TBATE: The Beginning of My Redemption

Chapter 8: Elemental Revelations

[Sorry guys if this chapter is short. I wasn't home at all today and wrote this on the bus, so i apologies if there are any mistakes.]

I watched intently as Arthur prepared to face Director Cynthia. He stomped his right foot into the ground, causing a chunk of earth the size of his body to thrust upward. With his hands lazily in his pockets, he kicked the rock in Director Cynthia's direction.

A wind wall appeared instantly in front of her, deflecting the rock high into the air. Her brows raised in surprise at the sudden attack, but she quickly composed herself. I could tell she hadn't expected an elemental attack from Arthur, especially since she knew he was an augmenter.

Arthur willed a gust of wind beneath his feet, propelling himself toward her. The collision blew him back, but Director Cynthia remained steady on her feet. Before he could recompose himself, she had already finished her next move. Gusts of wind swirled and shaped themselves into four twisters the size of small trees. Without even a visible command from her, the twisters shot toward him.

Gathering wind attribute mana around him, Arthur willed a small tornado to form around him, spinning in the opposite direction of Director Goodsky's spell. Using the centrifugal force generated by his cyclone, he began spinning along with it, using his hands to create blades of wind.

"Impressive," Director Cynthia remarked, a hint of admiration in her voice. "It seems like I will have to take you just a bit more seriously."

In an instant, Arthur was knocked back, his ears ringing and his vision unsteady. I could see the determination in his eyes as he struggled to regain his composure.

"That should be enough for a demonstration, right, Director?" Arthur said, rubbing his temples.

It looked like it was over, but then I heard my father step in front of Arthur. "A-Arthur... You know how to use earth and wind attribute spells as well?"

"What do you mean, 'as well'?" Director Cynthia interrupted, her composed look turning into one of confusion.

My mother continued for my baffled father. "H-he, my son, we thought he was a fire elemental. He's a deviant as well, able to use lightning magic!"

I could hear Director Cynthia's breath turn short, and for the second time, her expression was one of genuine shock. "S-surely you jest... You mean to say that he is capable of controlling three elements?"

"Four, actually. I can control all four," Arthur cut in. He continued, "Earth and wind are my weakest elements. I'm a lot more adept at controlling fire and water. I also happen to be a deviant in both those elements, although I have just begun training in them." He got up to his feet, shaking off his dizziness from the previous attack.

I was taken aback. All four elements? Even in my old world, controlling all four elements was a rare feat, but not unheard of. It was time-consuming, which is why most people focused on mastering their most powerful element first before cultivating another. Most would end up with only two elements. Even I had only mastered three: lightning, fire, and wind, although I hadn't fully mastered wind yet. Truly, a prodigy.

Then, I heard the noble figure who controlled the most prominent school on the continent stumble forward, barely making it to a chair. Unexpectedly, she began laughing. She started with a low chuckle, which soon escalated into a wild laugh that seemed to me like sheer joy.

"A quadra-elemental mage and a monster prodigy!" she exclaimed, looking at me with a glint in her eyes. "Don't tell me that you also are a quadra-elemental mage."

Shaking my head, I replied, "No, I am only capable of controlling three elements: lightning, fire, and wind."

This made her laugh even more. "This is my lucky day!"