The capital is situated between the northern part and the center of the kingdom. The city we lived in is situated at the southern part of the kingdom. It was a huge distance from this city and even by taking a carriage it would would take at least a week.
I turned towards father and asked him what's in the capital. He told me that I'll see for myself.
The next day, we woke up early, I thought we were going to pack some clothes and rations to get by on our way. But dad didn't do nothing. when we were leaving, Mom spoke:
"Roland, be sure to return for dinner"
I was dumbstruck. The capital was at least a week's distance. And I didn't now what to say. I looked at father and he just smiled back at me.
We went out and dad took me to a building I didn't recognize. It was an hour walk and none of us spoke on the way. The building was huge but when we got inside, we saw that it was almost empty, Aside from some furniture and a couple of people. My dad went into a counter and pulled a badge from his pocket. The receptionist there looked at it then bowed to father then pointed at a room at the end of the hall.
I didn't have any idea about what was happening. But I followed dad. We got in the room and my jaw dropped.
I saw a huge circle floating in the air. there was a purple liquid moving inside it like it was alive. My dad looked at me and spoke
"Now you see, Edward, this circle in front of you is a gate, or as we call it a transportation gate, and it is a signature spell of Grand Mages with a space affinity. This gate, once we step through it, will take us directly to the an other gate linked to it in the capital."
He then raised his hand and showed it me a bracelet.
"See this bracelet, this is a storage device. It's an artifact made by magicon makers who have have space affinities. This bracelet is really expensive and only very capable space mages are able to create it. Using the gate also is very expensive. but the badge I showed to the receptionist allows me to use it freely. It's a badge given to me by the king"
I was surprised and also delighted by what I heard. but, I still had some doubts.
"If that's the case, then why people say these types of mages are useless?"
"Well, space mages are regarded like that because of their weak combat prowess. Most of them can't use any spell useful for battles, even doing the gate spell requires someone intelligent. But I'll show you that it's not the case when we get to the castle"
"what the castle, why are we going there?"
"I have some business there"
I wandered why father would go to the castle. his a general, yes, but a retired one. well forget that, we were going to step in the gate when the view in front of me changed. We were now standing inside a room still . but the color of the walls was different.
I felt all my previous beliefs were fake. I knew it was magic but it still felt surreal. And I confirmed it when we got out of the building. the place was full of people, stalls, carts going in all directions. that's when I knew that we traveled a distance worth a week's time in an instant.
I felt happy, to have the potential of gaining the power to travel to any place I wanted any time I wanted. I felt free. Space affinity didn't seem useless in my eyes any more.
My dad held my hand again and started walking. We rode a cart that took us to the center of the city. We stopped in front of a giant gate with many guards blocking it. My dad took the badge again and showed it to the them. They saw it and bowed to dad then made a way for us.
A man came to us and bowed to father than stated guiding us inside the palace. He wore some clothes that showed he was a butler. He took us to a hall then showed us some seat and told us to wait for a moment.
I looked at the place. It was the most luxurious building I saw. very clean furniture. Some paintings of crowned men. I assumed they were the previous kings. But I had some doubts.
"Father, why are we inside the castle?"
"We are here to meet the king."
"What the king?"
I wasn't prepared for that. Why would father go to the king. I thought we were going to the capital to clear my doubts.
As I was lost in thoughts, the butler came back. He told us the king is ready to meet us. I was nervous, I didn't know how to behave our kings. Was there something I need to do.
Dad looked at me and told me to follow him. when we got there, the butler spoke in a high voice.
"Lord Roland Raiden seeks audience with the king"
we heard the king say to let us in. The place was massive. there were pillars holding the roof that were white with golden writings on it. A red carpet extending to the base of the throne. and on it's sides were people standing there and talking between them. Some guards in armor were stationed near the pillars holding different weapons.
We continued down the carpet until it ended. My dad kneeled on one knee while placing a his fist on his chest. I immediately followed what he did. And didn't move until I heard the king say rise.
I stood up and I looked at the king. He was a blond man with blue eyes. He had a handsome face and a well built body. He gave an aura of authority and power. his smile told me that he would be kind and helpful if you followed him, and kill you mercilessly if you were his enemy. He looked like a real King.
He looked at my father who gave me a side look. The king nodded and stood up.
"Sorry, gentlemen, I must excuse myself for a moment."
He said as he left with his guard. We followed him too and once we were out of the hall, Ii found that we were in another room.
The king stopped and turned to us. He went to father and suddenly they bumped fists and bumped shoulders. I didn't get what was going on. The king then looked at me and squatted down. He ruffled my hair and said:
"So this is your youngest kid, Roland, if I remember correctly his name is Edward"
"You're right AL, he's 10 now"
"AH, yes the same as my kid"
I was even more surprised. Dad called the king AL.
The king sensed my confusion and spoke
"Little Edward, don't be surprised, your father and I have been friends since we were kids. I met him when we were 13 year old."
That made many things clear. Dad acting normal around the king getting to meet him easily.
"How have you been Roland?, It's been a while since you last came to the palace"
Said the guard. I think he is one of dad's friends.
"Chrestos, Am fine thanks, you still here, I thought you'd retire and have a wife?"
"Shut up Roland, I am waiting for the right one."
"Well, I doubt you'd find her here in the palace"
Said dad as he and the king starting laughing, while Chrestos looked frustrated. I guess they were old friends.
"So, Roland, what's the occasion?, You don't come to the palace often, so something must have happened"
"Yes, AL, Roland awakened his affinities yesterday, and I thought I should report it directly to you."
"Hmm, I'm intrigued, if it makes you come here and report it directly to me, it must mean it's important"
Dad looked at Chrestos wand nodded. Chrestos tapped his foot on the floor and suddenly a dome enveloped us. he looked at dad and said
"Go ahead, I sealed the room. No one can hear us"
"Edward's test results were unbelievable. His mana density is at Rank 9 and his mana pool is at Rank 8. We believe by the age of 20. He would reach a Rank of 10 in both of them."
AL and Chrestos were shocked. after some time the king spoke:
"That really is unbelievable. I don't even think anyone in history was able to accomplish that feat."
"That's not all. He awakened time and space affinity. and a new third affinity we didn't see before. the orb turned to dust after manifesting that affinity. Probably he has even more affinities but we can't be sure."
The king and his guard's jaws dropped. It was a very surprising news. A new affinity that turned the orb into dust. Something like that was never heard of before.
"Who knows about this?"
"No one, aside, from Stella and you two. I got the results on the paper changed by one of my men."
"Good. This can't be known to anyone. Who knows who might go after Edward otherwise."
Chrestos looked at me and said:
"Since no one knows about the nature of that affinity. Figuring it out would be very hard."
Dad looked at him and said:
"He doubts the use of space/time affinities. So I brought him here so you could show him their potential"
Chrestos looked at me puffed his chest and said:
"Look kid, I'll show you the strength of a Master of Space/Time abilities"