Azure sat cross-legged on the forest floor, staring intently at Kael. Demi sat beside him, her bow slung across her shoulder, the curiosity on her face matching his own. Kael stood before them, the flickering firelight casting long shadows across his determined expression.
"Before we go any further, I need to teach you about Mana," Kael began, his voice steady. "Mana is everywhere. It flows through the air, the earth, even within us. It's the life force of magic, and without it, no spell can be cast."
Azure tilted his head. "So, if mana is everywhere, why can't I feel it?"
"Because," Kael replied, "you've never opened yourself to it. Learning to sense mana is the first step, but there's something else just as important: Affinity."
"Affinity?" Demi asked, leaning forward.
Kael nodded. "Every person has a unique connection to mana, tied to certain elements or forces. If you don't have an affinity, you can't go beyond the basics of magic. Think of it like a key. If you have the right key, you can unlock the full potential of that element. If you don't, you're stuck on the outside."
Azure frowned, glancing at his rusty sword lying nearby. "So, if I don't have an affinity, that's it? No magic for me?"
"Exactly," Kael said simply. "But that's why we test it. For example, I have a Shadow Affinity, which I use for both attack and movement. There's another affinity I have as well, but I'll explain that later."
Demi raised an eyebrow. "Shadow magic? Who taught you that?"
Kael hesitated, his usual confidence faltering. "My… teacher," he said slowly. "Rael Dythren."
Azure and Demi exchanged startled glances.
Kael sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yes, the same Rael Dythren I mentioned before. My father. Also known as the Magician Born From the Shadows. He trained me, but that's a story for another time."
Before either of them could press further, Kael reached into his pocket and pulled out a plain silver ring. Sliding it onto his finger, he murmured something under his breath, and a glowing orb emerged from the space within the ring.
Azure's eyes widened. "What's that?"
"This," Kael said, holding the orb aloft, "is a Mana Affinity Orb. It's used to determine your elemental affinity. If you're wondering about the ring, it's a Space Ring. You'll both get one when we reach the next town. I have a friend there who's going to Vendela Evandelore with us, and we'll stay at her place before heading out."
Kael set the orb on the ground and motioned for them to approach. "Place your hands on the orb. Let's see what you're working with."
Azure and Demi exchanged nervous glances before kneeling in front of the orb. Azure went first, placing both hands on the smooth, glowing surface. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, tendrils of light began to swirl inside, forming two distinct colors.
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Dual affinity."
"What does that mean?" Azure asked, eyes fixed on the swirling lights.
"It means you have a natural connection to two elements. Shadow, like me, and Ice."
Azure's heart leapt. He had an affinity. He could learn magic.
Demi's turn came next. She placed her hands on the orb, and again, the light swirled, revealing two colors.
"Wind," Kael said, pointing to the greenish hue. "And… something else."
The orb dimmed slightly, as though struggling to process the second affinity. Kael frowned. "The second one's hidden. A basic Mana Orb can't read it. We'll need to find a more advanced one later."
"So, what now?" Demi asked.
"Now," Kael said, "we unlock your mana. Since you both have affinities, I can guide you through the process. I'll also teach Azure how to use Shadow Magic for combat and movement. As for Wind… I don't know how to use it myself, but I can adapt Shadow techniques to help you learn Wind Movements."
Azure grinned, his excitement barely contained. "I've decided. I'll learn mana and become a Magic Swordsman. A Martial Artist isn't for me."
Kael smirked. "Then let's begin. But understand this—unlocking mana isn't easy. You'll need to open your first Mana Ring, which is located around your heart. This ring will form your Mana Heart, the core of your magical energy. Without it, you can't store mana, let alone use it."
Demi crossed her arms. "And how do we open this Mana Ring?"
Kael's expression grew serious. "Through concentration, discipline, and pain. A lot of pain."
The rest of the day was spent in grueling meditation. Azure and Demi sat with their eyes closed, following Kael's instructions to visualize the flow of mana around them. Kael walked around the clearing, correcting their posture and offering encouragement when frustration set in.
Azure's mind raced as he focused on the faint sensation of energy in the air. Slowly, he began to feel something—a gentle hum, like the whisper of the wind through leaves.
"Don't force it," Kael said, his voice low. "Let it come to you."
The hum grew stronger, resonating in Azure's chest. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Kael finally called a halt to the training.
"Good progress for a first day," he said. "But don't get ahead of yourselves. This is just the beginning. If you're serious about this, you'll need to give it everything you've got."
Azure and Demi nodded, determination etched into their faces.
Kael's gaze softened. "Rest up. Tomorrow, we start refining your Mana Rings. And trust me, it's only going to get harder from here."
As the trio settled in for the night, Azure couldn't help but smile. For the first time, he felt a spark of true power within himself—a spark that could one day ignite into something extraordinary.