AFFINITY

As Jack lay sprawled on the ground, Aurora approached with her potent stamina potion in hand, her expression a mix of pride and amusement. "You've made remarkable progress, young master," she remarked, a hint of teasing lacing her words. "Staying on your feet for a full minute is no small feat."

Jack's lips twitched in response, his frustration evident. "Achievement, huh?" he muttered to himself, his mind replaying the spar where he'd been thoroughly outmatched. "I couldn't even land a hit on her, let alone keep up with her movements."

For eight days, Jack had been under Aurora's tutelage, a journey marked by both endearing moments of banter and grueling sessions of training. Despite her youthful appearance, Aurora possessed a formidable strength and an intellect to match, her keen observations dissecting Jack's shortcomings with surgical precision. Under her guidance, Jack had begun to grasp the depths of his own potential, each day's regimen pushing him closer to his limits.

{Progress: 78%}

As Jack gazed at the progress meter, a sense of satisfaction washed over him. "I've really come a long way," he murmured, his determination fueled by the prospect of completing his task in just a few more days.

Under Aurora's guidance, Jack had flourished, his once-doubtful outlook transformed into one of burgeoning confidence. Despite initially feeling daunted by the challenges ahead, he marveled at the resilience of his newfound body, its strength gradually revealing itself even at its modest bronze rank. Each passing day brought tangible improvements, not only in his physical prowess but also in the sharpening of his mind.

Venturing into the library had become a routine for Jack, a sanctuary where he delved into the mysteries of magic and expanded his understanding of the world around him. With each tome he perused, he unearthed new spells and arcane knowledge, his thirst for mastery driving him forward.

His interactions with Aurora had evolved beyond mere training sessions, their dynamic shifting between playful banter and earnest dedication. As they sparred and strategized together, Jack found himself drawn to Aurora's unwavering strength and her ability to see past his flaws to his true potential.

"Thank you, Aurora," Jack exclaimed, his gratitude genuine as he approached her with a newfound sense of resolve. "With your guidance, I feel unstoppable. I know that with your continued training, I can excel with the sword."

Aurora's smile widened at his words, a blush creeping onto her cheeks at the sincerity in his tone. She had witnessed Jack's growth firsthand, her own heart swelling with pride at the strides he had made under her tutelage.

Their bond deepened with each passing day, their camaraderie blossoming into something more profound. Jack recognized the significance of their connection, knowing that it boded well for his future ambitions.

As Jack departed for the library, he was greeted by a procession of maids and butlers, their deference a testament to his newfound status within the demon empire. Despite his initial reservations about his heritage, Jack had come to embrace his role as the son of the previous demon king, finding solace in his mother's capable leadership and the harmony that pervaded their realm.

The interior of the library sprawled before Jack, its vastness a testament to the wealth of knowledge contained within the castle's walls. Stretching seemingly endlessly, the grand expanse of shelves and tomes invited exploration, each book a gateway to new realms of understanding.

Jack marveled at the sheer scale of the library, its dimensions defying logic as if it were a labyrinthine maze of wisdom waiting to be unraveled. The shelves towered overhead, stacked with volumes of every shape and size, their spines adorned with titles that whispered promises of adventure and enlightenment.

Though not naturally inclined towards scholarly pursuits, Jack recognized the necessity of delving into the annals of history and magic to forge his path forward. With determination in his heart, he navigated the aisles with purpose, his eyes scanning the countless volumes in search of answers to the mysteries that lay ahead.

Despite his initial trepidation, Jack found himself drawn deeper into the labyrinth of knowledge, each page turned unveiling secrets and revelations that sparked his curiosity and fueled his ambition. In this repository of wisdom, he saw not just books, but portals to other worlds, gateways to the past, and keys to unlocking his own potential.

As he wandered amidst the towering stacks, Jack marveled at the diversity of subjects housed within the library's confines. From ancient tomes of forgotten lore to treatises on the intricacies of magic, there was no shortage of material to satiate his hunger for understanding.

Inside the expansive library, Jack was met with reverence from the staff, their admiration a stark contrast to his earlier interactions. It was a testament to his own transformation, his once-aloof demeanor replaced by a newfound sense of humility and respect.

Settling into a secluded corner, Jack immersed himself in his studies, his focus unwavering as he pored over the intricacies of fire magic. With each incantation and gesture, he felt the power of the flames respond to his command, a tangible reminder of his burgeoning potential as a mage.

As the hours passed, Jack's understanding of magic deepened, his mastery of the fire element growing with each passing moment. With Aurora's guidance and the wealth of knowledge at his disposal, he knew that his journey towards greatness had only just begun.

The primary purpose driving Jack to the library was his burning desire to unlock the secrets of magic. Upon discovering the existence of magic in this world, his heart swelled with excitement, propelling him to the hallowed halls of knowledge the very next day after his initial training session.

Delving into the beginner-level magic texts, Jack embarked on a journey of discovery, eagerly absorbing the foundational principles of spellcraft. Within the pages of these ancient tomes, he encountered the concept of Affinities, realizing that individuals were bound to specific elements based on their innate predispositions.

Evelyn's mastery over her chosen element had hinted at this truth, prompting Jack to delve deeper into the intricacies of magical aptitude. As he pored over the arcane texts, he unearthed a wealth of information about mages and their extraordinary abilities, each revelation adding another layer to his growing understanding of the mystical arts.

Immersed in the depths of magical lore, Jack uncovered the intricacies of power hierarchy beyond the familiar bronze to supreme ranks. With a realization akin to the enlightenment of ancient sages, he discovered the existence of intermediary stages, akin to the cultivation levels of legends.

His mind alighted with the knowledge of the elemental affinities—Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Ice—common threads weaving through the tapestry of magical prowess. Yet, the revelation of rarer elements—Dark, Space, Time, and Light—awakened Jack to the boundless potential of the arcane world.

As he contemplated the exceptional cases of dual elemental affinity held by figures like Aurora and Evelyn, Jack marveled at their genius, realizing that such mastery was the mark of true greatness.

In a moment of revelation, Jack learned of his own affinity with the fierce and untamed element of Fire, a connection pulsing within him like a dormant inferno awaiting ignition.

But it was not just elemental prowess that defined Jack's heritage. With a sense of pride tinged with the weight of responsibility, he discovered the latent power of his demon lineage—the elusive Dark Mana, a potent force coursing through his veins, imbuing him with a formidable advantage over lesser beings.

Seated amidst the shelves of knowledge, Jack's heart raced with anticipation as he selected tomes dedicated to the mastery of Fire magic. With each page turned, he felt the crackling energy of his affinity surge within him, eager to be harnessed and wielded as a weapon of transformation.

In the quiet solitude of the library, Jack immersed himself in the ancient wisdom contained within the pages, his focus unwavering as he delved into the secrets of spellcraft. With each incantation practiced, each spell mastered, he drew closer to unlocking the full extent of his potential as a mage.