Chapter 60

“What’s the matter, Rain?”

The late afternoon was clear and bright, with a gentle breeze cooling the sun’s heat that covered them from the sky. Zarda who was strolling around the village suddenly saw Rain sitting under a large tree, alone, hiding under the shade, and a book of spells in hand.

It was the book of magic and spells that she had lent to him so that he would be able to widen his knowledge about magic, helping him in his Magic Training. However, the Medusa noticed Rain staring at the book with a downcast expression, and was somewhat worried.

Is something bothering him?

“Elder Sister,”

Rain saw Zarda walking towards him and his taut expression somewhat soften, turning into a faint smile, though his eyes still cast an obvious shadow. Although Rain calls Zarda with her name in private, but once outside and that when there is someone around, Rain would call Zarda ‘Elder Sister’ respectfully. After all, no matter what kind of relationship they had, Zarda was still the Chief of the village. And also, Rain finds calling her ‘Elder Sister’ much comfortable, and endearing than saying her name casually, as he thought of her as indeed a true elder sibling that doted on him.

“Was anything wrong?”

The Medusa asked as she sat beside him.

“Why looking so gloom? Is there something weighing your mind, might as well speak of it…as problems never resolve itself if you don’t try to find an answer to it.”

“It’s nothing…”

Rain shook his head. Then, he thought for a moment, and sigh.

“Actually… I, I just don’t know. Things don’t seem to be going right for me…about Magic. Everything I try, I manage to make a mess of,” he adjusted his sitting position, placing the large book on his lap.

Ever since he had awakened and was able to use Magic just like what he wished and hope for quite a long time already. However, for some reason, he started having troubles because of it. His training was not going smoothly contrary to what he expected. And he started feeling dejected, and feel as if he had no talent.

Just a few days ago, when he was practicing how to control his mana and cast some simple spells as training, an accident occurred that almost hurt the other Lamians nearby. And not just that time, even before that, and before that, and before that. Every time he tries to cast a spell, he would fail and instead cause rather embarrassing disturbance and disasters to the Village.

Although the Lamians didn't care about it, but Rain was feeling guilty and ashamed for always causing them problems.

But Zarda didn't think the same.

She smiled wryly, feeling that his worries are baseless.

“I don’t think that’s the case. You had eliminated the incoming terrible storm, and gave us rain for a few days… look, the field had been quite flourishing since then, and…well, you had helped everyone, and they are very thankful for it.”

Rain smiled wryly.

“What I did, at that time was just a fluke. I don’t know how I was able to do it, though. And I was unable to do it again. When I tried to invoke my magic, it easily became a mess. I tried circulating my mana inside of me, like how you said, and tried to control it but it’s difficult. One slight mistake and it goes out of control…worst, it became even dangerous to others,”

Zarda shrugged and stared at Rain, covering his hand with hers; “Magic is not easy, and anyone knows that. It’s not like every person can easily use magic. It takes time…a long time of training. More so, for a human. In fact, you have already understood the theory about magic these past few days, and I can say that you have been quite an incredible magician of your own right, Rain. You were able to grasp the theory easily and able to integrate it into your skill. Magic Circulation is not something easily grasped even by the most genius human magician in just a few days after his awakening. But you did, and I am very proud of you,”

“Thanks, I guess…” Rain smiled in embarrassment. However, he was still somewhat dejected, “Memorizing and understanding the theory is easier, but trying to apply it to reality, is what makes it harder. Do you remember my telling you that Threia was trying to teach me three basic magic of Wind, Earth, and Water elemental? I failed, and even now still can’t…” he said with a wry smile. “Although I’m happy with your praise, still I’m starting to think I’m not deserving,”

Although Rain possesses a Variant Magic, the [Weather Magic] which enables him to control the weather. However, along with this unique Variant of Magic, Rain possesses at least the affinity of Wind, Water, Earth, and Lightning due to the true nature of his magic.

As for how high, he was not certain as his magic power is still at its premature stage. Despite this fact, Rain was unable to cast the magic that he was taught by the others… it’s not as if he was incompetent, just that, everything seemed to go out of control when he cast a magic spell.

For example, a simple water ball could turn either into a tornado or heavy rain, which only became a disaster he couldn’t control- depleting his magic power in an instant, and he would get exhausted or worse, lose consciousness.

Rain smiled bitterly; “Threia had imparted to me some basic cantrips to calm the mind so that the working of spells could be practiced without stress. And I can say I had already mastered it a few days ago. I can bring my mind to a state of calm in moments now, with little effort.” Especially with Sylphy’s help, “But that is as far as it goes. After that, everything seems to fall apart.”

“What do you mean?”

“Threia had tried helping me with that problem. She said that perhaps the problem is that, my mind is a bit disturbed, or perhaps too strong, that coupled with the fact that my Magic is a very unstable element, I easily lose control. With a small change or disruption of the image in my mind, I affected the entire magic spell,”

Hence, Threia started teaching Rain how to discipline the mind to do things that are not natural for it, such as think one thing to the exclusion of everything else, or not to think of something, which is quite hard once you’ve been told what it is.

With Sylphy he can do most things most of the time. But every now and then he feels like there are some forces inside his head, crashing about, demanding that he do things in a different way. It’s like there was something else happening in his head that what he had expected.

“Each time I try one of the simple spells Threia has taught me, the basic elemental spells, these things in my head come flooding in on my concentration, and I lose my control. I can’t even master the simplest spell.”

He was able to solidify the image needed for the spell to cast and was able to invoke it. However, it’s as if the power inside of him made a mess of things, which for reason he couldn't’ understand. Sylphy said that it was perhaps due to his Magic Affinity, and the power of Chaos, that was hard to control. In that sense, Rain was even unable to successfully cast non-attributed Magic.

Magic works through Imagination/Incantation, with added Aptitude, and then Magical Power to manifest it into reality. However, there are also other basic magic spells that everyone can learn, they call it the Non-attributed Life magic—those magic spells without any elemental attribute and can be cast by anyone.

For example, [Push], a magic spell that manifests an invisible hand to push someone, [Lighten Load], reduce an object’s weight to some degree, [Absorb] a spell to absorb or significantly weaken magic from all attributes they have an aptitude for, though only to some degree and success depends on the difference in power of the caster, [Accelerate] a boost spell that enhances one’s speed and thinking process for a period of time, and still many more. Though their power is completely insignificant and limited, they can be also useful for everyday life.

Of course, Rain can cast them but the end spell invoked would, somehow, for some reason turned chaotic and out of control. Just like when he had tried using the simple magic spell; [Push]. For some strange reason though, the magic invoked was something that blasted a gust of wind around him, and blowing everything nearby, with a force enough to almost break an enormous tree. When he used [Wash], a large blob of water fell from above; drenching him from head to toe. And when used [Lighten Load], it acted the opposite and become even heavier, the object burrowed on the ground.

Wind, Water, Lightning, when he tried to use them, they would start to fire in all directions, creating havoc.

It was really a disaster.

“Threia simply says to keep at it and not worry, as I have still just awakened and perhaps was just in the process of adaptation. However, I can feel that it’s not that simple,”

Rain let out a sigh and leaned down, laying his head on Zarda’s lap, with a dejected expression.

“I have talent. Threia said she knew it from the first time we met. You’ve also told me that I have talent as well. But I just can’t make the spells work the way they’re supposed to. It’s not because I cannot understand the magic spell or what it supposed to work…but something within me, something unknown is hindering me to successfully use magic and instead create chaos…”

“Rain,”

Zarda smiled wryly as she started to gently comb his hair with her fingers.

“Magic has many properties, and I admit we understand little of how it works, even those of us who were born with it. In the words passed from our ancestors, magic is a gift from the world, blessing with us the capability to defend and protect ourselves, and to live. We do not understand how this can be so, but we do not question it. Each individual has their own talents and style of magic. I am capable of magic that those other people or creatures that possessed similar power to mine do not have. But none can say why…" she paused for a moment as suddenly remembering something. She looks down and stared at him with a faint, sweet smile.

"However, actually once, I heard that there were some people who theorized something called, the Path of Magic.”

“Path of Magic?”

“Hm. According to that theory, it is believed that each one of us, has our own path of magic…like a path of fate. One you will need to tread, one that is completely of your own, not others. Hence, each one of us has our own style of magic, which we cannot replicate. But that doesn’t mean it’s forbidden to use other people’s magic as well…as you can also make a reference out of it. Especially that Magic of yours. It’s something I have never seen before, much less heard of. You can say that it was a very unique and incredibly mysterious power that perhaps only one in this world. Perhaps, the path that we, mine, and including what Threia were teaching you was not your own path. Not suitable for you. Hence, you failed, but that doesn’t mean you are incapable of it. You need to find your own. Perhaps, you will come to it late, as others have, but I am sure you will find the proper path that only belongs to you…someday.”

“… …”

“So, you mean what is wrong is the way I used it?”

Rain furrowed his brows.

“Perhaps,” said Zarda. “That’s hard to answer, actually. Human Magicians and Magic Monsters might look similar but they are actually completely different from how they use magic. Perhaps it was what is hindering you as well…”

“… …” Rain’s eyes seemed to lose focus as he stared into space. His mind pondering what Zarda had said—in fact, Rain knows and more or less believes what Sylphy had told him.

That the one interfering was his Magic, whether it was his Magic’s true nature that was chaotic or the fact that he was too weak to control it. Even to non-attributed Magic, the individual’s aptitude will always have an effect on it. Hence, the reason why he couldn’t even cast simple magic.

“Nevertheless, there are many possible reasons why it could be… but at the very least, you don’t need to worry about it and rush your training. Just try to focus on what Threia was teaching you for a while, the Magic Circulation. Learn how to control it first, as it will help you a lot in the future,”

Following Zarda’s words, Rain continued his training with Magic, focusing on the training of his Innate Mana Circulation, or what they call Magic Power Control. Though, for the time being, he set aside using magic, and concentrated on his mastery of magic power as well as practicing Combat Arts under Lafetti, Drova, and the others. At the same time, he also even started integrating it through his work in Alchemy and Blacksmithing. Though sometimes he failed but he never stops trying and continued to work hard.

Alchemy and Blacksmithing, and even most professions when used with magic become even more complex but incredibly fascinating. It doesn't need any complicated magic spells, instead what was more important was Mana Control. As long as one possesses an incredible mastery of Mana, they can do wonders in Crafting Professions.

Just like Alchemy, inputting mana on materials and the process of distilling, mixing, and transforming materials, which Rain likes to dub as Matter Conversion was made the end product better than before.

That's right, [Matter Conversion]!

From what Sarete had said, there was a branch of Alchemy that deals with strange Magic Formations, that enables Alchemist to change or transform Materials. They commonly call it [Item/Material Transformation].

Using Magic Formations, it lets Alchemist convert materials or items upwards or downwards. In other words, the original material can be made better, and vice versa. For example, using simple to complicated magic formations one can transform Ore into an Ingot, or herbs into a seed. Though, the success rate is quite low. In most cases, the ore would turn into scrap or herbs into withered leaves.

The higher the Material’s grade, the lower the success rate as well.

With Rain being able to use Magic and Mana, Sarete was now beginning to teach him about Magic Formations, as well as other techniques and skills she knows of.

“In these aspects, it’s really game-like. Truly a fantasy,"

Although it was an incredible and fascinating branch of Alchemy, actually, only a few in this world specialized in it. One reason is that because this kind of skill has very low chances of success, and would turn anything, even a very precious material into waste. Second, Magic Formations and runic symbols are used and are countless. One needed to memorize it and understand it properly before using it. And for normal people, it would take a dozen years to do it.

But that is where Rain's cheat shine the brightest.

With Sylphy, everything can be recorded in his mind in an instant, and she could even support him and guide him, with almost perfect calculation and analysis. Because of this, Sarete treated Rain as a Genius that only comes once in a thousand years.

Not only in Alchemy, Mana Circulation too was incredibly useful and important for Blacksmithing.

To create a Magic Item or Weapons, Mana is a very precious and necessary material. Although it doesn't need any complex formation such as in Alchemy, it more or less revolves around physical attributes and hard work. The most basic method of making magic items, aside from the fact that magic materials are necessary to use, one needs to use and input mana during the process of creation.

There's also engraving using runic symbols to amplify the power of the items or weapons created, using the blood of powerful magical beasts as the main material to act as a catalyst.

All in all, mastering Mana Control was a very important skill that Rain needed to learn properly. Though, he was disappointed that he can barely use Magic. But now, he decided to take things slow. Indeed, rushing is not the answer.

There would come a day where he would be able to use Magic without a problem. And when the moment comes, he would finally take his [Weather Magic] under control!