Opening the final door in the chain, Von found himself across the large room from where he started the testing. For the moment, Monica was nowhere in sight. Thinking about it, he did spend hours in the room with the books, so she may have already completed her tests.
The green-haired man walked him over to a platform midway across the room before saying, "I understand you have a chronomancy focus with you?" Von nodded. "Could you please place it on the shelf here. It will be safe as no one can take it except someone with a much higher affinity than you toward time."
With this, Von removed the hourglass from his pouch and placed it on the shelf. It seemed to resonate with his aura for a moment as he sat it down and he felt a slight change in his aura as it was no longer a part of him. Resisting the urge to pick it back up, he stepped back to the two stairs leading to the platform.
"We are ready," said Stephen. "Please step on to the platform."
Von climbed the short stairway and stood in the middle of the platform. Stephen then took another of the strange cards from the interior of his robe and placed it on the floor under the platform. Nothing seemed to happen initially, but after a moment, the platform started changing colors before returning to normal.
Once the platform ceased shifting colors, Von felt as though he entered into a realm of gentle breezes and invisible currents where the very essence of air became his canvas. The air was charged with a subtle energy, and as he focused on manipulating it, an immediate sensation of weightlessness overtook him. It's as if the invisible currents responded to his unspoken command—his very intentions causing the air to swirl around him creating a delicate dance. Feeling invigorated, as if he harnessed the breath of the elements. The air becomes an extension of his will, and he found himself attuned to the whispers of the wind and the gentle caress of the air, a master of the unseen forces surrounding him.
As he manipulated the air, he may feel a tingling sensation throughout his body in response to the subtle connections of the air current He was immediately able to sense the temperature of the air as he commanded the air to move to his bidding. He found himself able to control the variances in the air pressure and closing his eyes, he could still determine the location of nearby objects and people feeling just these subtle shifts. He suddenly knew if he could master aeromancy, never again would anything be invisible to him.
Shortly after it began, the aeromancy test ended, and he could feel a visceral connection to his life force as if immersed in a space pulsing with vitality. The platform took on a crimson hue, reflecting the potent energies at play and a surge of energy coursed through his veins, a powerful acknowledgment of the essence of life within his body. Engaging with his blood, a warmth spread through his body, accompanied by a heightened awareness of his heartbeat. The magic responded to his command as he became acutely aware of the life force coursing through his veins. The sensations are intimate, and the surrounding area seemed to resonate with the vitality he channeled. With effort, he was able to establish a communion with the essence of his very blood discovering a place within him where blood and magic could intertwine. Try as he might, he didn't know exactly how to manipulate this magic, but he was certain, given time, he would be able to utilize this magic in some way.
Again, the color faded from the platform and the connection to his blood faded, not completely gone, but into something he required a great amount of concentration to connect with.
The platform chose a pale-yellow color next, and his hair stood on edge charged with raw electrifying energy. The very atmosphere atop the platform cracked and a distant rumble of thunder echoes in the background of his mind. Flicker sparks appeared as he noticed a tingling sensation throughout his body. Using his willpower to blend his aura into this energy, he felt the sheer power and unpredictability of the lightning within his control. Pulling his fingers apart, he created a spark jumping along his thumb and index finger he slowly caused it to jump between each other finger as his control improved as he tapped into the primal force of nature itself.
This power, the power of astrapimancy was one he wanted for himself. Even as the platform below faded to white, he concentrated on maintaining the presence of the lighting between the fingers of his right hand arcing it across his body to his left before returning it again to his right hand. Utilizing all the willpower he could, he shaped the lighting to a small ball in the palm of his hand tossing it while attempting to form another with his left. He suddenly felt he was part of this element and despite the platform no longer assisting him with recognizing and manipulating it, he felt with more experience he would be able to control it to travel to distance places in a flash of light or send it forth to smite those who would harm the ones he cared about. This was a truly exhilarating experience being not only able to control but generate lighting by strength of will alone. The raw power was intoxicating.
Seeing Von still toying with the lightning, Stephen coughed before reminding him they needed to continue to determine his other affinities.
Reluctantly, Von released the conjured energy and waited for the next test. Fortunately, it arrived as soon as the disk below him turned a verdant green. Visions of a lush, enchanted garden formed before him while the refreshing scent of blossoming flowers and vibrant greenery surrounded him. He reached out with his aura and engaged with the magical aura of these plants, communing with the very essence of the natural world. Delicate seed needing help to break through their pod he nudged and with his will strengthened them to burst forth becoming a living growth all their own. A gentle rustling surrounded him as he pictured the garden as his own living canvas, a place where he could choose how the vines would grow as he shaped the plants to his desired.
Controlling the power of chloromancy, he would never again have to force his way through a thicket. He could reach out and coax it to give way for him to pass then gently return it to its former shape or enhance it to become more than it was. This power would allow him to tap into the intricate balance between flora and magic creating calming garden sanctuaries in which he could relax or aid farms in recovering from floods and droughts. The magic of plants, much like the others, was amazing in its own right. Something he always looked down upon before was now enticing. Soon after this thought, the platform lost its color as Von shook off the enjoyment of the plant magic he desired to learn more about.
The platform suddenly took on a strange ethereal quality as if it was there, but not there. Stars filled the air above him as places near and far could be seen at a glance. The fabric of space filled his awareness, and he knew with only a single step, it would be possible move to the other side of the room without touching the space between here and there. The sensation weightless poured through him again as his aura realized the only limits were those imposed by his brain. Forcing his will to locate Monica, he found her struggling through the room with the mathematical equations looking lost and uncertain of herself. Thinking of his mother, he found his awareness couldn't extend beyond the confines of this area, but he knew in time this would never be a problem.
Continuing to ponder the magic of choromancy, he tried to fold a sphere of space in on itself but found he was not skilled enough to succeed, but again, with guidance, even this could be possible. The sensation of being able to split his awareness from his body to other places was awe-inspiring. He could watch Mon in her room wracking her brain trying to work out the arithromancy challenges while observing Oren in the waiting room chatting with a pink-haired elven woman about the enjoyment of shaping metal and how relaxing it was. He discussed with her the feeling of seeing something you create being completed and appreciated by others.
Eavesdropping on the two of them, Von wasn't paying attention to the magical platter below him fading in color again causing him to lose the awareness of his companion and friend.
Changing to the familiar brown of earth energy, the platform resonated with the ancient energy of earth. The scent of freshly turned soil and the feeling of standing on the top of a mountain looking down on a valley of stone filled his senses. With the added boost of the testing chamber, Von was able to sense veins of precious gems dozens of yards from the building and the crystals supporting the magical barriers protecting Sungrove from beasts which might attack. Connecting with the earth's magic, he felt the pulse of the ground below waiting for his attention as well at the drawing of its essence by students in the nearby amphitheater.
The level of geomancy he felt now was as though he forged a connection with very bones of the world surrounding Sungrove. With this power, he could find gold and mine crystals, veins of pure mithril or create walls from the very stone beneath him. He could create stability where none was present or use the earth itself to rise up to defend against malicious fireballs. Already feeling comfortable with the earth's power despite having never actively studying it, he continued to think of ways to use if. After what seemed like an hour, Von realized his time was nearly done with this element, so he released his hold over the brown earthen energies, but inside, he was certain he had already obtained the ability to use this power.
The plate below him faded to clear before changing to a deep blue hue. The sound of cascading water surrounded him as he was able to discern to fluidity saturating the air. Together, these sensations created a soothing and immersive atmosphere as the essence of magic ebbed and flowed around him. As he engaged with the fluids, he felt a sense of adaptability with an awareness of the ever-changing nature of liquids. Pulling the dampness from the air, he was able to turn it to mist and then a gentle rain. Hydromancy was another ability which could be a boon or bane to farmers. On one hand, the flood waters could be receded, or drought alleviated while again foes, the opposite could occur. Controlling fluids would allow Von to enjoy dancing with the most dynamic part of nature as the water everywhere would dance to his tune. He need not fear drowning as he could pull the water away from himself, keeping even the rain at bay allowing him to never look like a drowned rat again.
Shifting again, the platform tuned into a metallic grey. The air gaining a metallic tang as well as he connected with the essence of metallurgy. A subtle vibration in all things metal around him could be felt and he could see every crack, every wear mark even the impurities or poor welds in every metal object in the room. The spoon which would break soon, he could control forcing its alloys to blend and strengthen its neck. Things never occurring to him about metal suddenly made his awareness. He immediately knew how useful such magic could be to a smith in creating weapons and armor or anything else he or she wanted to withstand the test of time and the elements.
Next the plate remained clear but changed to a near see-through appearance. The atmosphere became charge with intellectual energy and filled with intricate patterns representing the interconnected nature of the mind and soul. Von experience extreme mental focus and a heightened awareness of the intricate pathways between thoughts and magical manifestation.
Delving further, he was able to reach out to those with whom he was familiar and feel their minds. From Monica, foul language filled his mind as she thought of ways to get even with whatever creature created this exam as she continued to stumble through the arithmancy test. From Oren, he was thinking how young the woman in front of him was, that she was probably well under 70 right before he noticed the intrusion in his mind and immediately thought. I can feel you listening, Von. It's not polite to eavesdrop on another person's thoughts.
Apologizing, he swiftly exited from the more experienced man's mind and turned his awareness inward sensing a subtle shifting of energies around him, resonating with the nuances of his own consciousness. This opened a new realm of introspection and intellectual exploration like navigating the intricate pathways of consciousness, journeying through the realms of intellect and emotion. as he was unraveling the mysteries of his own mind. mylomancy allowed more than just speaking through one's mind into another, it allowed one to tap into the potential for shaping reality through the power of thought utilizing the cerebral sensations of oneself or others who were less skilled or less protected. He continued to explore his own mind until the platform changed back to clear awaiting the next chapter in his testing.