Chương 386: Transformation Affinity

Damion had seen this argument coming long before Mage Weylin started speaking. He knew the association was looking for a way to divide the people of Atlantis and this seemed to be the crutch of it. How could they teach a new generation of mages if no one knew what their affinities were?

"Your testing crystals are not required. Our schooling program, while not ready to begin until the new year, will be different than other Zones. It is one of the key principles on which we have founded Atlantis and Avalon."

"Then you intend to raise a generation of knights," Mage Weylin scoffed.

"Without the Mage Associations testing crystals, you will be forced to guess at affinities. Chances are you will end up with only a one in ten success rate."

"I see you are not aware," Damion said with a smile.

"We have no need for the testing crystals because they serve no purpose."

"No… purpose?" Mage Weylin mumbled.

"I have devised a spell that allows me to identify the Rank and affinity of individuals, even if they are not yet trained."

"Mage Wells, you must learn to bluff better. There is no way such a spell could exist."

"You are an A Rank Nature mage. The two men beside you are both B Rank Earth mages."

"This proves nothing. You could have asked about us before you entered this forum."

"What about asking about your artifacts. Such as the lie detection ring on your finger. It is a B Rank artifact. With that, you should have been able to tell I speak truly. There is no need for your artifact because I can discern what affinity our students are. While I have not taught my spell to anyone else yet, I will in time."

"What affinity am I?" a female mage on opposition's end of the table asked. She wore bulky flowing robes that disguised her figure. Despite not being able to discern much about her, Damion could tell a few things, her olive-colored skin and oval face and pixie cut brown hair told him she was probably not from any of the cities he had been too.

"B Rank… are you sure you want me to say it?" Damion asked, stopping himself.

"It is fine."

"Transformation mage. Which I must admit, I have never seen before. I would be delighted to have a conversation with you later."

"How does that prove anything? For all I know Mage Wells and you are old friends," Mage Weylin said.

"It proves Mage Wells can identify affinities. I have never met him before and since there is no Adventurer Association or Mage Association branch in Atlantis, there is no possibility of him looking my information up." Mage Weylin did not have an argument to refute Mage Parivar's reasoning and remained silent, allowing Mage Parivar to continue.

"I believe Mage Wells has well and fully deconstructed the arguments in favor of the Mage Association having a Branch in Atlantis. I would ask the council for a new vote." If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"Very well, Mage Parivar. All in favor of the Mage Association establishing a branch in Atlantis, please raise your hand," Mage Fletcher said to the council. None of the hands on the council moved. Either Damion had successfully convinced them, or they realized he was opposed to the idea and decided to change their vote to curry future favor with him. Whichever was the case, Damion did not particularly care. He was just happy the issue was resolved.

"I would like to add," Damion said, speaking up.

"While we have declined the establishment of a branch today, in the future, once our city is more fully developed, we may broach the topic again and reach a different answer."

"I appreciate your forethought," Mage Weylin said before retreating from the petitioner's table with the rest of his party.

"Is there any other business to be brought to the council?" Mage Fletcher asked. When no one spoke up, Mage Fletcher continued.

"In that case, this council stands adjourned." After Mage Fletcher dismissed the council nearly everyone began filing out of the room. Those remaining were the S Rank mages and Damion. He felt a bit overwhelmed, being in a room alone with four S Ranks.

"Thank you for the assistance today," Mage Fletcher said.

"This argument has been going on for a couple of days now. I'm not sure if Mage Weylin intentionally waited until Helga went into the labyrinth or if it was just bad luck, but it has been a long couple of days.

"Did two of you really think it would be a good idea for the Mage Association to have a branch in the city?" Damion asked.

"Our acceptance would have been under the condition that the Mage Association was subject to the same terms as everyone else."

"Then we would be in forever negotiations for a leader for the Mage Association branch like we are with the Adventurer Association."

"We will eventually find someone that meets our requirements," Mage Strand said.

"Perhaps we should just wait a few weeks. Then perhaps you will qualify for the job."

"I don't think that is a position I'll qualify for anytime soon."

"Don't sell yourself short Mage Wells, we can all tell your magic power has risen considerably in the last few days," said Mage Levine with a smile.

"Mage Teft assisted me in reaching the A Rank floors. The higher mana density there made increasing my magic power much easier."

"First time in an A Rank environment?" Mage Fletcher asked.

"No. But it was the first time I could focus solely on gathering mana. My future progress probably won't be as extreme."

"Yes. Even with Helga's intensive physical training since you were young, keeping your physical condition at an adequate level to contain your magic power can be difficult."

"Any tips?" Damion asked the S Ranks. These four were among the strongest of humanity, he was sure they would be able to at least give him some advice that would be helpful.

"Helga had you use training bangles when you were training before didn't she?"

"The training bracelets?" Damion recalled the artifacts that he had worn day and night until he reached D Rank.

"Yes. Perhaps you should get yourself a new set. Constant resistance is a sure way to steadily increase your strength. And when you combine the bangles with actual training, you should be able to keep your physical strength ahead of your magic power."

"But the training bracelets only worked until I reached D Rank."

"I seem to recall you running a service to upgrade artifacts not too long ago."

"Right," Damion said, feeling he should have thought of that long ago. All he had to do was get a set of them again, surely Amos Flannery would be able to supply him with a set.

"I'm told you have created quite the map of our labyrinth so far," Mage Strand said.

"Might we take a look?" Damion took out his tablet and pulled up the labyrinth maps. He activated the projection mode so each of the S Rank mages in the room could take a look at the map of each floor. For a few moments none of them spoke. After they finished reviewing the maps, it was Mage Fletcher that spoke first.

"The floors of this labyrinth are nearly twice the size of any of the other labyrinths. I am looking forward to Helga's report on the A Rank and S Rank floors."

"I'm looking forward to my chance to head inside," added Mage Strand.

"Yes. Judging by Mage Wells' rise in magic power I think we will have an excellent chance to enhance our powers."