The morning air was crisp when Eryn followed Sally into the training grounds. A hush lingered over the stone-paved arena, broken only by the faint hum of runes carved deep into the walls. They glowed with a steady light, neither harsh nor soft, pulsing faintly as though the castle itself was breathing.
The runes were there for one purpose—to contain what might escape.
Eryn's heart beat quickly, too quickly, excitement and unease threading together until she could no longer tell them apart. Yesterday's first attempt at magic still lingered in her body, the memory of mana flooding too violently, leaving her dizzy and weak.
And yet she was eager. Too eager.
At the center stood Sally. Her crimson gaze was clear, her staff poised as if she could summon fire and storm with a gesture. There was authority in her posture, but not the cold kind—it was the steady expectation of a mentor guiding a pupil to take the next step.
Beside her, Leon stood with his arms folded, silent, immovable. His presence carried the same weight as the northern mountains. He did not speak, but his gaze, sharp and calm, seemed to peel away the layers of Eryn's heart, as though nothing within her could be hidden.
Alfred lingered a step behind. His blue eyes, unlike Leon's severity or Sally's sharpness, carried warmth. Worry. He didn't need words—his very presence whispered encouragement.
"Eryn." Sally's voice rang clear, precise. "Before a mage can walk their path, they must know their affinity. It is the foundation of magic—the element, or elements, that flow most naturally within you."
Eryn's small hands tightened. "Affinity…?"
Sally nodded, a faint smile curving her lips. "Four basic elements exist. Fire, Water, Wind, and Earth. Most possess one. A rare prodigy, two. The greatest geniuses—three. Beyond that…" Her eyes narrowed faintly, her voice softening. "…unheard of."
As she spoke, her staff traced patterns into the air. Light spilled forth, weaving into shapes.
Crimson fire crackled in the air, sparks falling like fragments of fury.
Blue water rippled gently, waves cascading without a source.
Green wind danced in spirals, airy and fleeting.
Brown earth glowed steady, solid as stone beneath the ground.
The images lingered, trembling faintly, before merging into shifting sigils.
"When elements intertwine, they form higher attributes," Sally said. "Water and Wind—Ice. Fire and Wind—Lightning. Fire and Earth—Magma. Many exist, each with strengths and limits."
Her voice lowered further, carrying weight. "And rarer still—Light, Darkness. Powers whispered of, tied to bloodlines and ancient pacts. Beyond even these… attributes spoken only in legend. Space. Gravity. Void. Time. Forbidden arts."
The runes flared once before dimming, the illusions collapsing into nothing.
Sally lowered her staff. Her gaze fell on Eryn, soft yet unyielding. "Whatever appears, it is enough. Trust yourself."
Trust. The word pressed heavily against Eryn's chest. Trust in something she herself did not fully understand. What if she was too much? What if she was… something that could not be allowed to exist?
Then—
Ding.
"Correction. Host is not bound by ordinary affinity. Due to Energy Manipulation, Host may convert Soul Energy into any attribute. Classification: Universal Affinity."
Eryn's crimson eyes widened. Her heartbeat faltered.
Universal…
Ding.
"Affirmative. Host possesses access to all attributes. Including forbidden: Space. Gravity. Void. Time. Concealment strongly advised."
Her lips parted soundlessly. Even three affinities were enough to carve a name into history. To hold them all was not fortune—it was danger incarnate.
Alfred's gaze caught hers. His blue eyes reflected concern, the kind that reached quietly yet deeply. She forced herself to smile, faint, shaky, enough to reassure him.
"System," she whispered inwardly. "Hide everything. Leave only Water and Wind."
Ding.
"Confirmed. Visible affinities: Water + Wind. All others concealed."
The glowing circle formed beneath her feet, humming faintly. She placed her palm against its light.
Blue rippled first. Cool, tranquil, like the surface of a lake.
Green followed, lively, swirling in gentle gusts.
Together, they wove into harmony, filling the training ground with shifting brilliance.
Sally's lips parted, a faint intake of breath escaping before her expression softened into a smile. "Two affinities… Water and Wind. Eryn, you are a dual-element mage."
Alfred exhaled, his eyes wide before softening into pride. "That's… amazing, Eryn. Truly."
Leon stepped forward, his gaze sharp. The circle reflected in his pupils before he nodded slowly. "The same as mine."
Eryn blinked. "…Yours?"
"Ice." His voice was calm, steady, final. "The fusion of Water and Wind. A rare, demanding path. But strong."
Sally's gaze glimmered. "Ice is beautiful, yet deadly. Few wield it. Your father is one of them. With both elements, you may learn from him—and from me."
Leon's hand rested briefly on her shoulder, weight steady, grounding. "Patience, balance. That is Ice. Master it, and strength will follow."
The warmth of his hand contrasted with the coldness of the word. Ice.
Eryn's voice broke the silence. "What about you? And Alfred?"
Sally chuckled softly. "Mine is Fire. Demanding. Relentless. It burns weakness away."
Alfred shifted, scratching his cheek. "Earth. Solid, dependable. Not dazzling, but steady."
Eryn smiled faintly. "Strong, and reliable."
Alfred's lips curved, almost shy. "I'll take that as praise." He reached out, ruffling her silver hair gently.
---
That night, moonlight spilled pale across her bed. Eryn lay awake, staring at the shifting shadows. The day's revelations pressed heavy against her chest.
Her palm rose, pressing lightly over her sternum. The faint thrum within was not only her heart—it was something deeper. Something older.
"System," she whispered. "Why… why does magic tear at me?"
Ding.
"Explanation. Host's soul is vast. Human body: fragile. Mana flow strains the vessel."
"Solution?"
Ding.
"Two paths.
One: Energy Manipulation. Absorb, convert, expand gradually. Concealed, steady.
Two: Dragon Evolution. Awaken dormant bloodline. True Form Shifting: permanent Dragon Form accessible. Rapid, overwhelming growth. Risk: exposure."
Eryn's fingers curled against the fabric. Dragon. The word resonated too clearly. The faint rhythm in her chest—the Dragon Heart—answered in silence.
"To become a dragon…" she whispered. The thought was equal parts awe and dread.
Ding.
"Affirmative. Host may assume Human (active) or Dragon (dormant) form."
She trembled. Reckless. To awaken now would be reckless.
"…Not yet. I'll strengthen quietly. Build a foundation. Energy Manipulation, slow and steady. Six months. Then… alone, away from sight, I'll awaken."
Ding.
"Objective Updated: Mage Foundation. Duration: Six Months. Goals: Mana Control, Soul Energy Expansion, Dimensional Space Creation. Dragon Evolution postponed."
Her breath left her in a shaky exhale.
Human form would be her mask. Dragon form, her weapon.
Until the time came, no one would know.
Moonlight lingered. Her eyelids grew heavy. Sleep claimed her slowly, her hand still pressed to her chest, feeling the quiet, ominous thrum within.
Tomorrow, true training would begin.