Blazing Sun, thunderbolt, howling wind, and rain correspond to the four elents of fire, thunder, wind and water while the rejuvenating soil and winding vines represent the earth that sustains all things.
Based on this scene alone, Charlotte could conclude that Astrid's affinity for these elents had reached the excellent tier and might even be approaching the threshold of Superior.
Elental affinity is divided into five tiers: Poor, Ordinary, Good, Excellent, and Superior.
According to data collected since the founding of the Elizabeth Academy of Magic, the average elental affinity among normal people falls into the ordinary tier.
Those with higher talent may exhibit several good affinities and perhaps one or two excellent.
To possess an affinity approaching superior typically indicates a natural specialization in that elent, marking the individual as a genius with boundless potential.
As Astrid continued to channel her ntal power, Charlotte noticed thick black mist swirling inside the crystal ball, dense and viscous, as if on the verge of solidifying.
Liquid deep black... It was a Darkness elental affinity, and an Excellent tierl.
Then, a faint white light flickered at the center of the sphere, barely noticeable against the surrounding black fog, like a fragile fla struggling in the dark.
Though dim, Charlotte did not consider Astrid's light elental affinity to be poor.
On the contrary, if the light could break through the dense dark elent, its affinity would likely be excellent at the very least.
"Fire, thunder, wind, water, earth, light, and Darkness excellent affinities... and poor for ice,"
She noticed no activity from the ice elent and assud it was either weak or hidden beneath other dominant elents, so she temporarily classified it as poor.
"Alright, Astrid, you can remove your hand now."
The results were astonishing. Even with Charlotte's skill, she had only been able to detect the Wind elent reaching the Excellent tier; everything else had registered as excellent because she had shown this potential in crystal.
Half a minute passed, but Astrid still hadn't removed her hand from the crystal ball. Charlotte frowned in confusion.
"The test is over. You don't need to touch it anymore."
Astrid shook her head gently. "I know... but my hand is stuck. I can't pull it off."
Stuck?
Charlotte looked closer and noticed that Astrid's hand was frozen to the surface of the crystal ball, encased in a layer of dark blue ice.
Elental force overflows during the test... Charlotte's heart skipped a beat.
With a quick flick, she cast a simple heat spell.
Astrid felt a warm rush over her palm as the frost rapidly lted into a puddle of water.
Charlotte's expression turned serious. "It seems I misjudged."
She exhaled deeply. "Your ice affinity is top-notch, far beyond excellent."
Charlotte had only ever read about such cases in ancient texts, never expecting to witness it first hand, let alone from her best friend's daughter—Astrid Calliste Valeria.
What a pity, she thought, her excitent dampened by a lingering regret. If only her ntal strength matched that of a normal apprentice...
She was thrilled by Astrid's remarkable affinities, but Charlotte couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow for the girl's hidden struggles.
If Astrid were a bit more ordinary, this flaw might not have been so glaring.
But with her profound understanding of magic and exceptional elental affinity, layered with natural brilliance, Charlotte couldn't help but focus on this single imperfection, it was the only blemish in an otherwise flawless gem.
It's truly... frustrating... Charlotte thought.
"You should try to train whenever you can. Even small efforts add up over ti,"
Astrid was a natural master of magic.
Charlotte couldn't bear the thought of her giving up on magic due to limited ntal reserves, wasting her incredible potential and slipping into diocrity.
"I understand, Lady Charlotte," Astrid replied softly, her tone calm, neither sad nor joyful.
They continued to chat about magic, and at one point, Astrid asked about the magic crystal on her chest, wondering if it bore a soul brand.
Charlotte confird with a nod.
"You don't need to channel ntal power into it every day. It's pointless. Activating the brand requires a large amount of ntal power delivered in a short burst," Charlotte reminded her.
She had already probed the crystal and realized that breaking its restraint would require Astrid's ntal reserves to reach the level of an Arcanist, it was sothing currently out of reach.
With that, Charlotte stood and gently took Astrid's hand.
"We've talked long enough. It's ti we head back."
Charlotte was the protagonist of the birthday celebration.
She had been absent for too long, and returning after the dinner would seem rude.
Feeling the soft warmth of Charlotte's hand, Astrid simply nodded and followed her out of the bedroom.
---
anwhile, at the dance party, Lyra gazed at the lively scene of singing and dancing. Yet, her mind drifted back to her first encounter with Princess Astrid at another ball.
She rembered how Astrid had stord toward her, dousing her with a glass of cold red wine before glaring down at her with pure contempt.
The shock of the cold wine had faded long ago, but the searing mory of that hateful glare lingered.
She really... love Earl Velmont... Lyra thought bitterly.
"Lyra, try this!"
The sudden voice jolted her from her thoughts. Blinking, she looked up to see a beautiful girl with chestnut-brown hair, dark eyes, and a flowing purple gown standing before her, holding a goblet filled with a clear, light-blue liquid.
"The blueberry juice here is amazing! You've got to try it!" Lina bead, urging her.
Lyra hesitated for a mont, then let out a soft, bewildered sigh and accepted the glass Lina offered.
Taking advantage of Astrid's absence, Lina arranged a variety of exclusive food and drinks for Lyra, delicacies ant only for honored guests.
However, after just a few bites of beef pie, Lyra found her appetite dwindling and switched to sipping juice instead.
Elise stood motionless nearby, as still as a statue.
Her two slender legs, wrapped in white silk stockings, were perfectly straight.
No matter how many guests passed by, she didn't flinch or glance around, maintaining impeccable maid etiquette.
The Banquet is almost over... Has Her Highness Astrid still not returned? Lyra wondered, glancing toward the entrance.
With a hint of reluctance, she took another sip of the blueberry juice. It was sweet and tangy, just as delicious as Lina had promised.
Her gaze lingered on the dance floor until the familiar sound of footsteps caught her attention.
Turning around, she spotted Astrid entering the hall with Charlotte.
Astrid was dressed in an elegant black gown, walking hand in hand with Charlotte.
Their intimate posture, graceful and poised, was like the blooming of a lotus flower, serene yet striking.
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