'What’s wrong?' Ori asked, nonplussed.

  'Nothing’s wrong, per se, but this is a discussion we need to have before we embark on our mission.'

  'Alright?'

  'Do you remember how I planned for this wand to become my phylactery after your summoning? And how I intend to evolve my class into a White Lich. It wasn’t done entirely for self-serving reasons.'

  'What do you mean?'

  'Your aura will allow my sister and her forces to battle the Ravager’s army, but actually killing Eltitus is another matter entirely. I can’t be certain how, but I believe he has an arcane source. One that grants lifeforce instead of mana. One that is corrupted and tied to his soul in a manner not too dissimilar to the way we have been bound.'

  Ori’s frown deepened. 'Go on.'

  'If events unfold in a way that leaves us no other choice, and gives you a chance to get close enough for this to work, I intend to use my soul to purify his source. It would break the link between Eltitus and his phylactery and give you a chance to destroy his vulnerable physical form.'

  'You’re going to use your soul? How? And why do I get the sense you’re planning on sacrificing yourself again?' Ori let out an exasperated sigh.

  'It’s called Soul Detonation. The spell became an option after my soul fused with yours. I don’t intend to sacrifice myself, at least not permanently, and certainly not completely if I have any say in the matter, but the chances… Sera trailed off.

  'But why? Surely there’s another way?'

  'Eltitus is an abomination. He slew my father and threatens all I hold dear. Entire realms have been destroyed by less. If the Ravager successfully consumes the lifeforce and Grace of this city, I am certain he may yet evolve into an Immortal. One that even the High Elves at the fringes of this realm, in all their pride and hubris, will overcome only at great cost.' Sera’s tone hardened. 'And while I have given my body, and may yet give my soul, to see Eltitus removed from fate itself, I do not intend to sacrifice my soul permanently. That’s where I need your help. I’ve asked so much from you, so if you refuse, know that I have alternatives that may help myself instead of you accepting this request.'

  'Okay?'

  'Do you remember when I mentioned I need an apprentice to evolve my class?'

  'Yeah,' Ori confirmed.

  'The Order of Chromatics are the primary arcane classes for the human race. Compared to other arcane classes like warlock or sorcerer, we have many benefits and few restrictions. We use mana more efficiently, aren’t bound by higher or eldritch powers or artefacts, and require no rare bloodlines to unlock. In addition, we have documented class evolutions from High, Arch, to Prime, which means the ceiling for Chromatic Magi is very high.

  "However, despite this, there are five key restrictions.

  'First: you may choose only one of the Chromatic classes in a lifetime. Second, you are restricted to Chromatic classes that match at least one of your affinities. As a result, High Magic, or magic that weaves complex combinations of multiple affinities, is limited to higher-class evolutions or auxiliary classes. Third, every prospective mage requires an apprenticeship with a practising Chromatic Mage of their colour. Fourth, every prospective mage is required to voice the oath of their order before apprenticeship. And fifth, every mage, or higher, must take an apprentice to raise their class to higher ranks.'

  'And you want me to be your apprentice?'

  Sera sighed. 'Yes. From any White Magi’s perspective, you’d be the perfect apprentice in terms of raw talent. You’re also honourable and seem to have a fair moral compass.'

  'But I have no mana?'

  'As my apprentice, before we reach Eltitus, you’ll learn mana sense and mana manipulation, along with as much arcane theory as I can stuff into your brain, so much so that you’ll be leaking arcane theory from your ears, and that your lack of mana will be only a minor hindrance.' Sera spoke in a way Ori was certain contained a gleam of sadistic excitement.

  'Sure, whatever, I guess that’s cool.’ Ori said, trying to hide his excitement, ’ But is this class of yours really the best class for me? If I pick this class, I can’t choose another, can I?'

  'As I said, there are other magic and hybrid classes beyond the Chromatics that might be compatible with you, ones you could choose in addition, but the best ones rely a lot on luck, circumstance, unsavoury practices… or relinquishing agency to a higher power. With Chromatic magic, following one path is a life-encompassing devotion to an ideal that precludes all others. Some theorise that Red and Black, and White and Yellow, have significant overlap in ideals, but no one has ever proven that more than one Chromatic class can be taken.'

  'So if I become your apprentice, I’m stuck with White magic. Is that even the best choice for me? What if I wanted to make portals to other realms?' Ori asked, his mind on escape and returning to Earth, forcing a defeated sigh from Sera.

  'I’m not certain, but based on your high astral affinity and your Domain, Purple would be the best choice if you wanted to maximise raw talent. That class focuses on the mind and, while powerful, it is shunned in polite society.' Sera paused. 'Portals across realms, let alone demiplanes, unaided by artefacts and places of power, would require a High, or perhaps even Arch Mage classes of the White, Black, or Grey.'

  She continued, 'I know of an evolution of the White Magi: White Magi of the Luminous Void. It’s similar to how my White Lich class is a divergent evolution, but at Prime rank instead of Arch. Such a class would enable you to form bridges to other realms, but that step would be a long time from now. And while I’m not certain, I suspect Grey Magi have more straight forward pats to esoteric magics that fall outside typical elemental alignments. However, that particular colour has its own downsides.'

  'Could you give me a rundown of all the classes, the Chromatics? What they do, their strengths and weaknesses, and you said something about ideals?' Ori asked.

  'Very well. While other specialised magic-focused classes exist, such as Witches, power from rituals… Wizards, power from artefacts or lesser entities… Sorcerers, power from bloodlines, and Warlocks, power from higher entities, the Chromatic Magi classes are unique to humans and allow Awakened to harness the power of their Affinities and Peritia.'

  Sera continued, as if reading from a textbook. 'These classes are called the Chromatics due to human teachings on the nature of affinities, which state that these energies emerge from harmonic and discordant resonances in nature. These resonances can be felt and often understood by using colours as a guide.

  'While no one knows exactly who created the Chromatic classes, most believe that a long-ago failed ascension to Transcendent rank left an Immortal at the verge of death. With his dying wish, they donated a racial legacy to the Library of Fates in the form of complete class inheritance.

  'Through it, Chromatic Magi gain power through affinity alignment, and as class and affinity comprehension increase, they can fundamentally enhance and empower the Magi. Like all Awakened, Chromatic Magi must safeguard their inner self, as the pursuit of power poses increasing challenges and temptations that threaten sapience, and may co-opt their will.'

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  She took a breath, then began the list. 'Upholding a code emphasising order, structure, discipline, and focus, White Magi specialise in magic that promotes healing, restoration, and protection. Their primary affinities include Light, Life, and Order, with secondary affinities in Healing, Purification, Protection, and Restoration. They are dedicated to preserving life and empowering allies, using spells to mend wounds, cure ailments, dispel curses, and shield comrades, while adhering to a stringent moral compass.

  ‘Embracing chaos, transformation, and individual freedom, Black Magi utilise dark and destructive magic, including necromancy, curses, and shadow manipulation. Their primary affinities are Entropy, Death, and Void, with secondary affinities in Necromancy, Shadow, and Corruption. Thriving in the boundary between life and death, they focus on the art of corruption and co-opting, summoning undead servants, afflicting enemies with debilitating curses, and controlling the essences of the underworld.

  ‘Driven by passion, intensity, and the channelling of emotions, Red Magi specialise in destructive elemental magic, commanding fire, water, earth, and air. Their expertise in offensive magic allows them to harness raw, explosive energy and devastating enemies with potent elemental forces. Renowned for their emotional connection to their magic, they fuel intensity in exchange for control.

  ‘Following a code that emphasises the ephemeral, fluid, and ever-changing nature of life, Blue Magi master the manipulation of abilities found in nature. Their primary affinities include Water, Air, and Shapeshifting, with secondary affinities in Fauna, Adaptability, and Nature. They borrow powers from various creatures to enhance their skills, excelling in controlling the flow of battle, summoning, shape-shifting, and replicating unique animal abilities.

  ‘Adhering to the values of protection, permanence, stability, and building lasting foundations, Yellow Magi focus on constructing fortifications and defences. Their primary affinities are Earth, Metal, and Stability, with secondary affinities in Fortification, Protection, and Logistics. Their magic is oriented towards creating powerful defensive structures as unyielding as mountains, with strategic acumen making them formidable allies and enduring adversaries.

  ‘Embodying living harmony, growth, and interconnectedness, Green Magi tap into the powers of nature. Their primary affinities are in Nature, Growth, and Earth, with secondary affinities in Flora, Wind, and Natural Harmony. They channel energy to unleash nature's fury, focusing on growth, rejuvenation, and control over the environment to shape it and bolster the development of their allies.

  ‘Committed to the primacy of mind over matter, the pursuit of knowledge, and exploration of the inner self, Purple Magi delve into consciousness, memory, and perception. Their primary affinities are Mind, Consciousness, Perception, and Dream, with secondary affinities in Mental Manipulation, Knowledge, and Psychic Powers. Their psychic prowess and focus on mental acuity render them formidable in mind control and mental manipulation, though their intense inner focus and privacy concerns can be challenging in societal interactions.

  ‘Championing balance, neutrality, and understanding all aspects of the world, Grey Magi strive to maintain equilibrium by mastering a diverse range of abilities and techniques. This class specialises in High Magic and welcomes any affinity, focusing on maintaining balance and understanding the multifarious forces of the world. Unique among Chromatic Classes, Grey Magi often face a substantial cost of time to progress in their specialisation.

  ‘While there are more niche and unique variants of the standard Chromatics that don’t fit into aforementioned orders, including the Gold and Pink Magi, each of these orders have opportunities for branching path specialisations upon evolution.

  ‘Ultimately, your choice right now is between taking the opportunity to become my apprentice white mage now, or keeping your options open for something else later.’

  ‘So, pick any colour, as long as it’s white?’ Ori chuckled. ‘OK then, so how many classes can I eventually choose? You said I could pick another class later?’

  ‘When you awaken, you’ll be able to choose up to three classes, and as a human, you’ll be limited to just those three classes for the rest of your life.’

  ‘Other races have more, don’t they?’ Ori wondered, recalling some of Freya’s knowledge on the subject. ‘Wait!? Dwarves gain three classes for each rank!?’

  ‘Yes, while High Elves gain nine classes just for awakening. It’s so unfair. More classes equal more spell constellations, more characteristic points per level, while the evolved races that have overall fewer classes gain tremendous benefits in exchange.’ Sera concluded while Ori mulled over both her words, the specifics of class evolution and the knowledge about racial differences that floated around in his mind.

  ‘Before, you said something about me being more suited to being a purple mage?’

  ‘While your astral affinity and familiar bond make you an excellent prospect for that order, you really don’t want to be a Purple Magi. I mean, they’re usually unscrupulous voyeurs at the best of times, and they’re often shunned in polite society. Is that really the life you’d like to lead? And consider this: until they reach Arch Magi, Purple Magi can rarely apply their magic to anything but living creatures. Even we, as weak as we are in a direct confrontation, can light a fire with our magic in a pinch. Purple Magi? Not so much. Yes, they can be exceptionally powerful, especially against other creatures and sapients, but those who could instruct you would be few, and the lifestyle you’d be pushed into would most likely be in the shadows or far away from civilisation. Meanwhile, earn the right accolades and perhaps a rarer, more practical class that makes better use of your astral affinity may become available.’

  ‘But would I be able to defend myself as a White Mage? Is there any offence, or would I be limited to just healing myself and other people?’

  ‘Your starting spell constellations will depend on your affinities. If you had only life or nature affinities, for example, it’s likely you’d only have access to healing and restoration spells, but with a transcendent light affinity… seraphs, I can still scarcely believe it, I am certain you’ll have access to at least one spell you could use offensively, or that could be evolved to be used so. But you shouldn’t forget the fact that you’ll have other classes to fill in such needs if they are not met.’

  ‘And grey magi?’ Ori wondered,

  ‘Is a trap. What you could achieve and the progress you could make with focus on a small handful of affinities as white magi would take ten times longer in the grey. Because of the need for balance and the comprehension of often diametrically opposed affinities, progress at the best of times exhausts a mortal lifetime, and at worst, class progression often stalls due to the discovery or accumulation of antipathies—negative affinities, upon embarking upon such an ambitious path. In truth, this class is best for those with little or no notable affinities, lifespan extension treasures or bloodlines, or an intense curiosity for high magic.’

  ‘Not all chromatic classes are equal. While on the surface red, blue, yellow and green seem powerful and will often beat magi of the other orders quite handily in single combat, especially at the journeyman level, rarely do these orders offer their practitioners gateways into the deeper secrets of paracausality. Meanwhile, our erstwhile foe, Eltitus, is proof of how the deeper nature of the white, black, grey and yes, in many cases, purple orders of chromatics, can peel back the skin of reality and peer into the heart of fate.’

  ‘You’re trying really hard to sell me on this, aren't you? To be honest, I’m already more or less sold. I’ve already seen what a wand of white magic can do, and it’s a miracle. Knowing how often I'll get my dumb ass injured…’ Ori smiled, remembering the joy of his crippled body being remade. ‘Also, being able to help someone else in need… And if this also helps you out one day, and can increase our odds of saving this city… Yeah, consider me convinced. As long as I don’t have to call you master or anything, I’m in.’

  ‘And if you did have to call me master?’ Sera teased.

  ‘Hard nope.’ Ori smirked.

  ‘What about mistress?’ Sera giggled.

  ‘I… Wait, this ain’t one of those sorts of master-apprentice relationships, is it?’

  ‘An older woman with plenty of wisdom to impart, instructing a younger man with plenty to learn? That type of relationship?’ Sera said suggestively, her voice a sultry deadpan that forced Ori to reassess whether he’d just made a terrible mistake.

  ‘You’re going to be trouble, aren’t you?’

  ‘I’ll certainly try my best to be,’ Seraphine said in a husky voice, then chuckled.

  ‘So what’s next? How will this apprenticeship work?’ Ori asked, doing his best not to burn hot under the collar.

  ‘I’ll have your oath, which I’ll provide you, and upon completion, you’ll officially become a mortal apprentice white mage of the chromatic order. Tonight, we’ll go over the rudiments of Mana sense and manipulation. If you can get that before we depart, then it will make further instruction far easier, as when we go to battle, there will be many practical examples and demonstrations that would be a shame to miss. If you can use Mana manipulation on unaligned mana to create a source of light, and heal a wound, I’ll consider you worthy of ascension to journeyman and receipt of one of my unique spells.’

  ‘Okay, I’m excited. When do you want to do this? Now?’ Ori said, looking around the dining hall crowded with armed knights and squires fresh from the paddocks.

  ‘No, let’s wait till you’re somewhere private. Normally we’d have a witness, but given my situation and my preference for discretion, it would be best if it were just the two of us.’