Willow sat on the mat, her body sore and aching from the rigorous training session with Gideon. He proved to be a strict and disciplined military instructor, leaving no room for leniency. For the past four hours, she had been under his guidance, learning the art of wielding a sword. The sun had already set by the time they concluded their training.
Gideon taught her two essential aspects: how to position her feet for optimal balance when executing a swing, and the actual technique of swinging the sword itself. The sword he provided was old and chipped, but it was the only weapon she could manage to lift, let alone swing. Her arms felt like lead after repeatedly practicing the swings. She briefly wondered about the weight of Gideon's own sword compared to this one, but she decided not to. She was too exhausted to ponder further.
Now she rested, waiting for the in-house witch to make her appearance and initiate their lesson on magic. Willow hoped that it would be an engaging experience, something beyond a mere recitation of complex terminology and sleep-inducing theoretical discussions. However, a part of her understood that magic, by its very nature, was inherently intricate and nuanced. A simplified approach would simply not make sense in the realm of magic.
Vivienne approached Willow, dressed in simple attire that deviated from her traditional witch's clothing. Willow couldn't help but notice the change, but she decided not to inquire about it.
"How are you feeling?" Witch asked, her voice gentle.
"Fine, albeit a bit sore," Willow groaned, her hands refusing to move as easily as she wanted them to.
"Since you seem to be in good spirits, let us commence our magic session. Are you ready?" Witch inquired, her gaze fixed on Willow.
Willow did not make any attempt to move, secretly hoping that the session would be more focused on theory so she could have a chance to rest her weary body.
"Hmm... delving into the origins of magic might lull you into slumber, and it is not immediately relevant to your current needs. Therefore, let us dive into the practical aspects," Witch declared, stepping out into the backyard. Willow's heart sank a little, realizing that she would not get the respite she desired.
Summoning her remaining energy, Willow nodded and mentally prepared herself. However, in her mind, she couldn't help but grumble, Why didn't she start rambling like witches often do, allowing me to drift off to sleep?
"Let us begin at the very foundation. There are two states of mana: Flow and Stasis. Flow represents the active movement of mana within our bodies, when it is directed with a purpose. On the other hand, Stasis refers to the absence of this flow, where mana remains stagnant. Once both state is mastered, person is assumed as mage. Mana is supposed to flow in order for person to cast spell. Your current state can be described as stasis, and that is precisely where we shall commence, by teaching you how to make it flow," Witch explained.
"But why would we master state of stasis when we are trying to move away from it? It doesn't quite make sense," Willow voiced her confusion.
Witch smiled knowingly and replied, "To cast spells or perform magic, a state of flow is necessary. We channel our mana towards that state in order to awaken the latent power within us. However, once we have mastered the basics, we strive for a state of stasis for certain spells. We want them to work effortlessly, without the need for active concentration. I will explain in more detail later on."
Willow nodded. She silently admitted to herself that she was pleasantly surprised by the how unboring of a subject it felt. Perhaps Witch had intentionally made it engaging to prevent her from falling asleep.
Witch continued, "To achieve a state of flow, a natural shock of unsuppressed mana can be employed."
Willow couldn't help but interject, "That doesn't sound painful at all." A hint of sarcasm not hidden away from her voice.
Witch chuckled and assured her, "Let me finish. By 'natural shock,' I mean I will infuse my own mana into your body, which will simulate the movement in your own mana. During that moment, you need to focus on the sensation, trying to recall how your mana reacted. This will allow you to connect with and sense your own mana."
“Yepp, sounds very painful.”
"Ah, the pain is quite bearable, and within a week, you'll have full control over your mana," Witch reassured Willow, her voice laced with a hint of excitement.
Willow's eyes brightened at the prospect. If she could control her mana within such a short time, perhaps pain will not be bad.
"Will I be able to cast spells then?" Willow inquired eagerly.
Witch paused, a small smile playing on her lips. "Learning a spell, one that you haven't acquired from the skill tree, is a different endeavor altogether. It takes months of dedicated practice and understanding of one too many books. The system acts as a crutch, expediting the progress, but even so, it isn’t easy."
Willow's excitement dampened slightly.
"However," Witch continued, "there are six basic spells that almost every warrior or mage learns. And we will learn them starting today. They are not as intricate as the others, but they serve as essential skills, a foundation for any battle."
"Among these six, we aim to have at least three of them work in a state of stasis. They are Warding, Suppression, and Enforcement. Take a guess why?"
Willow pondered the purpose of achieving stasis for these particular spells, her mind weaving through the possibilities. After a moment of contemplation, her eyes sparkled with understanding.
"Since stasis implies a lack of flow and the need for deep thought, these spells can continue to function passively, without requiring constant focus," Willow replied, her voice confident and filled with satisfaction.
Witch leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "You're smarter than your appearance suggests," she teased, her mischievous smile widening.
Willow couldn't help but feel a twinge of offense at the comment. "Hey, I don't look like an idiot!" she protested, her voice filled annoyance.
Witch chuckled, clearly enjoying her playful banter. "I never said that, but it's good to have some self-realization," she retorted, savoring the moment. Willow huffed and turned away, puffing her cheeks in mock irritation. "Now, let's refocus on the topic at hand."
Vivienne continued her explanation, acknowledging Willow's correct deduction about stasis and the passive functionality of basic spells. She then emphasized the drawbacks of relying solely on stasis in battle.
"On your level, stasis is always detrimental in a battle," Witch clarified. "Although stasis allows basic spells to work passively and consume minimal mana, they tend to be weaker in their effect. In any battle scenario, maintaining a state of flow is crucial for optimal spellcasting."
Willow's was very curious about Witch's own battle prowess. "Are you always in a state of stasis during battle?" she asked, a hint of wonder in her voice.
Witch chuckled at the question, her amusement evident. "Oh, dear, you've misunderstood me," she replied. "I rarely engage in battles, and if I do, my opponents are usually so weak that they perish before I even have a chance to cast a warm-up spell. But yes, at my level, mana density becomes so high that the concept of flow or stasis doesn't make a significant difference. However, you are still far away from reaching that level, so let's focus on your current journey."
Willow nodded, absorbing Witch's words.
Witch moved on to discuss the other three spells: Presence, Manipulation, and Disruption. She pointed out that these spells typically required a state of flow to work effectively, and their very names hinted at the reason why.
"Precisely," Witch affirmed. "Presence, Manipulation, and Disruption all involve actively shaping and influencing mana in various ways. The constant flow of mana allows for greater control and manipulation, enhancing their potency. Unlike the basic spells that thrive in stasis, these spells rely on the dynamic nature of flow to achieve their desired effects."
"Warding is a fundamental defensive technique," Vivienne began. "It involves layering mana upon our bodies, creating an invisible shell that acts as a cushion against strikes. While it provides some protection, it doesn't completely negate the damage inflicted."
As she moved on to the next spell, Suppression, Vivienne spoke of the need to suppress one's mana to avoid alerting those who were sensitive to it. "There are many individuals who possess mana sensitivity," she explained. "By suppressing our mana within our bodies or in close proximity, we can avoid detection by such individuals or even other basic spell such as Presence."
Enforcement, as the name implied, focused on enhancing the body's capabilities. "Enforcement allows us to tap into inhuman strength and speed," Vivienne elucidated. "It also heightens our alertness, especially when in a state of flow. It can be quite advantageous in combat situations."
Moving on to Presence, Vivienne described it as the act of releasing one's mana into the surrounding atmosphere. Through this, one could sense everything within the area of their mana. However, she cautioned that Presence was a double-edged sword. If someone else sensed the presence, there was an equal chance of being detected as well. She also mentioned that Suppression and Presence couldn't be used simultaneously. Again Vivienne added, on their level.
Vivienne briefly mentioned that higher-level magic would introduce new rules and concepts that Willow would learn in due time.
Next was Manipulation, which involved manipulating the mana in the surrounding environment. It was the first step towards casting a spell and required finesse and control over one's mana.
Lastly, Vivienne explained Disruption, emphasizing its significance in one-on-one battles between humans. "Disruption entails interrupting the flow of an opponent's mana, effectively shutting down their spells. It is a powerful technique, but its effectiveness depends on the gap in mana density or strength between the individuals involved. If gap is too large, it’s ineffective."
Willow patiently listened to Vivienne's explanation, but a question continued to nag at her. It was a question that arose from her unique perspective, having lived a previous life and having experienced systems in games before.
"I'm still not entirely clear on the purpose of the System," Willow began, her confusion clearly visible "If I have to learn everything myself, it seems like the System is merely a superficial display of numbers, a glorified stat sheet without much meaning behind it."
Vivienne pondered for a moment before responding, "I can see why you might feel that way. Let me clarify the role of the System. The system offers two main benefits: an instant strength boost that would typically take many years to achieve on your own, and the acquisition of various skills and abilities. These skills can range from enhanced vision to the ability to control your sleep patterns. There is an infinite number of skills available, but our experiences shape which ones we acquire.”
“Additionally, the system grants a Constitution, which not only provides us with specific abilities but also determines the path we will follow. For example, Gideon mentioned that his Constitution allows him to wield hellfire, but he failed to mention that it's not his ultimate limit or only ability. Every twenty levels after acquiring the initial Constitution, we must obtain another one. This opens up new possibilities and allows us to tap into higher-tier magic. Without a constitution, we would never be able to reach those heights."
"And the System is personalized for each individual differently, with different sets of requirement," Vivienne added. "Yours is bound to an Inn, while mine was bound to my fate. I encountered three opportunities that were deemed impossible by divination, and it was only by achieving them that I gained my System."
Willow was astonished by this revelation. She had never considered that others might have their own unique requirements to unlock a System. She had thought of herself as special, but now…
"Wow," Willow exclaimed, her surprised. "It seems I had it easier compared to the requirement you had to meet."
Vivienne smiled with a hint of pride. "Ah, so you're finally starting to see the greatness of my mine," she teased. Willow made a choking gesture, mocking Vivienne's self-importance.
"Anyways," Vivienne continued, steering the conversation back on track. "What did you think the System did?"
Willow pondered for a moment before responding. "I thought that by allocating points to a skill, I would automatically know how to do it."
Vivienne looked at Willow with a shocked expression, unable to believe what she had just heard. "How does that even work? I am beyond astonished at the stupidity of such a notion."
Willow felt a tinge of embarrassment, realizing that her assumption had been completely off-base. "Now that I think about it, it makes sense," she admitted. "But isn't the increase in strength achieved through system the same thing?"
Vivienne sighed, realizing that she needed to provide a clearer explanation. "No, it is not the same," she clarified. "Mana allows you to temporarily increase your strength, providing a temporary boost. However, the System does the same thing permanently. Can you guess why?"
Willow shook her head. She honestly had no idea about the underlying mechanism behind the System's permanent enhancements.
Vivienne smiled, her expression taking on a somewhat sinister edge. "The System utilizes soul shards to permanently enhance our strength," she explained. "Unlike mana, which only offers temporary boosts, the System taps into the power of shattered souls to bestow lasting improvements. It's a complex process, but it is one of the reasons why the System is such a valuable tool."
Realizing that they had veered far from their original topic, Vivienne suggested “Regardless of how the System works, we should return to our primary objective, which is learning the flow of mana," she said, her smile taking on a cruel undertone.
A sense of doom washed over Willow as she sensed the intensity of Vivienne's gaze.
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