Peter looked relieved and proud in equal measures, as the headmaster congratulated him on his affinities. As he made his way to the Earth section, his eyes met Zeke's. The boy gave him a shy wave before walking off. He joined the students in the Earth section, getting claps on the shoulder from all around. Even Theodor Steiner himself congratulated the boy with a smile. Apparently, greater affinities were not common. Ezekiel was happy for his acquaintance, but he was getting more restless by the minute.Thousands of hopefuls had gathered to have their affinities tested. From among them, over ninety percent were rejected. Only about one in ten turned out to have an affinity, and most of them were nobles.Occasionally, Zeke recognized a face from the carriage or someone that he had noticed in the Great Hall. His neighbor, who had given him information on the four leaders, turned out to have a Water affinity. The boy was apparently from a Mage family from the capital.The green-haired girl that had come on the carriage with Peter was called Linda of Bergen. She turned out to have a regular Nature affinity. Zeke grinned to himself for having accurately predicted this."You do not have an Elemental affinity, which is what we specialize in at the Elementium. I would recommend to you a different course. I can arrange for you to attend Agricul Academy, where you will train not as a combat mage, but as an auxiliary, instead."Linda looked relieved as she nodded vigorously. Soon after, an assistant ushered her over to the group of transfers. She was not the only initiate whose affinity was declared unfit for the Elementium. They had all been encouraged to pursue an education elsewhere.Zeke expected to join the Fire mages at the Elementium. He fervently hoped that his friends' affinities would also qualify them as combat mages, so they could all stay together.He had long had his suspicions of what he believed his friends' affinities to be. Lilly, with her calm, appeasing nature, seemed to him a natural-born Water mage, while he thought Markus' steady, reliable personality was linked with Earth. The fact that he had been right about Linda's affinity soothed his nerves. He would probably be right with the guesses about his friends, too.Finally, after almost three hours of ceremony, the first person from Zeke's village was called: Markus.Markus approached the stage, walking past Zeke and Lilly. He glanced back at his two best friends for a moment and gave them a slight smile before turning to face the crystal. The boy closed his eyes and took a deep breath. However, even after a while the Fatebringer remained dormant, not giving any indication of any Magic affinity. As the seconds ticked by, Markus' face fell. Just as he was about to give up, the crystal glow gradually increased in brightness to a faint, silvery gray.Victor examined the crystal. "Lesser Metal affinity," he declared. "That's unfortunate, as we do not train craftsmen at the Elementium and your affinity is not strong enough for another, more specialized academy to take you on. As it stands, I'm afraid your chances of becoming a mage are not good."Markus looked disappointed as he walked off stage. But after nothing more than a few steps, his face had hardened. He seemed to have decided on something. He walked back to the group from his village. His expression was difficult to read, but there was a sense of finality in the way he carried himself.Zeke and Lilly shared a pained look as their friend walked towards them. The redness around Lilly's eyes showed the sadness that Zeke also felt. He didn't even hear the next names the headmaster called, his focus solely locked on his friend.Markus had always struggled with their meditation. But his friend had never given up, always working hard and practicing. Now, it seemed like all that hard work had been for nothing. As Markus came close, Zeke pulled him into a hug."We'll figure something out," Zeke said, his voice hoarse with emotion. But at this, Markus pulled back. He gave Zeke a sad smile and shook his head."I'm sorry, Zeke," he said, "but I don't have the talent to be a mage. I don't want to waste my time, or yours, trying to pretend otherwise."Zeke stared at his friend in shock. He couldn't believe Markus was turning his back on their dream, just because he had a lesser affinity. Their dream? Had it really been their dream? Or was this something Zeke had forced upon Markus?He was suddenly very aware of the role he had played in dragging his friends to the Evaluation. He had always been the one pushing for his friends to become Mages. Now it seemed like his dream might at any moment come true, while Markus would be left behind. As the realization of what was happening hit him, tears welled up in his eyes, and he couldn't stop them from falling.Right then, Zeke heard someone snicker. He turned to see Martin and his friends laughing and sneering. "As expected from a family of farmers and layabouts. Is anybody really surprised by this? I think his trash affinity perfectly fits his trash family."Zeke felt Markus stiffen beside him, causing Zeke to flare his nostrils unconsciously. A surge of anger and disgust welled up in him. He could see the hurt and embarrassment on his friend's face. He would not let those bastards get away with this, but before he could say anything, a loud voice called out."Martin of Feldstadt."Martin swaggered to the center of the stage, approaching the crystal with utmost confidence. Momentarily, the Fatebringer glowed a bright red, signaling that Martin had a Fire affinity. His friends cheered and clapped for him as he approached the Fire section without as much as a glance backward.Zeke gnashed his teeth, but he had something more important to do right now. He returned his attention to the spot where Markus had stood a moment ago, but his friend was nowhere to be seen. As his eyes searched the faces around him, the Arch Mage called out the next name, his voice echoing off the walls of the circular room."Lilly of Feldstadt!"Momentarily forgetting about Markus's disappearance, he watched on with a racing heart. He hoped ardently that his other childhood friend would have a strong affinity and be able to join the academy with him. As Lilly stepped up to the crystal, Zeke's heart beat loudly with anticipation and nerves. Relief flooded him when the crystal shone bright yellow.Lilly's face glowed with pride as the Arch Mage announced: "Greater Wind affinity."The people in the Wind section stood, clapping and cheering, and Lilly turned to look at Zeke with a big smile on her face. Before joining the Wind mages, she rushed over to give him a quick hug. Shortly after, it was finally his turn."Ezekiel of Feldstadt!"