017 MAGIC TRAINING?

017 MAGIC TRAINING?

"No, this is a mistake! Lilleo just returned from training he needed rest," Lillye protested, sensing the futility of the fight and trying to help his son.

Lillwo considered the proposal, his gaze shifting to Lilleo's smug expression.

There was something different about Leo that gave him pause.

Leo's confidence was unsettling, even reckless, his language was taunting as though he had a hidden advantage. Lillwo imagined that Leo must have a hidden hand by asking for a duel with his son.

"What if he came with a real master hiding in the shadows? Or got his hands on a powerful relic?" Lillwo considered.

He must not be found unprepared for Leo's wicked schemes. Cautious, Lillwo decided it would be wiser to wait and gather more information about Leo first.

"I propose the duel be held in three months," Lillwo finally said.

"That's too long", Lillrune protested but was ignored.

"Then it's settled. The duel will take place in three months—both fighters may have time to prepare," Lillann declared, his tone final.

"Damn, the donkey will grow old by then," Leo commented before walking away.

Lillye slumped back into his seat, worry etched across his face for his son but relieved that there was still time to salvage the situation.

----

"Lilleo, you're being reckless! Do you have any idea how much effort I put into protecting your position as heir to this family? You lack talent in both magic and administration, and now that you've returned with awakened magic, I thought we could finally silence those old fools. But you choose to engage in this foolhardy fight," Lillye scolded Leo, frustration evident in his voice.

"The young master might surprise you, General," Major General Kasshyek interjected, a hint of intrigue in his tone.

"You believe in him?" Lillye asked, raising an eyebrow at his trusted subordinate.

"I've never regarded this brat as anything more than a burden, but since his return, I've heard quite a bit about him, and my perspective is shifting," Kasshyek replied.

"What do you mean? What haven't you shared?" Lillye pressed.

"When the heir came back, he nearly beat a city guard to death with a single punch and almost killed a slave trader right in the street," Kasshyek explained, shaking his head.

"They deserve it", Leo admitted with a grin.

"Damnit! All these misdemeanors will only land you in deeper trouble," Lillye lamented.

"I'm not concerned with his past mistakes. Brat, come here and throw a punch at me," Kasshyek challenged Leo.

"Are you serious? I will break your fuckin old bones," Leo asked, taken aback.

"Absolutely. Give it your best shot," Kasshyek insisted.

"Alright," Leo replied, gathering himself before delivering a powerful jab to the Major General.

"Arrggggg!"

Kasshyek staggered backward, several steps, before grimacing and muttering, "See what he is capable now? He can push me back," with blood trickling from his mouth.

"Unbelievable! Didn't you just awaken your magic? I know that the awakening of your Cakra can enhance your strength, but this is beyond anything I expected, Kasshyey is a Tier 10 Cakra Mula" Lillye remarked, stunned and astonished.

"Yes, the force behind that punch must be from one with at least Tier 5 of Cakra Mula—almost on par with that bastard Lillrune or better," Kasshyek assessed, wiping blood from his lip.

"Really? Am I that strong now? I didn't even realize it," Leo said, a mix of surprise and excitement in his voice.

"Don't you know about this? What gives you the nerve to challenge Lillrune if you didn't understand the difference between you two?" Lillye scolded his son again.

"Erm… I can still improve. I have three more months, don't I?" he asked.

"Bring in the trainers," Kasshyek declared, his tone turning serious.

-----

The trainers wasted no time in assessing Leo's abilities.

After a series of tests, they confirmed that he was nearing the final stages of the first tier of Cakra Mula—the Origin of Magic.

"With the right conditions, the young heir is poised to break through to the second minor tier soon", a trainer declared.

"Tier 2, is that strong?" Leo asked.

The trainers took the time to explain the nature of magic in this world to Leo.

"Humans harness magic by cultivating a magical core within their bodies, known as the Cakra Core, which is responsible for gathering and storing magical energy. The potency of a mage is determined by the strength of their Cakra Core.

The hierarchy of Cakra strength is divided into several major tiers: from Mula; Svad; Man; Anna; Hatta; Ajna; and finally, Sahastra. Achieving the Sahastra tier is akin to attaining divinity or godhood."

"What is breaking through?" Leo asked.

"The journey of Cakra development is slow and fraught with challenges. Mages often encounter bottlenecks in their progression; even with an abundance of magical energy, they cannot advance until they experience a breakthrough condition that allows them to move to the next tier", another trainer explained.

"Each major tier consists of ten sub-tiers, and progressing through even the minor tiers is exceptionally difficult. Yet, advancing through each tier, no matter how small, can significantly amplify a mage's power, yielding increases of three to five times the previous capacity."

Breaching a major tier can result in even more dramatic enhancements.

After introducing Leo to the fundamentals of magic, the trainers shifted their focus to teaching him how to cast simple spells.

-----

"After a week of learning the theory of magic, we'll start with a basic spell called Flame Spark," announced Trainer Kassim. "It may seem simple—a mere flicker of flame—but mastering it usually takes months," he continued, unveiling a large board filled with intricate runes and symbols.

"This is the written spell for Flame Spark. To cast it, a Mage must commit these patterns to memory and, through rigorous practice, learn to channel the spell into existence," he added.

Leo squinted at the board and groaned. "Do I really have to memorize this fucking mess of symbols?"

Kassim shot him with a stern look. "I've taught magic for fifty years, and this is how it's done. There is no other way."

"Why not try something different?" Leo suggested.