Rose took Rainer to her study for another one of her "magic lessons." She Loved magic and talking about it, and Rainer was a fantastic student. He always seemed to take it very seriously... for a baby.
"Alright, today we will talk about the importance of chants. Chants paint a clear image of the spell's effect in the caster's mind to help shape the mana."
Rainer's mouth opened slightly, and if he had the dexterity in his hands, he might have done a facepalm.
'Well, that would have been good to know a few days ago."
Rose continued with her lessons explaining the purpose of chants and how over time, experienced casters could shorten their chants to even single words.
"I specialize in fire magic because I have an affinity for it, which makes it easier for me to cast and shape mana that has become flames. As a result, most of my fire spells are down to one to two words."
Rose demonstrated a few of her fire spells and then some water spells, showing the various lengths of her chants.
'How does one tell what affinity they have? I wonder if I have one. I guess I can try to ask.'
"Affinity, me?"
Rose paused for the interruption and took out a unique tool. It looked like a crystal orb, she put some mana into it, and it turned red with flecks of blue and silver.
"This is affinity globe. When you're old enough to control mana by putting mana into it, we can see the elements you are most attuned. Looking at mine, we can see that the majority is red for fire, the blue specs are for a little affinity to water, and the silver is for the space affinity. However, spatial spells are rare, so I don't know any, and space is a complex concept to visualize. We wouldn't even know what the silver was if it wasn't for some talented mages throughout history. "
Rose put the orb back on the self and continued the lesson on casting magic.
"So affinity helps people with the visualization of their spells. Some expert mages can cast spells with no chants at all. Silent casting also takes something more I can't do, so I am not sure what it is. The mages that have mastered this skill have been unable or unwilling to teach it to others."
Rainer fell asleep, and Rose stopped for the day. A few months passed, and Rainer started walking, and, to the servants, he was a menace; he raced everywhere.
'I am dying to find out my affinity, but the only globe I have seen is in my mother's study, and pretty high up, I doubt I can get to it.'
Rainer found himself in the courtyard. He saw a pair of maids hiding in the corner by some trees, and he decided to admire the view. But, as he got closer, he noticed tears streaming down the younger one's face, and her clothes seemed torn.
!Sniff, Sob, Sniff, Sob!