Chapter 54: The Form Of Magic
—Arienne's Mansion, Training Ground—
The afternoon sun dipped gently toward the horizon, casting warm amber light across the wide training ground behind the mansion. The air was calm, carrying with it the faint scent of dew-covered grass and the occasional chirping of birds hiding among the treetops.
Kael stood silently, his hands tucked behind his back, eyes scanning the field as if lost in thought. A gentle breeze tousled his shirt and ruffled his messy hair.
Beside him stood Arienne, wearing soft, small white shoes—her cheeks puffed with determination, and her tiny hands gripping a wooden sword far too large for her petite frame.
"Hey, mister," she chirped, tapping the tip of the sword against the ground with excitement. "What are you gonna teach me today? Something new?" Her eyes sparkled, almost expectantly, like she already knew the answer she wanted.
Kael sighed deeply, tilting his head just enough to give her a look. "You haven't even learned how to hold a sword properly. Now you're asking for something new?" His tone was calm, but firm. "If you keep skipping steps like this, you'll never become an adventurer."
Arienne huffed and turned away slightly, her lips forming a pout. "Okay, fine," she muttered, before quickly spinning back around with a bright, mischievous grin. "Then teach me magic today!"
Kael blinked. "…Magic? Huh?" He raised an eyebrow. "So now you're interested in magic?"
"Yep!" she beamed. "I read in a book that magic's super fun! And I want to learn too! But when I asked daddy, he said I need to grow up first. He still thinks I'm a child. But I'm already big enough… aren't I?" She looked up at him, her head tilted slightly, expression pleading but proud.
Kael looked down at her—the stubborn, sharp-tongued girl with lavender hair cascading over her shoulder. That defiant glint had returned to her eyes, the same one she wore when she refused to back down.
"You are big enough," he said at last, voice softening just a little. "But your father isn't entirely wrong. He's trying to protect you. You might not understand it yet, but when you try to wield magic—especially for the first time—it can be dangerous. Sometimes... it hurts. Your body might not be ready for it."
"I get it," Arienne cut him off, crossing her arms as she pushed her chest forward in a show of confidence. "You don't have to lecture me about all that. Just tell me—will you teach me magic or not?" She raised both hands, her small fingers clenched into delicate fists. Her eyes—purple like twilight—locked onto his without blinking, shimmering with something unspoken, as if waiting for him to respond.
Kael scratched the back of his neck and looked away for a moment. That stubborn little expression... she really was relentless.
With a resigned sigh, he turned back toward her. "…Alright. Fine. I'll teach you a little. But first—do you even understand what magic is?"
"Yeah. They're beautiful! And glowy! And they fly forward and make boom!" she said, miming something exploding with her hands. "Like flowers in the wind... but cooler!"
Kael blinked again. "Flowers… in the wind," he repeated, expression unreadable.
"Yeah!" she nodded. "Like, whoosh! Pew!"
Kael chuckled softly and gestured toward the fountain nearby. "Come. Sit."
Without hesitation, Arienne bounded forward, leaping beside him with an excited squeal. "Yesss~ I'm finally gonna learn magic!" She kicked her legs over the edge of the fountain, smiling from ear to ear.
A moment of silence passed. Kael glanced at her. She was practically glowing with curiosity.
"Alright," he began, folding his arms. "If you want to learn magic, the first thing you need to understand is what it really is, and how it works. Not just the flashy part."
Arienne nodded, eyes wide and attentive.
Kael pointed a finger upward, as if tracing a thought through the air. "Magic… is the embodiment of imagination. It's born from the mind, flows through the body, and is shaped by intent. Every person has a special organ inside them. It's called a core. Think of it like…"—he curled his fingers, forming a circle—"a small sphere. Sometimes it's bigger, sometimes smaller. It depends on the person."
"In that core, there's something called mana. Mana is a kind of energy—pure, unshaped, and powerful. It's what fuels magic."
Arienne squinted, then poked her belly. "So… there's like… another tummy in there? A mana tummy?"
Kael smirked. "No, not exactly. It doesn't digest food, if that's what you're thinking."
She crossed her arms again. "So the mana doesn't mix with food? Or get pooped out or something?"
"…Definitely not." He cleared his throat. "Mana flows in its own way. Inside your body, there are invisible lines—think of them like veins. But instead of carrying blood, they carry mana. They're called flowlines. They stretch from the core and connect throughout your entire body."
"So it's like invisible pipes," Arienne said, wiggling her fingers. "Carrying magic juice!"
Kael held back a laugh. "In a sense… yes. But these 'pipes' are delicate. And magic isn't just about having mana—it's about controlling it. Which, for most people, is very difficult."
He pointed to a nearby tree. Its leaves rustled gently in the wind. "Look at the wind. Can you see it?"
Arienne tilted her head. "No, Mister. Are you stupid? Nobody can see wind."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Exactly. You can feel it, hear it, see what it touches—but not the wind itself. Mana is the same. It flows, but you won't see it."
She looked thoughtful for a moment. "But… if it's invisible and floaty, how come it doesn't run away?"
"Good question," Kael nodded. "That's where the core comes in. It stores mana and keeps it stable, so it doesn't leak out. As long as you're alive, your mana will always flow. You can't stop it, even if you wanted to."
Arienne's face lit up with understanding. "Ooh! So mana is like… an energy flower in my tummy that sends magic juice through invisible pipes, and it doesn't run away because the flower's like a house!"
Kael blinked slowly. "…Not quite the way I'd describe it, but… yes. Close enough." He paused, then leaned back with his arms resting behind him, his voice calm and steady like a teacher who had explained this more than once. "But listen closely now—this part is important. Magic is the image form of mana. It's not just something that 'happens.' Magic forms when your will, your thoughts, your emotions—they all blend into one image. That image shapes mana. That shape... becomes magic."
Arienne blinked. "Wait, so you're saying... magic is like... drawing in your head?"
He chuckled softly. "In a way, yes. You paint a picture in your mind, and if your mana responds well to that image... poof, it takes shape. The more vivid and stable the image, the better the magic."
She tilted her head, skeptical. "Is magic really that easy? Shouldn't it be harder? You make it sound like a game."
Kael's expression grew more serious. His eyes—cold grey like a still winter sky—narrowed slightly. "Oh, it is hard. Very hard. That's the thing most people don't get. It sounds simple, but once you try… you'll understand how much your mind and body must work together. You'll fail. Again and again. And when you finally succeed—it'll only be for a moment."
Arienne went quiet, her eyes drifting to the ripples in the fountain. She nodded slowly. "...Okay. I'm listening."
Kael took a breath, then continued. "Now that you understand what mana is, let's talk about elements. Mana, in its raw state, is neutral. But nature... nature is never neutral. It divides mana into elements. There are seven common elements—fire, water, earth, wind, ice, lightning and healing"
Arienne's ears perked. "So, what exactly are elements? Like, are they ingredients? Or flavors?"
He gave a half-laugh. "Nice way to put it. Elements are like... flavors of mana. Each one has its own feel, its own rules. Fire is passionate and aggressive. Water is flowing, calm but powerful. Earth is steady and protective. Wind is free, wild. Lightning is fierce and fast. Ice is still and silent—beautiful but unforgiving. Healing is warm and gentle.
She hugged her knees, thoughtful. "Are there any other flavors?"
He looked up toward the sky. "Yes, the ones I mentioned are just the common elements—but there are so many rare ones you don't see often. For now, we only teach the seven. If you possess a rare element, we'll address that in time."
"So how do you choose one?" she asked, pointing at herself. "Can I pick which one I want to use? I want... fire! It's cool and goes whoosh!"
Kael smiled gently, shaking his head. "You don't choose. Nature already chose for you. Everyone has a mana core, remember? It's unique for each person. And every core has an affinity—that means it naturally leans toward one or more elements."
"Wait… so I can't even pick?"
"Nope," he said, popping the p. "You only get the elements your core lets you use. Some people get one. Some lucky ones get two. Rarely, someone gets three. And once in a lifetime... someone has four or more."
Arienne's lips curled in a pout. "Then that's not fair! What if I get something boring like water or healing? What if I want fire or lightning!?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Hey. Water can crush rocks. Healing can bring back people from the brink of death. Don't call them boring." Then with a sly smile, he added, "Besides, it's not the element that matters—it's the mage."
She narrowed her eyes at him. "You're trying to sound cool again."
"I am cool," Kael said matter-of-factly, brushing a leaf off his shoulder. The wind tousled his shirt once more, and his hair—already messy—became even wilder.
To Arienne, he looked like someone who had seen the world... and got tired of it.
"Now," he said, pushing himself off the fountain and standing tall, "let's talk about your training."
"But wait—how do I know what element I have?"
"We'll get to that." He looked down at her, offering a hand. "First, we'll see if your mana responds at all."
She took his hand, hopping down from the edge of the fountain. "You're not gonna make me drink something gross, right?" she asked, nose scrunching in suspicion.
Kael smirked as he gently let go of her hand. "No," he said. "Now, the next step is sensing your mana. Before you can cast even a flicker of magic, you need to learn how to feel it—how to find it. Control comes later. First... awareness."
Arienne threw her fists in the air. "Okay! I'm ready. Let's do this!"
Kael raised an eyebrow, both amused and mildly concerned by her enthusiasm. Still, he nodded and gestured toward the open training ground. "Alright. Stand still. Now... close your eyes."
She squeezed her eyes shut immediately—so tight that her forehead wrinkled and her whole face looked like it was holding in a sneeze.
"Not that hard," Kael said gently. "You're not trying to crush your eyes into your brain."
"I'm just focusing!" she huffed.
Kael's lips twitched. He looked down at her—a stubborn little thing with loose hair, soft shoes, and a light brown dress that flared as she stood firm, feet planted like a warrior. A loud one.
"Alright," he said again, softening his tone. "Breathe slowly. Imagine a warm light in your chest—deep inside you. Not your stomach, not your heart... deeper. Like a heartbeat made of stars. That's your core. That's where your mana sleeps."
"Mmm..." Arienne mumbled, scrunching her face again. "Heartbeat star flower tummy..."
Kael turned away slightly, hiding a small laugh behind a hand. Despite everything, she had the kind of honest imagination most older students lost. And heart... heart was always the first step.
Time passed in quiet seconds. A light breeze rustled through the nearby trees. The wind flapped gently at Kael's shirt once again. Arienne stood still, eyes closed, lips parted in concentration.
But then...
"...It's not working," she muttered.
"Keep trying," Kael said calmly.
She clenched her fists, eyebrows twitching. "I'm imagining... a round tummy... star light... glowing stuff... Focus... focus..."
Still, nothing. Only darkness in her mind's eye. A blank, empty space.
She opened her eyes, frustrated, and looked up at Kael. "Why can't I find it? You said it was there."
Kael knelt slightly so their eyes were level. "Because you're trying too hard. Mana isn't like a switch you flip. You don't grab it—you feel it. You have to learn to listen. To yourself."
Arienne frowned, lips curled in disappointment. "...So now what?"
"Let's try a different position," he said. "Sit on the ground. Cross your legs, place your hands gently on your knees, palms facing up. Relax your shoulders."
She plopped down onto the grass without hesitation and crossed her legs a little messily, then adjusted and tried again properly, mimicking Kael's posture.
"Like this?" she asked.
"Better," he said, sitting beside her, mirroring the pose but with years of ease and discipline behind every small movement.
"Now," he said in a low voice, like a lullaby or a spell, "close your eyes slowly. Not too fast. Let the darkness come to you."
Arienne's lashes fluttered, and her eyes closed. Her breathing was fast at first—short little gulps of air like she was trying to race through the steps.
"Breathe in slowly," Kael said softly. "Count to four in your mind while breathing in. One... two... three... four..."
She tried.
"Now exhale... just as slow. Not too fast. Let the breath go through you like wind through leaves. One... two... three... four..."
She did better this time. Her shoulders lowered slightly.
"Good. Again. Keep doing that. Don't rush it."
The rhythm of her breathing slowly changed. Inhale. Exhale. Kael could hear it—how her small lungs adapted, how her body started to loosen, how the tension left her tiny fingers resting on her knees.
"Now," he continued, "imagine a soft circle around your body. A space just for you—like a home made of light: safe, warm, quiet."
Arienne's brow twitched, her lips moving soundlessly.
She tried once—and failed. The house crumbled. She tried again. Still nothing. A few more attempts, and each time it slipped away, like soap bubbles drifting in the wind.
Then, in the vast dark of her imagination... a flicker.
A tiny ember. No bigger than a raindrop. Floating deep inside her—quiet, calm, fragile.
Her breathing hitched.
It glowed—not red like fire, but gold. Like the final ray of sunset. A warmth spread across her chest, faint but real. A connection. It was there.
Then—
"I did it!" she shouted, jumping to her feet. "I did it, mister! I've seen a light! It wasn't that bright but it was there in my tummy! Like a little firefly!"
Kael exhaled through his nose, the corner of his mouth lifting. "You did well, kiddo. But don't shout in the middle of focus next time. The moment you scream, you break the connection."
"Oh..." she said, sitting back down, sheepish. "Oops."
"But..." he added, resting a hand on her head, "it means you're starting to feel it. That's the first victory."
She beamed. "So I have mana? I really do?"
"Of course you do," Kael said. "Everyone has it. But not everyone knows how to listen."
Arienne puffed her chest proudly. "Told you I'm not a kid."
He chuckled. "No. You're a stubborn little girl who might just burn the training field down one day."
"That's the plan," she grinned.
Kael shook his head, amused. "Alright. Again. This time... try not to explode."
She nodded eagerly, eyes already closing as she returned to her breathing.
He watched her for a moment longer, then stood up, brushed the dust off himself, and gazed up at the afternoon sky.
"She's raw… but there's potential. A fire hidden beneath petals. She just needs time to burn."
"But that's not the real problem."
"The real problem starts the moment Seraphina catches even the slightest hint that I'm secretly training a little girl—while I'm still her student, no less. She'll tear me apart. Mock me into the grave."
"And honestly? I wouldn't blame her. In her eyes, I'm just an E-Rank adventurer with no real credentials, trying to train the daughter of none other than the famous merchant, Albrecht Lysander. It sounds ridiculous even to me. But I'm not ready to be her next punchline. I can't let that happen. This stays hidden. No matter what."
"Still, I'll need some kind of excuse for the money he's going to give me…" Kael muttered, patting his pockets absently. "Come to think of it—I don't have a single coin today, do I?" He checked again, and sure enough—empty.
"Yep. I'm broke."
His shoulders slumped slightly, eyes narrowing in quiet defeat. "Should I take on a quest? Maybe…" He paused, rubbing the back of his neck. "Or I could just ask Seraphina for some money. She'll give it to me."
He sighed. "But man… it always feels weird asking your wife for money." Then a shrug. "Well, good thing I've got no shame. Asking her works too."
Meanwhile, a few feet away, Arienne was still sitting cross-legged in deep concentration, her brows furrowed as she tried her best to imagine her mana core—lips moving slightly as if whispering to herself.
---
Meanwhile…
Within the quiet interior of a nobleman's carriage, an old man sat in silence.
He rested comfortably, legs crossed, one hand supporting his chin, his gaze fixed beyond the window. The town drifted past in gentle motion — calm streets, clean stone, soft light settling over roofs of two-storied homes.
Velhart.
He watched without speaking, eyes unmoved, yet thoughtful. A quiet town now. Fresh air. A certain warmth...
A faint breath escaped him — not quite a sigh.
"It's been a while," he murmured inwardly. "So much has changed."
His eyes lingered on the quaint homes, the polished stone, the sense of calm that clung to the town like a veil.
"So… my daughter imposed some modesty here." A pause. "I didn't expect that much from her."
He leaned slightly back, gaze sharpening, though his expression remained unreadable.
"Finally, we're meeting again."
A faint chill touched his thoughts — not from the air, but from memory.
"I hope you're ready, Seraphina."
---
(Chapter Ended)
To be continued...