***
Chapter 2/2. Happy Reading!
***
Max stood in front of the ornate wooden door of Headmaster Thorne Alcastor's office. He took a calming breath and rapped his knuckles against the door. The thud echoed down the silent hallway. A deep voice beckoned him to enter.
Max pushed open the door and stepped into the office. He took in the towering bookshelves lining the walls, each filled with ancient tomes and rare artifacts. At the end of the room was an imposing mahogany desk strewn with scrolls and parchment, behind which sat Headmaster Thorne, his piercing blue eyes seeming to hold a universe of knowledge.
"Ah, Max. Always on time," Thorne greeted him, his voice rich and warm. "Please, have a seat."
Max did as instructed, trying to steady his racing heart as Thorne started speaking. He opted for a less formal tone, more like a mentor than the head of the institute.
"I reckon you've learned a fair bit about the basics of magic, Max," he began, leaning back in his chair. "But let's recap for a bit. After all, we are here to delve deeper into your own magical affinities."
He picked up an orb from his desk, a beautiful, multi-hued crystal sphere that seemed to be alive with color. As he spoke, the colors within the orb danced and swirled.
"Magic," Thorne continued, "is a wonderful tapestry of elements originating from elements. Mana is all encompassing and does not belong to a single element. It is like a blank resource, that gains an element when absorbed. We have our fundamental ones: earth, water, fire, and wind. Pretty straightforward."
He glanced at Max, ensuring he was following along. Max nodded, completely absorbed.
"Beyond these four, we have the derivatives, born from combinations of the primary elements or some unique innate talents. It's quite rare for magic users to have an affinity with one of these elements, as that requires users to possess more than one elemental affinity and master control over them."
The headmaster leaned forward; his gaze locked onto Max. "But there are a select few, Max, those with significant magical prowess, who can connect with more than one primary element. These are the ones destined to achieve great things. They often command several derivative elements, each resulting from fusions of primary ones, or from remarkable individual talents."
The headmaster then leaned back; his hands clasped over his stomach. "Then we have the grand quartet: space, time, light, and darkness. These elements are extraordinarily rare and notoriously hard to master. Only those who reach a mage adept rank, and who are born with the necessary affinities, can attempt to control them."
Max felt a whirl of information in his mind, but he was captivated. He couldn't help but gaze at the crystal orb, watching as the colors shifted and danced.
"Headmaster, can you introduce the ranks of mages and knights please? I know about stages, but do not know their names or what is different at each stage?" Inquired Max, knowing that his answer would most likely get answered and he will finally get to learn more about ranks and stages.
Thorne nodded, a smile playing on his lips, "Very well, Max. Magic ranks, quite an exciting topic! In the world of magic, we have several ranks that distinguish one's mastery over the arcane arts. Let's start from the beginning.
"We first have the Novices," Thorne began. "They are like fresh clay, waiting to be molded, beginners in the vast and complex world of magic. Their talents are like seeds, ready to sprout and grow with the right guidance and nurturing."
He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "Following the Novice stage, the next rank is that of the Apprentice. The period of being an Apprentice is where they refine what they've learned as a Novice and start mastering more complex spells. Their understanding of magical theory deepens during this time, and they truly begin to appreciate the depth and breadth of magic."
Thorne then leaned forward, his gaze growing serious. "Next comes the Adept rank. This is where a mage truly begins to make a name for themselves. An Adept mage has a good grasp of their magical abilities and can cast potent spells. During a breakthrough to the Adept rank, a mage creates a magical core inside their body, that will hold most of the magic energy inside, speeding up the absorption process, and purifying absorbed mana. They begin to specialize and master various disciplines of magic, often becoming a recognized figure in their field."
The headmaster then settled back in his chair, a hint of pride in his eyes. "After Adepts, we have the Masters. Masters have touched the highest echelons of magical knowledge and skill. They can weave spells of great power and complexity, and their deep understanding of magic often leads to the creation of new spells. Masters are revered figures in the magical community."
Thorne paused for a moment, the hint of a smile on his lips. "And then, we have the Archmages. These are the true legends in the world of magic. They've reached an unparalleled level of power and skill. Archmages can bend reality to their will and create spells of such power and complexity that they're beyond the comprehension of lesser mages. I wish I could tell you the breakthrough process, but even I do not know this, as this information is only available to top mages. But an Archmage is a symbol of awe and respect in the magical community, the epitome of what every magic user aspires to be."
"Now the knights. The knight is distinct from that of the mage.
First, we have the Novices. They are the ones who have just stepped onto the path of a knight and absorb mana to strengthen themselves. They learn how to fight and wield weapons, while using mana to strengthen themselves physically.
Next comes the Apprentices. These knights have completed their basic training and have started to imbue their combat skills with their magical abilities. They don't cast spells like mages do, but rather channel their magic into their weapons, creating unique and powerful attacks. Their defenses are much stronger and physical abilities are not something that mages can compare to.
After Apprentice are the Journeymen. As Journeymen, knights are no longer mere learners; they are warriors in their own right. Breaking through, just like mages, they also develop a magical core, which further strengthens them, allowing them to possess more and purer mana. Their techniques are stronger and grander, able to fight armies by themselves.
Next realm is Master. A Master knight can travel exceptionally fast and much like Master Mages, able to destroy countries and kingdoms. They are the backbone of various powers."
Headmaster Thorne's voice grew softer, almost reverent, "Above the Masters, you find the Grandmasters. Only chosen few reach this rank. Grandmasters are legends among knights, known for their exceptional combat skills and their ability to infuse their weapons with incredibly powerful magic. They are the epitome of what a magical knight strives to be."
"I wish I could share more, but a lot of the information is unavailable. After graduating, you need to go to a true magic academy to learn more. There you will find instructors who could guide you better." Recommended Thorne with a bitter smile on his face, aware that he was too weak to know more about the world.
"Thank you, Headmaster!" Exclaimed Max and quickly bowed, as the information he just learned has helped him understand the intricacies of realms and their powers.
"You are welcome. Now, Let's find out what affinities you possess."