First Magic Lesson

Receiving the glowing book from Arthur, Zen smiled from ear to ear.

He looked at the book as if he was holding his very first child, 'Finally…! I can finally learn magic!!!'

His excitement could be said to be through the roof.

"But may I ask why you suddenly took interest in magic?" Arthur asked with a tone of confusion.

Zen scratched his head, "Well, to be honest, I really just got excited with having mana…"

"Oh? Before you learn that skill, let me ask you first: how do you see magic?" Arthur's lips formed a smile.

"Ehhh? What do you mean?"

"It's exactly as I asked. What comes to your mind when you hear the word magic?"

"Hmmm…"

Zen thought for a while before answering, "I guess shooting out fireballs and stuff…"

However, Arthur only had a speechless expression on his face, "That shallow…?"

"Huh?"

"You see magic as something so shallow!?"

"T-Teacher, I can explain!" Seeing his teacher's hand gripping his longsword, Zen felt nervous.

Fortunately, Arthur calmed down in the next second, "Phew… I guess it's to be expected from someone like you…"

'Huh? What do you mean someone like me?' 

Zen felt insulted, but didn't dare voice out his complaints.

Arthur didn't mind him and said, "Well, before we start our lesson, use the skill book first."

Excitement filled Zen's eyes as he looked at the glowing book in his hands, his dissatisfaction from his teacher's words disappearing.

[Mana Assembly

Grade: Epic

Tier: Top

Beginner Proficiency: 0.00%

Description:

Allows the user to form formulas that require the understanding of mana.]

[Does the player wish to learn this skill?]

[Confirm: Y/N]

"Yes."

Woong~

The glowing book soon disintegrated into particles of mana.

It then went and became absorbed in Zen's head, filling it with information that felt as if it had been engraved in his memories.

Through this process, Zen was able to feel mana more clearly.

Knowledge of mana had engraved itself in the deepest crevices of his brain as his eyes glowed in wonder.

"Wow…"

Zen muttered unconsciously as the world in his eyes changed.

Arthur saw this and smiled, "What do you feel?"

"I don't know… I feel strange, like I can do everything with a snap of a finger."

"Hahaha!"

'Huh?' Zen turned his head and saw the laughing Arthur.

For some reason, he felt insulted again.

"Did I say something wrong, Teacher?"

"Haha… Oh, I'm sorry. It's just that you remind me of someone. Anyways…"

Arthur coughed lightly, "What you're feeling is a false emotion brought upon by the knowledge of mana."

"You see, mana is in anything and everything. It encompasses the whole world. Thus, receiving the knowledge of mana is akin to receiving a part of its omnipotence."

"Wow…"

"Yes, it's not as simple as shooting out fireballs and such, okay?"

His words made Zen cringe.

"I'm sorry…"

"Well, it's to be expected from someone like you. Anyways…"

'There it is again…!' It took all of Zen's strength just to make sure that he wouldn't make an expression.

Arthur didn't mind him and continued, "Do you have any questions in mind?"

"Ummm… I thought you'd give me a Fireball skill or Magic Mastery, just like how you did with the Cold and Hot Weapon Mastery…"

Hearing this, Arthur smiled, "Well, it's because something like magic doesn't exist."

"Huh?"

A confused expression appeared on Zen's face.

Fortunately, Arthur immediately explained, "At least in the system, that is."

"The system?"

"Yes. You see, magic is special because it is the only technique that the system cannot fully contain and record." Arthur replied with a nod.

He then put up his index finger and spoke as mana gathered towards it, "Magic is a technique that receives the support of the system while not being bound by restrictions."

"What do you mean by restrictions?" Zen tilted his head.

The mana formed a small sphere on top of Arthur's index finger, "Chants and whatnot."

"Well, that is not to say that magic doesn't require chants and incantations. What I mean is that with higher mastery, you can completely omit them."

Seeing Zen's expression that was filled with excitement, Arthur poured cold water over him.

Not metaphorically, but literally.

Splash—!!!

"What!?" Zen jolted as he felt the ice cold water that was suddenly splashed at him.

He looked at his smiling teacher and saw that his index finger was pointing towards his direction.

Not minding the dissatisfaction on his face, Arthur continued to explain, "As you can see, the small sphere of mana on my finger suddenly turned into a ball of cold water."

"That's how unpredictable and instant magic can be casted once mastered." He said as he put his hands behind him.

Still, Zen was frowning, "But is splashing me with cold water really necessar—"

Woooo—

He couldn't finish his words as a breeze of warm air blew, drying him instantly.

'With just a wave of his hand!?'

The frown on Zen's face turned into an expression of amazement.

"Teacher, can you teach me magic now!?"

Seeing the genuine curiosity in his eyes, Arthur nodded in satisfaction.

"Well, it seems like your idea of magic transformed for good. Let's start by using the skill I gave you." 

Zen followed obediently and chanted.

[Mana Assembly]

Hummmm~

He heard a soft humming sound as he became more sensitive to mana.

Arthur's voice sounded softly, "Now, try controlling the mana inside your body by making a small sphere of mana at the tip of your finger."

Following his instruction, Zen closed his eyes and carefully felt the energies in his body.

The violet Evil Energy from his Evil Heart, and the bright orange Divine Energy from the Blaze Authority embedded on his left heart.

In the center was light blue energy that originated from the strands of evil energy.

He manipulated it carefully.

Wung!

And soon enough, a small sphere of mana emerged from his fingertip.

Seeing this, Arthur's eyes widened, 'To be able to do it in a single try?'

However, as Zen saw the small sphere of mana, he looked towards his teacher, "Teacher, can we start with a little more advanced lessons?"

"Oh? And why is that?" Arthur felt strange as even with Zen's genius, he had never heard him making a request like this.

"Well, how do I explain this…" Zen scratched his head before stretching his right arm.

Then, just like how he did during the meeting with his parents and Aunt Margareth, a translucent barrier of mana encased them.

It was at this moment that the shock in Arthur's eyes became apparent.