Roughly a year and a half after the incident where we acquired Albirea, I had moved into the unused bedroom across the hall from the former nursery, having started walking at about one year old, and talking in complete sentences around the same time. I got the sense my parents were astounded at how fast I learned, aided by the memories of my previous life.

The grammatical structure of the language here was not unlike English, and I had already mostly picked it up at 6 months, just having trouble getting my mouth to form the words. Still, I had started teething around the time that vile elvish noble came to the shop, and once I had a few teeth in my mouth, words were much easier to form.

I often heard them say things like “Johan is so bright. I expect the lad has a great future in front of him.”

I had assumed that after Albirea joined us, she’d move into the unused room, and eventually into my nursery, when we swapped rooms as I got bigger. This was not so. From the very first day, she was moved into Sarya’s room, with Sarya’s original bed being replaced with a bunk bed, much to her chagrin.

In fact, out of our whole household, the one who treated Albirea the worst was Sarya. As the slave who had belonged to our family the longest, she was her superior, and she clearly felt that training and supervising a demon was beneath her.

Rachelle and Carlisle were equally kind to both of them, seeming to not care that Albirea was a demon, looked down on by the rest of society. It helped that despite the Viscount’s description of her as useless, Albirea was actually incredibly competent. Well, actually, maybe it hurt more than it helped. That kindness my parents showed her only seemed to anger Sarya more.

Not only was she able to help with common household chores as proficiently as Sarya, she could also use some basic magic, which was uncommon for a slave. Also, unlike Sarya, she could read, write, and do basic arithmetic.

In truth, Sarya was her superior in name only. Albirea was her equal or better in all ways except for cooking, where Sarya was basically a goddess, and Albirea was useless.

In the evenings, while Sarya prepared dinner, Carlisle updated his ledgers with the day’s transactions downstairs in his office, Evan and Kline swept the shop before heading home, Rachelle bathed, and Albirea tutored me. It’s uncommon for a baby such as myself to be tutored like this, but almost as soon as I could fully speak, I requested it. I was ready to start my new life as soon as possible. I wouldn’t fuck this one up like I did my last one.

First, we started with reading and writing. I grasped that fairly quickly, since it was a phonetic writing system, very similar to English, though with a very different alphabet of 31 letters. After that, we moved on to arithmetic, which after learning the numbers, I already knew everything I needed to know from my education back on Earth. In fact, I knew quite a bit more than Albirea. Before my life as a drug dealer, I had actually been a student at NYU, studying Economics.

Unfortunately for me, tuition was expensive, as was life, so I started doing a little practical economics on the side, selling drugs, and got expelled for my trouble. Still, math was a strong suit of mine, and after realizing the math in this world operated on the same decimal system as I was familiar with from Earth, it was a cinch. Hell, I could probably revolutionize their study of mathematics, since I could do Calculus and Trigonometry. Thank god they weren’t using octal or something. It would be hard for me to wrap my head around a system with a different base.

Well, I say “thank god”, but I wasn’t exactly a devout Christian in my past life. I guess you could say I was an atheist. I don’t know. My parents raised me Christian, but once I became an adult and moved out on my own, I quickly stopped going to church, and never really gave it a second thought. Still, I’d have to be careful about that phrase here, since the religion here wasn’t monotheistic. The proper phrase in this world was “thank the gods”, or depending on the topic, you might thank a specific god, like the goddess of fortune, who should be thanked for any good financial opportunity.

After I was able to read, write, and do arithmetic on the same level as Albirea, when I was two years old, she told me she had nothing left to teach me, and would ask my parents for new work in the evenings.

For my part, I found this entirely unacceptable, and begged her to teach me magic. Not because I had any particular interest in it, though. I had already decided I wanted to learn swordplay, and become a powerful knight like Carlisle and Uncle Greven had been. I was always more fascinated by the sword part of sword and sorcery, unlike many of my peers. My real reason was that, at that point, our tutoring sessions were the most enjoyable part of my day, and I didn’t want them to stop.

So, she agreed to start teaching me the magic she knew. First, we covered the fundamentals of the world’s magic system. There were 10 schools of magic in this world, each with 5 tiers of spells, Basic, Acolyte, Advanced, Master, and Godly.

There were apparently only a very small number of mages who ever made it past even the acolyte level of any particular school. Reaching advanced tier would be enough to secure you a position as a court mage for a high ranking noble, and there were only two master rank mages in the Kingdom, both in personal service to the King, as the High Court Mage, and head of the Mage’s Guild, an organization that reported directly to the King, though Albirea didn’t know which schools they were Masters of, only that attaining either position required being a Master of at least one school, and no one else had claimed to have reached that tier.

Godly spells were still recorded, but the ability to cast them was apparently considered a lost art, with no one having successfully done so in centuries.

Albirea wrote the names of each school on the slate we used for writing practice, and pointed to each one, describing them in turn:

* Fire: “My personal favorite school. The basic spells can light a torch, candle or hearth, and higher tier spells are supremely effective in combat. This is also the school of lightning, and when combined with earth magic, can create magma. It is one of the two schools I can cast up to Acolyte tier spells in.”

* Water: “Basic water spells in spell circles power the bathroom across the hall, and the sink in your kitchen. They require little power. When combined with fire magic, you can create steam, and when combined with earth, quicksand, or a bog. In combat, the most useful water spells are those for creating ice or chill, which start at the advanced level, so it’s harder to get a good effect than with fire, though some would say the basic spells are more useful for daily life. I can cast basic water spells, but no more.”

* Wind: “Basic wind spells are useful for drying laundry, but little else, and even at the Advanced level, it’s fairly useless in combat. I do not find this school worth studying, though I’ve heard that the reward for reaching Master rank is spells that will allow you to fly, which I admit, sounds supremely useful. It’s combined with water magic in the creation of storms, and with earth in the creation of sandstorms. I can cast no wind spells.”

* Earth: “Basic spells of earth have little daily use, but they are often used in the creation of roads, walls, or the foundations of buildings. You can create small stones, or change the properties of the nearby ground to make it a bit harder or softer. It takes more energy than other forms of magic, though. In combat, many would say it’s on par with fire magic, with Acolyte tier spells allowing you to create small, fast moving projectiles. It’s also used by smiths, along with fire magic, in the creation of tools, arms, and armor. Unfortunately, I can cast no earth spells.”

* Light: “Some also call this magic holy. Its most basic spells are but simple lamplight, whereas higher level spells can blind you with the force of the sun. I find it inferior to fire in almost all ways, but it is the only school effective against spectral undead, and while fire is effective against corporeal undead, light spells are even more so. I can cast no light spells, but I would recommend studying it if you have any interest in the priesthood or the temple knights.”

* Darkness: “In many nations, the study of this magic is forbidden. While light magic can blind with searing light at higher tiers, even basic darkness spells can temporarily blind by blocking the light from reaching your eyes. It is also the school of poison and disease. A Master of darkness can create a poison even more potent than that of my natural venom. I can cast basic darkness spells, and luckily, we’re in a country where I will not persecuted for that should it get out. Still, I wish to keep it quiet, and I will not teach you this school. If you try to use my position as a slave to force me to teach you, I will be forced to tell your father. I doubt he would approve.”

* Healing: “This school can heal any physical injury, with basic spells helping with minor cuts, bruises, and scrapes. At the higher tiers, the level of injury possible to heal gets greater, and a Master can bring someone back from the brink of death. It’s said once you reach the Godly level, you can even resurrect the dead. Of course, this may be a myth, and is impossible to prove one way or the other, since no one alive has ever cast a Godly spell in any school. This is also the school of bodily enhancement. You can greatly strengthen yourself or an ally with the right spell. I can cast basic healing spells.”

* Detoxification: “This school cures poison and disease. I’ve often wondered why it’s not considered healing, since they’re so similar, but these classifications were handed down by the great mages of the past, so I suppose it’s not my place to question it. The spell to neutralize my venom is an Acolyte tier detoxification, and I can cast it, making this the other school I am able to cast Acolyte tier spells in, though that is the only one I know. Other than that, I know basic detoxification magic. It’s also a school of enhancement. Where healing magic can increase your physical strength, durability, or bodily abilities, detoxification can enhance the mind, senses, and reflexes. It’s quite a useful school.”

* Barrier: “You can keep many things in or out with barrier magic. You can even use it to seal your opponent's ability to cast their own spells, or restrict their movement. I’ve heard tell of a particularly cruel and clever mage using a small impermeable barrier in an opponent's throat to seal off their ability to breathe. What’s worse, that’s a basic barrier spell. Very frightening. I, however, can cast no barrier magic.”

* Summoning: “This is the school of bringing beings or objects from elsewhere to your beck and call. Elsewhere can be either within this world, or from another. There are many great heroes in tales of old who were summoned from other worlds, and spoke of many strange things there. This is also how all the demon races were brought into this world and bound into servitude. Though, I myself have never seen our homeworld. I was born in this world. It’s also the school of teleportation. I cannot cast any summoning spells, and if you care for me at all, I would ask that you do not study it either. It is the cause of the greatest tragedy to ever befall my people.”

Whoah. That last one was heavy. Demons aren’t from this world, huh? Also, those heroes summoned from another world in tales of old might have been from Earth, right? I’m really curious about that, but I don’t feel like she wants to talk about summoning any more than what she already said. Hmmm… what to do here?

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

“Johan, honey! Dinnertime!” I heard Rachelle’s voice call from the hall. Oh well, guess I’ll have to deal with learning more about that later. It’s not like Albirea is the only person in the world who knows about magic, and I’m barely 2. I’ll learn more as I grow.

At this point, dinner for me consists of solid foods, but only the soft, easily chewable variety. Today’s dinner includes salmon filets, steamed broccoli, and mashed potatoes. It’s delicious, and the salmon melts in my mouth, with a distinct flavor of the butter it was cooked in.

Hmmm, Albirea said she’d tell my father if I tried to force her to teach me darkness magic, but I bet if he ordered her to, she’d have to comply. I wonder if she’s right that he wouldn’t approve, though… I’m really interested in it. Honestly, it sounds like the coolest school out of the ones she described. Let’s approach the topic of magic first, and see if we can work darkness magic into the conversation.

“Father, mother, I thought you should know, now that we’ve completed our lessons on arithmetic, reading, and writing, I’ve asked Albirea to teach me magic. I hope that’s alright.”

Carlisle responded first, “Alright? My boy, it’s excellent! As long as you don’t expect to be just a simple mage at the end, I see no problem with you learning the basics. Hell, every knight in our order was required to learn basic healing and detoxification magic, so it’ll help with that dream of yours. Plus, there are plenty of other useful spells, both on the battlefield and off.”

I had already told Carlisle of my ambitions of one day becoming a knight like him, and he seemed to quite approve of the idea. So, knights are required to know basic healing and detoxification, eh? I suppose that makes sense. Not only are injury and disease common problems on the battlefield, but, Albirea said those are the schools with buff spells too.

“Other than healing and detoxification, which schools would you recommend for a knight? Albirea went over all ten schools with me, telling me a bit about each one, and mentioned temple knights and priests are required to know light magic. I don’t think I’d mind being a temple knight, rather than a knight of the kingdom.”

Carlisle’s expression soured at this. Oh, bad move. I wonder what I said.

“Absolutely not! If you are to become a knight, it will be through the proper channels, befitting your name and lineage. I will not have you rise through the church like some commoner.” He practically spat that last word out. So, that’s it, huh? Some stupid status thing? I thought at this point, we weren’t really nobles anymore anyway.

“Dear, if you’ll recall, I am one of those commoners you just spoke of with such venom, and it was through my position as a priestess at the church that you and I met in the first place. I would appreciate if you didn’t speak so ill of me.” Rachelle chimed in. Thanks, mother. She’s bringing this conversation back on track. Though, I didn’t know she used to be a priestess. Does that mean she knows light magic? I bet she wouldn’t approve of me learning darkness magic in that case.

“My apologies, dear one. It’s simply how I was raised. You know I don’t consider you a part of the rest of that filth.” Whoah, whoah, whoah. I know you did not just call mother’s family filth to her face. My dude, show some class.

“It’s quite alright, dear.” Rachelle replied in a tone suggesting it was anything but alright. My guess is Carlisle won’t be getting any tonight. “Anyway, you haven’t answered our boy’s question. He asked what other schools of magic you’d recommend for a knight.”

“Ah, true, that he did.” Carlisle seemed oblivious to the anger behind Rachelle’s words. “Well, it’s true that temple knights are required to learn light spells, but many kingdom knights choose to as well. It’s the most effective school against the undead, after all, and we’ve all had to fight those rotting bastards. Fire’s pretty effective there, too. Personally, I prefer to leave that kind of magic to others. Earth spells were always my go to. Barrier magic and summoning were extremely uncommon, as they’re both fairly difficult to master, and summoning takes so long, it needs to be done before the battle even starts to be remotely useful. Wind was also pretty rare, since most people see it as pretty weak. I’d say fire, earth, and light were the most common among kingdom knights, in that order.”

Hmmm, other than healing and detoxification, which we already discussed, I can’t help but notice, the only school he didn’t mention was darkness. I wonder if that’s to do with its forbidden status. But, Albirea said it wasn’t forbidden in this kingdom, and if it’s as effective as it sounds, I’d imagine some knights learn it, right?

“Ummm… Father? I noticed something. When you were going through the schools knights could learn just now, you didn’t mention darkness. Wh-”

“YOU’RE DAMN RIGHT HE DIDN’T! THAT VILE, UNHOLY MAGIC IS SQUARELY THE DOMAIN OF BRIGANDS, BANDITS, AND VILLAINS! I WILL NOT STAND FOR IT TO BE DISCUSSED IN MY PRESENCE!”

Whoah! I’ve never heard mother yell like that. Guess I was right that she wouldn’t approve as a former priestess.

“Dear, calm yourself. Despite his precociousness, the boy is only 2 years old. He’s yet to learn the ways of the world. It’s our duty to teach him.” He then turned to face me, “Now, son, before we discuss the matter, I’d like to ask what Albirea told you of darkness magic.”

Well, based on mother’s reaction a second ago, I’m certainly not going to say that Albirea told me she knows some. But, the rest should be okay… right? Well, here goes nothing…

“Sh-she told me th-that it’s forbidden to study in many nations, but not this one. Also, that basic darkness spells can cause temporary blindness, and it’s the school of poison and disease. She also mentioned that you probably wouldn’t approve of me learning it.”

“Right on all counts, especially the last one. But, there’s more to it than that. While light magic is also known as holy magic, darkness magic is also known as unholy, or death magic.” As he spoke, Rachelle got up, and stormed away from the table to their bedroom. He continued on, ignoring her. Probably a bad move on the happy wife, happy life front. But, as a perpetually single gay man who died in my late twenties, what do I know?

“The reason darkness magic isn’t forbidden in our kingdom is that the church has very limited influence here. You see, the church’s influence is why it was banned in the first place. As a former priestess, and a devout member of the church, your mother is strongly against it, as you just saw.”

“The two of us have both lost many friends and allies to the work of death mages, as any practitioner of darkness magic above the acolyte rank is called. And, while the undead that plague us so can occur naturally, their creation can also be the work of a death mage.”

“You are not to study this school for so long as you live under my roof, you understand?”

“Understood, father.” Whoah, so there are necromancers here? That sounds kinda tight. But, if it’s really as evil as all that, why not ban it, even without the church having to say so?

“Though, I do wonder… You said it’s not banned here because the church has limited influence.”

“That’s right.”

“If it’s really that bad, why allow it at all? Even without the church, there must be plenty of people against it.”

“I’m afraid I can’t say. If I were King, I’d ban it, just as you say, but I’m not, and I know not what goes on in his mind. If that is all, I’m going to go speak with your mother. I’m afraid she’s quite upset with me for telling you all this.”

With that, the matter was settled. I would study magic with Albirea, learning all she had to teach from every school she knew, except darkness. After Rachelle calmed down, I also asked her to teach me light magic, and Carlisle to teach me earth, since Albirea knew neither of these, and it would be some time before my body was strong enough to begin my instruction in swordplay.