"Nice job, Kite. But that is merely the first step," Elder Mirrin said.
Kite blinked. "Only the first step?"
He nodded. "Yes. In addition to an elemental power, our magic also has a specific affinity."
He tilted his head. "A specific affinity?"
Liliana giggled. "Yeah, for my grandparents, Auntie, Ludo, and me it's healing. For Daddy, it's bruising. Mommy has speeding."
Healing and bruising? Kite couldn't help but think of the video games he used to play in his old world. Although, were those their proper names?
Elder Mirrin chuckled. "Indeed. There are five big categories. Speedster, Bruiser, Healer, Defender, and Summoner. Speedsters can move fast and like to hit multiple times. The more advanced Speedsters can even teleport. Although, some say it's just them moving so fast it seems like teleporting."
The elder's eyes held a glint of wisdom as he continued to explain. "Bruisers, on the other hand, are the powerhouses. They can take and deal a lot of damage. Their magic enhances their physical abilities to extraordinary levels."
Kite nodded, absorbing the information. "And Healers?"
"Healers can mend wounds and cure ailments," Liliana chimed in, her voice proud. "They are essential in any group, providing support and recovery. We can grant power boosts. With an expert healer, one can become a speedy bruiser or vice versa. They're also the most common category, but most just treat wounds."
"And Defenders?" Kite asked, intrigued by the roles that seemed akin to a band of heroes from a video game.
"Defenders are our protectors," Mirrin said. "They can create barriers and shields, both for themselves and others. Their magic is about endurance and safeguarding. They're very hard to defeat in battle."
Kite smiled. "What about Summoners?"
"Summoners are unique," Mirrin replied with a smile. "They can call forth creatures or entities to aid them. Some summon beasts from the wilds, while others might even call upon spirits or elemental forces."
Kite felt a surge of excitement. "So, what's my affinity?"
"That, my boy, is something we will discover together," Mirrin said, placing a hand on Kite's shoulder. "Your journey into magic has just begun, and your affinity will reveal itself as you grow and learn."
Liliana grabbed Kite's hand, her enthusiasm infectious. "Let's start practicing! I can't wait to see what kind of magic you'll do!"
Kite smiled, ready to embark on this new path. "Let's do it!"
"But," Elder Mirrin's eyes twinkled mysteriously, "there are some rare people with powers that don't align with the big five. They possess abilities that are unique and unpredictable, making them the wild cards of our society."
Kite raised an eyebrow. "Wild cards?"
"Yes," Mirrin nodded. "They are rare, but they exist. These individuals possess powers that don't fit into the five categories. Instead, they possess unique abilities that can range from seeing the future to manipulating time and space, or even making constructs. The latter can extend into reality bending. Their existence challenges our understanding of magic and pushes us to question what we believe to be possible."
Kite's heart pounded in his chest. "Could... could I be a wild card?"
Mirrin chuckled, "That, my boy, is a possibility we cannot rule out. But whether you are a Wild Card, a Summoner, or a Defender, it makes no difference. What truly matters is how you choose to use your power."
Kite nodded, determination filling his heart. "I understand, Elder Mirrin. And no matter what power I end up with, I promise to use it to help people, to protect them."
Mirrin smiled warmly, patting Kite's shoulder. "That's the spirit, my boy. Now, usually determining if one is a healer is easy."
"Yeah, I just had to put a leaf over an injured doggy at the vet and channel my magic," Liliana said.
"And I discovered mine when taking a mud bath after getting badly injured. Not that the mud bath was on purpose. It was a rainy day and I tripped." He coughed. "Anyway, what I'm getting at is that fire can be a bit difficult to do that with fire. As a fire healer has to be aware they can heal and know how to do it. An inexperienced one can hurt rather than heal. Now imagine a fire mage who isn't a healer."
Kite gulped. He didn't want to burn a puppy or himself.
The elder gave him an empathic smile. "It's okay. That said, we could try out to see if you're a speedster." He glanced at the window and smiled at his daughter-in-law.
Elara smiled as she and her husband stepped out.
"Speedster magic works by using your elemental magic and channeling it around your body. A lightning mage for example can speed up their muscle movements. While an ice mage can create a slippery surface beneath their feet to glide on. A fire mage, like yourself, can use the heat generated by their magic to create a sort of propulsion, pushing themselves forward at high speeds."
Kite looked intrigued. "So...I'd be sort of like a rocket?" He had experience doing that from his old life.
Mirrin chuckled. "That's one way to put it, yes. But remember, control is key. You don't want to end up blasting off into the sky."
Elara nodded in agreement. "The first time I tried using my speedster abilities, I ended up running into a tree. It took some time, but eventually, I learned to control my speed."
Her husband snorted, his eyes blue twinkling with humor. "She's not joking about the tree. It took three of us to pull her out of the branches."
Elara shot him a playful glare before turning back to Kite. "The point is, it's okay to make mistakes. That's how you learn."
Kite nodded, determination setting in his eyes. "I'm ready to try."
"That's the spirit," Mirrin said, his eyes twinkling. "Now, remember, channel your fire magic around you, but focus on guiding it, not letting it take over."
He stepped away from the others and channeled his green flames into his tiny hands. This would've been easier if he could use outer energy, but he wanted to kearn this world's ways.
Taking a deep breath, he launched himself into the air, but he wasn't moving fast.
"Woah!" Tomas said.
Liliana nodded. "Kite must be a genius! He barely learned how to use his flames."
Elara sighed and shook her head. "Seems you aren't a speedster."
I sighed and weakened my magic output to fall back to the ground.
Mirrin chuckled, patting Kite on the shoulder. "Don't be disheartened, Kite. Not being a Speedster doesn't make you any less. Remember, each category of magic has its own strengths."
Kite nodded, pulling himself up from the ground. "I understand, Elder Mirrin."
Elara stepped forward. "And remember, Speedsters aren't the only ones who can propel themselves through the air. Defenders can create platforms to stand on, Summoners can ride on the creatures they summon, and Bruisers can use their enhanced strength to leap great distances."
Her husband added, "And Wild Cards... well, who knows what they can do?"
Kite couldn't help but smile at the thought. He turned to Mirrin. "What's next, Elder?"
Mirrin stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Next, we try to see if you're a Bruiser. Ready for some physical training?"
Kite's eyes lit up. In his previous life, he was an athlete, and the prospect of physical training was something familiar and comforting in this new, magic-filled world. "I'm ready," he said, determination in his voice.
Darian clapped his hands together. "Excellent! Let's go, then."
Kite took a deep breath, his mind set. He was ready to discover more about his magical potential. Whether he was a Healer, a Defender, a Bruiser, a summoner, or even a rare Wild Card, he was ready to embrace it. No matter what, Kite was ready to face it head-on, ready to use his power to protect and help others.