Magic Circles

The first book Atlas absorbed knowledge from was called "Basic Magics for First Circles". The second was called "Magical Absorption: How Natural Mana Can Enrich You".

The first book taught him how to manipulate mana as well as basic spells.

What he learned from the second was the way to absorb magic from the atmosphere in order to strengthen yourself. He also learned that mastery of magic is divided into ten stages, or circles.

The first circle is known as the novice rank. This is your first step into the world of magic.

The second-fourth is known as the Apprentice rank, where you generally have a master teaching you.

The fifth-sixth is known as the Adept rank where your master sends you off on your own.

The seventh is known as the Master rank. People in this category are generally treated well all across the continent.

The eighth stage is known as the Arch-Mage rank. At this stage, you are considered a higher being. You must have the Arch-Mage class or a higher one for the slightest chance to reach this level.

The ninth stage is known as the Magus rank. You are considered a god of magic. Your magic is strong enough to level cities in seconds. Only the Arch-Magus class can ever reach this.

The tenth and final stage is known as the Arch-Magus rank. You are unrivaled by any magical being. Dragons bow to you, the gods fear you. Only one person has ever reached this rank.

As Atlas opens his eyes, they release a slight glow now. This symbolizes his beginning steps into becoming a mage. He feels that his thoughts have become more clear and precise. He no longer has a headache, instead feeling a euphoric buzz coming from where the ache originated. He walks over to his mom and sits down beside her.

She looks at him with wide eyes.

"S-so… You can get the knowledge in the book by touching it?"

Atlas nods his head and wraps his little arms around her. She rubs his head as he says,

"I think I could learn the next book. When I finished the second circle my head stopped hurting and I could think better!"

Atlas looks at his mom with a big smile. Though it was painful, her hugging him afterward made him want to keep going.

Karina shakes her head,

"Nope! I won't allow it, young man! You may have the knowledge from the books, but you lack the experience to utilize it! Until you've damn near mastered every last spell and cantrip from that book you won't be touching another one!"

Right after saying that, the young servant she had sent to get Atlas headache tea came back.

"Ah! Just in time! Atlas, drink this. And Cana, put these books somewhere Atlas can't reach."

Karina stands up and gets three books off of the shelf. As she hands them to Cana, she notices Atlas' downtrodden expression. She walks over to him and rubs his head with a smile,

"My baby boy is already smart enough. I'll let you learn from them soon son, but I don't want your little head to hurt."

Atlas leaned into his mothers hand with a face of pure bliss.

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"Did you hear? The lord's son and eldest daughter are going on a trip to the castle! For some reason they're taking Giant's Peak. Are they loose?"

"I heard that it's 'cause of some Tranian spies 'at's been snoopin' 'bout!"

"Haaaah, if only that coward of a king would do something. I swear half the suitors you meet in this city is a damned heater!"

Ignoring the racist comment, a hooded man with black stubble stands up and walks out of the bar he was in. Though he didn't appreciate his people being called heaters (a racist term used for Tranians because of their naturally high body temperature), he did manage to get some good info to relay back. As he steps into an alley beside the bar, his body disappears without a trace.

"Giant's Peak, huh? Wonder where that is. Well, that's not my problem any more."

The man's raspy voice comes from nowhere, scaring the vagrant that was sleeping behind the bar. Suddenly, a gust of wind pushes the muddied hair from the vagrants face. His eyes glaze over as black foamy tar starts seeping from his mouth, eyes, and nose.

"Sorry bud, but I can't have a witness no matter how little you heard. Hope Radia guides you to your next life with extra care."

The invisible man reaches down and wipes the black tar from the dead vagrants face then closes his eyes. He then puts his hands left over right, over his belly button for a few seconds. Then he leaves. Leaving the lonely corpse of a broken man behind.