The Shifted Throne (Overlord)

Chapter 15: Awakening to Magic

Edmund entered the study of his second older sister, Isolde Sylvius Veyland. At 20 years old, Isolde was the most promising mage in the kingdom. Unlike their eldest sister, who served as his advisor, Isolde had a sharp wit, a quick tongue, and an affinity for magic. Her mastery of 3rd-tier spells and imminent breakthrough to 4th tier made her a formidable force.

"So, you want to learn magic?" she asked, raising a curious brow as she closed the book in her hand.

"Yes," Edmund said firmly.

It took some effort to convince her, as she doubted his resolve. But after several minutes of pleading, she relented.

"Fine, I'll teach you. But don't come crying to me if you don't have any talent," she said, smirking slightly.

"Thank you," Edmund replied earnestly.

"First, you'll start with 0th-tier spells to see if you have any aptitude for magic. Only then can we move on to 1st tier," she informed him.

She stood and gestured for him to follow her to a small practice room adjoining her study. Shelves filled with dusty tomes lined the walls, and an open space in the center was marked with faint sigils etched into the floor.

"All right, listen carefully," she began, her voice firm. "Regardless of which tradition of magic you're studying, the most important thing when starting out is getting a feel for it. People who can cast tier magic all share one thing in common: the experience of making contact with the world. Without that connection, it's impossible to cast spells."

Edmund nodded, absorbing her words.

"Close your eyes and focus," Isolde instructed. "Imagine reaching out with your mind to touch the fabric of the world itself. You'll feel a faint resonance, like the hum of a distant bell. Once you sense it, channel your will through that connection and shape it into a spell."

Edmund concentrated, his breathing steady. Minutes passed, and sweat formed on his brow. He tried over and over, his frustration mounting, until finally, something happened.

A faint blue magic circle shimmered into existence in front of his palm. With a soft glow, a stream of water flowed out before dissipating.

"Wow!" Isolde exclaimed, clapping her hands. "That was a 0th-tier spell to create drinkable water. Good job, little brother."

Edmund blinked at his hand in amazement, then frowned. "Wait, there's a spell to create water? Then why is the kingdom suffering from a drought?"

Isolde sighed. "Not everyone in Veyland knows how to use magic, and even among those who can, sustaining such spells is too mana-intensive. The average person can barely cast one spell without exhausting themselves."

Edmund filed that information away, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Over the following weeks, Isolde tutored Edmund in the fundamentals of magic whenever his kingly duties allowed. He discovered that magic was categorized into four major systems, each with its own philosophy and applications:

Arcane System: Western-style magic, focused on elemental manipulation, evocation, and enchantments.

Divine System: Restorative magic used by priests, including blessings that could enhance physical abilities, often surpassing those of an average warrior.

Spiritual System: Eastern-inspired magic, involving talismans, psychic energy, and spiritual resonance.

Alternative System: A catch-all category for spells outside the other systems, including the blessings of paladins and the dark arts of fallen knights.

Beyond these systems, Isolde introduced him to the concept of metamagic—techniques to enhance or alter spells. She explained each one with a clarity that reflected her deep understanding of the craft:

Boost Magic: Elevates the tier and power of a spell.

Delay Magic: Delays the activation of a spell for a strategic advantage.

Extend Magic: Prolongs the duration of a spell's effects.

Maximize Magic: Ensures a spell deals maximum damage, eliminating variability.

Over Magic: Allows the casting of a higher-tier spell at the cost of immense mana.

Penetrate Magic: Increases a spell's ability to bypass defenses.

Silent Magic: Enables spellcasting without incantations, preventing interruptions.

Twin Magic: Creates two identical effects from a single spell.

Triplet Magic: Produces three effects, a superior version of Twin Magic.

Widen Magic: Expands a spell's range or area of effect.

Finally, she touched on elemental theory. "There's more to magic than just fire, water, wind, and earth," she explained. "Yin and Yang, the principles of balance, are part of the Five Elements used in advanced spells."

Edmund was captivated. Each lesson revealed new depths to magic, and he found himself increasingly drawn to its intricacies. Though his progress was slow, his determination never wavered.

"Remember," Isolde said one evening after a particularly grueling session, "magic is as much about the mind as it is about mana. Stay focused, stay disciplined, and you'll achieve far more than you think possible."

"Understood," Edmund replied, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes.

As the days turned into weeks, the king who had once relied solely on strategy and physical might began to unlock the potential of magic. With each spell cast, Edmund felt closer to bridging the gap between the ruler he was and the ruler he aspired to become.

End of chap.