Hellish Training - Part 1
Its been a month since the training started and I've learned a lot. My schedule was a rotation between Magic-Physical-Knowledge and a rest day after. Instructor Adam has taught me the basics of magic and the different ways of conjuring it. Surprisingly, in this world, magic is directly affected by your imagination and your emotional state.
Instructor Adam also explained why mages used a wand. It was a medium for controlling their mana with pinpoint accuracy. The materials of a wand can help mages by being quite sensitive to magic. Although mages can cast magic without wands, it was much easier to cast with a wand as it was something that could help you focus your mana in one part of your body and conjure spells from there. He also told me that most mages bring a spell book where they record and write down specific details about the spell they created or learned to keep the power and nature of the spell more consistent.
Luckily, I won't need to keep a spell book because of this 'system' that I have which saves everything for me.
'Pretty convenient'. I thought.
Among the basics of magic were the main elements. Fire, air, earth and water. Everyone can use these elements, but most people are much more 'in touch' with 1 or 2 of these elements hence why they specialize in them.
There also 2 uncommon elements, namely Light and Dark. These elements are more of a supportive role when compared to the other four. Light magic users primarily use this for healing, purifying and enchantments while on the other hand Dark magic users use this for illusions, and debuffs like blindness and confusion. Although the four main elements have opposing elements that counter theirs, Light and Dark magic is more inclined to their weaknesses.
For example, fire and water are naturally opposite elements but fire is not necessarily helpless against water. With the right use, these four elements can fight against their opposites. With Light and Dark magic, these elements are just natural enemies and counteract each other. If the enemy has a dark magic user, you need a light magic user in your team.
This is the reason why most mages have basic spells ready under these elements. However, there are only a few people that have the talent and gift to be able to cast high-level light and dark magic. Instructor also told me that their are even rarer magic types which cannot be taught and can only be learned through finding old magic scrolls from treasures around the world. Once you've read the scroll it would be like a natural instinct for you to cast the corresponding spell.
During my magic training, I was taught how to be calm and collected and not let my emotions dictate my magic too much. This is also where I learned the use of mana. The stronger you make the spell you are using, the more mana it consumes. Too weak, and the spell never conjures.
My physical training was the most straightforward one. It consists mostly of body and weight training as well as endurance training. Although this was the most straightforward one, this was also the most taxing. I've had to do multiple sets of weight training and afterwards run around the castle's courtyard with a sack of potatoes on my back. Afterwards, I were to do sword exercises to be 'one with the sword' as Lucas would say.
Under teacher Cleo, I've learned a lot more about this world but mostly about the Qaviel Kingdom. The Qaviel Kingdom's main city, Froeila, where the palace is situated is in the middle of three other territories. These territories are namely Leprington, Aspia, and Astus.
Under each territory, there are three barons. In Leprington, the territory where our barony is, the baronies are Eshon, Dodron, and Tushor. Teacher Cleo also taught me the different names and heads of the families as well as their children's names and rankings.
I've also learned that there are different races in this world like elves, dwarves, halflings and whatnot. She also taught me about demi-humans. The discrimination against different races weren't as bad as I thought they would be, but they're still existent. Aside from the different races, there were also very dangerous monsters in this world. Monsters like goblins, ogres, and even dragons.
She also mentioned about the current war with the Theviel Kingdom, a kingdom of elves. I asked her why there was a war and she only told me that it was a long standing war from our ancestors' time and it influenced the current generation.
It was currently my rest day in my schedule and I checked my status.
--------------------------------------------------------------
[Status]
Name: John Colton
Age: 14
Level: 5
Experience: 200/500
HP: 100/100
Mana: 55/55
Strength: 10
Intelligence: 11
Dexterity: 8
Agility: 9
Wisdom: 8
Unspent points: 0
Skills: Identify, Sword Training - Beginner
Spells: Fireball, Light, Aqua, Wind Slash, Raise Earth, Blind
Boons: Wadur's Blessing
Curses: -None-
[Sword Training - Beginner]
You are able to use the sword and do basic movements
[Fireball]
Summons a ball of fire that explodes on impact
[Light]
Summons a ball of light
[Aqua]
You are able to hold and control water. Needs a source of water nearby to use.
[Wind Slash]
Highly concentrated wind that can cut
[Raise Earth]
Raise a block of earth from the ground.
[Blind]
Enshrouds the target's vision with darkness.
--------------------------------------------------------------
'Hmm, I learned a lot of spells. My stats also increased. How much can they increase just from training and not leveling. It also seems that my experience never went up. Do I have to kill monsters for experience? I don't see a quest tab or anything.' I spent the rest of that day in bed preparing for the next day.
The next day came. I got up and got ready and headed towards the courtyard where my training usually is.
As I went outside, I see Instructor Adam there and he excitedly called out to me. "John! I've brought it! Now we can finally measure your talents and what element you can focus on."
'Huh? What's he talking about?' I thought but then I started to remember.
There was one way to measure or indicate which elements you are more talented in through a use of a measuring device. It was a crystal ball that lights up in colors depending on which element you are stronger in. Red for fire, green for air, brown for earth, blue for water and white and black for light and dark respectively. It was called the 'Faerie's Orb'.
He ran over towards me as fast as he could and held the ball towards me. It was a normal crystal ball with a cloth underneath it.
"Quickly touch it and infuse some of your mana into it!" Adam exclaimed. I followed what he said and put both of my hands onto it and pushed my mana towards it. The Faerie's Orb began to glow in multiple colors. First red, then green, then blue, then brown, then white, then black.
"My God!" Adam exclaimed. You can feel the shock from his words as well as the way his hands began to tremble. "John! Do you know what this means?! You are very gifted and talented! I wouldn't have said anything if you were gifted in all 4 basic elements like me but light and dark as well!? it's... amazing..." Adam says as he looks at me with glistening and proud eyes. Not soon after of staring at me, his smile turned 'evil'.
'Oh no... what does that smile mean' I shudder at the thought of the training going my way.
"With your talent, we must change our training. We can't waste this gift of yours." Adam said as he looks at me, still having that 'evil' grin on his face.
We started immediately. The new training consists of me conjuring the spells I knew as he stood and went around me. 'Huh, nothing changed, its just the same old training for magic control.' I thought.
Bang! I feel a gust of wind hit me from the back. "Focus! How are you gonna conjure magic if you're not a hundred percent focused?!" Adam strictly reprimanded.
'So this is how it's gonna be.' I thought.
"Sorry, Instructor Adam!" I said as I conjure up a fireball on my hand. Swoosh! I feel the ground underneath me move and I fell on my face. "Ouch! Instructor Adam, Why'd you do that!" I said as I get dirt off my face and clothes.
"Do you think people will wait for you to conjure your spell?! No! You would've been dead already since you're being such an easy target!" Adam said.
'Fuck me... This is gonna be a long day' I thought to myself.
The training went like that over and over for the whole day. I was to conjure up a spell and focus on keeping it alive all the while Instructor Adam was trying to deliberately disturb and inconvenience me. I had to move around and get a feeling for my environment as well as for his attacks as I keep the magic going. The only rest I had was for when I've ran out of mana.
--------------------------------------------------------------
[Magic Focus] skill learned
[Magic Focus] evolved to [Intermediate Magic Focus]
Wisdom Stat gained 2 points
[Intermediate Magic Focus]
Your focus on magic became sharper. Weak attacks made against you will not cancel your magic.
--------------------------------------------------------------
'Huh? This training is hard as shit but is really beneficial.' I lay on the grass exhausted unable to move.
Adam looked at me. "That's all for today. I can see that you're improving so we will step up the training next time. John, you are very gifted and talented. One day you'll surprise the world with your magic!" He said as he picks me up and carries me to my room. "Now rest up, you still have training tomorrow."
'Fuck, physical training. I hope I don't have this 'talent' there too..' I thought before I fell into a deep sleep.