— Lunaria's PoV —
As soon as I heard Boss' words, I hurried towards PC1, my most treasured place in the world. With three gold coins in hand, I carefully placed them into the coin box, ensuring I had enough time to browse before lunch. I knew any unused coins would go to waste, so I didn't want to be too extravagant.
Each coin felt precious to me, as it granted me the opportunity to explore grimoires using this fascinating device.
As the computer sprang to life, the screen displayed three images, but my focus immediately honed in on the one Boss had recommended—MartialTube.
As I saw the image, I realized that it was also as mysterious as the ManaWeb.
It depicted a crystal ball, and I was taken aback because I knew crystal balls were rumored to have the ability to see the past, present, and future. However, I also knew that only witches could use them, and Boss couldn't be a witch since his magic power attribute felt different.
It's also a rare sight to encounter witches nowadays. In the past, they weren't referred to as witches, but rather as ordinary magicians.
In fact, not everyone can be a magician. Becoming a magician was possible once a mana vessel formed within the body, which typically occurred during puberty. For humans, this usually happens at the age of 10. The developed mana vessels determined the attribute one could use in their magic.
The unique witches possess black mana vessels, allowing them to tap into the dark attribute. Their magical powers somewhat resemble those of the demon race in the North Continent, but there are fundamental differences between humans who use Mana and demons who use Dark Mana.
Mana itself originates from nature, whereas dark mana is a corrupted form of it. I must admit, mentioning this unpleasant aspect leaves a bitter taste.
Fifty years ago, the hypocrites in the holy nation at the Middle Continent accused witches of causing a calamity without clear evidence.
The ignorant public, devoted to their religion, blindly believed the claims and launched a violent purge against all witches. They have faced discrimination and, at times, cruel treatments. Since then, the dark magicians were labelled as witches.
Knowing the truth saddened me deeply. The elven community had records of the real incident.
The blame on witches was merely a convenient way to shift responsibility, as they possessed powers similar to demons—the sworn enemy of humanity, according to the holy nation.
However, disclosing the truth to the public would jeopardize the century-long peace the elves cherished, and they couldn't afford to risk disturbing the delicate harmony with nature and their protectors, the spirits.
The fortunate thing is that the influence of the Middle Continent is relatively limited in this kingdom. I can sense that they also harbor suspicions about the holy nation but have chosen to remain silent to avoid escalating tensions into war. What's even better is that they don't discriminate against 'dark magicians.' Though it's a different case for those bastard nobles.
*Sigh. In any case, enough of these distracting thoughts.
I halted my contemplation about other matters and redirected my full attention to the computer.
With purposeful movements, I moved the mouse and clicked on MartialTube.
In an instant, a whole new world unfolded before my eyes.
Suddenly, the screen came alive with moving pictures, and I was taken aback. To my surprise, I accidentally clicked on one of the moving pictures, causing it to play.
To my astonishment, sound escaped from the computer, synchronized with the moving picture. The visuals and voice seemed to merge seamlessly.
It felt like witnessing incredible sorcery! How could humans live within such a small box and create such a captivating experience!
Suddenly, I was aghast at what I saw, and concern flooded my mind. I couldn't help but worry about the people on the computer—were they somehow trapped there?
"Can you hear me, human?" I tried to communicate with the small figure on the screen, but she didn't respond. It seemed as though she couldn't hear or see me, which left me wondering whom she was talking to. The situation was perplexing and left me with a sense of unease.
I listened intently to what she was saying, and to my shock, she was discussing the fundamentals of wind magic!
Beneath the box where the small human was, a caption read 'Basic Wind Magic,' confirming the subject of her lesson.
At first, I believed I wouldn't learn anything new, as I had already mastered the basic spells of wind magic by the time I was 150 years old. However, as I continued to listen, the little human proved me wrong. Her teachings were remarkably insightful and detailed, revealing a deep understanding of wind magic that I hadn't encountered before.
Despite my expertise, I found myself captivated by her words, realizing that there were still many things I didn't know about the magic I considered myself skilled at.
Indeed, I felt a strong urge to address her as 'teacher' in my mind.
Continuing to listen, I memorized some of her teachings effortlessly, thanks to the power boost from Boss' food. I felt like a diligent student, absorbing every detail without any difficulties.
The teacher's voice continued to resound from the computer, filling my mind as I immersed myself deeply in the lesson, eager to grasp every single detail she shared. The knowledge she imparted was like a treasure trove, and I wanted to savor it all.
"But if you're an elf or anyone with an affinity for spirits, using magic becomes much easier. You can asked them kindly to assist in strengthening your magic.
However, it's essential to consider the rank of the spirit and its level of friendliness towards you. Take note that spirits don't take kindly to impure intentions, so if you're thinking of befriending them with ill motives, give up now or face their wrath.."
"What!" I exclaimed in disbelief. How could the teacher know so much about elves when she was human? But that wasn't even the most surprising part.
It was a revelation for me to learn that spirits have ranks! I had no idea that such a hierarchy existed among them, and it was surprising to discover that I could also befriend these mystical beings.
The knowledge of spirit ranks wasn't part of the teachings in the elven community. They seemed unaware of this information entirely, which made me feel like I had stumbled upon a secret realm of magic hidden from us for centuries.
Since ancient times, the beliefs held by the elven community about spirits have been centered around their role as guardians of nature, protectors of the world. Regarded as mystical beings, they are thought to offer aid to living creatures with pure intentions, bestowing their blessings upon those who seek harmony with the natural world.
However, these benevolent spirits are not to be taken lightly, as they are known to unleash their wrath upon those who provoke their anger or display impure motives.
This sacred understanding of spirits as compassionate and protective entities has been ingrained in elven culture, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a harmonious relationship with these ethereal beings.
Their presence is perceived as a guiding force, offering support to all living beings in this world they deeply care for.
I couldn't contain my excitement and couldn't help but chuckle in joy. Discovering this new path of strength through forming connections with spirits was truly exhilarating. However, my modesty prevented me from openly boasting about being a genius, even though I secretly felt it...
Amidst my euphoria, the teacher continued her lesson, and I found myself fully immersed in her words once more. Her teachings were filled with unexpected insights that expanded my understanding of wind magic, leaving me hungry for more knowledge and eager to explore the world of spirits further.
I was grateful for this opportunity to learn from such a knowledgeable teacher and looked forward to the upcoming lessons with great anticipation.
"Okay everyone that's all for now, see you next session."
Upon hearing that the lesson had concluded, my heart sank, and a sense of loss overwhelmed me. Why did it have to end so quickly? I yearned for more facts, and my frustration grew to the point where I felt like shedding tears of disappointment.
As the screen turned black, and the sound ceased, the absence of the teacher left a void in my heart. I grieved her sudden disappearance, uncertain about what to do next.
But then, my eyes caught sight of a search icon on the screen. A glimmer of hope sparked within me, and I realized there was more to explore.
I clicked on it and a box appeared, seemingly waiting for my input. With a sigh, I typed "Flying magic," then wait for the results in great anticipation.
Suddenly, a stream of search results appeared before me, and my eyes widened in disbelief. The list offered a wealth of information, and I carefully browsed through it. One entry caught my attention, and my heart quickened with anticipation.
As I clicked on the link labeled "[Flying Magic for Elves]," another person appeared on the screen, and I was taken aback to see that she was an elf as well. Her graceful presence, with her white hair and gentle aura, exuded a motherly appeal.
The moment she started speaking, her voice carried a radiant warmth that seemed to give life to all living things. Her wisdom and knowledge were evident, and I couldn't help but feel a strong connection to her.
Overwhelmed with emotion, I held the computer in front of me with both hands, fixated on the screen without blinking. It was as if I had finally found my true teacher, my Master, and I couldn't contain my excitement.
With a sense of newfound purpose, I exclaimed, "Teacher! No, Master! I FOUND YOU!!!"