After our sparring session, we have a breakfast and we finish it as fast as possible. Since it still early in the morning, we just lazing around sitting in the living room.
Then—
"Hey, brat," Regis suddenly spoke. "I've been thinking… You've got way too much potential in magic."
I glanced at him.
(Magic, huh… I've been wondering whether it's the same as spirit arts or not.)
"What's with the sudden praises."
I feel like he is planning to do something outrages.
Regis grinned mischievously. "Nothing much. But I think you should focus more on magic. You have a crazy amount of mana, and honestly? You're more suited to being a magician than a swordsman."
He was up to something.
I crossed my arms. "What's the catch?"
"HAHAHA! You noticed, huh?" Regis laughed loudly. "Alright, I'll be straight with you. While you're here, why don't you become my disciple? I'll train you to be a great magician. How about it?"
I hesitated.
(That's… tempting. But I already have my hands full with spirit arts.)
Instead of answering immediately, I smirked. "And are you even worthy to teach me magic?"
Regis's eye twitched.
"Oh? You think I'm bluffing?" His grin widened. "Fine. Come with me—I'll show you exactly how good I am."
He smirked and start walking toward the door.
We stepped into the backyard, where a few sturdy trees stood in the distance.
Regis stretched his arms. "Alright, brat. Just stand there and watch. Try not to piss your pants."
Before I could respond, he casually raised his arm—
SHING!
Five crescent-shaped wind blades shot forward without a chant, slicing through one of the trees like butter.
CRACK!
The massive tree split into pieces, collapsing onto the ground with a thunderous crash.
"WHAT?!"
My eyes widened in shock.
(That was an intermediate-level spirit art—but cast five times simultaneously! And he didn't even chant!)
He really good at this and he still look fine after using that many amount of aura. That means his aura is quite high.
Regis turned to me with a smug look. "Well? Interested in learning magic from me now?"
I exhaled slowly, trying to calm my racing thoughts.
"…I have to admit, that was impressive. You're really good at it."
Regis's face flushed. (Why is he acting embarrassed? Old man, get it together.)
He cleared his throat.
"Ahem. So, how about it? Do you want to become my disciple now?"
"I guess it's better than doing nothing right."
I sigh looking at Regis face brightening.
"Then why don't we start our lesson now."
"Aren't we moving too fast, old man."
(Is I'm doing a right choice right now?) Yuuya sigh
-------------------------------------------------------
Since I agreed to be Regis's disciple, he immediately dragged me outside to start training.
I sat on the ground while Regis paced back and forth in front of me.
"Alright, let's start with the basics," he began. "There are seven types of magic—Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Light, Dark… and Original Magic."
(So, it's really the same as spirit arts, but this is the first time I heard about this original magic)
"Apart from original magic, most magic is activated by your aptitude and your mana. For me I can use wind, fire and water. Original magic is a very personal magic, it's very rare for two people to be able to use the same type of magic."
(That means it works differently from elemental magic… Maybe I should investigate it later.)
Regis keep walking back and forth while explaining. I already know that I can use every element except original magic so I only listens without questioning anything.
"If you use your magic regularly you might increase your amount of mana, and the most important thing about magic is imagination."
I frowned. "Imagination?
(Its different from spirit arts and aura.)
Regis point his hand toward the tree in front of me.
"Keep imagine what spell do you want to use, for example, imagine there are ball of water in front of you then let your mana flow toward the hand and the water ball will appear."
A ball of water starts to form in front of Regis. Meanwhile I keep listening toward Regis explanation without blinking.
"So, we will check what your aptitude first. This is magic stone of every element."
Regis said, reaching into his pocket, he pulled out six colored stones, each representing an element.
I barely held back my laughter. Regis's stunned expression was too amusing.
(So even among magicians, this is unheard of?)
"If the stone starts to shine when you pour mana, that's mean you have aptitude towards the element."
I take and pour my mana in the stone one by one. As expected, I can use every element just like spirit arts.
Regis gawked at the glowing stones like he had just seen a ghost. His jaw slackened, and his eyes flicked between me and the impossible sight before him. I bit my tongue to keep from laughing.
"This is the first time I ever see someone with six elements, Even the elder only have five elements."
He said while scratching his head.
"Elder who now?"
"Ahem, it's nothing. Anyways since you can use all elements, for the time being, you will be practicing your imagination so that you can form the magic as fast as possible."
Look like he wants to avoid about that topic huh. let's just get over with this training already.
Its already night time. I laying on bed feels tired. I start to sigh.
"Damn that old man, he still insists on me to keep training until night and ask me to cook dinner for him. Just what the heck is he even thinking."
Suddenly my eyes start to become blurry.
(From what I learn today, Mana and Aura are the same thing but unlike spirit art that borrow power from spirit. Magic is a power that come from the body itself)
"Ugh, I use to much aura today. It's better for me to sleep early today."
Without a minute even past, I already asleep.
------------------------------------------------------
One week had passed since I started training under Regis.
And that old man… was a slave driver.
That old man has dumped all his house chores to me. And his lesson has become harsher bit by bit. He made me swim against river currents, run through trap courses, and even forced me to fight a horde of bloody ogres alone.
I barely survive.
"Ouch!!"
The back of my head has been hit by a wooden sword.
"I told you to focus. Your mana control become unstable."
Regis scold me. It still early in the morning but we already start my lesson.
"I'm sorry, my mind wanders off."
Regis sigh, shaking his head.
"Let's end our lesson for today."
"Wait! Why so suddenly?"
I asked, raised my eyebrows.
"Didn't you said our cooking ingredients going low. So, I'm going to restock it."
My eyes lit up. "Can I go with you."
I begging Regis to bring me along with me using a cute face and sparkling eyes. Regis put his hands on his hips and the other hand pointing at me.
"No, you will be staying home and just rest for today."
Is this old man has gone insane? I raised and curved my brows.
"What with that face you brat! You need to rest once in a while."
A vein popped on Regis forehead.
"Fufu, luckily you haven't gone insane yet. Suddenly saying about rest I really shock."
I'm chuckled. Regis hit the back of my head again
"Damn brat, make sure you don't burn the house while I gone. I will be going now."
Regis turn his back and starts to walk.
"Just what do you think am I! You better take care old man!"
I shouted; hope he heard what I said.
Regis keep walking without turning back and he waved a hand without looking back.
(…Was he trying to look cool just now?)
------------------------------------------------------------------
A few hours passed. I lay under a tree, bored out of my mind.
"Argh, why is he taking so long. It's so boring being alone here."
(…Wait. Since the old man's gone, I can try my experiment now.)
I start giggling.
From what I learn, the spirits arts use chant as key to tell spirit to invoke that particular attribute. Meanwhile magic, use imagination. If I want to use fire, I need to imagine a fire burning.
I ignite a small fire on my palm. Slowly, I tried to maintain an image of oxygen being supply to ignited my fire. The fire starts to become blue and become bigger than before.
I get this idea when I remember something in my past life. It when I was doing science experiment in class and there was something call Bunsen burner there. And since this information from my past life, I decide to keep it secret from Regis and never try it before.
"Yes! Looks like my experiment is a success."
A wide grin spread across my face.
Then—
"Ara, that's the first time I seen a blue flame."
An unrecognized woman voice can be heard from distance.
I froze.
(What?!)
My grip on the flame flickered.
"Who's there? Show yourself!"
I give warning toward that voice.
A beautiful woman starts to coming out from behind the tree. She has a wavy pink colored hair and a gold eye; she wears a long, light pink dress with a gold belt around her waist. She has a great figure.
(Wait… How is she walking in a forest wearing that?)
The women give me a gentle smile. Just who is this woman.
"No need to be wary, boy."
I clenched my fists.
(…Did she see everything?)