Chapter 5

I incorporated kicks into my free-flowing sword technique and even used a handful of dirt to blind my opponent, making my fighting style increasingly lethal.

Kale was so impressed by my adaptability and aptitude that he was almost speechless, and I was in high spirits. I wanted to practice today as well, but—

"A lecture on magic at the village chief's house?"

While receiving a jar of jam made from wild strawberries from my mother, I frowned.

"Does that mean Yud and the others will be there too?"

"The village children, regardless of gender, are supposed to gather. A mage under Lord Rosiz's command is coming directly from the capital."

"…I understand."

"Even if you don't like it, listen carefully until the end this time. This is a rare opportunity. It's Lord Rosiz's kindness, so don't make any mistakes."

"Yes, yes."

Though I wasn't in the best mood about being with Yud and the others, the chance to learn from a mage hired by the lord was not something that came around often.

I took the jar of jam and headed to the village chief's house.

As expected, the number of people gathered made the village chief's house feel cramped. There were about seventy children, both boys and girls, and some unfamiliar faces suggested that children from neighboring villages had also come.

I handed the jar of jam to the village chief's wife.

"Thank you. Make sure to listen carefully, Rio?"

"Everyone keeps saying that."

"Try to live in a way that you don't get told that."

With a light rebuke, I looked around the hall.

The village chief was talking to an unfamiliar old man, who was likely the mage sent by the lord.

The old man, with short white hair, had a sharp and vigorous appearance despite his age. He didn't look muscular, but he gave off a strong aura of someone accustomed to rough work.

The old man, Oggan, clapped his hands to gather everyone's attention.

"I am Oggan, a mage sent by the Rosiz family. This time, our goal is to improve the security within the territory—though that's a bit too much for children. Let's get to the point. Today, I will teach you some simple magic that can be useful in your daily lives."

True to his word, the old mage named Oggan briefly explained the basics of magic.

"All animals possess magic power and have the potential to use magic. However, animals do not use magic because it requires incantations, special patterns, or magic circles. Therefore, animals that can use magic are called monsters. Humans are a type of monster."

To prove his point, Oggan turned his palm upward and placed a metal plate from around his neck on it. A small white sphere of light then floated above his palm.

"Now, while most animals cannot use magic, there are exceptions. These are when they become evil beasts or divine beasts. I've heard that evil beasts have been defeated in this village recently, but they can use special magic in certain cases. Underestimate them, and you might die."

He glared at the children to intimidate them before continuing.

"There are several types of magic. Body enhancement magic, which anyone can use, does not require incantations or patterns. Today, I will teach you this body enhancement magic, but there are others like predicting the weather or finding lost items. There should be books in the village chief's house. If you're interested, you can take a look."

Oggan flicked the white sphere of light with his finger, sending it to the village chief, who nodded with a smile at the children's gazes.

"Let's move on to the body enhancement magic—what, a question?"

Just as Oggan was about to start the lecture, he noticed Yud raising his hand and prompted him to speak.

Yud glanced at Rio with a smug look and asked:

"If I learn the body enhancement magic quickly, will you teach me attack magic?"

"—No."

Oggan flatly refused with a cold voice, and the children shrank back from the overwhelming pressure that made Yud shudder.

Oggan snorted.

"Attack magic has a certain allure. I understand the desire to learn it. But I won't teach it to someone who grins and asks for it. I don't want to give a weapon to a fool. A skill that can potentially harm others is not something I would use as a prize."

Oggan sighed at Yud's unhappy expression.

"I didn't plan to talk about this, but it's a good opportunity. Let me explain. There are several types of attack magic, and without the right aptitude, you can't master them. Especially with incantations that are difficult to pronounce, there's a risk of a magic power surge. There's even a saying that a skilled mage can blow on pickled vegetables."

This saying, "a mage can blow on pickled vegetables," is a humorous way to describe a mage who is overly cautious to avoid burning their mouth, but it also implies the need for constant vigilance to avoid danger.

Oggan continued:

"Furthermore, magic is activated by converting magic power. The method of conversion varies by school, and most are kept secret, taught only to disciples. That's why skilled mages are valuable."

"May I ask a question?"

When Rio raised his hand, Oggan glanced between him and Yud before nodding slightly.

"What is it?"

"Earlier, you mentioned that animals can use magic when they become evil beasts or divine beasts. Does that mean they can perform incantations?"

"Good question."

Oggan smiled.

"To put it simply, they cannot perform incantations. Their intelligence may improve, but they cannot speak human language. Naturally, they cannot draw complex magic circles. However, evil beasts and divine beasts instantly learn unique, unreproducible magic when they transform. This is known as inherent magic. Even humans, who are a type of monster, can become evil beasts or divine beasts. In such cases, they are called evil humans or holy humans."

According to Oggan, there have been a few instances of evil humans and holy humans in the country's history.

"I would like to explain more, but I have to visit other villages afterward. If you want to know more, look up the information yourself. Since you live in the Rosiz territory, you should be able to read and write, right?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Very well. Let's move on to the body enhancement magic."

Oggan gave a brief explanation.

Magic has a core of magic power wrapped in a membrane, with the phenomenon manifesting around it.

However, body enhancement is a special form that involves concentrating magic power in the heart. The reason is that one's own magic power is more compatible with the body, and it is a primitive magic that evil beasts and divine beasts can always use.

"Therefore, if you can't use body enhancement, you won't be able to fight or even run away. Those who can't feel their magic power should come forward to the village chief."

Oggan finished his long introduction and looked around at the children.

"First, focus your magic power in your heart. It's easier to do this by placing your dominant hand on your chest—"