Magic

The next morning, the sky was gray, with snowflakes drifting lazily. Astrid and Yusha prepared in silence, the air heavy with the scent of dried herbs and burning wood. As Astrid laced up her boots, Yusha opened a creaking cabinet and pulled out three yellowed scrolls, a black-covered grimoire, and a small pouch that jingled softly.

Astrid raised an eyebrow, her tail swaying with curiosity. 

"What's that?" she asked, pointing at the items.

Yusha smiled, holding up the grimoire. 

"This is… for teaching you magic, remember?"

"Ohhh! Awesome!" Astrid clapped her hands, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

But Yusha hesitated, her fingers tightening around the pouch. She had already tested three mana detection scrolls, even a higher-level one, hoping to glimpse Astrid's aura. Nothing. Not a trace of mana, as if Astrid were an inanimate object—impossible for any living being, even constructs. That's why Yusha brought the mana stones in the pouch, an impromptu plan to help her… and to understand what, exactly, was going on.

The valley stretched out before them, a green carpet dusted with snow. The saussureas glowed like fallen stars, pulsing blue lights among the flowers and leaves. The Himalayan ranges loomed around them, imposing, the air thick with the weight of pure mana. The storm from the previous night had stirred the valley's energy, and the saussureas, now dense as glowing stones, were a rare treasure—perfect for powerful elixirs.

After hours of gathering flowers, with numb fingers and exhaustion weighing on their shoulders, Yusha slumped onto a smooth rock. Astrid, on the other hand, collapsed onto the grass, her hair splayed like a halo. 

"You… ready to learn?" Yusha asked, wiping sweat from her brow.

Astrid lay on her back with a huff, her tail lazily thumping the grass.

"Damn, couldn't it have been earlier, huh?"

Yusha laughed, a light sound that echoed through the valley. 

"Didn't expect there'd be so many this time. But come on." She pulled out the grimoire and opened it carefully. "I'll teach you the basics. After that, you're on your own with this."

Astrid sat up, still clumsy, her tail now swaying with enthusiasm. 

"First, breathe in and out until you feel light," Yusha began.

"You didn't learn this on YouTube, did you?" Astrid interrupted, a teasing smile on her lips.

"Silence!" Yusha shot back, but her eyes glinted with amusement. "Continuing… After a few minutes, you should connect with the environment. You'll feel a mix of hot and cold. Try to focus on the warmth."

Astrid wrinkled her nose. 

"But… you do realize we're on a snowy mountain, right? How am I supposed to feel warmth here?"

"FOR FUCK'S SAKE!" Yusha threw her hands up. "Do you want to learn or not?"

"Alright, alright!" Astrid pouted, crossing her legs in a sloppy attempt at a lotus position.

Yusha took a deep breath, trying to hold onto her patience. 

"When you feel that warmth, guide it through your body, to your hands. If you do it right, you'll feel a tingle. Like this." She brought her hands together, and a greenish sphere of light glowed between her fingers, pulsing like a living heart. "This is our internal mana. If you develop it, it can become incredibly strong."

Astrid's eyes widened, fascinated. 

"That's beautiful… And how do you develop it?"

"No clue," Yusha replied with a laugh. "That's for people who actually study. But let's try manipulating your own internal mana. It's not that hard. Try feeling your mana now."

Astrid closed her eyes, the cold valley breeze brushing her skin. The scent of wet earth and herbs filled the air, and the icy grass beneath her fingers seemed to anchor her to the moment. She focused, searching for the warmth Yusha described. Deep within, she felt something—a spark, small, almost shy, burning in her abdomen. With her mind, she tried to touch it, but the sensation slipped away, like smoke. Squinting, she guided the spark, moving it up through her chest, splitting it along her arms, to her hands.

Yusha watched in silence, her lips pressed tight. Sensing one's own mana should be basic, something any living being could do easily. But with Astrid…

Astrid opened her eyes, hopeful, but her hands were empty. No light, no tingle. She looked at Yusha, then closed her eyes and tried again. And again. Each attempt was a void, a silence where something should have been. Finally, with slumped shoulders and a trembling voice, she asked:

"Why… why can't I do it?"

Astrid sat in the grass, watching Yusha. With a deliberate motion, Yusha stood, the sound of her boots crunching the damp grass. She opened the pouch, revealing small red stones glowing with an inner light, like tiny embers. Mana stones, pulsing with energy. One by one, Yusha placed them in Astrid's lap, who stared at them with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty.

Yusha sat back down in front of her, holding a yellowed scroll firmly. Her eyes met Astrid's, and she said, her tone serious:

"Okay… try it now."

Astrid closed her eyes, breathing deeply. The valley's cold air filled her lungs, bringing the pure scent of the environment. She searched for the internal warmth, that shy spark in her abdomen. But this time, something felt… different.

The stones in her lap radiated a strange heat, as if pulsing against her skin. It was almost invasive, but she focused, guiding the sensation through her arms, to her hands. When she opened her eyes, a small golden light flickered before her, fragile but real. Her eyes lit up with hope, and she looked at Yusha, expecting approval.

But Yusha wasn't smiling. Instead, she held the [Detect Magic] scroll pointed directly at Astrid, her eyes narrowed in concentration. Astrid frowned, confused.

"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice hesitant.

Yusha didn't answer right away. Through the scroll, she saw veins of mana flowing through Astrid's body, but not as they should. The energy came from the stones, not her. It was as if Astrid were an empty conduit, pulling external mana without generating any of her own. Yusha swallowed hard, her heart racing.

"My God… How is this possible?" she murmured, unaware she'd spoken aloud.

"What? What are you talking about?" Astrid pressed, her confusion giving way to a twinge of worry.

Yusha lowered the scroll, hesitating. She forced a lighter tone, but her eyes betrayed a shadow of pity.

"Well… Don't get too down about it. There are rare cases, you know? People born with very, very little internal mana. That light you formed… it was just from the stones, not you."

Astrid looked down at the stones in her lap, their red glow reflecting in her eyes. She stared at her own hands, empty of any personal light, and muttered:

"Seriously? That sucks…"

Her tone was heavy, a mix of disappointment and sadness. Yusha watched her for a moment, her mind spinning. Astrid's lack of mana wasn't just rare—it was impossible. Even goblins, orcs, or humans with faint magical ancestry had some aura. Astrid was a void. An enigma. And it troubled Yusha in a way she couldn't explain.

Trying to lighten the mood, Yusha leaned forward, forcing a smile.

"But it's not the end of the world, okay? Remember I said mana can be developed? Come on, cheer up!"

She picked up one of the stones from Astrid's lap and held it between her fingers, pointing at it.

"Look, you already felt the mana from another source—these stones. Now, just do the same with the environment and shape a sphere of light. It shouldn't be hard, since this valley is brimming with mana. Come on, try!"

"Okay!" Astrid said, her voice firmer now—as if trying to prove something to herself.

She closed her eyes again, her tail tapping the grass with an anxious rhythm. The warmth from the stones still pulsed in her lap, but now she expanded her awareness, reaching for the energy around her. The valley's mana was like a subtle breeze, caressing her skin, flowing through the trees and glowing saussureas. Astrid let her mind open, like a veil spreading across the environment. She felt every plant, every insect, every stone—as if, for a moment, she was everywhere at once.

Yusha watched, her fingers tightening around the grimoire. 

"Remember," she said, "mana is shaped by desire. The more you want something to happen, the better your chances of success."

Astrid deepened her focus, her brows furrowed. She tried to guide the valley's mana to her hands, picturing a sphere of light. Suddenly, the air around them shifted. A growing warmth radiated from Astrid, and small stones on the ground began to levitate, trembling in the air. The entire valley seemed to respond—a low hum echoed, and in the distance, snow on the mountains started to slide, collapsing into small heaps.

"Hey!" Yusha exclaimed, her heart racing.

Astrid didn't hear, lost in her concentration. The tremor in the valley intensified, the ground vibrating beneath their feet. Yusha leapt up, grabbing Astrid's shoulders.

"HEY!" she shouted, her eyes wide with shock.

Astrid opened her eyes, panting, and looked at Yusha. Then at her hands. 

Nothing. No sphere of light. Just the same emptiness as before.

"What the hell did you just do?!" Yusha asked, her voice trembling, still gripping Astrid's shoulders.

"I… I did what you told me to," Astrid replied, confused.

Yusha took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. 

"That… was way more than I expected. But alright… let's keep going."

As Astrid prepared herself, Yusha grabbed another *Detect Magic* scroll, discreetly aiming it at her. Again, nothing. No internal mana flow. But this time, something had happened—the valley had reacted: the tremor, the levitating stones, that sudden warmth. That wasn't normal, Yusha thought, her eyes narrowing. Was it a manifestation of power? An innate ability? Or did something in the ambient mana react to her?

Trying to stay calm, she kept her voice steady, laced with concern::

"Tell me, did you feel… anything different?"

"Yeah, I did," Astrid answered, her eyes glinting for a moment. "The valley's mana is pretty intense. You can feel everything so clearly, unlike the stones, which are just a tiny warmth."

Yusha frowned, surprised. "That's not exactly what I…" She hesitated, waving her hand as if dismissing the thought. "Alright, let's move to the next step."

Yusha patted her lap, motioning for Astrid to sit. The fabric of her clothes brushing against the girl's skin. She opened the grimoire, its yellowed pages exuding a faint musty smell. "Mana is a unique, malleable element," Yusha began, pointing to one of the spells in the book. "You need to focus on making it an extension of your body, like flexing a muscle you've never used before. It follows your will, but you can't reach for something beyond your grasp."

Astrid laughed, her eyes sparkling with a touch of amusement. "For someone who claims to know so little, you sure know a lot, huh?"

Yusha gave a crooked smile, her face softening. "Actually, we had to memorize that paragraph to pass a test in school," she said, chuckling.

Yusha pointed to a page in the grimoire, her finger tracing a line of text. "Look," she said, her voice firm now. "Most spells have incantation words. You need to memorize them while focusing on the spell's effect, got it?"

Astrid tilted her head, confused. "Why… why do I need to recite a bunch of weird words? Why not just cast the spell directly?"

Yusha placed a hand on her chin, her eyes drifting as if fishing for a distant memory. How did it go again? she thought, frowning. "Well… there's a reason. If I'm not mistaken, those words mess with our brains. They're like triggers that make casting easier." She snapped her fingers, remembering. "That's it! They prime your mind for the spell. But it's not always a hard rule."

Pointing to a spell in the grimoire, Yusha continued: "For example, after years, I memorized the basic spells. I barely need to recite the words anymore."

Astrid peeked at the grimoire, its open pages revealing a list of beginner spells: [Light], [Create Water], [Heal Wound]. Each had an incantation phrase written in cursive. "But didn't you say you don't like magic?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Yusha laughed, the sound light and echoing through the valley. "True. But knowing how to heal scratches or warm food without a microwave is pretty essential, right?" She winked playfully.

Astrid smiled, turning her eyes back to the grimoire, visibly intrigued. Yusha, watching her from above, fell silent. Her thoughts drifted six years back to the day she found Astrid flipping through one of her dirty magazines with that same intense curiosity. This girl… A faint blush crept up Yusha's face, and she turned her head, embarrassed.

Astrid, oblivious, flipped through the grimoire. "So, a mage duel would basically be an argument in a weird language?" she asked, laughing.

Yusha burst into laughter, the sound blending with the rustling of the flowers in the wind. "That's a funny way to put it, but yeah, kinda."

A comfortable silence settled over them. The cold breeze swept down from the mountains, stirring the field's flowers and playing with Yusha's hair. She closed her eyes, feeling the contrast between the chilly air and the sun's gentle warmth on her skin. "Nice weather today, huh?" she murmured, opening her eyes to gaze at the valley.

Astrid didn't reply, engrossed in the grimoire. Yusha looked at her, noting the girl's genuine focus. Maybe I should ask for more grimoires next time, she thought, a subtle smile curving her lips.

"I think I'll take a nap," Yusha said, stretching. "Wake me when you manage to cast something."

Astrid looked up, worried. "But… what about the spells you were going to teach me?"

Yusha smiled, gently brushing her hand across Astrid's face. "You felt the mana. That's the main thing." She lifted Astrid off her lap and stood, cracking her back with a grimace. "Ugh, my back's killing me."

Walking to a smooth rock, Yusha lay down, the sun glinting off her pale skin. "From now on, it's a slower process. It's all up to you," she said, her voice already drowsy. "Try replicating a spell. But don't get frustrated. At first, it's… really… quite… hard…" Her words trailed off, and a soft snore escaped her mouth.

Astrid frowned, staring at her. How the hell does she fall asleep so fast? she thought, shaking her head. Whatever.

Looking around, she muttered to herself, "Better do this a bit farther away." She walked through the valley, the sweet scent of the valley's flowers filling her nose, mixed with something fresh and earthy. Glancing back, now at a distance, she saw Yusha sprawled on the rock, drooling and hugging a basket of herbs like a stuffed animal. This is far enough, she decided, sitting on the soft ground.

With Her tail flicked behind her, restless, Astrid opened the grimoire. The table of contents divided the spells into categories: utility, healing, defensive, offensive, mental, and conjuration, all marked with a first-level symbol. She flipped to the utility section and grumbled, "[Purify Water], [Season], [Light Step]… Man, it's all boring stuff here."

With a mischievous grin, she flipped to the offensive spells section. What?! Hardly anything here? she thought, surprised. There were only four attack spells, each with a difficulty class and mana cost indicated. [Ice Dart] launched a frozen spike; [Electric Touch] discharged electricity on contact; [Wind Blade] sliced the air like an invisible blade; and [Fire Ray] shot a blazing beam.

I think I get why there aren't many offensive spells here, Astrid thought, eyeing the grimoire's page. Considering Yusha said she doesn't like magic, it makes sense she only learned the essentials for herself.

Let's start with one at a time…

[Ice Dart] and [Electric Touch] sound kinda lame, she thought, tapping her fingers on the grimoire. But [Wind Blade] has a badass name. Too bad it's high difficulty… [Fire Ray] sounds awesome too, and it's easier. She grinned, decided. That's the one!

Settling on the ground, her tail still swaying, Astrid took a deep breath, the valley's fresh air filling her lungs as she fixed her eyes on the grimoire, ready to try.