Leo, Darian, and Sera found a cozy spot in the garden outside the cafeteria, enjoying the tranquil atmosphere. Leo looked at them curiously. "So, how long have you two known each other?"
Sera smiled warmly. "Darian and I have known each other since we were babies. Our moms grew up together, so we just… followed in their footsteps, I guess. As for Alaric and Mira, they're twins. We met them when we started here three years ago."
Darian chuckled, leaning back as if he was thinking back to their first year together. "It feels like yesterday, but really, it's been a few years. A lot has changed, but we've stayed close."
Hearing this made Leo feel even happier. He was grateful to have found people who seemed friendly and welcoming. "I hope my age doesn't bother you all… or the others," he said, glancing around. "I know I'm younger, but I want to help with missions and tasks. I don't know a lot about other towns or the big cities, but I'm willing to learn."
Darian turned to Leo with interest. "So, what all do you know when it comes to magic? I can tell your control is great, but have you thought about a specialty? Like elemental, void, healing, or time magic? I'm taking elemental classes, and Sera's studying healing. She's practically a prodigy—she can almost regrow limbs."
Leo hesitated. "Well… my dad taught me a bit of everything, so I don't really have a specific area I'm better at."
Darian's eyes lit up with excitement. "Well, let's go find out! We have an hour until dinner, so we can head over to do the test that'll show where your magic is strongest. Follow me!"
Without waiting, Darian sprang to his feet, already eager to head off. Sera laughed, shaking her head apologetically. "Sorry about him. He just really loves magic. His grandfather is an elemental Arcanist, and Darian wants to follow in his footsteps. If you're not comfortable with it, you don't have to go."
Leo smiled back. "Thanks, but I think it's fine. I'd like to know too."
With that, they followed Darian across campus to a two-story building nestled among some older trees.
The building's exterior was plain, almost unremarkable, but inside, it was filled with strange machines and magical devices, each humming softly with latent energy. Darian approached one machine that sat against the far wall, waiting for Leo and Sera to join him.
"This machine can test your ability strength and tell you which type of magic you might be best with," Darian explained enthusiastically. "All you do is cast each type of magic on it, and it'll give you an estimate of where you're at now—and with the right training, where you could be in the future."
Leo's eyes widened. He'd never seen or heard of anything like this. Excited, he stepped forward. "So, how does it rank you?"
Darian demonstrated by casting a fireball at the target. Instantly, the machine lit up, displaying his result: Level: Apprentice Intermediate 3. Potential: Archmage.
Leo's jaw dropped. "Wow, so you could become an elemental archmage?"
Darian puffed up with pride, grinning. "Told you, I'll have your back. Now let's see where you place."
Leo approached the target, his mind racing with curiosity and excitement. He decided to start with elemental magic. Gathering his energy, he conjured a spear of ice and sent it hurtling toward the target, hitting it dead center. The machine buzzed, processing the data before displaying: Level: Adept 2. Potential: Unknown.
Darian and Sera exchanged startled glances. "Adept… already?" Darian murmured, clearly impressed. "And what does it mean by 'Potential: Unknown'?" he asked, turning to Sera.
"I'm not sure," Sera replied, looking both concerned and intrigued. "I haven't seen that rating before."
They both looked at Leo, who, feeling a bit unsettled but still determined, decided to continue the test. Darian asked, "Did your father teach you each level for all types of magic?"
Leo nodded. "Yeah, he believed it was important to know how to defend myself if I needed to. But my parents never wanted me too involved in things, so I just practiced without pushing my limits… until now."
Sera bit her lip thoughtfully, wondering if tomorrow's test with his mentor would shed any light on Leo's unique potential.
Turning back to the machine, Leo focused on healing magic next. His energy wrapped around the target, and it began to regenerate slowly. The ranking appeared: Adept 1. Potential: Unknown.
Leo pressed on, gathering his focus for time magic. He concentrated a swirling ball of gray energy in his hand, then threw it at the target. The space around it warped, affecting an area of nearly thirty feet. After a few seconds, Leo released the spell, and the ranking popped up again: Adept 2. Potential: Unknown.
Finally, Leo turned to void magic. He extended his hand, focusing until a tiny black speck appeared, forming a tether between his hand and the target. Gradually, the blackness expanded, pulling the target toward him until it vanished entirely, dissolving into Leo's grasp. The result: Adept 1. Potential: Unknown.
Leo stepped back, feeling a mix of pride and confusion. He'd never seen rankings like these before, and it made him wonder—why didn't the machine know his potential? And what made him different from everyone else?
Darian clapped him on the shoulder, a flicker of excitement and maybe a bit of nervousness in his eyes. "That's… that's incredible, Leo. I've never seen anyone get 'Potential: Unknown' across the board. It's like the machine can't even estimate what you're capable of."
Sera looked at Leo with a mixture of awe and worry. "Tomorrow, when you meet with Mr. Brookfall, he might be able to help you understand what this means. I've never seen anyone rated like this… it's almost as if your magic isn't fully… defined yet."
Leo nodded, his mind racing. He wanted to understand it, to know why his magic seemed so different. But for now, he would have to wait for answers.After the test, Leo, Darian, and Sera headed to the cafeteria, their footsteps echoing softly in the quiet hallways. Darian had sent Alaric and Mira a message to meet them there, and the group walked in silence, each lost in thought.
Leo's mind spun with questions. He'd always known his parents were skilled, especially his father, who had taught him everything he knew. But the results of the test made him wonder if there was more to his family's past. He knew they had helped the village guards, provided protection, and assisted with farming and hunting, but there were so many gaps in what they'd told him. What had they done before settling in the village?
"Hey, you okay?" Darian's voice broke through Leo's thoughts.
Leo looked up, blinking as he refocused. "Yeah, just… thinking about my parents. They taught me a lot, but there's so much I don't know. I'm starting to wonder if they had lives they never told me about."
Sera glanced at him, her expression understanding. "Maybe they did. People don't always share everything with their children, especially if it's about something they want to leave in the past. But it sounds like they prepared you well."
Leo managed a small smile. "I think so. But I'd like to know… what else they might have kept from me."
As they entered the cafeteria, Leo saw Alaric and Mira waiting at a table near the window. Alaric was leaning back, a hint of impatience in his posture, while Mira seemed relaxed, waving them over.
"Finally," Alaric said, a touch of sarcasm in his voice. "Thought you got lost."
Leo, still distracted, gave a small nod. "Just… something came up."
Darian glanced at Leo, a reassuring look in his eyes, as if to say they'd figure it all out together. As they settled in, Mira smiled and asked, "So, what have yall been up to?"
Darian's face lit up. "You wouldn't believe it—we tested Leo and the results were incredible. But, you'll have to see it to believe it." He left it at that, not wanting to reveal too much yet. Leo appreciated that; he wasn't sure how much he was ready to share with everyone.
As the group dug into their meals, the conversation moved to lighter topics, but Leo felt the questions about his parents lingering. This was a mystery he knew he'd have to uncover one day.