Chapter 1

"Focus, Fynathir." The voice was calm yet stern. Calion, a lanky but lean male elf, was instructing me. If you asked me to describe him more, I could only share what I've been told: he has long platinum hair and green eyes. But I can't say I know what he looks like—not in the way most people would. I was born blind.

Except, I can still see—though it's not what you might expect.

I can sense mana. The mana in the air, the mana in people, in objects—it's all around me. Each thing, each person, has their own color. The colors shift depending on the nature of the object or the element of the magic being gathered, or a person's own mana. I've noticed that each person has a unique shade. By how their mana shifts, I can even tell what emotions they're feeling.

But now, Calion is instructing me on how to expand my mana sense—to see beyond the small radius I've learned to feel. He's teaching me how to stretch my awareness, to perceive mana from farther away, and to understand its flow in ways I've never been able to before.

"Now, Fynathir, what is the farthest thing you can see with your mana sense?" Calion asked, a hint of intrigue in his voice.

My mana sense is a strange ability, even among the elves. When I first explained what I could see, Calion was shocked. He told me that normal mana sense only allows one to feel the flow of mana within themselves and detect nearby spellcasting—yet for some reason, I could perceive far more.

I took a slow breath and pushed my awareness outward. Like ripples spreading across a still pond, my mana sense expanded beyond the classroom walls, flowing through the wood and stone with ease. The city unfolded in my mind in shades of luminous energy, swirling colors painting the world around me.

Forty meters out, I could see the silhouettes of elves moving through the streets, each glowing with different hues—some bright and vivid, others muted and subdued. But one stood out immediately. A color I had come to know well, warm and familiar. A soft pink, like cherry blossoms drifting on the wind.

Elara.

Most elves were wary of bringing a human into their kingdom. But because of my condition—and at the behest of the one who found me, Aelindra, a member of the council of elders—I was granted leniency and allowed to stay until I was old enough to be sent to a human academy.

Few elves spoke to me. Many kept their distance, uncertain or perhaps unwilling to accept my presence. At six years old, before I had proper control over my mana sense, I often stumbled and fell, struggling to navigate the world around me.

One day, after a particularly nasty fall, I heard her voice for the first time.

"Are you okay?"

The words were simple, but to me, they were everything.

That moment marked the beginning of our friendship, and now, five years later, my training has paid off in ways I never imagined.

"I can sense about 40 meters away now. I also happen to perceive Elara heading toward this classroom," I answered.

Calion's colors shifted—surprise, then admiration. "Very good. That's five meters of improvement from our last class."

Calion rarely gave praise, and for a moment, warmth bloomed in my chest. Every hour of training, every exhausted night—it was all worth it. I couldn't help but smile.

"Fynathir, you need to focus on growing your mana core," Calion continued. "The more mana your body can hold, the longer you'll last in a fight. Train every day. I expect improvement in your mana sense by our next session. Until then, you're dismissed."

"Thank you, sir. I will continue my training." I bowed my head, grabbed my bag and cane, then headed out of the classroom.

As I stepped onto the streets of Sylvandor, I let my mana sense fade, the vibrant colors of the world dimming. A deep breath. Now, I could focus on replenishing my core.

"Hey, Fyn!" Elara's voice rang out, bright and familiar.

"Did you just finish your class with Calion?" she asked.

"Hello, Elara. Yeah, he just dismissed me."

Before I could say more, she grabbed my arm and started leading me down the street.

"Good. We both have combat training with Vaerion next, and I figured you could use someone to help you get to the training grounds since your mana's probably drained," she said.

As always, she knew I'd need assistance finding my way. You'd think that after all this time, I'd have learned to navigate the kingdom on my own, but using mana sense had its drawbacks. With elves—and most races, really—rarely having anyone born blind, there wasn't much guidance on how to move through a world designed for the sighted. Without my mana sense active, avoiding people and obstacles became a challenge.

"So when do you think we'll finally get to learn what magic we were born with?" Elara asked.

It was a good question. When we first started training, Vaerion had made one thing clear—never rely on magic alone. He believed that those who used spells as their only weapon would be helpless in a fight without mana. A warrior needed a solid foundation in physical combat first.

"I'd say once we pass Vaerion's final test," I answered.

At our last training session, Vaerion had admitted he was impressed with our progress. He'd promised that once we passed his final challenge, we'd begin learning spells.

"I hope it's soon. I'm getting bored of using daggers every day," she said with a sigh.

Bored was an understatement. Elara didn't just win sparring matches—she dominated them. Her lightning-fast strikes and seamless dagger combos made her nearly impossible to defend against. Most trainees didn't last twenty seconds against her.

I, however, struggled from time to time. Vaerion had me switch between using my mana sense and fighting without it during spars, forcing me to adapt. He had given me extra tutoring, teaching me the fundamentals of fighting completely blind.

The first lesson: focus on hearing—every footstep, every shift in stance, every breath my opponent took. The second: rely on defense and counterattacks, letting my opponent make the first move and striking only when I was certain.

It took an incredible amount of focus and determination, but the results were showing. I won all my spars when using mana sense—and a little over half without it.

"I'm almost dreading learning spells," I admitted with a sigh. "With spells comes consuming mana, and with consuming mana comes me being blind until I can recover."

Elara nudged me playfully. "Well, look on the bright side. When you discover what kind you can use, you'll maybe be able to use the kind of magic your mother could use."

That thought lifted my spirits—if only a little.

Aelindra had told me the story herself. While leading an expedition to locate a dungeon, she and her group had come across a man in armor, his blade raised, ready to strike down my mother. One of her companions loosed an arrow before he could land the blow, and Aelindra rushed to her side. But by then, it was already too late—my mother was in labor.

I was born in the forest that night. She never survived long enough to tell Aelindra her name, nor to give me mine.

Aelindra always told me I resemble her greatly—her dark hair, her complexion, echoes of a woman I would never know. Every year, without fail, she took me to visit her grave.

"Yeah I can't deny that." I replied, already cheering up. 

We continued chatting as we made our way to the training grounds. Once there, we lined up with the other trainees. I could hear footsteps approach and stop in front of us.

Vaerion's voice rang out, clear and commanding. "Good afternoon. Today, we are doing something a little different. As some of you may have suspected, you'll all be taking the final test for basic combat training."

Excited murmurs rippled through the group.

"Quiet down," Vaerion ordered, and the chatter died instantly. "I know you're all eager, but don't get ahead of yourselves. You still need to pass this test. I've brought in some special proctors to help with this, and I'll demonstrate what you need to do to earn a passing grade."

That was new. Vaerion had brought in others to assist with training before, but never for a test.

"Now, I'd like you to meet your proctors," Vaerion announced.

I activated my mana sense, wanting to at least get a sense of who they were. Two elven silhouettes of mana approached and stood beside Vaerion. I couldn't identify them from the colors alone, so I breathed deeply and deactivated my mana sense.

When they spoke, I began to sweat.

"Hello, all. My name is Valeris, and this is Lathai. We are adventurers from the Verdant Hunt guild."

Actual adventurers. And from a guild, no less.

Adventurers were the heroes of this world. They risked their lives fighting in dungeons, ensuring that monsters didn't escape and wreak havoc. Guilds took in both adventurers and merchants, organizing missions and managing the dangers that came with dungeon exploration.

No one knew how the dungeons came to be or why they existed, but the guilds had made it their duty to explore and clear them.

And now, two of those adventurers were here—to test us in combat.

This wasn't going to be easy.

"Now, I know some of you must be nervous, but don't lose hope just yet," Vaerion announced. "Let me explain the test."

He let the words settle before continuing.

"For this trial, you will spar against Lathai, the vanguard of his guild party. Your goal is simple—land a single hit on him. Even if you fail to do so, that does not mean you automatically fail the test."

Murmurs spread through the group.

"Lathai will not use magic and will hold back most of his strength. The spar will last three minutes. Whether you land a hit or time runs out, the match will end. Afterward, both Lathai and I will give you a score out of 50. To pass, you must earn a combined score of 70 or more."

At least it wasn't impossible to pass.

Vaerion continued, "After receiving your scores, those who pass will move on to Valeris, the mage of her guild party. She will conduct your magical ability test and assess your mana core grade."

That got an immediate reaction. Excited whispers spread through the trainees like wildfire.

"Now, who would like to go first?" Vaerion asked.

Elara didn't hesitate. "Me first! I'm ready to start my magic training!" she shouted, her voice bursting with excitement.

Her footsteps were light, almost skipping as she moved to the starting area.

I didn't want to miss this. Taking a steady breath, I focused my mana, drawing it from my core. As the energy flowed through me, I activated my mana sense.

Colors flared to life in my vision. Elara and Lathai stood on opposite sides of the small arena, their mana illuminating their forms. Elara's silhouette radiated in vibrant pink, pulsing with excitement. Lathai's, like most elves, was a composed shade of green, his mana still and controlled—calm, prepared for anything.

Vaerion stood with us trainees at the arena's edge, ready to declare the match.

"Are both combatants ready?" he asked, his gaze shifting between Elara and Lathai.

They both nodded.

"Begin!"

Elara wasted no time. She surged forward, twin sparring daggers flashing as she launched into her assault. Her movements were fluid and relentless, each strike aimed at an opening before it could close.

Lathai was caught off guard—if only for a moment. He clearly hadn't expected such combat prowess from an eleven-year-old. Forced onto the defensive, he deflected her rapid strikes with his sparring sword, each block precise but tested by her speed.

For a full minute, he analyzed her pattern, adjusting to the flow of battle. Then, his stance shifted. His counterattack came swift and unrelenting—a storm of strikes meant to push Elara back.

It was rare to see Elara on the defensive. Her pink mana wavered, flickering with uncertainty—until, suddenly, it steadied. She had a plan.

Her silhouette darted backward, putting distance between herself and Lathai. Then, with a swift motion, she hurled one of her training daggers straight at his upper body as she dashed in.

Lathai reacted instantly, his practice sword rising to deflect the projectile. But just as his blade connected, Elara let her second dagger fly—aimed at nearly the same spot.

His mana flared in surprise. He barely had time to adjust his sword and deflect the second dagger, the force of the impact slightly shifting his stance.

That was all the opening Elara needed.

As the first dagger tumbled from the deflection, she caught it midair and made a swift, controlled strike across Lathai's torso.

2 minutes, 23 seconds.

Elara had landed a clean hit.

For a moment, silence filled the training grounds. Then, murmurs rippled through the trainees.

Lathai looked down at where her strike had landed before offering a nod of approval. "Impressive. You saw an opportunity and took it without hesitation. Quick thinking and precise execution."

Elara grinned, slightly out of breath but clearly proud. "Told you I was ready!"

Vaerion, standing nearby with his arms crossed, gave a firm nod. "A well-earned strike. But remember, landing a hit is only part of the challenge. Control and awareness matter just as much. Don't become overconfident."

Elara gave an exaggerated salute. "Yes, sir!"

The other trainees exchanged glances, some whispering among themselves. If Elara had managed to succeed against an experienced adventurer, what did that mean for the rest of them?

I exhaled slowly. If this was the standard, the test was going to be even more difficult than I had thought.

Elara made her way over to stand beside me, practically vibrating with excitement. A prodigy through and through, she had worked hard to earn that victory. Even though Lathai hadn't used his full strength, she had still managed to land a hit on a seasoned adventurer—no small feat.

"That was incredible," I told her, still processing what I had just witnessed. "I didn't expect you to throw both of your daggers just to retrieve the first."

She grinned. "That's exactly why I did it. No one sees it coming."

"Are you going to try next?" she asked, her tone light but curious.

I hesitated, weighing my options.

"I'll wait a few rounds first," I said after a moment. "I want to observe with my mana sense, then give myself time to recover and plan out a strategy before stepping in."

Physically, as a human, I wasn't too different from the elves. But if I compared myself to Elara, it was clear—she was faster. My strength, on the other hand, was at least on par with hers, if not greater.

It would all come down to my mana sense and how well I could use it to my advantage.

The next few rounds went as expected. The trainees gave it their all, but none managed to land a hit. Lathai spent most of the spars on the defensive, giving them a chance to showcase their skills and earn as many points as possible.

I took a slow breath and closed off my mana sense. This was going to be anything but easy. If I wanted a real chance at success, I needed a strategy that would work.

Tuning out the sounds of combat around me, I ran through potential scenarios in my mind, simulating the fight dozens of times. No matter how I played it out, the best option remained the same—I would have to rely on defense and counterattacks, just as I had trained.

By the time the next match ended, I had regained enough mana to last through my test.

Vaerion's voice rang out. "Who's next?"

I stepped forward without hesitation. "I will, sir!"

Vaerion gave a nod of approval, and I quickly made my way to my starting position in the arena.

For the first time, Lathai addressed me directly. "Don't worry. I've heard about your situation. Since your mana sense functions much like normal sight, I won't hold back any more than I did for the others—if you're alright with that."

I nodded. "I appreciate your guidance."

Reaching inward, I drew mana from my core, willing it to the surface. A familiar warmth spread through me as my mana sense activated, colors flaring to life in my vision.

I exhaled slowly, steadying myself. Then, drawing my sword, I settled into a defensive stance, ready for the fight ahead.

"Are both combatants ready?" Vaerion's voice rang out.

Lathai and I both nodded.

"Begin!"

I focused on Lathai's silhouette, watching, waiting. Neither of us moved at first, each studying the other, anticipating the first strike.

Ten seconds passed.

Realizing I wouldn't make the first move, Lathai took the initiative. His mana silhouette flared as he dashed forward, closing the distance in an instant. His blade cut toward my right—I saw it clearly through my mana sense.

I reacted instantly, shifting my sword into position and parrying the strike with a sharp clang of metal. The moment our weapons separated, I retaliated with a quick counter.

Lathai dodged, smoothly pivoting to my open side and responding with his own strike.

I barely turned my blade in time to deflect it.

The rhythm of the fight set in—strike, parry, counter, dodge. Over and over, our weapons clashed, neither of us landing a clean hit.

Thirty seconds passed in a blur of movement, each exchange testing the limits of my reflexes.

Lathai seemed impressed with my defense—I could see it in the subtle shifts of his mana. But as he prepared his next attack, something felt off.

His mana flickered in a way I had only ever seen when someone was lying. But he wasn't speaking.

He's feinting!

I realized it just as I moved to block. My sword was already in motion—but so was his.

Too late.

I couldn't parry in time, so I threw myself into a dive, rolling out of the way just as his blade cut through the space I had occupied a second before.

"Very nice reflexes. I didn't think you'd catch my feint," Lathai remarked, his tone carrying a hint of approval.

But he didn't give me time to respond.

He rushed forward, unleashing a relentless flurry of strikes. This time, he wove in more feints, trying to throw me off balance. But now that I could read the shifts in his mana, they were easier to decipher.

I decided to use that to my advantage.

Instead of reacting immediately, I deliberately hesitated on some of his feints, making it seem as though I was falling for them. If I could lull him into thinking I was losing ground, he might leave an opening.

One minute left.

I had a plan. Now, I just had to execute it.

Lathai's barrage of attacks seemed endless. I waited, watching his mana carefully, anticipating the next feint.

And there it was—the familiar shift.

Instead of feigning a parry this time, I dove in, sword raised to strike.

But I only hit air.

Before I could react, I felt the sharp thud of his blunted sparring blade slam into my side. My vision blurred as I collapsed to the ground, breath knocked out of me.

I looked up to see the tip of Lathai's sword hovering inches from my chest. I had lost.

Slowly, I pushed myself to my feet, nodding my head in gratitude. "Thank you for the spar," I said.

Then, curiosity got the best of me. "What happened? I saw you feinting, but then... you were gone?"

Lathai lowered his sword, a hint of a smile on his face. "Sorry about that. I figured you were picking up on my feints when you started reacting slower, so I decided to feint the feint and attack from the side."

Lathai demonstrated again, his movements sharp as ever, while my mana sense remained active. I watched closely, observing the usual shift in his mana for the feint. But this time, something caught my attention.

An image imprint lingered in the air—a faint silhouette of his mana, moving to the side, just as I'd seen during the attack.

That was new. I hadn't realized I could sense the traces of where someone had been.

"Thank you for your guidance," I said, nodding in gratitude. "I'm grateful to learn something new with my mana sense."

I'd need to let Calion know about this breakthrough. If I could incorporate this ability into my training, it might open up new ways to refine my combat sense.

I hurried back to the sideline of the arena, where Elara was waiting.

"That was amazing!" she said with a bright smile. "I could only catch his first few feints before losing track, but you lasted two minutes and thirty-five seconds! You're the first one to make him end the spar himself, rather than running out the time."

Her words lifted my spirits. Elara always knew exactly what to say to improve my mood, no matter the situation.

This is a strong continuation, with a good balance of structure, feedback, and character interaction. Here's a refined version with smoother flow, better pacing, and clearer dialogue formatting:

After another hour or so, all the trainees had completed their exams. Vaerion had us line up in front of him and Lathai to receive our scores.

Elara, eager as ever, grabbed my arm and pulled me along so we'd be the first to receive our grades.

Vaerion crossed his arms, nodding toward her. "Elara, as always, an excellent display of both combat skill and tactical awareness. I'm awarding you 45 points. I deducted five points for throwing both of your weapons and leaving yourself unarmed. Even though you managed to recover them today, it's not a technique I'd recommend in a real life-or-death battle."

Lathai spoke next. "I'm giving you 40 points. Aside from what Vaerion mentioned, your defense still needs improvement. A strong offense isn't always the best defense."

Vaerion nodded in agreement. "With that, you have a total of 85 points. You've passed the final test. You may head over to Valeris to receive your mana core grade and take your magical ability test. Well done."

Elara's silhouette practically glowed with excitement. She gave a quick nod before heading over to Valeris, but she didn't go far—waiting just out of earshot, eager to see my results so we could witness each other's mana tests together.

"Fynathir, you did an excellent job applying the strategy I taught you," Vaerion said. "However, it seems you've discovered something new about your mana sense—something you'll need to train before you can fully rely on it. I'm awarding you 37 points."

Lathai nodded. "Just as Vaerion said, you'll need to refine that sense of yours. But what you demonstrated today was truly impressive. I'll give you 35 points."

Vaerion gave a final nod. "Congratulations, Fynathir. That brings your total score to 72. You pass. You may follow Elara to receive your mana core grade and take your magical ability test."

Relief washed over me, the tension in my shoulders finally easing. I had done it. My score wasn't the highest, but I had passed—and more importantly, I had learned something new.

I bowed my head in gratitude. "Thank you both for your guidance."

Then, without hesitation, I ran over to join Elara, eager to see what came next.

This is a great continuation with nice character interactions! I've refined it for smoother flow, clearer dialogue formatting, and a bit more emotional depth.

Elara practically radiated joy. "I knew you would pass! Hurry, I want to know what our elements are!"

As always, she grabbed my arm and pulled me along, leading me over to Valeris. Her mana shimmered in a flowing bluish-green, calm yet steady.

As we approached, Valeris greeted us with a nod. "Congratulations. Which one of you would like to go first?"

Before Elara could answer, I spoke up. "She will." I nudged her forward.

Her silhouette turned toward me, and from the way her mana shifted, I could feel the pout she was giving me. She had wanted to speak first.

But just as quickly, her energy flickered back to its usual sparks of excitement. With renewed enthusiasm, she stepped up to Valeris, ready for whatever came next.

Valeris stood before us, her hands folded calmly as she began to speak. "Magic is unique to everyone, and it manifests in different forms. There are six basic elements of magic—each tied to the natural forces of the world. These are fire, water, air, earth, lightning, and ice. Each element has its own strengths and characteristics, shaping how it can be used in combat, crafting, or healing."

She paused, her gaze moving between Elara and me, a steady current of mana flowing around her. "However, there are also two rare elements—light and dark. These elements are far less common but can be incredibly powerful when harnessed."

As she spoke, Elara's mana flickered with curiosity, shifting in vibrant hues of pink, full of eager energy. I felt her mana pulse, anticipating what would come next.

Valeris continued, her tone now more serious. "Some individuals are born with a single elemental affinity, while others might have a combination of two or more. This fusion creates entirely new kinds of magic. For example, someone with both earth and fire affinities would wield magma magic, able to summon molten rock or lava. Those with a blend of water, air, and lightning can use storm magic."

I could sense Elara's excitement growing, her mana sparking brightly, but Valeris' voice became even more somber. "But there are also those born with no element. These individuals possess magic that is not tied to the natural laws of the world, and their powers defy the typical understanding of magic. This non-elemental magic is rare, but it exists. Some of the types that have been discovered include gravity, time, and spatial magic."

Her gaze shifted to me, and I felt my own mana pulse slightly in response. It was a quiet recognition, as if she knew something about myself that I was not aware of. "Those who wield non-elemental magic are highly valued for their uniqueness and their potential. They are often seen as outliers—able to manipulate the very fabric of existence itself."

Elara's mana surged with excitement and impatience, practically crackling in the air. I could feel her energy radiating off her as she eagerly awaited the moment of discovery. She was bouncing on her heels, desperate to know what magic she possessed.

Valeris, with a calm and measured air, pulled an orb from her pack. It was large enough to fit comfortably in the palm of her hand. "This is a magic identification tool," she explained, holding the orb out for Elara. "Once I place it in your hands, you will channel your mana from your core into it. If you're unsure how to pull mana from your core, don't worry—the tool is enchanted to pull mana from anything currently touching it. All you need to do is follow the pull of your mana and allow it to absorb your magic."

I was amazed. I hadn't realized tools like this existed. Through my mana sense, I could see a faint glow of energy surrounding the orb, a delicate shimmer that pulsed in the air.

Valeris continued, "Once the orb has absorbed enough mana, it will change color to match the magic you possess. Fire will turn red, water will be blue, earth will be brown, air will be green, lightning will be yellow, ice will be cyan, light will be white, and dark will be black."

She paused, letting the words sink in before adding, "If the orb shows any color other than these, it means you possess a combination of elements. For example, my magic is purification magic, a blend of water and light."

As she spoke, I focused my mana sense on her. I watched as she demonstrated a simple spell, her mana glowing with the calming blue of water, rippling with white streaks, like tiny waves gently flowing across the surface of the orb. It was a beautiful combination, calm yet radiant, and a perfect demonstration of her unique magic.

"Here, Elara," Valeris said as she handed over the orb. "Focus and try to fill it with mana. If it isn't a base element, I have a book with all known types of magic that can help identify what it is."

Elara's mana surged with excitement and anticipation as she grasped the orb, her aura practically buzzing with energy. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she began to concentrate.

I knew exactly what color was going to appear in the orb. Fire magic would be red, but Elara's affinity was clearly tied to something else. I could already sense the delicate, flowing nature of her magic, her mana dancing in patterns that matched what I had seen from her before.

Calion had probably known that I could see the exact color of magic people used, but he hadn't told me. He liked for people to learn on their own—not giving away answers, letting us find the truths we needed. This revelation had changed the way I saw the world entirely.

With the ability to perceive someone's magic affinity, I could understand their potential before they even performed a spell. It was a rare gift, and one I knew others would undoubtedly seek. The value of being able to know what kind of magic someone possessed—whether elemental or non-elemental—could change everything.

The orb began to glow with a soft pink, the same shade Elara's mana always radiated when I sensed it. It was like a delicate reflection of her energy.

"A different magic indeed," Valeris murmured, her eyes narrowing as she examined the glowing orb. She pulled a book from her pack and began flipping through the pages with practiced ease. "Pink, if I remember correctly, is a combination of fire and light."

She found what she was looking for and pointed to the page. "Aha, here it is. What you have is known as Mirage Magic—the ability to create illusions and false images."

Elara's mana flickered with joy, practically dancing in the air around her. She couldn't hide her excitement. "Amazing! With my combat style, that would fit me perfectly," she said, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "I can use this to create distractions and mislead opponents. This is going to be so much fun!"

"Now that we've identified your magic, Elara, let's determine your mana core grade," Valeris said.

She gestured toward a small, enchanted cube, its surface shimmering faintly with magic.

"The ranks are as follows: Iron, Copper, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond—weakest to strongest in that order."

"Everyone is born with an Iron-ranked mana core," she continued, "and with training, you can strengthen it. However, the higher your rank, the harder it becomes to advance further."

Valeris held out the cube. "This device works similarly to the orb we used for your magic affinity test. When you transfer your mana into it, the cube will transform into the material that matches your rank."

She handed the cube to Elara. "Go ahead and channel your mana into it, just like before."

Elara focused, channeling her mana into the cube. It began to hum softly, pulsing with magical energy. A moment later, its surface shifted, hardening into a dull, metallic gray—Iron.

"That figures," Elara sighed. "I haven't had any training."

Her mana wavered for a brief moment, carrying a hint of disappointment. But just as quickly, it flared back to its usual bright, joyful spark.

"Well, that just means I'll have to work hard and get stronger!" she declared, her resolve unwavering.

She handed the cube back to Valeris, and the moment her mana faded, it returned to its neutral state.

"Your turn now, Fyn," she said, turning to me with an eager grin.

I took a slow breath, stepping forward. My hands felt heavier than they should as I reached for the orb that Valeris was handing to me.

The cool surface of the orb rested in my palm, smooth and unassuming. Almost immediately, I felt a familiar tug—like a silent hunger—pulling at my mana core.

I focused, guiding my mana along the pathways I had trained to control. It pulsed, flowing steadily into the orb, which hummed softly with energy. The swirling magic within churned for a moment before settling.

The orb became clear.

No hint of color. No trace of an element.

Of course. Given my mana sense, it only made sense that I was a non-elemental user.

Valeris nodded, as if she had already expected this outcome.

"As I suspected, you are not tied to an element," she said. "There is no tool to determine what kind of magic you will develop, but be careful who you trust. There will be those who seek to control your power—whether it be a kingdom or a noble house."

Her words settled heavily in my mind. As if being blind wasn't enough, I now had another reason to tread carefully.

"You should speak with Calion," she continued. "Have him help you discover your magic in a place where no one can see. Keep it a secret until the time comes to use it."

I nodded, understanding the weight of her warning.

Valeris took back the orb and placed the cube in my hands. "Now, for your mana core grade."

Like before, I focused, letting my mana flow into the cube. It hummed, absorbing my energy, before its surface began to change.

At first, it took on the same iron sheen as Elara's, but then—faint streaks of copper flakes appeared across its surface.

"Very interesting," Valeris mused, examining the cube. "Have you already been training your core?"

I nodded. "Yes. Since I rely on mana sense to see, Calion has helped me train to sustain it for longer periods throughout the day."

"I'd say within the year, you should reach a Copper mana core," Valeris remarked.

She nodded to both of us before continuing, "Now that you know your elements and mana core grades, you're dismissed for the day. I believe Calion will be your magic training instructor. You should speak with him tomorrow to arrange when to begin your training. I wish you both luck."

Elara and I bowed in thanks before turning to leave. As I focused and shut off my mana sense, a familiar fatigue settled over me. Any longer, and I would've been dealing with mana exhaustion.

Elara must have noticed, because she wordlessly retrieved my cane and our bags. She pressed my things into my hands, her usual energy undiminished, and we began walking home together.

"Only five others passed the exam," she told me as we walked. "Two of them scored higher than you, but no one beat my score!"

I smirked. "No surprise there."

We spent the rest of the walk speculating about what our magic training would be like, imagining the kinds of abilities we might unlock. It was exciting, unknown, and full of possibility.

When we reached her home, we exchanged goodbyes, and I continued my trek alone.

By then, the warmth of the sun had begun to fade, the last light of day surrendering to the encroaching night. I relied on my cane and hearing to navigate, each step measured and familiar. When I finally reached my door, I ran a hand along the wooden frame before stepping inside.

The small hut was built just for me, separate from the other elven homes. A reminder that not everyone in the village had accepted my presence.

Setting my belongings by the entrance, I exhaled, exhaustion settling deep into my bones. I placed a hand on the wall and trailed my fingers along its surface, guiding myself to my bed.

Collapsing onto the mattress, I let out one final breath before sleep claimed me.

I dreamed of the days to come.