Chapter 50: EX 50. Arrival Of Chaos
In the world of trial takers, magic was not as simple as choosing a class—it was bound by something deeper: the resonance of one’s awakened talent.
To wield spells, a trial taker needed to awaken a magic-type talent. Without this foundation, spellcasting was impossible, no matter how skilled or knowledgeable a person might be. Even those who chose the Mage class—often assumed to be the gateway to magic—could not cast actual spells unless their awakened talent matched a magical affinity.
Instead, mage-class takers without a magic talent would rely solely on Mage skills.
The difference between skills and spells was vast:
Skills were instantly mastered upon acquisition, perfect in execution and designed to synergize seamlessly with one’s class.
They were like embedded techniques—automated and efficient. However, they came with a strict limitation: a trial taker could only learn a limited number of them, determined by their level.
Spells, on the other hand, required study, practice, and progression. Mastery came in stages: Beginner > Adept > Skilled > Expert > Perfected. A trial taker could only learn a spell if they had awakened a magic talent of the same affinity—a fire talent could only learn fire spells, for example.
But while difficult to master, spells offered something skills couldn’t: limitless potential. A magic user could learn as many spells as they could handle, unrestricted by hard caps.
Back to James.
Among many trial takers who sought glory through blades and brute strength, James had awakened a rare edge, even if it was an Ordinary-ranked Dark Magic talent.
This affinity opened the gate for him to learn spells of the dark element. Although his talent rank was not exceptional, it gave him access to a hidden well of power. And before the selection began his master had given him something most cadets could only dream of—a Tier VII dark spell.