The Grimoire
***
To prevent eyewitnesses intruding on him, Arata stood up as he locked the door. Finishing with his preparations, he sat on the bed and analyzed the screen like projection again.
'They seem to be game-like stats?'
Arata concentrated on a particular information.
'He did mention Seven Archives of Magic...this should be the one of them.'
Tti-ring. A new pop up screen suddenly manifested.
[Daily Workout : Preparation to master Mantra Enchant]
Push-up, 150 times : Incomplete (0/150)
Sit-up, 150 times :Incomplete (0/150)
Squats, 150 times : Incomplete (0/150)
Running, 15 km : Incomplete (0/15)
Arata reflexively spat out a chuckle after confirming the contents.
'A list of physical exercise to train my body...I expected something more unreasonable. Well, this will certainly help me to get stronger physically...According to this message, it appears such physical activity is particularly important to this archive.'
'Well, I've got nothing to lose, anyways. I shouldn't be too surprised...after all, this is a power from a Superior Entity. Simply logic will not explain anything.'
There would be no reason not to try it out, if he treated as a light workout to stretch his muscles or something, no? There also didn't seem to be any demerit in doing it. Maybe he could unlock the Magic after doing these excercises?
He made up his mind.
'Fine. Let's try it.'
Arata climbed off the bed and stretched himself for a bit, before leaning against the corner of the bed and slowly performed each activity.
"One, two, three….."
The count started from 'one' and quickly climbed upwards.
"…..97, 98, 99, 100."
".....147, 148, 149, 150."
All that was left, was running.
However, he wasn't sure if the doctors might let him leave the hospital yet. He couldn't run around for 15 km in this small room.
'So, how do I even unlock this magic? Is it after running that 15km?'
[That is just physical training to get you accustomed to the Gula Archive, Master. The answer to your question is already inside you.]
?!
'Where did that voice come from?'
A female voice...
Arata looked around again.
However, there was clearly no one else in his room.
[Down here.]
Arata finally located the source.
The ring around his neck started to glow faintly.
He sat back down on the bed as he lifted up the ring.
"The voice is coming from this ring?"
[That's right. My name is Lemegeton. I am your contracted Grimoire, my Master.]
Arata suddenly recalled another piece of information from earlier.
'That's right, that screen did show something about a Grimoire. But to think it was this ring...'
He opened his mouth as he voiced his thoughts.
"What exactly is a Grimoire? What are you?"
[It's not really easy to explain but nearly every Magus has a Grimoire. It is a device of sorcery used by magicians to record information. Basically, it a source for you to record down your research. My purpose here is to help Master with his growth.]
Surprisingly, Arata wasn't really surprised as he replied.
"Can all Grimoires speak like you?"
[No, there are only some that possess consciousness and are able to manifest in human forms as well. Unfortunately, I am unable to accomplish that at the moment.]
"Why not?"
[I am only a fragment of the original.]
'Ah that's right, that projection from earlier...'
"It seems you are only a third of something else, right?"
[Correct. As a Grimoire, we were originally one entity, known as Gematria. You can say that since being fragmented, I only possess a third of the original power.]
"What about the other two?"
[The Key and Lesser Book of Solomon. In order to utilize the full power of Gematria, Master has to collect the other two fragments. Unfortunately, it is currently impossible for Master.]
'I see. But, how do I even start finding the other two fragments?'
"Are they located somewhere in this world?"
[I...I cannot say anything more than that.]
???
Before Arata could ask why, Lemegeton continued.
[It's not that I don't wish to tell Master. It's that I am unable to, as though I am being prevented by an external force. When I try to explain it, I would suddenly forget what I wish to say. It seems someone doesn't want me to spill anything more than necessary, for fear of disrupting the Cosmic balance. Essentially, there are things I can say and things I cannot say as well.]
'It should most likely be his doing. After all, it is a magic from another world. There should be some things he doesn't want me to learn about yet.'
"Then, do you remember where you came from?"
[That's right. As mentioned earlier, I am only a fragment of the original True Grimoire. A long time ago, we contracted with the Magus, King Solomon. Subsequently, because of an incident, we were split into three separate fragments.]
"Your previous master, so he was from another world?"
The Angel he met said that this power was from another world, which probably meant that were many other worlds as well, and theirs was just one of the many in the vast Cosmos.
[Yes, based on my analysis of the composition of magic energy flowing, I do not belong to this world. Regretfully, that is really all I can say for now. Except, I do know this. Or rather, it is something imprinted within my mind...]
Arata patiently waited as he watched the ring glow.
[A True Kings's power is to be able to gather the fragmented parts,
'A King...'
Those were some heavy words that Lemegeton said.
"Are you not surprised? As in, you suddenly appeared in another world as the contractor of a random guy."
[When I first opened my eyes, I instantly recognized Master as my new contractor. It appears me being here now in this world is something...natural? I am unable to fully explain it. A Grimoire's job and purpose is solely to serve it's Master. Other reasons are inconsequential. Regarding the magic that Master will soon learn, I will be able to help Master along the way. The information regarding the Archives are still within my ability to communicate. But, regarding matters of other worlds, there seems to be some restrictions in place that I am unable to say. I hope Master understands. In time, as Master continues to grow, I am sure everything will be revealed to you as well.]
'Well, I still haven't even completely got over these facts yet. I guess I have to slowly uncover what exactly this power truly does and it's origins.'
"Then, are you able to see this screen as well?"
Arata pointed towards the screen projection that materialized through thin air in front of him.
[Affirmative Master. Unfortunately, I only have a vague idea on what it is. Again, it seems I only know the basic information about it.]
"No, that's more than enough. So, what exactly is this...thing?" Arata pointed once more towards the screen.
Lemegeton was silent for a few seconds before replying.
[Based on prior knowledge imprinted in me and my analysis, it is basically a system that will help you master your new powers. The display of statistics and functions is to aid Master on this journey as well. As to how it really works, I am again unable to fully explain it. I am also another special entity here to serve and aid Master.]
'A system...so it really is like a game...maybe he made it this way so it will be easier for me to understand.'
"The first thing you said to me was the question to my answer is within me. What do you mean?"
[That's correct, Master. First of all, when a magician finds his own "Thema", he or she will be able to control that power properly with their own magic energy. Normally, a "Thema" is the thing that's farthest from yourself. So the things further from one's own common sense is what makes true "Magic". Most people will choose an Archive and "Thema" that is opposite of what their personality is, as that appears to be the easiest for them to use and research since magic is irrational by nature. However, that rule doesn't apply to Master since you are able to learn from multiple Archives. Alas, I have no idea how many "Thema" Master will be able to learn and handle. Therefore, unlike the common practice, they are now not magic which simply serves a 'research' purpose, but magic that best caters and allows you to achieve your goals. But, there is something Master must be wary about with your new power...]
However, Lemegeton suddenly stopped her explanation midway.
"Lemegeton?"
[My apologies but it appears the same thing has happened again.]
'So there are really some things she can say and some things she can't. There is no point in forcing her as well.'
[It's alright. You can just continue your explanation.]
[Very well. As I mentioned earlier, Master's "Thema" is [Fides] from the [Gula] Archive. The branch magic that Master possesses is [Mantra Enchant]. [Mantra Enchant] basically stores magic on a portion of the body in the form of characters, greatly enhancing your physical abilities. The characters can also be used to manifest separate entities. That is why, physical training is very important in order to use this magic. Lastly, the spell used to invoke this magic and manifest the characters is [Conception]. Well, you will figure out what I mean when you manifest the magic first, Master.]
[Process 1 has been cleared, process 2 has been cleared, process 3 has been cleared. Now all Master has to do is invoke it. The knowledge for the command is already inside Master...all Master has to do is simply concentrate and search from within.]
'That is certainly a long explanation...well, I should understand it more clearly once I manage to use it.'
After hearing out Lemegeton, Arata slowly stood up from his bed and closed his eyes.
After a brief period...
'That's right, I can certainly feel the Magic flowing within my body.'
He started breathing in and out slowly.
'Concentrate...feel the magic flow...'
Finally, exactly like a sudden electric surge--
Arata's eyes snapped open and his lips moved as if on reflex, allowing the words that came out to flow naturally.
A vast amount of condensed magic power started swirling around him, just like a vortex.
***
"Connecting to the Gula Archive..."
"Execute Thema!"