Chapter 67.

So that was why. That was why the Palisci was slightly biased towards them. They reminded her of her family's own trials : losing a parent. Even when she came back physically, she never returned. Well, it turned out pretty good for the trio since they received good advice from a local as a 'reward' for beating the Maze.

- Do each of you know your affinities ?, asked Ischyra all of a sudden.

Remembering that such a thing existed, the three humans realised they had never really tried to determine that, so focused they were on surviving. And by the time they arrived in Sephayis, the matter had been forgotten.

- I see., understood the red-skinned woman. Then do it now. You know the procedure I guess since you have a Grimoire.

Nodding softly, they reminisced about what they read about it. Apparently, it was straightforward, as the only thing a mage needed to do was getting to the Absorption phase of Cultivation without targeting a specific energy, letting the Magical Flow 'decide' by itself. That was the way.

Enora focused, turning her mind tranquil, picturing the Flow and imagining her appendix as a sort of magnet. A neutral magnet. Only a few seconds passed before one specific element began approaching her, a type that she had not interacted with ever before. It was fast, stopping briefly from time to time on its erratic way, charging at her with great momentum. It felt so overwhelming and sudden that she completely stopped the Absorption process before the foreign energy could touch her. While the other two were still focusing, she shared the event with Ischyra.

- Fast and erratic, you say ? And powerful ? This feels like the lightning energy.

- Is it good ?, asked the tanned warrior expectantly.

- Yes, it is a powerful magic, but also very limited.

- How ?, kept going Enora.

- Pretty simple : it is perfect for duels and useful in wars. The Thunder School is very renowned, but neither is it influential nor numerous. For a start, the difficulty and danger of cultivating it are severe, meaning only the people with Affinity are accepted, which is not a lot. Then, there is the problem that, outside of a one on one fight, lightning mages are not veery efficient, since their Mystical Arts can quickly exhaust even Masters. This magic has no use outside of an armed conflict either. In wars, these people are usually put as guards of essential entities, like kings and stuff. However, do not be discouraged : against single targets, lightning mages win every damn time.

- So the Thunder School is powerful but not versatile., concluded Enora.

- Exactly. That is too bad though, I cannot teach you anything about that energy, and I advise against cultivating alone. It would be a stupid and risky thing to do.

Nodding a little, Enora turned her head towards the little blond to her right that just opened her eyes. She had a smile plastered on her face as she looked at the other two women, then said :

- Fire magic !

- Oh my !, exclaimed Ischyra. That, I can teach you !

Rose was pleased about that, about having the flames as her Affinity, because of what the non-human told them before : the mages of this School were well-versed in enchantments. At least, since they were the best blacksmith of the Conjunction, they knew a lot about enchanting weaponry. She enjoyed the idea of being like 'Merlin the Enchanter', whoever that might be.

But, even after ten minutes of Nick frowning and focusing on his Cultivation, nothing happened. He could only breathe out a loud sigh before looking at the others. He knew precisely what his predicament meant, and even though the Grimoire said it was not as bad an outcome as the Magical Society deemed, he was still a bit disappointed. Ischyra guessed correctly :

- Wild magic.

- Yes …, he whispered.

- Why do you look so desperate ?, she asked, surprised. Only the short-sighted thinks of basic energy as shameful. I have seen magic duels ending through wild magic more times than I can count. It may not be as flashy or visually impressive as the others, but it is the most efficiency-focused of the bunch.

The Nexus of Minds saw different emotions passing in front of it, Rose's happiness, Enora's surprise and Nick's slight disappointment. They shared these feelings and went back to a calm and composed state, listening intently at what the barmaid had to say next.

- Well, that is a diverse group of students I have here., she smiled. I can teach you a bit about fire magic, but sorry, nothing I can do about the rest. Now, let's talk about payment.

The dreaded moment came at last : how much would a specialised magic tutoring cost ?

- Honestly, I don't care about your gems., shrugged she. They're uncut, so no way of knowing their quality. At least it would be too hazardous. As for favours, there may very well be something I would like, but I have doubts …

She looked at them with curious eyes, as if she was asking them something just by this gaze. It was uncomfortable, like being detailed from head to toe by a shameless stranger. Not able to take it anymore, Enora talked :

- What is that favour you have in mind ?

- I don't want to say, but trust me, it is not dangerous for any of you or anything. Quite the contrary. If you swear to, one day in the future, accept a small demand of mine, then I will teach you some things.

That was peculiar ! The three companions had a feeling that, even in this new world, it was not usual to ask something of a mage without explaining what it was exactly beforehand. Expecting them to swear with no knowledge of what was to come felt wrong. Or at least it should have if it were for other people. However, the ones concerned, the three humans, had gotten out of a deadly Trial in maze form not too long before. Paradoxically, danger and unknown were quite known to them.