Aurora led him back towards the academy library, her flight swift and silent. "Aurora," Shawn said, his voice a mixture of exasperation and curiosity, "I told you, I need a teacher, not more books! I've been reading, and I'm still struggling to grasp the fundamentals of magic."
Aurora, however, ignored his complaints, her focus entirely on her plan. She zipped through the library doors and flew straight to the librarian's desk, her movements precise and purposeful. She landed gracefully on the counter, her tiny form a stark contrast to the imposing size of the desk. With a confident smile, she greeted the librarian.
"Good morning," she chirped, her voice bright and cheerful. Her tone was polite yet assertive, suggesting a clear purpose for her visit. Shawn watched with a mixture of amusement and apprehension, wondering what she was up to. He was curious to see how she intended to solve his problem.
The librarian, a kindly woman with warm eyes and a gentle smile, looked up from her work, her gaze settling on Aurora. "Good morning, my dear," she said, her voice soft and welcoming. "How can I help you today?"
Aurora, channeling her inner Ash, leaned forward, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Instead of directly asking for a teacher, she mirrored Ash's approach, offering a deal. "I'm here to offer a deal," she announced, her voice surprisingly confident.
Her words were intriguing, hinting at a potential bargain. The librarian's eyebrows rose slightly, her curiosity piqued. Shawn watched with growing fascination; Aurora's strategy was unexpected, and he was eager to see how it would play out.
Aurora, with a wide grin, laid out her proposition, her words carefully chosen to appeal to the librarian's practicality. "You're here at the library all day," she observed, her voice bright and cheerful. "And even after closing time, you still have to clean up before you can go home. It must be exhausting.
We're here to offer our help," she continued, her tone softening slightly, "to ease your burden... for a small price." She paused, allowing her words to sink in. Her proposal was cleverly framed, highlighting the librarian's workload and offering a solution in exchange for something of value.
It was a shrewd negotiation tactic, demonstrating Aurora's quick thinking and understanding of human nature. Shawn watched with a mixture of amusement and admiration. He was impressed by Aurora's strategic approach.
The librarian, a practical woman, responded to Aurora's offer with a hesitant expression. "I don't have much money to spare," she said, her voice gentle but firm. She clearly wasn't expecting a monetary transaction.
Aurora, however, anticipated this response. She smoothly interrupted, her tone confident and persuasive. "That's the beauty of this deal," she chirped, her voice bright and cheerful. "We don't need any money, or anything like that."
Shawn, surprised by Aurora's words, interjected, "We don't?"
Aurora, ignoring Shawn's question, continued her pitch, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "What we need," she said, her voice softening slightly, "is some guidance. And we think you're perfect for the job."
She paused, allowing her words to hang in the air, creating a sense of anticipation. Her proposal was cleverly framed, shifting the focus from a monetary transaction to a mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and skills.
It was a shrewd negotiation tactic, demonstrating Aurora's quick thinking and ability to adapt to the situation. Shawn watched with growing admiration, impressed by Aurora's skillful maneuvering.
The librarian, intrigued by Aurora's proposal, considered the offer carefully. After a moment of thoughtful silence, she spoke, her voice measured and curious. "What type of guidance do you need?" she asked, her tone polite but inquisitive.
Aurora, seizing the opportunity, explained their situation clearly and concisely. "Shawn has a skill called Magical Learning," she began, her voice bright and informative.
"Whatever magic Shawn understands, he can copy and give it to me. It's a powerful ability, but it's useless if Shawn himself doesn't understand the principles of magic. He's struggling to grasp the theoretical concepts, and that's where you come in."
She paused, her gaze settling on the librarian's distinctive wizard hat. "From the looks of that hat," she said with a knowing smile, "I'm guessing you're a strong and capable sorceress.
You could easily help Shawn understand magic. In return," she continued, her tone shifting to a proposition, "we'll be your new library assistants, free of charge. We'll help you with organizing books, shelving new acquisitions, and assisting patrons.
It's a win-win situation; you get help with your workload, and Shawn gets the guidance he needs. What do you say?" Her proposal was clear, concise, and mutually beneficial, highlighting the potential advantages for both parties. The librarian considered the offer, her expression thoughtful.
The librarian, considering Aurora's proposal, stroked her chin thoughtfully, her eyes reflecting a mixture of consideration and intrigue. Aurora, sensing the librarian's wavering, pressed her advantage, adding a tempting incentive.
"We'll be your assistants every other day," she said, her voice sweet and persuasive, "and we'll even help with cleaning and closing the library, so you can go home early. Think of all the extra free time you'll have!"
She emphasized the practical benefits, appealing to the librarian's desire for efficiency and convenience. Her words were carefully chosen, highlighting the reduction in workload and the increase in free time.
The librarian's face broke into a warm smile, her decision seemingly made. "Can you start today?" she asked, her tone enthusiastic and eager to begin the arrangement. Aurora's skillful negotiation had paid off; she had secured a magic tutor for Shawn, and in return, she would provide valuable assistance to the librarian. The deal was sealed.
Shawn stared at Aurora, his eyes wide with a mixture of surprise and admiration. He shook his head slowly, a genuine grin spreading across his face. "I think you have your Charisma stat maxed out," he said, his voice filled with genuine awe.
"That was impressive. You completely charmed her into agreeing to our deal. Your negotiation skills are incredible." His tone was laced with both admiration and amusement.
Aurora, basking in his praise, let out a delighted giggle, her iridescent wings shimmering with delight. A wide, self-satisfied smile spread across her face. "What would you do without me?" she chirped, her voice brimming with playful confidence.
Her words were both a boast and a testament to their strong partnership. She knew her skills were a crucial element of their success, and she reveled in her ability to influence and persuade. Shawn chuckled, shaking his head fondly.
He couldn't deny the truth in her statement. Aurora's skills were invaluable, and he knew he wouldn't have been able to secure the librarian's help without her. Their teamwork was a powerful combination, and he was eager to see what they could achieve together.
Shawn, feeling a surge of gratitude and anticipation, turned his attention to the librarian. He approached her with a respectful demeanor, his earlier apprehension replaced by a newfound confidence.
He extended his hand in greeting, his smile warm and sincere. "Hello," he said, his voice clear and confident. "My name is Shawn, and this is Aurora. We'll be in your care." He gave a small, graceful bow, his gesture polite and respectful.
The librarian, her eyes twinkling with kindness, returned his smile. "It's nice to meet you, Shawn and Aurora," she said, her voice gentle and welcoming. "You can call me Ms. Judy." Her words were reassuring, conveying a sense of warmth and approachability.
Shawn felt a wave of relief; he was confident that Ms. Judy would provide him with the guidance he needed to understand magic. He was ready to begin his lessons, eager to learn and grow. He and Aurora exchanged a quick glance, a silent acknowledgment of their shared success. They had secured a valuable mentor, and their journey towards becoming skilled summoners was progressing smoothly.
Ms. Judy, settling into her role as Shawn's tutor, began her first lesson with a clear and concise explanation of his unique skill. "Now, for your first lesson," she said, her voice calm and authoritative, "let's discuss your Magical Learning skill.
It's quite unique, and its functionality differs significantly depending on the system you possess. If you had a Magic System," she explained, "your Magical Learning skill would likely be an S+ skill, allowing you to learn and utilize magic directly. However, because you have a Summoner System, your skill is classified as A+, and it comes with some significant downsides."
She paused, emphasizing the limitations of Shawn's skill within the Summoner System. "Firstly," she stated, "it prevents you from using magic directly. Any magic you learn is transferred to your summoned creature, Aurora.
This means you can't use the magic yourself, regardless of how well you understand it. However," she continued, "this limitation only restricts your use of magic, not your understanding of it. You can still study magic, learn its principles, and develop a deep theoretical understanding. The upside is that there's virtually no limit to your skill's growth potential.
As long as you understand the mechanics of a magical ability, you can transfer that knowledge to Aurora. Your understanding is the key, and there's no cap on how much you can learn." Ms. Judy's explanation clarified the mechanics and limitations of Shawn's skill, highlighting the importance of his theoretical understanding as the foundation for Aurora's magical growth.
Ms. Judy concluded her explanation of Shawn's Magical Learning skill with a practical assignment. "So, your first lesson is to focus on sensing magic," she instructed, her voice warm and encouraging. "While you're working here today, I want you to try and sense the magical energy emanating from the books.
Focus on feeling the subtle vibrations, the faint currents of magical energy that permeate the library. Every book here is imbued with a unique magical signature, a subtle resonance that reflects its content. Try to feel it, to sense its presence. Don't just read the words; feel the magic behind the words.
The more you can sense and understand the magical energy around you, the better you'll be able to comprehend its underlying principles. This will help you build a deeper, more intuitive understanding of magic, which is crucial for effectively utilizing your Magical Learning skill. The more you practice sensing and interpreting this magical energy, the more adept you'll become at understanding and transferring magical abilities to Aurora.
Pay attention to the subtle nuances, the variations in energy, and the flow of magical currents. It's a skill that develops with practice and patience. Begin now; I'll check on your progress later." Ms. Judy's assignment provided a clear, practical starting point for Shawn's magical education, emphasizing the importance of sensory awareness and intuitive understanding.
Shawn and Aurora spent the afternoon assisting Ms. Judy, their tasks a blend of practical library work and Shawn's magical training. They shelved books, helped patrons locate specific volumes, and answered various questions with patience and courtesy.
Throughout their work, Shawn diligently followed Ms. Judy's instructions, focusing on sensing the magical energy emanating from the books. At first, it was challenging, but gradually, he began to perceive subtle differences in the magical signatures of various texts, feeling faint currents and vibrations that reflected the books' content.
felt a growing connection to the magical energy surrounding him, a burgeoning awareness of the subtle forces that permeated the library.
They diligently closed the library, tidying up, dusting shelves, and ensuring everything was in its proper place. They worked together, their movements synchronized and efficient, their teamwork a testament to their growing bond.
Before leaving, they thanked Ms. Judy for her guidance, expressing their gratitude for the lesson. Ms. Judy smiled warmly, expressing her appreciation for their assistance. She was pleased with their work ethic and eager to continue their lessons.
As they walked back to their dorm, Aurora, ever practical, voiced her opinion on their unconventional payment method. "If I'd known we were going to work that hard," she commented with a playful sigh, "I would have just asked for money."
Shawn chuckled, shaking his head fondly at Aurora's pragmatism. Their partnership was a unique blend of practicality and magical ambition. Their day had been productive; they had gained valuable practical experience, and Shawn had made significant progress in sensing magical energy.