Silas strode into the classroom, excitement humming in his chest. His decision had been made—clear, confident, and unshakable. The unknown still loomed before him, but he welcomed it. Whatever his attunements might become, he was eager to face the challenge head-on, no matter the cost.
The room was alive with murmurs as students filtered in, clutching the weight of their choices and expectations. Professor Higgs stood at the front, her sharp gaze surveying the class like a hawk, stacks of blank papers arranged neatly on her desk.
Halfway through scanning the room, Silas froze.
There, near the back, was James—his best friend, alive and grinning like nothing had happened. Relief swept through Silas like a wave, loosening a knot in his chest he hadn't realized was there.
James leaned casually against a desk, animatedly chatting with someone—a tall girl in green-accented robes, her presence commanding and electric. Her sharp emerald eyes flicked to Silas for the briefest moment before she returned her attention to James, her lips curling into a playful smile.
It was her.
The girl from the hallway.
Silas didn't hesitate. He strode over, clapping a hand on James's shoulder before pulling him into a fierce hug. "James! You're okay. How are you feeling?"
James laughed with a huge smile, patting his back. "Better than ever. You wouldn't believe what happened in that chamber." He gestured to the girl beside him. "Oh, and meet Ericka. She's been keeping me company while I waited."
"Silas," Ericka said, offering her hand with a smirk. "So, this is the famous best friend. Gotta say, I expected someone taller."Silas blinked, momentarily caught off guard, before laughing. "Well, James didn't mention meeting anyone this interesting."
Her smirk deepened, but her tone shifted, suddenly sharp. "And you'll find I'm full of surprises."
There it was again—that duality. One moment she was teasing and lighthearted, the next she seemed as calculating as a chess master. Silas couldn't help but feel intrigued, but before he could say more, a voice cut through the air.
"Settle down, everyone."
Professor Higgs stood at the front, her commanding tone silencing the room. She gestured to the papers on each desk. "Write down your chosen attunements. When you're done, fold your paper and leave it on your table. Do not discuss your choices with anyone. Everything will be revealed in time."
Silas grabbed the sheet of paper on his desk, but his thoughts lingered on James and Ericka. He couldn't help but steal a glance at them as he scribbled his choices.
Healing/Royal. Ice/Royal.
The combination sent a thrill through him. He didn't know if blending Royal Magic with traditional affinities would create anything special, but that was part of the appeal. Royal Magic was unique to each person, and if it manifested differently for him, perhaps it could elevate his choices in ways no one had imagined.
As Silas folded his paper, James leaned back in his chair, his grin as wide as ever. "So, what'd you pick?"
"Not happening," Silas said with a smirk. "You'll have to wait and see, like everyone else."
"Come on!" James whined. "I told you mine!"
"Did you?" Silas raised an eyebrow.
"Space and sword-slash-ink," James announced proudly. "Pretty cool, huh?"
Silas blinked. "Sword and ink? How does that even—"
"Don't ask me!" James interrupted, waving his hand dismissively. "I'm still figuring it out. But the space attunement? Oh, man, you wouldn't believe the stuff I can do with that already."
Silas grinned, James's enthusiasm as infectious as ever.
"What about you, Ericka?" he asked, turning to her.
Ericka's eyes glinted with mischief. "That's for me to know and for you to figure out."
"Figures," Silas muttered, earning a laugh from both her and James.
The moment passed too quickly. Professor Higgs moved through the room, collecting the folded papers one by one. The air buzzed with anticipation as students glanced nervously at their friends and classmates.
Finally, the last paper was gathered. Higgs called names, sending each student off to meet their mentors and begin their attunement process.
Silas watched as the room gradually emptied, curiosity sparking about the mentors and what awaited his classmates. One by one, the desks cleared, until only he, James, and Ericka remained.
Professor Higgs returned to the center of the room, her expression calm but thoughtful. "James. Ericka. Your mentors are already waiting. Head to your designated chambers."
James clapped Silas on the shoulder. "See you after. Don't screw this up!"
"Don't break anything this time," Silas shot back.
James laughed, vanishing through the door. Ericka lingered for a moment, her sharp gaze locking on Silas. "Good luck, Silas."
And then she was gone.
Silas turned to Professor Higgs, who held his folded paper in one hand. Her eyes gleamed with something between curiosity and approval. "You're up."
She led him back to the machine, the same one he'd sat in only days ago. But this time, there was an added weight to the moment.
Higgs unfolded his paper, scanning it before looking at him. "You've chosen to combine two slots with Royal Magic: Healing with Royal and Ice with Royal."
Silas nodded. "I know it's unconventional, but if Royal Magic manifests uniquely for everyone, I figure it'll blend uniquely too. I want to see what it can do."
Higgs's lips twitched into a faint smile. "An ambitious choice. Mixing affinities with Royal Magic is… uncharted territory for most. But if anyone can make it work, I'd wager on you."
Her words settled over Silas like a challenge. He took his seat in the chair, the cold metal biting into his back.
Higgs folded her arms, studying him for a moment before speaking again. "Your choices are… unique. In fact, we had to call in someone very special to oversee your attunement."
Silas's heart skipped a beat, curiosity and anticipation surging within him. "Who?"
Higgs's faint smile widened, but she didn't answer. Instead, she turned and gestured to the door behind her. "You'll find out soon enough."