"Welcome back children! Dinner is waiting for you, so please put your backpacks down and join us!"
George greeted all of the Junior Hunters who just spent one week in The Catacombs as a way to test their prowess and mind. Unfortunately, Julian is very behind his peers considering he is only a solid red core mage, and was grouped up with the new ten year old hunters. He was considered the father and strategist of his group.
Eaton and Isla with their Fire and Water affinities, are going to be joining the magic academy as dark yellow core mages, which is an incredible feat. They will surely be placed in the strongest class of their year. With Beatrix only being twelve years old, she still has some time to spend in The Catacombs.
Mike, Sinclair's oldest, will be joining the magic academy as a solid orange mage, which will put him in the lowest class. Due to only getting an affinity at ten years old, and not having a way to grow stronger for some time, this is to be expected. Julia, on the other hand is showing prowess as a support water mage who will continue to travel to the catacombs.
"Novius, please tell us about your time in The Catacombs." Alexia asked.
Novius and Elijah had already been grinning at each other since the moment they sat down. They both had a desire for the culling of the beasts, and had a goal to participate in the front lines.
"It has been too easy. All I am doing is striking the low level beasts with a bolt of lightning, and then watching them be incinerated or smashed to pieces by my comrades. Not to mention me also incinerating beasts with a simple wave of my hand."
George chuckled. "That's unfortunate to hear. I was hoping being a hunter would challenge you, but maybe I was wrong. Maybe this means you will focus more on your learning of magitech?"
Elijah quickly responded knowing Novius' motives. "This is nothing more than a test. I find it obvious that the higher ups have taken note of Novius's prowess. And with us being new hunters, the chances are slim if we don't separate ourselves from the white noise. Novius, trust me, when Alexia and I join the hunters in three days, do whatever you can to pair up with us. Strong groups should get chances to go to more dangerous parts of The Catacombs."
"You are absolutely right Elijah. The people who prove themselves by not just showing your personal battle prowess, but also teamwork, are the people chosen to take on the more daunting hunts." Isla replied to Elijah with a smile.
Elijah added one more idea to the table. "Also, Raylen and Theon Vandenburg are Junior Hunters, and I met them the night of the gathering. We should try to form a group with them as soon as we can. I can tell they are going to be some formidable people."
Dinner ended with the maids and butler grabbing everyone's dishes. However, just before everyone left the dining hall, George spoke once more. "I wasn't going to tell you all this, but just four days ago, a large group of hunters, along with a couple Junior hunters, were massacred by a newly discovered beast in The Catacombs. I tell you this not as a source of fear, but as a source of motivation."
Muttering sounds were heard coming from Elijah and Novius as they slumped up the chairs. The door of Novius' room slammed shut, and the trio began working on their magic.
"Alexia, show me the different spells you can do in small sizes and without fully releasing the spell." Novius asked.
Alexia nodded as both of her hands rose to the height of her chest. Small gusts of wind flowing in a circle created a mini stationary tornado that swirled violently. The books laying on the coffee table opened due to the wind.
After showing Novius her control of air magic, Novius congratulated her on her progress. However, something was itching the back of Elijah's mind. Air is the element she is manipulating. However, the spells Alexia and I came up with embody the principle of wind, moving currents of air, which is by far the simplest and most roundabout way of using air magic.
Elijah threw out a long shot of a question that turned the head of Novius as he was walking towards his bed. "Alexia, can you try sucking the air out of the space in front of us, which would make it impossible to breathe?"
"What? I kind of understand what you are talking about, but how would that be possible?"
"You have the ability to manipulate the element of air. Currently, you are just creating different wind currents. There is a lot more to air than just wind."
Novius applauded Elijah's words of intelligence. Not only had he opened the eyes of Alexia and her magical possibilities, but it made Novius sit down in peace in his bed to carefully think about the possibilities. Up until now, Novius has only used lightning to destroy and immortalize his enemies by shooting lightning in different shapes, or creating lightning current from his body to his enemy.
"Uhh, I just can't do it. I feel like I understand how it should be done, but I just can't do it!" Alexia was drained after trying something she had never even heard of. Elijah suspected she needed to progress her core to have the ability to do something advanced like sucking the air out of space, or pulling the oxygen out of the air. Elijah took a couple steps back and told Elijah to slowly practice her control over her known spells.
After only an hour of practicing magical control with Alexia and working on his own water based abilities, Elijah slumped onto the couch and thought about how he was going to display his abilities.
Flight is something that can be used as a movement boost that can speed up my steps, shoot me in any direction, and catch my fall without being noticed. My space ability would hold his knife that he would secretly take out if needed. Although, I am thinking about obtaining a sword.
My water magic abilities are similar to my spatial abilities. The only difference being the principles of each element. Hopefully my idea of redirecting the flow of energy works. A punch to my water barrier will allow me to use that magical or kinetic energy to counter. My only suspicion is that with a huge gap in magical power, my water barrier will instantly shatter causing my counter to be void of any effect.
At the crack of dawn, the trio is seen making their own breakfast in the kitchen of the estate. The day for the exam had come, and Elijah had wanted to partake in a hobby that brought him great health. Cooking!
Chicken, soft pan-fried eggs, and milk were on the menu. An emphasis on protein will keep him satiated longer, although Elijah did use fresh soft dates with blueberries and cocoa to make his own homemade date bars that he stored in his spatial storage. After becoming a bright red core mage, the amount of mana he could use allowed him to create a bigger spatial storage spell.
George, and the rest of the adults walked into the room with a smile on his face. "Are you two mentally prepared for what is to happen today? This is no longer a simple test, but a possible death sentence."
Elijah was the first to respond. "We are ready George! You can trust me to protect Alexia Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair."
Phloria wheeled Don over to Elijah and their words of grace. "Please be careful honey." "After what I saw at the gate, this will be a breeze for you."
The entire household besides Novius and Alexia, had no idea Elijah had absorbed a second affinity. The weight of holding a secret to the public's eyes, and another to everyone he cares about, is heavy.