ALL NOVEL Chapter 8: Chapter 8:
Chapter 8
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Aida's earlier days at the Magic Tower were a whirlwind of adjustment and discovery.
The cafeteria was a lively space, filled with the voices of students sharing their experiences in whatever they did together. On his third day, Aida approached the food line and in time, was out with his food for the afternoon.
As he took his seat, he noticed a group of students talking animatedly at the next table. One student, a tall boy with dark hair and a friendly smile, noticed Aida's curiosity.
"Hey there! You're new, right?" he asked. His tone was warm and welcoming.
"Yes," Aida replied, smiling back. "I'm Aida. Just started here recently."
The boy extended a hand. "I'm Finn. This is Mira and Jaxon." He gestured to the two students beside him—Mira, a girl with vibrant red hair and a gaze that seemed to notice everything, and Jaxon, a tall, reserved boy with an air of quiet confidence.
"Welcome to the Tower," Mira said, her smile genuine. "It can be overwhelming at first, but you'll get the hang of it."
"Thanks," Aida said, taking a seat. "It's a lot to take in. What should I expect from the classes?"
Jaxon, who had been silent up to this point, spoke up. "The first few weeks are about understanding the basics—magical theory, the history of magic, and the principles of spellcasting. They'll ease you into the more complex stuff with time."
"Oh?"
"Yeah…"
As the conversation continued, Aida learned that each student had their own unique interests in coming to the tower and so did he. Finn was passionate about elemental magic, Mira excelled in enchantments, and Jaxon had a knack for magical artifacts.
The following week, Aida's first class on magical fundamentals began. The instructor, Professor Aric, was a stern but knowledgeable mage with an imposing presence.
"Welcome to the Foundations of Magic," Professor Aric began. "Today, we will cover the fundamental principles of magic—how it interacts with the world and the basic theory behind spellcasting."
He then proceeded to draw a series of intricate symbols on the board. "Magic is not just about waving a wand or chanting incantations. It's about understanding the fundamental forces that govern our world and how to harness them."
Aida listened intently as Professor Aric explained the core concepts: magical energy, mana flow, and the balance between elements. The lesson included practical exercises on focusing and directing magical energy, allowing students to create small, controlled effects like light and warmth.
After the class, Aida found himself discussing the lesson with Finn, Mira, and Jaxon in the common area. "Professor Aric's class was intense," Aida said. "There's so much more to magic than I imagined."
There wasn't really, but Aida felt it was surreal. He was a 21st century scientist and despite believing in the ancients, it was hard to wrap your head around principles that went against the very science you studied all your life.
However, Aida was able to adapt quickly. As the professor had said, it was all about understanding the fundamental forces that govern the world. Aida had not gained access to his Mana, but he wasn't worried.
He'd just have to ask Lorian about it when they meet again.
"Definitely," Finn agreed. "Understanding the principles is crucial. You need to know how magic works before you can effectively control it."
Mira nodded and added her own feelings on the matter and so for Jaxon.
Aida's next class focused on elemental manipulation. He entered the classroom, which was filled with various magical apparatus and elemental symbols.
The instructor, Master Elion, was known for his expertise in elemental magic and had a reputation for being quite demanding.
"Today, we'll start with the basics of elemental magic," Master Elion announced. "Understanding your connection to the elements is key to mastering them."
The class began with exercises in manipulating small amounts of elemental energy. Students worked with fire, water, earth, and air, practicing basic spells to create simple effects.
As Aida tried to engage with the exercises, he struggled to produce any noticeable results. The sensation of mana flow remained elusive, and he felt a growing frustration.
'Was magic not something you do with Imagination?' He thought to himself, after all, Lorian had told him he had a magic body and was by extension, A Homo Magi.
Seeing his struggle, Master Elion approached Aida. "I see you're having difficulty connecting with the elemental energy. It's not uncommon for students to face this challenge early on. Have you experienced any issues accessing your mana?"
Aida shook his head. "I haven't been able to sense my mana yet. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong."
Master Elion nodded thoughtfully. "It's important to first establish a connection with your own magical energy. Sometimes, this can take time and focused effort. Try meditating and focusing on the sensation of energy within you. Your mana might be present, but it's not yet fully attuned to your consciousness."
Aida nodded and took Master Elion's advice to heart. He spent additional time practicing meditation and focusing exercises in the following days. Though progress was slow, he began to feel a faint connection to his own magical energy, bringing a renewed sense of hope.
Finally, the day arrived when Aida would determine his innate elemental affinity. Archmage Lorian led him to a special chamber designed for this purpose. The room was adorned with runes and symbols that pulsed with magical energy.
"Focus on the elements and try to sense which one resonates with you," Lorian instructed. "This process will help you understand your natural affinity."
Aida stood in the center of the room, his eyes closed as he concentrated. He could feel the subtle shifts in the air and the faint vibrations of elemental energy. After a few moments, a soft glow surrounded him, and a faint breeze began to swirl around him.
Lorian observed quietly. "It appears that the air element is your affinity," he confirmed as the light faded. "You'll find that working with air magic will come more naturally to you."
Aida felt a sense of clarity and excitement. "I'm ready to start working with it."
As he prepared to leave the chamber, he sensed something else, a faint, almost imperceptible warmth that danced at the edge of his awareness. It felt different from the cool, invigorating presence of air.
Aida focused on this sensation, and though it was subtle, it seemed to pulse with a gentle, radiant energy.
Lorian, noticing Aida's lingering presence, turned his attention back to him. "Is there something else you sense, Aida?"
Aida hesitated but then spoke up. "I feel a faint connection to another element. It's not as strong as the air, but it feels like a warm, radiant presence."
Lorian raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Another element? That's unusual. The connection you've demonstrated is quite strong with air, but the sensation you describe could be the early signs of an affinity for light magic. However, such connections are rare and often require advanced training to fully understand."
Aida's heart thumped with a bit of excitement and nervousness. Je had been disappointed at only having the one Air Element, however he didn't show it, but with this newest development, he'd gotten a bit of hope. "Could it be possible that I have an affinity for light, even if it's not fully developed yet?"
If he had a light element, a lot of things would be made possible. He had a vivid imagination, courtesy of his life as an Otaku, so he was excited. It wasn't that Air was weak, but light presented a lot of possibilities.
Lorian considered this for a moment. "It's theoretically possible. The study of light magic is highly advanced and requires a deep understanding of its principles. Given that light magic influences time and reality, it would be unusual for a novice to exhibit such an affinity early on."
Aida nodded, understanding the gravity of what Lorian was implying. While the connection was faint, he felt a strong intuitive pull toward light magic as such…. "I appreciate your insight, Archmage. I'll continue to focus on my air magic, but I'll also keep exploring this other connection."
There was no need to reveal anything to Lorian since he'd like to keep some of his cards hidden.
Lorian offered a reassuring smile. "Very well. If you believe there's something to it, then follow that intuition. However, be mindful of the challenges that come with studying advanced elements. For now, let's focus on solidifying your mastery of air magic."
As Aida left the chamber, he reflected on what Lorian said while also recalling several Light Based Magic Skills from across the Library in his Mind-scape.
The Magic Tower had already proven to be a place of immense learning and discovery, and he was eager to delve deeper into his magical studies to understand more about this magical world. The potential of mastering both air and light magic filled him with a sense of purpose and determination.