Waking up in the morning, I once again visit Sol, hopefully this time she didn't run off.
Going inside the inn, I ask the receptionist for the permission to visit them and he begrudgingly obliges.
*Knock-knock*
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Fortune!"
Oswald opens the door and greets me with a warm smile
"Oh hello Fortune, wanna study together with Sol? She's currently learning the types of magic. I doubt that you know anything about magic, so I think it'll be a fun time."
"Oh?... Uh, sure." Studying? Aren't they on a vacation?
I see Sol writing down something in her notebook diligently and it takes Oswald shaking her shoulder for her to notice me.
"Oh! Fortune! Welcome back!"
"Sol, Fortune wants to study with you. Since Fortune doesn't know too much about magic, could you please tell him all that you've learned. He will be your first listener."
"... Okay!" She smiles and clears her throat
"I'll be asking questions. First of all, what is magic?" Oswald begins and Sol puts on a smart face
"Magic is the innate power of humanity. Every being has it in some shape of form. However, to be able to wield it you have to have strong magical energy, and some, even with all training in the world - they can't develop it, being the seed that can't grow in a desolate soil. And you simply can't make a desolate soil without heavy modification."
"Wow... It must be a sad existence then..."
"Actually, it's a blessing in disguise, as if you're able to wield magic, you can become a magician, but being one has a lot of regulations and rules to follow - as magicians are now technically warriors, i.e. people who are capable of bringing forth destruction. They don't have ordinary lives as a result, their vector being now purely focused on honing their skills as a military combatant. So those who don't have enough magical power, they get to live ordinary lives."
"Hmm... But what if you have high enough magical energy to wield it? How it is like to be a magician or something?" I asked, surprising Oswald, but Sol just simply continues to answer me
"Well, you can become a magician, or you might resign to normal life, or you go through specialist programmes that aren't combat related, such as clergy which specialises in healing people, provided you have the right affinity...
Also! Yeah! Affinity! Everyone goes through what is called Affinity Attunement. Basically a magician goes through every more well known classes of magic to determine which affinity a magician has. After such affinity is determined, they study under a specific programme that their affinity belongs to.
Affinity Attunement usually lasts from first grade to second grade; and those who ended up not having any affinity end up in general classes, as their magic affinity is either too weak to be properly attuned, as this is common with people who have low magical energy, but still want to become magicians, or they have their own unique magic that doesn't fit with typical affinities."
"Essentially, please think of magical energy as a ceiling. Those who have abysmal levels of it are not capable of being a magician in any way. Their level would be "0". Those who have rather low magical energy, but still have just enough to be able to wield it would be "0.5" and they can develop their skills just enough to be comparable to level "1" - the level where a person is considered a true magician." Oswald explains
"... I guess I'm level "0", given that it's too late for me to take the test." I muse, it feels like I uncovered a secret that was hidden from me my entire life...
"Ah, no. Some individuals might have high amounts of magical energy, but may not even realise it due to not being exposed to magic. Who knows, maybe you have something going for you!"
"Hmm... Then how do you figure out how much magical energy there is inside the person...?"
"Oh, I actually had a pocket tool precisely for that, but I didn't bring it with me. I frankly didn't expect dealing with potential magicians, that wasn't the plan of my vacation, so there.
By the way, Sol's level would be--" Oswald then starts before Sol interrupts him "No-no-no! I want it to be a secret!"
She then clears her throat once again
"General classes are combat oriented classes, teaching students the basics of magical usage. While they don't expand onto your potential, it is still useful for those who have unique magic and for basic self defense. Those who have affinities stills attend them though alongside their specialised lessons."
"... What is that unique magic?"
"Well... Basically, a person can have high levels of magical energy, but their magic doesn't seem to align with any of the affinities. Hmm... Imagine if you had the power to generate sweets! It wouldn't fit any of the affinities because it's not an element, so there!" It seems she rather struggled with the explanation here.
"There are currently eight well known calsses of affinities:
- Fire;
- Cold;
- Water;
- Earth;
- Nature;
- Air;
- Light;
- Flowing;
Some are self explanatory, but "Flowing" is what is considered magic in its purest form. Those who specialise in healing are also grouped with the Flowing affinity. But whose who do not fit any affinities, are classified as "Unique" - which is considered magic in its impure state, but you shouldn't worry about that stuff."
"Wow... There sure is a lot of stuff about magic." I comment and Sol smiles, looking pretty proud
"Indeed! When I grow up, I'll become a scholar just like my dad! I want the entire world to know how cool it is!" She then looks at me in the eye "... Who do you want to be when you grow up, Fortune?"
Future?... I... Never thought of that. The only thing that was on my mind is to escape my household, but... I never thought about what would I do next. Hell, my jobs were essentially just for the money, not because I particularly enjoyed them...
"... No I haven't thought about it..."
"Then think about it! Without the compass, you'll be sailing aimlessly until you just can't!"
"... Maybe it's nice to have hope for the future." I sigh
"Shall we wrap this up for today? Sol is actually studying for her exams, so you're pretty much the perfect audience for us. But I can imagine this information being kind of overbearing for you. Take a walk, go outside, take a breath. It's nice to refresh your brain once in a while."
"Can Sol join?"
"Uh... No. She's a very diligent girl when it comes to studying, plus it's a very important exam for her, as she's going to move up a grade. What we just told you was the old material."
"I'll be fine, Fortune! I can wait!" Sol looks at me with determined look on her eyes. She's... Pretty precious like that...
"Alright, thanks. I'll be seeing you tomorrow then. I have a job too, I'll too be busy. See you around."
Magic... Now I'm curious... Can I wield it?... If I was aware of this way sooner... Maybe I could've saved them...