EPISODE 2: MAGIC
-Edryan Queendom, Year 7278. Season: New Beginning
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?”
-Epicurus
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I watched my mother watch me as Eliana began to teach me the basis of magic.
“All creatures of the Prime Plane can use magic. Every human, every elf, every beast,” Eliana began. Giving out a chuckle at my antics. She was a green-eyed brown-skin woman with long blonde locs and crowns feet upon her face. Part of her locs circled the back of her head tying her hair in place. She held a graceful and mature beauty around her. I don’t think I’ve seen an ugly Edryan so far.
“Magic is the fundamental building block of reality and our souls. Without magic, nothing would exist.”
I paid close attention as Eliana spoke. Making sure to absorb everything she was saying.
“It is a gift of life as much as it can be a bane. Magic plays a fundamental role in how the system assigns us classes, perks, feats, and abilities in general. That is for another time. Right now, it is time to start your journey in connecting to your mana. Come…, sit down and close your eyes.”
I followed as instructed. Sitting in the soft grass of the training fields across from Eliana. While my mother watched off in the distance. Today she was having her court session outside.
“Focus, close your eyes, and breathe in deeply.”
I followed the instructions of Eliana. Closing my eyes and breathing in deeply. Calming my mind and focusing within myself.
“Release… and repeat.”
For a while Eliana had me do nothing but breathe. Correcting my rhythm and flow until it was a perfect breath in and out. Once she was satisfied, she continued with her instructions.
“Good, now feel for the mana within your heart. As a Magi Human, our hearts are replaced by mana cores. It provides a great way to easily feel your mana. Although some may say it is an obvious weakness.”
My breathing shook and I opened my eyes in question.
“Magi-human?”
“Focus child. Continue your breathing while I explain.
Once you settle down feel for the mana in your heart.”
I listen to the words of Eliana and regain my focus. Slowly bring my breathing to an even cadence. Once I was settled, I began to feel for mana mentally and physically. Eliana began her explanation.
“The Edryan Kingdom is composed of various races. Humans of course are the most prominent but there are various tribes that inhabit our lands. Most Edryans are magi humans. Magi-Humans are humans who possess several strengths and bloodlines greater than the cousins we derived from. Similar to the elves we excel at being pure mages, yet with human ingenuity, we are more easily able to follow the path of [Spell-Swords]. Magic-wielding warriors who excel in close physical-magic combat. Goddess Madris is said to be the first magi-human. It was said a tribe of humanity fell within a well of great power. Some died but those who didn’t found their race changed. Powerful spellcasters rose from the first generation and since we have only further refined ourselves. The Edryan bloodline is the epitome of humanity.”
As she spoke, I began to grasp something in my heart. A powerful substance seemed to be resting within my body but concentrated at the heart. It was firm like the earth and took me coaxing it out piece by piece. Before it finally appeared outside of me. Although I didn’t know it. There was a shimmer in the air in front of me. Eyes still closed I pulled the energy together condensing it into a ball. Keeping my breathing cadence, I opened my eyes to magic.
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“Mommy,” I began. Watching as Queen Titania narrowed her eyes. She already realized something was up.
“Can I please explore the capital?”
She looks at me in alarm. We were in her royal chambers as we just finished bathing together. Ever since it was the week of my third birthday, I began to butter mother up doing my best to try and converse with her about various topics of the outside. As I asked, I also whipped out the puppy dog eyes for the third time in my life. My bottom lip jutted out just right.
Her face was slightly relaxed, but she still looked at me in concern. Moving our maids aside she came towards me and felt my forehead.
“Hmmm, your temperature is fine.” She lifted me up carrying me in one arm.
“Why do you want to explore the capital?” Her red-gold eyes pierced into my own. I knew she wanted a serious answer and was honestly considering my request from this tone alone.
“As the Crown Prince, I wish to know the state of my people. I also wish to know the state of the economy, and how business is run day to day… amongst various other things. I will bring change to the Elrunian Continent.”
My mother took a long look at me. Her eyes searched for something within my own. My expression hardens as did hers.
“You will bring change to the Elrunian Continent.”
After saying her piece. She turned to the nearest maid beckoning her over. The maid arrived with a bow ready to relay my mother's message.
“Call for Captain of the Royal Guard, Liana Drumian.”
My eyes widen at the words of my mother. Liana Drumian, daughter of Eliana Drumian was the second strongest person in the Edryan Queendom. She was a main component behind my mother becoming queen. She served as my mother's right-hand woman and guard. She was also one of the two women I found one morning in my mother's bed. With her escorting me I was certain to be safe. She looked exactly like her mother except far larger and far more muscular.
“Mother we need to be low key, LOW KEY. Please!”
With her escorting me and if it was in any type of royal caravan or procession then I’d hardly get a look at how the Edryan people lived. I did not need everyone to be on their toes around me. I needed to observe the people in their natural daily ongoings. That way I could form the best plan.
“Hmmm, then High Mage Margret will also accompany the two of you.”
Margret was the second woman in my mother's bed that fateful day. Originally, I thought both were maids. How wrong I was.
“You cannot leave, however, until you cast your first offensive spell.”
Externally I groaned. Internally I was excited, elated even. Right now, Eliana only taught me how to shape and feel my mana externally of my body. We’d yet to go over the seventy-two basic runes which led to all spells. Nor did we cast anything offensive as I had not comprehended any of the runes just yet. It was only drawing out my mana and making it different shapes. It was not that I minded, but I was ready weeks ago to cast a (Fireball). With this, my teacher would have no choice but to teach me an offensive spell. Mwahahahaha!
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It took three weeks for me to learn my first offensive spell. Instead of the fireball I thought I’d originally be learning. Eliana taught me the spell (Earthen Spike). There were several reasons behind her teaching me (Earthen Spike) as she explained.
“(Earthen Spike) is a versatile offensive spell that all [Earth Mages] learn. Unlike fire mages, who must provide the full mana to produce the flame. (Earthen Spike) allows you to shape the earth into a spike and fire it. No need for extra mana to conjure the earth. When the resource is the most plentiful,” Eliana taught.
“You will be required to provide the mana to turn the spell into a tier higher, however.”
I spent the rest of my days practicing firing the spell. Hitting targets set up at different lengths until Eliana was satisfied enough with my training. Finally, the day to explore the outside came.
Liana picked me up and settled me on her shoulders. She was a broad woman with well-defined muscles. Liana possessed the physique of a bodybuilder, warrior, and more all rolled into one. She stood at 220cm tall. About 30cm taller than my mother. She was brown skin with green eyes and long blonde locs like her mother.
Next to us was Margret, my mother's other lover and a [High Mage] of the court. She was also present to help my mother rise to the throne. These women didn’t look at day over their mid-twenties, the same as my mother. However, all three were almost 50 old. Beside naturally being born with mana, Magi-humans also had longevity added to them. Without increasing the Vitality attribute, a magi-human could live close to 120 to 150 years. As long as they were kept in good health. Because of the Vitality attribute the highest leveled members of the Edryan society could like an extra 100 years or so.
The small party slipped out of a side gate of the palace. Quickly we made our way across the draw bridge and into the city proper. It was the early hours of the morning when businesses were beginning to open for the day. We slipped into the noble district where I would be able to observe how those with status live their lives.
The capital was built like a Mayan temple. The royal palace at the top and very center. With each addition added to the city new walls would be constructed, and every level would be raised by one.
My objectives for today were simple:
1. Discover the quality of life of the capital city.
2. Explore what types of businesses are available.
3. Explore where my basic knowledge of earth can improve an aspect of Edryan.
Overall, however, I had one true objective for today.
4. Generate revenue.
I wasn’t looking to generate revenue today of course. I was looking for holes in the market that could easily be filled with some Earth knowledge. Things such as small niche stands that serve special food and snacks. Or high-end luxury stores that sold to the middle class and nobility. What can I do that generates the most amount of money within a reasonable amount of time? The market is always available… one just must know how to take advantage of it.
We moved through the waking city with a purpose while we did so I began to ask the two women questions.
“Why do you serve my mother?”
We moved through large winding pathways with smooth cobbled stoned roading beneath us. All around was life and magi-humans getting ready to begin their day.
“Why do we serve your mother,” Liana repeated and chuckled. “I’ll let Margret answer first.
“Outside of her being the queen and a descendant of our Goddess, she is my friend, lover, and more,” Margret held a far-off look in her eyes as she continued. “She has saved me in more ways than one and I’ve pledged myself through magic to follow her until the day I perish from this plane and rise into the Astral to enter the Promised Land.”
“So the large fund she gives you for experimental magic means nothing,” Liana teased.
“I can’t help it that all magic under the Prime Sun wishes to be learned by me,” Margret responded with a shrug and smile.
I nodded my head as I listened to the woman speak before poking Liana on the cheek. “It’s your turn!”
With my small body on one of Liana’s shoulders, we made our way to one of the many trade districts in the city. Grabbing small snacks as we explored from one stand to another. The market was filled with hawkers using wooden and steel carts to show off their wares and more. The place was crowded but I enjoyed every single second of it. Liana spoke as we traveled.
“Who will protect the Queen if not I? I’ve been with your mother nearly since our childhoods. I serve her because she is my friend, family, and more. I serve because I never wish to see the rise of the [Iron-Blooded Queen] again. To never allow those dark times to come around. I am her shield and weapon. The first to defend her honor and the last to leave the battlefield.
I serve to protect not just her but all of Edryan. To see our people happy and prosperous. To wage war in the name of our Goddess. It is who I am… it is who I shall always be.”
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When I was inside the Royal Castle. My observed level of technology by the Edryans put us around a time period before the steam engine. With magic, there were things that were on what I would call the more modern side such as the magic gems that allowed you to control the heat of the water coming from sinks, baths, and more. As I walked around, I could tell the Edryans were still behind in technology. Slavery was still apparent. The Edryans possess sufficient printing techniques, but they were not at an industrial revolution stage. Perhaps they were on the cusp of one if they had the right push here and there. I could trigger it.
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We moved from district to district, I estimated there to be another 50-100 years before any ‘modern’ technology would appear. That is if he hit some sort of industrial revolution. This area was called the Low Kingdoms for a reason. The Low Kingdoms were said to be behind the rest of the continent for a minimum of 30 years and a max of 200. I would change that. There was no centralized schooling or public education. Things that I would bring to the Edryans. First, I needed the finances and a complete understanding of where my people were at.
It was as we were walking through the craftsmen's district that ideas began to form. I saw something that could become our salvation and progress Edryan over several years. I saw something that I could use to shift the Edryan people and allow more freedom for the arts and crafts in the years to come.
“Liana, Margret take me there,” I exclaimed. I pointed in the direction of billowing smoke that rose from a district.
We entered a craftsmen district, and a gleam entered my eyes as I gazed upon the construct before me.
“How are those made?”
I directed the question to Margret; certain she would be more knowledgeable on the subject. She looked at me hesitantly and then back at the item I was pointing at. Then she opened her mouth and questioned.
“The dwarf…?”
I facepalmed and pointed again. This time making sure she clearly saw the object of my interest.
“Ohhh bless your three faces, the golem!?!
The process isn’t too complicated depending on the material used. However, a golem runs on the mana of its owner usually. They’re not much useful besides lifting heavy items or serving as a means of transportation over rough terrain. They can be given basic commands that they follow as long as you get the spell formula right. They can also have more complex commands if you use a better spell formula to create them.”
“Can they be powered by any other sources of magic?”
I asked Margret the most important question since our outing today.
“Hmmm… if they are given a mana crystal…. they can act outside of the bounds of their masters. That is very expensive to run them through the use of mana crystals.
When acting outside of the bounds of their masters you must direct them with very specific commands if doing so or it could get dangerous but generally working through your Intent is good enough for them. Do you want me to get you one Young Master?”
“Yes, get me as many different types as possible.”
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Several days after our return to the castle, my requested golems were delivered. Margret stood by me as I personally inspected all of them.
“Your Highness, these are all new golems with no previous owners. They are all different types; it took some time to get them all built and ready for Your Highness.”
I waved my hand in acknowledgment before sitting down in front of the golems. I studied them carefully. They weren’t part of my plans originally but the moment I saw them an idea came to mind. A way to kill two birds with one stone. The Edryan people still practiced slavery. I even had some noble brat ask me if his slaves could learn some of the recipes I introduced to the palace chefs. It was right after my major birthday celebration. There was a small party consisting of the noble children my mother forced me to have. Something about the Six Great Families that supported my mother to the throne and an opportunity for them to interact with me. A bunch of brats if you ask me. I didn’t have the time or energy to play with children.
The slavery here was not as brutal or harsh as the slavery of the North Atlantic Slave Trade, but the practice was still in place. If you’ve ever studied the history of any empire. Slave uprisings, amongst the unhappiness of common man, were a quick way to ensure your downfall. If I could find a way to power golems without the constant need to input mana from their owners… I could create an endless work supply and get rid of slavery. That wasn’t the only thing I was working on. In this part of the continent. There were several common modern goods that the Edryans didn’t have access to.
Honey was to be my first target.
“Your Highness, I’ve put out the request to capture honeybee hives and queens. Your mother has also granted you use of the royal farms,” Liana said as she appeared next to me. Giving me a kind smile as she gently patted my head.
Since our little excursion outside the Liana and Margert had taken a healthy interest in the things I wanted to accomplish. With my authority as the Crown Prince plus, some extensive begging to my mother. I manage to procure their help alongside several other court mages and guards. It was like I was beginning to form the earliest stages of my own faction.
The most basic batteries were made from copper wire and a conductive material. Once these materials were gathered all that was left was to optimize the battery. Making it strong enough to hold several hours and perhaps days' charge of mana. Before I even stepped up to that process, I began by testing the various golem types with mana and mana crystals.
There were several types of golems displayed before me. Wood, Earthen, Metal, and Liquid golems. There were more complicated types, but I was satisfied with these for now. Each stood roughly 2 meters tall if not slightly taller. I began with the wooden golem placing my hand upon its chest I injected my mana into the golem. It took close to two minutes for me to fill the golem completely. A connection that I faintly sensed formed between us. At max capacity the golem would operate for two hours before needing a recharge. I felt slightly drained but not tired. Margret brought three models of each golem as I would be running and experimenting on them separately. The first was for the golems that’d be mana charged. The second was for a golem that would receive a mana crystal as a power source. The third would be when I uncovered how to create a mana battery.
Several of the court mages were assigned tasks to look for materials that could hold a charge. With a [Court Mage] named Celcus Kain taking keen interested in the power source I was looking to develop. If we could find something that was effective and inexpensive then it was only a matter of years before I altered the Edryan society.
My studies on revolutionizing the golem industry continued. I began to learn more and more about the seventy-two basic runes. When a creature was born on the Prime Plane it automatically came into an agreement with the world. When spell casting roughly 80-90% of the mana would come from the mage. The other 10-20% would be provided by the world itself when using the runes to spell cast. This contract partially stemmed from the seventy-two basic runes that would turn into all spells under the sun. Twenty-four letters and forty-eight transitioning words and such. Only the top mages knew all seventy-two. Although they were basic to comprehend, a lot of mages didn’t bother to study the runes outside of the affinity they were gunning for.
What they did and what they could do if combined… The more I learned about them and creating Complex Runes, basic runes that were combined to create complex effects, the more I realized that the runes had similarities to a programming language. If I could combine enough rune patterns. I could generate an effect or program for the spell to follow. My question to myself was… could these runes be written on some sort of object-orientated programming? For example, if I wrote the rune on a cannon or wand and made them activate when enough mana was poured in… would I create little boom sticks with set functions?
Only ‘electricity’ or mana in Edryans case would be required to activate these functions.
I began to get excited, rubbing my hands together like a super villain. Putting down the small golem I was building with my mana. I rushed outside the palace to find Margret. Besides Eliana and her daughter, she was the closest person I had a connection with. She’d be in her mage tower running experiments and more.
As I learned more about the Edryans and the history of this world. One thing became apparent to me… people did not look for strength in numbers. What mattered to a country was the number of high-level personnel they had within. At sixteen the system would activate for me allowing me the pleasure of leveling and becoming far stronger than a regular human. Currently, my mother was the strongest person in the queendom. I didn’t know her exact level and the classes she held but it was said to be in the 250s combined. If not more.
I arrived at [Tower of Exploration]. Quickly making my way on the magical platform that functioned as an elevator. By passing plenty of mages until I arrive at the top and Mage Margret's study. After graduating from an apprenticeship, all mages would be referred to as Mage. Even if they were wizards or such.
I could have sent one of the various maids who followed me to fetch her, but it was better to stretch my legs.
The door opened and Margret looked around at the surrounding maids before looking down. Margert was a slim woman with a large bust. She stood roughly 178 cm tall and was strikingly beautiful. With violet eyes and magenta hair that matched the robes she wore. Her skin was blemish-free and a rich light brown while the magi-human usually wore high heels that gave her a few extra inches.
“Madris’s Grace! Crown Prince Lawruthian! Come in, come in!” She began ushering me into the room. “I was just going to go find you! We’ve found several materials you may be interested in. Some hold the properties you were looking for!”
Before she could continue, I held up my hand stopping her. “Before you update me, Margret I want to know if there are any reusable objects that contain runes.”
She looked confused at my question before she hesitantly asked. “Are you talking about spell scrolls? They are usually a bit expensive for anyone to use, but the high-quality ones can activate more than once.”
We sat down in her study in the [Tower of Exploration]. There are three towers that help powered the defensive wards around the castle. The city had plenty other mage towers but these three were far larger than any I’d seen in the city. If the ones stationed in the city were around 100 meters in height and 150-200 in width, the ones on the palace grounds were thrice as large. Mage Margret held the keys to the [Tower of Exploration].
“Tell me all you can about spell scrolls please,” I asked. My eyes perked up at the mention of them.
There were plenty of things I could infer from the numerous stories, games, and shows I watched growing up and even as an adult. However, when it came to the technology of this world, I didn’t know the true power of anything yet. I have observed my mother's training. Fighting against six of her royal guards and several royal mages at once. Not once has she lost or seemed to be pushed to a limit. Not once could my eyes keep up with her. Nor most of the Queen’s Royal Guards and even mages themselves. Whenever a training session happened, I made sure to attend. It was why I understood why people looked to personal strength more than relying on a group. These guards were stated to be around the upper class of the elite and were classified as Platinum Knights. By themselves, they could take out a small town of 10,000 or so depending on the average level. The power scaling followed the same scale as the currency. This didn’t mean much to me besides me knowing I couldn’t see their movements. Only the sparks of blades meeting blades and explosions of spells let me know that a battle was happening. All I knew is they’d be between levels 170-200 plus.
“Spell Scrolls are mage-written scrolls with various runic effects on them. From a quick (Fireball) spell or a (Conjure Water), their effects are numerous. The higher the spell tier the higher quality of materials are needed in preparation. Spell Scrolls are written with grounded beast cores and usually on the beast skin itself. Most are for one-time use. However, some hold charges that are usually indicated at the bottom of the spell scroll.”
“If you had a wand with runes written on them. Could you just provide the required mana to fire the spell?” I asked my question directly. Crossing my fingers and hoping for a positive response.
“Hmmm, technically yes. The gnomes from the city-state of Ja’Forr are known for their cannons on such eccentricities. However, you would need a material that conducts mana well in order to get more than one use. The only thing needed for a spell activation is the mana besides the runes themselves. You could function such a device out of a mana crystal for the charge and runic work on the wand body itself.”
“What if we used a cheap material? That held three to six charges. Each easy to produce and all only needing a mana prompt to work?”
“Mhmm, it could be useful to the common man, yet I doubt such a product would find purchase in the market. Once you get your class everything changes. Once you go through your first 25 levels and hit a class reset. Your skill and spell quality drastically improve. Most warriors would not use such a thing unless it was of high quality.”
Damn. I bit at a nail in frustration. Bidding Margret goodbye after receiving an update on the materials. I returned to the outside to continue building and experimenting on golems. I would not let this idea go but for now, I shelved it. Setting it aside in the back of my mind.
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I left the castle for the second time in my life. Not just leaving the castle but the city of Edrya herself. Several beehives had been captured by different [Adventurers]. These beehives were transported to the royal farms. Before my attendance, I had what anyone from Earth would recognize as a beekeeper costume created. Several different versions were made in fact. As there were several magical hives captured and transported here. Of course, I would not be doing anything near the bees myself… my mother forbade it. So, the beekeeper suits were fitted for several of the Royal Guards assigned to me.
My mother’s two lovers also accompanied me. Two of the twenty or so members of the [Queen’s Guard]. A group one station above the Royal Guard. They were composed of the strongest people in Edryan… probably. My information mostly came through the various history books I consumed. Over 7000 years of history was crammed in my throughout years.
The guards assigned to me were upright and ready. Prepared to attack any person that dares to get close to the carriage. We were once again going incognito, yet it would be obvious some sort of noble caravan would be leaving. Right before I boarded the carriage I paused. It hadn’t occurred to me just how magical this world was. Two giant horses with singular horns on their heads were strapped to the carriage.
“Unicorns,” I said in awe. Pausing to observe the beast. Unicorns for mounts? Talk about extravagant. I knew of the Edryan Calvary and Wyvern Riders but this? This was really starting to settle in. The fact that I wasn’t on earth anymore. You’d think three years of watching various magics be performed amongst other things would do it. Nope, the unicorns really inserted the fact.
The unicorns turned and gave me a look before I swear one winked at me.
The Royal Farms were around an hour right from the capital. That was going at a moderate speed I suspected was around 30-40mph if not slightly faster. The unicorns seemed inexhaustible. The entire ride to the farms we had not stopped once. Only upon our arrival at a large structure and hilly, pastured fields did we halt.
I was quickly greeted by the farm manager, Kareem, who showered us with flattering smiles and praises that went in one ear and out the other. I had quickly gotten used to such praise. The middle-aged man looks at me like I was some sort of gift from the heavens. In a sense… I was. The looks of the people in the castle changed as I grew older. Especially after I started showing initiative and speaking more. The whispers of the Holy Son and Chosen One only grew in frequency as I grew. It always made me pause and realize the Gods were very real and active in the Prime Plane.
Kareem showed us to the area the bees were stationed at. It was here that I began to shape the earth. Using my mana to shape the earth into a Langstroth Hive with various compartments. Once done, I summon an attending mage, who could build the small artificial hive with stronger materials. He page pulled several materials out of his spatial bag and began to work. Converting his raw mana into flames and shaping the hive with his hands. I watched in fascination. It was always an amazing process to see items forged by hand without the need for any protection.
It was clear a spell surrounded him to protect him from the heat. When he finished constructing several of the hives. I then showed him a diagram of a basic smoker. A simple steel container that would hold the burning material. A pump would be attached to produce the necessary smoke that calmed the bees.
Honey was usually a delicacy that nobles only enjoyed. This was mainly because none had discovered a proper way to keep bees outside of the [Tamer] classes. You’d be hard press to find a tamer to tame a hive of bees. If there was anything I learned during my time on Earth. It was that mankind could domesticate any creature. Whether it’s the lions of Africa or the gators from the states. There was not a dangerous creature I hadn’t seen humans dominate. If my beekeeping idea was a success. I believe I would generate enough revenue to really begin the start of my projects. I would be confident in asking my mother for assistance and expanding upon my business. I just wanted to take the first step with my own merit as much as possible.
I was the Chosen One… Holy Son of the Edryan Queendom.
My name would ring through this continent and beyond.
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