"I… don't have magic." (Ai)
Using a voice as quiet as possible, I spoke out.
"What was that? I wasn't able to get that; can you speak more clearly." (Fannie)
Thank goodness, it looks like no one heard it.
But as I was about to assume that, I saw Fran having wide eyes as she looked at me.
"You don't have magic!?" (Fran)
Fran shouted and she quickly stands up.
Since she was right besides me, she was able to hear my whisper easily.
I guess I need to explain everything huh.
"No magic? Is that even possible?" (Rose)
Rose asked as she peeked her head closer.
"No, I have never heard of cases where people don't have any mana." (Fannie)
Fannie was thinking with her hand on her chin.
She looked at me closely, I can feel her gaze scanning every part of me.
Meanwhile, Fran looked like she was about to cry as she slowly approached me.
"I'm sorry Ai, I didn't mean to…"
Wrong, she was already crying.
"But no magic. Do you really have no magic" (Rose)
"Well, yes and no." (Ai)
Rose only tilted her head when she heard me.
Thinking of something, Fannie had reached her hand inside her cloak.
As she removed her hand, she was already holding a crystal ball.
Where did she hide that thing?
"Alright, I want everyone to touch this ball." (Fannie)
"Ah, that's an affinity ball isn't it?" (Rose)
Affinity ball, it wasn't the first time I was able to see it in person.
"That's right. Like I said before, I want to know what abilities everyone possesses. And so, please place your hand on this ball." (Fannie)
"Me first!" (Len)
Len who had been quietly paying attention all this time reached out towards Fannie and took hold of the ball.
Careful next time, it'll break if you drop it you know.
The ball shines and flames having symbols on them began to float towards the ball's surface.
"I see. 'Ice', 'Wind', and 'Dark'. Quite a nice element you have there, especially dark. Must be because you're a demon kin." (Fannie)
"Oh, so does that mean that I can learn only these kinds of magic?" (Len)
"Well no. The ball only tells what element you'll be mostly talented in. If you want to learn fire magic, you can just learn it like normal and use it. But it won't be as strong as you use ice magic." (Fannie)
"I see. Who's next?" (Len)
Affinity balls, magical crystal balls that tells on what a person's talents are.
Though there are different types magic you could learn, there are also those that you can't.
Some possess specific conditions while others are born, they are mostly rare cases where they appear but the chances are slim in even seeing one.
Though the crystal ball may show a limited amount of elements, it only shows the elements the person's body is mostly affiliated with.
In short, what your favorites be in the end.
"Please hand it to me. I want everyone to see my abilities." (Fannie)
Len gave her the crystal ball.
While holding it, the same thing happens but this time, different abilities were appearing.
"Let's see. 'Fire', 'Earth', 'Wind'…" (Rose)
Rose became silent and her eyes became wide.
Four balls of fire were dancing inside the ball, but she only told three of it.
"What's the last one?" (Fran)
By the way, the symbols the ball uses are letters of the past.
Only a limited amount of these letters are understandable, an ancient language unknown until today.
As for the crystal ball, the procedure on making it is only understandable to the development stage.
That is, that's what I learned from the old man's lectures.
"I never thought I would see another unique element. 'Nature'." (Rose)
"That's right. I possess a unique element that if used in the wrong hands, would spell chaos to the land." (Fannie)
Fannie's tone wasn't the usual tone she used.
It was sad to hear, rather than a blessing, it must've been a burden for her.
"I see… I have heard magicians having unique elements being killed due to the power they possess. I'm sorry." (Rose)
"No need Rose. That's why I want to enroll in the first place. To control and use my power for good, that is my life goal." (Fannie)
Fannie smiled and held Rose's shoulder.
"Now then, can I request for your abilities as well?" (Fannie)
Fannie held the ball in front of Rose.
Meanwhile, Fran looked like she was dreaming, her heartstrings must've been strummed after hearing Fannie.
"Gladly." (Rose)
Gently accepting it, Rose held the ball held the ball.
Inspecting the ball for elements popping out, Fannie made a surprised look.
"I see. You really do possess the qualities of the Veredium bloodline." (Fannie)
Fannie stops and returned to her position.
"Not just having the basic elements of 'Earth', 'Water', 'Fire' and 'Wind', you also possess the element of 'Light' and the unique ability 'Holy'." (Fannie)
For me it was something astonishing.
I could notice how amaze everyone was when Fannie finished her explaining.
To have affinity with five elements and to top of it all of, a unique element, it was amazing indeed.
"Amazing. Please train with me if you're free." (Len)
Len who was occupied before with Roman's body quickly dashed towards here just to pester Rose.
Ignoring the status he had, he calmly asked the girl as his tail waved behind him.
Oh by the way, after revealing himself as a demon kin earlier, Len now possessed a tail.
He must've let it out after seeing that no one hated him, except for Roman of course.
"Fufufuf. Please don't be that amazed. Every one of my siblings have the same elements they have affinity with. I'm just lucky to possess my family's 'Holy' element out of all of us." (Rose)
Rose giggled as he showed her pride.
No wonder she was the most known out of all the prince and princess, she was the strongest and smartest of them all.
"Sadly, that is all it is. Since unique elements are rare, the people who could teach you spells about them are also rare." (Rose)
Rose sighed.
So that must've been one of the reason why she thought of enrolling.
No matter how small it may be, she believed that there was someone who had knowledge with the 'Holy' element and wanted to learn about it.
"Don't worry Rose. I'll find you a teacher and then we'll spar to see who of us is the strongest!" (Len)
Len grabbed the princess's hand and proudly declared.
With her hand taken, she blushed and turned her face away.
"I-I s-see… Please, do take care of me in the future." (Rose)
"Sure!" (Len)
Len's tail swayed happily.
Looking at the two, there was a heartwarming atmosphere enveloping them.
Was I the only one seeing this perhaps?
After their exchange had finished, Rose reached the ball towards the next person.
"May I ask for you to have this turn?" (Rose)
"T-Thank you." (Fran)
Fran slowly reached out for the ball and took hold of it.
Like before, Fannie leaned towards her and began her inspection.
"'Fire', 'Water', and 'Support'. I see, you too possess a unique element." (Fannie)
"R-Really!?" (Fran)
Fran was surprised, as well as everyone.
"Did you perhaps not know of this until today?" (Fannie)
"N-No. Wait, does that mean I'll be killed?" (Fran)
The lights from Fran's eyes had disappeared.
She must've become frightened after hearing what Rose said about magicians having unique elements being killed.
"Fufufu, I understand your fear dear Fran but no need to worry. Though 'Support' is a unique element, it's within the common elements as well. Many priest, adventurers, and even commoners possess it. Also, if there was a time where the kingdom will hunt you, I'll make sure to stop them." (Rose)
"T-Thank you princess!" (Fran)
Fran bowed towards Rose and Rose giggled.
It looked like Fran only paid attention to the last thing she said, though it was actually just Rose teasing her.
"That aside, I want to know that person's element before we proceed to Ai." (Fannie)
Fannie pointed her staff towards the unconscious Roman on the floor.
"Is it even possible even though he's asleep?" (Ai)
"Don't worry, all you need to do is make him hold it with his hand." (Fannie)
Len leaned towards us and handed out his hand.
"Here, let me help." (Len)
"T-Thank you." (Fran)
Was it Rose from before? How are you still so shy even though it's this late?
Fran, we need to fix that shyness of yours after we finish this trial.
Fran placed the ball on Len's hand and Len took hold of it.
Turning Roman's hand, he placed the ball on his palm and it reacted like normal.
Rose who was closer to the ball peaked her head towards it.
She smirked and we were confused when she even snorted.
"Fufufu, to think his pride would only reach this far. 'Lightning' is the only thing written." (Rose)
Yeah, that really is sad.
Most commoners would possess two to three elements, but for a noble to only possess one is really laughable.
"That's all? I guess he experienced pain as well." (Len)
While everyone else had looks close to laughing, only Len had sympathizing as he smiled at the unconscious person.
He removed the ball and held it close to his body.
"It's time. Please hold the ball Ai. I don't know where you got the idea of having no magic was, but I can assure you that it will be proven false until now." (Fannie)
Fannie proudly declared as Len reached the ball towards me.
Staring at it, I moved my body back.
"I-It's alright. I don't have magic but I have confidence in my physical strength, so no need to measure me." (Ai)
I pushed the ball away but Len proceeded on reaching it towards me.
"Come now don't be stubborn. We won't laugh like we did with that person right there." (Rose)
She must be talking about Roman.
"Yeah. I'm your friend and I won't laugh. So, please let us see." (Fran)
"That's not the problem though." (Ai)
I smiled wryly towards Fran and continued pushing the ball away.
"Do you perhaps possess a unique element that you want to hide? Don't worry, I will make sure that your secrets won't be revealed. I can also guarantee that no person here would confess it so easily." (Fannie)
"Like I said, that's not it." (Ai)
Everyone agreed and I became desperate on denying that idea.
I actually became to occupied that I forgot Len was a man.
"A weakness!" (Len)
As he shouted, he pushed the ball all the way to my chest and removed his hands.
"Hey! This thing is expensive you know!" (Ai)
I shouted, but I was too late.
The ball began to react within my hand and itt shined.
"Wow!" (???)
Everyone was at awe at seeing a shining ball in my hand.
During that time, Roman seemed to have opened his eyes.
"W-What is this!?" (Roman)
Confused at what was going on, he threw out a question but no one answered.
Then, it happened.
The ball continued shining and flames inside was growing.
"W-What is this. This is the first time I'm seeing this!" (Fannie)
Fannie raised her voice, well that wasn't much of a surprise for me.
I looked at the ball and there the flames were dancing.
Not just two, three or four, but more.
Multiple flames were dancing and growing, wait.
"Everyone! Hide!" (Ai)
I raised my voice as I realized what was going on.
"Everyone please gather behind me!" (Fannie)
Fannie grabbed hold of Fran and pulled her off my side.
Hearing Fannie, Roman ran towards her and Len helped Rose stand up.
"Shield of the earth which blocks the way and protects my home! Earth Wall!" (Fannie)
Fannie ushered her spell and in front of her a magic circle appeared.
A wall made out of earth separated me from everyone else.
It stood straight and tall, thank you Fannie.
Then the crystal cracked.
In the past, a similar thing had occurred.
Praising himself that he was able to find a cheap Affinity Ball, the old man quickly explained to me what it was and what it could do.
He showed me his elements and at that time I too became excited on what mine would be.
But then, things turned south when I took hold of it.
Like the other, the old man became surprised to see the ball shine in radiance.
But as the ball cracked, he must've felt something and quickly jumped out the window.
"Everyone, don't look." (Ai)
I spoke as I smiled.
On my hand was a shining ball having a crack.
The crack expanded more and more, and eventually sizzling sparks ran throughout the room.
BOOM!
An explosion took place.
Shards of ice, fireballs, lightning rods, wind blades, blades made of light, and many more scattered all around me.
In short, a catastrophe was happening where uncontrollable magic was being poured in multiple ways all around as me having to be the center of it.
Exhausting all the magic pilled within it, the crystal ball had turned dark.
It no longer had the white pure form it had before, now it was just a black circular crystal orb that had cracked into two.
As for me, I was fine.
There were no wounds found on my skin and the items like my clothes and bags were fine.
Though that couldn't be said with the bag a bit away from me, that must be Roman's.
As I looked towards the others, a cracking sound could be heard as the wall began to crumble.
It did its best to block all those spells, a lot of mana must've been poured in making it.
"W-What…" (Fannie)
Fannie had both a surprised and fearful look.
Like her, everyone had widened their eyes on either being surprised, scared, or both.
But out of all the expression that were present, only one was peculiar of them all.
When I had turned my head on how Shelly was, she had looked fine.
Leaning at the platform's edge, she was smiling as she rested her head on her arms.