Fin had known this day would come, but that didn’t make it any easier.
Today was his seventh birthday. The number carried weight, more than just another year of life, it marked the age when a child’s elemental affinities were tested, when their future was decided. Throughout the Mercian Kingdom, no tradition was more sacred, no ritual more consequential for determining a young person’s path. For the nobility, it was also a moment of political significance, affinities shaped alliances, marriages, and inheritances.
He walked in measured steps beside his father, mother, tutor, and Alaric, his heart drumming a steady rhythm beneath his ribs. The halls of the Aodh estate stretched high above him, grand but familiar, their stone walls lined with banners depicting his family’s crest, a golden soaring phoenix. Despite their usual warmth, the familiar corridors felt heavier today, as if they too sensed the importance of what was to come.
Servants bowed respectfully as they passed, their eyes lingering with curiosity on the solemn procession. A testing day was always an occasion of note within the household, but there was something different about their expressions today, a wariness, perhaps, or an expectation. Fin had always been different from other children, and the staff knew it.
"Nervous?" his mother asked quietly, her hand gentle on his shoulder. Cahira Aodh was not a woman who showed weakness, but her eyes held a softness reserved only for her children.
"No," Fin lied, matching her composure.
Her lips curved slightly, seeing through him. "It's okay to be. Your father nearly fainted during his test."
"I did not," Donovan protested, though the corner of his mouth twitched. "I merely... took a moment to collect myself."
Marian, his tutor, cleared his throat. "Most children exhibit some anxiety before their testing. It is a natural response to a pivotal life moment." The thin, angular man adjusted his spectacles with long fingers. "Though I must say, young master Fin has shown remarkable composure compared to my previous students."
They passed through the main hall and into a quieter wing of the estate, their footsteps growing softer as they descended a narrow spiral staircase. The air cooled with every step, the flickering sconces casting long, wavering shadows as they made their way into the depths of the mansion. The staircase itself was ancient, worn smooth by generations of Aodh family members who had descended for various rituals and ceremonies.
"The last test conducted here was young Lord Kilian's," Alaric remarked, his voice neutral but his eyes watchful. The head butler had served the Aodh family for decades, his loyalty unquestionable, his discretion legendary. "He showed a High affinity for Fire. Quite traditional for an Aodh."
What would they do if Fin broke tradition? The question had haunted him for months.
At the bottom of the staircase, a reinforced door awaited them. His father placed a hand against the smooth stone surface, and after a moment, the enchantments woven into it receded, allowing entry. Ancient runes briefly flared to life around the doorframe, acknowledging Donovan's bloodright before fading once more.
The underground chamber was cool and silent, its stone walls absorbing the soft glow of enchanted sconces. The room had been designed for moments like this, private affairs, rituals meant only for family and trusted retainers. It was circular, with a vaulted ceiling upon which constellations had been painted in luminescent pigment, creating the illusion of the night sky above them.
Fin stood before a polished pedestal of black marble, atop which sat the Resonance Orb. It pulsed with a dim, waiting light, ready to judge him. The orb itself was ancient, passed down through twenty generations of the Aodh family, its origins lost to time. Its surface appeared to be glass, but it was something stronger, more resilient, a material that could withstand the raw elemental energies it was designed to channel.
His father, Donovan, stood nearby, arms crossed, his usual lopsided grin absent. The man's broad shoulders were tense beneath his formal attire, his eyes never leaving the orb. His mother, Cahira, watched with a calm mask that did little to hide the tension in her shoulders. Her fingers absently traced the outline of a small amulet hanging at her throat, a nervous gesture Fin had rarely seen.
Marian, his tutor, had a quill poised over a record book, his sharp amber eyes assessing the scene with academic intrigue. The man had overseen dozens of testings throughout his career, but Fin had always sensed that Marian held special expectations for him.
Alaric, the head butler, stood at the back, hands clasped, his expression unreadable. It was he who had suggested conducting the test here, away from the prying eyes of the nobility. A precaution, though at the time, Fin had not fully understood why. Now, the privacy felt ominous, a tacit acknowledgment that something unexpected might occur.
"We should begin," Donovan said after a moment of silence. "The hour grows late."
Marian nodded, stepping forward to inspect the orb. "The Resonance Orb has been in the Aodh family for centuries, even before Donovan elevated the house to nobility, young master," he explained, though Fin already knew this. "It is attuned to detect and measure elemental affinities with extraordinary precision. Most children manifest between one and two affinities, typically ranging from Low to High, with Perfect affinities being exceedingly rare, perhaps one in ten thousand."
Fin nodded. He had studied the statistics extensively, preparing himself for this moment. Low affinities were common but limiting, offering only basic manipulation of an element. Mid affinities allowed for greater control and power. High affinities were coveted, opening doors to prestigious academies and positions. Perfect affinities were the stuff of legends, granting mastery over an element that bordered on the divine.
"Place your hands on the orb," Marian instructed. "Focus. Let it read you."
Fin did as he was told, the cool surface of the orb sending a shiver up his arms. Almost immediately, it responded, glowing brighter beneath his touch. He could feel it reaching into him, probing, searching for resonance with the primal forces that governed their world.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
The first resonance came swiftly.
The orb pulsed once, twice, then a soft golden light spiraled within its depths. Words etched themselves in glowing script upon the pedestal's surface.
Transfer – High.
Marian hummed, jotting it down. “A rare affinity, but not unheard of. Highly useful for energy manipulation.” He glanced at Fin’s parents. “It suggests an aptitude for complex channeling techniques, perhaps even runic applications.”
Donovan gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable. Cahira exhaled softly, as if reassured. Transfer was not a combat-oriented affinity, but it was versatile, respected amongst tradesmen.
Then the second resonance.
The orb’s light shifted, deepening to a rich amber hue. The chamber seemed to grow warmer, the air thickening as the orb’s glow intensified.
Fusion – High.
That drew a reaction. Marian’s quill hesitated over the parchment. Alaric’s brow furrowed ever so slightly. Even Cahira’s carefully composed face showed a flicker of surprise. Two High Affinities were uncommon, particularly two with such potential synergy.
“Two High affinities…” Marian murmured. “That is… impressive. Less than five percent of tested children show such potency in multiple elements. “He made another notation. “Transfer and Fusion together suggest extraordinary potential for energy manipulation and transformation. Haven Academy would be most interested.”
Donovan remained silent, though Fin saw his fingers twitch slightly against his bicep. There was pride there, but also something else, caution, perhaps, or concern.
Then the orb pulsed again. The air thickened, becoming heavy with a strange pressure that made the hairs on Fin's arms stand on end. The orb's glow changed, shifting from amber to a brilliant, electric blue.
A sharp crack echoed through the chamber, like the sound of the sky splitting open.
Lightning surged within the orb, not as mere light, but as raw, crackling energy. A bolt arced outward, striking the stone floor at Fin's feet, leaving a faint scorch mark. The chamber's illumination flickered, dimming momentarily before stabilizing.
Cahira took an involuntary step back. Marian nearly dropped his quill. Alaric's lips pressed into a firm line.
The final result burned itself into the stone pedestal in glowing script, the letters deeper and more vibrant than the previous readings.
Lightning – Embodied.
The silence was suffocating.
Fin’s heartbeat thundered in his ears. He knew this was different. This wasn’t High. This wasn’t Perfect. This was something else entirely, something that did not come up in his research and extensive studies with Marian. What had Kailos done to him?
Donovan took a slow step forward, his usual warmth replaced by something colder, harder. He read the inscription once. Then again. His hand reached out, fingers hovering just above the glowing script as if confirming its reality.
"Redo the test," he said, voice like tempered steel.
Marian hesitated, his academic composure cracking. "My lord, the results are final. The orb does not make errors." He looked down at his records, then back at the inscription. "But I have never... in all my years... 'Embodied' is not a classification I am familiar with."
"Redo it," Donovan insisted, his tone leaving no room for debate.
Fin swallowed but obeyed. He placed his hands on the orb once more, trying to calm his racing thoughts. The orb responded instantly, more vigorously than before. The results did not change. The lightning inside it roared in recognition, casting harsh shadows across the chamber, and this time, Fin felt something answer within himself, a resonance, a connection that hummed in his very marrow.
Transfer – High.
Fusion – High.
Lightning – Embodied.
Donovan exhaled through his nose, a gesture Fin recognized as his father’s attempt to control his emotions. Cahira rubbed her temple, her composure finally showing cracks. Marian, for once, seemed lost for words, his quill suspended above the parchment as if he was unsure what to record.
Then Alaric spoke.
"We cannot let this be known."
Four pairs of eyes turned to him. The butler stepped forward, his usual air of quiet composure unshaken despite the tension in the room. In that moment, Fin saw something in Alaric that he had never noticed before, a hardness, a shrewdness that spoke of a man who understood the darker aspects of power.
"A High affinity is celebrated. Two High affinities are remarkable. An Embodied affinity?" He shook his head slowly. "That is something else entirely. Something unprecedented. If this reaches the wrong ears, the boy will not have a future of his own choosing."
Cahira’s eyes darkened. “They will try to use him. “Her hand moved protectively toward Fin. “The Royal family, the Academy, the military, all would claim rights to study him.”
“Or destroy him,” Alaric said flatly. “What cannot be controlled is often eliminated. There are factions within the Kingdom who would see an unprecedented power as a threat rather than an asset.”
A long silence followed. Fin felt the weight of their words settle in his chest. He had been prepared for many things, a Low affinity that would disappoint, a High affinity that would please, even the remote possibility of a Perfect affinity with Kailos’ interference. But this? This was unknown territory, a classification that existed outside the established order.
Donovan sighed, rubbing his temple. "So we lie." The words seemed to pain him, a man who had built his reputation on honor.
Marian looked horrified. "Lord Aodh…"
"We tell the world his Lightning Affinity is High," Donovan continued, his voice brokering no argument. "Nothing more. The fewer who know, the better." He looked at each person in the room. "We will all swear to this. For Fin's protection."
Cahira nodded slowly. "Agreed." She knelt before Fin, taking his hands in hers. "Listen carefully, Fin. This is not about hiding who you are. This is about giving you time to understand what you are, to grow strong enough that no one can exploit you."
Marian hesitated but ultimately gave a reluctant nod. "If that is your decision, my lord. The records will show a High Lightning affinity." He paused. "But we must still train him appropriately. An Embodied affinity will not behave like a High affinity. There will be... differences that cannot be hidden through paperwork alone."
"Then we will train him privately," Donovan declared. "Away from prying eyes."
Alaric met Fin's gaze, his sharp eyes softer than before. "It is for your protection, young master. Until you are strong enough to decide for yourself." There was a gravity to his words that suggested he understood more than he was saying.
Fin flexed his fingers. He could still feel the lingering charge from the orb, the hum of something vast and untapped within him. The lightning had recognized him, had responded to him not as a wielder but as kin. He didn't understand what "Embodied" meant, but he had felt the difference, this wasn't about controlling an external force. It was about acknowledging something that was already part of him.
“Then we keep it secret,” Fin said, his voice steadier than he expected.
Donovan studied him for a moment before nodding. He placed a firm hand on Fin’s shoulder, his grip solid and grounding. “This changes things, son. We’ll need to train you properly. No more treating this like a game.”
Fin met his father’s gaze and nodded. “I understand.”
The air in the chamber remained heavy, but the decision had been made. Marian began carefully recording the “official” results, three High affinities, extremely remarkable but not unprecedented. Cahira moved to the chamber’s edge, already planning how to present the news to the household, to peers, crafting a narrative that would protect her son.
Alaric extinguished some of the sconces, reducing the visibility of the scorch marks on the floor. “I will ensure the chamber is sealed afterward. No one will see evidence of what truly transpired.”
As the others busied themselves with the practicalities of their deception, Fin stood alone by the pedestal. Lightning danced at his fingertips as he clenched his fist, tiny arcs of blue-white energy that seemed to come not from the air around him but from within. His path forward had changed. His power, his future, they would be his to control.