The morning sunlight filtered through the high walls of the Mage Knights' training courtyard, casting long shadows on the rune-inscribed stones.My eyes scanned the scene, taking in every detail—the towering mages demonstrating their power, the knights training with unyielding focus, and the device standing ominously at the center of the courtyard.
The Elemental Resonance Device was unlike anything I had ever seen. It resembled a large crystal orb, glowing faintly with shifting colors, resting on a stone pedestal. Intricate runes surrounded it, pulsing with energy as if alive. My gaze fixed on the orb,that gave me a knot of unease twisting in my stomach.
Tem's voice disturbed my observation, though, "This is where we determine your magical affinity," the commander said, his sharp gaze resting briefly on each of us. "Place your hand on the orb, and it will resonate with your element."
I swallowed hard, my eyes were looking to my friends. Tai stepped forward first, his confident grin faltering slightly as he approached the glowing orb.
"Let's get this over with," Tai said, his voice light but his steps. Everyone hesitate to take first step in this type of situation but he's different.
My eyes locked onto Tai's hand as it touched the orb. A sudden burst of colors erupted from within—fiery red, soothing blue, vibrant green, and glowing yellow. The colors swirled together in a dazzling display, casting Tai in a kaleidoscope of light.
My blinked, his chest tightening as he realized what it meant. I chanted my focus from orb to Tem.
Giving respect is a good thing but writing respected words every time is a huge mess. Thankfully Author knew it too.
"All four elements," Tem said, his voice tinged with approval. "Rare and powerful."
Tai stepped back, shaking his hand as if to shake off the weight of what had just happened. He looked at Me and shrugged, his grin returning, "Guess I'm special."
I forced a smile but felt the pressure mounting. One by one, my friends stepped forward. Ono's test brought a swirling gust of wind that sent a chill through the courtyard. Sen's orb glowed with fierce red flames that seemed almost alive. Yuuki's touch produced a soft green glow, the light rippling like gentle waves.
As each of them revealed their powers, my unease grew. My eyes directed to the orb, which now seemed less like a simple device and more like a judgmental force waiting to expose him.
"Your turn," Tem said, his voice breaking through my thoughts. Second Tem disturbed me while I was thinking,It looks like I have gotten weak mentally. Even lost some focus too.
My breath caught. His mu felt heavy as I stepped forward, my gaze fixed on the orb. I reached out, my fingers brushing the smooth surface. It felt cool to the touch, almost soothing.
For a moment, nothing happened.
The orb remained dim, its faint glow unchanged. My eyes widened slightly as I pressed my hand more firmly against it, willing it to react.
Still nothing.
A flicker of panic crossed his face as I glanced at Tem, whose expression had hardened into a mask of disappointment. The others whispered behind him, their voices a mix of confusion and concern.
"There's no response," Tem said after a long silence. His voice was devoid of emotion, but his words hit me like a hammer. "It looks like You have no magical affinity."
My hand dropped to his side. My chest felt hollow, and my eyes flickered to his friends. Tai looked stunned, Ono's brow furrowed in thought, and Yuuki's lips parted as if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. Only Sen met his gaze with quiet sympathy.
Tem stepped forward, addressing the group. "The rest of you will begin training immediately. As for Uzu…" He hesitated, his stern demeanor cracking for a moment. "I will report this to the king."
After that I went to room where I slept without a conversation with my friends.
I was feeling a pain I had never felt before.
On the same day, Some time had been passed and I sat in the group's shared quarters, staring out of the window. My eyes were fixed on the bustling courtyard below, where mages and knights trained with an intensity I couldn't hope to match. My reflection in the glass seemed distant, almost unfamiliar.
The door forcefully opened behind me, and I turned to see Tem standing there.
"The king has made his decision," Tem said, his voice steady. "You will not join the training. Instead, you are to accompany Princess Rimu on her duties. She will guide you through the capital, AryaVart."
My eyes narrowed who lost his hope of living, "Why? I can't fight. I can't use magic. What's the point?"
Tem's expression softened slightly. "The king believes there is more to you than what we've seen today. And he doesn't often make mistakes, And it's also true that summoning Ritual had never been failed even once."
Before I could respond, Tem turned and left, leaving the room in heavy silence.
The next morning, I found himself standing in the courtyard once more, my gaze lingering on the towering gates of the castle. The air was crisp, and the city beyond buzzed with life.
"Are you ready?" a voice asked, pulling his attention.
My turned to see Princess Rimu approaching, her fiery hair catching the morning light. Her amber eyes studied me, and I could see a mix of curiosity and determination.
"Not really," I admitted, my gaze dropping to the ground.
"Well, ready or not, we have a lot to do," she said with a faint smile. "And you'll find that AryaVart has a way of surprising people."
I met her eyes, searching for some hint of reassurance. What I found was a spark of confidence I hadn't felt in days.
"All right," I said finally. "Let's go."
As we stepped through the gates and into the bustling city, my eyes widened, taking in the sights and sounds of AryaVart. For the first time since my summoning, I felt a flicker of hope. Perhaps my journey wasn't over—it was just beginning.