Marc ended up spending most of his time at the library with Alyssa. She helped him pick out books that he wanted. Such as a geographical book on the world and history on each of the six continents and their countries. Due to this, Marc was able to get a better understanding of how the world around him was and where he was. They resided in the sun continent in the town Gallyon. The town was well known for its trade and blacksmithing.

“Yeah. I think I know enough now about how the world looks and where I am.” Marc said satisfied.

“Don’t you think you’re a little young to be learning this. Shouldn’t you be waiting to go and how did you even focus enough to understand? You are a kid right? Straight out of toddler age?” Alyssa asked.

“Well she is very smart for a nine year old and she was still probably colouring at my age. Guess having a 16 year old mindset with a 165 iq wouldn’t strike me as immature.” Marc thought.

“Well it’s just very interesting.” He replied.

He still needed her help on one more thing besides geography.

“Alyssa before you leave I need help understanding magic.” He said.

“You’re definitely too young to understand that. It took me a while too. I have to go to a friends house too right now.” She said looking at the clock on the wall.

She left the library and left him at the table.

“Fine I’ll do it myself.” Marc thought annoyed.

He went to a librarian in the magic section and requested a book called ‘Magic basics Vol.1’. Even the librarian thought he should be reading picture books but still handed it over to Marc.

Marc sat back down. He hated being treated like a kid but he knew it was to be expected since he was a literal child. He opened the book and began reading the first page after skipping the introduction of the author. It read,

’Magic is all around us. In the air, the water you drink and the food you eat. Being able to use magic is time consuming but extremely satisfactory in the end. Using magic requires maturing your magic tunnels. These tunnels work similarly to veins. They transport magic around the body how blood is taken around in the veins. Meditation or body taxing work outs can help boost magic flow around the body and eventually your first magic burst. Once this has happened your magic tunnels will be up and working with no need for further development besides increased magic flow for stronger magic attacks.’ Marc read on for a little more and learned a ‘magic burst’ was a sudden burst of magic from your body. For example, being able to lift things with your mind by accident or a sudden spark of flames from your finger tips.

Marc closed the book and put it back. This world was certainly interesting but it seemed that being able to use magic would take a while. It might take a few years but if Marc could sense how strong his tunnels were, maybe he could know how long it would take.

He went straight home and sat in his room. He closed his eyes and focused. He felt like he could see many routes and paths in his mind but none of them had those blue or green particles that he would usually see in the air.

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He closed his eyes and continued to meditate.

Around an hour had passed and Marc had fallen asleep on the floor. He opened his eyes to the sound of his mother calling him for dinner. He quickly checked to see if there were any hints of magic. One of the tunnels had around five blue sparks. Marc didn’t know what to expect so he just went to the dinner table.

He sat down for dinner and across from him he saw Archie glaring at him. But what for? As this happened, Adam came walking through the front door.

“How are my boys doing and of course, my lovely wife.” He said.

“Of course we’re fine honey. Hang your coat and put your weapons away. We’re about to have dinner.” Kathrine said giggling a bit.

Adam did as told and sat down. The dinner went well, a few snarky jokes from Adam, everyone talked about their day and eventually everyone had finished eating.

“Phew, I’m stuffed. Thanks for the food Kathrine. Really loved the chicken breast.” Adam said.

“Yeah thanks mom.” Marc said.

After cleaning up a bit and getting prepared to sleep. Marc ran into Archie in the hallway.

“A girl in my class saw you with Alyssa” Archie said annoyed.

“Yeah. And what? She was just teaching me geography.” Marc responded.

Archie looked at him for a second.

Archie laughed and patted Marc’s shoulder.

“What was I expecting? Sorry about that bro!” Archie said.

Archie went into their room and Marc followed.

“I guess he isn’t as rude when his friends aren’t around.” Marc thought.

Time went on and the weeks went by. Marc would see Alyssa at the library regularly and it was fun to have someone besides his family to talk to. At the start she was more enclosed around him because she was so used to immature boys her age but was shocked to see how smart and kind Marc was for such a young boy. Eventually, Alyssa’s friends became friends of Marc’s as well and Archie’s friends weren’t having it.

“Come on guys, he’s just a kid. So what if he hangs out with girls older than him.” Archie said desperately.

“That kid must be a player of some sorts. There’s no way girls like them would flock around him. We have to do something” One of Archie’s friends said angrily.

The group angrily approached the three girls with Marc and Alyssa and demanded Marc.

“We’re gonna teach this stupid brat a lesson.”

A crowd of kids formed and they were cheering. Marc went down the library steps telling the girls to stay back and just couldn’t believe it. He left a life of bullying just to get his ass kicked again by some nine year old brutes desperate for girls their age. He could hear the protest from the girls who followed him down despite what he said. One of the boys suddenly swung at Marc.

Before the punch landed, Archie stepped in and took it.

“I’m not letting my brother get picked on by you losers. Imagine hitting a literal five year old.” Archie said mockingly.

The crowd went nuts and cheered in delight. Archie’s friends were surprised that he had betrayed them.

Eventually, it was an all out brawl. Archie and Marc’s friend group of girls fought against the boys and eventually got them to run off due to the difference in numbers.

Archie lay on the ground, bruised in the face from being jumped at some point. Marc went up to him and spoke first.

“Thanks bro. I didn’t think you would do that.”

“What kind of brother would I be if I didn’t step in for you. What group of boys would jump a five year old? Ridiculously right?” He laughed as he sat up.

“Yeah Archie that was really cool of you.” Alyssa said.

Archie blushed at her comment and Marc snickered at him from behind. Archie saw him and playfully hit him over the head.

They both walked home as the sun set and it seemed that their relationship as brothers developed well. Now they just had to deal with the parent complaints from the kids they beat up.