Chapter 38: Team Member

Karina was puzzled by Aresia, who seemed quite nervous despite these tests being something they’d done when they were seven. It was etched into their memory from the initial assessment.

“What’s wrong? Did the initial examiner make a mistake? Do I really possess the fire element?”

Aresia shook her head. “That’s not it. I think they overlook something.”

A sigh escaped Aresia; if it wasn’t for their mistake, Karina would have surely leaned towards the element she was given. Yet, she was mistaken about her true magical attribute.

The magical stone’s color reflected the magical properties distinctly—a fiery hue indicated the fire element. Despite two initial tests showing the flame’s color as the predominant one, there seemed to be more.

Aresia explained, “It’s not a simple. The fiery shade is noticeable, but amidst it, there’s a mix of other colors—blue, green, yellow, purple. Apart from the prominent red representing fire, the rest blend together indistinguishably.”

“Is there anything special? Fire seems a bit more pronounced.”

Karina felt a bit disheartened. She had shown interest in powerful fire magic, guided by Aresia’s criteria. However, she couldn’t clearly sense her affinity. She had strived for long but couldn’t advance her magic.

Seeing the magical stone dimming, Aresia didn’t hold back anymore. Pointing at the mixed colors, she suggested, “Pay attention. Do you sense a faint tint outside these mixed colors?”

Karina squinted at the magical stone. Aresia’s suggestion made her uncertain. “It seems like there is?”

“That’s the effect of spatial magic elements.”

Aresia dropped a bombshell, leaving Karina bewildered, trying to grasp what this meant.

“Huh?”

“Spatial magic elements, they’re rare magical elements that manifest somewhat translucent during the assessment. They’re often overlooked.”

Karina’s magical affinity indeed differed from the expected norm. Her magical attribute contained the rare spatial element, a significant deviation from the ordinary.

Possessing a spatial affinity was exceptionally rare. In a world where most people had magical abilities, spatial affinity holders were among the select few.

Though higher-level mages could employ teleportation-like spatial magic, lower-level mages with spatial affinity could start learning rudimentary spatial magic without the need for a high magical level. Additionally, due to the unique nature of spatial magic, even advanced mages who had mastered teleportation struggled to access spatial attack magic without specific materials.

Also true spatial magic users could create storage spaces that expanded with their growth. They could store live beings and possessed diverse abilities.

Furthermore, they could wield spatial attack magic, renowned for its unpredictability and formidable destructive power.

At Aresia’s level, the restrictions on learning from other mage tiers were almost non-existent. Even if one’s magical affinity lacked spatial attributes, they could learn low-tier spatial magic based on their own level. Yet, mastering spatial magic was an arduous task. Even those seemingly proficient might lose their connection to spatial magic after an explosion, leaving them unaware of their fate.

The magical stone had reverted to its original state—a pure white stone now marked with a blend of mixed colors.

Karina, still in a daze, couldn’t believe it. “Are you sure this isn’t a mistake? How can it be spatial?”

“It is indeed a spatial affinity, a rarer attribute than light or darkness magic.”

Karina had always sensed a magical affinity, and having any affinity, even if not strong, was considered fortunate. Being a girl in a society that often favored boys, her parents had overlooked this aspect. Not having undergone the usual magical affinity tests, she lucked out through her connection with Aresia, slightly elevating her status.

However, this stroke of luck was her limit. It was rare to have such an opportunity.

“So I possess a spatial affinity.”

Aresia regarded the magical stone with a hint of contemplation. While these stones, used for assessing magical affinity, were simple, they lacked precision. Judgment relied on the tester’s eyesight and perception, making errors common, especially between light and spatial affinities. The white of light magic on a pure white stone wasn’t distinct enough and could be easily overshadowed by other colors. Similarly, the chaotic nature of spatial attributes often got lost, sometimes even concealed by more vibrant hues. Errors were frequent in these unique attributes, making them challenging to detect without specialized testing equipment.

Karina, still in bewilderment, clasped her hands together. “I’ve come to my senses. Was it my mistake or the oversight of the testing mage? I never knew about this. If I do have a spatial affinity, why not learn spatial magic?”

Karina’s spatial attribute wasn’t exceptionally prominent, but according to Aresia’s assessment, it surpassed fire. There was an unwritten rule in the magical world that if one possessed a unique affinity, learning that particular branch of magic took precedence.

Karina, convinced by Aresia’s confidence, felt a surge of happiness.

“Who wouldn’t feel special, especially with a rare attribute like spatial? Just this fact alone can change everything.”

Despite reveling in her happiness, she soon found herself in a dilemma. “But our school doesn’t have a teacher for spatial magic. How can I learn?”

“I’ll teach you,” Aresia declared.

Karina was astonished. “Do you have a spatial affinity too?”

Aresia answered half-truthfully, “I do. And I happen to know a bit of the incantation for a basic spatial magic teach by a spatial master.”

Her truth had a touch of desire for Karina’s spatial affinity. Teaching her might aid her own research endeavors.

Karina believed her wholeheartedly, guided by Aresia’s intriguing guidance, presuming there was a mysterious teacher hidden behind the scenes. This teacher, seemingly very skilled in magic, perhaps even more than the instructors at the Royal Academy.

Aresia transcribed the basic incantation for “Spatial Jump” onto a piece of paper.

“It’s a teleportation magic, not particularly lethal but incredibly useful for escaping.”

Karina, though adept at some magical language, found herself struggling to recognize the symbols in this incantation, rendering her functionally illiterate in this spell.

“Is this a magic circle’s teleportation spell?”

Magic circles existed for teleportation but were expensive for one-time, long-distance transfers, usually for a single person.

“This is an advanced version. It allows for short-range teleportation, within a hundred meters. Mastering it requires proficiency and a considerable reserve of magical energy.”

Karina had little knowledge about spatial magic. Upon Aresia’s introduction, she couldn’t help but ask, “Does spatial magic include any offensive spells?”

Karina’s intentions regarding magic were not purely about learning. Aresia realized it wasn’t about the amount of learning, but the willingness and effort to learn.

“There are, and quite a few. But they are spells typically learned by at least intermediate-level mages.”

The techniques within the spatial branch were few in number. Each level usually offered one or two magical skills. Once Karina mastered Spatial Jump and accumulated sufficient magical energy, she could advance further.

Though it sounded simple, mastering it was challenging. Given Karina’s current magical reserves, she had a long way to go before reaching the level of an intermediate mage.

“Don’t be discouraged. If you wish to acquire combat skills, coupled with Spatial Jump, it can yield unexpected results.”

Moreover, as a spatial mage, Karina might find a certain magical weapon Aresia had, coupling the weapon with combat skills for increased damage.