Ananiel

The city felt murky and grey as people stirred throughout the streets. I briskly paced past the many pedestrians around. Eventually, I stopped to catch my breath. Taking some time to listen.

“... It looks like it will rain today…”

“...It’s getting too cold and work has gotten worse…”

“...Price of food has gotten way too high…”

“...cough* cough*...”

I felt myself slightly drowned into the environment. Taking a deep breath, I ignored the complaining and pushed forward. Keeping a firm grip on the leather strap, I kept my head down and hastened my steps. A mixture of melancholy and excitement stirred within me as I soon made my way to the library…

The wilted trees stood bare along a dirt road as the buildings dwindled. The narrow path widened as an exit gate separated the city from the outside. A red brick building stood at the path’s end, marked by signs of dilapidation on its walls. Walking up the stone stairs, the door creaked open and announced my entrance. Across the hall, a neatly dressed, dark brown-haired young man held a book in his hand and sat on a wooden bar stool.

“Do I know you?”

The young man hastily flipped through his book and walked towards me. He extended an arm out towards me and smiled

“Hello, unless I forgot to record who you are, welcome to my library.”

Taking up the handshake, I ask

“So you're Otto?”

He nodded his head and kept his focus towards me.

“Have we met?”

“No. Lily sent me here as a recommended spot for studying. Also, she said to remind you that her delivery is a couple weeks late”

“Ah! Lily sent you. One moment please…”

Otto quickly flips through a book on the table and starts mumbling something before he exclaims.

“hmm. She wanted a few books a few days ago. How could I forget…Oh well, I will be back so don’t meddle too much.”

Otto went behind a creaky wooden door, gone from sight. I was left under an orange-hued library with books cluttered throughout the floors and shelves. Exploring around, I noticed a lavender flower blooming from the pot beside the window. Its purple flowers shimmered in the light that pierced the grey clouds. Making myself comfortable on an empty desk, I pull out, Magica Fundamentals and Guidance. Its dull green cover contrasts the orange light. Letting out a breath, I traced my fingers along the cover and opened the book.

Magic is the essence of gathering mana, the energy of the world, into the soul through the body. There are many means to interact with mana and one such means will be what works for me. Keep an open mind when it comes to magic, but beware the conflicting nature of mixing and matching techniques. One shouldn’t mix fire with water or you might implode internally. Strictly speaking, there is a duality to things that should be recognized. Without caution, you might end up dead or worse…

Feeling a tap on my shoulder, I glance up to see Otto with a few books in hand and places the books on the table.

“Here you go. The books that Lily requested.”

He makes a smirk as I nod my head. Putting my attention back on the book I continue reading.

I personally recommend sticking to one fundamentals. Be patient with progress as it takes time and consistency. Shortcuts are not smart and will be detrimental. Lastly, before we begin, I remind you to be cautious about your condition. If you feel like you are drowning, coughing blood, headaches and other things please do not press forward and take your time. There is no shortcut to power unless you're stupid or a one-of-a-kind talent.

Letting out a hmph*, I flip to the first step of this book.

First, breathe in for 4 seconds through the nose. Then hold without blocking your airways for 7 seconds. Blocking your airways with your tongue. or throat will lead to pressure buildups and bad habits. It might also lead to back-flow and suffocation. Lastly, slowly exhale for about 6-8 seconds through the mouth. Letting the air flow out. Do not force it out. Do 1-3 inhales and exhales then move on to normal breathing…

Performing a few practice breaths, I felt my limbs tighten and hands tingle. Afterwards, I felt a noticeable stillness, like my mind had consumed a bit of the haze that covered my thoughts. A rather pleasant, but faint intoxication.

This exercise will cause your blood to tighten and your hands to tingle. Do not be afraid to stop if you notice something wrong. After breathing, you will be ready for the next step. This is a start to tempering a clear mind. A clear mind and sharp focus will lead to greatness in magic.

The next step before manipulating mana, you have to set up a shield to block external threats. You do not want to be a victim of possession. Spirits gather to individuals working with mana. The wrong influence of spirits will be detrimental to the mind. Defining a barrier will help block interference that might leak into your soul. And it will help fortify a clearer mind space. There are many barriers out there. In my case, I imagine a veil of light wrapping around me like a ball. Take your time defining a barrier so that no external influence can happen without your permission.

My breathing felt fainter and fainter as I started envisioning a thin, transparent barrier. It felt like I had isolated my mind into a room. Like I was an observer to the unknown.

Entering a trance, you will slowly start seeing yourself entering a visualized scenery of your surroundings in your mind. Flickering between unconscious and consciousness, you will find your mind bouncing around, trying to grasp at straws. Within this state, one can invoke and communicate with higher beings, cast spells, perform rituals, enhance yourself and much more.

An illusion of the desk reveals itself in my mind. This table held a jarring nature that made it seem uneven and its wood patterns started shifting. Trying to maintain focus, the words on the book blurred and started stirring.

Afterwards, you will work on imagery. A common term for this process is the manipulation of phantasms. Impossibilities can only happen with a clear image of what you want within the realm of possibility. To practice this, you should look at the environment and hold that image in your head. With some imagery, imagination and cognition, you can visualize shape, form colour, texture, and many more. With enough practice and success, one can even bend concepts into reality.

Recoiling from a gasp of air, I returned back to the book and read the last section.

Overall, dedication will lead to growth in magic. Please be aware that this is only my experience on magic fundamentals. There are many methods that will grant fundamentals for magic. One interesting one is the monks in the northeast mountains. I encourage you to explore and I hope this stepping stone will lead you to greatness.

I shook out of the trance with a pleasant scent of lavender.

“This is a a lot for 1 silver.” I thought as I Looked up and saw Otto holding a candle that was flickering faint streaks of purple.

“Are you alright?”

Otto asks, patiently waiting for a response.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

I let out a yawn

“So, do you know anything about dreaming?”

Otto held his gaze towards me with a slight twitch in his eyebrows.

“Why would you care to know about dreams?”

After a brief moment of silence, I let out a sigh.

“I have been having recurring dreams lately, I want to know more. Also, I was also recommended here by Edward. I heard he is your dad.”

Furrowing his brows, Otto takes out his notebook and replies,

“Edward… Dad… Fine, I will try to help you with your problem, but don’t let your hopes up.”

Pulling a chair besides me, Otto asks,

“So, can you explain your recurring dream? Hopefully we won’t need to rely on other means. Human logic and common sense is the safest option after all.”

I lower my hand and started fiddling my fingers

“You see… It’s very strange, my dreams. I have been entering a room as if I was in someone else's shoes. However, recently I have taken control and could navigate this dreamscape. But it was decrepit and dilapidated. By the end of it all, I was left with a warning. “Quell that damn curiosity of yours…””.

Otto reached for a notebook and started recording the information I spewed out. His hand seemed robotical and his writing speed was quicker than I could speak. Setting the pen down, he reviewed my statement.

“So, it seems there is something within your head protecting you from something. That’s the best I can explain it. It is truly odd. Usually, the phantasms of the mind do not outwardly interact with the host. As so much as to give a warning… this is definitely strange.”

I nod my head, slightly understanding the weirdness of this situation.

“What can be done then? Will I live this life and never know the secrets locked within me? Should I tempt caution and see what's beyond?”

Tilting his head, Otto taps on his notebook repeatedly, as if in contemplation.

“How about this, I will observe whatever turmoil is within your mind, and hopefully I can make some recommendations afterwards. You see, I have some proficiency with reaching for internal secrets… I also got recurring dreams, but they are not as vivid as what you have described.”

Otto lets out a chuckle,

“So you're in or not?”

After a moment of silence, I nod.