I know that I know nothing

I know that I know nothing

With newfound literacy under his belt, Jet diligently practiced each day. While his family hailed him as a prodigy, he retained a more grounded perspective. Memorizing just twenty-one letters and ten numbers demanded dedicated effort, leaving Jet feeling far from brilliant.

Striking while the iron was hot, he approached Raaz with a request. Jet implored him to carve a wooden ruler measuring 50 centimeters (19.7 inches) in length and 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) in both height and width. The front bore the alphabet, while the back featured the numbers. This ruler would prove indispensable for his studies, granting Jet the freedom to practice whenever he pleased without inconveniencing his parents.

Still riding the wave of elation, Raaz accepted Jet's unusual request without question. Even though he could have crafted a slimmer, shorter version for easier portability, Jet refused, stressing his preference for the larger size. It also served as a convenient excuse to constantly carry an object upon which he could practice his spirit magic.

Finally, the weather cleared, prompting Elina to decide it was the opportune moment for Tista's check-up with Nana. The prolonged inclement weather had taken its toll, despite Raaz and Orpal's efforts to maintain the house. Drafts persisted due to the persistent cold and wind. Tista's incessant coughing weighed on Elina's mind, driving her to action. Thus, she loaded Tista and Jet onto the mule cart, embarking on the journey to the village of Lutia.

Due to the extended spell of harsh weather, farm work had accumulated, necessitating everyone's involvement to complete before the next frost wave arrived. Since Jet was too young to be left alone, he accompanied Elina. Bundled up in their warmest attire, they set out.

For Jet, it was a thrilling experience—the first time he ventured beyond the farm's confines. Much could be gleaned from this escapade, an opportunity to learn and observe the world beyond his home.

On their journey, stray graaths proved to be a consistent nuisance, the wasp-like insects with venomous stingers consistently interrupting their progress. Unlike Earth's wasps, these creatures were hairier and blue instead of yellow.

"Why are they still here, by the Great Mother?" Elina grumbled. "They're supposed to be dormant during winter!"

One particularly stubborn graath persisted despite their attempts to shoo it away. It continued to hover nearby, eventually coming too close for comfort to Tista.

Jet attempted to squash the intruder with a swift hand movement, but his agility resembled that of a brick. Nonetheless, his spirit magic's radius had grown to ten meters (32.8 feet), and he easily dispatched the graath.

Presenting his conquest with pride, Jet assured Tista, "Don't worry, big sister. I'll always protect you." A hug from Tista followed, her curiosity piqued by the lifeless insect. Concerns over the venom, however, prompted Elina to discard the specimen before they resumed their journey.

As Lutia came into view, Jet's many questions found answers. Beyond his own family, the village resembled illustrations from early medieval history books—void of advanced technology, not even boasting a windmill or watermill.

"Is the village trapped in time?" Jet queried, voicing his thoughts aloud.

Elina explained that Lutia housed artisans, scholars, and merchants, while the remaining villagers lived on their own farms, tending to fields and livestock. The village comprised several dozen wooden houses, one or two stories high, generously spaced. Not a single structure was constructed from stone or brick, and the unpaved earth and mud road mirrored the gaps between dwellings.

Signs outside buildings denoted the presence of a blacksmith, tavern, and tailor shop. The bakery required no signage; the savory aroma wafting from its chimney enticed every passerby's senses.

The pangs of hunger hit Jet hard, leaving him with dreams of the bakery that would undoubtedly haunt his slumber that night.

Upon arriving at Nana's residence, Jet was taken aback by the structure's size. It dwarfed their own, despite Elina's repeated assurances that Nana lived alone. This led Jet to infer either a prosperous family lineage or a profitable business in healing. Regardless, mastering light magic had surged to the forefront of his priorities.

Entering Nana's house, Jet recognized the ambiance of a doctor's waiting room. The interior consisted of one expansive chamber permeated by the fragrance of medicinal herbs and incense.

Toward the back left corner was a door that likely led to Nana's living quarters. A wide, lavish curtain adorned the right, veiling Nana's interactions with patients.

Benches and chairs dotted the remainder of the room, many already occupied by families eager to benefit from the fair weather. Elina divested her children of extra layers before instructing them to remain quiet so as not to disturb others.

Mothers filled the waiting area, passing the time while keeping a watchful eye on their offspring. Engrossed in their tasks, they scarcely noticed Jet's presence, granting him the freedom to explore unencumbered.

The room stretched before him, unadorned and uninspiring. However, as he ventured closer to the concealing curtain, Jet stumbled upon a concealed treasure trove—a small open cabinet teeming with books on magic.

Jet's mind raced as he mused, "Perhaps in this realm, it's akin to a doctor displaying their degrees and diplomas." The titles varied, specific to elements and their applications. Yet, one book instantly seized his attention.

Emblazoned with "The Basics of Magic," its cover beckoned. Casting a furtive glance to ensure he remained unobserved, Jet seized the book and began reading.

"I may be three years old, but adopting a 'better to ask for forgiveness than permission' mindset can't hurt." Positioning himself in a corner, he turned his back to the curtain, hoping to remain unnoticed for as long as possible.

Unquestionably a beginner's guide, Jet sidestepped the introduction, zeroing in on the descriptions of the elements.

To his amazement, he learned that water magic wasn't confined to conjuring and manipulating water—it also granted the power to reduce temperature. Even novice magic practitioners were expected to generate ice, wielding it for both offense and defense.

Air magic, too, possessed an intriguing facet that had eluded Jet's contemplation. While weather manipulation was its pinnacle, even at a rudimentary level, a mage could conjure lightning.

Fire and earth, however, retained the straightforward qualities Jet had long envisioned. With these elements dissected, he shifted his attention to the final two.

As he delved into the text, the author's ignorance about anatomy became apparent. The book discussed wound cleansing without utilizing terms like "disinfection" or "sepsis," leaving Jet grappling with a lack of medical familiarity.

Intriguingly, the sections on light and darkness were merged rather than segregated. According to the text, both elements constituted the foundation of any healer's repertoire. While darkness magic could serve as a weapon, its nuances remained unexplored.

The author made it unequivocally clear that he wasn't a warrior, urging beginners to refrain from overreaching. Jet discovered that darkness magic wasn't inherently malevolent, nor was light magic unconditionally benevolent. Both elements were tools, the former vital for healers.

Darkness magic's practicality extended to cleansing wounds, sterilizing tools, and even fumigating houses to thwart pests and diseases. Crucially, it was the sole means of eradicating parasites within patients—light magic could detect them but not harm them.

Combining light and darkness yielded optimal results. Light magic excelled in perceiving life forces, scanning for anomalies, and correcting them to facilitate rapid recovery from most ailments. Yet, mend fractured bones required a separate chapter.

A tide of self-awareness and embarrassment swept over Jet. He realized he could have unraveled these elemental properties independently if not for his narrow-minded assumptions.

His internal monologue raged, "How could I have been so foolish? Over three years here, and I've clung to a childish notion of fixed video game rules and levels! Darkness is inherently evil, and light is pure and holy? No, this is science, the same science I've studied my whole life. If fire magic transforms mana into heat, then water magic converts mana into cold, condensing atmospheric water into a liquid state. It's all so obvious—like Columbus' egg!"

Just as he prepared to turn the page and delve into bone healing, a firm grip clamped onto his shoulder, immobilizing him.

"That's not a plaything, young man. I sincerely hope you haven't damaged it, or your family will be paying quite the price," came the stern admonishment.