After our duel, we took a break and relaxed.
Tea was served by Elder Grucia, as usual.
This tea was so good that I think it was on par in quality with those from my former world.
Its subtle smell helped soothe my mind. I heard that this was made from a combination of some unique plants that I thought were exclusive only to this world. Thus I never bothered to
ask about the ingredients furthermore. Anyway, the idea of me learning magic had just spawned.
Well, to be precise, I'd expected this to come. I only acted as if it was unexpected. I just showed to him in that duel that I'd been ready for the next level all this time. He detected it. That helped me get into it.
"Since you read the Magitonian Book, I expect that you already know almost everything on magic's basics, no?" He asked as he took a sip on his warm tea.
"You're right."
Basically, the concept of magic existed in this world. However, not everybody can
utilize it, only those creatures who can utilize the magical particles called "magitons." In
simple terms, magitons were like particles that served as source of magic. Furthermore, there were only two types of magitons—the positive magiton and the negative magiton. Because
of this, the Adventurers' Guild had always been very accurate in classifying magic artists
from one another.
Another fact that I learned from all the books was that all creatures and races in this
world had been classified into 7 categories called the 7 Planes of Existences. This
classification was based on the type of existence the individual or a monster belonged.
These were the following;
1st Existence (Temporal Beings)
Ex: Chimeric insects, slimes, and many others.
Life Span: A few months
Threat Level: E
2nd Existence (Material-Temporal Beings).
Ex: Chimeric Beasts, Monster Beasts, and etc.
Life Span: 20 years
Threat Level: D
3rd Existence (Material).
Ex: Normal Humans
Life Span: 200 years.
MC: ±999 below
Threat Level: C
4th Existence (Spiritual-Material).
Ex: goblins, minotaur demons, elves, dwarves, goblins, giants, humans (with Astral
Covenant), and harpies.
Life Span: 500 years
Threat Level: B
5th Existence (Semi-Spiritual).
Ex: Vampires
Life Span: Immortal (unless killed)
MC max: ±100,000
Threat Level: A
6th Existence (Spiritual).
Ex: Demons and Dragons.
Life Span: Immortal (Unkillable)
Threat Level: S
+7th or -7th Existence (Transcendental).
Ex: NA (only in myth)
Life Span: Immortal (unkillable)
Threat Level: Special S
......
...
...
The two of us discussed these existences. And—.
"Now, what have you concluded?" He curiously asked.
"One of the things I learned is that humans are very weak creatures."
"Correct. Even though humans have the greatest population count, they're very weak
and vulnerable. One full monster attack, we might be curtailed into half."
"You're right. But it's illogical to me. If that's the case, how have humans survived up
until now? Humans have even held majority of the territories around the world." I asked
since I really didn't know.
"Good question. The answer of that lies here." He dipped into his pocket some folded
sheets of papers and extended them to me.
"What's this?" I pretended not to know of course.
"You knew about the scrapped pages, right? Read them."
Oh, I though he was hiding something ominous. I was wrong. Anyhow, I read the sheets for a while...
"Astral Covenant??? Is this the—."
"Yes. That's the answer to your question..."
"So, this is it, huh?"
The four pages stated that long ago, the ancient humans had developed a ritual called
Astral Covenant. This was done by making a contract between spirits from the spiritual
realm. Material beings could not utilize the magitons. Conversely, only the spiritual beings
could. Hence, they possess large amount of magitons. However, spirits could traverse into the physical world without a physical body.
Because of this, they were lonely and bored, as the spiritual realm was believed to be a
dull place. Under the contract, the spirits agreed to possess the humans to enjoy the physical world, and in exchange, fight alongside with them as an "other." This had been how
humans defended themselves from the threats for hundreds of years....