There it was, one of the many branches displayed on a tree diagram. The space Attribute (page 46). I didn't need three guesses to figure out which attribute my ability belonged to. It's in the name. I flipped to page 46.

"The Space Attribute is a highly uncommon Attribute among humans. It is an attribute related to space and spatial logic. Space magic can be difficult to master. Competent users of Spatial Magic are skilled in Spatial perception. It is recommended to practice three dimensional modelling to improve at Space Magic."

Okay, cool. I thought. Maybe that's why I haven't been having much success. I'll add that to my training programme.

"Space magic users must be good (?). This is due to the nature of their magic, which governs space. " I sighed, frustrated. There were too many words that I didn't know. The book was clearly not meant for six year-olds. Should I read it again next time?

No, I decided. There was no time to waste. I'd already delayed training for six years. I need to learn about Imaginary Space quickly. "Examples of magic from the Space Attribute include teleportation and physical (?). "

I read on, but the rest of the section on spatial magic contained disappointingly sparse information. Looks like there's nothing else useful here.

I returned the book to its place and lay down in bed, wondering what I was missing. In my previous attempts to manifest imaginary space, I'd tried (stupidly) shouting its name, visualizing the memory of the demon's space, and several other methods. None of which had borne much fruit. What had gone wrong? What can I improve on?

Energy. Magic is latent energy.

Wasn't there some rule about energy? I remember reading about it back on Earth. Conversation, no, conservation of energy. The law of conservation of energy, that was it.

Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can only be changed from one form to another.

I sprung excitedly to my feet. That's it. I'd been viewing this from the wrong perspective this whole time. I don't know what I was expecting. Magic to suddenly manifest? Memories of magic won't make it manifest. I have to convert the latent energy in my body somehow. I looked around at my room/training grounds, focussing on a corner near the room.

Concentrate.

Project the energy.

Nothing happened. I felt my excitement ebb. What went wrong? Why can't I manifest it?

What had the book said?

Three dimensional modelling?

"Space magic users must be good (?). This is due to the nature of their magic, which governs space and its placement, layout and arrangement."

And I realized I knew what (?) was.

Space magic users must be good architects.

What do Architects do? They build. They design. They create blueprints. The creation of virtual space. I finally understood the name Imaginary Space. I felt my excitement return. Calm down, I told myself. You're a grown man, not a child waiting for Christmas. With one arm outstretched, I pictured the formation of an imaginary space. A space with depth and breadth and width and coordinates. Simultaneously, I focussed on channeling (or at least what I think I was doing) my latent magical energy towards the space of my focus. Please work. Work!! I prayed silently. There was a spark in the air. The beginning of something magical. I stood spellbound as the spark transformed into a tear in space. I'd cut through space like paper. The torn space hung there, suspended in the air. It was about the size of my hand. (My 6 year old hand, not my freakishly large gangster hands). My outstretched hand still pointed at it. I must have lost focus, because the torn space made a sound like a balloon deflating and closed itself. Space was normal again. But I was happier than I'd been in weeks.