In this world, power defined destiny. From the moment a child learned to walk, they were taught about life essence (Qi), the fundamental force that flowed through all life.
Essence was the source of strength for both cultivators and magi. But while both paths tapped into essence, their use and understanding of it were vastly different.
Cultivators trained their bodies, spirit, and soul to harmonize with natural essence. Through rigorous physical and spiritual discipline, they advanced through ranks, each tier representing a leap in power, endurance, and technique.
These ranks determined a cultivator's standing in society, from simple village guards to rulers of territories.
On the other hand, magi approached essence through intellect, symbols, and understanding of the arcane. Magi used incantations and essence matrices to weave spells, drawing power from the very laws of reality.
Both cultivator and magus reach upto Rank 9 peak of this world from apprentice rank. Where ech rank have three sub rank Novice, Inept and Peak.
A Rank 9 cultivator was said to faltten mountain with just one move. Where a Rank 9 magus was said to flatten many mountains with just one spells.
But to walk the path of a magus, one first needed the aptitude. A spark of arcane resonance within the soul, a trait extremely rare in cultivator clans like the Drakkor.
A magus was able to cultivate after he reaches Rank 5. But they would have to start from scratch. Although it was time taking task it was very helpful for magus. That's why they are called unstoppable force in battlefield.
When a person reach age of sixteen he is said to take magus abtitude test. Beacuse till age fifteen they cannot intract with nature's essence. That's why many clan trains their young ones to lay a solid foundation first.
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It was still early morning when Kai met his childhood friend, Rex. The two often trained together, though Rex lacked the refined instruction Kai received at home. Unlike Kai, Rex had no family name, raised by an old cultivator who took him in from the streets.
Rex stood by the well in the village square, tossing a pebble up and down in one hand. His wild red hair and loose tunic made him look more like a wandering rogue than a disciple of a cultivator.
"You're late," Rex grinned as Kai approached. "Don't tell me your old man made you run sword drills again?"
Kai let out a soft chuckle. "Just one set. And then another. And then a lecture."
"So the usual." Rex leaned against the well. "Heard your birthday's next month. Ready for the test?"
Kai hesitated. "I don't know. I want to be ready. But no one in the clan has awakened as a magus in many generations."
Rex crossed his arms. "Maybe you'll be the first. Who knows? You always were the weeeeeeeird one."
"Thanks for that," Kai replied dryly.
The two laughed, the kind of easy laughter that only old friends shared.
"By the way didn't you have also have a chance to awaken a bloodline like your father." Rex said.
"I don't know, father said that bloodline can awaken suddenly after age of fifteen or it will take time or it will never awaken." Kai sighed.
In this world bloodline also played an important role. There were two types of bloodline one that is inherited by ancestors and other is which is unique to oneself.
Kai's father bloodline was inherited. It's ability was to extract life essence from nature and use it in a more effective way. It was very useful.
Kai sighed again feeling pressured from the coming future.
Kai and Rex spent the morning sparring lightly, trading techniques and insults with equal passion.
By the time the sun touched its peak, they already went to their home.
Kai was still thinking about next month's aptitude exam.
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Kai stood at the gates of the Drakkor estate, his travel pack slung over one shoulder. His father, Thaleic, stood beside him, his expression heavy. Shasha was standing just behind him, her expression was unreadable.
"I should be going," Kai said, tightening the strap of his pack.
Thaleic looked like he wanted to say something, but instead handed Kai a small pouch. "Twenty gold for the test. Another ten if you're delayed in Azure City. Don't waste it on anything foolish."
Kai took the pouch and nodded. "I won't. I'll find an inn near the testing grounds if it took more time."
"I wanted to come with you," Thaleic added, frowning. "But my old friend's arriving today. It's been over a decade since we've met."
"It's alright," Kai said, offering a smile. "You've trained me for years. I can handle a trip to the city."
Shasha stepped forward and fixed his robe, brushing off imaginary dust. "Don't forget to eat well. And watch the road. Bandits sometimes lurk near the eastern ridge."
"I'll be careful,also I am traveling with group of merchants they have bodyguards with them."
His parents nodded simultaneously.
"Take care." Sasha said putting on a smile.
Kai mounted the brown horse that the stablehands brought him, a well-trained animal with a sadle. He waved once to his parents, then turned and rode off along the dirt path.
The road to Azure City was long but familiar. Rolling hills lined the horizon, with occasional patrols and merchant wagons breaking the monotony. The 25 kilometer journey passed slowly, giving Kai ample time to think.
By afternoon, the city walls came into his view. Azure City lived up to its name with blue tinted stone fortifications and sapphire banners fluttering in the breeze. It was one of the central trade cities in the region, a hub where cultivators, magus, merchants, and scholars crossed paths daily.
An elf guard in polished armor manned the gatehouse, checking entries with trained eyes. Kai dismounted and presented his family token, a carved piece of obsidian with the Drakkor insignia etched into it.
"Purpose of visit?" the elf guard asked.
"Magic aptitude test," Kai answered.
The guard nodded and waved him through.
Inside the city, cobblestone streets bustled with life. Stalls lined the roads, hawking everything from spirit herbs to enchanted trinkets. Many people were buying, selling and talking. It seemed like he was on another planet.
Azure city was very big. And residets here were mostly merchants.
Towering above the southern side was the Azure Arcanum Hall, where magic tests were held. The building gleamed with blue crystal inlays and silver accents, casting a faint blue glow even in daylight.
Kai found it very mesmerizing. Finding his way to Arcanum Hall. When he reached in front of it he was very nervous. His hands was full of sweats today's test will decide his future. He took a deep breath and stared walking towards the big wodeen entrance gate of Arcanum Hall.
A guard asked him the same quest as the elf guard had asked him and let Kai pass the gate.
He went inside and saw a big hall with many chairs in each side. At the front of the hall there was a lady sitting. She was very beautiful.
Wearing a white and slightly gold patterned tunic she was looking at Kai with indifferent gaze.
Kai started walking towards her.
"Magic aptitude test?" lady said in cold manner.
Kai was starttled "Y-YES."
"Submit 20 gold coins, and walk toward that door." She pointed at a the door which was looking a devil's den to Kai.
He submitted 20 gold coins and took the token given by her. He entered the door and saw there was an aptitude test going on. He was a boy his hands were on a head sized crystal ball.
Crystal ball glowed slightly and there was some visible pain in that boy's face. After some time crystal ball dimmed and the glow faded in it.
"Sorry to say you cannot be a magus." a deep voice came from behind the crystal ball. Kai was so distracted by that boy's action he didn't even see a tall white male with yellow hair and green eyes standing behim the crystal ball.
"Next" tall man pointed at Kai and gestured him to come in front of crystal ball. The boy left the room slightly sobbing.
After coming in front of crystal ball, "Place your hand on it." the tall man said.
Kai took a deep breath it was time. Wheather he awakened or not, the next step of his journey will be decided from here.
He placed his hands above crystal and nothing happened his heart sank.
After a brief silience, when Kai was about to cry. Crystal ball lit up it was getting brighter and brighter.
Tall man nodded and said "Congratulations, you have magical aptitude to become a magus. You have high affinity for fire and dark element and low affinity for water element."
Kai was stunned and happy. He started sobbing.
"Yes."