The Fundamentals of Magic

Sheltered in the privacy of Kant's room, Howard felt bold and confident enough to ask the knight such a question. He was sure that the other knight he placed outside the door wasn't listening in on them; he estimated the risks involved are too high for her, and she knew it. That is unless her dream is to be convicted of espionage and treason against the royal family, both crimes punishable by death.

Besides, even if she was listening in on them, Howard had made sure to lure the knight away from the door, all the way to the opposing end of the room. It was unlikely she was even able to hear anything at all. 

"Huh?" the knight replied, confused.

"What is magic?" Howard repeated. The knight stayed silent for a solid minute, trying to process what he heard. 

"I am sorry your highness? I do not understand the question," the knight replied, indirectly asking Kant to elaborate further. Howard had to admit, he might have been a little too ambiguous. 

"I am asking you to tell me what magic is. How does it work? How does one use it?" Howard elaborated. 

After a few seconds, the knight's brain finally processed what Howard was trying to ask him. Although he did not know why Kant wanted this information, he couldn't care less. The man was happy to help a member of the royal family. 

"Ah! Now I understand! Sorry, your highness. It is just that eh… you were a little ambiguous." 

"Yes, I apologize for that," Howard said, staying in Kant's character. 

"Well your highness, Magic is a phenomenon that we still do not fully understand yet. 

From what I know, it is an ability passed down mostly through blood. It allows an individual to perform tasks or do anything that is conventionally impossible."

"Can you give me an example?" 

"Yes, your highness. I can." 

The knight leans towards the tall prince, and he raises his arms. While waving his hand, moving and utilizing his fingers, he describes a scenario to the prince.

"Imagine a man in the middle of a dark and gloomy cave! His lanturn, the very device he used to provide him light when he ventured down into the cave, suddenly stops working. 

He has no way to light his lantern back up, and he has no spare. What is he to do?!?" the knight asks, not expecting Kant to respond. 

"He lifts his hands, mutters an incantation, and casts a magical spell! It is then when a sudden burst of ember appears on his hand, levitating and providing the man the new source of light he needs to get back home safe!"

The knight spoke with great enthusiasm and vigor. He enjoyed explaining the concept of magic to what he thought was an influential and important member of the royal family. Howard, upon hearing the explanation and example, felt a cold shiver go down his spine. 

If what the mage knight was speaking is the truth, then what are the chances he may run into a mage that could read minds? Just one little peak and someone would know Howard's little secret, and that is something that unsettled him to his core. Despite his turbulent emotions, he managed to keep calm and maintain his character.

"Are there any limitations to magic? Could some say… bring someone back from the dead? Or create food out of thin air? Could they perhaps… read an animal's mind?" 

"If they know the incantation and have enough power, then yes. One could theoretically perform such powerful spells. However, I do not think there has anyone in the kingdom's history who has been able to accomplish such stunts." 

"Why is that?"

"It is because, your highness, magic is not an easy ability to master. For a person to cast a spell effectively, they must have…" The knight raised his left hand, his fist softly clenched.

"... the aptitude for the type of magic spell they are casting…" he raises one finger from his clenched hand. 

"... the stamina to perform said spell…" he raises another finger.

"... and the patience to practice the complicated incantation to cast a spell…" he raises another finger. The knight puts his hand down and continues his explanation. 

"Without those three essentials, one is unable to cast a magic spell, even if they are able to."

"I see. So the reason no mage has ever been able to resurrect the dead or read someone's mind is because they don't have the energy or aptitude to cast the spells properly?" 

"That, and we don't know the incantation to resurrect the dead, your highness. It still remains the great equalizer amongst men," the knight stated. 

At that very moment, Howard felt a great sense of relief permeate throughout his body. He was glad that there weren't any mages in this world powerful enough to look into his mind. He nearly lost control and made a smile, one he managed to quickly cover up with his hand. 

"Hmm… I see." 

"Is there anything else you want to know about magic, your highness? Or have I quenched your thirst for knowledge," he asks. 

"Unfortunately, I have not. I still have a few more questions to ask you. Do you mind staying here a little longer?" 

"No I do not, your highness. Please, ask away!" 

"Alright then. Can you please explain what "Aptitude" is? I would like some more information about that," Howard asks. He had already figured out what "Stamina" and "Practice" meant. Those were all pretty self-explanatory that even a nitwit could understand what they mean.

"Gladly. Aptitude affects how much stamina is used up to cast a spell. A person with a high aptitude for magic does not have to use as much energy as a person with low aptitude for magic. 

High aptitudes allow mages like us to either cast spells for longer than normal, cast more powerful spells of the same incantation, or conjure certain spells that normal people with a low aptitude for magic usually could not, as they require large amounts of stamina."

"It is for these reasons why aptitude is considered to be the most important trait any mage could have. Without it, casting magic would just not make sense," the knight added in. 

"There you go, your highness. Those are all the basics covered. If you want to learn more about the subject, I recommend you check out a few books. I think you can find some in the library," the knight commented.

"Do you have any recommendations?" Howard asks. He wasn't going to bother wasting any more time searching that place, looking at every damn book inside like he did before.

"Yes, I do! Can I have a piece of paper to write them down? I got a couple dozen books in mind and I don't think you'd be able to remember all of them." 

"Of course," Howard walked over to a table drawer and pickout out three items; a piece of paper, an ink bottle, and a quill. He then handed the items over to the knight, before pointing him towards a writing station; a wooden table with a sloped surface. 

"Thank you, your highness." The knight walked all the way over to the station, and began writing out the names of the books for Kant to read. As soon as he finished writing the list, the knight kept the quill down and handed over the paper to the prince. 

"Is that all you need, your highness?" the knight queried. 

"Well, there is one more thing. I would like you to keep this conversation between the two of us. I do not wish others to learn of my sudden interest in magic. I am simply trying to learn the basics of magic to help command more knights if it is deemed necessary." 

"I see… Alright then, your highness. I won't tell anyone."

"Good. You may go now." With that, the knight walks out of the room.