Chapter 8
"The Grand Magician."
March, 01. XXXXXXXXX37.
I was walking through a forest near the branch village of one of the clans I learnt a lot from, the Crimson Demon. I was planning to just pass by, as at that time was currently night, roughly 3/3 night, so I don't want to disturb them. But an occurrence brought my attention over.
That's right, a boy, approximately 3 years old. I at first thought that boy would be a powerful magician, other than the Future Overlords and its candidates, who could train at his mere age at this time? That was I thought, until he scrapped the log with a mere invisible force. With no amendment, what?
What is this? No elements, the most essential aspects that were supposed to be included when it came to magic? This kid...
For the first time since I became a full-fledged magician, a person had outwitted my speciality, Magic Observation.
How could he would become a mere powerful magician? He could be something greater, much greater than that.
--
March, 06. XXXXXXXXX37.
I was wrong, the kid was already 4 years old, disappointment filled my heart as I realized that. I was planning to leave like what I had in my schedule.
One year gap between prodigies are essential, so I couldn't overlook this fact and was disappointed by it.
But then I discovered something ridiculous.
The kid was poor, he lives in poverty. He did have enough essential aspects to live as his parents provided him food, room, clothes and such. But considering he already reaches this degree in magic, it could be considered as 'living in poverty.
Magic wasn't a simple matter, the difficultness it presented was extremely difficult, even if calling it 1 in 100,000 just to master one of its essentials, 'Mana Control' wasn't an exaggeration, as it is ridiculously taxing in both mentality and physically just to accomplish it. Or, he already has that card, I heard there was a 'card' that could provide magic but I believe that card was nothing more than rip off magic.
But as I investigate furthermore, I did not find any clues as to how he got the card on his hand in the first place, there isn't a 'guild' nearby.
And second, Magic Teacher. This job was the most needed in the whole continent. But so few could become one. Why? Because the requirement is difficult to be fulfilled. At least, one must be a Master to become one. A normal citizen would take dozen years of diligent training just to achieve that. And it was unduly expensive just to hire one personally, only nobles and such could afford them. And one more, it was extremely difficult to achieve magic to this degree at his age, even if he had a tutor. That was why attaining magic to this extent at his mere age without any tutor was excessively insane.
I know that he is a Crimson Demon whose speciality is to cast magic, but to this extent...? Kids in such a race usually started to train when they were 5 years old. While Future Overlords started at 3,5 years old, even so, their progress wouldn't be as absurd as he is.
I was convinced, this kid is ridiculous. If those 'Future Overlords' transcend the word 'Prodigy' then this kid was at least 2 levels above it. Became a magician naturally wasn't hard in the amendment part, but the part where a person just started.
Unlocking the core and Mana Control. Most people stuck in these 2 areas for years, if one wanted to become a magician naturally, unlike those who use 'cards', it demanded constant practice, extreme willpower and creativity. Unlocking one's core required extreme willpower while Mana Control required constant practice and creativity.
How do you want to control your mana? Straight? Fluid? Or Smooth? The creativity to motioned them was required, and practice to perfect the process. I, as a Grand Magician, had created a method to control it, a method called Condensed Point. How it works was simple, gathered the mana in your core to a point anywhere and condensed it, after that, amend it into desired forms and hurls the formed forms into the targets!
Magic Teacher was needed to give advice and methods to easily break through these 2 phases, and that's why they are needed.
Most amateurs used the Straight method, to simplified it, just moves your mana through the arm and amend it immediately after it came out of your palm. That's it. The users could only amend their mana into elementals.
The fluid method was required to coated certain body parts with the invisible force. Basically, the mana in your core would start to turn into fluids and revolved around you, then it would coat the body parts you wanted to protect. This method was specifically used by Magic Warriors, Magic Berserkers, and such. The training regiment it required wasn't that hard if one already became a beginner, just constantly force one's mana to revolve around them, if one succeeds then continue by coating certain body parts.
And, the last method, Smooth. Masters often used this method. Could move the invisible force anywhere smoothly, turned it to create codex and sculpture the ground by turning it into physical form. They could easily amend it too. This method was required to cast extremely powerful spells, maybe a Natural Disaster level spell was possible if one comprehended this method.
How do people achieve this? It would come naturally if one was used to constant mana drain by using spells. Or one could force it by using a potion made by mystical beasts' parts to increase one's facile in Mana Control, but this route was difficult, so most would use the former. And the last but not least, as always, diligently train until one could smoothly motion their mana, which required a ridiculous amount of time.
In all, compared to my method, these three are pathetic!
Ah, I'm getting distracted. Anyway, the kid has a little sister, to who he showed affection constantly. The affection he showed was replied by affection from the little sibling, but bigger. It seems like his little sister adored him. It slightly warmth my heart.
Tomorrow, I would be back and brought him with me.
By the way, I think I have a habit of explaining things, if one found this book, please don't mind it.
--
March 07, XXXXXXXXX37.
The moon was shining brightly, and I appear before the boy vaguely. Of course, by instinct, he throws a lighting spell at me.
Already in the amendment part? Impressive, impressive. I easily swatted the spell, but rather than terrified at me, he immediately ran into the deeper region of the forest. Wasn't he supposed to run the other way?
With Short Teleportation, I easily appeared before him. We have a brief clash but ended quickly because he was too weak, no, rather, I was too strong!
Ah, my ego gushing out of me yet again. Anyway, the kid put a considerable good fight considering the degree he reaches, the docks he did, unnoticeable but significant counterattacks he launched. A semi-polished diamond amongst diamonds.
Of course, the compliments are from my standard, if it came from typical Magic Teachers, they would scream at him hysterically if they knew the life he lives, certainly, they would faint. That, if they knew he was never tutored.
If they have seen him, they would probably think 'Good enough.' and maybe few would be interested in teaching him. Because most people these days thought kids could use magic only because of Magic Teachers and other influences. Hah, such short-sighted people, they deserve their current position in Magician Ranks!
Magician Ranks, ah, a thing I pursued when I was young. There are:
Novice Magicians.
Beginner Magicians.
Intermediate Magicians.
Advanced Magicians.
Master Magicians.
Ace Magicians.
Magician Overlords.
Grand Master Magicians.
Grand Magician.
There are 9 ranks, though there are Magic Academies whom the rank system was changed, as that one academy at the Capital of Ryde Kingdom. The Novice to Intermediate was changed into 9 ranks for its students, kind of neglecting the fact that the ranks could turn them into arrogant people.
The last two ranks could be considered the same, but the Grand Magician could be deemed more as a title, than a rank. It was selected amongst the Grand Masters, so it could be regarded as "Master Amongst The Grand Masters."
Honestly speaking here, those ranks couldn't be proof of one's power, as they were given to the one who contributed to one's kingdom/empire, depending on the country. There are separate ranks when it came to contribution and power.
For power, there are:
Novice, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Elite, Master, Grand Master, Overlords, and Grand Magician.
The power gap between the first 7 ranks aren't significant, but the gap between the last two was tremendous.
There's more above them too but I read in Legends that the ones who surpassed the Grand Magician title would be freed from the shackles of mortality and would transcend to the next world.
Legend, Apex, Myths, Divine...
And the last one, the most powerful title of a magician known to mankind.
Devil.
Until now, I do not have a single clue as to why the most powerful title wasn't God or Omnipotent, no, the highest title was Devil.
I found that information from ancient journals and codexes in a strange-looking tomb, it was near the remains of a kingdom infamous for its self-destruct, the Kingdom of Norse. Inside it contained a secret route I found by my Magic Observation skill and discovered these mystifying looking books.
And-
Argh! I'm distracted!
Anyway, I invited him to be my student, he put on a 'Not Interested' façade for a moment before enthusiastically replied "Okay!"
He requested to train at night time and I agree, the chance to teach this ridiculous kid couldn't be compared to some stupid ass schedule. The reason was obvious, he wanted to hide the fact that he was training magic.
And there's that. Damn I wanted to sleep, stupid journal.
--
August 18, XXXXXXXXX37.
Been a long time, hello journal, I, the renowned Grand Magician, is here.
There are so many surprising events that transpired because of him, there are times when he actually despised me too, hah! Such a rebellious kid! This kind of kid always reaches the top.
I trained him in various fields. Mana Control, Amendment, and Creativity to increase the efficiency in mana usage. The "Tube of Demise." I found it in that same ancient tomb which increases his physical capability, oddly, he thought it was terrifying, it is understandable since he was a kid, the tube looks pretty treacherous and I always exaggerating my words on him. Feels bad for the poor kid but I heard there was a saying "Fear produces efficiency!" And I believe it!
The result of the tube exceeds my expectation, now, he doesn't look like a human anymore, he looks like he had evolved! I could see some lean muscles on his physique, it looks kind of odd but it's definitely a good sign. It could be possible because of that tube, and the training I set up for him, which what he called "This is Inhumane Training Regiments! Aaah-"
Yeah, training this kid was amusing. Then there's Formless Force, a force attained by spiritual beings such as ghosts, souls, and such. This force could be possibly attained by spiritual beings, demons, and angels. Priests, exorcists and believers of demons could attain it too, as they involved themselves in Spiritual Conflict.
I have i- No, you yourself have it, why? You see, You, my old senile self, was too powerful and spiritual beings naturally came to me! It was a pretty weird experience but I guess this Formless Force which constantly used by necromancers to made undead could be pretty well useful if I have to fight some subordinates of that Demon King. I learn all of that from a pope of a Church that worshipped The Goddess of Luck, Lady Eris. And this kid has it naturally, he didn't even need to meet those spiritual beings! Anything outrageous happened could not surprise me anymore, I guaranteed it.
To simplify it, Formless Force was an invisible force like mana, but it came from what humanity usually called 'Supernatural World.' It is essentially was different from the Mortal World or the Transcendent World. A world where those who had transcended or have eyes called "Divine Eyes." could visit. Unfortunately, the power Formless Force has was weak in the Mortal World and the unreachable realm, the Transcendent World.
It was effective against undead and demons though, so it could be considered as useful.
Anyway, I too, demanded him to do the extermination missions, which was... I have to admit, a rather cruel one for a kid like him. But with the progression he showed so far, I knew he would be so powerful one day, and probably became a Guardian, a title to whom the strongest in the world. A Guardian responsibility was to maintain the balance, and defend the world from outward threats. I guess he would become that guy one day so exterminating people is an important experience.
But even so, some dumbasses in the past dared to be demanding in front of a Guardian and bullshit about responsibility and whatnot. Pfft! Do you think his responsibility is to protect everyone? A Guardian was to maintain the balance of the world, not to protect everyone. So... yeah, obviously, those dumbasses were exterminated by the Guardian, and no one objects. To think that 'Laws' could overpower 'Force.' They should have seen it coming!
At night times, I could see the boy blankly stared at the wall of his room, I used Concealment to silently observe him. Haah... I feel bad but this is the best for him.
I left, and I write this journal, I wanted to sleep.
Bye.
--
August 10, XXXXXXXXX37.
I do not know how it happened but some people discovered that I have nurtured a magician, what bullshit-
I might be arrogant, but my title wasn't a joke at all. The title Grand Magician has a lot of weight in it, and now that it has discovered that I was nurturing a kid, several requests from the whole continent were sent to me.
With nothing to hide anymore, I demanded with full of authority as I stand in the sky, with magic. My voice could be heard across the continent as I put invisible force into my voice.
"I, The Grand Magician, indeed, had nurtured magicians in the past, they are prodigies exceeding the word "Prodigy." which I called them "The Future Overlords." I would train them for 2,5 years and when the time comes, I would leave them on their own."
After that, I gave the requirements and shockingly, 4 clans, or to be more precise, races fulfilled them. I was astounded, this generation must be impressive.
Five kids from each race. The Pseudo-Angel, a race famous for their healing ability, Demi-God, a race speciality in their efficiency in every aspect, Crimson Demon, obviously, exceeds in Magic. And what shocked me, The 'Empyrean', a 'clan' made out of human who has Hero's blood in their veins.
Hero, a ridiculously powerful person who defeated the calamity that threatens the world in the past. They are respected, almost worshipped and deified, if the current Churches didn't exist that's it.
But I do not know if it's a coincidence or not, but the Crimson Demons could only fill 4 quotas. Probably because of their lazy tendencies...
I brought them with me to a place where the Ancient Ruin was, I already transformed it into a base. Knowing I have to nurture these kids.
And that, how my day ends today.
--
December 09, XXXXXXXXX37.
Nothing interesting in particular, just Kazuma, the kid I brought 9 months ago carried the whole "Future Overlords." because of m- a mission and became a leader for a bunch of kids. Ah, what a peaceful day.
--
June 37, XXXXXXXXX38.
...I smell something fishy here.
Particularly those 4 who I saw constantly sneaking into Kazuma's room. Emica, a girl with lively pink eyes and straight raven hair, Michy, white snow hair in a ponytail and deep blue eyes, Cecillia, a shy girl with long grey hair that covered one of her eyes and a pair of black eyes, and lastly, Celesscyly, a somewhat stoic girl with blonde hair and curious green eyes.
Having affairs behind their teacher's back... But I'll let them. Youth could only happen once after all, I let them have their fun.
But let's see if those 4 girls could handle the extreme training I set up for Kazuma a year ago. Oh, and 2 times the difficulty for the main culprit. The schedule for tomorrow has been decided!
By the way, I hadn't mentioned this but Kazuma's schedule was still the same, only at night he would come with a spell he impressively already learnt, the Short Teleportation spell. He would train here for 9 hours until the sun peeked the world.
Bye.
--
May 19, XXXXXXXXX39.
Welp, they ran away.
I do not know why, but I guess that's what happened when you couldn't handle the immense training I had set up, hah! Pathetic!
Nah, they probably followed him. It's kind of makes sense though. That kid went through Training Regiments even I could consider as inhumane, and that corrupt cities extermination missions I gave him probably broke him a little. A little I said, he's a strong kid alright. Mainly because of the lesson I gave him. A lesson I learnt from my father.
"What It Means, To Be A Soldier."
And why the kids followed in his 'conquest' to leave should've been obvious. He's their leader! To think they leave the special training given by me, the Grand Magician just for a kid. Tsk, insulting!
But they're still kids, I understand, they naturally trust a person whose age the same as them rather than a suspicious-looking white-haired man like me.
Still, it pains me! Ugh!
--
January 05, XXXXXXXXX40.
They happen to hear the accident, and sent recruits again, couldn't be compared to the ones before but eh, I have nothing to do anyway.
But this time, in this base, 4 representatives are watching over the training, I don't mind it.
Let's see what happened next.
--
July 17, XXXXXXXXX40.
Ah! They're back, and apologizing to me because they ran away. Look at them growing and matured, especially the one I nurtured the longest. I merely smiled and give them some advice.
They left and decided to do some fun, I closed my eyes and write this barely written journal in relief. Ah, at least they don't have any resentment towards me.
Just for fun, next time you could expect good things, I guess.
Something interesting I discovered on the internet.
1/3 night = 6pm - 9pm.
2/3 night = 9pm - 12am.
3/3 night = 12am - 3am.
Look, just pretend that 'Training Regiments' are a bunch of exercises or something, I do not want to misunderstand things. The point is, it was a set of training, that's it. Kinda get worried when I search in google about it lol.