“Mana is derived from different elements,” Archmage Jerine spoke as he placed six identical glass globes the size of a child’s fist on the table in front of Shilo. “Some mages have more of an affiliation towards one element than another. With this test, we will see if you can detect any elemental constituents within the spheres.”

“This again?” Shilo stared down at the globes and cocked his head. He looked back up through the long lashes of his half-lowered lids and quipped, “You guys gotta thing for balls don’t ya?”

Archmagus Arrinon choked out an exasperated snort crossed with a disgruntled throat-clearing sputter before barking, “Concentrate!”

This was the third time in just as many days Shilo was trapped in the same little white room with Lytah, the pompous windbag Archmagus Arrinon, the ineffectual technician Archmage Jerine, and the dutifully compliant transcribing Mage Gitra with the sadistic Enforcer Kirlim still guarding the door. Crap, couldn’t they find another enforcer at least?

It felt like every test was just a repeat, the only difference was this time Jerine explained the point of it. Can’t these enlightened dunderheads think of anything else to waste their time on? 

“Okay,” Shilo huffed, picking up a sphere. “So, why are there six balls when there’s only four elements?”

“Yes,” Jerine explained, “while there are four main elemental powers: earth, wind, fire, and water, that align best with the four states of matter: solid~earth, liquid~water, gas~air, and plasma~fire, there are actually six magical elements with six influential elemental sparks that affect mana. Along with the basic elements: air, fire, water, and earth, there is also spirit and mind. Then there are the spark elements of: darkness, light, space, time, mineral, and nature that can influence the mana’s outcome. Each of these have specific attributes, its own effects, and even its own philosophical theories that archmagi and other intellectuals have debated over for centuries.”

Shilo tried not to gawk at the man. Truthfully, he hadn’t expected an answer. Not once before had the guy offered anything truly helpful or informative, but today, he was a chatterbox. 

Shilo pursed his lips and concentrated on the sphere. It was cold, almost weightless, and gave off a slight vibration that seemed to hum inside his head, calling and insistent. He purposely tried to ignore it. Clenching his jaw, he carefully put the sphere back down and prayed no one noticed.

“Some of that just sounds like you're just repeating yourself,” Shilo muttered.

“For clarification, spirit is simply spiritual energy or as it is sometimes called, the void element~which is sending one’s self out spiritually such as dream walking or healing. It’s also the mana element used to power the magic in the portal mirrors that allows people to transport anywhere there is another responsive mirror. While the mind is mental magic like telepathy and telekinesis.”

“Yes, very informative—” Arrinon started to say, only to become dumbfounded as Jerine excitedly rambled on.

“Each of these magical elements have subcategories that branch off of them and can be combined with spark elements to make even stronger spells. And that’s not even counting what happens when variations in temperature, velocity, and acceleration are added to the mix.”

Arrinon cleared his throat, loudly.

“Every mage has an element they’re most proficient at,” Jerine continued to explain. He soon became animated enough to even count on his fingers for emphasis. “Most mages are usually strong in one or two elements of mana and may have a lesser ability in a few others while other mages can even be strong in three or four. But very rarely is a mage able to manipulate all six. Although even with one element, a mage can achieve amazing magic. Though a mage with the ability to combine several elements will almost always produce a more powerful spell.” 

Arrinon glared with his lips pressed tight in a thin line. Shilo swore a hissing sound was escaping from that frumpy frown.

“That being said, all mages have some affinity to the mind and spirit or else the inner will needed to perform magic would not be there. We mages would be just as numb to the mana flows as any other mundane, if that was not the case. But since we mages are Wia blessed, we can manifest and manipulate mana. Or as some like to say, we can harness the power of chaos and create order within the void.”

“Void?” Shilo asked and bit his cheek to keep from smiling when he heard Arrinon growl.

“Yes, to quote scripture, ‘In the darkness of the void of nothingness, mana flows freely, for that was the realm first touched with the spark of creation, Dra’s essence. Mana is the power of creation which flows within the spiritual essence of every living being and outwardly it streams through nature and space, bringing life where once was not.’ Wia, in her wisdom, knew mana was too powerful for just anyone to handle, so she bestowed the gift of magic on those humans standing in the eclipse’s path of totality at the dawn of creation as her contribution to life.”

Mage Gitra’s quill speed across the paper, somehow managing not to break the tip. Poor Gitra was going to run out of ink in her little inkwell the way Archmage Jerine was going. 

“However,” Jerine continued, “biologically speaking, although there are many elements, hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen are the four most essential for life. Everything is made up of matter, which is held together or pushed farther apart by forces of attraction and repulsion, causing substances to appear to change in mass and volume. But that’s a lesson for another time.”

“Why not now?” Shilo asked, hoping to delay the test even further.

“Oh! Look at you, all inquisitive! But right now we’re focusing on mana and its applications.”

“Archmage Jerine,” Arrinon tried interrupting.

“Mana in itself should be classified as a biological element since it flows through nature and within every living thing. It is the core of creation and every mage has the ability to harness that core within them. Casters, in other words, mages, are the main influencers of mana. They use the mana swirling loose in nature to pull inwards into themselves to mingle with their own mana flow inside their body and then push it outwards with their will to cast spells, id est, magic. There are even certain skill sets of mages who can harness the mana inside themselves to strengthen their physical attacks—”

“Archmage Jerine!” Arrinon snapped. “You are stepping beyond what is necessary to be constructive towards this test. Are you trying to facilitate a contrived response?” 

Shilo sighed and picked up another glass globe, rolling it in his hands. Guess it’s back to playing this asinine game.

After that demonstration of futility, Shilo stood with the Archmagus in front of the Council heads, magistrates, and chancellors for another fruitless endeavor. On the plus side, the ruling heads were beginning to grasp that he had no ability. Their interest seemed to be waning since the length of the proceedings were getting shorter and shorter after each test. Shilo felt his hope start to bud.

Lytah announced she was taking him down to the cafeteria for lunch and of course, Kirlim followed close behind. The Archmagus said it was for their safety but they all knew that was a load of bullcrap. The other day when they were here, Yun and Jin started heading towards their table until Lytah ever so slightly shook her head against it. Judging by the surprise on each sibling’s face that quickly turned displeased, Shilo was quite certain Lytah used telepathy to warn them away. Yun stood there with a scowl aimed at the enforcer until Jin nudged her over to a seat a few tables over. Then later, when they returned home, Romin congratulated Lytah on finally seeing the light and adhering to his words. 

Shilo shot the agent of subjugation and repression with a glare. Kirlim gave him a bored look over his mug of ale. He snapped his fingers. The small flare of mana that crackled and popped before flickering out in a puff of smoke was quite effective at halting any further bouts of facial insolence.

Shilo arched his neck and glanced around, searching the cafeteria, but today Jin and Yun were nowhere to be seen. Yes, the two of them may be a little gruff in demeanor and slightly scary, nevertheless they were still a damn sight better company than the heartless enforcer. Seeing them would’ve set him at ease, when they were around the enforcer was at least kept in check. 

Unfortunately, looking around caused him to notice more than a few hard eyes turn his way. Shilo reached to pull up his hood, only to realize he wasn’t wearing his coat, Lytah rushed him out of the apartment without it. He bowed his head and his shoulder length hair draped down his face, hiding him a little. The archmagus confiscated all his ash coverup, leaving his natural coloring exposed. With a sigh, he stared down at his bowl of beef and barley stew, stirring it around before taking a bite.

“That’s him, isn’t it? That blacken boy?”

“Yes,” the woman hissed to her companion. “Why is he allowed to roam free? You think they’d have him chained like they did—”

The enforcer turned his head and the couple quickly silenced their conversation. Shilo hunched himself even more over his bowl.

Lytah’s hand landed on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Just ignore them. I’m with you. I’ll keep you safe.”

“Yeah,” a male voice heckled. “Keep the little bastard safe. So safe, blood will rain down on any who goes near, friend or foe alike.”

Kirlim scowled while Shilo glanced nervously between Lytah and the soldier, both of whom growled low and threatening at each other with their tail twitching about.

The soldier glared at him and spat, “Damn witch’s spawn.”

“Witch’s spawn?” Shilo whispered. 

Lytah’s hand closed over his, gripping it tight. “You’re not one nor will you ever be,” she uttered with a growl.

“Yes, if the chancellors do their job and exterminate the freaky little shit, he’ll never have the chance to become one.”

Kirlim’s chair screeched as he stood, however, the soldier paid it no heed.

“F*ck, just eliminate the little blighter and be done.”

Several people murmured their agreement. 

Shilo trembled. Everything he ate started to turn sour in his stomach. He wanted to flee. There was a reason he hid himself behind all the ash and gunk, he still had scars from the last time he was attacked due to his natural color. This wasn’t the first time he was referred to as a witch, though no one ever bothered to explain exactly what it meant other than saying he was a wretched and evil boy.

Lytah’s gentle caress calmed his urge to run, however his stomach still felt like it was churning lead.

Kirlim stepped up to the table where the soldier sat, his tail flicked about under his purple enforcer cloak. “I believe you’ve said quite enough, sir.”

The soldier growled, “You think you have the right to bring that bastard witch spawn in here, uncollared? What about our rights? Our safety? Isn’t that your damn job, Enforcer? If you’re too inept to handle it, then why don’t you call for an Eliminator to do it for you? Or is it once again, the safety of the common citizens holds no precedence over that of one blacken psychotic freak?”

“That’s right,” the rude woman interjected. “Shouldn’t we, the citizens, have a say? If he’s that much of a threat, it should be up to us if he lives, not the mages who allow this little beast to walk amongst us unrestricted!”

“By Baz’s nutless ballsack,” someone else griped. “Can’t they just eliminate the freaky little runt?”

Fear constricted Shilo’s throat as the full realization of what was being said hit him. His breath quickened to shallow gasps and he felt himself starting to hyperventilate. 

Lytah pulled him in close, shielding his face, and with that action, his breathing regulated.

“And if he’s anything like her,” another man shouted, “then to hell with what these mages want and kill the f**king little bastard!”

Lytah growled and rose from her seat.

Her? Shilo glanced up at Lytah as she pulled him out of his seat. His trembling prevented the question from escaping his lips. He couldn’t imagine what this kindhearted lady beside him could have possibly done to instill such wrath. Crap, he could never figure out what he had done to garner so much hate towards a mere kid. He sniffed, choking back his tears.

**Kirlim, we’re leaving.** Lytah projected to both Shilo and the enforcer. **Now!**

More started to voice their objections for his life, their voices becoming louder and more hostile. With a growl, Lytah draped her arm protectively over him, hiding his head and hurrying him out the door. At the same time, several officers of different branches of law enforcement stepped up, trying to quell the situation.

Once they were a safe distance away, Lytah stopped and hugged Shilo tight while Kirlim stood guard.

“I-I’m not a witch,” Shilo whispered, burying himself within her embrace, his voice shaking through his tears. “I’m not a m-m-mage. I’m not a muscle man. I’m just a freak whose blackness means nothing.”

The following day, Shilo completed several intelligence tests that focused on memory, spatial perception, and problem solving. Afterwards, Kirlim ushered them back to Lytah’s apartment and the cafeteria was never mentioned again.