Unknown Affinity

Standing still while looking outside into the 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 hand man's hand, a flat circle made of water appeared above the man's hand.

"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. His wise mind wasn't the reason For the his change in attitude, but rather his ability to instantly escape even if the man used his magic.

A deep breath in and out was heard through the cave. 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 not ordinary, and being the curious person that he was, he 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."

"I never did anything to obtain whatever this affinity is. How do you think I got it?"

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

Elijah was completely confused. However, the only option was to learn more by self experimentation. Firstly by using this affinity in any way possible. And secondly, using that data to figure out what element is being manipulated.

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, water.

"Well I feel like everything is on me to learn now, so I will leave now. 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?"

"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."

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

"Just you watch mystery man. This child 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 splashed his face. 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 a boy levitate, then fly into the whirlpool, he could help but stand up and yell.

"What the hell was that?!"

…

The sky was dark, and after peeking over the ledge of the Grand Park, he noticed it was exactly as he had remembered before jumping. Quiet. Elijah acted completely normal in his soaked brown and black cotton and leather clothing that seemed to be rather wet.

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 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.

"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 two 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 that a mysterious hooded man inhabited.

"You were gone for two whole days!!" We even had the guards looking for you!"

"I-I'm so sorry. I don't remember being gone for two 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.

Elijah can proudly say that he made a new friend, and after learning more about his aspiration, he felt an attachment to Novius.

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 it 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.

The ride back was many times more comfortable due to the carriage and driver George provided.

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. He spent all his time learning to keep up with himself, being intelligent, and dreaded starting from scratch.

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