Five Colors One Path

Melch stepped into the magic measuring room, his heart still pounding a bit. Dimly lit with glowing orbs in mid-air, their soft hum gave it an air of mystery. There was a weird cylindrical pillar right in the center of the room that was faintly glowing green. Around him, the rest of the participants seemed just about as tense as he was; some nervously whispered to each other.

A second-year student wearing the sharp blue uniform of Theoder Academy walked to the front of the room and clapped his hands for attention. "Alright, Everyone listen up. Each of you needs to grab one of the floating orbs with one hand and place your other hand on the pillar. Don't overthink it. The sooner you finish, the sooner you can leave."

Melch eyed the pillar curiously, for it looked off, almost alive. He had barely a moment to form a question before a girl's voice cut through the silence. "Um" she stammered, her face screwed up in distaste. "Is that. slime? Do we really have to touch this thing?"

"Yes." the second-year replied flatly. "This is a mana slime. It's harmless, but essential. It transfers mana into your body so we can accurately measure your affinity. Now stop complaining and get on with it."

Melch blinked in wonder. Slime? He had read about such in books but had never imagined he would see it used this way. As he hesitated, his mind wandered. If there's a slime king somewhere in this world, I absolutely have to meet him. Maybe even befriend him. He decided his New life's goal.

She groaned but finally pressed her hand against the pillar, her face a mask of distaste. Melch followed suit, grabbing an orb with one hand and placing his other hand on the slime's surface. It was cool and oddly squishy, like sticking his hand into a gelatin mold.

One by one, Orbs lit up around him as the participants completed the test. The first shone bright blue to signify water affinity, the second brown for earth, the third flashed between two colors- both green and blue- wind and water. The fourth also showed dual affinities, just like the previous one. A few of the participant's orbs didn't glow at all and the second-year handed them a golden liquid to drink before retrying.

Whispers began to circulate as the test continued. A fifth participant's orb glowed with three colors in it: green, brown, and blue. Then a sixth participant's orb displayed four colors: green, brown, red, and blue. The tension was tight in the room.

Finally, it seemed like Melch's orb started glowing one color after another: red, blue, brown, green, and finally black. Five colors. The room fell silent. All eyes turned to him in a mixture of curiosity and awe.

"That's rare." someone muttered under his breath.

Melch stepped back, his thoughts racing. Was this a good sign or a bad one? He left the room quietly and returned to where Galen was waiting.

Galen raised an eyebrow as Melch recounted the test. "Five affinities?" he repeated, shaking his head. "That's… unfortunate."

"Unfortunate?" Melch frowned. "How can it be bad to have more affinities?

"The more affinities you have, the harder it is to progress." Galen explained. "Someone with a single affinity can focus entirely on that element and advance quickly. But with multiple affinities, you'll need to master each one before moving forward. It's a slower, more arduous path. While your potential is greater, others with fewer affinities may surpass you in the short term."

Melch listened in silence, digesting this. He had never considered the possibility that the Academy would sift its students based on the speed of progress, not their potentials.

Meanwhile, Leif came and waited in the corner of a room, looking utterly unbothered after hearing what happened to Melch. His batch number finally called, he strolled into the room he was told to go with his usual carefree demeanor. His eyes settled on the glowing pillar, and a smirk crossed his face. A slime, really? This is what they're using for a big important test? Memories of his childhood training with Galen flooded his mind. Being thrown into forests full of slimes, snakes, and who knew what else had been his regular playmate. Compared to that, this test felt almost laughable.

Math, the second-year overseeing the test raised an eyebrow as Leif casually grabbed an orb. "You're awfully relaxed." Math said.

"Relaxed?" Leif grinned. "I'm just too lazy to worry."

As he placed his hand on the slime, the orb in his other hand glowed bright blue water affinity. Without waiting for further instructions, Leif let go and stepped back.

Water affinity." Math announced scribbling on his clipboard. "Wait a second. Lecturer Victoria wants to see you."

Leif raised an eyebrow but followed Math to a small stage where an poised woman with commanding presence waited. Her sharp eyes studied Leif and she nodded as he approached.

"You seem… unbothered." Victoria said her tone measured. "What are your plans for the future?

Leif chuckled. "Plans? I'm just here to keep my young master out of trouble. Babysitting, mostly."

Victoria raised an eyebrow. "Babysitting? That's… unexpected."

"Hey, it's an important job." Leif said with a shrug. "Someone's gotta make sure he doesn't walk into walls or set himself on fire."

Victoria looked like she was suppressing a smile. "Very well. You may leave.

As Leif turned to go, his grin widened. I can't wait to run into that red-haired guy from earlier. Imagine his face when he hears I aced this test too.

Outside, Melch was still sitting with Galen, lost in deep thought as before. Leif approached, looking smug. "Guess who's officially better than the young master?"

Melch groaned. "What now?"

"Single affinity, water." Leif declared dramatically. "I'm basically a prodigy. Meanwhile, you're over there with five colors. What are you, a festival lantern?"

Melch rolled his eyes. "Better to be a lantern than a glorified water fountain."

Before Leif could retort, Galen grabbed his ear and twisted it. "Enough." Galen said sternly. "Both of you. There are still more tests to prepare for."

"Ow, ow, ow! Okay, okay!" Leif yelped though he was clearly more amused than hurt. "Man, you're no fun."

The trio returned to their inn, where they settled down for the evening. Melch sat by the window staring out at the bustling streets of Rakllan. Despite the challenges ahead, he felt a growing determination. Each test was a hurdle but he was committed to overcoming them one by one.

Across the room, Leif sprawled on a chair his feet propped up on the table. "You know." Leif said breaking the silence, "this whole Academy thing? It's like one big game. And guess what? I'm the main character."

Melch didn't even look at him. "More like the comic relief."

Leif laughed, unbothered. "Hey, every great story needs one."

Galen sighed pinching the bridge of his nose. "Both of you, get some rest. You'll need it for the next test."

As the room quieted, Melch allowed himself a small smile. With Leif's antics and Galen's steady guidance the challenges ahead didn't seem quite as impossible as before. Together, they would face whatever came next.