More answers, and questions

Arn tried to act as calmly as possible. It would be best for him if he could be alone with whatever demon was here, and the less Sir Osburg knew of their interaction, the better.

As the pain abated, the orb in the mage's hands became the same color as the mark on his arm, and Sir Osburg hummed, as if not impressed.

Rolling the sleeves of his blue tunic up, Sir Osbug revealed his own blue mark, a symbol of a cluster of clouds intertwined in the form of a portal. Then he held the orb, now shining a sky-blue color, and began his explanation, silencing Arn's doubts as he spoke.

"You see, boy, for the majority of mages, their affinities are manifested in the mark on their right forearm, if available. I see that your condition has not changed this fact, even if you try to hide it in those vanbraces, but perhaps it has only changed your original affinities." He continued, rubbing his short, still mostly black, beard. "The magic affinities usually manifest themselves in colors, and we, mages, have divided them into five major groups, each opposed by two and closer to the other two." He began drawing a circle on the dirty floor, with five points, equally spaced. " First, we have white, which is closer to blue and green, and opposed to red and black; it symbolizes control, and the white mage usually employs magic capable of restraining or incapacitating their foes. Then, we have blue, the color of knowledge, closer to black and white, and furthest from green and red. The blue mage employs either mind magic, with illusions and aetherial constructs, or lightning and wind. This is the most common affinity for humans. Then, we have green, the color of strength and growth, closer to white and red, and the green mage usually is indistinguishable from a Shield, except he can boost his strength manyfold. This branch of magic is believed to be extinct, as no surviving green mage is known. As for the rest, you can guess their position, but red is usually manifested by fire and represents strong emotion."

He paused somberly and continued: " And black, or purple, is the only color never seen on humans; it is tied to demons and corrupted monsters, and represents avarice, greed, lust, and envy. Usually, the demon mages employ magic capable of sapping their enemies' strength or taking something from others for their own gain, and it is your affinity in this moment." Before Arn could voice his doubts, he silenced him with a raised hand and continued. " Naturally, no mage is equal, and most affinities don't have a single color; it is more of a combination, with one major color and a speck of another, making a mage's power as unpredictable as possible. For example, I am a blue mage, but my constructs are as solid as they can be, for a speck of white color sets me apart from what I explained before."

"And what about me?" Arn pleaded, "What can I learn?"

"Goddess alone knows, you surely have black as a major color, and I can see no speck of another on the accursed mark upon your forearm." The Mage pondered. "Perhaps, it would do you good to research our archive for some clues to the demon's capabilities, but in the meantime, I shall set you with some general exercises about mana, and its circulation, as well as the theory on magic, which would be of use to any mage, and I am sure it will benefit you as well. So, wait for me here as I fetch the tomes and get back, as you are not permitted to wander the tower anymore. Remember, I am always watching. Do not try to leave before I command." He nodded to the aetherial bird and left through the door Arn had entered by.

Seeing the demon's door had been unbarred, Arn tried getting its attention. But soon realized it was not needed.

Now, little one, heed me well, for you are to be our key.

It rattled his bones again, a feeling Arn would never get used to.

You are turned into Aelantach, our hope. And many of us would see you succeed, as many would try to challenge you, getting your blood on their claws would be their greatest achievement, so learn well, and grow your fangs for the fight ahead.

The human mage will try to limit you, control you, but not I; you are what I need, what we need, as it was promised by him.

Its honeyed words could not disguise the inherent malice it carried in its soul.

Arn bit back his question so as not to alert the mage, watching through the bird, but who was he that the demon mentioned?

Learn through the cattle's mana shaping and circulation exercises. It said, mockingly. But know that magic is yours to command; should you have the strength to seize it, it will come in your blood, as you drink that of your foes.

In time, I will show you more, but today, take this small gift.

Arn could only see a malign grin, peeking from behind the creature's cell, before a large talon tapped on the bars, and all the other cells fell silent, just to begin echoing a multitude of screeches and the gurgling of blood.

All the other demons and creatures lay dead, he presumed by their silence, as their life forces condensed in a black ball on the creature's outstretched talon in front of its bars. And as the bird began screeching in alarm, and the rustle of knights could be seen scurrying down from the floor above, the black ball on the creature's hand flew and passed through Arn's chest, going straight to his core. His last moments of consciousness were spent watching the demon's wicked smile fade in the darkness of its cell.

It seemed to him that passing out with his body burning made for a poor routine.

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Sorry for the infodump, but it is needed for world building. Please, do not forget to comment and talk to me in the DM if you are too shy to speak here. Thank you all again