Chapter 21: Learning Magic [Part 1]

"So why did you want to see me here?" I asked Mom, who sat beside me with a few books.

"I'm going to teach you how to use magic." She said and flipped through one of the books, "I know you would do it on your own, so I'm going to use the opportunity to teach you myself."

"Okay, then, when do we begin?" I asked, excited to learn something new.

"Now." Was her simple answer before she closed the book and started explaining magic, "Let's start with the four main magic types: Elemental Magic, Spiritual Magic, Holy Magic, and Summoning Magic."

"Main Types, so what are the others?" I asked.

"There are also other types of magic, such as Engraving Magic, Illusion Magic, and Necromancy, but you will be learning that later." She explained, and I got excited at the idea of learning Illusion or even Engraving Magic.

"Magic is the embodiment of an "idea" that produces some effect in accordance with a specified law. Let's first start with Elemental Magic. It operates by controlling the surrounding magicules to bend the laws of nature, using the caster's mental power and incantations as a medium. On the other hand, if a monster is using elemental magic, the magicules in its body may be used to activate the effect without delay from gathering atmospheric magicules."

It somehow reminds me of the other novel I started reading but never got the chance to finish. What was its name? Mushoku Tensei I think...

"But you need to remember that the created phenomena are unaffected by other physical factors. So, for example, the magical fire wouldn't be extinguished by ordinary water." She continued to explain.

"That's good to know..." I said, thinking I would probably try something like that if I didn't know it. But in my defense, I wouldn't know better, "So what other types of elemental magic exist?" I asked, as my mind was currently stuck on the four basic elements.

"There are around thirty types I know of that are categorized as Elemental Magic, and while we still don't know what type you have the best affinity with, we should start with a simple fire spell. While you need knowledge and practice to perform magic, that isn't hard. The biggest problem is the use of Magicules," She said, looking at me, "While harder to learn, someone can learn to use external magicules for magic, but that won't be a problem for you, right?" She asked with a smirk.

She knows, "Umm... Yeah, sorry I didn't tell you sooner." I apologized awkwardly.

"There is no need. I have known about it ever since the first time I saw you in the library using Thought Acceleration," She said, and I was slightly shocked that she knew, "You weren't even trying to hide it."

"Soooo... Could we start with the magic stuff?" I asked, trying not to talk about it more.

"Are you sure you don't want to tell me why you wanted to hide that from me?" She asked.

I didn't answer.

"Wow, sometimes you can be so boring." She joked before getting serious, "But let's not waste time. We can start with Fire Magic."

She started explaining fire magic, explaining different spells and how they work.

There are different ways to activate a spell. The first one I saw used when we arrived in the Empire was with a chant, then someone can also activate the spell by just using its name.

Then if you have the Chant Annulment skill, it eliminates the need for chanting when using magic after a spell is analyzed or successfully cast. The spell is stored in the user's mind and available to be cast just by thinking about its activation.

"Now you can try." She said

I brought my hand forward and closed my eyes, imagining a disposable lighter. I had the image of the spark wheel rotating against the flint and igniting the gas, "Fire." I said and opened my eyes to see a small palm-sized ball of fire.

I imagined my eyes had stars in them, seeing the small fire floating just above my hands, and I started thinking. This fire is made out of my own Magicules, so they shouldn't be able to hurt me, right? Could I use ignite my whole arm?

"Why do I feel like I should scold you right now?" Mom asked with her right eye twitching slightly.

"It's just your imagination..." I said, mentally sweating bullets.

She didn't say anything, just looked at me for what felt like an eternity before she let out a sigh, "Let's proceed with the next spell."

I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh, and if you ever think of something stupid like setting yourself on fire, I will lock you in your room for a year."

"W-What I didn't think of anything like that..." Shit, is this what people call mother's instincts?

She continued teaching me other fire spells like Fire Lance, Fireball, Fire Wall, Fire Storm... Yeah, just lots of spells with fire in their name. But in theory, I should be able to cast the exact same spells, just with different elements.

But could I use a simple fireball and crank up the heat to make it more destructive? Without a second thought, I cast the simple fire spell skipping the chant due to my skill and started pumping it with more magicules.

The flame started to change color from red to deep orange, then to a more whiteish until it became dazzling white. I wanted to try to get them even hotter, but I got hit with a paper fan.

"Hey, what was that for?" I asked.

"What are you doing in a small room like this?" Mom started scolding me for doing it inside, "Do you know the damage you could cause if the spell became unstable?"

I don't believe that it is my fault you decided to teach me magic here! Maybe I could have used my brain and done it elsewhere, but it's still partially your fault!

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Author's Note:

Thank you for reading this chapter.

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