Seth and Eldric climbed onto the wagon, their eyes filled with curiosity and uncertainty. Argovarn, a school for magic? Didn't that sound like something out of a fairytale? But after the events of the past few days, anything seemed possible.
Theron gave them an encouraging smile and swung himself onto the coach box. With a practiced flick of the reins, he set the horses in motion. The wagon jolted over the uneven forest floor, and the two boys held on tightly to the sides.
"Argovarn is far from here," Theron explained, "in the heart of the continent. It will be a long journey.""What kind of school is it?" Seth asked. "Do they train wizards there?"Theron nodded. "In Argovarn, young people with magical abilities learn to control and use their powers. It's a place of knowledge and wisdom, where students are taught by the best teachers in the land."
"And you think we have magical abilities?" Eldric asked, his gaze flickering towards Seth.Theron smiled mysteriously. "We'll find out," he said. "I have some tests with me that can determine a person's magical affinity."
He reached under his seat and pulled out a small wooden box. He opened the box and took out seven small vials, each filled with a different colored liquid.
"These vials," he explained, "contain essences of the seven elements: water, fire, air, earth, light, and darkness. And a seventh, very special essence, for those who have a rare, undefined affinity. If a person has a magical affinity for one of these elements, the corresponding essence will react."
He handed Seth the first vial, which was filled with a clear, blue liquid. "Hold the vial in your hand and concentrate," he said. "Try to feel the energy within you."
Seth took the vial and closed his eyes. He concentrated, trying to feel the power he had used against the wolf. But nothing happened. The liquid in the vial remained still.
Theron nodded. "Not water," he said. He took the vial back and gave Seth the next one, which was filled with a red liquid. "Try fire."
Seth closed his eyes again and concentrated. This time he felt a slight tingling in his hands, but the liquid in the vial didn't stir.
"Not fire either," Theron stated. He gave Seth the remaining vials one by one, but none of the elements reacted to Seth's touch.
Finally, he handed him the last vial. It contained a liquid that shimmered in all the colors of the rainbow. "This is the essence of undefined affinity," Theron said. "It is very rare. Only a few people possess this special gift."
Seth took the vial in his hand and closed his eyes. He concentrated, feeling the energy flowing within him. And suddenly the liquid in the vial began to glow, to pulsate, as if it were shining from within.
Theron smiled. "Incredible," he whispered. "You truly have an undefined affinity. That's... remarkable."
He turned to Eldric and repeated the test. But with Eldric, none of the vials reacted, not even the one with the shimmering liquid.
"That's really amazing," Theron said. "You do have magical powers, but your affinity is... hidden. Perhaps it will reveal itself later."
Seth and Eldric looked at each other. Undefined affinity? Hidden affinity? What did it all mean? Were they special mages?Theron smiled. "Don't worry," he said. "In Argovarn, they will help you understand and control your powers. There you will find your true destiny."
The journey to Argovarn took several days. They traveled through dense forests, crossed raging rivers, and climbed steep mountains. Theron told them about Argovarn, about the teachers and students, about the different types of magic and the dangers associated with it.
Seth and Eldric listened, captivated. Argovarn sounded like a magical place, full of wonders and secrets. They could hardly wait to finally arrive.