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Chapter: 282

“First of all, I need to make you a mage, Sia.”

“A mage? Didn’t you mention a test? Don’t I have to pass that to become a mage?”

“The one taking the test isn’t you. It’s for other humans. It’s a test to see whether they can accept new knowledge.”

Encia tilted her head. What does the test have to do with making herself a mage?

“I don’t really get it.”

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t. The ones taking the test are the existing mages. It’s to see if they can accept new knowledge and adapt, or if they’ll fall behind and get left out.”

Tia continued to speak in ways that still left Encia confused.

“In that sense, you will be both the test question and the answer for the other mages.”

“The test question and answer?”

“Right. If everything goes as I think, you’ll become a mage that can’t even begin to be compared to others. But since it’s unprecedented, it won’t be easy. Are you prepared for that?”

“I don’t want it to be hard…”

“Except in special cases like the dragon priestess, this is the first time I’m properly raising a standard mage, so I might have some trial and error myself. But you definitely have the talent. I think it’s worth a shot.”

“Hmm… I don’t like hard things, but if I can become a mage, I’ll give it a try.”

With determination, Encia clenched her small hands tightly.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Following Tia’s guidance, Encia began an inexplicable training that only she could hear.

“First, the first step is to feel the magical power inside your body. Let’s start by meditating to try and feel it.”

“Meditation? Feel magical power?”

“There’s already enough magical power in your body to use magic. For now, close your eyes and start by blocking your senses.”

Tia’s words seemed hard for Encia to grasp.

“Block my senses? How on earth do I do that?”

“First, sit comfortably, close your eyes, and focus. Keep your consciousness directed inward rather than outward.”

“Close my eyes and focus? You mean that can block it? I don’t really understand.”

“It won’t be easy, but you have to try. It may be easier if someone from the outside helps you feel the magical power… but that would need someone else’s assistance.”

“Can’t you help me, Tia?”

“I can help, but then other mages would also need help from someone else. For now, I’m thinking of it being possible to self-study.”

Encia didn’t understand why Tia was intentionally pushing her towards a harder path when an easier one existed.

So, Encia followed Tia’s instructions and focused on her meditation, and after several months had passed, she was finally able to feel the threads of magical power flowing within her.

“Hmmm… is it a bit challenging for Sia, who has never moved magical power before, even though she has plenty of it? I mean, Bibbi was able to handle magical power like her own limbs as soon as she became a dragon priestess. That’s a different dimension entirely.”

“Bibbi? The dragon priestess I heard rumors about?”

“Yeah. While there were some things I helped her with, she also had great talent.”

“You’ve even taught a dragon priestess?”

“That’s a story from the past. Enough about her. Now that you’re familiar with moving magical power, let’s move on.”

Tia then directed Encia to use her magical power for various tasks.

Training to move magical power inside her body as she desired and then releasing it outside.

Then she practiced converting the released magical power into basic elements.

Sometimes, the magical power released was insufficient, causing a small flame to flicker and disappear, while at other times, excessive magical power would create a water bomb.

After many trials and errors, Encia began to get accustomed to extracting and converting her magical power into elements.

“Does this mean I’m a mage too?”

“You could say you’re somewhat similar to many mages who inherently use magic, but honestly, saying that makes you a mage feels a bit dishonest.”

“Is that so?”

“Yep. To put it another way… you might just be a magic user.”

Encia tilted her head. A magic user? What’s the difference from being a mage?

“Just my opinion, but I think to be a mage means to not only use magic but also have the qualities of a researcher who studies and develops magic. So, it doesn’t sit well with me when someone who can only use instinctual magic thinks of themselves as a mage.”

“Haughty?”

“It’s a word that’s hard for someone your age to understand, so don’t worry about it.”

“Is that so?”

“Yep.”

Although there were times Encia couldn’t grasp Tia’s words, the training continued.

Using the magical power she could freely manipulate within her body, Encia continued to practice controlling the magical power that existed outside her body.

“Magical power is everywhere. In your body, in the flowing wind, even in solid rocks. Using only the power within you to perform magic is a foolish thing.”

“Is that so?”

“Yep. While your own magical power is enough for simple spells, if you want to cast proper magic, you need to utilize the external magical power.”

Following Tia’s explanation, Encia extended her magical power outward.

“You need to move the external magical power with your own. The stronger your will and the greater your magical power, the more you can weave the magical power that’s blended into nature.”

“Weave?”

“Yep. There’s no particular method you have to use. You can weave the magical power into a net and capture the magical power from nature or extend it like tree branches to grab onto it. The important thing is that the will imbued in your magical power must communicate with the natural magical power. You need to be mindful of that.”

“Hmm… that’s tough.”

“It’s only hard because I’m explaining it with words. Once you give it a shot, it won’t be that difficult. Go ahead and try.”

Thus, the magical power Encia released began to spread out like puffed clouds. Slowly connecting to the external magical power like fog, like clouds.

According to Encia’s thoughts. According to Encia’s magical power. The surrounding magical power began to slowly blend with hers.

“How is it? Not too difficult, right? Easy to grasp?”

“Yeah. I can tell Tia has really poor explanations.”

“Why?!”

So, Encia began to learn magic not from instinct, but through magical power that followed her will.

“I think it’s about time. Let’s try using real magic.”

“It’s been a year since I gained control over the magical power of nature, and only now?”

“It’s because a year has passed. Now you’ve gained the ability to control the magical power around you like your own. You’re capable of this level of magical control.”

“Is the control of magic essential?”

“It is. If you use magic without complete control, you might end up turning the entire village into a sea of flames, you know?”

At Tia’s words, Encia trembled slightly. The village wasn’t that large, but the thought of it being turned into a sea of flames was daunting.

Such immense magic is truly possible?

“Let’s skip over that for now. Sia, what kind of magic do you want to use?”

“What kind of magic?”

“Right. What do you want to achieve with magic? What does your will desire? That’s the most important part. What do you want to do with magic?”

Upon hearing Tia’s words, Encia pondered briefly and then replied.

“I want to help my parents. I want to help the people of the village.”

“Good. Be more specific.”

“More specific… hmm… come to think of it, lately, Mom and Dad have been worried because it hasn’t rained. So… I want to make it rain.”

“Rain. A rain-making magic spell, huh? That sounds good. It’s quite substantial, and we’ll be able to see what your magical power is like and what your magic is right away. Great.”

“Then can I give it a shot?”

“Not here. We’re inside the house. Let’s go outside first.”

Following Tia’s words, Encia cautiously exited the house.

A hot and rough wind blew. Drier than usual. A wind that seemed to suck the moisture away.

Encia frowned slightly at that wind. It was her hometown, but she didn’t like this hot and dry breeze.

“Okay. Let’s push your magical power to the max and spread it out. You need to dominate the surrounding magical power. Your magical power and will… along with my assistance… I think we can cover even the area around this village.”

“Alright, I’ll try.”

Thus, Encia squeezed her magical power to its limit, spreading it around and covering a wide area.

“What do you want to do with your magical power? Think in detail.”

“I want to make it rain.”

“What do you need to make it rain?”

“I need a rain cloud. A thick, dark rain cloud.”

“Then… we need to summon a dark cloud?”

Encia’s magical power slowly started to take shape, transforming into a rain cloud full of moisture.

And slowly, raindrops began to fall.

One drop, then another. Soon, it began to pour down confidently, moistening the dry village.

“It’s raining! It’s raining!!!”

“Suddenly a dark cloud appeared… what on earth is this…?”

“Vessels! Water buckets! Bring them all out! It’s been so long since it rained this much!”

The pouring rain seeped into the thirsty villagers like a precious blessing.

Thus, they began to express their gratitude for the blessings of rain.

“Will this help the people of the village?”

“Of course. Is there any treasure more precious than pouring rain for those living in dry land?”

With that, the silver-haired girl, Encia, looked at her magic as a mage.

That scene was… incredibly happy.

 

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