Chereads / Rebirth God / Chapter 23 - The Six Affinities: Air, Water, Fire, Earth, Light and Darkness Part 1

Chapter 23 - The Six Affinities: Air, Water, Fire, Earth, Light and Darkness Part 1

Garlock Misoha began the class with a serious tone. "Before we dive into the details of the three affinities I'll be teaching—Water, Fire, and Earth—there's something you need to know. An individual can typically master only one or two affinities, as each affinity consumes 50% of your mana. In other words, mastering two affinities will deplete your entire mana supply. Most people who attempt this end up with excess mana output, but that's rare. If you're among the lucky few with such a capacity, you're truly fortunate."

A student named Roderick raised his hand and asked, "What happens if you try to learn all three affinities?"

Garlock chuckled, "Good question! laughs You might end up dead or fall into a comatose state because mana is essentially the life force in our world."

He continued, "Never attempt to learn all three affinities unless you belong to one of the more powerful races. Glancing at Kazu, he resumed his explanation Spells can be cast in two ways: incantation and silent incantation. Incantation involves speaking words aloud to channel your mana. Silent incantation, however, is performed entirely within the mind. It's exceedingly rare to find someone who can cast spells silently, making them formidable opponents."

The students were awestruck by the mention of silent incantation. Kazu was about to reveal his own skill in silent incantation when a strikingly beautiful woman with silver hair and silver eyes interrupted.

"I can perform silent incantation as well," she said, causing a stir among the students. "I'm Krisha Grega from Harandur."

The room buzzed with whispers. "Krisha? From the Grega Family? The wealthiest family in Harandur?"

Garlock's eyes twinkled with pleasure as he stroked his beard. "Impressive, Krisha. Now, let's return to the affinities."

With that, Garlock resumed his lesson on the three affinities he would be teaching.

Garlock Misoha stood before the students, his expression serious. With a wave of his hand, he summoned a glowing orb of water, letting it hover above his palm. "Pay attention, because what I'm about to show you is not just theory—it's the reality of the affinities we'll be studying."

He began with Water. As the orb floated, it rippled and expanded into a small stream, twisting in the air. "Water is fluid and adaptable," Garlock said, his voice steady. The stream suddenly froze into sharp, crystalline ice. "But it can also be deadly. With Water affinity, you can control rivers, summon rain, or create ice attacks. Imagine freezing your enemies in their tracks or forming impenetrable barriers of ice. But remember, to master Water, you must be like it—calm and adaptable, knowing when to flow and when to strike."

With a flick of his wrist, the ice melted away, replaced by a flickering flame. The fire danced in his palm, growing hotter and brighter. "Fire," Garlock continued, his voice firm, "is the embodiment of both creation and destruction." The flame flared, expanding into a small vortex of fire, swirling with intense heat. "With Fire affinity, you can create and control flames, mold molten lava, or even trigger volcanic eruptions. But Fire is dangerous. If you lose control, it will consume everything, including you. Fire requires both passion and discipline—never forget that."

The flame vanished, and Garlock pressed his hand to the ground. The earth beneath him rumbled, and a small mound of stone rose up, solid and unyielding. "Earth," he said, his voice deep and resonant, "is the foundation of all life." The stone mound grew taller, forming a miniature mountain. "With Earth affinity, you can shape the land, raise mountains, create deep chasms, and command the very stones beneath your feet. But Earth's power is immense and unyielding. It requires strength and determination, like the mountains themselves. Once you set its power in motion, it's almost impossible to stop."

Garlock stood tall, his voice commanding. "These are the forces you seek to master. But understand this—each affinity demands respect and control. Attempting to master all three is dangerous and could cost you everything. Use your knowledge wisely, and always remember the balance between power and control."

As Garlock finished his explanation, Krisha Grega raised her hand. "Master Garlock," she asked, "if it's so dangerous to use more than one or two affinities, how can you use three at once?"

Garlock smiled, but there was a hint of seriousness in his eyes. "It's a fair question, Krisha. The truth is, I didn't always have this ability. When I was younger, I was like most of you—learning one affinity at a time. But as I grew older and neared retirement from my life as an adventurer, I knew I wanted to pass on my knowledge."

He continued, "To teach more affinities effectively, I needed to understand them deeply. So, I developed a technique called 'Mana Partitioning.' By training my body and mind, I learned to divide my mana into separate channels, allowing each affinity to draw from its own source without overwhelming me."

Garlock paused, letting the students take in his words. "It wasn't easy, and it took years of practice. But I did it so I could teach students like you with a deeper understanding of the powers you're about to wield. Just remember, even though I can do it, it's not something to be taken lightly. It's a technique that requires discipline and a lot of patience."

Krisha nodded, appreciating the straightforward answer. The other students, now understanding the effort behind Garlock's abilities, felt a new level of respect for their instructor.

The room was filled with a quiet sense of awe as Garlock's words sank in. The students, including Kazu, were visibly impressed. They had known Garlock was a skilled instructor, but learning that he had mastered such a complex technique just to pass on his knowledge gave them a newfound respect for him.

Kazu couldn't help but feel inspired. He had always admired strength, but seeing how much effort Garlock had put into learning something so difficult just to teach others made him realize the value of dedication and perseverance. He exchanged glances with some of the other students, and he could tell they were thinking the same thing.

One of the students whispered, "I can't believe he did all that just to teach us."

Another nodded. "It makes you wonder what else he's capable of."

Kazu, still processing the information, clenched his fists in determination. He thought to himself, If Garlock could push his limits like that, then I can do the same. The other students seemed to share his resolve, their admiration for Garlock only fueling their desire to learn and grow stronger.

Garlock let the silence linger for a moment, sensing the determination that had settled over the room. Then, with a firm but encouraging tone, he addressed the five students.

"Before we move on, there's something important you all need to remember," he said, his gaze sweeping over each of them. "Only one of you will be accepted as a scholar of the academy."

The words hit like a cold splash of water. The students, who had been riding the high of their newfound inspiration, suddenly felt the weight of the challenge before them.

Garlock continued, his voice steady. "This isn't just about mastering affinities or showing off your skills. It's about proving that you have the dedication, the discipline, and the willpower to excel above the rest. The academy has high standards, and only one of you will rise to meet them."

Kazu felt a knot form in his stomach, but he forced himself to stand tall. He had known it would be tough, but hearing Garlock's reminder made it feel even more real. He glanced at the other students, seeing the same mixture of determination and anxiety reflected in their faces.

Garlock's expression softened slightly as he added, "This doesn't mean you should see each other as enemies. You'll learn a lot from one another, and that will only make you stronger. But in the end, it will come down to who can push the hardest, who can go the farthest. So work hard, stay focused, and give it everything you've got."

The reminder set the tone for the rest of the lesson. The students knew they were no longer just learning for the sake of knowledge—they were competing for a future at the academy, and that future was only guaranteed to one of them.

Garlock looked at the students, who were now fully focused on his words. "To give each of you a fair chance," he began, "the academy has arranged for all five of you to stay here for the next two months. During this time, you'll have access to dorms specifically reserved for scholars."

Garlock stood before the group, pointing to a map on the wall.

"Your dorms are in the Scholar's Wing," he said. "To get there, enter through the main gate, follow the central corridor, and take the staircase to the second floor. You'll find your rooms there."

He indicated the locations on the map. "There's a common room and a study lounge, and meals are in the dining hall near the entrance. If you get lost or need help, just ask."

Garlock gave a nod. "That's it. Move in, get settled, and good luck."

He paused, letting the information settle in. "These dorms are not just a place to sleep; they're designed to support your studies. You'll have access to the library, training facilities, and everything else you'll need to sharpen your skills. This will be your home for the next two months, and how you use this time will determine whether you're the one who earns the scholar's spot."

Kazu felt a sense of both relief and pressure. The opportunity to stay at the academy meant they could immerse themselves in their training without distractions. But it also meant that every day, every decision, would bring them closer to their goal—or further from it.

Garlock's eyes narrowed slightly as he added, "Two months may seem like a long time, but it will pass quickly. Make the most of it. Learn from your instructors, learn from each other, and push yourselves beyond what you think is possible."

The students nodded, understanding the challenge ahead. They had been given a rare opportunity, but it was clear that the academy would not tolerate anything less than their best effort.

KRISHA POV

As Krisha Grega walked away from the lecture hall, her mind churned with thoughts. Garlock's words about the competition had set her nerves on edge. She understood the stakes—only one of them would be chosen as a scholar, and the rest would be sent home.

Her eyes wandered over the grandeur of the academy, and she felt a pang of awareness. While the other students seemed to be focused on their immediate challenges, Krisha considered her own position with a blend of practicality and determination.

Even if I don't make it as a scholar, she thought, my family's wealth could still ensure my place here. My father could easily pay the academy fees if it came to that. The realization was both comforting and a bit unsettling. She knew that her family's financial resources gave her an edge that others might not have.

But as she neared her dorm, she steeled herself. I don't want to rely on that, she told herself. I want to prove that I belong here because of my own abilities, not just because of my family's money.

The challenge ahead was clear. She was determined to use her resources wisely but was resolved to fight for her place through her own skills and effort. Entering her new dorm room, Krisha took a deep breath and felt a renewed sense of purpose. The next two months would be a test of her strength, and she was ready to meet it head-on.

Kazu POV

Kazu stood by the grand hall window, looking out over the academy grounds. The sun cast long shadows across the courtyard, and he could see students practicing their skills below.

The class had just ended, and Garlock's words about mastering multiple affinities were still fresh in his mind. Garlock had explained that learning more than two affinities was almost impossible and could be dangerous.

As Kazu looked at the training fields, he felt a strong desire to push beyond those limits. If Garlock could achieve what others find impossible, Kazu thought, then maybe I can too.

He imagined himself using not just one or two, but several affinities at once. The idea excited him. I need to master the basics first, he reminded himself, but I won't stop there. I'll work hard and see how far I can go.

Nozue POV

Nozue walked home as the sun began to set, casting a warm light over the familiar path. The cool evening air was refreshing, and he looked forward to the comfort of his house.

As he approached, he saw his home's welcoming porch and smelled dinner cooking inside. The sound of laughter from within made him smile.

He thought about the academy and Kazu's new challenges. Kazu will do great there, Nozue mused. He's always been determined. Even though he couldn't join Kazu, he was proud and excited for him.

I'll keep training hard here, Nozue decided. The construction quests are keeping me busy, and I need to stay focused.

Opening the door, he was greeted by the familiar scents of home and the sight of Rosalia in the kitchen. He felt a deep sense of contentment.

This is where I need to be, he thought. I'll support Kazu and keep improving myself. We both have our own paths to follow.