This world of Shor is as magical as they come. Woods full of alluring yet dangerous magical creatures who are gifted with different types of skills, plants that can move and have flowers with teeth sharp as razor blades. By no means the forest are safe for recreational camping or hunting. If a person is to venture deep enough (and somehow survive) he might even see mythical creatures like dragons and drakes but that would be the last thing he will see. Well it's too early for our young Abel to face the dragons or any other bigges (he is Abel not bilbo baggins) so let's talk about them some other day.
while on his journey towards the capital city of Yorkold Abel saw all this from the safety of the carriages window. All of his traveling expenses were covered by the town mayor Raymond Bronzebeard. He also got a letter of authentication by the church to prove that he is indeed a mage as it was difficult to find mages in that size. Abel still not sure what to expect from the capital or his new school where he would learn all kinds of spells but he had butterflies in his belly nevertheless. After a long and boring 9 days the Carriage was standing at the check post outside the capital.
Abel came out of the carriage and showed his papers of identity and was allowed to carry on. The capital city of Yorkold is the oldest city of United nations of Mercana. Whole city is surrounded by 10meter walls that are fortified with earth magic. The city is not attacked in was 500 years (and hopefully not gonna attacked anytime soon) was the perfect example of what can be achieved with combining magic and mind of all the Shor-folks. towers high enough to touch the clouds, river flowing in the sky without a drop falling on the ground and boats sailing in it, Roads moving on its own to facilitate the citizens. Abel was seeing all this for the first time and was awestruck. He wanted to buy some stationary for the school but he changed his mind as he was not sure what all he need.
After witnessing the marvelous city, Abel continued towards Dawgwarts academy of Mages. Dawgwarts is located little outside the capital to provide proper environment for young mages to sharpen their skills in the wild and gather resources for research and developing new potions. Dawgwarts academy is situated in an old castle with its history long forgotten (or not so important to mention). Abel was standing infront of a very tall door with two gargoyle status guarding it.
"What business do you you have youngling?" A booming voice scared the living poopoo out of Abel.
"I.... I m Abel Hillbo from Alizona. I m supposed to attend this school and learn the ways of a mage." Abel replied after mustering all the courage he can.
"A mage!! you a mage! are you sure Youngling?" Unknown.
"yes good sire. I got mage class from the all mother and was told to come here."Abel still scared and shook
"They come in all sizes these days huh" another rumbling voice.
"All right young Abel. wait here and someone will come to take you to the testing arena"
Only few minutes passed but it felt like an eternity to poor Abel. First time outside his own town that too directly infront of the most elite of the elites institute. The tall door opened slightly and Abel saw a lanky person covered in black robes come out of the gate.
"Oyi are you old enough to get a class?? wait nevermind just follow me." said the lanky fellow
"What's your elemental affinity? Lemme guess earth right?" or is it something fancy like metal?" lanky man asked after walking through the garden of the academy.
"No sir I didn't get affinity to any element as my innate skill. My innate skill is [spell stacking]" Abel
the lanky man froze and was looking at Abel as if he saw a unicorn with two horns (is that a bicorn) well you see most of the mages get innate skill with class awakening related to elements, like [greater fire affinity], [lesser ice affinity] etc but very few lucky mages get skills like [mana blessed], [multi casting], [spell stacking], [spell fusion]. These mages don't have any affinity skill specific to elements but they can easily suppress their peers all thanks to the amazing effects of the skills. Let's talk about [multi casting], most of the mages can duel cast, one spell rune with one hand but mages with skill [multi cast] can activate multiple spells and launch them all at once.
The lanky man took out a rectangular crystal out of his robe and spoke something in it.
"I m magus Damien Dolag, magic researcher and expert on fire magic. I can make you the best fire mage if you take apprenticeship under me." said the lanky man.
The chance to take someone with such amazing skill as apprentice was too alluring. Abel was not sure how to respond to this sudden offer.
"Magus Damien can I take apprenticeship under any Magus in the academy? and how many other courses can I join in?" Abel
"You can only have one master Abel but you can learn more about other classes of magic and potion making by paying the fees of those individual classes. A master pass down his legacy and his own personal spells to his student so it's very important to select a proper master." Damien explained.
" I would like to meet other Mages before answering you sir." Abel replied after thinking for a moment. He wasn't sure whether is can cast fire class spells or any spell at this point.
"I can understand Abel but please keep my offer in mind" Damien replied with a Charming smile.
After walking for a bit both were standing infront of an small arena. It was old looking structure that stood the test of time and was magnificent. As soon as both of them entered inside they saw many people were already present in the arena already as if they were waiting for someone.
"Magus Damien is this the new kid you wanted all of us to see. I don't see anything special here, in fact it's difficult to even see him from up here hohohoho." said an old man in white robes
"I thought we were above our racial differences after becoming archmages" said an old drow in a stern voice.
"You tree huggers are so boring hoho." said the man in white robes
Eight dignified people were standing there but none of them objected or said anything in the whole conversation that just took place. archmages were the highest ranking mages in the academy and no one wanted to mess with them.
"greetings fellow Maguses and Archmages Rose Archmages Donna. I called you all her to introduce you to Abel. He awaken the skill [spell stacking] and is here is here to learn" Damien said calmly.
silence. not a single word was spoken for few moments. Damien was expecting this as soon as he introduced Abel.
"I will take this young child with me and teach him all the earth magic in the world. I m sure you are interested in earth magic young man." said archmage Rose the one in white robes.
"You can just forcefully take him without him agreeing to take you as his master. Young Abel come with me I make you a druid well versed in earth and plant magic" said Archmage Donna.
Damien regretted calling them here instantly but he couldn't go against the archmages. His only hope was Abel being more in tune with fire element.
"archmages before apprenticeship let's just check his affinity so that we can guide him better" said Damien in the sweetest voice he can.
"Hmph.. you think we can just teach him about all the elements with out extensive knowledge" said the old man in white archmage Rose
"No Archmage Rose I can't say anything like that. I m just asking you to follow the rules, like all the mages before him. let's check his affinity and the amount of mana he can use" replied Damien to defuse the anger of the old archmage
Abel was confused and scared of all this. He knew that his skill was unique but did know that it can cause mages to fight among them to become his master. After some discussion he was taken infront of a stone slab.
"Abel place you hand on this slab and we will know about what elements are better suited for you." archmage Donna.
Nervously Abel touched the stone slab. He felt a tingling sensation in his right hand as if something was crawling under his hand. After that different colors appeared on the slab but the soon started fading away.
"This.. he doesn't have much affinity towards any element." said Damien surprised.
"hah so what!! elemental affinity only reduces the mana requirement for spells with large mana pool he can just cast anything without worries. replied archmage Rose who was now little less excited about seeing someone with [spell stacking]
"Yes let's check his mana limit" said some mage in the background.
Damien got a clear crystal Ball and placed it infront of Abel.
"Abel this test is different. you will feel a suction force after touching the ball. As soon as you start feeling dizzy let us know. usually mages can withstand the suction for 5 to 6 minutes." Damien explained the process to Abel.
Everyone persent was little less excited about this test compared to the affinity test. As they were not expecting something great out this test because of obvious reasons. If Abel can keep touching the ball for 3 to 4 minutes it's acceptable result.
Adel touched the ball. As described by Damien he felt the suction force. Abel was sure he can take this for few minutes without any problem and can start his magical journey under some amazing archmage or a mage.
27 seconds.
Abel blacked out.
"what a waste of such amazing skill!!"
"I was expecting below average performance but this."
"Others atleast have little bit affinity to earth elements but he don't have anything. No mana no affinity. Hmph what was I expecting from shortstuff here." Archmage Rose turned around and left.
"Poor child. His race is not gifted with mana but he barely got any mana. He can never support such a skill. Damien take him to dormitory and let him rest. We will send him back once he is awake." said archmage Donna. One by one everyone left. Last to leave was Damien. He was looking at Abel with nothing but pity in his eyes. He picked Abel up and took him inside.
This was the first day of Abel Hillbo of Alizona. Alizona the town of dwarf. Dwarfs being one of the race on Shor less gifted in ways of mana. Mana the thing that mages needed to cast spells. spells, are the thing that make mages welp mages. Oh and that almighty skill [spell stacking] let me tell you something amazing about it. with [spell stacking] two or more rune of same spells can be stacked together, simple right? Nope. This stacking increases the potency of a spell by 4 times if stack twice and makes its very unique and special skill with a small drawback. Mana required to stack spell also increases, if you stack 2 spell rune it will coat the mana of 3 runes and power of 4 runes and so on.
And here we have our beloved Abel. low mana no affinity and carried like a princess by a rather plain looking man.