Chapter 1
Zale stood in front of Jeskai city’s Spirit Hall. Fourteen. That was how old someone was when the spirit gem embedded in all youths was activated. At that time, one’s fate would truly be decided. Zale knew chances were against him, both his father and mother were earth users with both their active and passive ability related to farming. To buy ability scrolls to learn from cost money that his family didn’t have. If Zale wanted to progress as an Elemental Master he would have to acquire his additional abilities through contests and challenges, both of which were only offered at one place; school. This was his chance to go to a school, where he could learn skills besides his two innate abilities. If he didn’t awaken abilities that showed promise though, schools would never admit him.
A man that looked to be around thirty came out of the building and surveyed the children. His arrogant sneer made the children from outside the city nervous. He took out a scroll and glanced at it. His eyes then scoured the youths as he read names from the list. A hand raised every time words left his mouth.
“Sorana Jeskai.”
A girl in the front raised her hand. Zale could tell without even hearing her last name that she was wealthy by the silk clothes and embroidered patterns on her dress. He wore a leather jerkin thrown over a tattered cloth shirt his mother sowed for him. He cherished his jacket because he knew his father saved months to purchase the leather needed for it.
“Zale Ashwater.”
Zale stood and raised his hand.
The man called more names until every child in attendance had been marked present or absent.
“You will line up and take turns at the awakening forge. All you must do is place the hand embedded with the spirit gem inside the forge. Don’t be upset, these last fourteen years the gem has become one with you. The merger was for this day. It knows who you are and what suits you. Abilities are never a mistake; your spirit gem gives them to you because they fit who you are at a spiritual level.”
Zale looked at his right hand and rubbed his spirit gem directly above his wrist. It was no larger than a coin and clear as water, but it decided who he would become. He would get two abilities, one active and one passive that belonged to one of the six elements; fire, water, earth, air, metal, and lightning. Zale was hoping for fire or metal; they were the two best suited for fighting. He could easily join a mercenary group, or the army. Both allowed him to travel and earn money to buy more skills. Power determined everything, money and birth were only secondary to power according to the law. This was Zale’s only glint of hope in breaking free from his mundane farm life.
“Anyone who receives an A rank ability or higher come find me and I will register you for the tournament held next year by Sepharian Academy, of course other big schools will be there to recruit as well.”
Zale must have an A rank ability. Sepharian Academy was legendary, every one of their students went on to become a noteworthy successful individual. Not to mention it was one of the few academies located in the neutral zone between Vurith and Fafthoran. Zale was from Vurith, but he held no allegiances to it. A benefit to going to a school in the neutral zone was that both countries would have access to your achievements and grades, so the chance of being granted lordship and a job doubled.
As the line formed up and started moving, Zale couldn’t help but see the faces of those that left, already awakening their abilities. Some were happy, obviously content with the ability they received. Others were destroyed, their faces contorted with hate for the heavens. Only a couple walked over to the arrogant man to have him register them for the tournament. These few were obviously the most delighted with the outcome of the awakening process. Of course, Sorana Jeskai received an A rank ability, she was the princess of the Jeskai clan. Zale only saw her a couple times throughout his life, all at city-wide events. He imagined she had clan responsibilities that kept her isolated. Two boys that appeared to be twins walked over and registered at the same time. A girl in a dress not as fancy as Sorana’s but still expensive stumbled over and registered as well. The older man scowled when he saw her, and barely held in a laugh when she stumbled and lost her glasses.
Zale couldn’t contain his nerves. How unfair was it that his life would be decided in one moment with no control whatsoever? The flip side being that he could change everything for himself if he could get an A rank ability. The boy in front of him walked to the forge, it only took a minute for him to walk away with a smile.
Zale approached the forge, a stone box with runes engraved all over it. A small hole was in the middle just large enough for a hand to slip into. A soft blue light came out of the stone forge Zale needed to put his hand into. His nerves getting the best of him he swallowed deep and closed his eyes, his right hand finding its way into the forge. His hand heated up and he could feel energy that was locked away inside the spirit gem rushing throughout his entire body. As much as he wanted an A rank ability he would be happy with a B rank; with that he could work almost anywhere no matter what element it was part of. Even certain C rank abilities were sought after because of their scarcity. Rank was associated with fighting potential, not necessarily with usefulness. The rush of energy faded almost as fast as it began.
Zale opened his eyes and pulled his hand out, the spirit gem was no longer clear but light blue with a hint of red in the middle. Lightning. His element was lightning. He was excited, lightning wasn’t the best element to have but it was far from the worst. He ran his fingers over the gem to see his abilities. As soon as his fingers touched the gem the knowledge appeared straight in his mind.
Passive - Impulse Control:
Level One
Able to sense and manipulate electrical currents within one’s body at will.
Current sensitivity to electrical currents: Low
[Rank C]
Passive – Lightning Rod:
Level One
You attract lightning.
[Rank F]