Potential

The robust man walked nonchalantly through the streets of the city, perfectly merging mysticism with modernity, presenting such a timeless image that it seemed extraordinary from the young boy's perspective as he followed alongside him. People casually walked around them, seemingly engaged in mundane conversations, with expressions on their faces mirroring those Infinn observed on the streets of his own city. Despite defying all taught logic, this place didn't appear fundamentally different from a regular city. His fantastical image of a wizard society, filled with mysticism and supernatural beings, seemed to be nothing more than people filled with mystique, with occasional displays of magic in small stalls and markets. The site appeared almost like any other city, leaving Infinn both surprised and, to some extent, disappointed.

"Disappointed?"

"Not exactly, I just..."

"You thought it would be like entering a medieval era with mystical creatures."

"Yes."

"Haha, that's simply propaganda. Maybe the kings planned it that way, but this world, after the magic, is like any other governed by humans. Sometimes filled with peace, other times with war, and often just routine."

"That's somewhat surprising."

"We're humans, kid. No matter what kind of power a human possesses, we will always be interdependent on a system or a goal that guides us."

The man calmly and fluently commented, as if someone full of knowledge and experiences was letting everything he had learned flow through his words. Infinn began to question what the wizard society truly was. Until now, he had held an innocent and exciting image based on the stories he read at night. The idea of a mighty warrior who could solve all problems with their strength or charisma was shattering before the realization that this society was perhaps more complex than mere "power" could regulate. Curiosity, uncertainty, and a certain fear of the unknown started to take root within Infinn. However, his emotional rollercoaster was interrupted when the robust man abruptly stopped in front of a building with multiple external pillars supporting a large roof. Broad stairs with around twenty steps led up or down, and different people moved on them. Some had lost expressions, while others seemed visibly nervous. Some resembled Infinn during his time working, as if they were following a daily routine. However, there was one notable difference—despite being caught in the same never-ending routine that the boy had experienced, they all wore content expressions, something Infinn couldn't yet comprehend.

"We've arrived. We'll do your civil registration here."

"Do I have to have one?"

"Did you think they would just release you into this part of society without knowing who you are? Obviously, you have to have one."

"This part?"

"Right, I forgot to explain. There are four main parts of the wizard society, you could say they are four nations governed by the four kings."

"You've talked a lot about these kings. Who are they?"

"In simple terms, they uphold this society and prevent it from colliding with the conventional society, using 'methods' like me."

The conversation ended as Infinn noticed they were just a few steps away from the entrance, which consisted of two open doors welcoming people inside. One thing Infinn deduced was that this society was quite small compared to the conventional one, to the point that its entire population could fit within four nations hidden in four locations around the world. He didn't know where the other three were, nor did he have time to worry about it. He had barely begun to grasp this new world, and he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. Even with the realization that this society might not be so different from the conventional one, there were still things that didn't add up. There was much hiding beneath the surface, waiting for one of his steps to shatter the delicate glass that separated them, ready to drown him. However, the boy decided to focus. If he truly cared about the mysteries held within this silent history, he had to read it with his own footsteps.

"This should be easy for you, just go and answer their questions."

The burly man pointed towards a booth where a woman in a stylish two-piece suit was sitting. She wore a black vest with a white shirt underneath, her hair tied back in a red ponytail. She was engrossed in writing on some papers that rested on her wooden desk, displaying a tranquility that contrasted with the vibrant colors she wore. Infinn walked slowly until he finally took a seat in front of her. They remained in an uncomfortable silence for a few seconds while he waited for the woman to notice him, but he quickly realized that she didn't even raise her gaze from the papers she was working on, writing as swiftly as fire spreading. After hesitating for a moment, Infinn decided to speak up to get her attention.

"Hello?"

The woman abruptly stopped writing, lifting her gaze to capture the boy's attention. Her eyes blinked a couple of times during a brief scan that lasted a few seconds in complete silence. Infinn could only feel somewhat uncomfortable, waiting for a response from the woman. She calmly moved her fingers while a sheet of paper traveled smoothly and precisely into her hands. From what Infinn could glimpse, there were certain boxes that resembled a form.

"I'll ask you a couple of questions, please answer them truthfully."

"Understood."

"Are you a newcomer to the City of Logic?"

"I believe so..."

"Alright. Are you a foreigner?"

From my understanding, yes."

"Okay. Do you have any friends, a partner, or family?"

"I have some friends, no partner, and I would say my grandparents."

"Slein will have little work to do this time, lucky him. I just need you to tell me your first and last name."

"Infinn Bright."

"Very well."

The woman sighed as she swiftly moved her hand across the paper, seemingly filling it with the information she had previously asked the boy. Infinn couldn't understand why, but the scene was quite admirable. The way she handled her work with efficiency and speed gave the impression of effectiveness and independence. Despite her calm demeanor, he could sense the passion through the mere movement of her hands. Perhaps her colors were not as contrasting as Infinn had initially thought.

After finishing writing, the woman placed the paper in a metal cabinet filled with other documents. Then, a small rectangular document was pulled out from under her desk, and slowly letters started forming on it as if by magic, as if they were being burned onto the document. A photo of Infinn's face appeared alongside the letters. The woman handed him the document while resting her elbow on the desk and holding her chin in her hand.

"Here you go, kid."

"Is that all?"

"Well, it's the first part of the process. Next, you'll have to choose your profession."

"My profession?"

"Slein really brought you here without telling you anything, that guy..."

"Are you referring to the man in the black trench coat?"

"That's him. Don't worry, they'll explain everything in detail when you arrive at your temporary accommodation. But in summary, there are three categories of professions: merchant, producer, and gatherer. You'll figure out which one you'll choose."

"I understand, Miss..."

"You can call me Mane."

"Miss Mane. Thank you for the service."

"You're welcome."

The woman said with a small smile as she bid farewell to the boy and returned to diligently writing on the papers. Infinn looked at his document, carefully storing it. It had been less tedious than he had expected, but he had paid close attention to the woman's actions, especially how she handled the papers in a remote manner.

Without considering how the document in his hand seemed to have simply fused the letters and images onto it in an equally magical way, he suspected that there had to be something behind it that explained the mechanism of how magic worked. He was interested in knowing this, especially since he still held onto the hope of learning to use it. It was certainly one of the things that excited him about the situation.

As they continued walking, Infinn would finally encounter Slein again. Slein was leaning against the frame of the large double doors that led to the exit, adjusting his fedora. He would approach Infinn with some haste, not because he actually had other things to do, but seemingly because containing his energy within that serene persona was making him somewhat hyperactive. It was something that genuinely amused Infinn, how he could look and be so intimidating yet have a hyperactivity similar to that of a child.

"Everything ready, right? Being stuck in this routine place is getting to me."

"Yes, my document is done, although you never mentioned that I had to choose a profession."

"I thought it would be obvious. You weren't going to live for free."

"That's a good point."

In the face of such simple logic, Infinn was defeated by the man who didn't really allow him to argue. A combination of amusement and a face that said, "It was so obvious," could be seen on his face. Forgetting completely how human society worked in the first place, he felt somewhat foolish, as it was quite obvious that he had to work to maintain his lifestyle. At least in the wizard society, they were considerate enough to provide him with temporary housing while he got established.

"Can you explain my options?"

"Mane should have told you about it briefly, right? They'll explain it to you in more detail when you arrive at your temporary home."

"But you know."

"Sure."

"And why didn't you tell me?"

"Too much work."

"I should have guessed."

"Lazy old man." That's what crossed the boy's mind in response to the man's refusal, as he maintained a smile full of energy. Their steps through the quiet nocturnal city were quite relaxing. Infinn, amidst the moment of tranquility as they both walked towards their final destination together, as Slein would return to conventional society, asked with notable curiosity about the man's story.

"How did you end up doing this kind of work, tying up loose ends?"

"It's a long story, kid, and one that I don't think you're ready to understand yet."

"Why?"

"Explaining it would take a lot of work."

"You fricking..."

"Let me make you a proposal. When I come back here in a year, and you're ready, I'll tell you all about my past."

"And how will I know when I'm ready?"

"I'll notice."

Infinn, not fully understanding what the man meant and somewhat irritated by the mystery he created by not mentioning anything personal, still understood that his story was quite strange even in this world where one of the most important rules was to hide their existence. If they let him roam freely to do the work of hiding them, it must be because he is a person of high importance. Slein, who until a moment ago was walking with haste to reach their destination, would suddenly stop as he felt a vibration in his pocket, shattering that unexpected feeling of tranquility. Sliding his enormous hands into his pockets, he pulled out a phone that appeared quite small in comparison to the size of his hands. It seemed he was receiving a call, which he answered without much trouble, his face displaying a certain indifference as if he already knew exactly who was calling him. Faint murmurs could be heard through the phone, to which the man merely sighed with an expression that indicated another loose end had been discovered and one that he needed to resolve. He turned to look at Infinn, still listening to what the voice was saying.

"Understood, I'll be back."

With the brief response, the call ended, and the man, with a look of annoyance like an office worker who had just been given extra papers for work, stored his phone where he had left it. Infinn, on the other hand, didn't take long to deduce the situation, mainly because Slein's expressions when he had to fulfill an obligation were usually similar to those he had when he was a pizza delivery guy. Understanding that his job was to tie up loose ends outside the wizard society, he knew that Slein was about to leave him to his own devices. Before he could leave, Infinn quickly asked the following.

"Can you tell me where I need to go?"

"You catch on quickly. Good virtue."

"Living in a job where you have to maintain a certain opinion of yourself to keep your job makes you capable of deducing certain things."

"In that case, you just need to walk straight ahead for a couple of houses, then turn left. You'll notice a building with a variety of windows, like an apartment complex."

Infinn nodded at the explanation, focusing primarily on the directions. However, a feeling of "Wait, I missed something" filled his mind. Since he had met Slein, he had always omitted information, as he was as forgetful and lazy as not to mention it. Besides, he hadn't explained anything else about how to enter or who to ask, considering that he needed to go there to apply for a profession. Infinn quickly turned towards where the man was, only to be met with a gentle breeze. He was gone.

"This has to be a joke..."

"I'll have to figure it out myself, then."

He said with resignation in his voice as he walked through the streets in a straight line. At this late hour of the night, there weren't as many people around as before, but he could see a variety of people walking nearby, many of them dressed quite elegantly, perhaps because it was their work attire. However, his simple outfit consisting of a loose white shirt, black pants, and casual white sneakers created a contrasting air with the formal environment. He felt uncomfortable when certain people glanced at him for a few seconds with a look of confusion due to his attire, giving him a sense of being out of place. This only made Infinn try to hasten his pace through the crowd.

Once the boy finally managed to turn left as he had been informed, in front of him appeared the piece of information that Slein had forgotten to mention. Instead of a single building resembling an apartment complex, there were two. They seemed to be separated most of the time, only interconnected by a notably wide corridor hovering slightly above the ground, like a kind of "H". At first, Infinn thought they were the same interconnected complex, but he could clearly see distinct divisions of land on the ground floor of both buildings, indicating that the only connection was that specific corridor. Mixed emotions of annoyance, anxiety, and confusion took hold of him as the answer became increasingly blurry. However, he told himself, "I'll figure it out," as a consolation in the face of the unknown situation.

He ended up standing in front of one of the two buildings, a 50/50 chance. Even if he made a mistake, he could always apologize and ask for directions. But if possible, he wanted luck to be on his side, so that he would choose the correct complex and avoid an embarrassing situation. The door opened with a certain impetuosity, revealing a man with long white hair reaching his shoulders, his expression filled with excitement. He wore a black jacket over a white shirt, with black pants and a belt, resembling the attire of an office worker. He took hold of Infinn's shoulders, looking at him with a smile.

"You're the new one, right?"

Despite his surprise, Infinn didn't want to give a wrong answer that would cause discomfort. He remembered that technically he was "new" since he had entered the wizard society, so perhaps that's what the man was referring to. Also, considering his formal attire, he deduced that the man might be a staff member of the temporary housing. With a slightly nervous smile, he replied.

"Yes, I'm the new one."

"Great! We've been waiting for you. You arrived earlier than expected."

"I suppose."

Somewhat confused, Infinn was led by the white-haired man into the building while the door behind them closed on its own. The surroundings were a strange combination of antique decor and contemporary technological aspects, a hybrid similar to the city outside that certainly impressed Infinn. Despite having already seen the city's aesthetics, it never ceased to be visually pleasing to observe. Their footsteps echoed in the hallway of the complex, which seemed somewhat deserted this time, giving a sense of intrigue and confusion to the boy because he really didn't have much idea of what was happening or where he was going with certainty. The only thing that sustained him was a deduction based on incomplete information. Such thoughts and doubts began to form in his mind until they finally arrived in front of a door with a metal plaque that read "New Wings."

The white-haired man turned to Infinn with a calm smile, preparing to tell him what he needed to do.

"Alright, newcomer, there's just one thing left to do – introduce yourself! Go and greet the others; the boss will take care of registering you."

"Registering me?"

"Yes, you're going to be registered in our crystal collectors group. That's what you applied for, right?"

"Wait, what..."

Infinn couldn't continue his question. The man had simply vanished in a blink of an eye, leaving behind only smoke. It seemed like he was in a hurry to leave, leaving the boy completely stranded. With the man's words, Infinn immediately knew he had entered the wrong building. He wasn't aware that the recruitment process took place right next to the temporary housing, which explained why there were two buildings and the peculiar corridor as the only connection. His face turned pale, as if all the blood had drained from his body. Overwhelming anxiety washed over him as he realized he was about to start working without any of the promised explanations. He was about to leave when the door to the apartment finally opened, stopping Infinn in his tracks as he turned to look at the person standing at the entrance. Before him stood a woman with beautiful long light brown hair, dressed similarly to the white-haired man from earlier, but with a brown trench coat instead of a dark one. She scanned the boy, as if assessing a new worker.

"You must be the newcomer that Lein was supposed to bring. Pleasure to meet you. I'm Kana Belio."

"I'm Infinn Bright..."

'Why am I playing along?' the boy couldn't help but think as he realized he had answered the question as if he were truly being evaluated. He wasn't thinking rationally anymore; at this point, he was solely guided by his anxiety of being discovered. That's why he kept going along without actually explaining that he wasn't the person they were looking for. Kana and Infinn observed each other in an awkward silence that made the boy increasingly uncomfortable. Finally, Kana broke the silence, slightly puzzled.

"And... are you going to come in?"

"Oh, right, yes, yes."

Infinn nervously replied with a small laugh as he walked toward the interior of the room. His eyes widened as he saw what lay before him, something that defied all logic. Inside that place was an enormous library with a few tables where figures sat calmly, enjoying some snacks. The stark difference in size with the exterior left the viewer incredulous. There was no way to explain this event with conventional thinking. It was something that clearly shattered any theory ever proposed about the laws of physics. Infinn looked back at Kana with a clear expression of disbelief on his face.

"How is this possible? This room looked so small from the outside!"

"Didn't they explain altered spaces to you at the temporary housing?"

"Uh... I forgot."

"Sigh... Okay, I'll give you a quick simplification. This space is formed under fractal theory, an indefinite amount of space within a closed perimeter. In this case, the walls of the room limit the perimeter, while what you see is the indefinite space that exists within. This was made possible by the magic of the second king, who, together with the first king, constructed devices with the same type and quantity of mana structures as the second king. These devices can mimic spatial magic to generate these fractals, causing them to expand within themselves but be limited by an external perimeter."

"And that was a simplification?"

"You wouldn't want to know the complete theory if that's your reaction."

The woman said with a slight mocking smile as she noticed the boy's confusion. She walked calmly until she stood at the top of the stairs, turning to look at Infinn, who remained motionless, trying to process the information. She crossed her arms and let out a sigh, looking at him with a face that indicated she found it somewhat troublesome to guide someone who seemed to be impressed even by the most basic things in her eyes. But at the same time, her expression softened after organizing her thoughts a bit. She was trying to be empathetic and not overwhelm someone who, for some reason, didn't seem to have a complete understanding of things. So, she simply said the following to Infinn.

"I understand that all of this might be unfamiliar to you for some reason, but don't worry. Things will get better. I can give you some time to process it."

Infinn expected to be scolded for his lack of knowledge, but to his surprise, the woman was being quite understanding. However, she could clearly see that Infinn had limited knowledge in these areas, and she could tell that he was at least trying. The boy decided that he would make an effort to learn about what he didn't know so as not to be a burden. With newfound determination, he lifted his gaze, which was previously filled with confusion and anxiety, and now it was steady, without any wavering. He demonstrated the conviction he had managed to form. The woman noticed this and released a small smile of admiration. She didn't expect the boy to resolve his internal problems so quickly, but she could see that he wanted to try.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. What should I do now?"

"Let's start with what you know. Do you know how to use mana and what it is?"

"I... No, I honestly don't know any of those things."

"Although it's strange, I suppose it's okay. At least I can see that you're willing to try. So, I'll explain it to you. It's a long explanation, so pay attention."

"Sure."

"Mana is a substance mysteriously infused in everything around us. This means, in simple terms, that it's virtually inexhaustible. It has very useful properties for our needs. Mana doesn't have a specific structure or form, which means it can be altered based on the imagination and ability of the user. Despite its inexhaustible quantity, containers like humans, depending on their physical capabilities, are unable to carry excessive amounts. It's like filling a balloon with helium—too much and it will burst."

"That sounds quite dangerous..."

Infinn imagined himself exploding from using mana carelessly. However, he focused his mind on understanding the theory. From what he could gather, mana was something that could be manipulated by its user. This freedom of alteration gave him an idea of how magic worked in itself. It wasn't just a set of signs that inexplicably invoked the power of fire or similar. It was actually a set of complex processes that transformed mana into these magical effects. If that were the case, perhaps mana wasn't as incomprehensible as he initially thought, although he could clearly see that mana didn't follow natural conditions.

"The way to use it is relatively simple. When you hear the theory of mana, you'll know that you have mana inside you. Every fiber of your being contains mana, so you just need to establish a connection with it."

"How is that possible?"

"Usually through meditation. Once you can visibly visualize mana throughout your body and have thoughts directed toward it, mana will react and adapt to this direct influence. Due to its undefined structure or quantity of structures, mana tends to adapt to all types of energy or matter to avoid adverse reactions. But if you stimulate it directly with energy in such a way that it transforms into something desired, like using the electrical energy that travels through your neurons or nerves, it's like walking. Initially, it will be challenging, requiring practice, but eventually, it will become so natural that you won't even need to concentrate."

"Can I give it a try?"

"Now? I don't think you'll succeed, but it will be a good way to start your training. So, go ahead and try it. The most simplified way to visualize it is to imagine your body as a lake. Visualize a boundary that keeps the water of the lake inside, and then create a path for the water to flow out of your body. Order it to do so, just like you would command your arms to move."

The woman spoke in a somewhat philosophical tone, using a metaphor that allowed for a simplified visualization of mana manipulation, enabling greater speed in its control. Of course, Kana didn't expect Infinn to actually unleash his mana. This was merely a preliminary exercise before proper training. As she had mentioned earlier, meditation is usually required to achieve a good visualization. While there are naturally talented individuals who can make significant progress, they are quite rare in the world of sorcery.

"From what I understand, magic is a product of mana. So, if mana functions based on imagination, I can imagine mana manifesting as electricity. Is that correct?"

"That's actually quite accurate. You catch on quickly."

Infinn simply nodded as the mental image Kana had provided as an example began to form in his mind. He closed his eyes, isolating himself from his senses and focusing his concentration on his hand. Soon, a strange sensation washed over his body. It felt different, similar to when he touched that crystal. Heat traveled through his body, and as an extension of himself, it flowed exactly where Infinn imagined his palm to be, dancing in colors that could only be appreciated in his mind's eye—a line of light in a world of darkness. However, something interrupted him—noises, a voice actively calling out to him. When he finally opened his eyes, his senses returned to normal. In his hand was an uncontrolled sphere constantly emitting energy, and lightning bolts struck around him at a speed surpassing sound. Confusion quickly overwhelmed Infinn, causing the sphere to become increasingly unstable due to his lack of focus.

"What's happening?!"