Sitting in my mom’s office, I read a book on elemental affinity.

As my mom’s condition, I wasn’t allowed to do any physical training so I was just reading different books nowadays. My mental stats also increased by a bit.

===

As the world is made of 6 main elements and their many branched versions, the lows, and principles of the world are like a finely weaved spider web.

From nothingness to the creation of many things that we know today, to the unknowns of the world.

From the base of the planet which is made of <Earth> element and stabilizes everything to <Fire> which destroys or creates things.

From <Water> which is a lifeline of all living to <Wind> which is a symbol of freedom.

<Light> which destroys evil and also heals and cures to make the world better.

<Darkness> is not necessarily bad as the one who is corrupted and has evil intentions can have a different elemental affinity.

Having an elemental affinity doesn’t mean that you will master it. But it means that you can use magic related to that affinity.

One can also build and master different affinities but if they don’t have a natural affinity, that would be very difficult; building and increasing new proficiencies is a very difficult task.

…

===

Reading the books only for the first time was the most fun for me, as I had now developed a (photographic memory).

‘I read one time and fully understand and remember all of the things. It’s a total cheat for a magician who has to learn so much theory stuff.’

It was a very good thing as I was going to learn magic in a short time.

‘Magic in this world depends on theory as well as the visualization of the form of magic.’

A good memory and understanding of concepts are a must when learning magic.

Theory plays a big role as it is the foundation to understand the essence of magic and mana itself.

I knew that theories will not be any difficult as I already had a basic understanding of everything.

‘As for the practical applications…’

“I’m not ready yet…”

I mumbled to myself but suddenly… flinched. As a harsh voice entered my ears.

“Damn right, you aren’t. So, don’t even try to use magic by yourself.”

Mom spoke looking at me with a cold smile on her beautiful face.

“Understood!”

I shouted reflexively. Like soldiers answering the commands.

“Eon~. You can’t practice magic but, we can do an affinity test if you want~.”

Mom said something totally unexpected this time.

Hearing that, I suddenly stood up from where I sitting and looked at her with my eyes wide open.

“REALLY!?”

I shouted with sparkling eyes.

“Yes. It’s very simple and safe, actually.”

She replied with a confident look and told me to get ready.

“Brian!”

She shouted looking outside the window behind her desk.

Dad was outside watering the flowers and humming in a low voice.

As soon as mom shouted, he looked at us and asked.

“Yes? Is there anything I can help you with?”

Nodding her head in agreement she shouted back.

“How about we do an ‘Affinity test’ For Eon?”

He stopped the water sparkling from his hand and looked at her with a fire in his eyes.

“Really!?”

He loudly shouted to confirm what he heard was right.

‘Usually, she wouldn’t ask for anything like this first. Is it because it’s not dangerous?

Well, whatever it is, I can finally know my baby’s ‘Elemental Affinities’, I hope it is something similar to mine but whatever it is, will be extraordinary. Just like him.’

“Yes~. But nothing else.”

“Ok then! I will get it ready in a while. Wait for me!”

Saying that daddy ran inside the house at a very fast speed.

‘He is more excited than me.

Well, he is a father so he would be curious. More importantly, is… mom exited too?’

I looked at her as she was smiling brightly for some reason. She looked like she was going to enjoy a good show?

A cold shiver ran down my spine.

“Let’s go Eon!”

She exclaimed excitedly and dragged me downstairs by hand.

As we sat down, dad came inside running and huffing with sweat on his forehead.

But his expression was very bright as if he could finally do something he had been itching for quite some time.

“Ok then! Are you ready Eon!?”

He asked with a loud voice. His expression was funny as he said that.

“Yes?”

I answered worriedly as I looked at him. This was more than I expected.

With fire in his eyes, a transparent sphere half of my height appeared beside him out of nowhere.

I was surprised to see something like this for the first time.

“Dad! How did that appear here? Did you use spatial magic!?”

This was my first time seeing it in person as I had only read about something like this in books here.

But I read that it was high-level magic, so I wasn’t sure if he could really do it.

But, sadly, he shook his head and replied.

“No. It’s not spatial magic. It’s a skill called (Item Box). It’s a common skill used by many high-ranking adventurers.

But, you have to be at least (tier-2) to use it.

So when you reach that far I will give you a [Skill Stone] for that.

Ah! There are storage devices too. Your mom has one of her own. It will make a good birthday present.”

He said the last line in a quiet voice but I heard it clearly.

‘Hmm. It’s a skill. Then this would be my first time seeing someone use a skill. It is also a convenient one.’

I positively shook my head.

I have learned many things about <Skills> this past few years.

<Skills> which we are born with, are called <Innate Skills>. Some people have this type of skill as they are the only ones who can use them.

My <Energy Circulation> is also an auxiliary type <Innate skill>.

All [Energy beasts] possess this kind of<Innate skills> as they are generally the same in the whole race.

<Skills> obtained through a [Skill Stone] are called <Acquired Skills>.

[Skill Stones] are categorized by the colors.

As they come from different [Energy Beasts], who differ in strength, [Skill stone) can have the same or lower color skill than the beast.

They go from:

Red<Orange<Yellow<Green<Blue<Indigo<Purple<Black<White.

<Skills> taught by someone of master rank or above are called <Legacy Skills>.

Those who can teach these types of skills are the ones that at least have reached [Master] level of their [Origin Skill].

They can also lend someone their skill for a fixed time and that type of skill-sharing is called <Lone Skills>.

One must practice the <Legacy Skill> to increase the proficiency and understanding to master it.

<Skill Weaving> is a very rare (Blue) skill that can only be found by killing a strong [Energy Beast].

Because of their mastery of magic, they are the only ones to produce them in their subconscious when killed.

‘There is also my [Origin Skill]. I learned from a new book my mom gifted, that the [Origin Skill] itself goes through a unique <Evolution> in various unknown situations. Not only that, but it also combines the existing skill in itself to evolve the branched [Origin skills].’

So if I get a skill related to eyes, <Mystic Eyes> will add its function as its own.

After my <Awakening>, the first time I told my parents that I had a [Origin Skill], they were first shocked then they got happy then they suddenly got worried.

The speed their expression changed was kind of, funny. But then… I was worried for them.

Calming down my dad was not easy at that time.

“Ok then. Let’s get started.”

Startling me out of my thoughts was the voice of my mom who seemed really happy.

“Honey? why are you so excited?”

Dad could not hold back and asked as he too was confused about this whole thing.

“Mom…?”

I asked with a worried expression. I don’t know why but, I had this bad feeling about this whole thing.

“Well, nothing much. Your Mana will deplete after the testing and I will be able to treat you… VERY carefully.”

A cold shiver ran down my spine. Dad was the same as me, as he too remembered.

‘That’s why she was happy…’

To check the Elemental affinity one has to put a large amount of <Mana> in this crystal ball.

One may suffer <Mana depletion> if the required amount is large but it isn’t dangerous. Considering that she likes to take care of him when he is not moving, it can be explained.

“Umm…”

I wanted to say sorry to her but, I stopped myself.

‘Mom’s dreams won’t come true. My recovery rate is quite fast because of my [Energy Circulation] skill. I can very well recover in half a day if it’s as much as 1/3 of my mana.’

I gave her a sorry look and turned towards dad and said.

“So, let’s start.”

Mom and dad had confused looks as they looked at me.

“Ok. Come here, and put your palm on this crystal ball.”

‘Does not he care about that? Well, he could be thinking of giving up as we both can’t win against her anyway.’

I walked forward to the large crystal ball. A transparent orb that felt somewhat weird.

I stood in front of it and put my palm on its surface.

As soon as I did that a large amount of mana was sucked out of my <Mana Nucleus> and I felt my palm heating up.

‘It’s not that much. Took much less than I thought! Nice~.’

I rejoiced as I looked at the orb to see what special magic I can do.𝒃𝒆𝙣𝒐𝒗𝙚𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝒎