Chapter 10

Absolute Magic

In the eyes of a child, nothing was more fascinating than knowing the unknown or understanding that which was thought to be a coax, a fake or a fantasy. It was especially true for Arthur who previously lived in a world where the ways of magic did not exist. He stared at the closed book laying on the floor. His fingers trembled as he traced the thick brown cover. Though stored so deep under the ground, there wasn't any dust on its surface. Then his hand stumbled over a very tiny mound. He picked up the book and observed it closely.

"Hey, Duliri," Arthur called, cocking his head behind him. "Why is there a small gemstone in the cover?"

"Oh! That?" Duliri inched closer. "Lady Allegia must have enchanted the books. You know, to keep away the dust and stuff."

"We can use magic that way too?" Arthur's eyes sparkled. "Wicked…"

"Are you really going to study magic?" Duliri laughed at his remark. "Or notice every little detail?"

The lid of Arthur's eye lowered a little as he remained silent. His lips pressed outward and his head shook while giving Duliri a pitiful look.

"Why are you looking at me like that?!"

Arthur returned the book on the floor and extended his right arm towards Duliri. He brushed his fur. "You must be sad, buddy. You can't appreciate little things. Must be why you turned out creepy."

A gasped would have come out, and a devastated face would have surfaced if only Duliri was human. Instead, he hovered motionlessly. His pole began to tremble. "Why you… I thought we're partners. And yet… and yet…" he mumbled as though he was about to cry while Arthur snickered. "You're so heartless and cruel!"

"Am I?" he replied, still laughing. Then he redirected his attention to the book and turned around while Duliri continued his melodramatic jest.

A flare of determination ignited his eyes. Though it used to be fueled by fascination, he had now realized the weight of magical knowledge. More than fascination, he didn't want to be a burden to Katarina. But as he was now, he couldn't do anything; he needed power – a power that now laid so close within his hands.

With thumping heartbeats, Arthur read the title again. He was about to open the book when he looked back. "Duliri!" He glared. "Are you ever going to stop? You know you'd be useless if I don't know magic, right?"

Duliri paused. He floated over the book and opened it, "My bad, Arthur. This proud staff shall aid you as much as it can."

"Good." Arthur sardonically beamed, then he glanced back to the book. His hands began to shake again, his bladder felt like they were about to burst. C'mon, Arthur. Calm down! He rebuked himself.

"His–History… of Ma–Magic…" he stuttered, his lips also trembled. He gently closed his eyes and released a massive breath. You can do it, Arthur! You can do it!

A few more seconds and Duliri lost his patience and nudged him. "Arthur! Stop being so tense! Just read it!"

Arthur sighed one last time and steeled himself. "Millions of years ago, a hundred thousand years after the Eleventh Glacial Period, as intelligent, sentient life began to emerge, the usage of magic developed…" He lifted his gaze and looked at Duliri, "Glacial Period? What is that?"

"I don't know. Just skip the history part."

"C'mon Duliri, where's the fun in that?"

"Fun? You think history is fun?" Duliri chuckled. "You're the only child I know who'll like that part."

"Of course, all the amazing people I know other than grandma are historical figures. Duh?"

"Don't tell me, you believed those things in your picture books?"

"Granny told me they're true." His glance sharpened. "She's not a liar."

"Alright…" Duliri glided towards the window in defense. "I'm not particularly interested. But if you needed my help, just call for me." He went out and laid on the grass, bathing with the afternoon sunlight.

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Yeah, ignorance is bliss," he mumbled and continued to read. "Many believed that before the use of stone tools, the first humans, demi-humans, demons, and magical beast already understand the use of elementary magic. As they concentrated into bigger communities, wizardly practices developed."

Arthur moved over and laid flat on his stomach. "The development of magical knowledge led to the foundation of many countries. However, this power also led to the destruction of many." A dry laugh left Arthur's mouth. So even in this world, humans are still the same humans.

A few hours and Arthur began to shout, "Duliri! Come here! Duliri!"

Duliri hurried to his side, the gemstone atop him had changed to golden yellow. "Yes, Arthur?"

Arthur sat and raised the book. "Look," he urged, his fingers tracing the letters. "The Legend of Siglein Ariston who many believed to be the first man to reach Absolute Magical Rank…" Lines wrinkled his forehead. He looked up and stared at the staff's gemstone. "This one! It said Absolute Magical Rank. I read a while ago that there are six ranks, but this one isn't mentioned…"

"Arthur," Duliri said in a low, yet amused voice. "Absolute Magic is a hypothetical status where one could essentially utilize Superus Dupulu's power." Duliri backed off a little. "Well, it's a legend. No one knew if that is true."

Arthur gave him a skeptical look. "But it said in here, 'A very few accounts were documented and archived in Dupulu Papal Library. Though it remained unproven until this day, all the accounts contained consistent testimonials about Illiseo, the strongest and oldest being in existence. They stated that the Star Dragon was Siglein's tamed dragon.' And when I skimmed through the book," Arthur paused, catching his breath while flipping the pages. "Here, this page, 'The Great Tragedy of Hansen… In 2363, during the prolonged invasion of the–"

"My god, Arthur!" Duliri inched closer and shut the book. "The way you talk and read is astounding enough, but I ignored it, thinking you're just a genius. But to analyze history this way is beyond me." Duliri tilted, moving his upper end near Arthur's face as though looking him eye-to-eye. "Tell me, how are you a three-year-old?"

Arthur tilted his head. His gaze turned innocent and puzzled. His lips pursed like a paperclip. "I don't know." He smiled. "Does that mean I'm amazing to understand?"

"Yes!" Duliri grunted in disbelief. "But this is too strange!"

Arthur's expression suddenly changed. "Strange?" He glared, his eyes sending daggers. "Are you telling me I'm strange? That's the most unfunny thing you ever said."

"Because it's not a joke, Arthur."

"Yeah, right, maybe you're weirdness is contagious."

Duliri gasped. "I'm not weird… How could… How could you say that?" He shook, beginning his melodramatic act again.

Arthur smirked discreetly. Duliri's so easy, he thought. Still, he had many questions in the book, yet the details were too compressed. But if he asked too many questions, he knew that his partner would get suspicious. But he didn't want to cry due to extreme curiosity either. He sighed, wondering when the day would come that curiosity would get the best of him.

"Alright, Duliri, you can stop now," he declared, and Duliri immediately obliged. He opened the book and looked back-and-forth from the page to Duliri. "So aside from elementary, intermediate, advance, superior, sovereign and extreme magical ranks, absolute rank hypothetically exist, correct?"

"Yes," Duliri replied mechanically. "And like sovereign and extreme levels, absolute rank aren't divided into five sub-ranks."

Arthur nodded slowly, hesitantly. "Given that absolute magic only exist hypothetically, the highest rank I can aim for is Extreme Magic, correct?"

"You're aiming to be a King Warlock?" A loud laugh echoed from Duliri. "You, Arthur, sure are ambitious."

His left brow rose. "Is that impossible?"

"No," Duliri replied, still snickering. "But it will be hard, extremely hard."

"Obviously," Arthur rolled his eyes. "Anyways, what's granny's and my parents' rank?"

Duliri became silent for a moment. "I believe your mother and Lady Allegia are superior magicians, both in platinum sub-rank… Your father…" he paused, thinking though he only appeared motionless above the ground. "As far as memory is concerned, I think he's advance, copper. I don't know–"

A loud crashed echoed to the room next door, interrupting the conversation. The two exchanged confused looks. Several more stares and Arthur dashed out of the room.