"To explain it to you simply, elements are like the building blocks for this world and also the essence of survival. Because the one with better control and power of the element will be stronger, although there can be many combinations of the element that can exist and still qualify to be called as elements, the fundamental elements can be seen as fire, water, earth, wind, space and light.
Now I won't go into details that you have to figure out on your own. And yes you can have an affinity towards various elements but merging one with your soul is a different matter altogether. As you chose the cognition school you get to keep your memories and your understanding will be enhanced.
if you had chosen some other school your soul would have adapted accordingly. And yes of course the names of the schools have a presence in the plane itself which you will understand later on. I am done with all the explanations now let me ask you something. Are you interested in making a deal with me?
I will let you choose a skill of your choice and directly imprint it onto your soul which will give you an edge. So tell me are you interested? ". Asked the old man, while keenly observing Axel's expression.
"Nope, I am already very thankful for your help and don't want to trouble you anymore," said Axel nonchalantly. He felt that this old man was trouble he cannot be relied upon. From his interactions with the old man, Axel could feel that he is an insignificant thing in this old man's eyes and any reliance on him should be avoided.
Hearing Axel's reply the old man thought of Axel's ignorance, thinking he might not know the importance of skill and how hard it is to obtain one. But in his eyes Axel really was insignificant.
He only came to guide Axel himself cause after a long time someone chose the school of cognition more like it wasn't offered to many and was considered rare and even fewer people chose it when offered. And after sensing his high light element affinity he thought of roping him in. But after Axel's ignorance, he looked at him with disdain and his original playfulness was gone.
"Aren't you prideful huh..." said the old man and in the next moment the scenery changed Axel saw himself drowning in the river which was moving ferociously with a strong current submerging him completely. The last thing Axel heard was " I wish you luck for your birth... Hehe". The only thing that came to Axel's mind was 'shit I pissed him off', within seconds his situation changed.
Things might have turned out differently for Axel if he had chosen to cooperate but his past experiences and gut feeling had convinced him otherwise, whatever would now entail Axel had already taken his first step and maybe made a very powerful old man his enemy (or maybe escaped someone's plans by a margin) only time would tell.