Chapter 2.7:

After leaving the regulation sector we walked for a few minutes to reach the Learning and Development Center which was a big building with a rounded glass dome for a roof. Even from afar, I could see flashes of different colored lights dance in the glass.

Abram noticed my stare. “Those are the mana seep from the assessment crystal. The crystal magnifies a person’s mana output to read their affinity. So a person’s mana is projected into a beam and you see the reflection on the roof.”

I looked on in awe as we entered the building. A lot of activity was happening inside. Kids were getting tested in the assessment crystal at the center, then getting escorted to another room. Some of them were leaving with big documents in their hands.

We headed straight for the receptionist in front.

“Welcome to the Learning and Development Center”, she said with a bow. “How might I help you today?”

“Good day, madam. We just came from finalizing my son’s adoption,” Abram began while gesturing to me. “We were hoping to get his affinity examined and maybe find him a suitable master.”

A Master?

“Of course. Kindly wait a moment.” The receptionist replied as she took the documents signed by the Royal Registrar.

After quickly going over the documents and writing something down, the receptionist handed them back to Abram. “Right this way please.”

She led us to a queue in front of the assessment crystal. “Please wait for your turn. Krysie will be your assessor for today. She will prompt you to come forward.” The receptionist pointed to a woman in a long white coat near the crystal.

We waited patiently in line. There were three kids accompanied by guardians ahead of me. The one at the crystal extended his hand and on his touch, the crystal glowed a deep violet.

Krysie examined the color of the crystal closely while she made notations on her clipboard. She had some exchanges with the child and his guardian before handing them a small slip and they headed to the next room. She then gestured for the next child to come forward.

The next child’s mana seep was a bright white, and the one right before me had a green mana seep. After a while, it was finally my turn.

Krysie gestured for me to come forward.

I took a deep breath and walked directly to the crystal. When I was only a few steps away, Krysie had me stop. “Just right there, please. Hello, young man. Do you have experience in mana channeling?” She said while not looking up from her clipboard.

“I… what? Ah… yes ma’am.” I stuttered.

“Okay good. Please channel your mana into the crystal. Feel free to take your time to prepare.” She replied mechanically.

I placed my hand on the crystal and closed my eyes. I did a few long breaths and started picturing an ebb and flow of energy in me traveling into the crystal. I could feel the crystal responding to my energy and pulsating softly.

I opened my eyes to see the crystal lit up in a bright red color. Krysie was looking at it closely with her mouth slightly agape.

“Red… so fire affinity. But spots of a deep blue? A bright blue?” She muttered to herself as she examined the crystal and adjusted her glasses.

A blue?

I looked closer at the crystal and could see some small orbs of blue that were popping sporadically amidst the red.

“Hmm… no… more like a sky blue. Most likely creation affinity.” Krysie concluded as she scribbled on her clipboard. “You may let go of the crystal now young man.”

I let go and turned to look at Abram and Paul at the side who were giving me a thumbs up in support.

Krysie finished scribbling and tore out a small slip and handed it to me. “Your affinity is for fire and creation magic. Fairly common. Suggested professions include blacksmith-enchanter, baker, chef, candle-maker, engineer, and soldier,” she enumerated. “Any questions?”

I took the slip and considered her words.

“I can be a baker?” I asked excitedly.

“Yes, that is what I said.” Krysie replied in a curt tone. “Any other questions?”

“Um… no ma’am.” I said meekly.

“In that case, please proceed to the next room where a coordinator will try to match you with a master.” She said while pointing to the room to the right.

“Come on, son.” Abram called.

I joined Abram and Paul and we headed to the room. I glanced back at Krysie who was also staring at me with a searching look. Our eyes met and she looked away.

Chapter 2.8:

The next room had sections cordoned off where kids and their guardians were speaking to impressive looking figures. Before we could go in further, we were approached by a tired looking young man with rims of folders in his hands.

He held out his hand expectantly at me and I handed him the slip of paper I received.

“Hmm… alright. Well, what profession are you interested in?” He asked in a monotonous voice.

“Well, I think either a baker or engineer sounds good to me.” I replied.

“Engineers require two years of vocational schooling to study foundational engineering principles in addition to the State’s mandatory formal education before they can be matched with a master.” The coordinator explained.

That’s too long… That just means it will take so much longer for me to start helping Abram and Paul out.

“Um… what about being a baker then?” I probed.

“You may immediately start learning from a master even before your formal education begins as long as someone is willing to teach you.” He continued with a bored look.

“Can any baker teach me? Because there’s a really good baker in North Haven and I want to learn from him.” I said expectantly.

The coordinator looked at me, sighed, and opened up one of his folders.

“Based on our records, the only master baker in North Haven is Master Rayu but he has declined to take in students.” He replied.

Master Rayu? That name doesn’t sound familiar. What was the baker’s name?

“Uh… does Master Rayu own the Heavenly Loaf?” I asked.

“No. He has not opened a shop in North Haven. He only bakes by special request.” The coordinator added.

“That’s not right… are you sure there’s not another master baker? The owner of the Heavenly Loaf is really good. He has to be a master.” I insisted.

“I assure you. Unless he’s an illegal practitioner, there are no other master bakers registered with the State in North Haven.” He said simply

“Can you please just check again, his bakery is called the Heavenly Loaf. He’s about thirty years old? Kind of tall?” I argued.

The coordinator started getting irate. “Look here —”

But Abram interjected, “My apologies, good sir. It’s my fault for not explaining to my son the difference between State professionals and those engaged in common trade.”

I looked at Abram in confusion.

“Well that explains it.” The coordinator said in irritation.

Abram turned to me. “Son, not every baker is a State professional. In fact, most commoners who bake or cook aren’t really trained to do so by masters. They may learn from books or from their own parents. But they employ no magic in doing so. Mister Fleur of the Heavenly Loaf is certainly an excellent baker. But he’s not a master.”

Mister Fleur… So that’s his name.

“Then what’s the difference?” I pressed.

“A regular baker is limited by his personal knowledge, experience, and physical stamina in engaging in his trade.” Abram said patiently. “There’s also a limit on the quality of his goods. But a master baker can bake a hundred loaves of bread in one go. They can get consistent results every time. They can learn to bake better and faster. They can enchant bread to give added beneficial effects or to last for a really long time. And they can make it exponentially more delicious.” Abram explained.

Oh…

“Is that the profession you want to learn, son?” Abram asked.

“Hmm… does that mean if I learn from a Master and open up a shop of my own… I would be competing with Mister Fleur?” I asked sadly.

“I mean it wouldn’t be a competition little bro.” Paul answered. “You’d drive him out of business.”

“I don’t want to do that.” I replied.

Abram nodded his head. “I understand. But you could always open a shop elsewhere so you wouldn’t have to compete with Mister Fleur?”

I looked at Abram dejectedly. “But where will I find a master?”

Abram turned to the coordinator, “would Master Rayu maybe reconsider teaching my son?”

The coordinator shook his head. “I’m afraid not. You’re not the first person to ask. But he has rejected the last twelve requests that he has received.”

Abram thought long and hard. “Are there any masters in the Capital that are willing to take in Adi?”

I snapped my head in Abram’s direction.

Are they going to leave me here?

The coordinator opened another folder. “Hmm… Yes, we do have some masters willing to take in students in the Capital. But he would have to stay here. Most lessons take the whole day. Commuting isn’t really an option.”

Abram looked at me, “what do you think, son? We could get you a room here and maybe visit a couple of times a month?”

“I don’t want you to leave me behind .” I replied quietly.

“Neither do I, son.” Abram said with a smile as he patted my head. “Well then, do you want to be an engineer?” Abram continued.

I shook my head.

The coordinator sighed and rolled his eyes. “What about a blacksmith-enchanter then? You can also start learning right away without additional formal schooling.”

“Would there be one available to teach Adi in North Haven?” Abram asked.

“Well, it says here that Master Falchion just recently retired permanently from his duties as the State designated master blacksmith-enchanter of North Haven. We haven’t had much luck finding a willing replacement so we’ve asked one of our other retired masters to take up a temporary post there.” The coordinator explained.

He then turned around and started craning his head. He then gestured to an old man at the back of the room to come forward.

“This is Master Guy Leery.” The coordinator introduced the old man.

Master Leery looked at me head to toe, and before I could even introduce myself or make my request, he shook his head. “I’m not taking you as a student, boy.”

The coordinator huffed impatiently. “Master Leery. Please reconsider. You have a responsibility to the State and to other would-be apprentices.”

Master Leery looked at the coordinator, then back at me. “I don’t think this runt has the backbone to be a blacksmith-enchanter. Why don’t you go off and be a cook or something little boy.” He said gruffly.

I started getting annoyed.

“Hey! I’m right here Mister.” I bit back. “I can take whatever training you’re going to give!”

Master Leery looked momentarily taken aback by my retort. “Hmph! Got some fire in you, huh? But all you noble brats are the same. Gonna whine about the heat or the noise of forgework the first chance you get.”

“I’m no noble and I’m not a whiner!” I replied angrily.

The old man paused and considered me again. He held out his walking stick to me. “Hold the other end, boy.”

I grabbed the pointed end of his walking stick.

“See if you can hold on then.” He leered.

I looked on him determinedly as the walking stick started glowing a bright red. It started to heat up. I was initially shocked but I kept my grip.

Master Leery smirked at me as his walking stick grew even brighter and hotter.

I could feel my own hand getting really hot, but I held on.

After a few more seconds, the red light dimmed and Master Leery looked at me in surprise. “Ho ho! Not bad! Not bad at all! Alright, cheeky whelp, you definitely have the will of a blacksmith.”

I continued to glare at him defiantly as I hid my throbbing hand behind my back.

“Fine. I’ll take him on. What’s your name?” Master Leery conceded.

“Adi.” I replied.

“Alright, Adi. It’ll take me a week or so to transfer my forge and my equipment to North Haven. Report to old Falchion’s shop before the crack of dawn on the fifteenth and we’ll see what you’re made of.” Master Leery remarked as he walked back to the back of the room.

The coordinator then cleared his throat. “Alright. Adi… Finch apprentice blacksmith-enchanter to Master Guy Leery of North Haven.” He said as he scribbled on a parchment.

After he finished, he handed me the document. “This is your copy of your official certification as a State apprentice. Please make sure to keep it safe.”

I nodded at the coordinator and held on to the document tightly.

“Was that okay, Abram?” I asked as we walked back into the main hall.

“Aye, son. Fine show. We even got you a master to boot. I’m sure you’re going to become quite the blacksmith-enchanter.” Abram affirmed.

I nodded my head.

“So what now, pa. Head back to North Haven?” Paul asked.

“Yes, son. Just have to stop by the Orphanage to drop off a copy of Adi’s certificate of adoption for their own records.” Abram replied.

We then headed back to the inn.