Chapter 2: Chapter 2 : Affinity test
The towering stone headquarters of the Adventurers’ Guild stood proudly over the square, its bronze crest catching the morning sunlight. Adventurers came and went through its massive doors, some returning from successful commissions while others hurried off toward their next assignment.
Tolu looked up with a grin.
"No matter how many times I see it, it still looks impressive."
Ore smiled.
"Wait until we’re walking through the front doors as Masters."
"Let’s survive being Novices first."
The pair entered the guild, where conversations, laughter, and the occasional boast echoed through the spacious hall.
Different sections of the guild bustled with activity. Experienced adventurers gathered around the higher-ranked commission boards while clerks hurried between desks carrying stacks of documents.
A sign reading NOVICE TRAINING pointed toward a large practice hall.
"There it is," Ore said.
Dozens of young men and women, all wearing the simple badges of Novice adventurers, had already gathered.
"Looks like we’re not late," Tolu said with relief.
"Only because I dragged you out of the house."
Before Tolu could reply, a firm voice cut through the chatter.
"Form a line."
The conversations stopped almost instantly.
Walking toward them was a man in dark blue robes trimmed with silver thread. He appeared to be in his forties, with neatly kept hair, a trimmed beard, and calm gray eyes that silently assessed every novice in the room.
A polished staff rested comfortably in his hand.
"My name is Instructor Fadeyi," he said.
"I am an adept-rank mage and a veteran adventurer. For the next several weeks, I will oversee your field training."
The novices quickly formed neat rows.
Fadeyi slowly walked before them.
"Some of you are excited."
A few smiles appeared.
"Some of you are nervous."
Several others avoided eye contact.
"Good."
His voice remained calm.
"The nervous ones understand that monsters do not care about dreams."
Silence settled over the hall.
"You have all passed the entrance examinations, but today you will learn something about yourselves."
Two guild assistants wheeled in a waist-high pedestal. Resting upon it was a perfectly smooth crystal sphere that shimmered with soft white light.
"This," Fadeyi said, placing a hand upon it, "is an Affinity Stone."
A faint murmur spread through the group.
"The stone resonates with the natural affinity within your body."
He looked across the rows of novices.
"Your affinity is not your destiny."
The murmuring stopped.
"Many people misunderstand what an affinity means."
He paused, ensuring every eye was on him.
"If the stone judges your affinity as Exceptional, it does not mean you are destined to stand at the peak of the world."
"It simply means you possess greater natural talent than others learning the same discipline."
He tapped the crystal lightly.
"Talent provides an advantage."
"It does not replace discipline."
"It does not replace courage."
"And it certainly does not replace hard work."
His expression hardened.
"History remembers Grandmasters who possessed only Common affinities."
Several novices exchanged surprised looks.
"They reached the summit because they refused to let talent decide their limits."
A respectful silence followed.
Fadeyi stepped aside.
"When your name is called, step forward."
"Place your hand upon the Affinity Stone."
"Remain calm."
"The stone will reveal both your natural affinity and its grade."
As the first names were called, quiet whispers spread through the line.
Near the back, one novice nudged another with his elbow.
"Look."
He subtly pointed toward a tall young man standing confidently with folded arms.
"That’s Ademola."
"The son of Master-ranked adventurer Ademayowa?"
"The very same."
"I heard his father cleared an entire monster nest almost by himself."
"No wonder he looks so confident."
Ademola noticed the whispers but showed little reaction. He simply stood with quiet confidence, as though he expected nothing less than attention.
Tolu leaned slightly toward Ore.
"So... are you nervous?"
Ore smiled without taking her eyes off the glowing crystal.
"A little."
"You?"
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"I wasn’t."
He swallowed.
"But now that everyone is watching..."
Ore laughed softly.
"You’ll be fine."
Ahead of them, another novice stepped forward, placed his hand upon the crystal, and the Affinity Stone began to glow.
Instructor Fadeyi stepped beside the Affinity Stone.
"Before we begin, remember the colors you see correspond to the natural affinity within your body."
He rested a hand on the crystal.
"Crimson signifies Fire."
"Sapphire blue signifies Water."
"Amber signifies Earth."
"Emerald signifies Wind."
"Violet signifies Lightning."
"Bright green signifies Nature."
"Gold signifies Light."
"Black with a silver shimmer signifies Shadow."
"And white signifies Spirit."
He allowed the information to settle before continuing.
"The glowing rings represent your natural talent."
"No ring means a Common affinity."
"One ring is Good."
"Two rings are Excellent."
"Three rings..."
He looked around the hall.
"...are Exceptional."
"Remember this well."
"An Exceptional affinity is a gift."
"It is not a guarantee."
"There have been Grandmasters who possessed only Common affinities."
"The summit belongs to those who refuse to stop climbing."
He unfolded a parchment.
"Kunle."
A nervous young man stepped forward.
The moment his palm touched the crystal, it shone a deep sapphire blue.
"Water Affinity."
A single glowing ring slowly formed around the sphere.
"Good."
Kunle released a relieved breath before returning to the line.
"Bisola."
This time the crystal glowed bright green.
"Nature Affinity."
Two glowing rings appeared.
"Excellent."
A few novices nodded in admiration.
Instructor Fadeyi continued reading.
"Ademola."
The whispers began before the young man even reached the pedestal.
"That’s Master Ademayowa’s son..."
"I heard he started training with adventurers when he was eight."
Ademola calmly placed his hand upon the crystal.
An intense crimson light flooded the room.
"Fire Affinity."
One ring appeared.
Then another.
The hall remained silent.
A third glowing ring slowly formed around the sphere.
"Exceptional."
Several novices gasped.
"I knew it."
"His father’s a Master."
"It would’ve been strange if he wasn’t exceptional."
Ademola simply nodded before returning to his place, his expression unchanged.
"Next."
"Sade."
A petite girl hurried forward.
The crystal glowed violet.
"Lightning Affinity."
A single glowing ring formed.
"Good."
She smiled brightly before hurrying back.
"Ore."
Ore inhaled quietly before placing her hand upon the stone.
Soft emerald light blossomed through the crystal.
"Wind Affinity."
One ring appeared.
Then another.
The hall watched in anticipation.
A third ring never came.
"Excellent."
Tolu couldn’t help smiling.
"I knew she’d do well."
Ore walked back with a small grin.
"So?"
"You were hoping for three?"
She nudged him with her elbow.
"You’ll never know."
He laughed.
"Maybe."
Instructor Fadeyi called the next name.
"Femi."
The crystal glowed amber.
"Earth Affinity."
One glowing ring appeared.
"Good."
Finally...
"Tolu."
The conversations died away as he stepped toward the glowing crystal.
Taking a slow breath, he placed his hand upon the Affinity Stone.
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