Re-written date: 7 / 2 / 2025
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Chapter 18: A World of Magic
In this world—a fantastical realm where magic truly exists—magic, as one might expect, was a privilege enjoyed by only a select few.
Though mana overflowed endlessly throughout the world, only those with the innate ability to perceive it—those who could construct magical circuits within their bodies and release that power—were able to harness it. Through rigorous training in a structured magical system, such individuals could eventually rise to become what people typically referred to as mages.
Edward, standing before the others, began explaining with a calm tone.
"This world's mana is basically limitless. Even without building magical circuits like a mage, it naturally seeps into your body. With the right kind of training, it strengthens the body and pushes your physical limits—that's the principle behind how knights grow stronger."
As he said this, he glanced at Zat.
Although he's currently just a humble Rank 2 Swordsman, Zat was already considered a dependable force in the combat-starved southern territory. Within the entire Durin Family castle, only the captain of the guards had reached Rank 3. Everyone else? Just apprentice swordsmen.
Zat's eyes lit up in realization.
"Wait, so knights and mages... train in kind of a similar way?"
"Hey, Edward—does that mean I can learn magic too? You know how in those stories the main character learns both sword and magic? A magic swordsman... sounds pretty cool, right?"
To that, Edward sighed and shrugged.
"You're dreaming. Even though both systems rely on mana, the way mages and swordsmen use mana is completely different. Like comparing... liberal arts and physics, really. In short—Zat, you're probably the least likely person here to learn magic."
"What?! Come on, seriously...?"
The poor guy slumped down on the grass, devastated. Meanwhile, the others started crowding around Edward, eyes filled with curiosity and excitement. After all, magic was still a mysterious power to them.
Knowing he had no choice now, Edward began channeling the lectures he'd half-ignored back in the Mage Tower.
"To put it simply, everyone has the potential to become a mage. But in the end, whether you can actually use magic depends on your aptitude. Take me for example—someone with good aptitude. I could resonate with the four major elements and even some rarer types. That's why I climbed up the ranks and became a Grand Mage at lightning speed."
"Someone with average aptitude... well, they'd be like Helena over there. She could only resonate with fire, and her elemental control barely qualifies her as a High Mage."
"Hey!!" Helena protested, puffing up like a pufferfish. "Don't go acting like you're some genius freak! You're not normal, okay?!"
Her cheeks puffed up even more as she launched into a tirade.
"The tutors all said that single-element specialists like me would rise faster! Sure, the path is narrow, but magic isn't something you master just by dabbling! The more elements you try to control, the more your attention gets split— that's what they told me! So why the hell did you, a guy who doesn't even care about magic, end up reaching the top like it was nothing?!"
Everyone turned to look at Edward, a mix of shock and curiosity on their faces. Even Winry leaned in.
"So... Lord Durin, you're... a genius?"
Edward, normally too lazy to brag to the castle staff who didn't understand magic, could only offer a resigned nod.
"I mean... I guess you could call me that? All those old geezers back at the Tower were fighting over who got to take me as their disciple. Of course, I turned them all down, haha."
"Wait, you refused them? Why?"
Before Edward could answer, Helena chimed in with a sulky huff.
"Because he never gave a damn about magic to begin with! From the very first day he entered the Mage Tower, he didn't care one bit about the curriculum. Instead, he spent all his time hanging around the Magitech Alchemy Branch—the most pointless place in the whole Tower! I mean, seriously—magic is so much fun! Why would anyone waste time on magitech alchemy, where there's no future at all?!"
"A–also! If you hate magic so much, why are you so good at it?!"
"..."
Edward, wisely choosing silence, averted his gaze and pretended not to hear the last part.
Edward didn't bother responding to Helena's complaints—after all, he'd heard them countless times over the years. With practiced ease, he brushed past her pitiful expression and continued his explanation.
"Anyway, the elements are divided into four primary types: Wind, Fire, Water, and Earth. All other lesser elements are merely offshoots of these four. These four are considered the fundamental truths that all mages pursue."
"To determine whether someone has the aptitude to perceive these elements, most would use a diagnostic magitech or a magic circle. But for someone like me, a Grand Mage, I can tell with just a little probe."
He turned to Winry, gently taking her wrist in his hand.
The girl tensed instinctively, her eyes flickering with both anxiety and hope. Edward muttered under his breath as he sensed the flow of magic within her.
"Hmm… your mana circuit is... barely open, but your elemental affinity is practically nonexistent. Sorry, Winry. You don't have what it takes to become a mage."
"I… see…"
Her expression dipped for a moment into disappointment, but she quickly bounced back. After all, it wasn't as if she'd ever expected to be able to use magic. The test had only confirmed what she already assumed to be true.
Edward didn't stop there. One by one, he checked the rest of the group.
In the end, Winry, Zat, and Lawrence were all deemed completely devoid of magical talent.
That left one person…
"So, how about me?! Do I have what it takes to be a mage?!"
Aia's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she nearly bounced in place. But Edward's brows knit tighter and tighter the longer he examined her.
He had already found her a bit… unusual. But this was beyond what he expected.
Her magical circuit was perfect. No resistance. No impurities. It was so smooth and pristine it didn't even seem human.
And yet—
—She had zero elemental affinity.
Yes, the girl standing before him was an absurd paradox—a one-in-a-million specimen that straddled the line between undeniable genius and hopeless deadweight.
"...I…"
Unable to describe her in any ordinary terms, Edward finally let out a sigh and muttered:
"If I ever invent a portable mana charger, you'll make the perfect 100% fast-charging mobile battery."
"Huh???"
Aia tilted her head, clearly confused, but her grin stretched wider as if to say, "I didn't get it, but that means I'm amazing, right?"
Edward chose not to respond.
Instead, he began organizing the group to return to town for the day. But as he moved, his thoughts drifted back to the earlier tests. A strange, heavy feeling settled over him.
Yes—magic, in the end, was too limited.
It was a power that belonged only to the few.
Something that required rare gifts, deep knowledge, and long training—something inaccessible to most. And if only a select few could wield it, then it would never become the foundation of true civilization, let alone lead to the flourishing cultural revolution Edward dreamed of.
"So how do I make magic something everyone can benefit from?"
That was the question that gnawed at him.
He didn't yet have an answer. But one thing was clear:
He had to find it.