“Why?” Joseph sat alone leaning against White, ‘Father, Mother. Why did you not teach me about magic? Why did you not tell me stories of magical beasts? Why do I know so little about this world?’ Joseph contemplated the situation. The hair on White's back stood up as Joseph came to a conclusion, ‘I know why, it's you isn't it. You told them that the world was gonna end so why would they care to teach me. Of course it was you, it's always your fault. I swear one day I'll—’

Joseph’s train of thought was cut off by a man approaching him. “now, now. a boy your age shouldn't have a look like that on his face.”

Joseph quickly calmed himself realizing his emotions were on full display. “Oh I'm sorry about that, just bad memories. I've only been here for a week so I hope you'll forgive me, but, I don't think we've met. Have we?”

The man smiled, “You haven't met me but I've been keeping an eye on you ever since you lied to the boss.”

Joseph stood up looking the man in the eye before responding, “I have done no such thing!”

So it seems. which is why I've come to you now. I want to know whether you are a liar or an idiot.

Joseph responded before the man could continue talking, “an idiot!” the man was taken aback by Joseph's eagerness to call himself an idiot. “I am no liar so if I must be one, I will be an idiot.”

“An idiot you must be then.”

Joseph’s giant shoulders lowered after he realized he was no longer being called a liar. Once regaining his composure he asked the man, “Why would you accuse me of lying? Where I come from that is not something you call somebody unless certain.”

“Savage, but yet you seem to have a code of honor? Yes, what a strange boy you are. You must really not know the amount of magic you're carrying around your body.”

Joseph looked down scanning his body, “Are you sure about that? I told y'all the only thing I could do was make sticks and wood stronger.”

“That is why I thought you to be a liar. I may not be the best mage around, but that doesn't go for my magic detection. In this aspect I dare say I'm the best around.” the mage crossed his arms in contemplation, “I don't know how it would be possible for you to carry around such vast amounts of magic and not notice it. Everyone is born with a small amount of magic, some can feel it and some can’t. Those who can feel it can use it. Using it trains the body, causing it to create more magic. Do you understand? No one is just born with your amount of magic. It has to be cultivated, nurtured. The amount of magic isn’t extraordinary, but, having your amount of magic without even knowing it’s there. Almost impossible.”

“This magic, will it make me stronger.” Joseph stared at the man intently.

“Greatly so.”

“Please then Mr. Mage, teach me how to use it!”

***

‘How is this possible? this boy with his incredible strength, his ability to tame a great wolf, his incredible amount of magic… has no magical potential whatsoever.’ the mage was awestruck at Joseph's lack of ability.

Joseph looked to the ground repeating what the mage had just told him as if he hadn't heard it himself, “So you're telling me that I have all this magic in me, but I have no affinity for any of the elements so I can't use it.”

“it's just impossible to believe, I honestly don't know how you have no affinity for any of them.” the mage couldn't help but scratch his head.

Joseph looked up to the man while he sat, “Am I broken. Is there anything I can do to gain access to this power? ”

“To not have any affinity towards an element does not mean you are broken, however, it is not something you can change. The Boss also does not have any affinity towards an element which is why he is forced to use one of the lower magics, reinforcement magic.”

Joseph looked at them age and confusion, “But when I fought the Boss the earth stabbed me in the chest?”

“Ah yes you are right, that was the Boss’s magical item. Magical items hold affinity's towards certain elements, allowing someone who doesn't have that affinity to channel their magic through the item and use the element.”

Joseph stood up causing him to now have to look down at the man, “So all I have to do is get a magical item and I can use magic!”

“That is easier said than done, magical items are extremely rare and expensive. Those that are made by humans cost a great deal of time and effort, and also multiple people just to make one.”

“So how did the Boss get one? I can just do whatever he did” White now stood beside Joseph, she had felt his eagerness and was ready to head out at once.

“Well then,” the mage looked at White, “all you have to do is kill a magical beast with a magic affinity. Using the remains from their body you can make a magical item. Beast items are very crude and rudimentary, but they do the job.”

White stepped up to the mage sensing a strange feeling from him as he spoke with Joseph, “calm down White he's just joking.” Grabbing her by the tail Joseph slid her back to his side.

The mage wiped away the cold sweat on his forehead, “Thank you, being so close to a great wolf isn't good for my health.”

Joseph sat back down, putting White in a headlock and petting her profusely. “And where would I find one of these magical beasts?”

“Well not all magical beasts have magical affinity's. First you'll have to find a magical beast then judge what affinity, if any, that it has. Magical beasts are dangerous to even ward off let alone kill. However, I'm sure if you stick with the Boss you'll not only encounter a magical beast but be able to kill it.” The mage turned away from Joseph gesturing goodbye to him before leaving. ‘I guess I'll inform the Boss that this boy is no liar, for now.’

***

Joseph’s leg is thrown to the side as he sleeps, waking him up. he looks around to see everybody packing up to be ready to move. One of the men shouts at Joseph, “Come on boy, you gotta get up, we're heading out.”

Having slept in his armor Joseph was ready to move within a few minutes. It only took him a full day to make a new set of armor that better fit him than his last. The men in the group made fun of him for wearing wooden armor, despite this no one could break it so they didn't try and stop him.

He spotted the Boss walking up to him and asked him where they were headed to now. He had been with them for two weeks and they were constantly moving, as if in search of something. He put a hand on the darkened man shoulders, “Boss, are we headed somewhere with magical beasts now?”

“Ha, not yet boy. You've got enthusiasm but don't go getting yourself killed. This will be your first contract, so we'll see how you perform, and if you do well. Maybe.”

Joseph stuck his forearm out and White bit down on his gauntlet. He shook her head side to side while petting her, “This Is our opportunity White, our first contract. We have to show him what we can do, and grow stronger, together.”

The men around Joseph looked at him with fear in their eyes. While they had begun to warm up to White being around, the idea of ‘playing’ with a great wolf still sent a shiver of fear down their spine.

It wasn't long before they had reached their destination, Joseph hadn't realized it but they had been traveling towards it the entire time. Coming up over a hill the men, including Joseph, was able to get a view of what their target would be.

The Boss stood at the front of them, “Alright men, our target is that fort. Its original inhabitants have all been slain and it has now been taken over by a group of mercenaries. We’re here to take them out.”

One of the men yelled out to the darkened man, “hey Boss, if they're mercenaries wouldn't they be considered our rivals in business?”

The Boss looked back and smiled, “Right you are, so let's take out these men and put some more food in our mouths.”