The class was silent as if the words were as magical as theenergy in our chests. Maybe they were. My sisters told me the best professors here infused their power into their lessons so you left with more than just knowledge. You left with a magical boost.
“Okay,” Professor Damone continued, “let’s get to the practical fun. Who here already knows their elemental affinity?”
More than half the students raised their hands, including Belle. I tried not to let my envy sprout green across my face, butit would have been nice to have less mystery around that fragment of my life. A niggling part of me still wondered if I mightbe a dud, prone to occasional emotional outbursts and nothing else.
“Water over here,” Professor Damone called, and Belle was on her feet before anyone else even shifted their chairs.
“Holy shit, I’ve waited so long to specialize in my element.”
I reached out and patted her arm. “You go, girl. Show them how you handle your water.”
Belle wrinkled her forehead. “Why did that sound dirty? I’m definitely using that line though.”
I couldn’t help but laugh after she skipped off to join the other water elementals. The room was dividing into five distinctgroups, leaving those of us without an affinity or non-elementals at our desks.
“Amazing results already,” Professor Damone trilled. “So many of you already strongly connected to an element. Seniors willbe joining us shortly to assess your strengths and assign additional element-specific classes based on that. But remember,Elemental 101 will remain for at least the first half of the year. Learning to touch every aspect of the great cycle is importantto create well-rounded magical adults.”
The door opened to the classroom for the seniors to enter, all of them dividing into the elemental group they were supervising. “The best and brightest elementals will be guiding you,” Professor Damone explained. “Learn as much as you can from them.”
It wasn’t long before we felt the heat of fire, the chill of water, gusts of air, and the scent of earth, along with the clangof metal. We were surrounded by elementals as they bonded, leaving the rest of us to cool our heels and feel left out.
Professor Damone gave us all of her focus. “Let’s see if any of you hold an affinity in the elements.” Her wind rushed throughthe room once more, bringing small trays to our desks. Mine landed softly, and I recognized the four items resting on topof the silver base—I’d tried this test before at home and had no results.
“I’ll be coming around to each desk to test air personally,” the professor said, “but if you’ve used this kit before, go rightahead and test the others.”
I touched the small pile of dirt first, the deep rich brown coating my fingertips. I let the swirl of magic in my center movetoward my palms, trying to feel the elements that made up the dirt. But there was no feeling of connection, no way I couldmanipulate any of the grains on my palms. It was just dirt.
I tried water next, swirling my fingers through the glass, washing away the earth, but again there was no connection. I feltno urge to surround myself with the water. As much as I enjoyed showers, that was where my love for water ended.
Putting water aside, I moved on to the flint and accompanying tinder. The flint was used for initial combustion, but thenit would be a fire elemental’s job to control the flames. Fire and air often went together, like for my dad, who was almostequally strong in both.
Theequalpart of that equation was what made his a rare magical ability. Usually there was a dominant and a secondary.
The flint struck on the third attempt, and the smallest of flames sprang to life. The heat was low, almost negligible, and for the first time I felt the slightest of draws, deep in my chest, a lingering connection. But no matter how hard I tried to create a larger flame, it remained steadfastly a tiny flicker, before eventually sputtering and dying out.
An echoing hollowness resounded in my chest, and as much as I wanted to cling to that tiny,tinydraw I’d felt, I knew it wasn’t even close to being strong enough for an affinity.
The final element on the tray was metal. Five rods of differing metals spread out, and I recognized iron, silver, and rhodium.The other two were a mystery, both dark gray and without any shine.
Lifting each piece, I searched for a connection, but once again there was a slight spark with rhodium and iron and nothingwith the rest. Why the Hel did a slight spark feel worse than no spark? That flicker of hope hurt even more when it was dashed.
Professor Damone made it to my desk not long after. She observed the elements scattered on my tray, her sharp gaze missingnothing. “No calling from these four,” she said, and it wasn’t a question.
I shook my head. “Not really. I felt the barest flicker with fire and metal.”
There was a shred of sympathy in her blue eyes as she nodded. “Your father told me you unlocked your energy only recently.A lot of the students here have had months, if not a full year to work on their affinity before the start of college. Youdon’t need to worry about finding an affinity for a long time, Ms. Hallistar. It will come when you’re ready.”
It was a “mom” pep talk if I’d ever heard one, and I felt a pang for my own. I needed to call home and let her know Iwas settling in, but I’d been waiting for Dad to give me their decision first. It was odd that he hadn’t come to find me yet.
“Thank you. As frustrating as it is not knowing exactly where my magic affinity lies, I’m excited for the opportunity to learnand grow.”
“An excellent attitude that will take you very far,” she replied with a knowing smile. “Before I leave, let’s test out air.”
The air wasn’t visible, but as I closed my hand over hers, I felt it swirl, tickling the underside of my palm. Letting herenergy settle against my skin, I shut my eyes, and searched for the draw.
Professor Damone remained silent, and even though my eyes were closed, I felt her focus on me. After a beat, I released thewind, and it drifted back to her.
“Well?” she asked, sounding as if she already knew the answer.
