'Analysis' spell(1)

Ethan decided to start with the clothes. He sent his mana to the ring and began to take out one cloth after another.

[I'm not interested in your clothes, so keep them inside.]

[Um, okay.]

He shoved his clothes back inside the ring. After that, he took out a longsword. It was unexpectedly heavy for Ethan. He didn't manage to hold it in his hands, and the sword fell down. Luckily, when it appeared in his hands, they were over the desk and not very high. So the sword only fell with a clanking sound; nothing dangerous happened.

Ethan wanted to take out another sword, but

[Wait for now; I want to take a closer look at this sword.]

[Um, okay.]

There was silence for some time.

[Do you know what this symbol is? And this circle on the base of the blade near its hilt?]

The sword's blade and its hilt had these strange symbols.

[It's enchantments.]

[So do you know what they mean?]

[I don't know the meaning behind each symbol, but I know what they're all for. These symbols are for increasing the sword's durability, and these symbols are for self-repair. The circle is a magic circle; it's needed for helping mages enhance the blade with their mana, like knights can use their aura to enchant their weapons.]

[And how did you know that?]

[It's because I was looking when my mom carved these symbols and a circle with her magic. She said this process is called artifact creation. And the items with these magic symbols are artifacts.]

[Hoo, then this sword must be expensive.]

[Yes, my mom used this method to earn a lot of money. But she spent most of it on her research.]

[Do you know what she researched?]

[Um, no. Mom never told me about it.]

[Alright, then let's look at other things inside your ring.]

[Um, okay.]

Ethan started to take other weapons out. He learned his lesson, so now his hands were almost touching the surface of the desk.

Beside the longsword, which was already resting on the table, there was another one. Besides them, there were also two short swords, four daggers, two staffs, two wands, two magic rifles, and two magic pistols.

[It looks like your mother was packing you off to war, not to visit.]

[Um, it really looks like that.]

[And all the weapons are artifacts; she must be really worried about you. So I assume that the staff and the wand are needed to cast magic. But what is the difference between the two?]

[Magic can be cast without them. But the staff helps to increase the power of the spell, and the wand is useful when there is a need for more fine control over the mana. Um, so I heard.]

[So what do the symbols and magic circles do on these staffs and wands?]

[The symbols on the staffs are to further increase the power of the spells and to help control mana easier. The circle on one of the staffs is the 'Flame Arrow' spell circle, so I can use it without knowing the spell; I just need to send enough mana to it. And the symbols on the other staff are the same, but the circle is from the 'Ice Arrow' spell. The symbols on the wands are to stabilize mana flow, and the circle on one of them is with the 'Analysis' spell, and on the other one, the circle is with the 'Telekinesis' spell.]

Before his teacher managed to say something, Ethan took the wand with the 'Analysis' spell and sent his mana to it. He really wanted to try to use the spells engraved on this weapons.

[Teacher, look!]

Nothing happened, but it was only for an observer from the side without mana. Ethan's eyes saw the staff parameters:

[Do you see it, teacher?]

[Yes, I see it. It looks like this 'Analysis' spell is pretty useful. What about the other wand?]

Ethan placed the wand on the table and took the other one. He pointed it at the longsword, and after he sent his mana to it, it started to levitate. But the levitation wasn't smooth; the sword was shaking.

Ethan let the sword down slowly.

[Fuh, it was really difficult.]

[It's because your control over your mana is lacking.]

His words pierced like arrows.

[Um, how do you know that? Is this because you know the 'Analysis' spell?!]

[I don't know it, but I don't need a spell to see something so obvious. I guess I need to add mana control lessons to your schedule.]

[Um, okay.]

[But before that, I am curious: what will happen if you use the 'Analysis' spell on yourself?]

[Um, I don't know.]

[Why not try it?]

[Um, okay.]

Ethan took the wand with the 'Analysis' spell and used it on himself. He frowned slightly.

[Um, it really worked. But the feeling of receiving the spell isn't pleasant; it feels like something is looking for every nook and cranny in my body.]

[Hm, I see. But I want to check something else. What about you letting me control your right hand and mana for some time?]

[Um, okay.]

Ethan sent his mana to the cage, and shortly after, the feeling in his right hand stopped. The wand was pointing at him, and he felt how his mana was running towards his right side. After a short time, he felt this unpleasant feeling again, so he frowned.

[Wow, so many more parameters.]

[It looks like the result is based on the caster's knowledge.]

[Um, what with these physical conditions and IQ?]

[Muscular atrophy and malnutrition are there because you were unconscious for a month, so don't worry for now; if you continue to eat well and train, they will disappear. And I'll teach you about the human body later.]

[Okay.]

[And the IQ parameter is your intelligence.]

[So 115 is good?]

[Slightly better than average. But don't worry about it. If you continue to use your brain, it can be increased.]

[Okay. Um, teacher, can you use it on Lena?]

[Are you that curious about her?]

[Um, it's nothing like that. It's just to see her affinity.]

[Uh, fine, whatever. You can call her inside the room.]

[Really?! I call her immediately!]

Ethan stood up, quickly walked to the door, and opened it. Lena stood near it, and when she saw how the door opened unexpectedly and saw Ethan's excitement, she became slightly dazed.

"Lena, come inside for a moment."

"Em, okay."

She came inside and saw different weapons lying on the desk. And Ethan stood with the wand in his hand.

"Em, what do you want from me... Master?"

She contemplated how she needed to address him, but seeing Ethan, who was feeling down earlier and now was strangely excited, and seeing weapons on the desk and a wand on his hand, she decided that it would be more appropriate to call him Master without teasing.

"I want to use magic on you."

"Isn't it dangerous?"

"No, it is not dangerous. It's just an 'Analysis' spell. It can help to find out if you have the affinity to become a mage or knight. And I already used it on myself."

Lena, to be blunt, was slightly afraid to receive a magic spell with her body. She would never agree to it if it was someone she didn't know. But she knew Ethan, and she was sure that he didn't mean any harm to her.

"Em, okay. You can use it on me."

She closed her eyes.

[Um, teacher...]

Ethan sent his mana into the cage.

[Fine.]

. And the hand, after pointing at Lena, started to absorb his mana.

[She's really smart.]

"Wow, you are really smart."

"Huh? Smart? Are you already used your spell on me?"

"Yes."

"But I didn't feel anything."

[Hm, I assume the reason she didn't feel anything is because she can't feel mana. It's a very reasonable theory, but to be sure, I need to test this spell on myself.]

"It's how it's supposed to be, I think."

"Then can I become a mage? Or knight?"

Lena was fine either way. So she eagerly waited for Ethan's answer.

"You can become a mage."

"Really!?"

She quickly approached Ethan and took his left hand with both of her hands. Ethan slightly blushed at her unexpected gesture.

"Um, yes. I'm not lying."

"I believe you."

With these words, Lena let go of Ethan's hand, much to his disappointment. But he managed to not show it on his face.

"So what else have you learned about me with this spell?"

"I knew when you were born!"

Ethan answered readily. He wanted to tell her this almost immediately after the spell was cast but decided not to do it; after all, he told his teacher that it was to know what affinity she had, not her age. And he felt that his teacher wouldn't like it. Unfortunately for Ethan, his teacher was sharp.

[So it was your real reason to cast magic on her.]

It was like the bolt of lightning stuck Ethan, but he could say nothing for an excuse; he could only try to control his face to not show his emotions to Lena.