[A/N: Keep in mind that this chapter is still being worked on, so it will be improved throughout the day!]
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In this world, Keishin -- Runeland, in literal translation of the forgotten ancestral language --, magic reigned and dwelt in any person or being that was alive, regardless of their race or position in the planet hierarchy.
Choosing to believe or not in that belief spread worldwide, it was undeniable that magical energy was present in their food, their bodies, their jobs, their daily lives.
It was present everywhere, all the time.
For the record, even those who couldn't feel it had a small amount of magical energy flowing through their veins.
It was it who supposedly moved their souls.
It was an indisputable fact.
Nobody dared to contradict that truth, long established as universal truth, anymore.
After all, to begin with, countless sages had already lived and died trying to prove the opposite, but their attempts were all thwarted by the findings of other researchers.
''Magic is the pillar of evolution. Magic is the absolute, inconsequential foundation of the nature of all beings."
That was what the great ancient mage, Varus, the creator of the human magic system currently used, established through decades of his life dedicated to the study of the origin of Ether and its variations.
Along the way, he also verified that it had all been planned in advance by the Forger of Worlds, after having published his best-known work.
The book 'Through Magic: Ether — where for the first time, magical energy was called 'Ether'.
According to the man's detailed studies, it had all been the will of the 'Forger of Worlds', a cosmic entity widely worshiped by the people of Keishin, but which was never seen or really accurately described by someone.
''He created us. He is our lord, the lord of all peoples."
The people would utter if they were questioned about the creature's credibility.
"It's the only thing we need to know.''
It was no longer a secret to anyone that the universe had been shaped through the will of a supreme god, who had provided them with life and evolutionary capacity.
He was also the one who granted them Ether, the magical energy that made the species inherently powerful and intelligent.
The creature also assured them the possibility of perhaps one day reaching his level.
But only for those who could be blessed with his will, this goal could be coveted.
''Great effort instead of talent can help you in many fields, but not in this one.''
Talent and magic were inextricably related. Therefore, the effort in the field could only be considered by those who were naturally born with appropriate gifts.
In short, magic could be linked to a simple parameter of 'talent'; a phenomenon that should be thought of as something latent for a person.
And also something different and unique for every individual on the planet.
In a variety of ways, this talent would directly influence how well they could understand things, how well they could control, interact and handle magical energy, and what their growth capabilities were.
Therefore, the moment someone was born with an inappropriate talent for the proper handling of magical energy, then he would be doomed to never be able to use spells.
Furthermore, as innate abilities are basically an extension of Ether manipulation of people's bodies, so only those gifted with the gratifying gift of magical energy manipulation can wield innate power.
However, the imminence of an innate ability is less than 40% in the entire global population, and only those truly blessed by the will of heaven are able to awaken innate abilities.
"Did you get it, Lughys?" Alfred asked excitedly. ''This is a summary of the magical energy that shapes us and its relevance in our daily lives.''
Alfred, the man who tapped his hand with a kind of pencil, had dark lime green hair and greenish eyes utterly different to those of Lughys's.
His idiotic way of dressing, however, contrasted directly with his natural beauty. But at least he didn't seem aware that people thought that of him.
''Don't you also think that this world, despite all adversities, is beautiful?'' The elegant looking man said aloud.
To the astonishment of literally zero people, Alfred's surprise had been more lessons for Lughys.
Although, unlike the ones the boy already had built into his schedule, the two new classes were geared towards personal protection and learning about swordsmanship and magic.
''Are you listening to me, Lughys?'' He asked, once again.
Honestly, the man would look like a pretty boring guy to any outsider, but Lughys, the little boy who was carefully studying the lengthy explanation given by his teacher, was smiling brightly.
For the first time in that world, trapped in a new body that was only 6 years old, Lughys acted like a real child.
His blue eyes, which looked as if they had been carved from expensive jewelry, unnaturally widened, glowing with a faint, blinding light of surprise. Half open-mouthed, he sighed slightly.
He was in awe.
Magic certainly seemed to be something impressive and interesting!
Even in the world of a shitty otome game, how did its true world story and concepts manage to make him so enthralled?
He felt like an ordinary fisherman who had been dominated by a siren's song.
''Yes, teacher. Loud and clear.'' He replied the man nonchalantly, trying to correct his awkward expression.
At the same time, copying what was written on the classroom's note board, he passed the information into one of his notebooks.
On the page, disconnected words and phrases seemed to come together like the roots of a tree in the ground.
Separated they didn't make any sense at all, but when placed next to each other, with example drawings and illustrations, they seemed to make sense.
''Interesting way of taking notes, huh?'' The green haired man spoke, but Lughys didn't hear him.
His entire focus was on summarizing the topics as best he could, so that things would be easier to review later.
'Summarization' and 'Keywords'. The 'Sumkey', as he named it in his previous life.
That was Lughys' supreme and eccentric method of studying.
At least one of them, and the one he preferred to use in classes that seemed to be lectures with so many explanations shot in his direction.
And even though many people judged him for using such an archaic method, it was that same strange method that had elevated him to the top of the AJR 100 college, whose as the institution's unrivaled number 1, he held an incredible 98% accuracy rate on exams.
To be clear, if his fuzzy memories were right, the disparity between him and second place was alarming.
As while he had a 98% hit rate, the girl in second place had only achieved 86%.
''Well, you can go ahead with your explanation, Mr Alfred.''
Finishing what he was doing, the little boy lifted his head, resting his gaze on Alfred.
The man had already repositioned himself in the direction of the painting, since who knows when.
A wide smile spread across his face as he resumed his detailed explanation of magic.
''I imagine you already know, but let me tell you. There are seven primordial elements currently known in this world.''
Excited, Alfred's rigorous face seemed to fade more and more. '
'Fire, water, wind, earth, light, darkness and, last but not least, neutral.''
According to the notes that the tutor wrote on the board, as he proceeded with the detailed lecture on magic, the first four elements mentioned were the most common among people who could use Ether at will.
This was due to the point that anyone with the talent of Ether manipulation would be able to wield the four common elements, also responsible for maintaining Keishin's nature as it was.
Dark and light spells, however, required far more requirements, and were very rare among the millions of Ether users.
To be aware, light magic could only be obtained through the essence that a baby holds at birth and it was said that it was a blessing from the gods to be able to use it.
On the other hand, black magic, or dark magic, which varied the name depending on what one preferred to call it, wasn't even a magic one could be born with.
To begin with, it was banned by almost every country in the world, so it was rare to see someone who was able to freely use it, or openly claim they were a wielder.
''They say it is necessary for the person in question to sacrifice fifteen people in order to use it.'' Alfred explained, gesturing with his hands. ''In short, you would basically have to sell your soul to the devil and offer sacrifices in order to be gifted with it.''
Gluing his gaze to Lughys, they both stared at each other for a few seconds.
The man took some time off so that his student could take it all in without getting too tired. It was clear he was going easy on Lughys most of the time, given the boy's age.
'Nonetheless, the memory of this body is very useful indeed' Lughys thought inwardly.
Luckily, as predicted by the brown-haired boy, a child's brain really did come in handy.
All the information he learned seemed to cling voraciously to his brain, docking itself in a secluded corner.
''Huh...''
Breaking away from the bizarre atmosphere that filled the air of the entire personal classroom, a maid hurriedly entered the room.
She looked tired, panting, as she rested her arms on her knees.
''Mr... Mr. Weathers, your guest has finally arrived...'' The young woman said, catching the attention of both present there. ''She's waiting for you in the mansion lobby.''
''Eureka!''
Dazed, Lughys was jerked by the arm by his teacher, being pulled through the halls without any chance of fighting back.
''Wait, wait please!!!''