In the past 3 days, I tried to have a conversation with Dad about what Brother Louis and Uncle said, but Dad was always busy with some jobs or dealing with the guild's economic problems.
Today, after I finally finished understanding the book, I am heading towards Mother's garden to move to the next step. Mother's garden is in the backyard of our house; in it all sorts of herbs can be grown, even those out of season.
Mom is a well-known alchemist; as such, she uses most of those herbs herself and then sells some of the herbs she deems unnecessary and the potions for a hefty price.
"Mom, I finished the book." I said as I spotted her in her chamber, she was organising the new herbs she just plucked. "Did you now??" she asked, narrowing her eyes. "Yes, Mom, I did!!!" I stated eagerly.
"Fine, since you say so. But I will have to question you about it; are you ready??" She asked, "Yes, ask away!!" I responded instantly. "Okay, okay, calm down. 1st question:
How many elements are there?" she asked.
I pondered for a little, counting my fingers before responding, "There are 7 main elements and 14 sub-elements."
My mom had a proud smile whilst saying, "That's correct!!" "Yosh," I said as I made a fist bump in the air.
"Okay, let's see if you can answer this one. 2nd question: How many forms does magic have?" Mom asked. "That's simple. There are many forms and types of magic; however, the most common ones are hereditary and acquired." I said with a smug face.
"That's correct!!" Mom couldn't help but be impressed with me, as her smile grew wider.
"Now for the 3rd and last question: Is mana something that only humans can use??" my mother asked. I couldn't help but think carefully about this question.
'I don't remember the book saying anything about plants or animals using magic?? Is this some kind of trick question?? Wait, didn't dragons shoot fire from their mouths? Does that mean that dragons can use magic?? than if animals can use magic, then so can plants.' I thought about strongly believing in myself.
"Mana is something that is all around us. As such, even animals and plants can use it, as it's not private to humans alone. Especially since dragons can shoot fire from their mouths!!" I answered.
Mother's smile grew, and a proud glint was in her eyes. "That's correct!!! You are the only one who answered this question correctly." she said.
"Wow!! Really, even Brother Cedric couldn't? " I asked, kind of impressed by myself.
"Your brother remained pensive for a good hour or so, refusing any help, and in the end he still couldn't answer. He had such a cute look on his face, just like the one you had before." Mother said, turning my face slightly red.
"Anyway!! Now that I proved that I read the book, you should keep to your promise and teach me magic!!!" I said so in an attempt to get my mom to move on from that topic. 'I swear it's like mom and brother Cedric made teasing me their main goal in life.' I think they are tired from all of their teasing.
"Sure, what type of mage do you want to become??" I asked Mom. "I want to become a battlemage!!" I responded eagerly. "*sighs* * Why do you guys want to fight with swords so badly??" Mom asked mostly to herself.
"Because magic and a sword are the best." I said. "Like father, like sons. *Sigh. Why do I even bother with you guys?" Mom said exhausted.
"Anyway, you probably want to learn some elemental magic, right??" seeing me nod my head. She brought me a piece of paper and asked me to hold it.
Once I held it, my mom moved behind me and put her hand on my back. "I will now move my mana in you to stir your mana. You should then move it towards the paper in front of you. Understood??" "Yes!!" I replied.
As soon as I replied, I felt a warm tickling in my back, and it was moving all over my body. I felt something inside me move; it felt so cool but at the same time warm.
'I feel as if I am in control of it, but at the same time I am not. This must be my magic; it's big compared to Mom's. ' I start urging it to move towards the paper, and it did, although slowly.
'My mom's mana seems to leave as she took away her hand,' I contemplate, as I move my mana towards the paper. It took my mana about 5 mins to finally reach the paper.
But once it did, the paper was cut in half; the first half of the paper became wrinkled before it turned to dirt and crumbled, whilst the second half got burnt after igniting itself.
"Soooooo, what's my element??" I asked my mother who was bewildered by what happened. "You have 4 main elements!! Son, you have the potential to become a warlock like your grandfather!!" Mom was soon shaken out of her bewilderment and was overjoyed, as was I.
"I will teach you the earth element first, as I am a master in it." Mom said quickly. "Yeah, I will learn real magic." I said practically jumping in place. "Now I want you to look carefully at what I will do," Mom stated.
Mom's mana was suddenly turning into dirt and forming a small spike on top of her, which she moved around easily. "I know that this at first will seem difficult. But with time and practice you can do more stuff than just this." I shook my head up and down so fast that I started feeling dizzy.
"I will tell you the steps one by one, and you have to follow them.
1st step: you move your mana outside your body.
2nd step: you will use your mana to take an element.
3rd step: you will make it take a spiked shape.
4th step: you shoot it.
That's all for the first earth element spell: Spike."
"Can I try it??" I asked. "Of course!! Just don't shoot it in here." Mom shouted the last almost immediately.
I slowly channel the mana out of my body; as it leaves me, I feel slightly lightheaded and weak. As I feel that I allowed enough mana to go out, I will it to turn to dirt, and slowly, bit by bit, my mana turns into dirt until all mana is dirt.
'What a weird sensation, although the mana turned into dirt. I can still control it as if it's mana.' I think to myself. Now that it has turned into dirt, I will it to turn into a spike, and it does after 10 seconds.
All in all, I have a 2-foot-tall spike over my head that took me about 50 seconds to make.
My mom had her mouth agape whilst pointing at the spike.
"So, ughhh, Mom, funny thing, but how do I dispel the spell?" I said with an awkward smile.