Unawakened: Rise of the Divine Archmage

Chapter 4: Chosen

"What do you mean?" Ezra snapped. Frustration filled his voice. "Will you stop hiding things? It's killing me!"

The mage sighed. He leaned back in his chair. "We mages have different affinities. Each is graded by color. I believe you've already acquainted yourself with this grading system."

"Red is lowest," Ezra said. "And Gold is highest."

"Exactly. So if I was to be a fire mage. And my talent were red, though unlikely since fire users usually have high affinities, I could not even produce a fireball. At best I would only control flames that already burn. Red talents are severely restricted."

"While blue talents can create fire from nothing," Ezra added. "Since they have a higher affinity."

"Correct," the mage nodded. "So both affinity and grade matter. Do you know what fuels a mage's power?"

"Mana," Ezra answered in a beat.

"Right. Mana is the energy we draw from the world. It fills our cores and powers spells."

"Okay. I get that. But what does this have to do with me?"

"That brings us to affinity types."

"Affinity types?" Ezra asked. Confusion showed on his face.

The mage raised a brow. "You mean to tell me you have never heard of them?"

Ezra shook his head. Even without an affinity, he was practically a scholar. He spent his time in the library, reading over and over just in case. But he never came across anything about affinity types in their town's small library.

The mage sighed. Then he explained further. "There are different affinity types. Some mages are single elementalists, meaning they can only wield one element. Then we have dual elementalists, those who command two elements. These mages are highly versatile, though rare."

"What? Those kinds of people exist?" Ezra's eyes widened in shock.

"Yes. But just because someone has two elements does not make them strong automatically. However, if you ever encounter a dual elementalist with high grades in both elements, my advice to you is simple. Run. They are incredibly dangerous."

Ezra nodded. He committed that advice to memory.

"Then there are multi-elementalists. Extremely rare mages who control three or more elements. These people are fearsome. That is why I was once considered the strongest mage, because I could wield four elements."

"Wait," Ezra stammered. He could barely process it. "You? You are a multi-elementalist?"

The mage smirked. "Indeed. Remember what I said about weak dual elementalists? If you ever encounter a multi-elementalist, my advice remains the same. Run. They typically possess high grades in all their elements."

He leaned forward. His eyes went sharp. "Finally, we have special affinities. Unique elements beyond the traditional ones. There are only three known, and that knowledge is to a select few. Space, Chaos, and Time. Mages who wield them are akin to gods."

Ezra's breath caught in his throat. The mage smiled. "That, my friend, is why I have been referred to as a god in my own right. I wield Space Affinity. That is where we are right now. Inside my domain."

Ezra trembled. He fully realized just how powerful this man was. It was like standing under a mountain that could fall at any second.

"Now," the mage continued, "the reason I gave you this long explanation is because of what I saw in the orb when I tested you."

Ezra swallowed hard. "Which is?"

The mage grinned. "Ezra Mohr, congratulations. You are a multi-elementalist. Not just any multi-elementalist. I would wager you are the strongest of them all. You possess five elemental affinities, and one of them is a special affinity."

"F-Five?" Ezra's voice cracked. "Five elemental affinities? How is that even possible?"

The mage chuckled. "And to think you were about to throw your life away before discovering this. What a waste of talent and power that would have been."

Ezra's mind spun. He had thought about ending everything just a few moments ago. Now he held god-like power.

"This does not make sense. How can this be real?"

The mage shrugged. "Beats me. Maybe the gods chose you. Nonetheless, you possess great potential."

Ezra took a deep breath. Then he smirked. "Does this not worry you?"

The mage arched a brow. "Worried? Why would I be?"

"I have so many affinities. In time, I might even surpass you. Does it not bother you that I could take your title as the strongest mage?"

"I think you have a death wish."

For a moment, the mage's face went dark. The space around them trembled. Ezra felt the air grow heavy. His instincts screamed at him to flee.

"Damn your twisted sense of humor," Ezra cursed himself inwardly. His heart began thumping loudly.

Then, just as suddenly, the mage's expression softened into a playful grin. "That is what I would say if I actually cared."

Ezra exhaled sharply. He realized how close he had been to disaster.

The mage chuckled. "Look, my time in Valeria has ended so I will not interfere in its affairs. Even though the world is on the brink of collapse, my duty remains to observe. But since I will not be around, why not groom the next strongest mage?"

His expression then shifted. His eyes flicked to something behind Ezra. "Alright. It is time for you to go."

"What? No! I still have so many questions! What exactly are my affinities? How do I control them? How can I..."

"When the time is right, the answers to all your questions will present themselves before you. But since I am feeling generous, I will allow you one question before you leave."

Ezra's mind raced. He needed to ask something important. Then it hit him.

"How can I contact you? How can we meet again?"

The mage smiled. "Whenever you need to... Actually, do not bother. I will come see you whenever I want. So do not worry, Ezra. We will see each other again. Now. Goodbye."

"Wait! What do you mean...?"

Before Ezra could finish, the space around him shattered. Darkness swallowed him whole. He was pulled back into nothingness.