I felt that it was time to seriously teach magic since I had mastered the writing.
In the world of Ragnarok, magic is generally divided into two categories:
Nature Magic and Dark Magic.
Nature Magic uses the magical power present in nature, while Dark Magic borrows the power of demons.
Of course, Dark Magic is easier to learn and more powerful.
But it’s not without its flaws.
The more you use Dark Magic, the more magical energy builds up in your body, making it hard to grow beyond a certain level.
And that’s not all.
If you overuse it, it can lead to a rampage, and if things go wrong during a rampage, you could die easily.
On the other hand, Nature Magic grows slowly but is stable, and if you learn it well, you can even summon spirits, so if possible, it’s better to learn Nature Magic.
Thus, I decided that the magic I would teach Lena would be Nature Magic.
In the game, Lena becomes the Silent Witch who uses Dark Magic.
Thinking about that, maybe Dark Magic suits her better…
But how can I teach it if I don’t know how to use it?
I have to teach what I know.
Still, with Lena’s talent, she should be fine.
“So, let’s get started on magic training.”
“Y-yes! I understand…!!”
Overly nervous, Lena shivered and raised her hand high.
Sitting at the table, Lena stared at me with big eyes.
She’s definitely focused.
Then, let’s start.
“The first thing you need to learn is to feel your magical power. Everything in this world has magical energy. In the air, in sunlight, in this candle, on the desk, and even in the chair.”
“So, it’s not just in natural things?”
“Good question! That’s right. Generally, it is believed that magical energy exists only in natural things, but in reality, it resides in everything, even in artificial things. It’s just the amount that differs—magical energy exists everywhere.”
This theory varies by school, but since the magic I learned is based on the premise that everything in the world holds magical energy, I think teaching it like this is better.
“Now, how do you feel magical power? There are two ways: the first is to realize it through calm meditation and focus. The second is to forcibly awaken the magical energy within your body.”
“W-which one is better?”
“Both have their pros and cons. The first is slow but natural; the second is fast but unnatural.”
“Um… what’s the difference between natural and unnatural?”
“It’s the difference between pain and no pain.”
“I-I’ll choose the natural one!”
What foolishness.
I smiled gently at Lena, who seemed determined to meditate despite her eyes being closed.
And then I took her hand.
WAGYAGYAGYA!!
I infused my magical energy into her. Her dormant magical power began to awaken quickly, merging with mine.
Shrieking in pain, Lena slumped and spoke weakly.
“…I burned it all white…”
What nonsense! We haven’t even started yet!
“Focus. You need to start feeling your magical energy now.”
“W-what happens if I can’t feel it?”
“Then we do it again.”
Only then did Lena sit up straight and close her eyes.
With a bright smile, she shouted, “I-I felt it!”
You’re lying!
No way she felt it after just one try!
How can that even be possible?
I shot a magical bullet at her.
YIIK!
An invisible mass of magical energy flew towards Lena’s head like a marble.
With her eyes closed, Lena was startled and cowered, covering her head with both hands.
Wait, did she really feel it?
This girl…
It’s true!
She really is the Silent Grand Witch!
“Oh… not bad.”
“Ehhehehehe~.”
Looks like she’s weak to compliments.
Lena scratched her head and started to smile broadly.
She looked cute, but you can’t show mercy when teaching.
I shot another magic bullet, and this time, Lena, unable to dodge, hugged her forehead and whimpered.
HIIING…
“If you felt your magical energy, you need to learn to move it too! Moving your magical energy is simple. Just command the magic inside you. That way, you can draw out your magical energy and use it to manipulate the natural magical energy.”
“Um, I don’t understand.”
“You’ll find it easy once you try. Now let’s go again.”
Lena hated pain.
How many people in the world like pain anyway? But she hated it to the extreme.
So she’d likely learn quickly to avoid suffering.
And just as I expected, Lena mastered moving her magical energy after just two hits from my magic bullet.
Hmm. Impressive.
“Magic works through spells and the movement of magical energy, which is a kind of rule. Think of spells as frameworks for your magical energy. Now let’s create a flame of magical energy.”
“F-f-fire?”
“Yes. It’s the simplest fire magic. This level of magic is called basic magic, and once you’ve mastered all kinds of basic magic, you can be called a magician.”
“Oh, um, I get it.”
Tightening her fist, Lena’s eyes sparkled.
She has talent and enthusiasm.
If she continues like this, she might learn everything and earn her qualifications in less than a year.
“Work hard.”
“Y-yes, I will!”
*
A massive city was shaking. A colossal darkness, unstoppable, was approaching.
“AHHHH!!”
“We have to run!!”
Everyone was terrified. Fear gripped them all.
“Taylor has fallen too!”
“Is there no one to save us!!”
Despair.
In the seemingly unending darkness, people were struggling and crying out for salvation.
And then, a figure appeared.
“What’s that!!”
A silver thread illuminating the darkness.
A woman, confidently walking towards the shadows with a huge staff in hand, her blue eyes had not lost a single glimmer of light.
Seeing her walk without fear, those who had been drowning in despair began to shout one by one.
“She’s finally here!”
“She has come! She is here!”
It was only natural that their sighs of despair turned into cheers.
The walking woman was none other than one who had reached the pinnacle of magic.
The only one in the world known as the “Grand Sorceress.”
“Y-you are…?!”
A soldier struggling against the darkness asked cautiously upon seeing the woman appear before him.
The woman turned her head away from the darkness.
Slowly removing the mask that covered her face, she spoke in a gentle, kind tone that contrasted with her grand title.
“I am Lena.”
Just those calm words brought an incredible sense of reassurance.
“Lena!”
“The Grand Sorceress!!!”
The beautiful woman who had power over all magic yet treated everyone kindly.
She was the true hero of this era.
.
.
.
“Eh. Ehehehehe…”
Imagining the powerful flames and lightning that would cut through the darkness, Lena snapped back to reality.
“…Ah?!”
“…Were you daydreaming again?”
“Aah… um…”
She felt embarrassed for losing focus because of her fantasies.
While Lena fumbled around in embarrassment, Lee Hyun, watching her with warm eyes, placed a pouch of coins into her hand.
“Go to the village and buy some vegetables. Let’s have vegetable stew for dinner. Use the leftover money for your snacks. Your progress hasn’t been bad lately, so consider this a reward.”
“W-wait, are you not going to scold me?”
“Why would I? You’re doing well.”
Smiling happily, Lee Hyun patted Lena on the head.
Her pretty face lit up with a bright smile at his touch.
“Oh! Yes! I’ll be back! Oh, and I’ll get you some alcohol too!!”
“I’d appreciate that.”
Receiving two silver coins from Lee Hyun, Lena scampered off toward the village.
In the past, she would have been cautious about gathering mushrooms or herbs on her way to the village, but after about a month of learning from Lee Hyun, that was no longer the case.
Since Lee Hyun instructed her to focus on reciting spells instead of wasting time on herbs or mushrooms, she walked slowly towards the village, concentrating on her spells.
“Oh? Is that Lena?”
“Looks like Lee Hyun isn’t coming today.”
“Ah. Um. Yes. Yes.”
Since becoming Lee Hyun’s apprentice, more people had started to talk to her.
To be exact, her appearance wasn’t shabby anymore, so people no longer treated her like a beggar.
But that too was because of Lee Hyun’s guidance, so she could credit him for that.
“Wow, Master is amazing.”
How did he make her bond so quickly with everyone?
It had only been a little over a month since Lee Hyun had come here, yet she was on friendly terms with nearly everyone in the village now.
Naturally, as Lee Hyun’s apprentice, Lena garnered that attention too.
It still felt strange to be in such a different position from before.
“Maybe that’s why I’m having these fantasies…”
A fantasy she wouldn’t have dreamed of in the past.
Becoming a hero who saves people.
Living while receiving the praise and cheers of many.
Though it was just a fantasy, maybe, just maybe.
If she becomes a high-level sorceress under Lee Hyun’s teachings, that dream might come true.
“Y-yes! I have to work hard…”
GYAARRR!
A scream echoed from the market area.
In this usually peaceful village, a scream?
Startled, Lena hurried towards the sound.
“Let it go!! That was left for me by my husband… AHHHH!!”
“Hahaha! Who would have thought I’d find such a treasure here!”
“Mommy! Mommyyy~!”
They were adventurers. They were trying to steal Luseia’s necklace, and she was threatened by adventurers trying to resist them.
Beside her, Lorian was crying.
Seeing the adventurers who had even drawn their swords, Lena stepped forward without realizing it.
“What’s this?! What are you doing?!”
“…Um. Uh. I-I… that… uh…”
What should I do?! What should I do?! Of all times, Master isn’t here!!
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on her.
Luseia, who was struggling while being held by her collar, looked at her.
Crying Lorian gazed at her pleadingly.
They were the kind people who had helped her wash up and treated her kindly since the day they weren’t even close in the bathing area.
Those people were looking at her.
In the past, she would have just hung her head and walked past, even facing such stares.
Because she felt powerless.
And perhaps things wouldn’t be any different now.
Like her fantasies, the current her was just an apprentice who could barely cast basic spells.
She was scared. Scared to face them.
And so, she closed her eyes, and they just laughed.
“What? What did you say?”
“Huhuhu! What’s a coward who can’t even speak properly saying?!”
“Should we beat you up before you get lost?!”
Under their threats, Lena unconsciously shrank back.
And then she realized.
This was the state of her when she was powerless.
She wanted to change.
She wished to change.
Her master had said.
To change, she needed to gain strength.
Her master had said.
She had talent, and she would surely gain strength.
Though it had only been a month, she had learned so much from him in that time.
Then her hands should possess power.
Power to change the scared version of herself.
Power to save those she feared.
Thus, Lena opened her previously closed eyes and raised her hand.
“Magic Arrow.”
And then, there was light.
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