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I'd like to know the name of a book written no more recent than the year 2000 (probably a bit older.) It includes only two themes that I can recall:

  • The main character is exiled for not having a magical power in a world where everyone else has a single magical power. (At the conclusion of this book it is determined that the main character's magical power is immunity to the magical powers of others.)
  • A monster asks a wizard who answers a single question per individual whether he has a soul or not and is told that if he is asking that question, he does have a soul. The monster is then tasked with guarding the wizards tower.

I believe this book is part of a series. Can anyone identify it?

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  • Not your story, but reminds me of the SAL-9000 in 2010 asking Dr. Chandra "Will I dream?", and Dr. Chandra's response.
    – Eric Smith
    Commented Oct 24, 2014 at 4:19

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A Spell for Chameleon, the first book of the Xanth series by Piers Anthony, is probably the book you want.

“What question did you bring?” Bink inquired somewhat nervously, trying not to brace himself too obviously for flight. In an open space, he was no possible match for the manticora.

“I asked whether I have a soul,” the monster said seriously.

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  • 4
    Well done. You beat me to it by 10 seconds :-P
    – Valorum
    Commented Oct 23, 2014 at 0:22
  • I new it instantly as well :)
    – Dreamwalker
    Commented Oct 23, 2014 at 7:15
  • Could you please add the name of the author and series title to the answer to make searching easier in the future?
    – b_jonas
    Commented Oct 23, 2014 at 10:21
  • @b_jonas: Will do :).
    – voldemort
    Commented Oct 23, 2014 at 12:43

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