Page 211 of Axis of Fire

Tutuarus.

The World of the Voice of Knowledge.

Did that mean Stasia’s abilities belonged to two worlds at once?

“I didn’t even know hybrid talismans existed,” Stasia admitted, ignoring the questioning look I gave her.

“We only began creating them two years ago,” the woman explained, “when more mages connected to multiple elements started appearing.”

“So it’s actually normal to possess two different kinds of magic?” I asked immediately.

“Perfectly normal,” the woman replied.

“As long as the abilities are compatible with one another.”

Her attention shifted back to Stasia.

“What form would you like your talisman to take?”

“A necklace.”

The woman flicked her wrist.

A delicate silver chain instantly appeared, fastening itself to the pendant in Stasia’s hands.

“It’s beautiful,” Stasia said with a smile as she clasped it around her neck.

The woman turned back to me and nodded toward the display.

Suppressing a quiet sigh, I returned to studying the pendants.

Silence settled around us.

Heavy with expectation.

At least for everyone except me.

I still wasn't convinced these talismans were real.

But if Stasia truly had been chosen by a hybrid talisman...

“Has there ever been a case where a talisman chose a mage whose magic wasn't connected to it?” I asked after noticing one of the stones glimmer faintly.

I frowned at it.

Maybe I'd imagined it.

“Impossible,” the woman answered without hesitation.

“Power always finds its origin.”

“And always returns to it.”

I tore my gaze away from the pendant and was about to move on when a quiet crack echoed through the room.

Everything seemed to freeze.

A pendant set with a deep burgundy gemstone, framed by a golden horseshoe-shaped setting, shifted ever so slightly.