Part 1
Over the next year I spent most of my magical training trying to understand the rules or laws that they follow. From what I can tell at an intro level it seems as though there aren't many restrictions. Even when I have to speak the full incantation there are still stages during the casting process that you can shape or change the spell. You cant change water to rock or anything like that, however I can turn water into ice by putting in enough mana. Or with earth magic I can increase its density by flooding it with mana. It seems though that instead of it turning into ice like water it just becomes smoother with less ridges or imperfections on the surface. I'm not sure why but that's all I can perceive so far when dealing with "Stone Bullet"
Fire however is becoming my favorite element. The only bad part are the burns. If I put too much mana into the flame or increase the size the flame starts to burn me. I'm not sure how to get around this problem. There's also the experiments I've made with dual casting. It appears as though you cant cast two spell simultaneously unless you're omitting the incantation . Since whenever you use one it fires the spell once you're done casting leaving no time to cast another. That could be a skill issue but for now I'll just assume its a dead end and move on. Chantless casting though seems to be what the standard is for combat situations since I wouldn't have to spend time chanting while in the heat of battle. A whole world of spell combinations also opens up when I don't use the incantation. For instance my first attempts I used water and earth magic to create a thick mud. Maybe its only use is to blind the enemy? Its hard to say.
On the other side of the element spectrum is my favorite combination of spells. Using "Fire Bullet" and "Gale Stream" (Which is just a short burst of wind) I can use my mana to continuously flood my fire with not only mana but oxygen as well. This changes the color of the fire into a light blue color. I cant control the spell very well due to the heat not letting me wield the flame for very long, but once I remove the hurtle of preventing heat damage to myself I'm sure my destructive power will improve.
It really is fortunate that I kept my memories. Now I wasn't some scientist or gifted student but I know fire is fueled by air, or that if you heat up water it makes steam. I feel like I almost have a creative edge when it comes to magic manipulation thanks to what I've learned. Despite all of my discoveries I'm already feeling as though I'm plateauing in a sense when growing as a mage. This isn't really a terrible thing since father has already sent a job listing to the capital to hire me a tutor. He did that almost 4 months ago though. I'm not sure how long it takes in this world to send word out to places but ill just assume its going to be a while.
Part 2
Another year goes by and my father finally decided to begin my sword training. Though its only basic calisthenics so we only practice till mid day. This gives me a chance to start preparing my body for more hand to hand combat, not sure how useful that's going to be though if I use magic or swords. The more time I spend with Torren the more I realize how nice having a father is. Its not something I had growing up in my past life so I've been trying to appreciate the chance as much as possible. Just asking him questions to learn more about this world or ask him to share stories from his past. He doesn't really go that far into detail on our family but so far I know that the current King has our last name though he wont tell me if we are even the kind of noble blood to obtain kingship. I know the city that's a two days journey from here is ran by my great uncle. I know my uncle lives there as well as his wife and that the towns main source of income is through the adventurers guild and its services. Things like taxing the quest rewards or the selling of monster pelts or fangs and the such. Id like to see it some day.
On the topic of enjoying a stable household the mother I have in this world is so very different from the last. She's so kind and honest with me. She's attentive to my needs and just so...kind. Its taken me some time to adjust to the new family if I'm being honest. The maid however is a bit more familiar to what I'm used to. She doesn't really talk to me. She only ever does her duties and avoids me. The few times she does ever look at me its with a cold emotionless stare. Ever since my family discovered I could use magic its almost like I'm some foreign entity in her eyes, like some sort of intruder. Maybe she knows?
Today I found out what my father does for work in this village. He's the appointed knight of the Lord in the near by city. He just settles disputes or fights in the village and leads the occasional monster hunt to clear the forest near by. Turns out they do that once a month. I wonder if that's normal or if we are in a particularly dangerous area. One day though I was able to convince father to take me with him to subdue a pack of wolves. I had to use water magic to fake cry but once I did he just accepted without putting up much of a fight. I wonder if he has a soft spot for children? Either way seeing him fight was eye opening for me. He's so fast and fluid in his movements. As if he's naturally and effortlessly going through the motions , even killing a wolf behind him without looking.
"Father you're so cool!"
"It was just wolves son. Anyone could have done what I did."
"Anyone huh?.."
Is that really true? These things were massive. The smallest one he killed was larger than a Great Dane! With seven of them surrounding you I doubt if what he said was true. Maybe he's just trying to be cool by sounding humble.
"Can I come with you again next time?"
" Of course. One day you might need to protect the home if I'm ever not there." He says with a proud nod.
"Do you mind if I try helping out?"
"If you want to. I can easily protect you from anything in these forest so you wont need to worry about making mistakes."
Just like that? He agreed so easily. Is it normal in this world to learn how to fight so early? Or is father just weird? I'd ask for mothers input but I don't want to risk her telling me that I cant go. It'd be nice to test out these spells on something other than the lifeless training dummy at home.
As we ate dinner that night I was wondering how long this would last. How long would I be able to continue enjoying this happy life? I don't think I want it to ever end. These thoughts must have reflected on my face because my parents seemed concerned.
"What's wrong Samu? Do you not like the food?" Usually the maid cooks but mom wanted to this time so maybe she's being insecure?
"No the foods great! It's nice being able to eat your cooking." It was good. Way better than my other mother.
"then what's bothering you son?"
I pondered for a moment to gather my feelings.
"I was just thinking how much I'm going to miss living as a happy family. Eventually this will end. I'm just not looking forward to it ending is all."
My mother and father simply smiled.
"That's how life is. Some day your mother and I wont be around anymore. Some day you'll have to rely on the friends you've made in life to keep you from feeling alone. Everything in life eventually ends and that's alright. Right now you are at an age where life keeps giving. Enjoy it while you can. Eventually you'll reach an age where it stops giving and only takes."
"Torren! He's still a child! Don't go filling his head with such depressing thoughts! Give him more hopeful lessons!" Mother's clearly upset at father. I wonder if he's usually depressed and just hides it from me? I hope not..
Part 3
Later into the night I was woken up to the sound of some villagers banging on our door.
"Torren there's trouble in the village!" Shouted one man.
"Its goblins! They're riding wolves into battle!" Yelled another man.
I quickly climb out of bed to check out my window and see the sky is a bright orange from fires in the direction of the village. (Not good, I have to make sure this paradise of mine is safe.) I run downstairs and open the door to find three men armed with farming tools and torches.
"Samu quickly go get your father!" One of them demanded. In the distance I heard screaming. It sounds close. I run past the villagers without thinking making my way to the direction I heard the scream coming from. The shrieks grew louder as I got closer to its source making my stomach curdle. Soon I saw a child around my age being hauled away into the dark forest. They're kicking and screaming calling out for help. I run as fast as I can to try and save the child casting "Stone Bullet" to kill one of the five goblins.
(Ok there's four left but I only have enough mana for three more spells. I cant win in a close range fight since they're double my size and armed with swords.) I launch another stone at another goblin killing it as well forcing them to stop and face me. (Damn one has a bow. Hes got to go.) The next stone blows a hole in its chest. (Damn what do I do? I only have enough mana for one more lethal spell..) I didnt have enough time to plan further due to a goblin now standing above me with its arm raised to strike me down. In a split decision I use water and earth magic to throw mud into its eyes and run past it to try and save the child. As I got closer it began to dawn on me that there's a good chance I die in this next encounter.
(I dont have enough mana to create a lethal spell. Especially after creating that mud.) Soon I was only a few yards away and decide to just try and cast "Stone Bullet". However the strain on my mana made me miss the shot blowing off the arm it was using to carry the child over its shoulder. (Good now I just need to grab the girl and try to-) My thoughts are cut short as the goblin charges me and thrust its sword at my face. It slices my cheek as I step in and throw a punch into its gut. Suddenly I'm blown back by its kick knocking the air out of me as I hit the ground. (Damn this young and weak body..) I'm barely able to muster enough strength to roll out of the way of its next attack, the sword stabbing into the ground where I once was.
"Bastaaaard!" I yell out as I leap up to try and deal some damage landing a punch on its chin.
The thing simply smiled and cut at me landing an attack across my chest. I stumble back and fall to the ground. My vision begins to blur as I yell out for the kid to run.
"Get out of here! Dont just lay there!" As I locked eyes with the child I realize that they're frozen in fear. (damn...I either win or we both die.) It takes a lot of effort for me to stand again as I wobble to face the goblin. It lets out a shriek as it charges it me with its sword raised. (well I'm dead anyways so I might as well use what's left of my mana!) Usually the feeling of building mana for a spell is pleasant. A comforting release of mana, this time however was different. The pain of forcing my mana to gather was immense. The pain alone making it hard to even move. (The pain doesn't matter. I'm dead if I don't manage to kill it here!) As the goblin brings down its sword to finish me I muster the last of my strength to squat down and step into it and hit it has hard as I could. Suddenly I'm blown back from an explosion of fire from the impact. (Eh? How-) I start tumbling back leaving a trail of my blood in the grass as I struggle to even lift my head to see the condition of my foe. The goblin laid there motionless as I sigh with relief. Soon I was shocked by the feeling of something cold piercing through me and into the ground below.
I cant turn around to see but I already know its the goblin I threw the mud at. Suddenly the goblin falls on me lifeless and I feel the blade removed from my body as someone turns me around. My vision starts to fade out but I can see father kneeling next to me with my mother soon running to my side. I notice their mouths moving as if they're yelling but I cant hear them. The last thing I can make out is a bright green light and the feeling of my mothers tears falling on my face.