The towering structure of The Tower of Trials loomed before Luc, its stone walls dark and foreboding under the twilight sky. The ancient runes etched into the surface pulsed with an eerie glow, their arcane symbols unknown to him but clearly significant in this world. This was the heart of the Magic Aptitude Test, the place where every potential mage's future would be decided. Luc could feel the magic in the air, thick and heavy, like an invisible current ready to sweep him away.
Around him, the other nobles, heirs, and commoners were already gathering in groups, chatting nervously or boasting about their magical potential. The mixture of emotions was palpable—nervous excitement, quiet confidence, and even a few whispers of fear. Luc felt the weight of their gazes on him, but he kept his expression neutral, his face calm, betraying none of the anxiety swirling inside him.
"Luc, it's our time now," said Caius, the son of House Darnell, breaking Luc from his thoughts. Caius was a tall, slender young man with sharp features, his black hair slicked back in a manner that screamed nobility. Despite his outward composure, Luc noticed the tension in his stance—the subtle shift of his eyes, the way he clenched his fists at his sides.
Luc gave a short nod. "I'm ready."
They walked toward the entrance of the Tower, where several other nobles and their attendants were already gathered. The guards at the entrance were clad in dark armor, their faces hidden behind masks. Their presence only amplified the aura of importance and danger that hung in the air. The test was not just about magical talent; it was a trial of endurance, willpower, and a true reflection of one's potential.
Inside, the grand hall of the Tower was filled with a soft golden light that seemed to emanate from the very walls. A large circular platform stood in the center, surrounded by various magical artifacts and symbols that Luc couldn't begin to comprehend. At the far end of the room, seated on a raised dais, was the Headmaster of the Tower—a tall, imposing figure whose robes shimmered with intricate, ever-shifting patterns.
The Headmaster was known only as Master Malthar, an enigmatic figure whose name alone struck fear into the hearts of even the most seasoned mages. He had overseen countless Magic Aptitude Tests and had a reputation for being merciless to those who failed to meet his standards. His cold, calculating eyes scanned the room as the candidates assembled.
"Welcome," Master Malthar's voice rang out, deep and authoritative. "You stand before the Tower of Trials, where your worth will be judged. The test you will take today is not one of mere ability; it is a test of your connection to the fundamental forces of this world. The magic within you will be awakened—or crushed."
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Luc's heart skipped a beat, but he forced himself to remain still. He had prepared for this moment his entire life, and nothing was going to shake his resolve.
"Approach," Malthar continued, his piercing gaze locking onto the first candidate in line. A tall man, wearing a cloak adorned with the emblem of House Rosar, stepped forward.
Luc watched intently as the man placed his hand on the central artifact—a crystalline orb that pulsed with energy. A strange hum filled the air as the orb began to glow, its light growing brighter with each passing second. The man closed his eyes, focusing intently on the orb as it absorbed his magic.
The light faded, and Master Malthar nodded with a thin smile. "A Mid-Level Sun Mage. Your potential is acceptable. You may proceed to the next stage."
The man stepped aside, visibly relieved, but the weight of the test was still palpable. Luc's thoughts turned inward, focusing on his own magical potential. He had always felt something within him—a strange energy that pulsed beneath his skin—but he had no way of knowing how strong his connection to the magical forces truly was. Was it enough to be noticed? Was it enough to make an impact?
Next was Caius. His hands trembled slightly as he stepped up to the orb, but his face remained calm. Luc observed closely, noting how his rival placed his hand confidently upon the artifact. The orb began to glow brighter than the previous candidate's, and Caius's expression shifted slightly, as if he were forcing something deep within himself to emerge.
When the light subsided, Master Malthar's gaze turned colder. "A High-Level Sun Mage. You may proceed."
Caius stepped back with a proud smirk, his chest puffed out. He shot Luc a glance, a challenge in his eyes. The other candidates couldn't help but look at him in awe. A High-Level Sun Mage was no small feat—Caius's future was almost assured, his place in the noble world guaranteed.
Luc took a deep breath and stepped forward.
He could feel the weight of all eyes on him as he approached the orb. The smooth, crystalline surface felt cool under his palm as he placed his hand gently on the artifact. A strange sensation spread up his arm, as if the orb were responding to something deep within him. He focused, reaching inside himself, calling forth the latent magic that had always been there, buried beneath his experiences, his training, his new life.
For a moment, nothing happened. The orb remained inert, its glow barely flickering. Luc's heart beat faster, and a wave of doubt washed over him. Was this it? Had he failed before he even started?
But then, just as his resolve began to waver, a pulse of energy shot through him. The orb flared with dark fire—red and black—surging in response to Luc's magic. The room fell silent as the intensity of the light grew, until it seemed to fill the entire hall with an eerie glow.
Luc's breath quickened as the orb absorbed more and more of his power. The darkness within him stirred, fusing with the flames of the magic he had always felt inside. He could feel it—dark magic, fire magic, and something else—something ancient and untapped, weaving together into a single force.
Master Malthar's eyes widened, but only for a fraction of a second. The test was designed to show a mage's affinity and potential, but Luc's display had clearly surpassed anything they had seen before.
The orb dimmed, and Luc stepped back, his chest heaving as he tried to calm his breathing. The silence in the room was deafening, and for a moment, he wondered if he had overstepped. But Master Malthar's voice rang out once again, this time colder and more calculating than ever.
"Shadowflame Mage, with dual affinity. Dark and Fire, and possibly more. Interesting. You may proceed."
Luc's eyes widened at the title, a name he had never expected to hear in his lifetime. Shadowflame Mage? It was a rare designation, reserved for those whose magic transcended the common affinities. It was a power that could lead to greatness—or destruction.
As Luc stepped aside, his heart pounded in his chest. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear—his journey was only just beginning.