Chapter 3 Magic

I watched as with each blow of the hammer the red-hot sword changed its shape. After an hour of observation, I decided to mind my own business. Taking a few steps, I left the hallway and headed for the stairs. The house is 2 stories. After a few minutes of struggling with the body of a three year old to get upstairs, I finally reached the second floor.

To the right was my current room. I haven't been here long; I used to sleep in my father's room. After entering the room, I leaned my back against the wall and looked at my hands. All this time I have been practicing magic. The first time I felt the mana running through my body after casting the spell. After more control, I tried to visualize a small stone, which was successful. Over time I have become more skilled. So far it's time to try something.

I thought. Three years ago I noticed that there was not only mana in my body, there is also a strange energy, something I recognized. It is the energy that covered my soul on the journey through the void. I assumed that it is the energy produced by my ability, so now I will try to move that energy. Let's see. 

I sighed relaxed and visualized that energy. I tried to think of it as mana, but after a few seconds it did not move. I tried various forms, from the lotus position of Chinese novels to taichi to kungfu moves and other combat martial arts. I even tried Bagua Zhang, a Chinese martial art that focuses on circular movement and internal energy control through breathing and meditation.

-Damn, there must be another way," I muttered in frustration.

Something told me that if I could move this energy I could travel back into the void and visit other worlds. I know there must be dangers on the site, but it is something I must do.

Suddenly, a thought came to my mind. I remembered Kyudo, the art of Japanese archery, focusing on precision and meditation. I ignored archery and focused on meditation, which led me to other similar arts. Meditation is very helpful for concentration and relaxation. Well, there is nothing to lose. I got into the lotus position again.

And I closed my eyes. I didn't focus on the sound outside, I went into my mind. Minutes passed and my state was deeper. Suddenly and without warning, I felt a void. No sound, just darkness. Deep in my soul I saw a light, it was warm. I sensed it, it was the mana. I ignored it, I was not looking for this. I went deeper and found it.

At the bottom is a small pond. Instead of water, there is a green and golden liquid, as dense as lead, still, undisturbed. I felt something and focused all my senses on the pond with only one thought: to move that liquid. Minutes passed and passed. Suddenly, it moved, not all of it, a small part. I felt a wonderful sensation running through a part of my soul.

I opened my eyes sharply and frowned. This is not what I expected. The energy moves very slowly. I felt that in order to travel to other worlds I need the energy to cover my soul, but at this rate it will take a minimum of 2 years.

I have no other choice. I will be five years old by then. I felt the pressure, at any moment trouble will come to me and I refuse to die again. Then I formulated my plans. I must learn edge god style and water god style, plus magic. I smiled and took action. I decided to smile more in this new life and abandon my cold side. I rushed down the stairs quickly, running towards the forge. I looked for Dad, but he wasn't there. He must be in the yard. I moved nimbly and reached the door.

Made of ordinary wood, I opened it quickly. In front I saw my father practicing with the sword, in light attire. Despite the nearby snow, he moved skillfully. Umm, I didn't recognize that style. I had seen my father practice the water god style before, but this one was totally different. I decided to wait a while. Half an hour later, he stopped when he saw me.

-Gareth, Luck, are you done practicing magic?

My father knows I've been practicing magic for a long time. He thought about getting an instructor, but no.

He has the money for that and in these lands it's hard to find a good one.

I looked at father and answered:

-Yes, father, have you finished forging the sword?

-Yes, it is almost finished, only the final parts are missing," he answered with a characteristic smile. By the way, what brought you here? You don't see my training often.

I thought for a moment and said:

-I want to learn how to use the sword, could you train me?

My father looked at me for a moment, his expression was very serious. When I wondered if there was something wrong, he burst out laughing.

-Haha, sure, little Luck, you just have to wait one more year. You're kind of small, even though others train at your age, you have to be careful with your growth.

Still laughing, he took me in his arms and carried me into the small house.

-You know, little Luck, the style I practiced right now is the edge style. This style is very different from the water god style. You know, there is a great story behind my eagerness to practice both styles. I'll tell you about it when we practice for the first time.

(Time jump)

One year later. What a disturbing situation. I am in the front yard of my house with a wooden sword in my hand. In front of me is my father with another wooden sword. Today is my first training lesson.

-Very well, little Luck, I have decided to teach you both styles. First I will teach you the edged style. The philosophy of this style is based on attacking first, obliterating your opponent by overwhelming him with great force and speed. There is a phrase a fellow once said about this style: "If you see your enemy, cut his claws before he attacks you", and in a way it is like that.

I listened carefully to his words. I already knew some of this from the novel.

-Then let's get started.

Suddenly, he moved right in front of me. I tried to hit him with my sword, but he dodged me easily. I don't know what happened exactly, but from one moment to the next I was already in the air about to fall. Instinctively, I was about to spin around to land on my feet, but I stopped myself for fear that my father would suspect something.

Then I fell to the cold ground. The snow cushioned my fall, still it hurt a little. I got up again. A few seconds later, I was on the ground again. After several falls, he stopped.

-Now that you've had some experience with this style, I'll teach you the basics.

I looked at him helplessly and thought, "Was this really necessary?"