Another two years have passed, and I am now seven years old. Why is this age so important to me? Because now is the time for me to discover my magical affinity. While I already know I have an affinity for water magic, I'm eager to see if I possess any other affinities. My father, William, is known for his strength on the battlefield, wielding both water and wind magic with advanced proficiency. He can even use ice magic by combining these two elements, which is what makes him so formidable.
Now, we're all on our way to the cathedral to uncover these mysteries. We're riding in a carriage that my father rented, with six people packed inside: my mother, my father, Aunt Lyshia, Uncle Philip, Chris, and me. The anticipation of finding out our magical affinities or talents for swordsmanship hangs heavy in the air.
"Will I be able to use magic after this?" Chris asks, her voice laced with both excitement and anxiety.
"That depends on whether you have a magical affinity," I respond calmly.
"I've waited for this moment for so long; of course I'll have a magical affinity," she says with a bright smile, but I can sense the nerves hiding beneath it. She's worried about what will happen if she doesn't have an affinity, and I can't blame her.
Uncle Philip, noticing the tension in his daughter's voice, declares, "As a parent, I actually hope you don't have any magical affinity or talent for swordsmanship."
"Papa!" Chris exclaims, her voice rising in protest.
"Think about it, Chris," Uncle Philip continues with a heavy sigh. "If you do have a magical affinity, you'll be sent to the battlefield one day. Is that really what you want?"
"But Will is going!" Chris retorts, her eyes wide with determination.
"Even if you two argue, the decision will be made at the cathedral, so there's no point in quarreling," Aunt Lyshia interjects, trying to calm the situation.
"Sorry about my family. They're really like this," Aunt Lyshia adds with an apologetic smile.
"No need to apologize," my mother replies warmly. "It's heartwarming to see how close you all are."
With that, the conversation subsides, and we continue our journey in relative silence. Soon, the cathedral comes into view, towering above us. There are so many people gathered here, all waiting for the same thing. The cathedral only conducts these tests once each season, so it's no surprise that so many families have flocked here today.
After we disembark from the carriage, Chris and I are escorted inside by a servant of the church. The parents aren't allowed to come with us, so they remain outside, waiting anxiously.
The cathedral is as grand as it is intimidating. Paintings of various gods and goddesses adorn the walls, each one a testament to the power and mystery of the divine. I recognize many of them from a book I once read in my father's study. The space is vast, and even if the parents were allowed inside, there would still be plenty of room for more.
We're led to the center of the cathedral, where seats have been arranged in neat rows. Each of us is given a number, and when our number is called, we'll go to the front to place our hand on a glowing orb that will reveal our magical affinities or talents. But before that, a priest appears, and we hold a mass. The air is thick with anticipation and reverence.
After the mass, the testing begins. The first number is called, and a dark-haired boy steps forward, visibly trembling. He places his hand over the glowing orb, and the priest reads aloud what is revealed.
"You have no affinity for magic or talent for swordsmanship, so you will not attend the academy in the capital," the priest announces, his voice echoing through the vast chamber.
The boy begins to cry, his hopes dashed in an instant. I glance at Chris beside me, and I can see the fear in her eyes. She's wondering if she'll meet the same fate. Her small hand begins to tremble, so I reach over and hold it, offering her a reassuring squeeze.
"Just believe, Chris. You'll have a magical affinity," I whisper to her, trying to infuse my voice with as much confidence as I can muster.
Chris looks at me, her eyes wide, and then smiles faintly. She squeezes my hand back, finding some comfort in my words.
As the numbers continue to be called, we witness more children being told they have no talents, but there are also those who discover their affinities or swordsmanship skills. Finally, number 73 is called—Chris's turn.
She stands up, still nervous but less so than before, thanks to our little exchange. She walks up to the orb and places her hand on it, closing her eyes as if in prayer.
"What a surprise!" the priest exclaims, his voice filled with awe. "You've got two magical affinities: fire and water! You've got a bright future ahead of you; good luck at the academy!"
Chris's eyes fly open, tears welling up as she processes the news. She walks back to her seat, where I'm waiting for her with a big smile.
"Congratulations, Chris!" I say as she sits down, still a little shaky from the overwhelming emotions.
"Yeah… Thank you, Will," she replies, her voice barely above a whisper as tears slide down her cheeks.
Finally, it's my turn. Number 74 is called, and I step forward with my heart pounding in my chest. The glowing orb awaits me, and as I place my hand on it, I feel a surge of excitement mixed with a hint of fear. Will I discover another affinity beyond water? The priest leans in to read the orb, and suddenly, his eyes widen as if he's seen something unbelievable.
"What does it say, Mr. Priest?" I ask, unable to contain my curiosity.
The priest hesitates for a moment before announcing, "You have an affinity for all types of magic and also possess a talent for swordsmanship."
My eyes widen in shock. Did the gods bless me with such an incredible gift? It's almost too much to believe.
"Congratulations! You have a bright future ahead of you, future soldier," the priest says, his voice tinged with both admiration and a hint of something else—perhaps concern for the weight of the responsibility that now rests on my young shoulders.
I return to my seat, where Chris is waiting with a bright smile.
"Congratulations, Will," she says, her eyes shining with pride.
"Thanks," I reply, still reeling from the revelation.
We sit quietly, watching the remaining children take their turns, though my mind is elsewhere, racing with thoughts about what this new discovery means for my future.
Finally, the testing concludes, and we're escorted back outside where our parents are waiting. They rush over to us, eager to hear the results. Chris tells them first, proudly announcing her dual affinities for fire and water. I notice Uncle Philip's brief flicker of sadness, though he hides it well.
Then it's my turn. I tell them about my affinity for all types of magic and my talent for swordsmanship. Their reactions range from surprise to amazement, but it's my mother's expression that catches my attention the most. She's smiling, but it's a different kind of smile—one that's almost… fierce.
"I thought you only had an affinity for magic, which is why I've only let you practice it," my mother says, her voice calm but with an undercurrent of excitement. "But now that you have a talent for swordsmanship as well, I'll teach you everything I know. Be prepared, Will."
I can only nod, still processing everything. Little did I know at that time that my mother was once called the Sword Saint on the battlefield, and my life was about to take a dramatic turn as she began my training in earnest.