How do ancient mages learn magic?

It has been a contested topic as to how such mages came to be. What story should we believe? Does magic truly come from Dragons? Witches? Gods?

The origin of magic has been both a great source of headache and greed for many scholars. In fact, the reason why the Dark Ages came to be, is because of the search for the so-called origin of magic.

This, the Faceless Believer knows.

“Horton, how much do you know about Harkhall?”

“Your excellency?”

“Just tell me what you think.”

“Hmmm…” Horton thought of an answer for some time weighing what he should and shouldn’t say, and then he continued.

“Empyrea planned to annex the Harkhall city, but suddenly withdrawn midway. The reason was kept confidential for some reason. But it was still considered a success since Empyrea was able to absorb the intellects that Harkhall was monopolizing. I think the reason why Empyrea didn’t make Harkhall a new territory is to make it an example for the others… From what I’ve heard, the Harkhall city was immensely destroyed to the point that rebuilding has become impossible, so it was quite a surprise to see the current Harkjhall have this many buildings…”

“…”

*CRASH! BANG!

Destruction and dust are everywhere.

The Demi-god and the archmage watched the Flesh Golem demolish some of the buildings as it shreds through the now hostile automatons that inhabited the city. The Faceless Believer simply nodded at Horton’s words, as he watches his subordinates combing Harkhall city.

“Archmage Horton, I order you to take lead in the capture of the heretic, the person who mouthed the taboo.”

“Yes, your excellency.” With the Faceless Believer’s command, Horton with the Empyrean God’s subordinates immediately moved in pursuit of the heretic. The group of mages quickly vanished into the thickets of the forest.

The Faceless Believer stayed, standing tall and proud, as he watches the downfall of New Harkhall.

“Do you know why I stayed, elf?” He asked, but no one answered. Still, he continued nonetheless. “It’s because I thought leveling your New Harkhall might be fun.”

From a corner, the acclaimed elf, Vyrna stood at the Faceless Believer’s side with despondent dull eyes.

***

Matt held Len’s hand tight as they venture into this wild forest. It took them no time at all to reach their destination. It’s past noon and the sun is still going strong. They can continue their journey on foot, and maybe aim to reach the forest’s edge by sundown. But…

“She’s not here.”

Within the hollow trunk of the tree where Matt hid Kaira, is an empty space. Using telekinesis, Matt uprooted the whole tree. Kaira wasn’t there.

“Where is she?” Panic arose in his heart.

Matt could hear some stirring in the bushes. Alert, he casts DETECT in that area.

“U-umm… Hello?” It was Kaira. With a relieved sigh, Matt withdrew his hostility, he wryly smiled at the little girl who was carrying what seems to be an injured wolf pup.

Kaira looked apologetic. Her gaze landed on the woman holding Matt’s hand. For a child, she’s quite perspective as she arrives at a conclusion of her own. In fact, she’s already imagining what kind of relationship the two shares.

“Thank god, where did you go?” Matt asked with a serious tone. He approached the whimpering wolf pup in Kaira’s arms. Its hind leg is bloody, and its cry is weak… A bit of magic of unknown nature could be felt in the pup’s wounds.

“I-I… I was called. It’s weird, I felt the cry of the wolves… So, I moved…” Kaira stuttered as she gives the wolf pup for Matt to examine.

Since Matt’s mastery over his talent proves to be lacking, he can’t discern the nature of the magic the wolf pup was attacked with. To sense magic fluctuations is the best Matt can do, however that still proves something.

“Len, did you do this?” He asked Len.

Kaira reacted rather aggressively as she direct a hostile gaze at Len.

“Wh? Eh? N.no way!! I would know, okay? Because I can’t remember things doesn’t mean I am a bad person, okay?” To Matt’s surprise, Len answered very strongly.

“Yye… Yeah, I know.” Matt looked at Kaira, then at Len. Aaah… So, it was that scenario. Len doesn’t want to appear the bad guy in front of the little girl.

Meanwhile, Kaira is in the belief that Len must be a villain who hurts animals. She’s a druid, so that much is understandable for Matt. To dispel the situation, Matt quickly offered an explanation.

“Len, you are not a bad guy. I know, so chill.” First, Matt cheered the distressed sweating Len. With her overly exaggerated response, everyone would think that she is the culprit. Matt sighed in his mind, that’s just how Len is… an overly conscious but expressive lass.

“And Kaira,” Matt spoke with a severe tone. “This little guy. He’s hurt by magic. If it’s not Len, then it must be other mages. Take this guy, I’ve fixed him the best as I can.” Softly spoken words came out of Matt’s lips as he carefully hands the wolf pup to Kaira.

Fixing the little guy was easy for Matt, the magic technique stimulate did the trick. However, what Matt is about to do next is totally on a different level.

DETECT is originally a spell composed of two techniques, focus, and analysis. Matt whipped his mind to the limits of his awareness. For a mage, this is a very painful process, but Matt withstood it. He is going to develop his interpretation of the spell, DETECT.

On top of focus and analysis, he used release. His mana expanded to the surrounding area unnoticeable to no one but the caster himself. Then like a radar, he pinpointed the presence of living creatures using telepathy. Finally, he filtered these presences to mages using psyche— a very unique magic technique corresponding to emotions. Five magic techniques in one spell. This indicates that Matt’s powers are already at the level of a High Mage.

It was mentally tiring, but that didn’t bother Matt one bit. However, it’s worrying that they are surrounded and outgunned. The mages' presence is not just strong in numbers, but also in strength.

“Len, please protect Kaira. We are going to break through. Follow me.” Matt bolted, rushing in one direction, he promptly cast BOOST at himself using stimulate and focus to spur his body’s abilities.

Disappearing into the periphery, Matt single-mindedly ran forwards.

Len followed on foot casting a magical barrier of her own. She held Kaira’s hand as the two ran from where Matt disappeared. An imperceptible translucent layer covers the two. The magic offers a sense of security, but Len has her doubts.

As a 100% klutz, it’s impressive how Len even became a mage in the first place. Her abilities are clearly top-notch. Sadly, she wasn’t able to use her spells to their full potential. Mostly, she’s relying on her instincts about what spells to cast.

For an amnesiac person who doesn’t even know what spells they are casting, Len is doing mighty impressive. From her left, she felt a surge of heat rushing at her.

A FIREBALL the size of a watermelon collided with Len’s barrier. BOOM!! The explosion is strong but she withstood it nonetheless. She urged Kaira to stay close to her.

“Hey, there’s a kid in here!?” Len complained to whoever threw that fireball. “You know what? Have a taste of your own medicine!” She raised her hands and summoned a FIREBALL of her own. The fiery elements gathered into her palms forming into a giant ball of flames the size of the biggest yarn ball in the world.

Apparently, it’s not just Matt who’s at the High Mage’s power level capable of weaving 5 magic techniques into a single spell.

Len doesn’t even need to aim. No matter how far her attacker was, or how hidden her attacker was… they’d be toast as long as they are in this forest. If not, they'd definitely be smoked out. It’s not the best decision… Len learned of this only after she unleashed her magic.

She regretted it, but it already happened.

“Run,” Len carried Kaira like a sack of rice. “Hold that pup, tight… This will be a bumpy ride.” Then she ran with all her might. She’s guilty, and her conscience just won’t shut up about it.

“Maaaaattt, I am sorry.” She cried as the inferno spread in the forest.

Meanwhile, Matt who made quite a distance from Len and Kaira finally reached his destination. In front of him is a mage donning gaudy dark blue robes. There’s a reason why he chose to run in this direction… It’s because there’s only a single mage standing in this part of the forest.

The mages combing the area are certainly not here by coincidence. Again, Matt can only think of the nightmare he had. Yes, a nightmare, he decided to call it that.

“If you may, can you stand aside?” Matt politely asked the person barring his way.

“Forgive me, but I can’t.” At the stranger’s words, Matt’s DANGER SENSE immediately rang alarm bells.

A hotly concentrated crimson of light passed by Matt. If not for his reflexes and alert mind, he would’ve been already dead.

Matt didn’t see clearly but it looked like a laser beam to him. Cold sweat, tension, and a strong fear for his life. This is the worst-case scenario for Matt.

“I haven’t introduced myself yet. I am Zonewt Horton, Archmage.” The mage proudly declared, and with a slight jerk of his hand, another ray of deadly light made its trajectory to Matt.

Refract, Filter, Analysis, Void— REFLECT ZERO!!

With four simultaneous magic techniques, Matt devised a spell in the heat of the moment to absorb the deadly laser that Horton unleashed. Even the spell’s name was thought at that instant.

The streak of light vanished into nothingness… it was a mystifying sight.

“What?” Archmage Horton was flummoxed. Just how? It was his deadliest spell worth six techniques. Exactly at that moment, a fiery explosion erupted. BOOOOM!!

It was Len’s GREATER FIREBALL. With no idea that it was Len who caused it in the first place, Matt felt worried in his heart. Strong winds and flames started to cause unrest in the forests.

Matt heard it loud and clear. Filled with apprehension, he thought of Len and Kaira. When he looked back, he realized that the explosion occurred from where Len and Kaira were at. The crackling of flames and the sudden brightness made Matt certain that something really happened.

Horton capitalized on Matt’s inattentiveness and unleashed his magic once more. He imagined Matt being pierced by his magic. It’s conclusively an instant death.

“Die, heretic scum…” He voiced in disgust.

However, it didn’t go as Horton expected. The ray of light he unleashed bounced as if it met a mirror. The source of Horton’s confusion is because of the fact that weaponized lasers do not reflect.

Contrary to that fact, Matt’s magic is quite something else.

Refract, Filter, Analysis, Telekinesis, Focus— PRISM REFLECT!!

At that very moment, Matt’s genius was showcased.

The deadly crimson ray of light splits into two, bounces and splits into two more, and repeats… until all of the colors of the rainbow started to shimmer, only then did Horton realize that he is trapped.

Mesmerized by the dazzling display in front of him, Horton succumbed to his death as each ray of light pierce him piece by piece. Not a speck of dust remained to be seen, Horton was decimated into ash. Matt didn’t even look back as he runs where he left Len and Kaira at.

Matt’s visibility is being impeded by the rising smoke. While running, he has to maintain his alertness for a sudden ambush. His fight with the Archmage suggests that the enemies are not to be trifled with.

Though Matt is not sure whether the person he fought was really an Archmage, it can’t hurt to be more careful. Once more, his DANGER SENSE rang. A scythe of wind rushed from his right, while a Fireball from his left.

Analysis. That’s all it took. Matt doesn’t need any fancy display of magic.

With one magic technique, ‘0.52 seconds, evasion is manageable.’ he analyzed the most optimal solution at that moment. With half a step backward, he bent his back at an unnatural angle. The scythe of wind passed by without harming him. While at it, he amplified the said ‘scythe of wind’ by adding his own interpretation to the mix. The wind of scythe and Fireball met, and the outcome was as Matt expected.

As a result of the magic collision, the Fireball was dissected into half together with its caster. Matt looked to his right, extending his hand out, he activated telekinesis. With a thought, he strangled the ambusher.

Matt’s control of his magic technique didn’t stop at that. He used telepathy in its basest form to scan for his surroundings while choking the poor mage to death. Instead of using the DETECT spell, Matt opted for telepathy to scan his surroundings so that he can conserve his mentality and mana.

“U-uck… Please, I don’t want to die…” The ambusher cried, “Please, I don’t want to…” but Matt paid no heed to the mage.

Finally, Matt completed his kill. He released his telekinesis with a thought.

“Sorry,” Softly spoken words, but Matt’s eyes remained filled with killing intent. “We are just trying to survive.” He reasoned.

The dead mage looked relatively young, maybe not even over 20 years old, but Matt has long steeled his heart. He searched the dead mage’s corpse and found some interesting reagents. There is also a magically enchanted knife.

With precision, Matt cuts off the dead mage’s thumb. It can be of use to him as a medium. Drawing geometric shapes in the damp soil with the dead mage’s blood and thumb is difficult, but Matt managed thanks to his impeccable memory.

After his petrification, Matt’s body has metamorphosed to become closely superhuman. He showcased his memory, coordination, and dexterity through the creation of the magic circle.

In a short amount of time, Matt finished with little effort.

Just right then, “Maaatt!!” Len called to him. Alighting from the periphery, Len held Kaira’s hand. Though the forest is burning, the two remained safe thanks to Len’s magic.

Matt heaved a relieved sigh. “Get here,” He instructed the two to get inside the magic circle. “Listen, you are currently standing on top of a teleportation-derived magic circle. I am going to send you away with ancient mag—”

“Wait, aren’t you coming with us?” Len held Matt’s arm, convinced that he was about to do something stupid. But Matt didn’t relent. He pried Len’s hand off him, and with a somber tone “I will find you two.” He promised.

Matt looked at the teary-eyed Kaira, and back to the worried Len. He wryly smiled. This must be fate playing tricks on him. But Matt has no regrets. If it were for Len and Kaira, he’ll do anything in his power to protect them.

If Len were to hear his thoughts, she’ll definitely nag him. ‘Who needs your protection?’ Something along those lines… Matt strained his mind and commanded the mana of the world to answer his power. His mentality churned and the world obeyed as outlier forces permeate their surroundings.

“HEY, MAAATT!! STOOOP! If you don’t stop, I’ll fuc~ ” Len shouted at Matt, but before she even take a step beyond the magic circle— Matt snapped his fingers— blue iridescent light suddenly engulfed both Len and Kaira.

Matt sent them to another place. To a place, that Matt doesn’t even know. It’s a gamble, but Len and Kaira have each other. The mage and little druid will certainly be able to survive no matter where it is, Matt optimistically thought.

The mage in these forests is a different story though. 'Heretic,' Matt was called as such and he can think nothing good coming out of it.

Immediately after sending Len and Kaira off, Matt cast his telekinesis to clean off the blood and dirt. The traces of the magic circle were no longer to be seen. Matt chose to stay because he can’t have others find this magic circle that connects to his precious people.

The forest is burning. Intuition tells Matt that the conflagration’s scattering is too unnatural as if someone is purposely fanning the flames. From the vague gaps of the fiery elements and burning trees, a silhouette emerged.

Matt’s tense nerves have become tenser. There is this illusion of being pushed to the edge. As if that were not enough, Matt felt that he is barely hanging from the cliff.

Blue eyes, a familiar mask, and an odd sense of incongruity. It’s that exact same feeling you get in meeting a person from a dream, now suddenly in reality…

“Was it you? The person who mouthed Trimystery?” The masked person dangerously called to Matt.