After watching the street performance, Aldo and Iris followed Clara, who walked ahead, in high spirits. Once they reached a less crowded area, Clara stopped.
โThis spot should be perfect for magic practiceโitโs wide and quiet!โ
โMagicโฆ! Clara-san! Please teach me!โ
Iris bowed deeply, her enthusiasm clear. Aldo, standing behind, crossed his arms and observed his beloved daughter with pride.
โFirst, Iโll explain the magic system. Magic is divided into six types, butโฆ humans can only use five of them.โ
โWait, thereโs a type of magic humans canโt use?โ
Iris looked disappointed. In her mind, magicians were extraordinary beings capable of anything. To learn there were limitations felt like a small dent in her dreams.
โLet me explain the types humans can use. First, thereโs Red Magic, which governs fire and earth. Then, Blue Magic, ruling over water and ice. Green Magic handles wind and trees, while Yellow Magic controls lightning and light. Lastly, thereโs Spirit Magic, shared between humans and spirits. These are the five types humans can wield.โ
โHmm. Whatโs the magic humans canโt use?โ
โThat would be Dark Spirit Magic, used only by malevolent spirits. While humans can bond with benevolent spirits to use their magic, dark spirits cannot be accepted by humans. Hence, their magic remains exclusive to them, unusable by anyone else.โ
โWow, thatโs fascinating!โ
Both spirits and dark spirits are fundamentally spiritual entities. While spirits are harmonious and beneficial to humans, dark spirits bring harm.
โNow, as for me, I can use Spirit Magic, Blue Magic, and Green Magic.โ
โReally? But I thought humans could use all five types?โ
Iris blinked, confused.
โThatโs true, but everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, right?โ
โYeah, like how Iโm good at cleaning, but Dad always leaves a mess!โ
โIris!โ
Aldo flushed at his daughterโs candidness, while Clara laughed it off.
โExactly. Itโs the same with magic. A single person can only use up to three types. So, Iris, you might be able to use different colors than I can.โ
โWow! I wonder what kinds of magic I can use!โ
Irisโs eyes sparkled with excitement as she gazed at Clara. Her curiosity about her potential magic was palpable.
โIf you have a knack for Blue or Green Magic, I can teach you those. And since all humans can use Spirit Magic, I can help you with that too. At the very least, youโll learn one type for sure.โ
โOkay!โ
Iris smiled brightly, raising her hand in excitement. Clara chuckled warmly.
โAlright, then letโs start by testing your colors. Iris, hold your palms up to the sky.โ
โLike this?โ
โYes. Now, take a deep breath.โ
โInhaleโฆ exhaleโฆโ
โKeep going and relax.โ
โInhaleโฆ exhaleโฆ inhaleโฆ exhaleโฆโ
Following Claraโs instructions, Iris breathed deeply, concentrating. Both Aldo and Clara couldnโt help but find her focused expression endearing, though they masked their amusement.
โGood! Now focus on your palms. Picture the mana stored below your navel flowing to your hands. Then release it all in one breath.โ
โInhaleโฆ and exhaleโ!โ
From Irisโs right hand, a wave of red energy emerged, while her left hand emitted green.
โW-wow! Amazing!โ
Seeing magic flow from her hands for the first time, Iris couldnโt contain her excitement. She beamed, shouting with joy.
โSee the colors? Thatโs your magic affinity. You can use Red Magic and Green Magic. Since I can use Green Magic, I can teach you that one.โ
โYay! Teach me right nowโoh!โ
Iris suddenly wobbled and felt faint.
โIris!โ
Aldo rushed forward to support her. His quick reaction, despite lacking magical enhancements, was impressive.
โIโm okay, Dad. I just feel a little dizzy.โ
โAre you alright, Iris? When youโre not used to using magic, you might feel mana-drunk. Itโs harmless and something youโll adjust to with practice.โ
โGot it.โ
โIris, donโt overdo it,โ Aldo gently scolded, holding her protectively. Iris smiled softly in his arms before drifting off to sleep, breathing peacefully. Aldo was bewildered.
โShe fell asleep?โ
โPerhaps she feels safe in your arms. Using mana can sometimes make people drowsy. Itโs common,โ Clara explained.
โIsnโt magic too much for her? Sheโs just a child.โ
Aldo, unfamiliar with magic, suspected her young age might make it harder for Iris to handle mana compared to someone like Clara, who was 14.
โAge isnโt a factor. Even adults can experience this. In fact, thereโs a saying that people who get mana-drunk easily often become the most powerful magic users. Iris might have incredible potential.โ
โReally? Thatโs amazing!โ Aldoโs face lit up.
โItโs just a sayingโthereโs no scientific proof.โ
โDoesnโt matter! My daughter might be a prodigy!โ
Aldo beamed with pride, the quintessential doting father.
Indeed, Iris possessed extraordinary talent. Whether that talent would lead to greatness or tragedy depended on her upbringing, which lay firmly in Aldoโs hands.
For now, Aldo didnโt knowโand didnโt need to knowโabout such dire possibilities. His love for Iris was all that mattered.
โClara, Iโm sorry. She fell asleep after all your effort to teach her.โ
โItโs alright, Aldo. Iris didnโt do anything wrong.โ
With Iris sleeping peacefully in his arms, Aldo decided to head home.
The next morning:
โHey, Dad! When can I see Clara-san again?โ
Iris, her hands balled into fists, eagerly questioned Aldo as he prepared for work.
โUh, whenโs the next timeโฆ?โ
โI want to be better friends with her! Sheโs such a nice personโteaching me magic like that! No way she could be bad!โ
Aldo felt both happy and concerned at Irisโs newfound trust.
โIโll talk to Clara. Maybe she can watch over you while Iโm at work during the day.โ
โYay!โ
And so, Iris and Clara began to bond over their shared interest in magic. Their budding friendship painted a bright futureโone filled with promise and joy.