NOVEL NEXT Chapter 20 - Learning the Differences Between Two Types of Magic
Learning the Differences Between Two Types of Magic
Alright! After all that commotion, it was finally time for studying!
You see, right now, I could do absolutely nothing, so I was happy to have the opportunity to learn something new.
Earlier, Gil-san said I didn’t have much physical or magical strength, so I doubted I’d be able to do much with nature magic. But he also said that what I could do was normal for my age and that there was room for growth. So, I had to try my best! Besides, using magic seemed exciting!
And so, Schlie-san led me by the hand to what seemed to be the training grounds within the guild building. Apparently, the training grounds were the most suitable place for what we were about to do. We weren’t going to be doing any physical training, though… What were we going to do? My heart is pounding.
The training grounds were vast. It reminded me of a schoolyard. But… wasn’t there something strange about its size and appearance? I didn’t think the building was this spacious? But wait, this was an isekai, I thought, and abandoned that line of thought. Maybe it was like Gil-san’s magic, where he could store a lot of things? It was a random thought, but it didn’t seem that far-fetched.
“Well then, why don’t we have some snacks first? I brought some easy-to-eat sweets as a souvenir from that shop.”
A covered rest area encircled the training grounds in a semi-circle. Schlie-san led me to a table for two in a corner of this area. There were signs posted everywhere that said, “Take your trash with you!” and “Keep it clean!” It somehow… reminded me of home. What a strange common point. Well, keeping things clean is a good thing.
Anticipating that I wouldn’t be able to reach the table even while sitting on the chair, they’d placed a thick, firm cushion on top of it this time. Wh-When did they prepare that? Schlie-san was so well-prepared. Oh, are you going to hold me and let me sit? Thank you so much for everything.
“These are called ‘Choux Creames.’ It’s a fluffy pastry filled with lots of cream. Have some with chilled Appli water.”
Schlie-san, who was sitting across from me, swiftly took out the snacks and drinks from seemingly nowhere and arranged them on the table. Was he using some kind of magic, like Gil-san’s shadow storage?
But now wasn’t the time to be thinking about that. I was completely stunned. Being suddenly transported to an isekai, Gil-san being a Shadow Eagle… I’d been through a lot lately, but this was among the top most shocking events.
Th-Th-This is…! A cream puff! Whoa, whoa, I love cream puffs! I can’t believe I can eat them even in an isekai! I feel like I can handle anything, even if I can’t go back to my original world! Oh no, I’m getting teary-eyed.
“Mmm! Sho yummy!”
“Fufu, you look like you’re enjoying it. I’m glad you like it.”
I dug in without hesitation, no cream smeared all around my little child mouth… Not! I’m an adult on the inside! But there were some things I just couldn’t help. Schlie-san wiped my cheek with a gentle smile. You’re like a mother… even though you’re a man.
After the cream puff, I drank the apple-flavored water. Ah, Appli water, that’s what it was called. I had the same thought when Gil-san gave it to me, but unlike apple juice, the sweetness didn’t linger, leaving a clean aftertaste, so I actually preferred it to juice. As I finished drinking, Schlie-san suggested we have a short break after eating and then start with the explanations.
Yes, sensei! I’m all ears!
“Well then, let’s start by explaining the difference between nature magic and regular magic… or should I say, general magic. I’ll give you a simple overview.”
He explained that general magic involved transforming one’s own magic power to produce various effects, while nature magic involved using one’s own magic power as payment to have spirits cast spells. Each type had its own advantages and disadvantages.
Firstly, general magic, because it involved manipulating one’s magic power directly, allowed for precise control. You could essentially materialize anything you envisioned. The more magic power you poured in, the greater the power and durability of the spell, and it could be activated anytime, anywhere. Versatile and adaptable, that was general magic.
However, the drawback was that it took a lot of effort to master. It took time to learn. While even a child could use it, applying it in different ways required considerable training and a certain degree of talent. Apparently, the simplest form of general magic, involving basic usage, was called daily life magic. He said that most people could only use daily life magic.
And of course, once your magic power ran out, you couldn’t use magic.
Next, we have nature magic. It seemed to be a special type of magic that only certain races could use. Elves, dwarves, and fairies were its main users. Nature magic involved forming contracts with various spirits by sharing your magic power with them. It was an eco-friendly type of magic, as the same spell could be cast with less magic power than with general magic, while achieving the same effect.
Also, prepayment and post-payment of magic power were both possible. If you paid in advance, you could ask the spirit to cast spells later, or if you’d built a trusting relationship with a spirit, you could ask them to lend you their power and pay them later. Apparently, installment payments were also possible. Spirits were pretty flexible…
The downside was that precise control was difficult. While not impossible, it was hard to convey your intentions to the spirits accurately. Imagine trying to convey your intricate desires, your deepest fantasies, to innocent, childlike spirits. You had to have the spirits memorize what kind of magic you wanted to use. Also, the power of nature magic varied depending on the location, and in some cases, it might not even work. But on the flip side, that meant that in some places, it could unleash ridiculous power, so it wasn’t strictly a disadvantage!
“Well, that’s about it. Both types of magic require time and effort to master. However, the best way to practice nature magic is probably to befriend spirits. Now then, do you understand everything so far? It was a lot of information, and I imagine it was a bit difficult for someone your age…”
I probably needed to actually use it to fully grasp it, but I understood the basic principles. I reviewed what I’d learned, explaining it in simple terms, like a child.
“Um… Genwal madgic is… like, it can do anything! I gots ta practice! And natcha madgic is… eco-fwendly! Gotta make fwiends with the spiwwits! Right?”
“…That’s quite a concise and accurate explanation. I think you understand it well.”
Schlie-san praised me, but there seemed to be a hint of exasperation in his gaze… But I really thought that was the gist of it. I won’t be discouraged by his look! Sniff.
“Now, next, we’ll talk about contracts with spirits. You’ll actually form a contract later, but I’ll explain it beforehand.”
“Okii! Pwease teach me!”
Time to get back to studying! I clenched my fists and got myself fired up again.