Magic: First Step

After a few hours of deep diving into knowledge about magic, I managed to distill the crucial insights about Magic.

Firstly, Magical Power is an innate quality, something you're either blessed with or not. Those who possess it can, to varying degrees, increase it based on their inherent talent.

Secondly, manipulating Magical Power beyond one's own body presents a significant challenge. Once it's unleashed into the air, it behaves as if it's 'instinctively returning to its source', making control it difficult for all but the most gifted individuals.

The sentence I stumbled upon in the book Beta recommended had me intrigued. It immediately reminded me of a specific prompt I had encountered earlier.

"You will be able to exert a small amount of [Authority] upon Mana."

Considering the notion of Magical Power 'returning back,' could I utilize this Authority to command it not to dissipate? The prospect lingered in my thoughts, opening up a realm of possibilities and potential solutions.

If my little theory holds true, it could give me a substantial advantage over the people in this world...

Taking it a step further, I can't help but wonder if Cid's seemingly excessive strength compared to the locals is due to him possessing something akin to [Authority], preventing his magical power from dissipating in the air.

Well, speculating about someone who isn't even present is irrelevant. It's just pure speculation.

Third,

People in this world utilize their Magical Power either to enhance their bodies or weapons. The exceptionally talented ones can even physically manifest their Magical Power, displaying unique colors or visual effects.

I can't help but reflect on my initial arrival in this world.

'The Magical Power enveloping me was pitch black. Was that my own manifestation of Magical Power?'1

Additionally, it can be harnessed to create special techniques, akin to an ultimate move used to decisively end a fight.

Much like Cid's [I am...Atomic], or Goku's [Genki dama].

Since I wanted to understand the core concepts of Magic of this World, I started with the Body Strengthening part.

Given my desire to grasp the fundamental principles of Magic in this world, I decided to delve into the aspect of strengthening the body first.

I, of course, read several books about it and pieced together what was believed to be the best way to do so.

Given my possession of [Perfect Mana Pathways] and [Mana Control], manipulating my Magical Power proved to be an effortless task.

I could sense its impact almost immediately, as the simple act of clenching my fist revealed a noticeable difference.

It's as if my muscles have undergone a significant enhancement, reminiscent of steroids but devoid of the undesirable side effects. A pleasant perk, I suppose.

Moving on to the weapon enhancement aspect was a breeze as well. All I needed to do was envision my sword as an extension of myself, allowing me to imbue it with Magical Energy...

That part was a piece of cake; my existing knowledge sufficed to grasp the underlying principle.

However, as I attempted to infuse my sword with Magical Power, a series of prompts suddenly inundated my vision.

[Your Talent [Sword] has swallowed the Magical Energy you gave it]

[Your Talent [Sword] and your Talent [Mana] are communicating]

[Your Talent [Mana] bends to the will of your Talent [Sword]]

[Until you stop giving your Talent [Sword] Magical Energy, your Talent [Mana] will have the sharpness of a sword, cutting through everything]

[New Chain Quest!]

[Dark Knight I]

[Description: You've opted to embrace the techniques derived from the World of [Eminence in Shadow] to unravel the mysteries of Magic and fortify your Combat Prowess. Yet, your journey deviates from the conventional Dark Knight's path. Your sword bears an exceptional nature, and your Mana Pathways chart a distinctive course. In this pursuit, you are destined to ascend as the strongest Dark Knight this world has ever seen.

Tasks To Complete:

Train your Magical Power(0/100)

Imbue your Sword with Magical Power(0/100)

Raise your Mana Control skill to Lv. 35(4/35)

Create your own Special Technique(0/1)

On Failure: Your Perfect Mana Pathways will be damaged

On Success: Level up(20), [Elemental Manipulation] Talent, [Mana Explosion] Skill, 7 [Skill Ticket], 10 [Question Ticket]]

My Mana Control skill needs to reach Lv.35...

Looks like I'm in for a marathon.

I've only ever reached lv. 21 on a Skill, so I look forward to level them up further.

Curiosity nags at me regarding the Talent and Skill I'll get for completing this Personal Quest, but the lack of information keeps me from dwelling on it.

Anyway, I couldn't help but be intrigued.

My Talent [Sword]'s has quite a peculiar nature—it seemed to turn everything it touches into a sword.

I lightly ran my finger along the sharp edge of the sword, and the results were far from disappointing.

While the blade itself couldn't pass through my body reinforced by [Turtle's Shell], the slight cut revealed a small trickle of blood. A sly smile crept across my face.

My skill was utterly unable to withstand my own Magical Power's sharpness.

If this is how it works...

I have the potential to forge something extraordinary, something uniquely mine.

'As long as I can get slime jelly...'

The highest magical conductivity material in this world is slime jelly, boasting an astounding 99%, far surpassing the likes of iron at 10% or mithril at 50%.

Its versatility knows no bounds, allowing for the creation of garments, weapons, and virtually anything one desires, given enough slime jelly. It's the ace up Shadow Garden's sleeve.

Well, thanks to my knowledge from Eminence in Shadow, I'm well aware of that too.

No chance to snag some for myself yet, but in the days ahead, that's high on my to-do list.

I glanced at the darkening sky. 'Time to go teach that Princess a lesson before the day slips away.'

I couldn't care less about my reputation or whether this move would draw me closer to her or not. I'm not out here trying to win her heart or anything.

All I want is to figure out which Princess is the most straightforward to save, so I can wrap up this business and move on to more important things.

I have no desire to play the rom-com the System wants me to have. 

Based on what I know of this world, Alexia Midgar seems like the simpler choice. Iris Midgar is too vulnerable to the Cult's influence.

Zenon Griffey, the original Section 1 Instructor, is still alive and well. I can use him.

He's Alexia's fiancé, but she's not keen on the idea. She'd do anything to dodge a possible marriage with him.

I can work with that.

Rather than rashly offing him like in the original story, I'll play it smart, use him as a strategic move to kill two birds with one stone.

Another point for Alexia Midgar.

And let's not forget, if I end up marrying Iris Midgar, I'll be crowned the King of Midgar...

That means diving into a world of trouble, and I'm not signing up for that.

Well, decisions can wait until I've got more solid intel. Speculations only take you so far, after all.

Content for the moment, I exited the Library, making my way to the Gymnasium...

---

Author's Note:

Imagine you're doing whatever you do in a library, until suddenly you see a Guy holding his own sword and tracing the finger along the blade, cutting himself in the process and being all smiley about it...

Yeah, that'd be creepy.

Of course, he made sure to be all alone in the Library before doing something like that, lol.

It was not stated, but the idea itself was kinda funny to me, so why not.