I lay on my bed in my room, the soft sheets and plush pillows providing a sense of comfort and tranquility. The room was illuminated by the gentle glow of a bedside lamp, casting a warm ambiance that complemented the thoughts swirling through my mind.
As I reclined on the bed, I couldn't help but think about the day's events. My awakening from the deep slumber that had persisted for the first five years of my human life was still a marvel to me. The encounters with the enchanted tools in the mansion had left me with a sense of wonder and curiosity, sparking a desire to learn more about the world of human enchantments.
With my thoughts filled with questions and excitement, I eagerly anticipated the upcoming dinner, where I would have the chance to engage with my father and inquire about the magical tools that had piqued my interest. As I lay there, the day's experiences played out in my mind like a vivid tapestry.
Even though I have only been awake for just a little over a day, I couldn't help but reflect on the myriad of changes that had transpired in this world since my awakening. The enchanting and magical elements woven into everyday life were stark departures from the world I had known in my previous existence as a dragon. While it was only a short span of time, the enchanting experiences I had encountered already hinted at a world that had evolved significantly from the one I had known in the past.
Even though the functionality of the magic tools surprised me, what truly amazed me was how the humans of this current era have seamlessly integrated magic into their everyday lives. In my past life, magic and magical tools were primarily associated with warfare and conflict. However, in this new world, they had become an integral part of daily existence. It was a remarkable shift in perspective, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the progress of human civilization.
As I lay on my comfortable bed, still excited about the day's events, the soothing embrace of the soft sheets and plush pillows gradually lured me into the realm of dreams. When I awoke once more, I realized that the sun had already set. Dinner time was approaching, and I knew that I had more to discover about this intriguing world.
I got down from bed, left the room, and as I ventured into the corridor, I noticed Emily approaching.
Emily, my ever-attentive companion, was a young woman of grace and poise. She was of average height with a slender figure, her auburn hair cascading in loose waves to her shoulders. Her warm hazel eyes sparkled with curiosity and intelligence, and she often wore a kind and welcoming smile. Emily's attire was simple yet elegant, in a manner that befit a servant in a noble household. Her youthfulness added a touch of vibrancy to her presence, which exuded a sense of reliability and comfort
As I observed Emily during the short time since my awakening, her personality had become quite apparent to me. She was a diligent and thoughtful individual, always ready to attend to my needs and assist me in any way possible. Emily's kindness and patience were evident in her interactions with everyone in the mansion, be it the staff, my father, or me. Her warmth extended to her willingness to help and guide me in the intricacies of the human world, which was so new and unfamiliar to me.
She had a natural curiosity, which I found quite endearing, as she was not only eager to serve but also to learn. Emily's cheerful demeanor made her a pleasant presence in the mansion, and her capacity for understanding and empathy was evident in the way she observed and interpreted my needs and emotions. Though she was a servant, there was a sense of equality and mutual respect in our interactions, a fact that fostered a growing sense of friendship between us.
I followed after Emily and soon arrived at the dining hall. My parents were already seated at the dining table, waiting for my arrival. As I took my place, the meal began, and the delicious aroma of the dishes filled the air, reminding me of the enchanting experiences in the kitchen.
As dinner progressed, my parents and I engaged in casual conversation. They asked about how I had spent my day, and I enthusiastically began to recount the events. The topic eventually shifted to the magical tools I had encountered in the mansion.
My father couldn't contain his excitement as he prepared to delve into the intricacies of these enchanting devices. His eyes sparkled with anticipation, but before he could launch into an explanation, my mother playfully chided him.
"Now, now, Cedric," she said with a smile, "let the poor boy enjoy his meal first. We don't want to overwhelm him with your extensive knowledge of magical tools."
While she said that with a playful smile, her eyes, though gentle, held a hint of caution. Like she is warning my father about something.
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My father quickly fell silent and turned his attention to his food. It amused me how swiftly he had quieted down with just a single look from my mother. With occasional small conversations, the dinner finally came to an end.
After we finished our meals, the dining table was gradually cleared, and the servants efficiently went about their duties. My father, still under the watchful eye of my mother, decided to engage me in a conversation.
My father leaned closer and asked, "Zeph, what do you want to know about magical tools?"
I met his gaze and replied, "I want to know how they work, father.”
Hearing my words, my father's eyes lit up with enthusiasm, and he began to explain.
"See, all the magical tools that you have seen in the mansion work on the same principle. They mainly consist of three components: the magic circuit, a mana crystal, and another crystal called a switch. The magic circuit stores the magical phenomenon. For example, the magical lights that you see in the mansion, those are the simplest type of magical tools. They have a magic circuit that generates light when you input mana into them. Also, a magical tool doesn't have to have only one magic circuit. If we take the oven and the bathtub, they have multiple magic circuits in them. One to create water and others to control the temperatures."
My father's explanation provided some clarity about the functionality of the magical tools. I was already familiar with the concept of magic circuits, as ancient magical tools I had encountered in my previous life contained similar elements, albeit possibly using different methods. What piqued my curiosity were these mana crystals and the crystals referred to as "switches," which were innovations that were not present in the past. I eagerly anticipated my father's explanation of these two key components.
My father continued his explanation, "Coming to mana crystals, like the name implies, those are crystals that store mana. They essentially act as an energy source for the magic circuits, supplying all the mana required to operate them."
This revelation addressed one of the mysteries that had been nagging at me while observing the magical tools. The use of mana crystals to supply the necessary mana for the operation of magic circuits explained why the individuals operating these tools only needed to provide a minimal amount of mana. The process was significantly different from what I had been accustomed to in my past life, where one had to supply mana directly to power magical phenomena.
After organizing my thoughts about the mana crystal, I guessed that the crystal switch acts as some kind of trigger that activates the mana crystals. My father's next explanation confirmed my guess about the crystal switch.
He went on, "Now, the crystal switch plays a crucial role in the process. When you activate a magical tool, you supply a small amount of mana to it, and then the crystal switch triggers the mana crystals to start supplying mana to the magic circuits. Some magic tools will only have one crystal for both turning 'on' and 'off' the tool, whereas some of the more complex tools like the oven use multiple crystal switches."
With his explanations, the workings of these magical tools became much clearer. The combination of magic circuits, mana crystals, and crystal switches allowed for the effortless operation of various enchanting tools, transforming the world into a place where magic was a seamless part of everyday life.
As I listened to my father's detailed account, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of satisfaction in gaining a better understanding of this new world.
My father's explanation resolved some of my doubts but also sparked new questions. I asked him, "If mana crystals are the source of mana, how is the flow of mana being controlled by the crystal switch? Shouldn't they continuously supply mana once they are triggered by the switch? How are the switches able to stop the flow of mana once they're triggered?"
My father looked a little surprised by my question but quickly began explaining with renewed vigor.
My father's explanation helped me connect the dots between mana crystals and crystal switches. While their names and functions might have differed, in essence, they were two components of the same magical system.
He elaborated, "Think of it this way, Zeph. Mana crystals and crystal switches might be different in some aspects, but they operate in collaboration. Each of them contains a unique magical circuit. These circuits work together, although the exact mechanics of their interaction are closely guarded secrets within the Magicians' Guild. You can imagine the circuit in the mana crystal as a lock, preventing the stored mana from leaking out. Meanwhile, the circuit in the crystal switch serves as the key to unlock this lock, allowing the controlled release of mana."
As my father's insights continued to unfold, I found myself delving deeper into the details of this new magical. My understanding of these tools had grown considerably, yet I was still left with a lot of unanswered questions. Like, what are these mana crystals that were not present during my past life? Who created them or how are they made? Are they the results of the advancement of magic or something that formed over time?
After that, my father continued to explain various other aspects of magic tools, such as the different types of magical tools, their functionalities, and even a bit about their history. It became clear to me why my mother had stopped my father during dinner. He wasn't just knowledgeable about magical tools; he was quite obsessed with them. While most people might find his ramblings annoying, I found myself genuinely interested in all the details he was sharing, as it was an entirely unknown territory of knowledge for me.
Finally, due to my mother's stern warning, my father reluctantly stopped his explanation. My mother gave me a goodnight kiss, and then both of them left to go to bed. As they departed, I couldn't help but notice an inexplicable troubled look on my mother's face, while my father's expression held an odd mixture of pride.
I followed suit and went to sleep, my thoughts filled with all this new knowledge I had gained.