Last night, as I was reading the book, one specific section stood out to me.
'Magic has will, just as everything does. Your concept is the way you subconsciously wield the force known as Magical Power. A concept is molded from birth to the point when it awakens, and is a direct reflection of the user's understanding of Magic. A concept cannot change once it is awakened, and is invariably tied to the will of the individual. This does not mean that more knowledge of the workings of Magic will create a stronger or clearer concept, it is merely tied to experience. For example, an individual who only knows Magic as an instrument of war, may awaken a concept suited for destruction. While in direct contrast, an individual who knows Magic as a means of creation, will likely awaken to a concept that can create. This does not mean that environment is the be-all end-all that decides how an individual's concept manifests, It is merely part of the process. Individual will and personality also play a role. With enough attention, it is possible to guess what kind of concept something will awaken, or even manipulate it. However this kind of interference with the natural order has been a taboo for centuries.'
Although the content was clear, it still blew my mind. As someone who knew nothing of Magic beyond what it could do, learning that it is quite literally capable of anything, is a leap I did not expect to make. On top of that, learning that the time of awakening for a concept is essentially random, made me question the point of a book that claims to be a 'Guide to Awakening Your Concept'. However, as if reading my mind, it answered my question soon after.
'While a concept is formed from experiences, will, and personality, awakening said concept is more often than not linked directly to knowledge of Magic. A concept could be ready to awaken for years, yet never bloom because an individual has no understanding of Magic. There is no concrete method to finding out if your concept is ready to awaken, but learning of Magic and its intricacies will only speed up the process. This is not a problem for things with more refined magical instincts, but we humans lost those very same instincts in exchange for a far more valuable asset: Variance.'
From then it went into far more technical terms comparing the Magic of different species, but that doesn't matter now. What does matter, is that as long as I keep reading and learning from the book, I could awaken my concept. Now patience may not be my forte, but I understand the need for it in moments like these. This is not something I can rush, and thus I will leave it on the back burner for now. In the meantime, I want to do rigorous physical training.
The reasoning being, I want to do my best in the Practical Combat Ranking at the academy. Why on earth would someone who hates attention try to top the Ranking that will garner by far the most? It's simple. I know that I will not be taken down off the top of the History Ranking. That is both confidence and arrogance, as I'm certain that I have far more knowledge of the subject than most people, and I am confident in my ability to demonstrate that. I also love the subject, and am unwilling to give up the top spot if I can help it. This will get me attention, regardless of my wishes. So I've concluded that I need to get over myself and get used to it, possibly even learn to like it. What better way to do that, than to participate in what will certainly be the most observed and judged Ranking in the Academy.
Essentially, I'm brainwashing myself.
This is also the reason that I'd like to awaken my concept, as even with my limited knowledge of Magic itself, I know that in history there have been incredibly powerful warrior mages. I don't know how Magic will factor into the Practical Combat Ranking, but better safe than sorry. I also plan to take a Magic Theory class, which will likely require that I use magic. I believe there will also be a magical aptitude test on the first day of school, and I don't like failing tests.
All in all, I will be spending the next two months training. To that end, I need to search for Vincent and ask if there is any sort of facility or training ground in or around the villa.
I find Vincent in study assembling paperwork. I don't know what paperwork the head-butler would be required to work with, but then again, I have a feeling that he has far more responsibility than just a 'head-butler'. Pushing those thoughts aside, I ask him what I came for.
"Vincent, is there a training ground in the villa?"
"Yes there is, it is out of the way so I will lead you. May I ask what you will use it for?" He quickly responds, as if expecting both my appearance and question.
"Well as you would expect, I will be training."
"Ah, I understand. Follow me."
Vincent stands and exits the room, while I walk closely behind. I can't help but notice how he moves with the aura of a battle-hardened military veteran, yet still stays almost completely silent.
Vincent leads me through the building, to a corner I did not know existed. Despite how out of the way it is, it still has the same feeling as the rest of the building, and is perfectly maintained. He brings me to a door that is like any other in the villa.
"This is the entrance to the underground training facility. Although it is called that, it is simply a large magically enhanced room with training weaponry."
"Alright, thank you Vincent you may return to what you were doing before."
He doesn't move, and continues.
"If I may, Sir Morgan. Do you have any plan for how you will be training?"
I'm caught off guard by the question, and I can't get out an adequate response. Though I didn't have any to give him in the first place. I don't have any plan, I was just going to do what felt right.
"Um, no, not really."
"Well then why don't I instruct you. I may not look it, but I have experience in the military."
I don't know how you think that, you definitely look it. Though, having someone who knows what they're doing train me, is 100% better than what I was planning to do. Why not, what's the worst that could happen.
"Sure that sounds like a good idea."