That evening, finally Ara-san gives her lesson about magic.
“Here, Miss Ara'ainn!”
“Hey Rine, why are you giving her my glasses?” She stole them from my space in our shared [Inventory]!
“Because she's now a teacher!”
“These are called glasses? Non-alfr uses them when they have bad sight, right? So what does it have to do with being a teacher?”
“I don't know, but all my teachers in studies had those.”
Well, if you read a lot without proper lighting, which can be really hard to provide in a fantasy world, your eyesight worsens.
“Rine, you know that looking through glasses with good eyesight is bad?”
“It is?”
I facepalm, as Rine is totally oblivious how glasses and eyesight works. Well, actually I saw only a few glasses in this fantasy world so far, so I guess bad vision is either no real problem or glasses are too expensive to use them when you still can do without.
Nonetheless, if almost nobody wears them, it's more likely that they also don't know about what they're actually doing, especially those who don't need them in the first place.
“Let's try it.” Ara-san, curious about the glasses, puts them on, and immediately her outer irises begin to expand, as her inner irises narrow, while her slit-like pupils shorten a bit. “I see fine.”
Maybe alfr eyes work like camera lenses? Actually, I never saw an alfr with glasses so they really may have an inborn correction-option. Enviable.
“Oh?” But the next moment Ara-san's left ear moved and with it her temple, throwing the glasses from her nose. She catches them before they fly out of her reach. “I don't think that I can do it with glasses.” She puts them in her backpack, back to my belongings from where Rine took them in the first place. Without my permission!
But damn, Ara-san, what reaction speed! She caught the glasses practically the moment they were flung away! This is the first time I’ve noticed it.
“We still need to change something about your look, Ara,” Rine insists.
“Why?”
“Because...” Ah, I can see it. Rine is about to say something rude to Ara-san but falters as she doesn't want to say it bluntly and lacks the word to phrase it positively.
Kyou-san doesn't sweeten her words as she helps out: “Because it's hard to take you seriously otherwise.”
“Why is that?”
“Do you remember the farmers earlier today? Or that you slapped my behind when we both were sitting on Ken's lap? How you let Ken use that spell despite knowing the result? How you tried to escape helping me cook by taking forever to cut those roots? That sex joke during dinner?”
“Not particularly.”
“...” Kyou-san rubs her nose bridge: “That's part of the problem. I can see why Rine-chan wants to change your look a bit so that we can be in a mood which makes us actually want to learn from you.”
The worst part about it: I can totally agree. It's not like I really care, but given a choice between giving her the teacher-vibe or just keep her the way she is, I'd support making her look a bit different. So that I can try to forget about things like how she told me every single detail she felt with her ear while her head was on my lap today.
“Rine-chan, we'll pin her hair up.”
“Should we put some make-up on her as well?”
“Sure. Too bad that she's that short otherwise I would lend her a robe.”
“OK, I'll make sure to sew her something soon. Like a wizard's robe.”
“Can you do that?”
“I don't know, but [Tailor] will lead me.”
“New foot-laces as well, since alfar don't wear shoes.”
“I have no accessory that would fit her. I think a wooden bracelet would be fine, we need to get one.”
“Wouldn't something colorful better match her skin?”
“With her hips, I believe trousers would be good. We could accent them with color pieces.”
“Do we have something which can be used as a kerchief?”
The girls lost me. Same with Ara-san, who looks at me with a pleading look, as Rine and Kyou-san are already working on her hair without even asking her opinion.
I turn my head to the side so that I don't need to look into Ara-san's eyes anymore.
It takes some minutes, and there she stands, Miss Ara'ainn. Let's sum it up: The properties of alfr hair make it hard to pin it up, so it's already beginning to get loose. While the make-up looks decent, it only emphases her non-human facial structure. This and her lacking facial movements cause her to look more like a doll.
At least the cloth which serves as a scarf works somehow, but it looks itchy.
“What a fine prank.” Ara-san comments after looking in the metallic hand-mirror. So that's how she thinks of it. Well, pranks are a common form of alfr bonding.
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“We need to think about our make-up technique with her.”
“Agreed.”
Both girls are whispering to each other, but given that Ara-san and I can hear them clearly, it doesn't make a difference.
“Now that you have your well-deserved fun let me begin the lesson. Magic. Knowing about the magic in this world is the fundamental step towards the [Arcana]-ability, which is also part of the [Wizard]-class.
“In future lessons, I'll go into the details, but for today I will try to give you an understanding of the basics, which will make it easier to delve into the specifics.
“We need to know what magic is to understand it. Before there is magic, there is mana. Mana comes from the planet itself, it's invisible to the naked eye, and it passes through matter. When it passes through a living organism, it's collected and changed into magic, in layman's term, which will be stored in our bodies. So the MP in our statuses show how much magic currently resides in us, and that's also the reason why it recovers over time.”
So basically, there is an energy force called mana and when it hits me, my body changes it into magic and stores it.
“Every body has a limit, which can be increased by training, the same as someone can train their lungs to be able to hold their breath for longer. It's a common belief that magic resides in every organ, even though I personally think it's within the cells.”
“I thought that magic is collected in your spleen?” ...seriously? Spleen? Rine's somewhat educated in this world, so I won't question her, but that doesn't make much sense.
“Usually, there is an organ that stores more than any other one, but which one differs from species to species.”
So much for having a 'magic organ.' For humans, it's the spleen. Good thing that I still have mine.
“Also, it can differ from person to person. For alfar, the most common magic reservoir would be in the vestibular system, but there are rare cases when it's focused in the stomach as well. Or other organs. Heroes have a higher chance to use another organ as a magic reservoir.”
Ah, I can see that. Like: 'Oh, that hero is originally not able to use magic, how do we fix it? Let's use the stomach!'
“Fine and good, but why is there [Divine Magic], [Spirit Magic], or [Elemental Magic]? They even use the word 'magic'! Isn't 'magic' just the power itself?” Good point, Kyou-san.
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“...I don't think that I understand your question. Has it to do with terms and language?”
The hero-system translates stuff and while Kyou-san and I hear and understand everything in Japanese or English, Ara-san understands everything in Alfr Speech.
“Kyou-san, I think that the terms for [Divine Magic] and the others are different for Ara-san. The hero-system might just translate it this way to make it easier for us to understand.”
“These forms of translations are really not helpful sometimes.”
I agree, but nothing we can do about it.
“To sum her question up: For us Japanese, the term 'magic' is used for the source 'magic' and the application of that power, so she wanted to know if there is a connection.”
Ara-san's right ear stands up. “How stupid can your language be?”
Even though I don't disagree with her, I fight back the urge to pinch her ear to give her a sharp pain.
“Phew, go on.”
“Alright. Magic is something living beings produce and store and when the capacity is exhausted, the body won't transform mana into magic anymore. So there is no overdose of magic in your system, at least not naturally. Maybe you could produce one artificially, though I've never heard of a case like that.
“So now you know the origin of the power, so we'll take a shallow look on how to apply it. Magic is in itself just a power source and like every power source, there are multiple ways to use it.”
“I don't get it!” Rine waves her hand.
“I think that might be the case because you're not familiar with power sources... Kenta-kun, would you please?”
...Ara-san, are you saying that you can't dumb it down on your own? Nah, I think she thinks of it as a pain in the ass.
“Rine, listen. Let's say that the power source is 'food', you're following me?”
“I think?”
“When you eat, your body gets energy. It's used to keep your heart beating, your muscles moving, your digesting system running, and your brain working.” Even though I think that the last one is working on energy saving mode in her case. “Basically, food is used to make multiple things work, even if they function differently. Following this example, magic would be food, [Divine Magic] your muscles.”
Rine nods, but I think she only gets the gist. Kyou-san also nods slightly for some reason, I guess that she had a gist before and now understood it.
Seriously, how stupid are you girls?
“Yes, Kenta-kun's analogy is quite accurate,” Ara-san continues: “The spell-[Abilities] would be different systems using the same source of power. The ones we'll deepen are [Arcana], the ability to sense and manipulate mana and magic, [Elemental Magic], which produces resonance between magic and the environment, and [Alteration], which changes the properties of objects and beings on the idea-level. Even though,” Ara-san lifts her chin and sets back her ears close to the head: “I have no clue how exactly [Alteration] works!”
…there is no reason to be proud of that.
But yes, [Alteration] isn't one of Ara-san's [Abilities].
Hm... but I think that I already saw an [Alteration]-spell at work... ah right, back with the spider-monkey boss, when Ponytail from Inoue's party used it to slow down the mobs.
Idea-level though? What's that supposed to mean? 'I have the idea that you're slowed down, so now you're slowed’?
Well, no need to figure that out now.
“For Momo, [Arcana] is the only one of the named applications which is usable. The first task will be to feel where your magic is stored. As a hero, you've skipped that step, while Katarine-san should already be able to tell her own center of power.”
Rine nods. Well, she actually learned [Divine Magic] the hard way. Even though spells are still easier to learn than other skills for native people, so calling it the 'hard way' is a bit misleading.
“Momo, I will look where your magic is gath-” Ara-san's holding in laughter, she's totally holding in laughter! Her ears are also flapping!
She has used the [Detect Mana]-spell, I guess. Even though she shouldn’t be able to tell where ‘magic’ is, only 'mana', but maybe she can tell from the mana-flow or bullshit like that, where Kyou-san's magic center is.
Well, considering Ara-san's behavior, I have a guess.
Kyou-san also has an idea: “It's in my breasts, right?” Yes, we have the same thought. For some reason, alfar find breasts hilarious, so Ara-san's reaction is a definite hint.
“Fi- *snicker* finding where your largest reservoir lies is also part of the trai- *chuckle* -ning! So take a deep look inside and only think only of the part of your body where your magic resides most in.”
Ara-san hasn't thought this through. Kyou-san has a moody day, so she grabs both of Ara-san's ears and begins twisting them.
The cry of alfr anguish sounds throughout the plains.
―○●○―
For some reason, Kyou doesn't show the same patience to Ara as to me. I can't help but cock my head, as the alfr who wants to teach me [Elemental Magic] is squirming on the ground while whining about her ears.
“Are you OK, Kyou?” Today she has a bad day.
“Don't worry, Rine-chan, I'm just tired.” Ah, that makes sense.
I look at Kenta, who puts his hand over his face, I think he calls it 'facepalm'. He often does that when we're having a conversation, so I think he might be a bit disappointed in Ara. Like he's constantly disappointed in me because I'm not very smart.
Kneeling down next to Ara, I begin to form a small prayer in my mind: Please ease her pain. I send this prayer to the Vastness, I feel how the left side of my stomach is heating up a bit, just before I feel how power is channeled through me, which I send to Ara through my fingertips: “[Heal]!” This last word is essential, even though I never really understood why.
“Thank you, Katarine-san.” Ara stands up and is all wobbly, so I support her. “I would appreciate it if you would stop Kenta-kun and Momo from damaging me any more, otherwise I may only serve as a meat doll in the future, given that these pains are bad for my body and mind. That ear-twisting almost whited me out.”
Ara is an alfr, so she's different from us. I can't even imagine how all that pinching and twisting of her ears are anguishing her.
“Do you need a break?”
“No need. But could you move a bit more to the left? I need to instruct Momo more.”
“You mean right? Because if I move left, then I'd be right between the two of you.”
“That's the idea.”
Sometimes I really have problems getting her, but I have no reason to decline her request either.
Kyou, even though she doesn't look pleased, nods to Ara's further instructions. It's just the basic magic awareness training, meditation, figuring out the flow, trying to move that flow. Other than, different from the me back then, Kyou can already use magic, so she can cast a spell or two to give her a better idea how and where her magic flows.
Kenta also tries this training, even though he doesn't need it. My husband is a curious one and likes to understand his hero-body more.
Oh Dear, you're earnest in whatever you do. Your face right now is so hot!
“Katarine-san, are you about to jump at Kenta-kun? Because I can try to teach you [Elemental Magic], but if you don't have time right now, then I might take a nap.”
“Ah, sorry. Tell me, what am I to do?”
“To learn how to use [Elemental Magic] you need to understand that mana touches everything. While a living body is capable of changing it into magic, those mana particles are also hitting non-living matter, causing a minute disturbance in them, which might not influence them on a visible level, but do on a microscopic one. To use [Elemental Magic] you need to seize these changes so that you can use them to cast your spells.”
“I didn't understand any of it.” I have to be honest here since I don't even know what 'microscopic' means. Or what 'particles' are.
“...” Ara gently flicks her ear. “I'll try another approach. Are there any users of [Elemental Magic] in your family?”
“Almost everyone, I was supposed to learn it at some point as well, but I preferred sword fighting and skipped some lessons on other subjects, so it got delayed. Eber can use it, though.”
“Your little brother, correct?”
“Yes, he's cute. A bit brisk at times, and also bratty, but this makes him so adorable.”
“So you love him?”
“Of course!”
“You really, really love him?”
“I absolutely love him!”
Ara opens her mouth as to say something, but after looking at me another time, she pauses for a second. “Well, good for you. You know of the four cardinal elements of [Elemental Magic]?”
“Yes. Fire, water, air, and earth, right?”
“Exactly. Does any of those four stand out in your family?”
“Fire.”
“I see. Every person has a certain affinity for certain elements, mine are mainly water and to some degree earth. It's possible to learn other spells, but for a hero, the natural affinity plays a big part on what kind of spells you will learn by using the hero-system. So I will plan your training with fire in mind.”
Ara takes some of our firewood out of her backpack and puts it on the ground.
“Observe me, as I'm using the one fire-spell I know. [Ignite]!” She points with her finger to the wood, which starts to burn in a matter of seconds. There was nothing to see though. “Try to make the flames move in an unnatural way. Concentrate on them, try to send your magic into them, and do whatever works.”
I stare into the flames. It looks like they are dancing. The hearth would be the feet, the tongues the arms, the wood the dance floor. To what kind of music would they dance?
Thinking about it, I start humming. A bright melody, a bit like that waltz from Grüninger I like. It's been so long since I danced to that melody, I’d love to dance again. With Dear.
Being close, his hand on my back, the other in my hand. I would wear a frilly fire-colored dress, made out of silk. He would wear a noble's suit, I think that something like dark green would suit him. Even though his crimson red armor is also great. Yes, let's go with the armor, he's a hero after all, so his armor would be the best clothing. Though I really want to see him in a suit, I have to make him one soon.
First, the music would start slowly, Dear might not be able to dance, but in my mind, he can. He would whisper something into my ear, bringing his lips close to mine for an instant, just to move his body back a bit to tease me.
Then he would take his first step, leading me over the dance floor, while I can't help but blush a bit while looking at his solemn face.
Then we would make the first turn. He would add another spin, and then-
Danger from the right. Faster than thought, I draw my blade and cut at a water jet, which was about to hit me, I advance two steps, ready to kick the attacker right into the stomach, but I stop my body before I do so.
I'm glad I did it, because the source of that attack-spell is Ara, after all.
“Ara? Why?” Why would she attack me?
“Because yelling didn't work. You almost burned me with the flames.”
“Hn?” I can't help but cock my head.
“You didn't notice? The flames started spinning. You cleared the first stage.”
“Ah, did I?”
“Well, I guess already knowing what kind of element you're most likely affiliated to certainly helps. Now that you can somehow influence the fire, we can move to trying to control it. First, let the flames come closer to you.”
“But how?”
“You just need to apply whatever you used to influence it earlier.”
What did I just do? I looked into the flames and started humming. Maybe that's it?
I hum 'Come, Lenz, come', a nursery rhyme. Like answering my humming, the flames start to move, trying to get to me.
“...now repulse them.”
I change the melody to 'Hush Firemount' and the flames move as if they try to escape from me, even though they can't.
“What about moving them left and right?”
'Tridarara?' It works, the children dance lets the flames move as Ara wanted.
“Make them bigger.”
'Gird yourself.'
“Make them smaller.”
'Sitting on the cloud.'
“Let them die out!”
'Sleepy swallow.'
“Make it burn again!”
'The best day all year,' it's my favorite birthday song!
“Kenta-kun, Katarine-san is picking on me!” For some reason, Ara runs to Dear, who looks at her flabbergasted, while standing up and trying to put some distance between them.
What's wrong, Ara? I just did what you asked me to...
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