The next morning dawned clear and bright, a perfect day for what would be a defining moment in my young life. My family and I traveled to the prestigious Arcane Testing Center, an impressive building of marble and glass that stood as a testament to the importance of magic in our society.
The interior of the Testing Center was grand and imposing, with high ceilings and intricate carvings that depicted legendary mages from history. The air was filled with a sense of awe and reverence, and I couldn't help but feel a flutter of nerves in my stomach.
My parents led me through the halls, their expressions a mix of pride and anticipation. They had explained the process to me on the way: I would be taken into a special chamber where the tester, a highly respected mage named Master Callum, would assess my magical affinity.
As we entered the chamber, I was greeted by a tall, stern-looking man with piercing blue eyes and an aura of authority. Master Callum. He nodded respectfully to my parents before turning his gaze to me.
"Aric Altair, step forward," he instructed.
I took a deep breath and walked to the center of the chamber, my heart pounding in my chest. Master Callum placed his hands on my shoulders and closed his eyes, chanting softly under his breath. I felt a strange warmth spread through me, a tingling sensation that seemed to reach into the core of my being.
After a few moments, he stepped back, his expression unreadable. "Now, let's see what you possess."
He gestured to a series of crystals arranged on a pedestal nearby. Each crystal represented one of the four primary types of magic: light, dark, void, and twilight. I was instructed to place my hands on each crystal in turn, and Master Callum watched closely as I did so.
First, I touched the light crystal. It glowed faintly, but there was no significant reaction. Next, the dark crystal. Again, a faint glow, but nothing more. The void crystal produced a similar result, and finally, the twilight crystal. Each one seemed to respond to me in the same muted way.
Master Callum's brow furrowed as he observed the results. He took a moment to compose himself before addressing my parents and me.
"Lord and Lady Altair," he began, his tone measured, "it appears that young Aric does not fall under the category of light, dark, void, or twilight magic."
A heavy silence filled the room as his words sank in. My parents exchanged worried glances, and I felt a sinking sensation in my chest. I had hoped for a clear answer, a defined path forward, but now everything seemed uncertain.
"What does this mean?" my father asked, his voice steady but tinged with concern.
Master Callum sighed, a hint of sympathy in his eyes. "It means.....your son cannot use magic."
My mother knelt beside me, her eyes filled with warmth and reassurance. "Aric, you are special, no matter what. This just means that your path will be different, but that doesn't make it any less important."
My father nodded in agreement. "We will support you, no matter what this journey entails. We believe in you, Aric."
I looked up at them, the uncertainty was daunting, but I knew that with my family's support, I could face whatever challenges lay ahead.
As we left the Testing Center, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions—disappointment, anger, and a spark of hatred.