Hearing my question, Merlin casually nodded before looking back at the old man in front of him with a playful grin, "Charles, you should understand my status and busy schedule, being able to come to this abandoned place even this late is already a miracle."
Merlin's words made me know the name of the old man who was the sole occupant of the Hall of Combat.
Seeing Merlin's smile, Charles snorted and explained my situation to Merlin.
"I can feel a seal embedded in his body. I also feel that his body can only store a little mana while the rest of the mana absorbed from nature just comes out of his body. Previously, I have tried to use the unsealing combat spell, the unsealing star fists, but it did not have any effect on the seal. That's why I immediately called you. He is my first student in a century, you must give your best tonight."
I saw Merlin was surprised when he heard Charles' explanation.
"Even the unsealing star fists failed to release the seal inside his body? Interesting! Well, since I am being generous seeing my old friend in trouble, I will check the seal on his body myself."
I saw Merlin turn his gaze towards me and his eyes shone with a dazzling light.
After a while the light in his eyes dimmed and Merlin began to speak and his words were directed not only at Charles but mainly at me.
"I have checked his condition and I have two news for you. One good news and one bad news. Which one do you want hear first?"
Charles and I looked at each other for a moment before saying the same choice at the same time.
"Tell us the bad news first."
There is a reason why we prefer to hear the bad news first. It is all part of human psychology. Humans tend to feel much better if they hear good news after bad news than vice versa.
Merlin nodded and began to explain the bad news.
"I have checked the seal embedded in his body. Unfortunately, the assumption about the seal restrains his physical body and makes him only able to absorb a little mana from nature is wrong. His physical condition is normal and regarding his physical body that can only absorb a little mana from nature, it is indeed innate, aka natural."
I was silent while Charles looked at me with an apologetic look. Charles realized that he had given me false hope by saying that the seal on my body caused me to not be able to use magic optimally and efficiently, thus being labelled as the worst loser.
But I do not blame Charles because from Merlin's words just now show that there is indeed a seal embedded in me. So, Charles is also not completely wrong to assume that the seal makes my physique imperfect to become a spellcaster.
"You don't have to look at me with guilt, Old Man. So what if I have a trash physique compared to other spellcasters? I'm sure if I can find the right way to use spell optimally and efficiently, even my trash physique will beat the godly physiques that those elite geniuses have. Besides, you told me that true genius is not determined by their physique but by one's ability to learn magic. Isn't that right, Old Man?"
My words to other people's ears might sound like encouragement for life in times of depression, but Merlin who heard them laughed while looking at Charles who was also smiling.
"He did look like you when you were younger, Charles. You're lucky to have a student as optimistic as him. Not many people have that strong of a mentality."
"Stop reminding me of the past, Merlin. Just tell us what good news you got?"
Merlin looked serious as he began his explanation while looking at me, "Ace, the seal embedded in your body is a special seal. Its effect is not as a restraint but rather a kind of qualification mark for something. I can't explain in more detail because I still don't know anything about the seal. One thing I can predict, this seal will bring you into a conflict in fighting for something important. If you fail, you will most likely die, but if you succeed, you can change the destiny of your life. One piece of advice from me, practice hard. Hard work will not betray the results."
Even Merlin looked serious. That means what he predicted was most likely going to happen in the future. After the spell that was restraining my body's movements was removed, I got up and thanked Merlin for the advice he gave me.
Merlin said that in the end my fate would depend on myself. After leaving using teleportation magic, now in the Hall of Combat, there was only me and old man Charles standing next to me.
"You've heard what he said. Merlin is indeed an annoying person but his magic is very powerful especially that clairvoyance ability of him. If he says you will be involved in a conflict, one hundred percent you will be involved in the conflict. Follow me, I will take you to the magic library of the Hall of Combat. There are some magic that you can learn and use. Don't worry, I will give you some advice as a teacher."
After saying that, Charles led me deeper until we arrived at a library filled with grimoires.
We didn't walk too far and were only on the first floor of the library. Charles took out a grimoire and handed it to me.
"Basic Spells of Combat."
That is the title of the grimoires that I am currently holding.
I opened it and started reading some pages. From those few pages, I managed to learn some basic spells like acceleration, power-up, and coating.
Charles gave a little explanation about why he wanted me to learn these three spells first.
Acceleration, power-up, and coating are the foundation of combat spells. The duration of the spells is also flexible depending on the needs of the user itself. The amount of mana needed is also small. In mathematics, it only takes one every two minutes. It can even be longer depending on the intensity.
In addition to the three basic spells, Charles also taught me hand-to-hand and armed combat techniques. Although only at the basic level such as correct posture, good punching and kicking movements, perfect dodging and blocking movements, and practicing using wooden weapons.
After finishing the training for the day, Charles also reminded me to improve my stamina and muscle strength. Something that many spellcasters nowadays have neglected.