas to his core. But he thought it wasn't just the Geislers' fault. The responsibility falls to everyone.
The old Mage finally absorbed the word, and he turned towards the crowd once more. "Jonas Geisler, ascended, atomic affinity!"
At the same time, Jonas blinked, and burning red light flickered in his mushroom-shaped irises.
There, a black slick panel appeared before his eyes.
—
[ Mage: Jonas Geisler ]
[ Specialization: None ]
[ Race: Human ]
[ Affinity: Atomic ]
[ Level: 1 ]
[ Souls: 0/100 ]
[ Attribute Points: 0 ]
[ Intelligence: 1 ]
[ Strength: 1 ]
[ Constitution: 1 ]
[ Dexterity: 1 ]
[ Spells: Davy Crockett ]
—
"Davy Crockett…" Jonas muttered weakly to himself.
Who's that? Jonas asked since it was the first thing he noticed. But as he read the rest of the panel, he let out a devilish grin.
So this is what being a Mage is!
The old Mage saw his mischievous face and felt a crippling terror. "Jonas?"
The rest of the Mages rushed to put a blindfold over him, but Jonas unknowingly cast the spell before they could apprehend the young, newly ascended Mage.
A round bulb began to form beneath the platform, a few feet above the crowd. Phantom transparent veins collided with each other to form the shape. It was slow, but it was mesmerizing. It was crude and imperfect, and it could be easily countered by the Mages around the area. But nobody exactly knew what it was or what it did. It was as big as a normal human's face, and everyone could see it.
Some followed their gut, like the Blood Mage, Hans Geisler, and ran. He grabbed his blindfolded son with all his strength to pull his fat, heavy body away from the onslaught that was about to unravel.
When Adolf fell, Hans dragged his dumbfounded son away as much as he could behind a stone wall before shielding Adolf with his body. Hans quickly cast a spell, whispering only to himself.
"Father, what is happening?" Adolf blurted in fear.
As the crowd stood and watched the manifesting bulb above. The Mages paused in silence, and when they sensed what it was, it was too late. Even the old Mage surrendered to his fate.
"Mom," Jonas said, "Dad,"
What followed was silence. A flash of bright white light swallowed the town. Then, the air slammed into everything that stood.
[ Souls: 942/100 ]