Standing still while peering into the torrential whirlpool, Elijah slowly turned around and asked in a serious tone, "what can you teach me?"
"A lot more than you think."
With the raise of the man's hand, a flat circle made of water materialized into thin air, creating a sense of curiosity in Elijah's mind.
"Focus, and move the energy you fell out of your body. Focus on transforming it into your affinity, it should come naturally even without knowing… I have no idea what your affinity will be, but this much should show us without any destruction."
Elijah was calmly listening to what the man said while beginning to realize this was the best possible path for him. Even if the tables were to be turned, his ability to instantly flee into the whirlpool was an option the mysterious man would never expect.
Sucking in a deep breath, Elijah stuck his hand out and moved the energy in his core outside his body. The process came naturally to Elijah. However, he was still disappointed.
"I felt the energy leave my body, but nothing happened…"
Chuckling, he quickly replied. "Call it mana from now on… And are you sure nothing happened? Why don't you look closer."
The words of mystery shocked Elijah as he realized the air, or rather the space where he supposedly made a circle, was distorted.
"Wha-, what affinity is that?!"
"Hahaha, I have no idea myself, but it must be rather special."
Elijah knew what he saw was nothing close to ordinary, and being the curious person that he was, attempted to form a long stick shape with his mana.
It wasn't perfect, but a line of distorted space was created out of thin air — layered, and akin to a thick ruler.
"How interesting, I can easily see it now. The air is distorted far more in the small area you conjured." The mysterious man stepped forward and stared curiously into the spell of magic.
"I never did anything to obtain whatever this affinity is. How do you think I got it?" Elijah asked without backing up.
"Well the only way to obtain an affinity is by absorbing one that is found within a mana crystal. These mana crystals can be found anywhere, even places outside of the walls…"
The mysterious man paused his words, and voiced the obvious fact as to why he came to this conclusion. "…I only assumed you had just gained an affinity because you are young. But, that corruption I was talking about earlier, you seem to not have an ounce of it inside you… It only makes sense that something rather unique occurred."
Elijah was wildly confused. However, the only option was to learn more by self experimentation. Firstly, by using this affinity in every way possible. Secondly, using that data to figure out what element is being manipulated — even when he already has a clue.
Elements are the only "things" that can be manipulated — or rather, created with mana. Now, that obviously does not include the basic physical elements like fire, earth, air, and water.
Coincidently, Elijah thought about the word, "earth". If the people had naturally created the word, "earth", in Kotun, it would make sense. But if it was derived from the english word "earth", or perhaps the japanese, spanish, and german languages, then Elijah would have to thoroughly think through the possibility of not being the only one who was reincarnated into this world.
"Well I feel like everything is on me to learn now, so I will leave… But first, I have a simple question."
The hooded man became intrigued by a simple question because as of now, the impression this kid made was far different and abnormal to how any child would act. "Ask away."
"Why does the whirlpool flow the way it does?"
It took some time for the question to fully sink in, but eventually his head began turning while clutching his shadowed chin. "Are you thinking that whirlpools should not flow the way the one under Centerpool flows?"
"I can't tell you."
The conversation turned into a "but if" argument that was ended by a single sentence.
Walking towards a self-made stone countertop carved into the side of the cavern, the mysterious man turned his head. "The water is coming from what is beneath the whirlpool."
'If the water was coming from somewhere magical, that would explain the way it flows. However, the river in the northeast would then have to flow upstream. Unless we are directly on the equator while also being at a higher elevation.'
"Thank you for the information, help, and for not killing me. I will be leaving now…"
Elijah slowly made his way to the gaping hole with a torrential current of water brushing past it. The cold sensation of the droplets of water gave him a small boost in energy, and caused the hairs underneath his already soaked clothes to stand all the way up.
The hooded man adopted a confused expression that was just barely seen through the absence of shadows surrounding his face, and briefly snickered. "You sure are an odd kid, especially when you are thinking about swimming in that mess… What do you hope to achieve, a return to the outer region?"
Elijah turned his head around to reveal a confident smile.
"Just you watch mystery man. This odd kid might just blow your mind."
Doing what he does best, Elijah walked toward the edge of the cave with the intention to blow the hooded man's mind.
A perfect outlook of the torrential whirlpool was visible, while his back received beliefs of impossibility.
The bitter temperature of the violent whirlpool splashed against his face repeatedly, preparing him for what is to come.
Elijah's leather tattered shoes were the first to receive the pull, and quickly followed with the rest of his body following suit. Just barely, his body was seen defying the laws of gravity — floating a few feet off the ground before fully submerging.
WHOOSH!
A small splash of water fell onto the ground after a big breath was taken.
Rampantly, the mysterious hooded man ran forward in fear, but stopped once witnessing a dim shadow standing as still as ever within the torrential current of the whirlpool.
"What in the gods is that?! Was he playing with me this whole time?!"
…
Scattered stars blanketed the night sky, and after peeking over the ledge of the Grand Park, he noticed it was exactly as he had remembered before jumping to his potential death.
Nonchalantly, Elijah acted completely normal in his soaked brown and black leather attire. Every stride created a humorous squeaking noise.
Walking through the silent streets was peaceful, and reminded him of the years before his death — taking long walks through the jungle of his forever home. Only this time, fantastical yet simplistic buildings were everywhere. Romantic details that didn't just make the building pop, but the streets as well.
Unfortunately the peace and quiet was broken by harassing shouts.
"Elijah! Elijah! Where have you been?!" Don was running towards Elijah with a horribly worried expression. His messy hair and unbuttoned clothes proved his uneasiness, but most notably, the light brown stain signifying a malt beer.
Elijah responded calmly while only slightly backing up from confusion. "I'm sorry, I just wanted to see the city at night."
Don was flabbergasted by his response. "So you decided to walk around the city for three whole days!?"
"What?!"
Elijah felt that everything was completely normal. However, the events that occurred were nothing like it. Being forcibly pulled into a whirlpool with distorted and familiar voices he couldn't quite remember, and waking up in a cave underneath the inner city where a mysterious and ominous man called his home…
"You were gone for three whole days!! You missed the send off with Richter! George even had the guards looking for you!" Don grasped the shoulders of his son.
"I-I'm so sorry. I don't remember being gone for three days. Only a couple of hours…"
Elijah played the confused child card as he looked down at the ground. Since everything was resolved, he returned to the manor and was immediately told to eat food.
Elijah did not complain once, because his stomach felt completely empty. Unfortunately, he was triple with mountains of guilt. Elijah had wanted to see Richter to ask him about magic. Moreover, there was a fourth friend that Don held dearly also at the send-off.
…
Over the final two days of his visit to the Weltor Estate, Elijah mostly visited with Novius.
Several magitech ideas related to weapons that would return to the user, invisibility suits, and magically enhanced weapons were discussed.
Elijah did feel odd when hearing these ideas. Especially magically enhanced weaponry. If it were up to Elijah, that idea would be the obvious first choice for any kingdom struggling against magical beasts.
Furthermore, because of his constant interactions, he can proudly say that he made a new friend. After learning more about his aspirations, he felt an attachment to Novius — one that felt like a true bond made through the similarities and differences of their characters.
While Elijah kept his true self hidden, there were some aspects that leaked out — curiosity and oddly situational knowledge being the most common.
Novius was someone who knew who he wanted, but was for some reason hesitant. Surely, it reminded Elijah of his younger self in his past life. Always having ideas, but never taking action…
This world was full of powerful people, and being a solo player won't cut it. To truly be powerful, you need to have powerful friends. Not to mention, there is something about having people you enjoy around you that makes life that much more interesting.
Instead of building connections with people who are successful, Elijah is building meaningful relationships with people who are powerful, or will be powerful in the future.
Heavy hearts bid their farewells as they stepped into the open wooden carriage, a stark contrast to the stunning covered blue carriage that rested in the court of the Weltor estate.
So many questions had been answered while many more showed up, which intrigued Elijah and gave him a sense of anticipation.
The whirlpool shooting water into both rivers that flow northeast and southwest made sense now. However, it seemed almost impossible for the whirlpool to send water up an incline, even though that was the case.
What if on the opposite side of the earth, there was a place just like this, except for the fact that the water was flowing into the center and appearing on the opposite side of the earth. That surely wouldn't be possible without magic.
Perhaps, Elijah was thinking about the entire scenario with a false set of rules. It was obvious magic was something that created untold circumstances to what normally occurs. Conclusively, Elijah shoved the idea of the whirlpool being "natural", into the back of his head.
Already, Elijah had objectives he had wanted to accomplish.
'If any of this is real… I should get a head start. My mysterious affinity and my body are what I care about most right now.'
"It's time to lock in." Elijah expressed his determination with the muttering of the English language.