Fear Not The Elf Who Knows 10,000 Spells - Chapter 13

"You awakened to the magical arts by yourself?" Minus the Mage (and what a name) asked me, as we sat on a bench next to the food stalls.

"Hmm?" I raised an eyebrow as I ate my deep-fried sweetbreads that I got from the stalls. Minus had a pretzel, her staff resting against her shoulder with her arm circling around it. Yes. They have pretzels in Fantasy Europe. "I'm not self-taught. I have an apprenticeship."

Minus shook her head. "I speak not of what master you have gained, but rather how you discovered the path of magic by yourself." She began to explain. "For children to learn magic, specifically those of less chanceful backgrounds, they most likely have to discovered by another mage. One who senses their potential, due to their above average mana levels. From there they will train them till they can feel their own mana, starting on their path as a Mage. However how quickly or how slowly they take that first step usually indicates their talent in this path."

Ooooh! So because I learned to sense mana early on... Ah, shit. She thinks I'm a genius. I really am not though.

"Hmm, I kinda just copied some of the mages in my hometown." I said with a shrug. Better than saying 'I could sense mana since I was aware'. "They did that sit quietly thing, I asked about that, was told to shoo off, spied on them later and learned it was a mana practice." It wasn't exactly a lie, but it was something I did to see of anyone would just give a curious child an exposition and lore dump on magic free of charge. Sadly that didn't work out, so I went about things on my own.

"Incredible," Minus nodded. While her tone wasn't mocking, it held the same interest as zoologist studying an animal in a cage. "To have walked the magical path by your lonesome till you found a mentor, you are truly gifted."

I chuckled, rubbing the back of my head sheepishly.

"I think I got lucky more often than not. Something like magic could be harmful if you're reckless. Looking back, it was a good thing I never had any ideas of trying to cast spells without having any knowledge about them." I said back.

"Those are good instincts," Minus nodded, before she look off into the city, deep in thought. "Although for me, I was always more gifted in my curiosity than insight."

"Hmm, how so?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"Well? I do hold my own responsibilities, when it comes to magic what deeply intrigues me about it are Curses." Minus looked at me with a small smile.

I take it back, I'm not curious anymore.

"Curses?" I titled my head, playing the innocent curious child.

I had my mana detection on as usual, since that's what I told Minus its what I always did, but I shifted my focus.

I put it all onto myself, watching my own mana flow in my body, and any minute changes to it. Nothing so far.

"Yes," she nodded. "It is magic used by Demons and Monsters that changes the state of living or nonliving matter. It's a subject shrouded in mystery. One of the few true unknowns I have found in this world." She said holding her chin in thought.

...Well that's a Mad Scientist stranger danger if I ever heard one.

"Changes the state of living and nonliving matter? But we have stuff like that." I thought out loud. Minus looked at me in polite intrigue waiting for me to elaborate. "I mean you can use Vigorkern to make yourself stronger, and there are spells like Seilstark that makes rope tougher." I explained my thought.

"That is true, but think of it like this, can you change that rope to become iron? Not iron-like but actual iron. Can you change your skin into diamond? Can you do so while still remaining a living being? These types of powers do exist, but sadly they are unknown to us sapient races."

I held my chin in thought trying to think on an example of those. The turn rope to iron thing sounds like just alchemy. Was that not discovered here?

And turning organic matter into something else... yeah that's still alchemy.

Okay, describing it in those term, it might be a taboo subject to study from how creepy it is.

"Not only that." Minus continued when she saw I wasn't able to contribute this time, and she seems interested in the conversation. "There are monster that can induce a state of eternal sleepiness on others, until they are defeated."

"So it's a continuous spell effect." I replied. Then something occurred to me. Tall titty mage Sein missed his chance to meet. Methode. "Wait, what about Hypnosis Magic?" I said making Minus' eyes widened a tiny fraction, showing pleased surprise. "It's a known thing," I counted on my fingers. "It can affect the mind, so like a monster's sleeping curse, a state of a living being, and... I don't have a number three. But there, an actual connection."

Minus giggled, it sounded more normal this time. Like young maiden having fun.

"Bravo, young Trenn, excellent observation." Minus said, smiling a bit more normally now, rather than that ethereal enchanting smile.

Or as I like to call it, the 'high as a kite' smile.

"Thanks."

"While true that Hypnosis Magic is understood by the continent races, Curses still eludes us, I'm afraid. Hypnosis Magic is structured and shaped like any normal magic, but Curses can only be affected Goddess Magic." Minus said.

Something sparked in my mind at her words. Priests' spells (Goddess Magic) uses faith as a bases, and thus once a spell is structured the World provides the mana for the spell rather than the person.

The World hold virtually infinite mana, so a priest's spell can hold for as long as their faith can.

Can... can monsters or demons also used this method, but without faith?

Is there another way to utilize World mana?

"Hmm, that look of revelation, have you by chance thought of something—Uugh." Minus winced mid-sentence, I looked at her in worry, to see her holding her her left side of her waist.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"It is no matter of worry." She said back. "Just a simple wound from the perils of travel. One mustn't underestimate what kind of foe one meets on the road."

"Do you need to go to a Church?" I asked. Give healing spells by priests, it's the equivalent of a hospital in this world.  

"No, no," she waved me off. "I'll be well off in a few days." She suddenly looked at me with a new light. "Tell me thought, young Trenn, would you like to be my apprentice?"

"Huh?" That's a pivot. Where the heck did that come from?

"I haven't met such one with such insight and instinct into magic before. This discussion was... fun." She said with a tilt of her head. To me it sounded like Steve Buscemi going 'how do you do fellow kids?', like the word 'fun' was an alien concept to her. "I would like to nurture such talent."

"I..." Damn that's a temptation. Learning from a mage elf is a goldmine. And a goth chick too? Double win. But... "I'm sorry, I can't abandon my current mentor." I said. Minus felt off to me. It's best to be careful with her, not all elves are good after all. They're just people.

"..." Is... is she pouting?

"But in a few years when I finish my current apprenticeship, if you don't mind waiting, I'd love to have you as a master!" I found myself easily saying. I just felt bad about just giving her a total rejection.

Minus threw her head back and laughed. Not loudly thankfully, but she looked deeply amused.

"It is of no worries, Trenn. Your dedication to your mentor is admirable." Minus said, the creepy smile back.

Huh. Trenn, to young Trenn back to Trenn. Weird.

"It seems I must head off as well. Although I do have one last question, if you'd indulge my curiosity." Minus said.

"Uh oh, should I be worried? Your curiosity was piqued." I said back without thinking.

Minus stilled, looking at me as if for the first time not knowing how to react, before chuckling.

"Nothing so dramatic, simple tell me," she began. "What is magic to you?"

"Fun." I said back instantly. I didn't need to think about this.

"'Fun'," she nodded slowly, looking slightly disappointed. "I suppose for young children that's a natural response."

"I mean, it allows you to do things you can't normally do like flying and all, so why wouldn't I like it?" I said back with a shrug, yet feeling myself smiling at this topic.

"I am not belittling your answer, only commented on how common it is, but that clarification, well, I suppose that I resonate more with." Minus elaborated.

"Then what's magic to you?" I asked back caually.

"Power." She replied just as fast as I did. And her answer made the hair at the back of my neck stand. "The power to shape the world and bring my desires as I please."

That answer was just so... typically villainess.

God please tell me she's not like the next Demon King equivalent.

Hmmm, maybe I can change that mindset a bit?

Time to use some good ol' Meti philosophy piercing question.

"And then what?" I asked.

"...Excuse me?" Minus actually froze and looked at me, thrown off. Well, I got her attention.

"I mean," I rubbed my head and looked away to not show off how nervous I was, but I am already committed, so time to bull headed on through. "Let's say you studied, learned and cracked the secrets of magic and the world and got ultimate power. What then? I mean what would it all be for?"

"...Elaborate Trenn." Her tone was more reproachable, as she stood up. I followed suite to be able to face her.

"I mean if you work your whole life for this grand goal, to have enough power, to have enough wealth, et cetera, all to have the peace of mind and freedom to do what you want in the end. Well, that thing you want to do once you have that freedom, why not do it now?" I explained as best as I could.

Minus' eyes widened, as if a lot of thoughts were going through her head, before a wide smile spread across her face.

 Uh oh. Did I... give the BBEG some kind of enlightenment she would have got later early on in this timeline?

"You are a special child, Trenn." Minus placed a hand on my head, imitating the affectionate gesture of patting one's head. "You have a fascinating wisdom to watch."

I felt it then in alarm. A spell cast on me. But... it was subtle. A subtle as the Einsam's mind link.

This one wasn't that, but rather some kind of... beacon? Like a mana signal that shows where something of yours was.

...Did she just fucking give me a magical tramp stamp to say I'm hers!?

"I must be heading off now. This had been a most... fun conversation." Minus said.

Wow, you really are struggling with the word fun, aren't you? 

Minus turned around to leave, yet as I watched her use her staff in her left hand, now noticing that she's leaning on it, to not put pressure on her left side, a well of pity rose up in me.

I thought back to the talk about curses and Goddess magic.

Is it possible? Well... I may not have faith in the goddess herself.

But I do know that she's real. Like 99%, so something like her is. Otherwise I'd have never isekai'd.

And I do have faith in magic itself. That is also real, so...

So I felt that this idea I suddenly got was possible.

"Wait!" I called out as I ran after Minus.

"Hmm?" Minus stopped and turned to me, curiosity in her eyes. There was also warriness in her eyes, which was... weird.

What would a centuries old elf have to be worried about from a human child?

"Could you let me try something?" I asked and approached her, pointing at her wound.

"..." Minus debated with herself for a long while. "Show me."

I nodded in thanks.

"I'll stop if there's any pain, and if you feel I might mess up, pull my hand away." I said, to which she gave an amused nod.

I went to her side, and place my palm hovering over where she was holding, likely were her wound was.

I thought back to magic. How it feels when it moved, it interacts with the World, the shape it takes for spells.

I focused instead of on knowledge and intent, on rather feelings. On the wonder of magic, on the exhilaration of flight, on the joy of being alive in this world.

I felt a spark of something as my mana and the World mana interacted, but it wasn't enough.

I know you're real. I thought at the World, at the Goddess, at something other than myself. I'm here, so you must be there as well. Help me heal her. 

 I began to combine my mana with the World's, holding onto that Certainty. Certainty in my faith that the Goddess existed.

Certainty for my wish to heal, even if I don't have the knowledge.

Except I do.

I do know how the body heals. How the blood vessel slow blood flow toward the wound. How the white blood cells eat the dead cells and mircoorganizms to prevent infection. How platelets form over the wound's edges till they close it, only for the blood to clot and finish full closing the would. How the immune system cleans the wound area. How protien makes new tissue, as oxygen and nutrient go to the repaired area for healing, till finally the injured area is fully restored.

I may not remember the minute details, but I remember enough of the general process.

So come on, Goddess, World, or even my own self that believes something will answer. Fucking answer.

In the next moment, I sore I heard a giggle.

My personal mana and the World mana combined, and this time when the structure was finished both types of mana fueled the spell.

I saw it. The spell structure of the Healing Spell. I memorized it.

Yes, it is possible to cast on one's lonesome, but no, it needed both my mana and the larger supply given by the world.

Because, looking at how the spell work... It didn't need my knowledge. Just my well wishing, my empathy, and faith in something greater.

The spell touched the affected area and just acted. I could see the wound in my mind's eye. I could see the deathly energy leaking from it. Something, or someone held a deep desire for Minus' death.

That intention, that negative emotion tried to fight my spell. I brushed it aside with my apathy. I don't care for your grudge or determination or whatever, whomever you are.

I want to heal her, and I know she can be healed, so I will heal her.

Minus gasped as she felt the spell take effect. A few second later I removed my hand, the spell, or World mana, or something, actually telling me the spell wasn't needed anymore that the healing was done.

I looked up to see Minus looking at me with look I couldn't fully decipher.

Interest. Amusement. ...Hunger?

Caution? Like, the type you give to an opponent, but not one you'll fight, if that makes sense.

If she was worried before that I might fuck up and worsen her injury, that's understandable, but her wariness now confused me.  

"There. All better." I smiled.

"..." Minus checked her wound touched it a few time and didn't wince in pain. She stood straight now without leaning to one side. Her wide creepy smile returned tenfold. "You are a most marvelous specimen, Trenn."

...Of all the fucking compliments.

I didn't shake my head in exasperation but...

"You need to work on your compliments." I replied.

Minus laughed.

===x===

Nothing much of interested happened the rest of that day. It was already evening by the time I met Minus, and it was around sunset when we parted.

I went back to the inn with nothing to do for the rest of that day, trying to play with my new power.

I mean training and study this new magic.

I couldn't replicate it. Not to the same level as that first time, and it was very slow acting.

But regardless I could now heal wounds, not just depend on my body's accelerated healing from body strengthening. I could also rejuvenate myself from fatigue but to a lesser degree.

It took us around seven hours of on again off again of Jilwer use for me and Schroff to reach Ackerheim.

Tomorrow we'd head to Schwanz. It was... odd. This anticipation to see everyone. A year, well less than a year, might be a long time normally, but this was a medieval world, regardless of the fantasy element.

Odds are nothing much would have changed. Maybe some details, but things should more or less be the same.

Yet there was a subtle excitement to see the orphanage and everyone in it again.

Like I wanna show how much I've changed in the time I was away.

Maybe I just wanna brag. Heh.

Regardless selling mine and Schroff's bounty was going well in the town's market went about, well, not completely normal.

There was no incident, but people felt more in a hurry somehow.

Wonder why?

I heard a commotion in the town square. News travelled from it to anyone across the town.

"Did you hear? The Coalition and the Shield clashed at Schwanz?!"

"What will the Shields hold? Are the elf haters come here next?"

"We don't even have elves, or a Shield presence here? Why the hell are they bothering with us?"

"You fools, us not having a Elves Shield presence mean, they see us as a target to take over!"

On and on the arguments between the townspeople and the travelers went.

Yet my ears were ringing from what this news brought.

"Trenn!" Schroff held me by my shoulder and heavy look of concern on his face aimed at me. "I understand how this all must feel, but by the time the messenger arrived here, it means this battle was days ago. You can't act rash—"

"I'm sorry, Schroff." I said back.

Old Schroff tried to tighten his grasp, hold me in place.

But I had already disappeared from his sight.

"TRENN!" He shouted after me, but with Jilwer I was already gone.

The town gate blaze passed me, so were the people traveling here, that I noticed now. People seeking refuge.

Time slowed for me as I looked at each and every single one of them on my way. None were from the orphanage.

I kept on going past them and headed onto the open road.

I have to get there. I have to get to Schwanz right. This. Fucking. Instant.

I stopped restraining my mana, and focused everything into visualizing a frozen world.

The spell structure of Jilwer sparked with new incandescence.

===x===

It was an old creature. Ancient even.

It had lived through centuries having known only struggle and death.

It has lived through era of great turmoil and relished them.

Now in this age of humans, it found itself bored with the lack of bloodshed, of fear and combat.

But it knew such lull in the chaos of war was only temporary. Such was its experience.

Thus for now it travel waiting to see if something would spark its excitement once more.

It even spark some hostilities in these human lands by giving money to those that needed it to fund their resistance of their aggressor.

How hilarious humans can be sometimes. Being moved into battle and war just by some shiny metal.

It blinked in surprise as it watched a being, a human traversing the land at absurd speed.

Far way from where it watched on a hilltop, it saw this human cross the land with swiftness it never saw before.

The human's speed was half of that of the Stille bird.

The horned monster didn't know who that human was, but it knew what goal it now wanted to find in these warring Southern Lands.

===

AN: Finally. Now I can rest.