Chapter 48: Would You Become a Mage for Me? 4

The crisp morning air lingered as the newly risen sun began radiating its warmth – a time before the world fully awakened.

It was during this tranquil hour that I arrived at the training grounds to commence my magical tutelage and become a mage.

Having arrived slightly earlier than the appointed time, the area seemed deserted. With a mixture of anticipation and trepidation, I awaited the arrival of my ‘instructor.’

‘I wonder who it will be?… Surely not Father himself, instructing me directly?’

Given his exceptional prowess as a mage, the possibility could not be entirely ruled out.

However, considering the urgency of the current circumstances occupying his time, the likelihood seemed low.

With this in mind, I stood in silent anticipation, pondering whether an unknown individual or perhaps someone from the original work would serve as my tutor.

At that moment…

“Hm?”

The sight of a particular person entering the training grounds filled me with puzzlement.

‘That person is undoubtedly…’

Recognizing the early arrival, I cautiously called out her name.

“D…Dust?”

The figure before me was unmistakably my sister Dust, wearing her characteristic prickly expression.

Having scarcely seen her over the past week, I approached her with a sense of surprise at her presence during these early hours.

And…

Upon seeing me, Dust slightly inclined her head and addressed me in a composed tone.

“…Excuse me, Brother. I have been instructed by Father to teach you magic from today onward, which is why I am here.”

“W…What? Teach me magic?… You?”

Understandably caught off guard by this unexpected development, my bewilderment was evident.

Regarding my reaction, Dust spoke in a curt voice.

“Yes, Brother. Regrettable as it may be, that is the case. Although I am your sister, I also possess skills regarded among the finest in Bohemia.”

“Well, that may be true, but…”

While I did not doubt Dust’s abilities – a prodigy capable of effortlessly overwhelming most adult mages despite her young age – I had never anticipated my ‘sister’ would be the one instructing me, which came as a surprise.

Seeming to recognize my disquiet, Dust furrowed her brow slightly and inquired.

“Is there some dissatisfaction?”

“Ah… No, not at all, but…”

“Then let us begin promptly. As you are well aware, we have little time to spare.”

“Umm… Very well.”

Heeding her somewhat impatient words, I saw no need to protest further.

As she had stated, time was of the essence, and I needed to acquire magical proficiency as swiftly as possible, even if my instructor happened to be the epitome of prickliness herself.

“I shall be in your care, then.”

“Yes, Brother. Let us proceed immediately. First, please turn your back towards me.”

Acquiescing obediently, I caught a fleeting hint of relief on Dust’s features, though it passed so quickly that I dismissed it as a mere illusion.

Carefully turning my back to her, I waited for her instructions.

“As the initial step, I shall now unlock your mana. This process involves stimulating the mana pathways within your body, so there may be some discomfort involved. Please bear with it.”

“Understood.”

With my acknowledgment, Dust cautiously placed her hands upon my back.

Accompanying her soft touch was a distinct sensation – not merely the warmth of her skin, but the mana gathered in her palms, which I instinctively recognized.

Mana Unlocking.

The first hurdle for an ordinary person to become a mage, and a litmus test to determine one’s magical aptitude.

This process begins with a mana-user infusing their mana into the recipient, akin to striking a match upon an oil-soaked floor, utilizing a small spark of mana to awaken the dormant mana within the subject.

If the recipient possesses no magical talent whatsoever, this mana infusion elicits no reaction.

However, for those with even a shred of potential, their bodies become acutely sensitive to this mana-based stimulus.

And that reaction manifests as…

“! Guhh!”

An intense, searing agony assaulted me in the next instant.

A sensation akin to my entire body being engulfed in flames overwhelmed me, eliciting an involuntary cry of anguish.

‘Damn it… Even with some prior expectations, this is… No, it’s utterly excruciatingly painful!’

Part of me yearned to immediately collapse and writhe on the ground.

However, mindful that any reckless movements during this mana awakening process could be problematic, I clenched my teeth and mustered every ounce of fortitude to endure the torment.

‘Shiiit… How much longer must I bear this? Can’t it end soon?’

As I struggled to persevere through the agony, desperately wishing for its swift conclusion, that interminable instant finally came to an end with Dust’s sigh.

With that, I crumpled helplessly to the ground.

“Huff… Huff…”

“Haah… Haah…”

Even after the mana unlocking had concluded, a lingering numbness remained in my back.

Breathing raggedly, I became aware of Dust’s own labored breaths behind me, seemingly more strained than my own.

“Is… Is it over?”

“Y…Yes… It’s done… Success… Brother…”

Responding to my query, Dust spoke with an oddly impassioned tone.

From what I understood, the mana unlocking process should not significantly affect the caster, yet she appeared markedly impacted.

‘However… Even if I can overlook my own distress, Dust seems quite shaken as well, judging by her flushed complexion and ragged breathing…’

Her apparent exertion was unmistakable.

Despite the task being undertaken at our father’s behest, I found myself feeling a sense of gratitude towards Dust for her earnest efforts on my behalf.

Regaining her composure, Dust addressed me in a calmer voice.

“Very well. It will take about a day for the released mana to settle into place, so our lesson concludes here for today. Let us reconvene at this time tomorrow.”

“Understood. And… thank you, Dust.”

Despite the undoubtedly arduous nature of her task, I expressed my gratitude to my sister for undertaking it.

My words seemed to give Dust pause as she hastily prepared to depart.

Turning back towards me, her face flushed once more, evidently still affected by the mana unlocking.

“N…No, I was merely… doing as instructed… Brother…”

With those faintly trembling words, Dust took her leave.

Observing her demeanor, I gained the impression that, contrary to her original characterization, she was not entirely prickly.

‘Moreover, regardless of circumstances, she is still my blood-related sister… Perhaps this could be an opportunity for us to become closer.’

With these thoughts, I focused my attention on the newfound power gently enveloping my body like a wispy mist in the aftermath of the mana unlocking – the novel force known as mana.

‘So this is mana?… As Dust mentioned, it does feel rather turbulent at present…’

The power flowed from within, encompassing my exterior before circulating inward once more.

However, this cyclical process was as unruly as a burst dam, lacking any significant force – akin to an unruly child yet to find its bearings.

Even with my familiarity in handling the opposing force of the Aura, this untamed mana was currently beyond my control.

As Dust had said, it would likely settle within a day’s time.

‘Mana, huh?… So this marks my formal transition into becoming a mage?…’

A prospect I had often envisioned before arriving in this world had finally become a reality, filling me with profound elation.

With anticipation for my ‘sister’s’ forthcoming lessons, I cautiously made my way back to my chambers.

‘Although Dust seemed somewhat apprehensive towards the end… Surely there’s nothing to be concerned about? After all, she is far more knowledgeable about magic than I am.’