I woke up at 6:00 AM. I thought I wouldn't even be able to get up. My body felt surprisingly good, though. I felt incredibly refreshed, like I'd slept for four or five days straight. I don't even remember having any dreams.

I suddenly remembered I had to go to work! I'd completely forgotten. Four days had passed.

I got ready and went outside. Father had already made breakfast. Lots of protein, as usual.

......

I was worried about the tests. I hadn't had time to study. What kind of questions would they ask? English and a general test.

I left around 7:30. The English test started at 8:00 and would finish at 11:30. I could probably write something for the English test. The general test was the one I was worried about. It was at 1:00. I could review some material while eating lunch.

... ... . ....

The tests weren't as difficult as I'd expected. I remembered a lot more than I thought I would. The math problems seemed really easy to me. The others didn't look so happy. About 20 people came for the test today. They said the results would be announced in four days, but I'm not sure what will happen. It's strange that the test was so easy. I wonder what's going to happen next. Things like this always happen to me.

I got home around 4:10 PM.

Father wasn't home. But there were two books on the table, with a folded piece of paper on top, like a note. I was pretty sure these were my assignments for today.

Ugh… I haven't touched a book since school ended. And these look like old books.

I decided to leave the note for now and get something to eat and take a shower.

Oh, wait. I'll probably have to shower again later.

.... ..

The two books looked old, their covers worn and faded. One was called "Basic Magic Operation," and the other was "Basic Potion Making." The titles alone made me sleepy, but I knew I couldn't put them off.

I picked up "Basic Magic Operation" first. The cover had a stylized image of a hand casting a spell, with swirling runes around it. As I flipped through it, I saw that Father had underlined things and made notes in the margins. Some pages had strange drawings – geometric shapes and alchemical symbols – and others had complex-looking formulas filled with unfamiliar characters. One page had a detailed diagram of the human body with lines connecting different points, labeled with what I assumed were magical terms. Another section described the six basic elements of magic – Water, Fire, Wind, Earth, Light, and Dark – and their interactions, explaining how some elements were dominant over others. It even mentioned the concept of "Aura," a kind of magical energy field surrounding every living being, and how its color corresponded to a person's magical affinity.

The book also touched on secondary magic elements, created by combining two primary elements, like Lightning (Fire + Water) or Ice (Water + Wind). It mentioned that Light and Dark magic were more specialized, with Light magic including healing and illusions, and Dark magic encompassing blood magic and summoning. There was even a brief mention of Void magic, a mysterious and seemingly powerful form of magic associated with nothingness and gravity.

"Basic Potion Making" was equally fascinating, though in a different way. The cover depicted a bubbling cauldron with strange ingredients floating inside. The book was filled with recipes for various potions, each one detailing the necessary ingredients, their proportions, and the specific procedures for mixing and brewing. Some ingredients were familiar – herbs and spices – but others were completely unknown to me, with names like "Moonpetal Blossom" and "Shadowroot." One section described the different types of cauldrons and their uses, explaining how the material and shape of the cauldron could affect the potency of the potion. Another chapter detailed the proper way to identify and handle magical ingredients, warning about the dangers of poisonous or unstable substances. There were even illustrations of various plants and creatures, labeled with their magical properties and potential uses in potions.

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.. ... ... ..

Basic Magic (Summary)

Magic is mainly divided into six sub-categories:

Water, Fire, Wind, Earth, Light, and Dark.

Each person has an affinity for one or more of the basic magic elements. A person who has an affinity for only one element can reach the highest level in that type of magic. They are called "Single Element Affinities."

Those who have an affinity for two basic magic elements will take much longer and face many more difficulties to reach the highest level of magical ability compared to Single Element Affinities. The difficulty increases with the number of magic elements one is affiliated with.

People inherit traits according to their magic element.

The color of a person's Aura varies depending on their magic affinity.

Fire - Red

Water - Blue

Wind - Yellow

Earth - Brown

Light - White

Dark - Black

Also,

Fire is suppressed by Water.

Water is suppressed by Wind.

Wind is suppressed by Earth.

Earth is suppressed by Fire.

However, Dark and Light magic suppress each other depending on their relative strengths.

In addition, there are secondary magic elements.

Fire + Water = Lightning (Purple)

Fire + Wind = Poison (Dark Green)

Fire + Earth = Metal (Silver)

Water + Wind = Ice (Light Blue)

Water + Earth = Wood (Green)

Wind + Earth = Storm (Gold)

Light + Dark = Void (No color/Colorless)

Light and Dark magic are particularly diverse.

Light magic includes Healing, Illusion, and Dimension magic (teleportation & portals). Dark magic includes Blood Magic, Dark Summoning, and Curses. Void magic includes Null/Void magic, Gravity, and Psychic abilities.

.... ... .. .. .

Basic Potion Making (Summary)

This book serves as an introduction to the art of potion making, covering fundamental principles and techniques. It emphasizes the importance of precise measurements, proper handling of ingredients, and careful adherence to brewing procedures.

Ingredients:

The book details a wide array of ingredients, both mundane and magical. Common ingredients like herbs, spices, and minerals are described alongside more exotic components with names like "Moonpetal Blossom," "Shadowroot," and "Whispervine." Each entry includes the ingredient's appearance, properties, and potential uses in potions. Warnings are given regarding poisonous or unstable substances, emphasizing the need for caution and proper identification.

Equipment:

A dedicated chapter focuses on the tools of the trade, particularly cauldrons. It explains how different materials (e.g., iron, copper, enchanted alloys) and shapes (e.g., spherical, conical) can influence the potency and effects of potions. Other essential equipment, such as mixing spoons, measuring scales, and filtration devices, are also discussed.

Brewing Process:

The book outlines the general steps involved in potion making, from preparing the ingredients to the final bottling and storage. It stresses the importance of timing, temperature control, and the proper sequence of adding ingredients. Specific brewing techniques, like decoction, infusion, and maceration, are explained in detail.

Potion Categories:

The book categorizes potions based on their effects, such as healing potions, strength-enhancing potions, invisibility potions, and love potions. Each category has its own section with sample recipes and explanations of the underlying magical principles.

Safety:

A crucial section is dedicated to safety precautions. It warns against the dangers of improper handling of magical ingredients, emphasizing the need for protective gear and a well-ventilated workspace. It also provides guidelines for identifying and neutralizing poisonous substances.

Advanced Techniques:

The book briefly touches upon more advanced topics, like creating custom potions and imbuing potions with additional magical properties. However, it notes that these techniques are beyond the scope of a basic introduction and require further study.

..... . .. . . .. . . ..

While I was reading the book, Father came home. It was time to start the drills. Even though the content in the book was new, I understood it quickly. There were many interesting things, but I probably won't be able to finish reading this in a month.

Even though I expected today's training to be as difficult as yesterday's, it wasn't too bad. After finishing the warm-up, I was even able to practice some combat techniques. If things continue like this, I might be able to master everything within four months.

.......

Four days later....

I was surprised when Father told me that the ritual was the reason my body had changed like this.

He said that after the ritual, not only do wounds heal faster, but my brain capacity also increases. My strength has really increased too. In the beginning, even walking with the weights was difficult, but now I don't even feel them. Father hasn't told me to increase the weights yet.

I used to be lazy about getting up in the morning, but that habit has disappeared on its own.

Yesterday evening, I got a call from my job. They told me to come in tomorrow because training was starting.