CHAPTER 36: CHOOSING MAGE PATH.

Rowen walked out of the room with steady steps, leaving the panicked guide behind. His thoughts, however, were far from steady. The crystal had declared that he was compatible with a mage. Yet his panel in the portal space had clearly shown a Farmer path. The contradiction gnawed at him until he finally gave in.

Inside the quiet of his inner space, Rowen called softly, Fern.

The familiar glow stirred within the lush greenery, and Fern’s form slowly emerged from the vines. "You look troubled, Rowen."

He frowned. "The crystal said I was compatible with a mage path. It didn’t even acknowledge the Farmer path. I don’t understand what’s happening. Am I one or the other?"

Fern tilted his head, eyes warm with patience. "You are both and neither, in the way the crystal understands."

Rowen blinked. "Explain."

"When you absorbed the void-tier mana stone, you awakened me," Fern said gently. "I am the Spirit of Growth, bound to you. Because of that bond, you inherited the Farmer path through me. The Federation’s crystal wasn’t designed to recognize a spirit’s influence; it only measures innate potential. To it, you appear purely Mage."

Rowen’s brow furrowed deeper. "So the farmer path... isn’t really mine?"

"Oh, it is," Fern assured, his voice calm but firm. "Through me, you cultivate growth, crops, and vitality itself. That is your farmer path. But when your inner space upgraded, you also gained access to a mana tactic. That made you capable of absorbing mana directly. That is what the crystal sensed the mark of a mage. The moment you absorbed that void stone, Rowen... that was your true awakening."

Rowen crossed his arms, exhaling slowly. Pieces began to fall into place, though questions remained. "So, to the outside world, I’m just a Mage. But in truth, I walk both paths."

Fern smiled faintly. "Yes. And that truth is something only you and I must understand for now."

Rowen decided it was time to visit the Mage Path guidance room. The line of people waiting was long, filled with students, hunters, and a few other awakened individuals. He waited patiently, keeping his focus on the goal: discovering which element he was compatible with.

Finally, after some time, his turn arrived.

A middle-aged woman greeted him behind the desk. Her sharp eyes gave nothing away, but her presence carried the calm authority of someone who had guided countless aspiring mages.

"I want to know which element I am compatible with," Rowen stated simply.

The guide nodded. "Very well. This crystal has been specifically designed to measure elemental compatibility for mages," she explained. She carefully lifted a small, polished crystal from the desk. Its surface shimmered faintly, as if alive. "Place your hand on it. Visualize and guide your mana toward the crystal. Within your mental space, the element you are compatible with will reveal itself. The result is private; you alone will know it. Any questions you have afterward, you may ask me."

She paused, then added, "The assessment fee is five low-grade mana stones."

Rowen nodded, reaching into his pouch and sliding five stones across the desk. The woman collected them without comment and gestured toward the crystal. "Go ahead. Let your mana flow."

He took a deep breath and placed his hand on the cool crystal surface. Inside his mind, he centered himself, feeling the familiar pulse of mana. The crystal began to hum softly, responding to the energy he projected, guiding his senses to recognize the elemental affinity hidden within him.

Rowen closed his eyes, letting the crystal synchronize with his mana, ready to discover the element that defined his mage path.

At first, nothing happened. Rowen waited, feeling the faint hum of the crystal under his hand. His mana flowed towards the crystal.

Then, unexpectedly, the first element appeared—Earth. A small mound of soil and stone formed inside his mind’s eye, solid and grounding. He felt its weight and stability, like the foundation of the world itself.

Next, Wood

emerged. Sprouts pushed upward from the earth, twisting and turning, leaves unfurling as if breathing life into the soil. The plants swayed slightly, complementing the firm earth beneath them.

Then came Air. Gentle winds spiraled through the growing forest, bending the leaves and carrying the scent of life. It flowed naturally, harmonizing with the earth and wood, bringing movement and freedom.

After that, Fire flickered to life, tiny sparks dancing among the branches, not destructive but alive, warming the scene, and adding energy and strength to the creation.

Finally, Water appeared. Streams of clear, sparkling water wound through the soil and wood, nourishing it, connecting everything. The fire’s heat caused it to steam slightly, yet it flowed calmly, creating balance.

Rowen blinked, astonished. The elements didn’t just appear—they interacted, complementing each other, forming a miniature world inside his mind. Each one had its own presence, yet together they felt harmonious, like pieces of a puzzle naturally fitting.

He had expected a single element to reveal itself. Instead, he was witnessing creation itself—the birth of elements, balanced and intertwined.

Rowen’s pulse quickened. "I... I can feel them all," he whispered. "They’re... working together?"

Inside his mind, the elements interacted perfectly, complementing each other, forming a miniature world that was entirely his. Each element had its own presence, yet together they felt harmonious, like pieces of a puzzle naturally fitting.

No one else could see this—only he could feel the alignment, the balance, and the subtle power each element offered. It was private inside his mental space, so no one could see it.

Rowen slowly pulled his hands away from the crystal, letting the glow fade. He glanced at the guide, who was standing patiently, her eyes curious, as if expecting him to ask something.

Her subtle smile suggested she was ready for questions—each one another chance to earn her fee. Rowen, however, remained silent for a moment, simply observing her and collecting his thoughts about the elemental alignment he had just experienced.

Rowen cleared his throat and asked, "How many elements can a person be compatible with?"

The guide’s face fell slightly at the simplicity of the question. She had probably hoped he’d ask something more in-depth so she could charge him for extra guidance. "Ah... that’s a common question," she said, her tone tinged with mild disappointment. "I don’t charge for this one."

She leaned back slightly and continued, "Most awakened mages are compatible with only one element. There are rare cases where someone can connect with two elements, and extremely rare cases, almost legendary, where a person has affinity with three. I’ve never seen anyone compatible with more than that."

Rowen listened carefully, his brow furrowed. What he had just experienced five elements appearing before him was something she had never encountered, even in her long career. That realization made the rarity of his potential even clearer.