As Silas left the time chamber, he couldn't help but feel a surge of pride in himself. His training hadn't led to any major breakthroughs, but his control over his energy had improved steadily. Those weeks of focused effort had refined his techniques, making his energy feel smoother, more responsive. The exhaustion was real, but so was the satisfaction.
Just as he stepped into the hall, Silas was jostled aside by a teacher rushing past him, and he noticed a crowd gathering around the chamber next to his. Concern flickered in his mind as he realized whose chamber that was—James.
A portal shimmered into existence, and another teacher stepped through, carefully carrying a disoriented-looking James. Whispers rippled through the crowd, and Silas managed to catch the words "attunement" and "space." The details were unclear, but it seemed James had somehow attuned to the space affinity and had broken the chamber in the process.
Silas's mind raced with questions, his concern for his friend mingling with curiosity. He didn't fully understand what an "attunement" was, but the word resonated with power and mystery. Silas watched as the teachers escorted James away, his own heart pounding with anticipation. Whatever James had done, it seemed both astonishing and dangerous.
The next day, Professor Higgs addressed the students who had completed their time in the chambers. "You've all made significant progress, and you'll now have a week to rest and recover," she announced. "After that, each of you will begin specific classes tailored to your skills and potential."
Silas felt a thrill of excitement. He was eager to dive deeper into his studies, especially after the progress he'd made in the chamber. But Professor Higgs's next words caught his attention even more.
"After a month of focused learning," she continued, "we will begin the attunement process."
The room buzzed with whispers and eager expressions. Silas glanced around, noticing that the other students seemed as intrigued and impatient as he was. It was clear that attunement held a special significance—something beyond mere skill-building.
Professor Higgs raised a hand, quieting the room. "Attunement is a process that allows each of you to connect your energy to something unique to you—sometimes an element, sometimes a concept, and for others, even a mental state like rage or calmness."
Silas listened intently, feeling as though the ground beneath him was shifting with each new piece of information. Attuning to an element or a mental state? It sounded almost mythical, as if the attunement process could grant them the power to shape reality itself.
"Each of you will have a different attunement path based on who you are as a person," Professor Higgs continued, her voice steady and clear as she addressed the class. "You'll also notice that each of you has a different number of attunement slots. For example, Silas here has three slots—a bit above average. James, on the other hand, has two, which is more typical."
Silas processed this, realizing that the number of slots must determine how many affinities they could connect with. The concept felt both limiting and thrilling. He wondered what he could do with three slots—and what James might do with his two.
"Now, the attunement process itself involves channeling your energy and focusing it on your intended affinity," Professor Higgs explained. "Teachers, myself included, will assist each of you to make sure the process is safe and stable. But be warned—though attunement is generally safe, it can be dangerous if not treated with respect."
The students grew quiet, the air in the room thick with a shared understanding of the risks and the thrill. Silas's curiosity deepened as he tried to imagine what he might attune to, what his personality would guide him toward.
Professor Higgs continued, her voice gathering a hint of excitement. "Each affinity you connect with can also be developed over time. Let's say someone attunes to plants. They may find themselves able to work with that affinity in a general way, but they could also become more specific. Instead of 'plant,' they might refine it to 'tree' or even 'paper.' The more specific your attunement becomes, the greater your control over that particular aspect—but remember, you sacrifice control over anything broader. A 'paper' attunement could control cardboard, but it would struggle with other plant-based materials."
Silas marveled at the idea, imagining how much precision and focus such an ability would require. And he wondered what kind of affinities his own nature might reveal.
"Additionally, for those of you with multiple slots," Professor Higgs added, "there are unique opportunities for blending attunements. By dedicating two slots to a specific affinity like fire and water, you might be able to create something like 'steam.' But be cautious," she warned, "some combinations yield weaker results, like mixing mud and water."
The concept of mixing energies felt both enticing and dangerous, like walking a razor's edge. Silas felt the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders, but it only made him more eager to see what he was capable of.
Professor Higgs went on, "If you align all of your slots to a single affinity, you create what we call 'synergy.' For example, someone with multiple fire slots could unlock a heightened version of fire magic—what some call 'god magic.' This level of focus amplifies your abilities in extraordinary ways, though it limits the range of what you can do."
Silas absorbed the information, imagining the power of devoting all his slots to a single affinity. It was both daunting and exhilarating.
"And finally," she added, "mixed attunements can lead to synergy in a different way. Let's say you combine fire and dark magic without fusing them. The properties of each can enhance the other—fire might take on shadowy qualities, for instance—allowing for unique expressions of power without fully blending."
The room was silent, each student processing the weight of this knowledge. The possibilities seemed endless, and Silas could feel a quiet determination settling within him.
Professor Higgs looked around the room, her eyes finally resting on Silas. "Your attunements are as unique as you are. In a month, we'll see exactly what each of you is capable of."
A faint, unreadable expression flickered across her face as she spoke, and Silas felt a strange tingle of anticipation. He had no idea what his attunements would be, but the sense that something monumental awaited him was undeniable.
As Professor Higgs dismissed the class, Silas lingered, watching her as she left the room. There was an unspoken mystery in her eyes when she looked at him—a hint of something profound yet hidden.
He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the path before him. Whatever lay ahead, he knew it was going to challenge him in ways he couldn't yet imagine.
And somehow, he felt ready.