Author Note.
The units of measurement used in this novel will be following the Metric System (cm, m, kg, etc).
While I understand that these measurements are not appropriate to the time and setting this novel is based on, I honestly want to spare myself (and you) the gargantuan effort of inventing a new system and memorizing it.
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Shadow Monarch felt baffled at the young boy's sudden change and worriedly asked, "A-are you okay, child?"
Hearing those words of worry, Atlas answered with a smile.
"Yeah. Not to lie, but I was very disappointed at the result of your scrying."
"But then I thought about it for a moment and realized that it's not the end of the world! Nothing's changed! I have lived my entire life without the ability to do any magic and I shall continue living the same."
"So instead of clinging onto what I do not have, I might as well focus on what I do have. Also, it's not like the inability to do magic is going to severely hinder me from living my life, right?"
His voice possessed certain confidence and his face possessed a brilliant smile.
Shadow Monarch felt tears appear on his non-existent face.
'To think that such a brave, strong-hearted child was condemned to bear such a curse…Oh fate, how cruel are you?'
He inwardly wept in Atlas' steed. Never before in his long, eventful life had he come across a person like this young child; a person who was able to view the brighter side of life during its darkest.
While Atlas' might not have gained the Shadow Monarch's inheritance, he succeeded in winning the old entity's heart.
'This child…I must assist this child somehow!'
While the Shadow Monarch thought as such and was full of praise for young Atlas' heart, the boy in question had a heart brim with complaints.
'Humanity's Brightest, my ass! Some demigod, you are! You must be blind to identify how obviously special I am! I'm a freaking transmigrator for fu*k's sake! How could I be lacking in cheats and/or power-ups!?!'
'Lacking affinity and talent…more like, you can't properly quantify my overflowing talent! That must be it!! My gift must be so awesome and so great that it's way beyond your realm of understanding!'
For a person as vain, petty, and narcissistic as Atlas, to be told that he was inferior to the others in any way, shape, or form was something blasphemous and intolerable.
He would rather dismiss every single 'talented' person in existence than admit that he himself lacked talent.
As such, while the Shadow Monarch considered the young boy to possess a heart of gold, Atlas constantly derided and cursed the old entity for being incompetent and stupid.
In reality, the Shadow Monarch had told a white-lie in order to avoid excessively hurting the young boy.
The old entity had withheld a simple yet crucial truth from him; the fact that for some godforsaken reason, Atlas' body neutralized the magic around him.
Being a transmigrator, that is a person originating from a different world, Atlas' soul was not attuned to the laws of his current world. This being the case, it was natural for him to be unable to wield or sense any magic.
In other words, his special identity—the very fact which filled Atlas with his excessive confidence and pride—was the very reason why he lacked the ability to wield any magic.
This would be a truth that Atlas will come to learn much later in his life. Yet, it wouldn't stop him from continuing his fruitless attempts at seeking the mystic path.
"So…you want to learn about your place in the world and what magic is, huh?"
Shadow Monarch asked with a tone that was noticeably softer than the one he used at the start.
"Yes, please. Everything that you're able to share with me."
Atlas wore a pious expression on his face and cupped his hands, simultaneously performing a bow.
He wasn't sure what gestures were considered polite within this world and so performed everything that he believed would convey his sincerity.
"Where do I begin…," The wizened voice pondered longingly. "Alright. The world that we live in is called Avaritia. It constitutes of three different realms, namely the Cosmic Realm, Infernal Realm, and the Mortal Realm."
"I can't tell you much about the Cosmic and the Infernal Realm for I lack knowledge about them myself. However, I do know that the Three Realms were split apart during the ancient age."
"Split apart? Why?"
Atlas curiously intoned.
"No one knows exactly why. All that remains from those times are stories and legends."
The wizened voice pessimistically replied.
Drawing a short breath, it then continued, "The land that we currently reside in, belongs to the continent of Epirus."
"For our exact location, it is in the southern-most corner of Epirus, beyond the Copper Hills. It roughly spans across 245,000 sq. km. of area, with nearly half of it occupied by the Brooding Dark Forest."
"Originally, when I came here to set up my inheritance hundreds of years ago, there were no human settlements to speak of. However, seeing that you're here now, I believe that has changed, yes?"
"Oh, yes. There's even a human kingdom now."
Atlas enthusiastically nodded his head and replied with a lie. He then immediately followed that with a question of his own in order to move away from this topic.
"May I ask Sir, why you've set up your inheritance in such a desolate location?"
At that question, the Shadow Monarch exhaled a heavy, tangibly disappointed sigh. After staying quiet for a few moments, he slowly spoke, "There were two reasons why I set up my inheritance at this place. Firstly, the mana concentration within this land is suited towards my element; Darkness."
"Mana?" Atlas asked.
"It is the essence of magic. The proverbial fuel to light the flame that is magic."
The ancient voice off-handedly explained before continuing with a dismissive tone.
"The second reason was that I wanted to give the 'supposed' inheritor a real challenge. I wanted to be different from the rest of those old fogies who pass down everything to their students or their families," speaking till here, the voice suddenly became quiet as it muttered, "…the worst mistake of my life."
"What was that, Sir?"
Atlas asked as he was unable to catch the old entity's mutters.
"Nothing! Anyhow, that should do it in regards to this world. I will now tell you some of the basics of magic."
While it pained the Shadow Monarch for being unable to pass down his inheritance to Atlas—due to the latter's impotency (in magic)—he wanted the young, golden-hearted boy to possess at least a basic understanding of the topic.
Humans fear what is unknown.
The wizened voice did not want the young lad to fear the wonderful world of magic.
"Magic is the lifeblood of Avaritia. It has been around since the dawn of time, birthed from the chaos of the world's creation."
"Magic is widely split into six schools of study and represented by the Six Central Gods. The name of the Gods and the element that they represent are as follows;
Agni - God of Elemental Fire.
Voda - Goddess of Elemental Water.
Ilma - Goddess of Elemental Wind.
Erd - God of Elemental Earth.
Aotrom – Goddess of Elemental Light.
Tema – God of Elemental Darkness.
Apart from these Six Central Gods, there exist the Seven Pillars of the Mortal Pantheon. These are Gods who came into existence much later than the Six Central Gods and are thus weaker than the latter.
Their influence in the Mortal Realm, however, is equal if not greater than the Six Central Gods. Their respective churches are also not in conflict with the human powers, unlike the churches of the Six Central Gods.
I won't touch too much upon these topics as it is unlikely that you'll understand or come across this conflict in your life. It is sufficient for you to know their names and understand that you're not to slight any of the churches or their followers. Trust me; nothing good comes out of doing so."
"Now, on the matter of wizards…"
Shadow Monarch patiently explained to Atlas about magic, its practitioners, its effects, influence, subsets, etc.
Atlas carefully listened to the ancient voice's rambles and jotted it down within his memory. Thanks to his perfect eidetic memory, it was a task that took no effort.
The conversation continued and the moonlight entering the cavern grew dimmer and dimmer, signifying the arrival of the next day.