Introduction to magic and elements

In the library, there were many shelves full of books and one table with a chair near it. One big window behind the table. On the table was a lamp with a similar design to the lamp in Ethan's room.

[So, mister, what are we doing here?]

[Learning. It's necessary to become stronger.]

[Um, okay. So, where should we start?]

[First, find the books about the history of this world.]

[Um, okay.]

Ethan started to search for books about history. He finds fitting books on one of the shelves. There were books with titles like "History of Humanity", "History of the Holy Lumen Empire", "History of the Great Demon War," and other similar books.

[So, mister, from which book should we start?]

[This country is the Empire, am I right?]

[Yes, you are right, mister.]

[Then we should start with a book about the Empire.]

[Um, okay.]

Ethan took the book with the title "History of the Holy Lumen Empire" from the shelf, sat down in the chair, and placed the book at the table.

[So, mister, can you read this book? Or do you need me to read it for you?]

[No need. I can see through your eyes. So you just need to open the book and turn pages when I say.]

[Um, okay.]

Ethan opened the book and started to read.

[Turn the page.]

[Already? How can you be so fast? I am only at the beginning.]

[Practice. And if you are interested, then I can give you a short summary after I finish reading.]

[Um, okay.]

For half an hour, there was only the sound of turning pages.

[Are you done, mister?]

[Yeah.]

[So what was written in this book?]

[One thousand years ago, demons attacked this world. Most human countries were destroyed, and humans only managed to stop demons advance after they lost half of their territories. The stalemate continued for about eight hundred years, until the Saint was born in the Lumen Kingdom. He was talented at magic and caught the attention of the royal family. The best teachers were hired to educate him. One of them was the Great Sage, a dragon in human form. With the help of the Great Sage, the saint created a magic rifle. And when he grew up, he helped the royal family of the Lumen Kingdom unite all human countries. After that, humanity formed an alliance with other sentient species and reclaimed all the lost territories. The saint killed the demon king at the end of the war. And demons were forced out to the northern lands. After that, the Holy Lumen Empire was established, and the Great Wall was built between humanity and demon territories.]

[You learned all that in half an hour time?!]

Asked Ethan, shocked.

[Yeah, the book wasn't so long after all.]

[You are unbelievable, mister.]

[Stop with your useless flattery. It's time to find another book.]

[What book?]

[Book about magic for beginners, if such a thing exists.]

After some searching, Ethan found a book with the title "Introduction to Mana and Elements in Magic," written by the Great Sage.

[Is this sage person without a name? It wasn't even in the book about Empire history.]

[She does have a name. But I heard that her name was so long and difficult that all people just referred to her as Great Sage.]

[Okay then. Let's read this book. In the same way as previous.]

[Um, okay.]

The book was finished in one hour.

[Um, mister, can you tell me a short summary of this book?]

[No, it would be useless. This book has much practical knowledge about mana. And you should learn and comprehend all the content of this book.]

[Wouldn't it be faster if you, mister, taught me?]

[You know, Ethan. I promised that I help you become stronger, not solve all your problems. So, Ethan, read this book wholly and try to comprehend all the content of this book with your own brain. It will be good training for it. And it is one of the ways of becoming stronger.]

[Uhh, okay, mister.]

Ethan was dispirited, but nonetheless, he started to study the content of the book. And the owner of the voice became silent. He was thinking about the content of the book.

***

This book has much theoretical and practical knowledge. And on the theoretical part, there is knowledge about mana and elements. If I try to summarize it, it will be like this:

Mana is everywhere in this world. And every lifeform has some mana in their bodies. But mana, in reality, doesn't reside inside the physical body but in the mana body. I think it's something like a virtual body.

And inside this mana body, mana can be in different quantities or qualities, can be 'viscous' or more 'watery', and can have different elemental properties. Quantity and quality can help judge the talent of an individual in magic.

If mana is 'viscous', then that person can't use mana to create spells, but this kind of mana is great for strengthening the user's body and, if the individual is proficient in using it, for strengthening their weapons and armor. People with this type of mana are known as knights, and this type of mana is known as aura. Exceptionally talented individuals can even make solid weapons from this aura and even use it to attack from long range.

On the other side of more 'watery' mana, people refer to it just as mana. It can be used to strengthen the user's body, but it's not as effective as aura. But it can resonate with magic outside the body and help form spells. And people referred to the users of mana as mages.

And every person's first step to becoming a mage or knight is establishing connection with his or her mana body. After establishing connection, learning how to manipulate mana and the user's compatibility with elements.

But the part about elements is confusing for me, for someone with academic knowledge. In this book, it is said that this world has four major elements: fire, water, earth, and wind. And four minor elements: iron, wood, ice, and lightning. There are two special elements: light and darkness. And one auxiliary element: space.

It's just too ridiculous for me. But in defense of people in this world, I can say that even in my world, the opinion about the world around has changed several times.

But wasn't that great sage familiar with that saint person? I thought that he was from my world because the design of the rifle was similar to one I knew. It looks like it was just a misunderstanding or coincidence. Coincidences don't happen by chance, but sometimes they can be just a coincidence.

And there is nothing in this book about mana having consciousness. But in my world, when demons invaded and people learned about the existence of mana, there were some theories about mana having some kind of consciousness without self-awareness.

[Um, mister?]

[What?]

[Can I go to lunch? The maid Leta says that the food is ready.]

Hm, I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't even notice it.

[Of course, you can go to lunch. I just advised you to study, not forbid you from doing other things.]

[Um, okay. I go to lunch then.]

While that kid is busy eating lunch, I should try to establish connection with my mana body, if such a thing exists, using the methods described in this book.