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Chapter 1.3
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Igarian Calendar, Year 10009
It’s been a year since we moved here to Vorant, the city that never sleeps. It’s still hard to deal with the noise during the day, but I’ve slowly gotten used to it. Finding my way around the city is way harder than it was with the forest cause’ I can’t just leave markings randomly around the city. Most of the time I just go by smell because every district has a rather distinct aroma. If by any chance that I do get lost, most people that I ask are pretty helpful. I recall only one instance of someone rudely rejecting me. I think he was a noble? He reeked of alcohol and all sorts of cheap perfumes. Are all nobles like that?
Anyhow, grandpa and grandma have gradually taught me how to read and write this past year. Most books nowadays have defined grooves in its writing, making it pretty easy for someone blind like me to read. And after you learn how to read, learning how to write is a breeze. Though I still have trouble writing in straight lines sometimes, but I promise I’m getting better at it!
They also taught me a lot of the fundamentals of being a mage, and my head is going crazy at everything I need to know. I know grandpa said It’ll be hard, but did it have to be this hard? My sense of time is still pretty inaccurate, but I’m pretty sure I’m sleeping very late nowadays. Wait. Didn’t grandpa once say that Baz would haunt my dreams if I slept too late? So he was lying all along?! That tricky old man!
“Sol! I’ve been standing around for too long and now I’ll be late for my lessons with grandma!”
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“So why are you late again... Cael?”
“Weeeeeell, I uh… got lost?”
“Don’t give me that drivel, Cael. You and I both know that you can perfectly manage your way around the city, and you dare say you lost your way?”
“Uguuuh, I’m sorry grandma. I was caught up thinking about things and one thing lead to another and by the time I noticed it was too late. I promise it won’t happen again.”
“It. Better. Not. Happen. Again. Cael.”
“Y-yes. I’ll make sure of it g-grandma.”
“Well then, let’s begin Cael. What do you call the essential…”
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Grandma Estel is reaaaally strict, but she’s also very forgiving so I guess it balances out. She treats me very well, as if she’s known me for years. I don’t think we have met before though. What’s her relationship with grandpa? Are they perhaps unrequited lovers, ohoho? Ack, I can feel her glaring me down because I’m smiling, better get back to work.
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Later...
“So how’s the boy faring, Estel?”
“Well, he’s certainly dedicated, but he seems to be taking this a little too lightly.”
“Go easy on him, he’s just a kid.”
“Hah… I want to, but he just can’t focus at all during his studies, Kalus.”
“How about you show him an incantation then? That’ll probably give him some motivation to learn.”
“Hmmph… I guess that could work.”
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The day after…
“Huh, what’s this grandma?”
“It’s a pendant, Cael. Specifically one with a spell incantation engraved within it. It's the easiest type of magic that requires nothing but the induction of mana.”
“What kind of magic is it grandma?”
“Well it doesn’t have an official name, but let’s call it ‘Pulse’. It sends out a very subtle wave outwards in all directions that returns to you when it reaches a physical object. It’s essentially a detection spell that I thought would help you if you ever get lost and nobody’s around to help you.”
“Thank you very much!”
“No problem, Cael. Now try channeling your mana into it. You have been practicing, haven't you?”
“Y-yes! Of course I have!”
I relax my mind like grandpa always tell me and begin feeling for the spots of energy around me. I can feel myself sweating and a sense of pressure starting to build up. I direct this built up pressure into the amulet and suddenly… a small, horizontal ring of my energy expands outwards. Just like grandma said, parts of the energy ring gradually returns to me, giving a good idea of what’s around me. There’s a table to my left, I think? The ring felt like an extension of me, like as if I simultaneously walked in all directions. That’s so freaking cool! Magic is amazing!
“So. How was your first experience with magic?”
“It was… fantastic! I felt so serene, as if I was back in the silent forest where I used to live.”
“Well don’t get too excited now, the pendant is doing most of the work for you. But I’m glad you seem to enjoy magic as much as I do. I take it you’ll be able to focus better now that you have a concrete idea of what you’re working for?”
“Yes! I’ll put twice the effort from now on to learn everything about magic!”
“Good. Alright then, we’re done for today. Oh and go take a shower, you smell like a rabid dog in heat.”
“In heat? What does that mean grandma?”
“Ah, that was a slip of the tongue. Nevermind that, it doesn’t mean anything. Just go take a shower.”
“If you say so, grandma. Oh, one more thing grandma. How much does this amulet cost?”
“Hmm? It’s yours, don’t worry about the cost.”
“You can’t be like that grandma! I’m already staying at your place and having you teach me. I can’t accept this for free too!”
“Ugh, fine. How about you treat me to a meal once you get accepted into an academy. I hear they give certain privileges to students if they do well on the entrance exams.”
“Alright! I’ll make sure that happens then!”
“Haha, let’s not get too ahead of ourselves now. It’ll be a loooong time before you’re ready to do those exams.”
“Don’t worry grandma Estel. I’ve hardened my resolve.”
“Well, I suppose I’ll have to test that mettle of yours, Cael.”
“Bring it on grandma! I’ll never lose!”
“Heh... I’ll see about that.”
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