Chapter Fourteen: Talent and Elemental Affinity

The wizard Evan didn't dwell on it. Noticing the confusion on Hughes’ face, he spoke, “Rather than being curious about you, I’m more interested in your mental strength.”

Hughes was ready to keep up the act. “Mental strength?” His confusion was convincing.

“Mental strength is the result of a wizard’s cultivation. The higher your mental strength, the more powerful you become. What you consider sorcery or magic can only be performed by relying on this mental strength.”

“And you, Hughes Bruch—without any cultivation, you were born with an extraordinary level of mental strength. For a wizard, this is a rare blessing.” The wizard Evan fixed his gaze on Hughes, lost in his own thoughts.

“Then… can my mental strength pass the test?” Hughes was rather pleased with his own performance.

“Of course. Mental strength like yours is rarely seen.”

“Do you see this crystal ball? It’s used to test your talent and mental strength.” Angelo squinted and smiled at Hughes.

“Talent? Mental strength? Aren’t they the same thing?” Hughes was genuinely uncertain. He had always thought mental strength was synonymous with talent, but from Angelo’s words, the two seemed largely unrelated.

“No, little one. It’s like, well… how should I put this…” Angelo furrowed his brow, clearly pondering how best to explain.

Evan, unable to watch the struggle any longer, interjected, “You possess extraordinary mental strength without any meditation or cultivation—this is innate, making you naturally fit to become a wizard. But your talent might be mediocre. Sometimes, an ordinary-looking person has exceptional talent and could surpass you within a few years. So, even if your mental strength is higher than others, your achievements will depend on your own efforts. No one knows if, despite your high starting point, you might progress slower than others later on. Do you understand?”

Evan stood, straightening his robes. “If we only tested for mental strength, we might as well just scan everyone and save ourselves the time.”

“So you’re saying, even though my mental strength is higher than others now, it just means my starting point is higher; if my talent is poor, someone with better talent could surpass me with time. Is that right?”

The wizards Evan and Angelo exchanged a satisfied glance at the boy before them.

“You’re absolutely right—very clever,” Angelo said approvingly. For once, Evan broke into a slight smile.

Hughes could sense that these two wizards were treating him far better than the rumors suggested. He had always heard that wizards were cold, ruthless, and self-serving—nothing like the two before him.

“Now, let’s see your talent. Place your hand on the crystal ball, calm your mind, and don’t be nervous. Since your mental strength is so extraordinary, your talent shouldn’t be lacking,” Evan instructed.

Hughes carefully placed his hand on the crystal ball. The instant his skin touched the cool surface, he felt something inside the ball enter his body, roam around, and then return to the crystal.

“Don’t tell me I have no talent at all?” Hughes grew anxious when the crystal ball showed no reaction.

But while Hughes’ anxiety grew, the two wizards beside him remained unfazed, calmly watching the ball.

Gradually, a black vortex appeared in the center of the crystal, spinning and radiating a gray light. The colors deepened—white, then blue, then stopped at a profound, mysterious purple.

The entire room was bathed in an aura of noble purple. Hughes’ eyes seemed to merge with the color, as though he was utterly immersed and unable to extricate himself.

“All right, Hughes, you can remove your hand,” Evan said.

“Huh? Oh, right.” Evan’s words snapped Hughes back to reality.

“Sirs, may I ask if I passed the test?”

“Hahaha, not only did you pass, but we’ve truly found a treasure this time! Hughes, do you know—with your talent and mental strength, barring any accidents, your future as a wizard is assured,” said Angelo, his eyes blazing with excitement.

Hughes felt awkward under such a heated gaze from another man.

“A person’s talent is classified into five colors: gray, white, blue, purple, and gold. Each color is divided into light and deep shades, making ten levels in total. You’re deep purple—an exceedingly rare talent. Any wizarding academy would fight to have you,” Evan explained.

Hughes let out a sigh of relief. Luckily, he wasn’t doomed to be the kind of useless character he’d always read about.

“So, is my test over now?”

“Oh, not yet. We still need to assess your elemental affinity.”

“Elemental affinity?” Another unfamiliar term for Hughes.

“Yes, elemental affinity—it determines your future path and is very important. Come with me,” Evan said.

Following Evan and Angelo, Hughes discovered a hidden door at the back of the room, perfectly flush with the wall, which explained why he hadn’t noticed it before.

“Hey, Evan, Angelo—why are you two here? Is something wrong?” A hoarse voice sounded by Hughes’ ear.

Hughes stepped forward and performed a proper noble salute. “Hughes Bruch, at your service, sirs.”

“Oh? Evan, is this the boy you were interested in?” The raspy-voiced wizard paced around, sizing Hughes up.

Evan seemed used to this. “Yes, Bob, this is the one I mentioned. His talent is deep purple. Would you and Charlie kindly test his elemental affinity? Angelo and I would like to see as well.”

“What? This kid is deep purple?” Bob’s voice rose several notches, more grating than ever.

The wizard beside him, who had been silent, was also visibly moved, though less dramatically so.

Evan and the others exchanged looks of resignation.

“Come, Hughes, let’s test your elemental affinity,” Bob said eagerly, pulling Hughes over.

Hughes was led to a crystal ball, much larger than the one used to test mental strength—this one stood as tall as the writing desk, nearly as high as Hughes himself.

Bob was impatient. “Just put your hand on it, like before.”

Hughes did as instructed, and as soon as he touched the massive crystal ball, he felt himself drawn into a completely sealed space, surrounded by an endless white expanse.

He soon noticed that colored lights began to float through the whiteness, like fireflies dancing in the air.

“Why are the lights disappearing?” Hughes wondered, watching the lights vanish, feeling lost.

Eventually, only deep blue, light blue, red, and a particularly striking black remained.

“All done, Hughes, you can wake up now,” Bob’s voice echoed in his ear.

“Huh? What happened? I was just in another space…”

“Your elemental affinity has been tested. As for the results…” Bob hesitated.

Hughes looked up and saw that all four wizards had removed their hoods, revealing their faces.

Angelo and Evan both looked like middle-aged men, with neatly combed hair and square, unremarkable faces. If not for their unique aura, they would have blended into any crowd, unnoticed as wizards.

Charlie and Bob appeared a bit older. Charlie wore gold-rimmed spectacles; both had black hair and clean-shaven faces, looking robust, but the wrinkles on their faces betrayed their age.

What struck Hughes most was the same look in each of their eyes—a hunter’s longing for his prey.

“Ahem! Hughes, take a look for yourself,” Evan said, pointing.

On the enormous crystal ball, four sections shone with color: deep blue, light blue, red, and black.

Hughes stared in amazement. “These are the lights I just saw!”

“Yes, Hughes, this is your elemental affinity—fire, darkness, ice, and the rare lightning. And your affinity for all four is equal. Do you know, in all my years, I’ve never seen anyone with such balanced elemental affinities,” Bob exclaimed, scribbling furiously on a sheet of paper.

“Excellent, Hughes,” Evan said, coming to stand by him. “The more colors displayed on the ball, the more elements you can sense. The larger the color area, the higher your affinity for that element. Wizards harness the power of these elements, but choosing the one you’re most attuned to will take you furthest and make your studies easier.”

Hughes fell into thought. “What should I do if my affinity for all four elements is identical?”

Seeing his willingness to learn, Evan answered candidly. “Each of your four affinities is at an extraordinary level. I advise you, at least early on, to focus on one or two elements in your studies. Spreading yourself too thin will hinder your progress.”

“All right, Hughes, don’t worry too much. When you get to the academy, the instructors will explain in detail. Your test is over for now—go and rest.”

Noting that the four wizards seemed to have matters to discuss, Hughes gave a polite bow and left the room.