3. Special Grade Magic Affinity
Riven took a full week to recover, gradually gaining strength as he helped the family running the Adventurer's Inn. During this time, he observed the comings and goings of adventurers, each a unique tapestry of quirks, strengths, and mysteries. His curiosity had deepened, and with every passing day, he felt more connected to the world of adventurers— a world that, until now, he had only glimpsed from afar.
Orpheus, the gruff, weathered innkeeper, had often shared his wisdom with Riven. "There's all types here, lad," Orpheus had once told him. "The loud ones, they're usually compensating for something— or trying to pay more for protection. The quiet ones, though, those are the unlucky souls." Orpheus had a theory about adventurers, as he had theories about most things. "Sometimes you get the injured ones, but those are rare. The really seasoned ones— they don't come back injured. They either come back whole, or not at all."
Riven found himself gravitating toward Orpheus, eager to learn. He pestered him to teach him magic, pleading daily, until one quiet evening, when the inn was mostly empty and Orpheus's family was out, the old man finally relented.
"Fine, lad, I'll teach ya," Orpheus grumbled, wiping a mug dry with a napkin. "But for the love of the gods, don't go flappin' your mouth to Miranda or Elise. That woman would have my head."
Riven's eyes brightened with excitement. "I won't tell, I promise!" he said, leaning forward.
"So how much do ya know about magic?" Orpheus asked.
Riven shook his head, "Nothing… why didn't you think I learned magic already? My father wouldn't let me, he banned the practice of of magic in the house."
Orpheus raised an eyebrow as he set down the mug. "No magic at all? Even for a boy like you? Most families get their kids started at least with a spell or two by your age. You're sure you haven't picked up anything from school?"
Riven shook his head. "I went to a special school. We didn't do much… just spent time with the younger kids. I didn't even see any magic, really."
Orpheus froze, the weight of those words hitting him. "Your father… sounds like a real piece of work," he muttered, catching himself before letting loose a curse. He looked at Riven, whose red eyes were filled with innocence, yet held a depth far beyond his years.
"It's okay," Riven said with a small, sad smile. "You don't have to pretend. He was a bad man. He never cared about me, and that's why he threw me out. I don't think he'd even miss me enough to come looking for me." His tone shifted, and he grinned eagerly. "But please, teach me magic."
Orpheus softened, struck by the boy's resilience. "All right," he said, patting Riven on the shoulder. "First things first, if you want to be an adventurer, you need to know the basics. Adventurers are ranked by power, from the weak F-rank to the legendary S-rank. And it's mandatory they work in groups called guilds— five-person teams usually made up of a healer, archer, mage, assault, and tanker. They all use magic, but they focus it differently to make sure they can survive out there."
Riven's eyes grew wide as Orpheus continued. "Most magic falls into the basic elements: fire, water, earth, and wind. But some people are lucky enough to wield special types— like steel magic or even ice."
Riven could hardly contain himself. "I want to learn water and fire! Teach me those!"
Orpheus chuckled at his enthusiasm. "Hold your horses, boy. Not everyone can handle more than one or two elements. Most adventurers stop at being dual mages, since mastering more takes incredible skill. Besides, some elements don't mix well. Fire and water together, for example… that's a rare combination in a mage. It all depends on the affinity within your mana core."
Riven pressed a hand to his chest, his eyes alight with determination. "I think I can do it."
Orpheus laughed and placed a hand on Riven's shoulder. "You got spirit, I'll give you that. All right, let's give you a kickstart. I'll pour a bit of my mana into you to awaken whatever's there. It might sting a little, but don't worry."
Riven tensed, his voice barely above a whisper. "Is… is it safe?"
"Kid, do I look like some green-behind-the-ears adventurer?" Orpheus grinned, crouching down to Riven's height. With a steady hand, he pressed his palm to Riven's chest, channeling a flow of his own mana directly into the boy.
A tingling spread through Riven's veins, gentle at first, then intensifying until it burned like lightning racing through him. He saw a pair of massive red eyes flash in his mind— eyes that were ancient, wise, and terrifying. A low hum reverberated in his chest, growing louder until the sound filled his entire being.
The next moment, an invisible force exploded outward from him, hurling Orpheus backward. The old man crashed into a shelf of bottles, sending glass shards scattering as they shattered around him.
"Urgh! What in the world…" Orpheus groaned, struggling to sit up. He looked at Riven and his breath caught.
Riven stood there, his eyes glowing a brilliant white, while arcs of white lightning danced across his skin. His hair crackled and lifted as if charged with static, and an aura of raw power surrounded him— a pulsing energy that seemed to warp the very air around him.
Orpheus could feel it— a pressure, heavy and ancient, pressing down on his soul. "That…that's a dragon's aura," he whispered in awe. "Lightning affinity, too. This boy… he's something else."
The power surged one last time, then slowly faded, leaving Riven standing there, blinking in confusion as the last crackles of electricity flickered off his skin. He looked down at his hands, mesmerized by the energy that still hummed faintly within him.
Around them, a few adventurers had turned to stare. Orpheus shot them a fierce glare. "What're you looking at, huh? Nothing to see here! Get back to yer drinks or I'll gouge out yer eyes!"
Riven gave a sheepish grin, rubbing his chest where the tingling lingered. "Did I… did I hurt you? Was that supposed to happen?"
Orpheus, still stunned, could only shake his head, chuckling despite himself. "You… you've got yourself a special affinity, boy. Lightning magic, and not just any lightning— there's dragon energy in you. That's rare for anyone, let alone someone your age."
"Really?" Riven's eyes sparkled with excitement, and he touched his chest again. "It felt strange… but amazing."
Orpheus nodded, a gleam of admiration in his eyes. "Not many could handle that kind of power. You might just be somethin' truly special." He patted Riven on the back and motioned for him to go rest. "Get some sleep, lad. We'll start training at first light."
As Riven bounded up the stairs, Orpheus watched him go, a weight settling over him. "A mana potential like that… with dragon aura to boot. This boy's past is more tangled than he lets on." He rubbed his chin, his eyes narrowed with thought.
In the quiet that followed, he began cleaning up the shattered glass, his mind racing with questions.