The golden robe hung neatly beside the wooden sword.
Ray sat at his desk, examining a small piece of slime material between his fingers.
Several days had passed since he created his equipment. During that time, he had continued experimenting with its properties, hoping to understand why his mana caused the material to turn golden.
Unfortunately, his progress had been rather limited.
He had tested different amounts of mana, adjusted the circulation patterns, and experimented with how the material was shaped. He even attempted to distribute mana more evenly throughout the robe and sword.
Most of his attempts produced little difference.
After several days, he finally managed to achieve a measurable improvement.
The mana conductivity of both pieces had increased by approximately ten percent compared with their original state.
It was an improvement, but not a particularly significant one.
Ray placed the small piece of material on the table.
"Ten percent..."
He wrote the result in his notebook.
The improvement was worth keeping, but he couldn't help feeling that he had reached the limit of what he could accomplish through experimentation alone.
He lacked the proper knowledge.
He understood how to circulate mana through the material, but he didn't understand the underlying principles that governed its behavior.
Perhaps he needed a better understanding of magic itself.
That brought his attention to another matter.
His mana affinity.
During his initial assessment, the instructor had only examined his general mana capacity and control. He hadn't performed a proper elemental affinity examination.
Ray had been curious about it for some time.
If he intended to continue experimenting with mana, understanding his natural affinities would be useful.
And the most practical way to learn was to find someone who could teach him.
A mage.
The following morning, Ray visited the Adventurers Guild.
The reception area was relatively quiet compared with his previous visits.
He approached the counter.
"Good morning. I'd like to ask about commissioning a mage."
The receptionist looked up.
"A mage? Are you looking for someone to accompany you on a quest?"
"No. I'd like someone to teach me the fundamentals of magic."
The receptionist considered his request.
"That's a little different from the usual commissions, but we do have a few registered adventurers who offer private instruction."
"Could you show me the available candidates?"
"Certainly. Give me a moment."
She retrieved a small list of registered adventurers who had indicated that they were willing to accept instructional commissions.
Ray examined the names and their listed specialties.
Some were too expensive, while others were unavailable for the foreseeable future.
One entry caught his attention.
Name: Elena Voss
Age: 30
Rank: C
Specialization: Earth, Fire, Water Magic
Commission: Beginner magical instruction
The listed price was reasonable.
Ray looked at the receptionist.
"Is this person available?"
"Elena? She returned to Bellford recently. I believe she's accepting commissions."
"Could you arrange a meeting?"
The receptionist nodded.
"Of course. I'll send a request to her."
Ray completed the necessary paperwork and left his contact information through the guild's standard commission procedure.
He returned home afterward.
Two days later, he received confirmation.
Elena Voss had accepted his commission.
They arranged to meet at a small training facility near the outskirts of Bellford.
Ray arrived at the designated location shortly before the agreed time.
A woman was standing near the entrance.
She appeared to be around thirty years old, with dark brown hair tied behind her head and a composed expression. Her clothing was practical rather than particularly decorative, and a small wooden staff was fastened to the side of her bag.
She noticed him approaching.
"Ray?"
"Yes. Are you Elena Voss?"
"That's right. Nice to meet you."
She extended her hand, and Ray greeted her politely.
Elena looked at him briefly.
"You're younger than I expected."
"I've been told that before."
She gave a small laugh.
"Well, that shouldn't be a problem. The guild mentioned that you're interested in learning magic."
"Yes. I have some experience with basic mana circulation, but I haven't learned how to use magic properly."
"Then we'll start with the fundamentals."
She led him inside.
The training facility was relatively simple. There were a few practice areas, wooden targets, and several shelves containing books and instructional materials.
Elena placed her belongings on a nearby table.
"Before we begin, I want to make something clear. Learning magic isn't simply about having a large amount of mana. You need to understand how to control it, shape it, and direct it properly."
Ray listened carefully.
"Understood."
"Good. Now, show me how you currently circulate your mana."
Ray followed her instructions.
He closed his eyes and began circulating mana through his body.
Elena observed him for a moment.
"Stop there."
Ray opened his eyes.
"Your circulation is relatively stable. Who taught you?"
"I received some basic instruction during my initial assessment and continued practicing on my own."
"Your control isn't bad for someone without formal training. However, you're relying too much on maintaining a consistent flow. Magic requires more than that."
She raised one hand.
A small amount of mana gathered around her palm.
"Think of mana as the energy you use to produce a result. Circulation is only the foundation. You must learn to shape it according to your intention."
The mana around her hand gradually changed.
A small flame appeared above her palm.
Ray watched carefully.
It was a simple display, but he could feel the concentration of mana surrounding it.
Elena closed her hand, extinguishing the flame.
"That's the general principle. The actual process becomes more complicated depending on the spell."
Ray nodded.
"I see."
"Now, let's find out which elements you're naturally compatible with."
Elena retrieved several small testing crystals.
They were arranged on a wooden table.
"These are affinity assessment crystals. They'll react when exposed to your mana. The strength and nature of the reaction help identify your elemental compatibility."
Ray examined them.
"Are they completely accurate?"
"Not always. They're useful for preliminary examinations, but a proper mage should also evaluate how your mana responds during practical exercises."
She placed the first crystal in front of him.
"Put your hand over it and release a small amount of mana. Don't force anything."
Ray followed her instructions.
At first, nothing happened.
Then the crystal produced a faint brownish glow.
Elena examined it.
"Earth affinity."
She moved the next crystal toward him.
Ray repeated the process.
This time, the crystal glowed blue.
"Water."
The third crystal produced a pale yellow light.
"Lightning."
Elena continued the examination.
The remaining crystals responded differently, revealing additional elemental compatibility.
By the time they finished, Elena had recorded several results.
Ray looked at the notes.
"How many affinities do I have?"
Elena studied the results again.
"Earth, water, lightning, and a few others. Your compatibility isn't limited to a single element."
Ray remained quiet.
He had expected one or two affinities, but the results were broader than anticipated.
"Is that unusual?"
"Having multiple affinities isn't unheard of, but the number you've demonstrated is certainly noteworthy."
She placed the crystals back in their case.
"However, don't misunderstand. Having an affinity doesn't mean you're automatically proficient in that element."
Ray looked at her.
"You still need to learn the principles behind each element, develop control, and practice the corresponding spells. Some affinities may also be easier for you to use than others."
"I understand."
"Good. We'll begin with the basics of earth and water magic. They're relatively suitable for introductory exercises."
She paused.
"Lightning will require more careful instruction. I don't want you attempting unfamiliar spells without understanding how to control them."
Ray agreed.
He wasn't in a hurry to learn everything at once.
---
### Learning the Fundamentals
The first few lessons were dedicated to mana shaping.
Elena explained that a mage needed to control the flow of mana before attempting to produce a consistent spell.
She demonstrated several simple exercises.
The first involved gathering mana into a small area without allowing it to disperse.
The second required maintaining a stable concentration of mana for several seconds.
The third involved gradually changing its shape.
Ray practiced each exercise.
His unusual observation ability helped him understand Elena's demonstrations.
He watched the movement of her fingers, the subtle changes in her posture, and the way she controlled her breathing while shaping mana.
However, magic was different from swordsmanship.
He couldn't simply imitate her physical movements.
He needed to understand how mana responded to his intentions.
Still, his comprehension improved whenever he observed her carefully.
During one lesson, Elena demonstrated a basic earth spell.
A small mound of soil rose from the ground.
"Try it."
Ray concentrated.
He gathered mana and attempted to reproduce the result.
Nothing happened.
He tried again.
This time, the soil shifted slightly.
Elena nodded.
"That's a start. Don't increase the amount of mana. Focus on controlling what you're already using."
Ray adjusted his concentration.
After several attempts, a small amount of soil rose from the ground.
It wasn't particularly impressive, but it was a successful result.
"Good."
Elena examined the small mound.
"You managed to produce a response without wasting too much mana. That's encouraging."
Ray looked at his hand.
He had successfully used magic.
It was a small accomplishment, but an important one.
Over the following lessons, he practiced simple earth and water spells.
He learned to manipulate small amounts of soil and produce a limited quantity of water.
The exercises were repetitive, but they gradually improved his control.
Elena also introduced him to the theoretical principles of elemental magic.
She explained that different elements had distinct characteristics and required different approaches to mana shaping.
Ray listened carefully and occasionally asked questions.
He didn't attempt to learn every element immediately.
For now, he wanted to establish a proper foundation.
Several days later, Ray was walking through the marketplace after finishing his lesson.
A few merchants had recently arrived in Bellford, and the streets were somewhat busier than usual.
While passing a small outdoor dining area, he overheard a conversation between two travelers.
"Have you heard what happened along the southern road?"
The other merchant shook his head.
"Something happened?"
"Apparently, a group of bandits was attacked a few days ago. Their hideout was practically emptied."
"By the local guards?"
"That's the strange part. No one seems to know who did it."
The merchant lowered his voice slightly.
"They say it was a single person. One rogue, supposedly. He killed the bandits and took their gold."
"One person? That's hard to believe."
"That's what I heard from another traveler. Some say he was a mercenary, while others claim he was an adventurer."
"Did anyone see him?"
"Not clearly. The stories are all over the place."
Ray slowed his steps slightly.
A single person had apparently defeated an entire group of bandits and taken their belongings.
It was an unusual story.
He considered it for a moment.
One person taking down a bandit hideout...
There were several possibilities.
The individual could have been exceptionally skilled, or perhaps the bandits weren't as numerous or capable as the rumors suggested.
It was also possible that the story had been exaggerated along the way.
Travelers often repeated information without knowing how much of it was true.
Ray glanced toward the merchants once more.
He was curious about the incident.
However, curiosity alone wasn't a good reason to involve himself in something potentially dangerous.
He was still a beginner.
His swordsmanship was improving, and he had begun learning magic, but neither made him particularly capable of handling dangerous situations.
There was also no apparent connection between the incident and his own circumstances.
There's no reason to investigate it.
He continued walking.
Whatever had happened along the southern road, it wasn't his concern.
If the individual truly was as capable as the rumors suggested, there was even less reason for someone like him to approach the matter.
For now, he had enough to occupy his time.
That evening, Ray returned home and placed his belongings on the table.
He retrieved his notebook and reviewed the information Elena had given him.
Mana Affinities:
- Earth
- Water
- Lightning
He added a few notes about the exercises he had practiced.
His control over mana shaping was still limited, but he could now produce a few simple magical effects.
He also wrote down several questions he wanted to ask Elena during their next lesson.
Afterward, he checked his golden robe and sword.
Their conductivity had improved by ten percent the last time he had experimented on them, but he still hadn't discovered the reason behind their unusual transformation.
He would continue investigating when he had the opportunity.
Ray closed his notebook.
His days were becoming increasingly occupied.
Swordsmanship in the morning, magical instruction afterward, and reading or experimentation during his free time.
It was a considerable amount of activity, but he found the routine manageable.
There were still countless things he didn't understand about the world.
However, he was slowly acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to live and survive.
For the time being, that was enough.
He extinguished the lamp and went to bed.