By rights, it should be her soul bound to that drone. Not Jin's. She'd been the one mortally injured.
"I heard about Jarek reading your memories and think I have a theory to explain what happened," Graydon said.
Kira's attention swung back to him, her eyebrows climbing.
Graydon held up a small pebble, its color the deep blue of a sapphire. "Do you remember this?"
Kira took it, surprised when a sensation ran up her fingers. "Is this a testing stone? Where did you get this?"
She seemed to remember another stone like this. It had been part of a set in Quillon's possession that was meant to determine the affinity of a person's ki. Those traits and abilities that were naturally suited for their soul's breath.
For instance, Joule tested as Earth Class. A shielder, specifically.
That meant he had an aptitude for defense and why his shields were naturally better than Devon's, whose affinity lay in a different direction.
It didn't mean that Devon couldn't create a shield with the same strength as Joule's. Just that he would have to work considerably harder.
That was the thing about these tests. Aptitude was only part of the equation. Dedication and hard work were the other parts.
The problem was that some Tuann didn't see it that way. They thought an affinity determined a person's potential. It was why Joule had faced difficulty when he first arrived in House Roake. His peers had thought his affinity would limit his usefulness.
Dumbasses.
Anybody with half a brain knew a strong defense was priceless.
His problem was compounded by the fact that traditionally those hoping for a shot at becoming their House's Overlord possessed those affinities seen as more powerful. Such a mindset pointed to how inflexible the Tuann's thinking could be.
Aptitude didn't define potential. And any tool in your arsenal could become a powerful weapon when utilized correctly.
However, there were certain affinities that were rare and unable to be replicated unless you possessed them. That was the case with Kira's burst, or the Heaven's Wrath as Graydon called it.
"Quillon gave it to me after explaining how you chose it during your affinity test," Graydon explained.
Kira closed her fist around the stone. "He told me that test was invalid since I was wearing the inhibitor."
His explanation had made sense since the inhibitor interfered with Kira's access to ki.
Graydon nodded. "That could very well be the case."
Kira's gaze dropped to the stone as a buzzing sensation nipped at her palm. "But you don't think it is."
Graydon shook his head, his hand coming up to cover her fist. "It would explain some things."
Kira let him pry open her fingers to reveal the deep blue of the stone.
"Technically, it's not an affinity," Graydon explained.
Kira's forehead furrowed in confusion. "How does that work?"
Graydon brushed a finger across the stone's surface, tickling her palm in the process. "It's an old folk tale among our people. They say the first among us to receive affinities were like clean slates upon which anything could be written. The shape of their soul was decided based on the experiences they accumulated. A person with a strong desire to defend became a shielder. A person who lived on the battlefield developed more offensive capabilities. They adapted to their circumstances and their soul's breath with them."
"That doesn't make sense," Kira said.
Moreover, it totally negated the idea of an affinity.
"That's why almost no one tests for it anymore. There has never been a confirmed case. The only stories we have about it were based upon the first few Tuann to receive their soul's breath directly from the lu-ong. It's mostly considered a legend."
Graydon released Kira's hand.
She looked down at the stone. "What are you saying?"
"Your potential is entirely influenced by your experiences," Graydon informed her.
"And this is supposed to explain what happened with Jin?"
"Partially," Graydon allowed. "Your desire to survive is a defining trait of yours. As is your protectiveness of others. You went back for Jin despite knowing the likely outcome. That's enough to form a bond. Based on his physical condition and young age, Torvald doubts Jin could have used the drone's essence to save you nor could he have transferred your soul. It's more likely you both would have died in the attempt. Your affinity may have recognized that and lent its help."
"But in the process, it wound up costing him his body," Kira finished.
Graydon inclined his head. "That is my theory."