Chapter 21: First Magic
Ren returned indoors and headed to the study, glancing around the empty room.
Soft white light filtered through a window made of small glass panes joined with lead, illuminating the desk placed nearby. The old glass was slightly warped, making the scenery outside appear to waver.
On the shelves sat worn picture books. He used to read them to his younger siblings when they asked.
Shifting his gaze from the picture books, he noticed a thick volume.
The spine read: “Overview of Basic Magic.”
The books in the study were either textbooks his father or grandfather had used at the academy, or picture books received as birthday gifts. His father’s skill was “Spear Arts,” but perhaps magic had also been studied at the academy—or maybe it had belonged to his grandfather. Thinking this, Ren picked it up.
Opening the stiff wooden cover, the scent of parchment filled his nose. As he flipped through the pages, after explanations of magic theory, a section on how to use magic caught his eye.
《Basic Application of Magic》
Magic is not the blossoming of talent, but the circulation of the “principle” within one’s body.
This section explains the first step of a mage: the circulation of magical power and the basic projection used to manifest phenomena.
1. Method of Magic Circulation
To refine magic, one must first become aware of the “magic veins” flowing within the body, distinct from physical veins.
(1) Focus on the Lower Abdomen:
Imagine a hot mass in your lower abdomen, around the core. This is the source of your magic.
(2) Distribution of Heat:
Slowly melt that mass and draw it upward along your spine, then let it flow through your shoulders, arms, and into your fingertips.
(3) Circulation:
Do not let the magic dissipate at your fingertips. Guide it back through your palms, wrists, under your arms, through your heart, and return it to your abdomen.
2. Basic Use of Magic
Once circulation stabilizes, the next step is to define it into a “form” outside the body.
The most fundamental technique is ignition through friction and concentration.
Step A: Fix the Image
Imagine a small “spark” at your fingertip. Not a fireplace flame, but a single candle flame lighting the darkness. Too large an image will cause a misfire.
Step B: Alter the Magic
Condense a portion of the circulating magic into a single point just beneath the skin at your fingertip.
Step C: Activation (Chant Assistance)
Beginners should chant the following words to stabilize their mental image:
“Gather, ignite.”
[Advice]
Magic is not an all-powerful miracle. It is the conversion of your own life force.
If your vision blurs or your ears ring, stop the circulation immediately, drink water, and rest.
Closing his eyes, Ren followed the instructions, focusing his awareness on his lower abdomen.
At first, he felt nothing. But as he patiently continued his introspection, he suddenly discovered it—a “hot mass.”
“…This is it.”
He slowly drew that heat upward along his spine. It wasn’t like blood flowing through veins—it was something more delicate, yet powerful. The current gathered at his fingertips.
“Uh… what was it again…? Oh—Gather! Ignite!”
Snap.
In the silent room, a small popping sound echoed.
At the tip of Ren’s index finger, a faint but unmistakable golden flame flickered.
“Whoa! Fire came out! …Wait, that’s bad!”
For a moment, he felt joy at successfully casting magic—but then panic set in. He hurriedly shook his finger, extinguishing the flame.
“That’s dangerous! You shouldn’t play with fire indoors… Huh? Play with fire?”
He tilted his head, confused. He had never done such a thing before. His heart raced from the excitement of casting magic for the first time as he looked back at the page.
“…Ah, I messed up.”
The book had stated that during magic circulation, the flow should return to the abdomen via the heart. But he had mixed it up with the activation process and ended up casting the spell immediately.
“But… I did it…”
Ren stared at his fingertip, where the magic had just manifested. It felt strange.
“I could use magic… even without a skill…”
His heart pounding, Ren reread the instructions in the book over and over again.