"What are the four principles of magic?" A confident brunette in her early thirties questions in a resolute tone. Instantaneously, countless plausible answers spring into my mind. Unlike previous times I've been in this study, I'm not here to discuss books on magical theories or ponder further into the logical reasoning supporting certain spells.

"The foundations of magic consist of elemental correspondence, the indomitable will, the unrelentless pursuit of magical comprehension, and finally the principal of perpetual ingenuity in the application of magic." My goofy voice boldly declared in a textbook perfect fashion. This past year has been a cycle of constant reading, discussing, and reflecting on magic. All in hopes of wholeheartedly committing these founding principles to memory, thus it is a no brainer that I managed to reply instantly.

Slowly a trademark smirk appears on mother's face " It seems you've had a wonderful teacher, I wonder who it could've been?" She giggles for a little while at her sarcastic self-directed compliment and proceeds further. "I believe you have a knack for magic, Itsuki. Don't let it get to your little head. Always remember that your magical strength increases the more you use it, so don't go slacking off."

After completing her miniature lesson, my mother reaches her hands under the oak colored desk and grabs ahold of an object. Then she pulls it back over. Once I get a closer peek, it seemed to be a tiny scale. Sort of like the ones that lady justice holds in her gigantic arms. "Do you know what this is?" My mother probes in a nonchalant mood.

With a prompt turn of my head, she elaborated further. "The mages of old made this particular one. The type is extremely scarce and quite valued. Very few know the exact crafting procedure. Of course, we're still able to craft replicas, but they're all inferior to what we'd once been able to create." She pauses for a little while, and a deep breath passed before the story began anew.

"They're called elemental scales. Specifically, they came into reality for the sole purpose of determining an individual's elemental affinity(s). The Elemental Scales crafted by the ancient magus are distinct because they not only reveal what element you are the most closely attuned to, but they also display what level of compatibility you have with your main element" True to her sophisticated and erudite mannerism, my mother clarified in a dignified method.

She motioned for me to place my hand atop the surface of one out of the two metal bowls positioned on either side of the scale. "Infuse your mana into the bowl and let it flow throughout the scale." My mother instructed. Quickly complying, I invested a significant amount of effort in the midst of accomplishing this seemingly simple task.

Countless seconds passed before the lifeless scale displayed any semblance of animation. It began with a small tremble, which leads to a bigger one, then another until it was entirely shaking. Afterward, something magical happened. The previously empty bowl of the scale had now formed a tiny spring in the center that constantly spewed a mini jet of water. Eventually, it kept accumulating to the point that the water even spilled onto my mother's beloved desk.

Drop after drop. Water kept pouring onto the desk, where it then made its way onto the floor. Mother scrambled away from the soaked floorboards and directed me to use all my mana to keep the water flowing. What is the point of this? My clothes are getting wet, should I stop now? Even though I have reservations, I suppress them and listen to what she asked. Half an hour later, I feel unable to keep this up any longer. My body feels like it's carrying a boulder while I'm trying to walk uphill. My arms droop down as my consciousness gradually drifts off.

Irene's POV

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Today I tested Itsuki in his elemental alignment. The results astounded me. Yeah, the kid could read when he was a baby, but it still amazed me when he made such a significant amount of water come out of the bowl. There was only one explanation for this, Itsuki was extremely attuned with the element of water. Haha, Konza will be so proud when I tell him. The only thing that stops him from being considered a prodigy is his relatively weak amounts of mana.

I guess it relieves me somewhere deep in my heart that he won't suffer from the horrible fate of being branded as a genius, unlike me. After exhausting his entire reserves of mana, Itsuki fell victim to the infamous mana exhaustion that I know all too well. It seems he's a diligent and assiduous child. At least he inherited one useful thing from his dolt of a father. My moment of reflection ends as I come to realize that Itsuki has been in deep slumber for a while. Bad parenting, Irene!

As soon as I'm irrevocably aware of this, I quickly scoop up his tiny body and head back towards his room. Along the way, I can't help but notice his exquisite eyelashes that have a hint of feminity, or how his cocoa complexion radiates when the sunlight illuminates it from a certain angle, as well as his dainty ears containing a muted tip reaching upwards in a delicate curvature. I'm still unable to believe that he got the water element. It makes no sense seeing as he's a half-dark elf, in tandem with his dwarf bloodline.

If he'd developed fire or dark element, then I wouldn't have had any reservations. Hell, even if he got earth magic, It would've been okay. However, he went ahead and got the elemental magic opposite his natural alignments. This boy is a walking mystery. My hand reached out to open the door to his room. Afterward, I plopped him down atop his bed, headed off to clean my study from the dampened carpets, and prepare lunch as well.

Itsuki's POV

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My right eye slowly propped open, then my left eye followed suit. First came the unbearable pain, then the undiscernible confusion at everything, and I felt Intense and consistent drowsiness cloud my movements the instant I even twitch. Ugh, this reminds me of the time I went to my first high school party. Man, having an extremely low alcohol tolerance tortured me whenever I went to any of the social gatherings.

"You're awake. Good. Don't try to move yet. In a few hours, you'll be back to normal." A gruff voice Instructed from the corner of the room, ah its father. Still as distant and concise as ever, trying to keep up his tough-guy acts. I strongly suspect that he's a doting dad on the inside. My conclusion originates from the multiple instances I've caught him gazing at me with a subtle grin filled with pride. However, even though he's quite skilled at concealing this side of himself, It could never slip from my perceptive gaze. Kukuku.

After my detective-like inference, I return to my slumber. A few hours later, I'm up and kicking. Instantly, I notice a tiny parchment with a note inscribed on it. Judging by the neet and elegant words, the contents of the letter were by my mother. They instructed that I head to the basement as quickly as possible after I awakened. I wonder what it could be? Not wasting a second more, I do a few rapid exercises and head towards my requested destination.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

A constant and fluid echo rebounded across the concrete surfaces of the flight of stairs as a youthful silhouette made its way towards the basement of this humble abode. After countless seconds the shadow emerged at the entrance of the basement. It met with the sight of another two individuals, a stoic man and a seemingly gentle-natured brunette. Of course, these two were Irene and Konza. The dutiful mother and secretly doting father of Itsuki, respectively.

"I see you're up, good. Let's begin. Place your hand atop this stone and infuse a slight amount of your mana into it. The color in which it glows will determine your mana's trait. Your future as a mage will depend on which one you gain." My mother mandated in her serious persona while directing towards a seemingly average stone. With heavy footsteps, I made my way towards the item deemed to have the authority to determine my future.

Usually, any ordinary person would at the least be nervous when told this. However, I'm not normal. I've been through death and had the barely manageable frustration of being unable to remember my loved ones for the past five years. Or anyone else, for that matter. So how could I be told what my future can and can't be? By a rock of all things! I refuse, no matter what reason there is for this reincarnation of mine, I'm not about to waste it by restricting myself because of another's conjecture of what I'm capable of.

I won't ever remake the same mistakes as I did in the past! No more disrespectful behavior towards the people that cared about me. Nor the constant wasting of my life because of a lack of self-confidence. This new world demands a new me. Otherwise, my useless ex self will reemerge. I'll determine what I can and can't do! My future will be determined by myself only. If anyone insists on getting in my way, they'll have to pray I'm in a decent mood.

With a relentless fire blazing in me, I take confident strides towards the lustrous rock.

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Slightly callused fingers rested atop the sharp edges of the murky stone's surface. Moments passed before there was any semblance of a reaction from this union between finger and rock. All of a sudden, blinding rays burst from this seemingly average stone. Itsuki was rendered blind for a short while, at least. The luminescent rock was like a sun in the beginning. As time passed, its brightness dimmed to the point that it soon became nonexistent. A minute later and everyone in the room had regained full vision.

The sight before them was awe-inspiring. Where once stood an average stone was now a mineral seemingly as rigid as a diamond. My entire being shook with joy. T-this is magic, real magic! I mean, sure, I may not have caused it or even done anything to affect it but simply witnessing magic is enough for me. Before I continue to marvel at what I just observed, I hear a deep sigh from behind me, followed by another. These aren't the joy-filled sighs I'm used to hearing whenever I shoot seventy arrows straight without tiring or give new insights on magical theories but are instead the sighs of grief.

"Itsuki." my mother call's towards me. However, I don't miss that slight crack in her voice nor her unusually solemn tone. 'This can't be good.' I think to myself. My shoulders abruptly turn so that I'm facing her and the rest of my hazel colored body follow's, as well. "You have the water affinity. Usually, this is good as it means that you could have a future in healing magic or being a supporter in your party. However, this would all depend on what type of property your mana had. I may not have explained this part to you very well but, in case you didn't know yet. There are three types of mana, tangibility, illusiveness, and enhancement.

"As an aqua mage, it would've been great if you gained the tangibility property as it would allow you to have extremely flexible mana. In turn, this would allow you to be a great healer as you could perform complicated surgeries with ease. Heck, even if you gained the illusiveness attribute, it would've been better than having enhancement since you'd still have subpar control over your mana. I know it's unfair but, I guess you'll have to make the best of it" After her ramble, mother quickly calmed back down and tried to comfort me.

If she knew the reality, I bet she'd be quite surprised. I'm all right with having an enhancer type of mana. I mean, it's a bummer that I can't be a good healer but doesn't that allow me to instead become excellent in combat. Maybe I'll have the ability to enhance the power output of spells or the force of my physical attacks. "Mother, why can't I just do combat instead?" Inquisitively, my voice questions. I wait patiently for any reaction. After a short while, both of my parents enter a radical spur of laughter. Wow, that is not what I was expecting. "Itsuki, there's never been an offensive aqua mage before."

I feel my eyelids drifting downwards slightly, my lips parting to make a tiny opening. I spent my entire highschool life perfecting this deadpan expression that I'm currently using on my father. I've just been reborn into a world where magic is something that many can do. Then to immediately be informed that I'm unable to perform magic. I'm not accepting that simply because the reasoning behind it is that no one has done it before. With my mind made up, I sternly relay my thoughts to my parents, excluding the reincarnation part, of course.

"Tell me, why hasn't it been done before? If it's because others didn't try or something similar, I don't care what you guys say, I'll practice on my own if I have to." My voice resolutely announces.

Both of my parents look at each other simultaneously before turning back in my direction. "Let us clarify real quick. There have been countless offensive aqua mages in the past. However, the results were disappointing. The thing with water mages is that they naturally have weak attacking power. High ranking aqua mages can deal about the same amount of damage as any average mage of another element. If you wish, we can help you learn a few of the battle spells for aqua mages." Mother takes a break to breathe before continuing in a sly mannerism.

"Although, if we do that, you have to promise us that you won't be disappointed by the results. Also, the instant you begin slacking, your father and I will instead train you in something other than magical combat, understood?". I nod quickly. Afterward, we climb back upstairs, and my mother begins preparing a delicious beef-based chili with the help of my father as well. Then, we had some hot chocolate with a cherry cheesecake to accompany it. Ahh, this is the best. I hope it can last forever. The day ended and, we all found ourselves asleep on the living rooms surface atop a huge mattress the next morning.

I was expecting a relaxing Saturday of shooting arrows in the basement and discussing magical theories with my mother. I guess expectations don't always come true. As soon as I woke up, both of my parents were sitting next to me. It seems they were waiting all this time. They made me rush my morning routine and meet them back in the basement in half an hour. My spidey senses are tingling. Soon I find myself face to face with two training junky monsters. First, they begin by making me do a hundred pushups, situps, burpees, basically a hundred of everything. By the end of it, I can barely sit. All of my two hundred something bones feel like jelly, and I'm gasping for air to the point that my lungs might be exhausted.

Straight after that, they prop me up onto my feet. When I say prop me up, I mean prop me up. It was kind of embarrassing, honestly. After that arduous exercise, they give me a thirty-second break before making me sit Criss cross apple sauce, each of my hands is placed atop one of my knees. My back is positioned so straight it could compete with a ruler, and my shoulders are in a uniform line. The previous body positions combine to form the infamous meditation pose. My mother instructs me with a stern expression.

"Keep your body as still as possible, reach into the depths of your heart, and search for an irregularity. Something that seems like it is not a part of your heart itself. Since your a water-attuned enhancer, it should feel like a raging river or a stream of some sort." I follow her advice. Soon I sense something odd. It's like that feeling of reaching into a flowing river. I follow the direction of the flow. Strangely enough, multiple streams are heading in different directions throughout my body. " I feel it!" I quickly relay to my mother. An expression of shock passes through her face before becoming replaced by pride.

"That was faster than usual. It normally takes a day or two. I bet it's because I'm your mama." She complements, towards herself or me? I'm not sure. "Okay, good. Now comes the tricky part, try to follow each of the different streams' paths simultaneously." Instantly, I begin trying to put that into practice. It's harder than I thought because I soon find myself in a puddle of sweat from the difficulty. "It's all right to give up if it's too hard." I see what she's trying to do, make me quit so that I won't go into combat, huh. It's

not going to work on me. I spend the rest of the day practicing my magic with my mother and doing a little archery with my father.