Silas sat in the dimly lit hallway, the cool stone wall pressing against his back. His heart thumped louder than he wanted to admit as he waited for Professor Higgs to call him. The hallway was eerily silent, save for the occasional crackle of energy from the room next to him. His fingers tapped steadily on the wooden bench beneath him—not nervously, but to focus himself.
He wasn't afraid. Not exactly. It was more the thrill of the unknown, the weight of what this moment could mean for his future.
Then, movement caught his eye.
A girl strode down the hallway with a confidence that made her seem almost unreal. She was tall—easily six feet—with ebony skin that seemed to glow under the faint magical lighting. Her long black dress bore green accents that marked her as part of a noble house Silas didn't recognize, and her sharp, emerald-green eyes seemed to notice everything.
She moved with a grace that demanded attention. Silas straightened, his tapping hand freezing mid-motion. He opened his mouth to say something—anything—but his throat caught. What could he possibly say to someone like her?
Before he could decide, the door beside him creaked open, and Professor Higgs poked her head out.
"Silas! You're up."
Silas hesitated, glancing back down the hall, but the girl had already disappeared around a corner. He sighed, pushing aside the missed opportunity, and stood. Whatever happened next was far more important.
Inside, the room was dark and foreboding. A massive circular machine loomed behind a single chair at the center, its metal surface glinting faintly. Small, intricate runes carved into its frame pulsed with faint light, giving it an almost otherworldly aura.
"Sit," Higgs instructed, gesturing to the chair.
Silas squared his shoulders, stepping forward with measured confidence. The cold metal of the chair sent a shiver up his spine as he sat, but he forced himself to stay still. His gaze flicked back to the machine behind him, its hum growing louder, almost alive.
"This," Higgs said, stepping around to face him, "is going to be one of the most intense things you've ever experienced. You might feel overwhelmed, but I'll be here to guide you through it. You've got this, Silas."
Her words steadied him. He nodded firmly. "I'm ready."
Professor Higgs flipped a series of switches on a control panel nearby. The machine roared to life, glowing brightly as beams of energy began to converge into a single, powerful stream aimed directly at Silas.
The energy hit him like a wave, slamming into his chest with a force that made him gasp. For a moment, he felt suspended—his senses overwhelmed. Countless smaller beams—each a distinct color and texture—shot through him. Some passed straight through, cold and intangible, while others clung to him, sparking a faint, resonant hum deep in his core.
He felt heat, cold, and strange pulses of emotions and sensations: rage, tranquility, curiosity, and more. Each one seemed to tug at a different part of him, testing his limits, demanding to be acknowledged.
And through it all, Silas held steady. His jaw tightened, and his hands gripped the edges of the chair, but he refused to flinch. He met the machine's power head-on, unyielding.
Finally, the beam faded, and Silas slumped forward, panting but triumphant.
"Done," Professor Higgs said calmly. She walked over to him, holding a clipboard. "The results are fascinating. Here's the list of affinities you're eligible to attune to."
She handed him the clipboard, and Silas scanned the list. Dozens of affinities filled the page, but a few immediately caught his eye: Healing, Explosion, Creature, Ice, and—at the very bottom—Royal.
The word "Royal" stood out, bold and commanding. Before he could ask about it, Higgs's expression changed. Her brow furrowed as she glanced at another set of readings on the machine.
"Wait here," she said, stepping out of the room briefly.
Silas exhaled slowly, staring at the clipboard again. What exactly was "Royal"? The name sounded powerful—important—but he had no idea what it entailed. His fingers brushed over the word, a faint spark of excitement stirring in his chest.
Moments later, Higgs returned, her face unreadable. "Silas, you need to come here. We've reviewed your results, and it seems… one of your slots is already attuned."
Silas blinked, his mind racing. "What? I thought—"
"It's rare, but not unheard of," Higgs said, gesturing for him to follow. "And the attunement… well, it's not something we see every day."
Back in the room, Higgs pointed to the machine's readings. "One of your attunement slots is already filled with Royal Magic. It's incredibly rare, and its properties vary greatly from person to person. For now, we can't determine exactly how it will manifest for you, but it's… impressive."
Silas's chest swelled with a mix of pride and curiosity. Royal Magic. The name carried weight, promise, and mystery.
He returned to his dorm, his steps steady despite the whirlwind of thoughts in his mind. James's bed was still empty, the room unnervingly quiet. Silas sat on his mattress, the clipboard in hand, and stared at the list again.
Healing. Explosion. Creature. Ice… and Royal.
His thoughts raced as he imagined the possibilities. Each choice held its own potential, its own path forward. Yet, despite the overwhelming options before him, Two attunments stood out—calling to him, as if it had been waiting for this moment all along.
Silas set the clipboard down, his heart steady and his decision clear.
He knew exactly what he was going to pick.