Today marked my initiation into the world of magic, and so I found myself standing alongside Ron and Darris in the sprawling courtyard. As the esteemed Master Darris addressed us, his words carried weight and anticipation hung in the air.
"Since this is Aelfric's maiden voyage into the art of magic, I shall lay the cornerstone by imparting upon him the fundamental principles of mana manipulation and the arcane crafts," Darris proclaimed, his voice carrying a sense of authority and wisdom. "And for you, Ron, it presents a perfect opportunity to revisit the fundamentals once more."
Ron's eyes gleamed with enthusiasm as he nodded in agreement. "Yes, Master Darris. I shall embrace this chance with fervor."
Darris began to elucidate on the subject of magic. "Magic arts, or simply put, magic, is the enigmatic force that allows us to harness mana and manipulate it to reshape the very world around us. And at the core of this phenomenon lies mana itself."
The vitality of nature, the essence that resides within all living beings, takes the form of mana, Darris explained. It is distinct from aura, the ethereal energy that martial artists harness with their mastery. Mana, unlike aura, remains an immutable quantity, unyielding to the toil of training. This immutable nature is precisely why the number of esteemed mages pales in comparison to that of martial artists.
"These magical arts can be broadly categorized into three distinct branches," Darris continued. "There are the elemental magic arts, spirit magic arts, and the sacred holy magic arts. But today, we shall immerse ourselves in the study of elemental magic arts, for they are the foundation upon which our understanding of magic rests."
Darris turned to Ron, his eyes probing. "Can you enlighten me, Ron, with your knowledge of the elements within the realm of magic?"
With a confident mien, Ron replied, "Elemental magic arts encompass four primary elements, accompanied by their extended counterparts. Fire, water, earth, and wind are the four bedrock elements, while the extensions include lightning, ice, magma, and sound."
Darris nodded in approval. "Indeed, you speak true."
It became apparent that some individuals possessed an innate affinity for specific elements. Lord Duston, for instance, wielded an inherent connection to fire, while Lady Sara found solace in her bond with the earth. Ron, however, bore the remarkable quality of dual affinity, being attuned to both fire and earth.
My heart sank momentarily upon realizing lack of such an affinity. Yet, Darris offered words of reassurance, dispelling any flicker of discouragement threatening to consume me. "Fear not, Aelfric. Affinity merely signifies a propensity for mastery in a particular element. It bestows no limitations upon your potential to master any element you choose, provided you exert sufficient effort and dedication."
Yes, Aelfric mused inwardly. No affinity resided within him, as proven by the affinity test conducted by Maester Darwin himself. A cup brimming with water had been the stage for my examination. Should my raw mana transform the liquid into a smoky vapor, fire would claim my affinity. Should ice form from the water, then water; if a swirling vortex manifested, then wind; if the impurities settled, then earth. Alas, no such effect occurred during the test, leaving me bereft of any elemental affinity.
Nevertheless, this absence did not render me a hopeless case. It simply meant i possessed the potential to become a versatile practitioner, adept in multiple elements, yet lacking mastery in any single one. And in this realization, i found solace, for even a jack of all trades holds a place amidst the mystical tapestry of arcane arts.
As a mere mortal with a neutral affinity for magic, I was informed by the master, Darris, that I would be learning to harness the powers of both fire and earth. Naturally, I nodded in agreement, eager to begin my education in the mystical arts.
"Ron, can you enlighten me on the two methods in which elemental magic is performed?" Darris inquired, his voice brimming with anticipation.
"Of course, Master," Ron replied, his enthusiasm evident. "The first method is through the recitation of incantations, while the second involves the utilization of magic circles."
"Precisely," Darris confirmed, a trace of satisfaction coloring his words. "Today, I shall instruct you on some rudimentary magic circles that you can infuse with mana as a means of honing your mana output."
With a flourish, Darris presented me with two distinct pieces of cloth, each adorned with a meticulously drawn magic circle. One displayed the intricate design suitable for summoning a fireball, while the other depicted a pattern more suited for bringing forth a stone ball.
As I attempted to infuse the magic circles with mana, a burst of ethereal light illuminated the fabric, indicating the successful conjuration of a fiery orb. Darris nodded approvingly, urging me to sustain the conjured fireball through a continuous supply of mana.
I understood the purpose behind his teachings. Darris sought to expand my capacity for drawing mana from the vast well within me. While the amount of mana one possessed was unalterable, the ability to extract larger quantities from this inner reservoir could be developed through persistent practice.
However, I possessed an additional advantage due to my extraordinary abilities in this strange realm. For reasons beyond my comprehension, I possessed the capability to draw forth more mana than even Darris himself. Furthermore, my divine sight allowed me to discern the very essence of mana, affording me the opportunity to discreetly observe Darris's own practices.
In this clandestine manner, I endeavored to glean additional insights, effectively utilizing my ability to enhance my magical prowess.
In truth, I was not struggling. My divine sight allowed me to effortlessly draw out more mana than those around me, for my abundant pool knew no bounds. Yet, I masked my true abilities, veiling them in a feigned struggle. It wouldn't do well to reveal my superior magical prowess to Ron or Darris; such knowledge would only breed suspicion and hinder my existence in this world.
Ron, oblivious to my hidden talents, continued to advance in his magical studies. I observed him closely, absorbing every detail of his technique. With each incantation and intricate motion, he drew forth the elements with precision and finesse. I marveled at his skill, knowing that one day, I would surpass even his impressive abilities.
As the class drew to a close, Darris approached me, his keen eyes searching for any signs of progress. Little did he know, I had far surpassed his expectations. Graciously, he offered guidance and instruction, unaware that it was I who now had the upper hand.
I remained committed to my secret, vowing to perfect my craft in silence. Each day, I honed my skills in the shadows, drawing forth greater amounts of mana and molding the elements to my will. The world knew not of the power that resided within me, and in that anonymity, I found strength.
And so, in the realm of magic, I persisted as a hidden force, biding my time until the moment was right to unveil my true capabilities. The path to greatness lay before me, and I would tread it with caution, for the knowledge I possessed was a double-edged sword. In the world of mages, where secrets held sway, I would remain a shadow—a prodigy concealed beneath a veil of mediocrity.
In this world, mage rankings held a semblance of familiarity, reminiscent of the manga I had once devoured. The hierarchy was structured as follows:
1. Archmage
2. Sorcerer
3. Wizard
4. Warlock
5. High mage
6. Advance
7. Intermediate
8. Beginner
9. Apprentice
Each of these ranks, as if to further complicate matters, was further divided into three stars, a trifling notion that only served to deepen the absurdity. History books, which I reluctantly perused in the cold, musty library, revealed the arbitrariness of these rankings. Many a time, higher-ranked mages had met humiliating defeat at the hands of those far beneath them.
While it was true that a substantial reserve of mana was requisite for ascending the echelons of mage hierarchy, success in battle hinged not solely upon the quantity of this mystical energy. Mana efficiency, accrued experience, mastery over elemental forces, environmental circumstances, meticulous preparations, and, by some cruel twist of fate, even blind luck, were among the factors that determined the outcome of magical encounters.
Though the twisted nature of this realm demanded that I be well-versed in the intricacies of mage warfare, my intentions lay elsewhere. I had no desire to become embroiled in battles, nor did I seek to climb the ranks of magehood. No, all I yearned for was a swift return to the comforting embrace of the Earth. Regrettably, the voluminous tomes harbored no records of summoning magic, flinging my desperate hopes into dismay.
Escaping this wretched world would prove to be an arduous endeavor, shrouded in vexing uncertainty.