The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow across the streets of Arvendale as Adrian and Lucas made their way through the bustling city. Every step felt heavier for Adrian, weighed down by the significance of the day ahead. Today, they were heading to the Tower of Mages—a towering monolith that served as a beacon of power and mystery. It was where aura knights and mages alike discovered their elemental affinities and innate abilities. A day that could define their future paths.
Lucas, as usual, was the complete opposite of weighed down. His energy seemed boundless, and the excitement radiating from him was almost contagious. "I can't believe it's finally happening, Adrian!" He slapped Adrian's shoulder with a grin, his enthusiasm almost shaking Adrian out of his introspective mood. "You ready for this? We've been waiting forever!"
Adrian managed a smile but couldn't shake the gnawing sense of uncertainty. "Yeah, I'm ready… at least, I think so. But this could change everything, Lucas." His brow furrowed as he voiced what was eating at him. "What if things don't go the way we expect?"
Lucas laughed, brushing off the concern with ease. "Come on, man! You're overthinking it. Whatever happens, we'll handle it. I've got a good feeling about today—like something amazing is about to happen."
Adrian couldn't help but chuckle at his friend's optimism. "You always have a good feeling about everything."
Lucas winked. "Well, it's worked for me so far, hasn't it?"
The Tower of Mages loomed ahead of them, its spires piercing the sky. Its walls were etched with ancient runes that pulsed faintly with a steady rhythm, as though the very air around the tower hummed with life. This place was legendary, where the magic of the world converged and revealed the true potential of those who dared to step inside. Adrian stared up at the tower, feeling a mix of awe and apprehension. Would today reveal his strength—or his limitations?
As they neared the entrance, a familiar voice called out.
"Hey, you two!"
Adrian and Lucas turned to see Fiona, the princess of the Breles Empire and an accomplished mage, waving them over. Her fiery red hair shimmered in the sunlight, and the flowing robes she wore seemed to hum with the tower's energy. She smiled warmly as she approached. "I heard you were coming to the tower today, so I thought I'd give you a hand. After all, it's not every day you two get a shot at finding your affinities and abilities."
Lucas grinned widely, always happy to see her. "Fiona! You just made this day even better. We weren't sure how we'd get in without jumping through a ton of hoops."
Fiona gave a playful shrug. "I've got some pull around here. Figured I could save you the trouble." She looked between the two of them, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. "Besides, I'm just as excited to see what the Elemental Conduit reveals for both of you."
Adrian felt a knot in his stomach tighten. He gave Fiona a polite nod. "Thanks for helping out. Let's get to it."
They followed Fiona through the grand entrance, bypassing the guards with ease, and entered the tower. Inside, the space was vast and majestic. The walls were inscribed with intricate magical symbols that glowed faintly, and orbs of light floated overhead, casting an ethereal glow on the towering bookshelves and grand staircases. It felt like they had stepped into a different world—one where knowledge and magic intertwined in ways that were beyond comprehension.
At the center of the chamber stood a large crystal orb, suspended in the air by invisible forces. It swirled with raw energy, a kaleidoscope of colors constantly shifting within. This was the Elemental Conduit—an ancient artifact capable of revealing one's elemental affinity and innate abilities.
"This is it," Fiona said, her voice tinged with reverence. "When you touch the orb, it will reveal both your element and your ability. It's been used for centuries by knights, mages, and warriors to find their true path."
Lucas was practically vibrating with excitement. "Mind if I go first?"
Adrian waved him on, trying to mask his unease. "Go ahead. Let's see what you've got."
Lucas stepped forward confidently, placing his hand on the orb. Instantly, it flared to life, the colors inside swirling with intensity. The entire room seemed to hum with energy, and after a few moments, the colors settled into a radiant white light that bathed Lucas in its glow. Alongside it, a symbol appeared, glowing faintly above the orb.
Fiona's eyes widened in admiration. "Your element is Light, Lucas, and your innate ability is called [Radiance]. It enhances your physical capabilities by channeling light energy into your body, making you faster, stronger, and more resilient."
Lucas's grin stretched from ear to ear. "Light and [Radiance]? That's perfect!"
Adrian smiled, happy for his friend. "You've always been a bright guy," he teased.
Lucas chuckled, stepping back to let Adrian take his turn. "Your turn, Adrian. Let's see what the orb has to say."
Adrian took a deep breath, stepping up to the orb. His hand hovered over it for a moment, his mind racing with possibilities—what if he had no affinity? Or worse, what if he had no ability at all? Swallowing his doubts, he placed his hand on the orb.
Nothing.
The orb remained dark, its energy unmoved. Adrian pressed his hand more firmly, but the swirling colors that had greeted Lucas were nowhere to be seen. The silence in the room became suffocating as everyone exchanged puzzled glances.
Fiona's brow furrowed, her voice soft but tinged with concern. "It's… it's not responding."
Adrian withdrew his hand, his heart sinking. "What does that mean?" He looked to Fiona, desperation creeping into his voice.
"It means…" Fiona hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. "You don't have an elemental affinity."
Lucas blinked in shock. "Wait, what? No element at all? Is that even possible?"
Fiona nodded, though she still seemed unsure herself. "It's extremely rare, but yes. Some people simply aren't attuned to any elemental magic. But that doesn't mean you don't have power."
Adrian's mind raced. No element? How was he supposed to become an aura knight without one? Was he truly that different from everyone else?
Before the questions could overwhelm him, the orb began to flicker softly. A faint glow appeared, and within the darkness, a symbol took shape. It wasn't tied to any element, but its presence was unmistakable.
Fiona leaned closer, her voice quiet but filled with awe. "There it is… your innate ability."
Adrian's heart pounded as he asked, "What is it?"
"It's called [Copy]," Fiona explained, her voice steadying as she understood more. "Your ability is unique—it allows you to perfectly replicate any physical technique you witness. You can copy forms, stances, and moves flawlessly, but it's limited to non-magical abilities."
Adrian's mind flashed back to his duel with Leonard Durk, and the moment he had instinctively mimicked Karl's sword technique without any prior training. It all made sense now.
"I used Karl's swordsmanship in that fight," Adrian muttered, the realization hitting him. "I copied it, didn't I?"
Fiona nodded. "Exactly. [Copy] lets you instantly learn and replicate physical techniques, but not magic. It's an incredible ability, Adrian."
Lucas's eyes lit up with excitement. "That's insane! You could learn any combat style just by seeing it once!"
Adrian, though initially taken aback by the lack of elemental affinity, felt a growing sense of pride. His ability was different, but it was powerful in its own way. "So, I can copy techniques, but I still need to practice them to master them, right?"
Fiona smiled, her expression one of encouragement. "Yes, mastery takes time and practice, but you have a natural advantage. You're not bound by the limits of one style or element. Your potential is vast."
Lucas gave Adrian a playful shove. "Man, you're like the ultimate combat chameleon! This is awesome."
Adrian's earlier disappointment began to fade as he thought about the possibilities. He wasn't tied to one path—he could adapt, learn, and evolve in ways others couldn't. His power wasn't limited by magic, and in a world full of mages and elemental warriors, that might just set him apart.
As they left the tower, the evening sun painted the sky with hues of orange and purple. Adrian's thoughts were no longer weighed down by doubt. He didn't need an element to be strong. His journey would be different, but with [Copy], he had the power to forge his own path.
And with every new battle, every technique he encountered, Adrian knew he was only growing stronger.
[Author's Words: Chapters will be coming soon.]