Chapter 8: Learning Magic

Michael got in front of the chief, still holding the longsword. He still couldn't get over the fact that his own father did not recognize him.

"Chief, I'm back!"

"Great job, adventurer! I see you got yourself a weapon. Time to test your mettle!"

DING!

New Quest Received!

Objective: Outside the village are a lot of wild dogs.

°Eliminate 20 wild dogs

°Collect fine fur (0/5)

°Return to the chief after becoming stronger (0/3 levels)

Rewards:

Leather Armor

50 copper

250 Exp

"Ok, Chief! Thank you." Michael slightly bowed and walked away.

Instead of heading outside, he made his way directly to the apothecary, to his Master's abode. He needed to re-learn magic.

Shaking the painful memories, he walked on with steadied steps.

—

A small bell chimed as he opened the door.

A young woman greeted him, standing behind the counter. "What'll it be, adventurer?"

"Master—" Michael cleared his throat, then suddenly bowed and kneeled before the woman.

Michael solemnly recited:

"From dawn, the whispers of fate echo through land. At dusk, we are but pawns struggling on other's command. I am but a traveler, meek but true, Seeking guidance from all those who knew."

The woman, surprised at what was happening, approached Michael and placed her hand on his head.

A warm glow flowed from her outstretched palm and settled upon him. He felt the gentle probe of energy but remained still.

"You have the gift. Tell me, traveler, who is your master?"

Michael replied, "My master is long dead. I came seeking guidance in his stead."

She studied him for a moment before nodding. "Very well. Stand up." Detecting no deceit from him, she turned. "Follow me."

Little did she know that she was Michael's master, and he had spoken nothing but the truth—for he had seen her die with his own eyes.

Michael rose and followed her to the back of the store.

The woman stopped and gracefully took a seat at the small wooden table in the dimly lit room. She motioned for Michael to do the same. "Sit, traveler."

Michael obeyed, pulling out the simple wooden chair and lowering himself into it. The air carried the faint scent of herbs and incense, a nostalgic aroma that stirred memories deep within him. He watched in silence as the woman waved her hand, causing a small, round stone to materialize in the center of the table. It shimmered slightly under the candlelight, an unassuming object with a mysterious aura.

"Pick up the stone," she instructed, her voice carrying an almost ceremonial weight.

Michael reached out with steady hands, lifting the cool stone from the table. He felt a strange hum within its smooth surface as he placed it gently on his left palm. His fingers curled slightly around it, sensing a faint but persistent energy pulsating from within.

"Now, close your eyes. Concentrate. Focus on the stone and channel your essence into it. This will reveal your element," the woman explained, her gaze never leaving his form.

Michael inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, his mind calming as he sank into concentration. At first, there was nothing—just darkness and the faint sound of his own heartbeat. Then, ever so subtly, warmth radiated from his hand.

A wisp of golden light flickered to life, curling around his fingers and flowing into the stone.

The woman's breath hitched. Holy element… A rare gift.

Before she could speak, another force emerged. A deep, eerie black mist coiled around his arm and seeped into the stone like ink in water. Her body stiffened. Abyssal energy… Dangerous and feared.

But the display was not yet over.

A sudden, soundless ripple vibrated through the air, and the stone quivered violently. The space around it distorted like a heatwave, and shimmering waves of energy spread outward. A strange pull gripped the room, as if reality itself was bending.

Crack!

The stone splintered down the middle before shattering completely, its fragments evaporating into dust.

The woman's eyes widened in shock and horror. She leaped to her feet, knocking over her chair in her haste. "BY THE GODS!" she gasped, staring at Michael as if he were some otherworldly being. Her hands trembled slightly as she pressed them against the table to steady herself.

Michael's eyes snapped open, confused by her reaction. He had already known about his Holy element, so it shouldn't have been a shocking revelation. But the look on her face told him otherwise. Something had happened that was beyond even his own understanding.

"What happened?" he asked, his voice even but laced with curiosity.

The woman took a step back, still staring at him as if he had defied the laws of nature. "This… this is unheard of!" she whispered.

"Three elements?! The Holy element alone is a divine rarity, but the Abyssal element… it's a force of destruction. And then there's Space…" Her voice faltered, unable to comprehend the weight of her own words.

Michael frowned slightly. "Space?"

She swallowed hard, her hands clenching into fists. "Yes. The element of Space… an ability said to be wielded only by beings far beyond mortal comprehension. It defies the very fabric of existence."

Michael sat back in his chair, absorbing her words. He had never once heard of anyone in his old world possessing three elements, let alone the supposed power of space itself. He looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers as if the answer to his existence lay within them.

The woman took a deep breath, composing herself. "I don't know who you are, traveler, but this power… it is both a gift and a curse. You must be careful." Her gaze was filled with uncertainty, but also something else—fear.

Michael clenched his jaw. He had already accepted that he had been thrown into an unfamiliar world, but now he realized he carried something that might make him more of an anomaly than he initially thought.

"I came here to learn," he said firmly, locking eyes with her.

"There is nothing with your two other elements but, I can teach you about light magic, a small branch of Holy Magic." She then straightened the chair behind her and sat back down. She held his hand and closed her eyes.

Power surged from her being. Her entire body glowed softly. "Close your eyes and concentrate." The woman whispered.

Michael did as he was told.

Energy flowed from her hand towards Michael. At first it was warm and soothing. Then, it became unbearingly hot. She clasped his hand strongly and said, " No matter what happens, endure or you WILL perish."

Michael gritted his teeth, his mouth bleeding from the intense clenching of his jaw.

DING!

Congratulations Player! You have unlocked a hidden profession. Warmage!

Michael, unable to bear the pain, fainted on the spot.