Unknown Affinity

Standing still while peering outside into the torrential whirlpool, Elijah slowly turned around and asked in a serious tone, "what can you teach me?"

"A lot more than you think."

With the raise of the man's hand, a flat circle made of water materialized into thin air, creating a sense of curiosity in Elijah's mind.

"Focus, and move the mana out of your body and make this shape. I have no idea what your affinity will be, but this much should show us without any destruction."

Elijah was calmly listening to what the man said while beginning to realize this was the best possible path for him. Even if the tables were to be turned, his ability to instantly flee into the whirlpool was an option the mysterious man would never expect.

Sucking in a deep breath, Elijah stuck his hand out and moved the energy in his core outside his body. The process came naturally to Elijah. However, he was still disappointed.

"I felt the mana leave my body, but nothing happened."

"Are you sure nothing happened? Why don't you look closer."

The words of mystery shocked Elijah as he realized the air, or rather the space where he supposedly made a circle, was distorted.

"Wha-, what affinity is that?!"

"Hahaha, I have no idea myself, but it must be rather special."

Elijah knew what he saw was nothing close to ordinary, and being the curious person that he was – tried forming a long stick shape with his mana.

"How interesting, I can easily see it now. The air is distorted far more in the small area you conjured." The mysterious man stepped forward and stared curiously into the spell of magic.

"I never did anything to obtain whatever this affinity is. How do you think I got it?" Elijah asked without backing up.

"Well the only way to obtain an affinity is by absorbing one that is found within a mana crystal. These mana crystals can be found anywhere, even places outside of these walls."

Elijah was wildly confused. However, the only option was to learn more by self experimentation. Firstly, by using this affinity in every way possible. And secondly, using that data to figure out what element is being manipulated – even when he already has a clue.

Elements are the only things that can be manipulated with mana, and now, that obviously does not include the basic physical elements like fire, earth, air, and water.

"Well I feel like everything is on me to learn now, so I will leave… But first, I have a simple question."

The hooded man became intrigued by a simple question because as of now, the impression this kid made was far different and abnormal to how any child would act. "Ask away."

"Why does the whirlpool flow the way it does?"

It took some time for the question to fully sink in, but eventually his head began turning while clutching his shadowed chin. "Are you thinking that whirlpools should not flow the way the one under Centerpool flows?"

"I can't tell you."

The conversation turned into a "but if" argument that was ended by a single sentence.

"The water is coming from what is beneath the whirlpool."

'If the water was coming from somewhere magical, that would explain the way it flows. However, the river in the north would then have to flow upstream. Unless we are directly on the equator while also being at a higher elevation.'

"Thank you for the information, help, and for not killing me. I will be leaving now…" Elijah slowly made his way to the gaping hole with a torrential current of water brushing past it. The cold sensation of the droplets of water gave him a small boost in energy, and caused the hairs underneath his already soaked clothes to stand all the way up.

"You sure are odd for a kid, especially when you are thinking about swimming in that…"

Elijah turned his head around to reveal a confident smile. "Just you watch mystery man. This kid might just blow your mind."

Elijah walked toward the edge of the cave that had a perfect outlook of the torrential whirlpool before him. The wet water drops of the violent whirlpool splashing against his face more violently than before. After relishing his new knowledge, Elijah lifted off the ground.

WHOOSH!

A small splash of water fell onto the ground after a big breath was taken. The moment the hooded man saw the boy levitate, then fly into the whirlpool – he could help but stand back up from astonishment.

"What in the godsl was that?!"

…

Scattered stars blanketed the night sky, and after peeking over the ledge of the Grand Park, he noticed it was exactly as he had remembered before jumping to his potential death. Nonchalantly, Elijah acted completely normal in his soaked brown and black cotton and leather clothing that created odd noises in his pelvic region with every stride he took.

Walking through the silent streets was a peaceful sight, and reminded him of his early days of going for night walks in a tree filled environment. Only this time, fantastical yet simplistic buildings were everywhere. Romantic details that didn't just make the building pop, but the streets as well.

Unfortunately the peace and quiet was broken by screams.

"Elijah! Elijah! Where have you been?!" Don was running towards Elijah with a horribly worried expression. His messy hair and unbuttoned clothes proved his uneasiness.

Elijah responded calmly while only slightly backing up from confusion. "I'm sorry, I just wanted to see the city at night."

Don was flabbergasted by his response. "So you decided to walk around the city for three whole days!?"

"What?!"

Elijah felt that everything was completely normal. However, the events that occurred were nothing like it. Being forcibly pulled into a whirlpool with distorted and familiar voices that he couldn't quite remember, and waking up in a cave underneath the inner city where a mysterious and ominous man called his home…

"You were gone for three whole days!! You missed the send off with Richter and even had the guards looking for you!" Don grasped the shoulders of his son.

"I-I'm so sorry. I don't remember being gone for three days. Only a couple of hours…"

Elijah played the confused child card as he looked down at the ground. Since everything was resolved, he returned to the manor and was immediately told to eat food. Elijah did not complain once, because his stomach felt completely empty.

Over the last two days of his visit to the Weltor Estate, Elijah mostly visited with Novius.

Furthermore, because of his constant interactions, he can proudly say that he made a new friend. And after learning more about his aspirations, he felt an attachment to Novius – one that felt like a true bond made through the similarities and differences of their characters.

This world was full of powerful people, and being a solo player won't cut it. To truly be powerful, you need to have powerful friends. Not to mention, there is something about having people you enjoy around you that makes life that much more interesting.

Instead of building connections with people who are successful, Elijah is building meaningful relationships with people who are powerful, or will be powerful in the future.

Solemn goodbyes were exchanged before they loaded into their rugged and open carriage compared to the magnificent covered and blue pigmented carriage sitting in the carriage court of the Weltor estate.

So many questions had been answered while many more showed up, which intrigued Elijah and gave him a sense of anticipation. 

The whirlpool shooting water into both rivers that flow northeast and southwest made sense now. However, it seemed almost impossible for the whirlpool to send water up an incline, even though that was the case. 

What if on the opposite side of the earth, there was a place just like this, except for the fact that the water was flowing into the center and appearing on the opposite side of the earth. That surely wouldn't be possible without magic.

Elijah knew his objectives. Learn about his affinity, and work on his physical body. 

'My life was too easy in the past. I guess this is a fresh start, and an opportunity to get ahead in life.'