[Chapter:10][Learning Magic]

"This is it.", Rias-chan sighed in relief as she put the last of the tomes on the table.

"Do we seriously need to read so much stuff?", Kuroneko looked at the 50+ books before her in a daze.

Rias-chan sighed as she nodded.

"I asked one of my contracted magicians for the very basics one would need to learn to call themselves a qualified magician, and these are what he gave me. And he has no reason to lie and every reason to please me since, although I don't like being seen that way, I'm still the heiress of one of the 72 Noble houses."

The girls, and I, who was rather rudely woken up, looked at the numerous books and times before us in a daze.

"So…who's going to learn magic?"

According to the Group, not every participant needed to complete each and every objective. As long as any one participant did it, the objective would be counted as completed. This was shown when Kaguya-chan completed the 3 elimination objectives and it was marked complete for all of us.

"Well, at least it's not entirely hopeless." Irene-chan said as she looked at the two who decided to try their hand at Learning Senjutsu, that it, Tsunade-chan and myself.

"Kuroneko, Mikoto, why don't you two give it a try too?"

"Eh? Me too?", Kuroneko asked in surprise as Mikoto pointed at herself.

"The two of you also have pretty weak bodies. And Mikoto, although you are certainly strong, if someone manages to get close to you and has prepared proper preventions against your lightning, you will be easily defeated."

The two fell silent at Kaguya-chan's words. That was indeed true, unlike Irene-chan and Kaguya-chan, who are strong enough to not really need to learn something new, and Rias-chan who as a Devil would face many difficulties learning it, Kuroneko and Mikoto-chan might as well join me and Tsunade-chan.

"In that case!", Rias-chan clapped her hands together as she smiled, "Whoever is interested in all…this.", she gestures towards the many old and dusty books, "Can read them whenever, but we will be going to Kyoto to the Youkai faction there to get help in learning Senjutsu. How does 3 days sound? Since we can't exactly visit unannounced."

The girls nodded in understanding. After all, Rias-chan wasn't just any Devil, but a heiress and the little sister of one of the four Satans. Although the identity of us, strangers to this world, is unknown, since she's a part of the Group that will be going to the Youkai faction, proper formalities need to be followed first.

"Then, I'll show you to your rooms. I'll take you out to the town tomorrow. I'm sure it'll be quite new to most of you."

"Ah, don't mind me.", I wave my hand as Rias-chan and the other girls all got up, "I'll sleep here. This is quite comfortable for me."

I gesture towards the sofa.

"Well, if that's what you want. Still, if you can't fall asleep, remember that the room at the end on the second floor is yours."

The girls then went their way while I looked at the numerous books before me.

"Well now, I can't believe I'm saying this, but let's work hard tonight shall we?"

I am many things, lazy, lethargic, slothful…well, all three really mean the same thing.

But I was also curious by nature. Unlike in my world, where pretty much everything was the same old booting routine or stuff related to it, things that I am perfectly well aware of, magic was new to me.

And new things, exciting things, always had a soft spot in my heart.

"Magic…let's see now…"

Magic was a very broad term. I'm some worlds, such as Toaru, it is purely based on ceremonies, complex calculations, chants, and other stuff I don't really remember that well. I should try to learn that magic too, when I have time.

Then there's magic like the one portrayed in Fairy Tail. While I'm sure there are several calculated approaches one must take to learn Fairy Tail world's magic as well, it is also far less theoretical in nature than it is practical.

After all, I'm pretty sure Fire Dragon King Igneel didn't teach a 4+ year old hyperactive human kid Dragon Slayer Magic using numbers and equations.

Then there is the 'intent' and 'language' based magic from Harry Potter, magic based on 'imagination' from the 'Wiseman's Grandchild' world, magic from the world of 'Magi', magic from 'Fate' and 'TypeMoon', and so on and so forth.

But all that didn't matter to me right now. What mattered was the many books and times about magic in here, in DxD, which are based on, in simple terms, 'reading the flow'.

"History of Magic…why do I need to read this again?"

I had no answer, obviously, this I could only suck it up and start reading. Then again, reading the history of a whole other world, a world full of fantasy at that, certainly had its appealing parts to me.

'Magic is the power born by researching about the Devil's Demonic Power which also became a power that humans can control. While there exist multiple types of magic such as Norse magic, Fairy magic and various different types of magic with different equations including the magic that Gods use, it is said that the majority of magic that is used by the ordinary Magicians are those created by the great Magician; Merlin Ambrosius which involved reading the flow.'

'Magic, in its barest form, can be expressed as 'If I do this, this happens'. That is to say, the actions of 'I', the magician, lead to the effect of magic, the phenomenon or reaction. What is important at the beginning, is not the final phenomenon, but the initial action.'

'The action here is not physical movement, but the application of knowledge and mental calculations. A proper magician requires many tools, but the most important one nonetheless remains his or her mind. There are many kinds of magic systems, from elemental magic involving usage of fire, water, earth, wind, light, dark, and other elements of magic, to summoning magic, teleportation magic, healing magic, hypnosis magic, strengthening magic, sealing magic, and so on and so forth.'

'Magic relies on equations, formulae, calculations, and knowledge.'

'The most experienced and capable of magicians, to take a step forward, a step beyond the ordinary peak, would then seek to create their own magic formula, their own system of magic which suits to their individual irises and caters to their needs.'

Thus, I spent the next several hours going through the books in a rapid, yet detailed manner.

'Magic…I wonder how long it'll take me to learn it?'

The answer to that question, I would know two days later.