"Magic is much more than numbers in the eyes of humans. If you can grasp the theory, then you'll know what to do in each situation." Serie was alone with Damian, teaching him the correct way to read magic.
"Could you read magic?"
The two walked through a garden filled with truly exotic flowers. As they approached a small water fountain, Serie stopped and said, "Numbers in magic are something you must learn to interpret. In less than two magical exchanges, you should know how to counter that magic."
"So, if I cast a magic spell at you now, you'll know the easiest way to intercept it, is that true?" Damian knew this method was much more complicated than it sounded.
Serie looked at Damian and said, "Not only that, I'll learn to cast the same spell as you."
"That wouldn't be so simple, teacher. I have certain methods to prevent someone else from casting the same spell as me. You must know that demons often use this method to defeat us on equal terms. Not everyone is lucky enough to overcome those obstacles, so I want to see myself in that same situation."
Serie smiled, moved to an open space, and said, "Cast a spell at me."
"I could hurt you; how could I harm you?" Damian didn't want to fight this woman because it would reveal certain magics that he didn't want others to learn.
"Do it!"
Damian gritted his teeth in frustration and extended his hand into the air. Surrounded by purple electric arcs, he muttered some undefined words, and at that moment, a powerful purple bolt shot out from his fingers.
Boom!
"Excellent destructive magic." Serie smiled with fascination, knowing how complex it was to achieve this excellence in attack.
But that wouldn't be enough for her not to understand that attack. "I'll return it to you."
Damian was surprised that at that very moment, a blue lightning bolt shot out from Serie's hands, being exactly as destructive but changing only in size.
With no chance to escape, Damian extended both hands, and through thunder mastery, he slowly suppressed this lightning bolt in his hands.
"You have terrifying mana. The only reason you are interested in me is because of that silly idea of wanting to face me. Besides, you have the same idea about magic as I do." Serie approached Damian to see how complex it was becoming for him to control his attack, but he slowly mastered it.
"I have a lot to understand about attacks like you do."
"You'll live longer than a human; you're fortunate to have that terrifying eternal life... However, have you noticed that your hair will change color due to the magic accumulated within you?"
Damian looked at his reflection in the water fountain and understood what Serie meant. He was evolving because his species is not long-lived. Not only would his hair change, but as the years passed, he would mature to a perfect age and then stop.
"So, to learn others' spells, I just need to know how to read magic."
"You have special eyes; it will take you about five hundred years at most." Serie left after leaving Damian with some suitable spells to learn.
Damian then walked through the garden while those books flew around him. Frieren was now in a room in this immense place, waiting for him to finish the first phase of training. For her, fifty years wouldn't be something unbearable.
But Damian needed to return to his territory. Still, even though he was now creating a special avatar that would be a copy of himself, it wasn't enough. That copy only knew how to follow simple orders and was mostly controlled by Damian.
Closing his eyes, Damian sat on the ground and then saw himself sitting on the throne of his castle. His body was identical, except that it lacked pain, didn't breathe, and had no sensation, as if he were playing a video game.
"Any changes at the border?" Damian spoke to Sebastian, who was looking for him.
"None yet; we're still reinforcing the border we have to watch over with the best possible conditions that our soldiers demand. But we've received word that on the other end, they've faced many attacks. Do you recommend we send troops?"
Damian shook his head. "That's not an optimal idea; the results of that could lead to a direct invasion by the enemy. If we stay strong, we'll send aid later."
"I'll relay your orders."
The last thing Damian wanted was to weaken his growing territory. What he could do later, however, was send some thousand prototype soldiers that he had discarded to take care of surveillance at the end.