Unravel

It was hard to believe. The quest post said two years. Ark could not believe his own eyes. He gulped hard, everything seemed to slow down. A lot of things came running through his mind. They were all in the room together at the same time. He was in shock.

Ivy came running out with a medium-sized back between her hands, struggling to hold it up to the counter.

"Here you go! One top-notch starter kit." Ivy looked at Ark, proud. Her happy expression, however, quickly turned to worry.

"Is there anything wrong with the quests?" She asked.

Ark, who was still frozen, broke out of his trance. "Nothing, nothing is wrong with them."

Even though he said that, the thought still raced in his mind. There is no way that it was the same every that was mentioned. But it dreaded him that it could be a possibility.

"Don't be so glum! Even if you can't find a D-rank quest on there, I have some reserved quests. I just need you to give some info."

Ark looks over to see Ivy bringing up a battered, old book. Dust flew from the object as she placed it on the counter with a thud. Ark walked over, wondering what info he was required to give.

Ivy took out a quill and dipped it in ink. "I need to ask for your full name."

Ark looked at her. "Oh, it's one of those things," he thought.

"Ark. Ark Ledle," Ark told her. Her eyebrows widened.

"Pretty peculiar name, you must be from another kingdom." Ivy smiled and chuckled. Ark just laughed along.

"And, of course, I will just put your newbie status hereee," Ivy said, putting a bunch of information on the book. "I just need you to state your magical affinity."

She looked at Ark for an answer. Ark, however, didn't know what to say. He saw that the quests required an affinity, he just didn't know if he even has any.

"I-I don't actually know... what I-," He stuttered, going red.

Ivy just chuckled again. "Don't worry! We just need a Magenus to identify your affinity. Follow me." Ivy ordered, cheerfully.

Ark obediently followed her to a door behind the counter. It was dark, with only a candle lighting the corridor. In the end, they came to a secluded door. Strangely, it was a bit tiny for a door. Ivy leaned and knocked violently.

"GROP! I got someone you need to scan!" Ivy shouted. Just as she shouted, beyond the door sounded like chaos. Her shouting startled someone inside.

"Ivy! Ye' cheeky lil-," A gruff voice grumbled behind the door. Ivy could only chuckle, again. Within a second, she grabbed Ark's arm and barged in without consent.

Ark's eyes widened in awe. The room he entered was mesmerizing, to say the least. The room, dark and small, was lit up with candles of a purplish hue. The wooden floor, while battered, was sparkling like the night sky. Books, Tomes, and scrolls filled old, dusty shelves. They smelled cool and musty at the same time.

"Could ye' stop that bloody knockin'?!" Called an angry voice behind a tall stack of books. Ivy giggled.

"Sorry for that, Grop, but I have a customer that needs scanning." Ivy grinned, looking at Ark, who in turn, smiled awkwardly.

The voice, now known as Grop, only groaned. "Scannin'?! I thought you folks don't need that no more?"

"Well, this person does, now get over here!" She exclaimed. Grop returned the remark with a resounding grunt. As Grop showed himself to the two, Ark couldn't help but stare. The little creature in front of him looked at him with intensity, fur and whiskers described his entirety. Almost...

A stout cat in human clothing.

"This is the rascal?" Grop pointed at Ark. Ivy nodded in response.

"Yep, we need to know his affinity. That way, he could start taking quests."

Grop observed Ark thoroughly.

"Yer' not from around here, are ya' lad?" Grop said, gesturing for Ark's hand.

"Yes... sir." Ark replied, as the Magenus grab hold of his appendage.

Grop seemingly massaged Ark's hand and it made him a bit uncomfortable. Grop sensed his discomfort. "I can't read that Core of yer's if you don't relax."

"Core?" Ark asked. ivy had to step in as Grop continued with his work.

"Oh, in all living creatures, resides a magical, ethereal core full of replenishing magic. As it sustains and continues to create magic, we can also use that magic to control and even use certain elements." She explained.

"That's amazing." Ark remarked. "So does that mean... I can use it as well?"

Ivy nodded. "Sure do!"

"Yes, yes. But not always." Grop interrupted. Ark glanced at Grop.

"What do you mean, 'not always'?"

"Ah you see," Ivy began. "Inside a mother's womb, a baby's core is empty and needs to be filled. Thus, magic automatically wants to occupy it. Some sort of magnet."

Then Ivy frowned. "But, there is an anomaly that happens where a core can suddenly close, therefore, not letting any more magic in. The magic that did get inside cannot sustain itself and then eventually dies out. Without it, a core then becomes a husk - an empty space of wasted potential." Then her face immediately lights up.

"I mean, what do I know about it." Ivy said, laughing.

"Aaaand, that's done!" Grop shouted. Ark and Ivy turned to look at him. "So? What is his affinity?"

Grop let go of Ark's hand and looked at him. "You... are one lucky fella'!"

"I sensed the affinity of earth and water in ya'" Grop told him. Ivy clapped. "Really useful affinities!"

Ark looked back at Grop. "Thank you so much!"

"Come, let us go the front again and put your affinities in the book." Ivy told him. As they were about to leave, Grop cleared his throat. Both Ark and Ivy glanced back at him. Grop stared at Ivy and gestured her to stay.

"Ah, you can just go ahead to the front. I'll meet you there." Ivy told Ark.

"Alright."

As Ark went out of the room, Ivy closed the door and stood in front of Grop. "What is this all about?" She asked.

"That kid. Send him to the capital. I can sense another affinity inside of 'em." Grop said.

"Eh? Then why didn't you detect it?"

"Ivy, lass, I'm too old. I cannot read and reach people's cores as I did in the past." Grop explained. "And that kid... he has too much magic in his core."