Celly the...

Celly was not an unpleasant houseguest. The storm lasted for four days and the land was dirty with debris and fallen trees. During my time inside my home. I came up with some scouting spells. Such as using a spiritual bird to scour the land or spells to expand my senses.

As it would aid in finding humans.

For days after the storm ended, I used such spells to search for traces of humans. I did find the village she came from. Unfortunately, all the humans were dead and gone. Other than the frontier village, no other human traces were found. So I decided to keep watch over the village as someone may come to check on it.

"Mr. Taln, did you find out what happened to my village.", Celly asked me worriedly at some point. I did not want to lie, but truth can hurt. I did my best to say it easily.

"Celly, I'm afraid there are no more humans in your village. They are gone, to never return.", I told her.

She drooped at my words, "I understand Mr. Taln...."

Celly went back to her guest room. Where I had quickly made a bed her size and some sheets. She was sad for a few days but then became curious about what I do all the time.

"What are you always writing? I know how to read a little, but these letters are weird.", She said to me.

I smile as I am happy yo explain. As I have never had anyone to talk to about what I do before.

"Well Celly, I make books and write down what I know in them. Such as information on plants, how to make thing, on magic, and even what would be considered academic topics. As for the letters, they are letters for the Troll language. Very old and just as good any language for magic, if not better."

Then she asked, "Why?"

I chuckle, "Because I am alone out here with the animals, beasts and monsters. If I did nothing all the time, I would turn stupid after so many decades. As for the Troll language, Trolls are deeply connected with the natural world. It is why we are so strong and hard to kill despite being dumb. Trolls are one of the first races to appear too, before Humans, before even Elves. So our language is deeply rooted to this world. allowing it to be strong in magic."

"Is that why Trolls are dumb?", she attempts to connect.

I shrug, "Well, it is apart of it. The brain is a muscle after all. If you don't use it. It becomes weak and dumb. However, Trolls never want to use their brain for anything. It is all food, fighting, and eating for them. For the most part at least."

I continue explaining all my work to her. She gets especially interested in magic though.

"Why the interest in magic? Is it something you want to learn?", I ask curiously.

She nods her little head at me.

"Why?", I ask further.

She answers firmly, "To defeat bad things like Demons!"

I grin, "Well, I wouldn't say no to another Demon killer in the world. Trolls hate Demons to the bones after all. Trolls can tell when someone has killed a demon too. Trolls don't eat beings that kill Demons. As killing a Demon makes them an honorary Troll in our eyes."

She jumps a bit, "I want to be an honorary Troll!"

"Well, let me test if you have enough talent to use magic first. If not, you'll have to use a different power than magic to kill Demons.", I say.

To be able to use magic, a being must have two things. A source of mana, and a way to move the mana. The source is normally the soul. The method of movement can vary though. Such as mana circuits, magical roots, magic hearts, or mana veins. The quality and strength of these methods of movement is what determines a persons talent for magic. If the talent is bad, then mana is so hard to move in the body, that it is better to take another path.

It is a simple matter to see if Celly has talent. I just need to use an ocular spell to check out her inner workings.

What I see is promising.

"Alright Celly, good news is that you have great talent for magic as a human...I think. Well, you have have great by my standards. You have strong veins, circuits, and even a rare movement system. Where mana moves through your spine, to and from your brain. Then disseminates through the nerves. Sensory magic should be strong for you because of this."

She throws her hands up in elation, "Yipee! Can you teach me magic now?"

I raise an eyebrow, "Oh, would you not prefer to learn human magic?"

She shakes her head, "I have heard a lot of stories before. Only Humans that have killed Demons are in dusty graves already. Troll magic is obviously stronger, or humans wouldn't find it hard to kill Demons. Even the best wizards and knights only drive them off."

I think, "Well, I suppose it is possible. However, you would have to learn a whole other language. Even though it is simple compared to most. It is still a whole language."

"I'll learn it!", she shouts confidently.

Perhaps it wouldn't be bad for me to take a student. At least until humans come looking for the village.

I agree, "Okay, I'll teach you. I'll even develop a school of magic just for you. Since fighting that demon, I learned a lot about it. Such as what really hurts it. Once you learn the Troll language, I will teach you...Demon Slayer Magia."

She tilter her head, "What is Magia?"

"Magia is a specialized spell set to be used in specific ways. The one I will teach you will maximize your ability to kill Demons.", I explained.

"I will learn it too!", she says ernestly.

I nod in satisfaction, "Good, I will begin teaching you tomorrow. Today, I must prepare teaching material for you."

The next day, I began my time was a teacher. While keeping an eye on the village.

I honestly did not expect to be teaching for that long. I was surprised that no human has checked on the village in the past year. I've had Celly in my home for an entire at this point. Makes me wonder what the human authority nearby is doing to have such negligence.

Before I knew it, 6 years had passed with no other humans going to or around the village. Nor anywhere else around me. 6 years is felt like just a single day for me. I was bewildered time passed so quick. Yet here I am looking proudly as Celly.

The scared girl had turned into a fine young woman. She learned Troll Speech in 6 months. Then took on magic naturally. She had affinity with the lightning and wind elements. She is also three years into the Demon Slayer Magia I made. Magic centered around Demon slaying is her real affinity. If it is anti-demon than she can learn it in a minute and use it masterfully. Although that is a bit of an exaggeration.

Now that she is grown and trained. I will be giving her a graduation quest. For while I have not detected anything human around my territory. I have felt demonic traces. A demon is somewhere near my territory. An aspect of the Magia I taught her is that it can also track Demons. You can't slay them if you can't find them after all.

I wasn't going to send her after the Demon wildly though. I sent out spiritual birds to track down the Demon to find out exactly where it is. The Demon was on the edge of my forest territory. It was basing out of a cave. I wonder where it came from though?

As far as I know, I am in uncharted territory far away from civilization. I have no clue why a Demon would be all the way out here. Although it is fulfilling of a current need. Thankfully, this Demon is weaker than the first one I faced. Celly should be able to kill the Demon with only a little sweat.

So I told Celly about her graduation test in the leisure of our home.

"Celly, you are strong enough to kill a Demon now. I have located one nearby. I will send you to kill it and watch how you do. Even though you are strong, do no underestimate the Demon. You are strong, but still human. Which makes you easy to kill. Human bodies are not like Troll or Demon bodies after all."

Celly was confident, "I will succeed Master Taln. The Demon won't survive me."

I nod in satisfaction at her attitude, "Good, keep that confidence and keep yourself calm in the fight. Demons act on emotion, which makes them weak and easily led by the nose. As long as you are calm, you will dominate."

The next morning, Celly left the valley. I would follow behind and keep an eye out for her. First battle can have dire challenges after all.

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