Then how do I know what affinity I have?
"Just focus on your core and you'll quickly realize what kind of mana it's being refined into. As explained earlier your core is an organ which refines your mana into a magical affinity which is compatible with you. However, whether that is elemental or unique comes down to fate and bloodline. Since you're of my blood, and I'm a fire mage you have a high chance of having an elemental fire affinity as well."
"Alright."
I closed my eyes as I steadied my breathing, and surprisingly without much difficulty I could feel my newly awakened mana core. It continuously absorbed mana from the surroundings like a magnet, although at a very slow rate. With some effort I once again entered my consciousness like I first did when I awakened. There I could see a dark red sphere. It continuously attracted small particles which I guessed to be mana. However, as the sphere absorbed the mana particles nothing special happened.
Thomas said that I would easily be able to discern my magical affinity, however as my core refined the mana I felt absolutely nothing. I could feel some kind of familiar power in my body, ready to be unleashed and utilized, but it was absolutely bland. It had no color, no 'taste' and no spirit. It was completely lackluster and if described as a person I would dub it as characterless.
I couldn't help, but be reminded of my past self. Merely living- no surviving as an empty husk void of emotion and meaning. A body completely void of life and soul.
I tried to direct this strangely bland power from my mana core towards my hand and with barely no effort it followed my command and I could feel a somewhat ticklish, but pleasant feeling coursing through my body and mind. Nonetheless, nothing much happened. I could feel the mana coolly surrounding my hand, however it was still lifeless and dead. Almost like it didn't have any meaning...
However an idea dawned upon me.
Without opening my eyes I asked Thomas: "How does your mana feel?"
"Hmmm, fierce, hot, bright, intense. Never thought much about it before, why do you ask?" He answered curtly.
Without answering him I imagined the lifeless and bland mana surrounding my hand to brighten up. I wanted to give it life and color. I wanted to give it reason and spirit.
As I thought about Thomas words an image formed in my mind as the mana conveniently followed my thoughts.
The colorless shade suddenly lit up giving the mana a new kind of glowing hue.
But that wasn't enough.
Fire should be like the sun. Fierce, hot, bright and intense. It should have the power to sear, burn and consume anything in its path. The sun is a limitless and unstoppable force, but that isn't all. It is a symbol of light and hope. Just like it can be the cause of destruction it can also be the root of life, warm and embracing.
The glowing hue suddenly gained a fierce amber-gold colored shade. It flickered intensely and as I opened my eyes a majestic and imposing fire surrounded my hand. It danced and crackled as if it was alive, but even though my hand was ablaze I didn't notice any discomfort.
In fact, It gave a pleasant warmth, but I already knew that it wasn't the case for my enemies. It could be as destructive as it was beautiful, but I couldn't help, but be entranced by this exquisitely marvelous fire, and looking at Thomas mesmerized state I understood that this was something unique to me and I couldn't help but smirk.
With just a thought, I extinguished the fire instantly to put Thomas out of his trance.
"I guess I have a fire affinity then." I said as I shrugged my shoulders.
"Y-Yeah, looks like it..."
However, even though I said that, another theory formed inside my head and if any scholar or mage knew about my thoughts they would surely think of it as gibberish.
"Then shall we continue todays lesson?"
"No this is enough for today, I have matters to attend to. I'll have a maid inform you when to meet me here again."
"Alright, see ya 'father'." I said as I walked out of the room in an aloof manner.
Things seems to be looking better than I thought...
If I can master the wonder of magic, and my theory turns out to be valid nothing will get in my way.
I looked at my right hand as I walked and clenched it.
Mana flowed towards my hand from my core and a pleasantly warm feeling embraced my hand as if I was warming it against a campfire on a cold winter day.
As I opened my hand the same marvelously majestic amber-gold colored fire danced and crackled on top of my palm as if it was alive.
I couldn't help but widen my eyes in amazement even though I've already seen this phenomenon some minutes ago.
I guess this is gonna take me a while to get used to...
As it currently resembled a fireball I tried to will it into something else, but unfortunately I could feel a strong resistance making me feel somewhat fatigued.
*sigh*
"I guess this need some practice..." I mumbled to myself as I clenched my hand and willed the fire to extinguish causing a slight sizzling sound."
Maybe if I-
"Hey! Have you forgotten already?! Don't think we let you of the hook you scum!"
A annoyingly feminine voice echoed across the hall causing me to snap out of my thoughts and halt my steps.
*sigh*
I let out a sigh as I looked in direction of the voice and I couldn't help but furrow my brows in annoyance.
Smells like trouble.
In front of me, a boy, girl and woman walked towards me with arrogant and pompous expression. Their chin held high, as they looked down on me as if I was an ant. They all carried blonde hair, and had the same ocean blue eyes.
Yes, these were the Mercers. Like Alan, these two kids, Chase and Sara was born from the womb of the same woman. Melanie Mercer, my fathers current wife.
Melanie looked down at me with a displeased and disgusted expression as he stopped in front of me.
"Is it true?" She asked in a threatening and haughty manner.
"What?" I asked back with an aloof and indifferent expression.
Seeing my attitude her eyebrows furrowed.
"Don't lie to me! My children came crying to me saying that you unreasonably hit them. They came to visit such trash as you early in the morning and you dare touch them with your filthy hands? Moreover, how can you hit a woman?! How shameless. Like mother like son, isn't that what they say?"
I planned to let them be for now, but hearing her verbally jab at my mother with her foul mouth I decided to play along.
"Shameless? I wonder if Ms. Mercer know the meaning of the words she speaks?"
"What did you say!?"
"I see that Ms. Mercer lack the perceptiveness and wisdom to discern the meaning behind my words, so please let me enlighten you."
"You-"
"I was simply implying that a dignified and honorable woman like Ms. Mercer should think before she speak. Or else you may come off as hypocritical and loathsome. You talk about shamelessness, but don't you think you yourself are quite shameless to bully a 5 year old kid?"
"HAH! Bully? I'm only standing up for my children and teaching my dear step-son an important lesson!"
"Is that so? Then as a mature and dignified woman shouldn't you at least hear both side out instead of accusing me? As far as I see there's not even a bruise on you children, how can you be so sure that they're speaking the truth?"
"Y-You dare say that my children are lying!?"
"Well, what if I am?"
"Then I ought to teach you a lesson the hard way." She said as she clenched her hands.
Much to my amazement water drops appeared from seemingly nowhere and quickly lumped together in a string like pattern. Suddenly a whip was formed as she held it in her left hand.
"Hmph, are you scared now? You better watch your words next time brat."
"Do I look scared to you?" I answered coolly with a deadpanned expression.
"The fact that you even stoop as low as to use magic against a defenseless 5 year old child defines your shameless and repugnant personality. Don't you have morals? Aren't you embarrassed? Because you can't refute my words you got no choice, but to use violence, is that it? Quite immature. I said as I slightly swung my index finger from left to right as if to express that what she did wasn't endorsed.
"SHUT THE F*CK UP!" She screamed at me as her expression turned fierce and swung the water whip.
Sh*t I got carried away teasing her.
I could only watch as the whip approached me at an amazingly quick speed. With no way to dodge in this pitiful body I stood still completely unfazed, with an aloof expression.
I could see a grin growing on Melanies face as the whip was about to hit me, however a sudden heatwave flashed past me and the whip boiled to steam in a matter of second.
"That's enough you two." An imposing and commanding voice spoke out.
Hmph, you sure took your time. I said as I looked at the figure in front of me.