Lightning Affinity [1]

Passing through the large wooden doors I was met with a familiar smell. The scent reminded me of all the times I had to cram before a big test. The biggest difference, though, was that if before it had felt like a chore and a burden, this time it felt like an adventure.

I had just entered the public academy library, my vision full of what seemed to be endless rows of shelves filled with books and scrolls.

There were several different libraries spread out on the grounds, but most were regulated relative to what courses a student had chosen to attend. Even though it could be said to be self-explanatory, it would be impossible for a student to become knowledgeable and proficient in every single subject. Therefore they would not have any need to be able to visit the more specific wells of knowledge. A swordsman wouldn't need to read about the theory behind creating a swarm of arrows. This solution led to a situation where they could keep the texts cleanly sorted, as well as to avoid unnecessary swarms of people walking around the libraries just to still their curiosities. The public library held a broader, but shallower, selection of literature as well as texts more inclined towards beginners.

As for why I was here, I was trying to find something which could guide me in converting mana into my elements. As stated before, I had a nagging feeling that something was weird with my affinities. Although I could sense I had the right approach I figured I might as well try to find some more tried directions.

Walking to the large counter, I looked at the brown-haired librarian sitting behind it, staring intently at her computer screen. Although she looked a bit older than my age, I guessed she started working at the library right after she finished her academy years.

"Hi, could I steal a moment of your time?"

Flinching at the sudden question, she turned her head and met my gaze.

"Oh, are you lost? Did you get lost following your sibling to the academy?"

...

*Haaa*

'Alright, deep breaths Miren. She is just trying to be nice...'

"Haha... No, I am actually a student here. I will be an official freshman next semester."

With a forced smile, I showed her my student ID before she could refute my statement. With her face crumbling she hastily apologized.

"Oh my! I'm so sorry!"

With an apologetic look on her face, she bowed her head down.

"No, it's okay. This happens a lot, unfortunately. I have gotten quite used to it at this point"

'Although it still pisses me off immensely!'

"I see... So you must be the gluttonous child that can only be seen during dinner time at the cafeteria. So, what did you need assistance with?'

"Well, the thing is... I need to find some sort of book presenting the process of finding out one's elemental affinities. If possible something easy to read."

'Thankfully the universal language of this world is the same English as in my old world, although it might not have mattered when considering my life as Miren'

While I was making conjectures in my mind the taller girl had stood up and seemed to be thinking hard.

"Hmm, I think the only literature we have is at least semi-advanced. As it is an elite academy, there has been no need for lower-level scriptures. I think what you are looking for is somewhere on D-24."

Ponting with her arm towards a row with the letter D she let me go on my way with a warm smile.

'D-24, d-24..'

Walking through the long makeshift hall between the shelves I soon found the right one. Looking up and down at all the different books, I figured this would take some time. Taking my time inspecting and reading all the different backs I got to work.

***

An hour later I finally found it. A thick book with a blue spine. On the back, I could read the title of it written in silver letters.

[An introduction to the personal elements]

Although it took less time than I had prepared for, I still couldn't be fully happy about my find. Feeling as if the world was laughing at me, I looked up at the book.

'Why does it have to be on the top shelf?! Can't I just get one day without being reminded about my height?'

Dejectedly, I thought about my options. Although there was no chance of me reaching it even standing on my tip-toes I could easily jump to it, but chances are I wouldn't be able to keep the sounds down. As a precaution, I had already made up my mind by being a proper model student to minimize the chances of getting caught in trouble. So making a ruckus in one of the most renowned libraries in the whole district was a strict no.

My face got a shade darker when my mind made the most logical conclusion.

'I will have to ask for help...'

Walking back towards the counter, with my head down in defeat, I once more stood in front of the gentle, brown-haired girl. As she saw me her lips turned and she opened her mouth.

"Oh, you are back? Did you not find the book after all? If you want I can help you look for it."

With an angelic smile she offered me a solution to a non-existing problem, I knew very well where the manual was. Feeling as if tears were forming in my eyes I chose to swallow my pride and asked her.

"Well, I found the book... It's just that..."

*...*

"Hmm? Just that?"

'I DON'T WANT TO! WHY DO I HAVE TO ASK A GIRL WHO SEEMS TO BE HALF MY MENTAL AGE FOR HELP!'

*Fuuuuuee*

With a sigh I started talking again, once again resolving myself to find a solution to my chronic condition. With a low voice, I spoke quickly.

"Icantreachit."

"Sorry, I couldn't quite hear you. What did you say?"

"I CAN'T REACH IT!"

....

After my impulsive shout, we both got quiet. As if all the sounds in the world had gotten erased we looked at each other for what seemed to be an eternity, although it was probably a couple of seconds at most.

"Oh! So... You want me to help you take it down from the shelf?"

Still keeping her bright smile she answered me, with a face looking as if I hadn't acted like a little kid just now. She stood up, looked down at me, and gently nodded as a way of letting me know I would lead the way.

'Is she an angel?'

While thinking about how nice it would be to make the saint behind me my wife, we quickly made our way back to the right bookstall. After I showed her what book I wanted she stood on her tip-toes, stretched her arms up, and brought it down for me. Now, holding the book in my hands I could clearly see the elegant book before me.

Looking back up towards the girl I smiled and bowed lightly.

"Thank you!"

"Oh no, my job is to help students after all. If I wouldn't help with such a small matter I couldn't call myself a librarian, now could I?"

Seemingly flustered, with a flushed face she waved her arms and tried to dismiss it as a part of her work.

"Well, I still want to give my thanks, even if it is your job I still appreciate it."

With the girl's face still being lit up with a slight tint of red we made our way back to the counter while making some uninteresting small talk. When we got there she swiftly registered the book in my name by swiping my student ID in a card reader connected to the computer.

Thanking her once again, I turned around and slowly walked towards the exit while flipping through the pages of my newly acquired ticket to elemental mastery. As I got close to the door I heard a voice behind me, making me turn around.

"Wait! I forgot to ask, what's your name?"

"Ah, right. My name is Miren Portner."

"It was nice meeting you Miren. If you need any help in the future, my name is Johanna Trent. Please don't hesitate to find me if needed."

***

As I sat in the corner of the cafeteria, enjoying a cup of post-dinner cup of coffee, I had found the relevant chapter related to my concerns. Reading the text in front of me it said:

[The ways of unlocking your affinities are all individual. While some might awaken their elements by meditating, some find them by practical use of mana. As seen by looking at the 5 ruling families, although there are standard procedures to get in touch with your elements, one must search for their own path. The standard procedures often involve meditating, with trying to feel the characteristics of your affinity. A fire user might feel heat, a wind user would start to feel his hair flutter, and so forth. In the case of a dual affinity one might feel multiple different sensations, with the basis of these still being in line with their basic elements.]

One part of my inquiries had been answered. I was, indeed, on the right path as I had been able to induce a reaction coherent to my element. The problem was that the reaction wasn't based on any of the basic elements. If I did inhabit both the wind and fire element in order to produce lightning, I would have most likely felt warm and been surrounded by whispers of air. Instead, it was as if the only affinity I had was of pure lightning, something that according to the literature should have been impossible, or at the very least something not recorded thus far.

My strength was thinking fast and efficiently, not producing mind-boggling breakthroughs in the world of science or magic. Finishing my coffee I closed the book and started making my way back to my room. As I couldn't expect my, although a bit above average, brain to suddenly have a eureka moment, I decided I would have to test my theory in practice instead.