Elara II
Richard is walking to the library while Elara walks beside him, they spent some time talking after that moment. She often laughed while he told about the monkey who fought against gods. The jokes and silly attitude, yet the serious demeanor before the gods and his journey of freedom, made Elara astonished.
She wanted to her about those stories he came up, but they have already reached the library. Richard opened the door and the smell of books was all over the place, that smell of a new book, the sound of passing pages and the creek of the door being opened were everything that could be heard.
Some of the ones who were finished with their books looked at the door, but when they saw Richard and Elara, those people didn't care much and went to look for some new books.
Richard tried his best to search in his memories where the books he wanted are, and after some time he recalled seeing them in the beginning of the semester. Elara walked behind him, she was intrigued. She developed a habit of observing the surroundings, due to being bullied, she learned how to avoid people.
So, due to this habit, she saw the boy whose seems so proud and confident being beaten many times, hence that's made her shock even greater. Elara muttered many questions about what just happened, but she wasn't bold enough to ask. The girl cowardice is one of the reasons she's bullied, but it's the way she found to not get hurt.
Every day, she dreamed of being brave enough to stand up against her bullies, but it just kept being a dream, when she faced those people, her dream crumbled into a nightmare.
— How did you change so much? — This time, Elara said it out loud. When she realized it, she turned and was ready to run away from that place.
"Stupid, why you had to say something like that?" The girl couldn't believe she committed such a mistake.
— I had to, I'd be dead otherwise. — Said a voice behind her, the man saying this hold her wrist gently.
Elara turned slowly but when she realized that she was face to face with him, the girl jumped back, maybe because of her race looks, Richard laughed. It was just like those moments when a bunny jump out of scare.
"She's just like a defenseless bunny" A question came up in his mind, then he stared her bunny ears for some seconds.
Richard let her wrist go and moved his hand in her direction, instinctively she closed her eyes, every time someone did this was to hurt her somehow. Then, she felt someone petting her ears.
— It's really fluffy. — Richard was really entertained, it remembered him of the cat he used to take care.
— Let me go. — Elara's voice was shaky when she said that, Richard noticed that for some reason she was blushing. Realizing that he may have done something wrong, he stopped petting her ears.
— Sorry, I didn't mean to do anything wrong. — Richard always have been a man of character, he didn't see it as a shame to apologize if he does something wrong.
Elara nodded, but didn't say anything, she seemed really embarrassed. When he was petting her ears, once again she remembered of someone from her family, who used to do the same thing whenever she was having a hard time.
— You're a good girl, as compensation for what I just did, you can punch me right here. — Richard pointed to his right cheek.
— No, no, NO! How can I do something like that? — The girl was looking at Richard as if he was crazy.
— C'mon, I'm not weak enough to be hurt by you. — Elara thought about what he just said, he dealt with her bullies, that are some kind of insurmountable barrier. He can't be hurt by her punch.
She closed her eyes and punched him, Richard watched that and had fun seeing how slowly that fist was moving, but that blow wasn't anything to be made fun.
Richard almost fainted when it landed in his face, his knees couldn't hold his weight, and he fell down kneeled before the "weak girl".
When Elara opened her eyes, the scene in front of her eyes weren't any near of what she imagined. The strong boy is kneeling and looking at her with horrified eyes.
— Fuck. You should stop pretend you're weak, I even said you're a good girl. — Richard was really mad, that girl has been playing with him this whole time.
— I - I... it wasn't on purpose. — She was stuttering, it was hard to understand whatever she said. Richard noticed that something's wrong, that's not the reaction he expected.
People around looked at both of them, then they realized that they still are in the library. The stunned girl finally understood what just happened, but she still couldn't believe.
"How did I do this? Isn't he stronger than those guys?" Elara was lost in her thoughts and Richard realized that. Seemed that she didn't do that on purpose, but if that's true, how did she get bullied?
Elara looked at Richard and tried her best to hold from laughing, that boy is trying his best to not look disturbed, but she noticed that he was in pain. It was a mix of feelings, seeing that she could do something like that.
— Hey, how didn't you beat those punks into pulp if you're so strong? — Richard whispered. He didn't understand how that happened. After all, that was a slow punch, if she tried her best it would be a terrifying blow.
The image Richard had of Elara, that she's a defenseless girl is now completely ruined.
"She's not weak, she's a fucking wrecking ball." Richard is looking at her with mixed emotions.
Elara didn't know how to answer that, she opened her mouth trying to say something, but she didn't find words to describe what she was feeling. Since her childhood she has been used to be bullied, furthermore, the racism of the humans toward her shattered all the confidence she once had on herself.
Richard was looking at her, trying to find words to say, but he couldn't. He has always been taught to not stick his nose into someone's problem. He wanted to say something, but when he was trying to find something to say, he saw a book in the corner of the bookshelf. "Magic casting guide for beginners.".
Seeing the book, he felt relieved to find a way to escape from the awkward silence between them.
— I found what I was looking for, if you want to read something, you can sit here with me. — Richard was really close to her ears when he said that, it was his time to tease her, after all, he still holds some grudges from getting beat by her just now.
— Okay. — Elara was looking at the floor, trying to make her mind not travel to some strange places. This human is making her feel things she never felt before, she's glad he helped her before.
The title is similar to another book he read, but he didn't remember which book it is. Richard didn't care much about it, he sat and read the book, finally is time to get some answers. The content made Richard heart beat faster, it remembered him of his college days. Studying and learning, but this time is way better. Who wouldn't want to learn magic?
He finally understands how progress as a magic caster, it's not about magic formulas and language. From what he understood, there are three main concerns when you think about progressing as a magic caster:
1. Identifying the Vessels: The first step in mana vessel manipulation is recognizing and locating these ethereal reservoirs within the body. They are typically found in the heart, mind, and core, each governing different aspects of magic – emotional, cognitive, and physical, respectively.
2. Drawing and Storing Mana: Once the vessels are identified, mages learn to draw ambient mana from the environment and store it within their vessels. The process requires focus and precision.
3. Expanding Capacity: As mages progress, they work on expanding the capacity of their vessels. This involves meditation, visualization, and the gradual stretching of the vessels to accommodate more mana.
Richard realized how stupid the old owner of this body was, he only focused to learn how to cast magic, he didn't even care about these things. This time, Richard will use the most of the knowledge he has. One thing he has been looking for, but didn't find, was how to cast his spells faster.
It will be a great matter if he needs seconds to cast some magic and someone close the distance before, someone like Elara. A plan is starting to take form as he thinks about things happening right now. Looking to Elara, he's hoping to what's coming in the future.