Warning

The sword pieces dropped to the ground with a thud. I looked at Conall, who still had a surprised look on his face.

It felt strange—like the magic was an extension of my arm, another part of me. It was as if I had become one with this new force I had just encountered.

"What's wrong?" I asked Conall.

"Taro, are you sure this is your first contact with magic?" he asked, tossing the sword on the ground.

I nodded. "Why?"

"Wind magic is not that rare; however, using it like this on your first try. I thought you'd push me back or something in a situation like this, but cutting a physical object like this is above a new mage. You are talented!" Conall laughed.

Putting his hand on my shoulder, he continued, "Mars missed out on teaching you. When Eden is back, I will make sure to also tell her about this. She will surely help you find someone better."

I couldn't help but smile, this was the first good news I had heard in a while. I looked at Conall. "Then can we continue fighting? I want to see what else I could do."

Conall's expression didn't change as he went to get another sword; however, this time the sword started getting engulfed in a red aura. "I am not going easy on you this time!"

With a smirk, he dashed forward, and I felt the energy around me again.

The first time had been instinctual, but now I understood the process. I had compressed the wind around me, forging it into blades aimed directly at the sword.

This time, I took a deep breath, felt the energy, and concentrated it. Feeling the waves, I imagined a wall, just like what Conall had guessed before. I would do what he'd expected the first time.

With Conall dashing, he stopped midway as a strong gust of air started going against him. At first, it was a weak breeze, but it quickly intensified, pushing his entire body back until he hit the wall.

And it stopped. I looked at Conall; he was breathing heavily. "You sure are something..."

We spent the rest of the time testing the ring. The more I experimented, the better I understood its fundamentals, and the more familiar I became with magic itself.

After being done with the training, we parted ways, and I went back to my room. Throwing myself on the bed, I was exhausted after manipulating the wind like that.

I looked at the ring in my hand, the runes shining deep purple. This is the first tool I've gained in this place.

I might not have a lot, but I am going to cherish it and use it.

Then I took a nap.

After a bit, I heard a knock on my room's door. I got up and opened it to see Lilith, who was waiting in front of the door. "Mars wants to meet you."

"..." I looked at her; she had that same bored expression, like she always does. "Why?"

"I don't know; he's waiting in the guest room." After finishing, she went on her way, not waiting for me to respond.

I took a deep breath and walked there. What does that guy want now? Is he trying to ask for my forgiveness after all that? If so, I won't accept it. A person has to take responsibility for their actions. If Mars can't act like an adult, then I don't have to waste my time on him.

Walking into the guest room, I saw Mars sitting on one of the sofas, drinking coffee. "Welcome, Taro, please sit down."

I closed the door and waited in front of it. "What do you want exactly?"

Putting down his coffee, he pointed his index finger at my hand. "I heard from Conall about the ring."

"And so?"

"..." Mars looked at my face for a few seconds. "Please, don't use it."

"So even when I got an alternative way to use magic, you're trying to stop me? Are you really that pitiful?" I asked him.

"No. Taro, I am sure you're still young. But magic isn't inherently good. While it's not evil, it changes people. In the days we spent together, I know that you're the type of person who doesn't need magic to be happy."

"And what do you know?" I screamed at him, "I have no past; mages might kill me the moment I get out of the mansion. The only reason I am alive right now is because of Eden!"

"I know, I understand you. However, please believe me. You don't need it. It might seem good at the start, but you will never recover from it; I am one example of many. I've gone insane; I am just sane for a few days in the week thanks to Lord Winfield."

"So what? I am not like you, and I won't be like you. I hate people like you. What do you think makes me want magic so badly? Won't protecting myself make me happy? Do you think death is more merciful than me standing up against whatever comes down upon me?"

"..."

"Answer me, Mars!" I clenched my teeth, looking at the middle-aged man in front of me.

His eyes weren't meeting mine. I could hear the birds from outside; they were chirping.

Turning around, I didn't bother anymore.

"Taro, please listen to me, then do whatever you want," Mars spoke, his voice weak.

I didn't want to stay, but I did.

"Magic is what makes the world beautiful and what makes it terrifying. A kid can heal his wound using it, and a knight could become a hero with its help. But a sorcerer can use the undead to kill the innocent, and a person will use them to steal. It's a tool for most people, but a tool will shape people." He took a sip of his coffee. "No matter what happens. You will be isolated even among your fellow mages; you will be looked at with fear. You will start seeing yourself differently, and then you will start hating yourself for wanting magic. Wanting a tool that only helps you in the short term..."

It looked like he wanted to say something, but after finishing the coffee. He didn't bother and just stood there.

I understood that was his sign to me, that I heard what he wanted me to hear. And I left the room.

I understood Mars's words; he doesn't think that magic will bring me happiness, but that's his view. If I am going to use it, I am going to be taking the consequences. And if I fall—alone, sad, and miserable—into a pit where no one can see or remember me, then at least it will be a pit of my own choosing.

I don't want to be looked down upon, not by any sage. I want to understand myself, my nature, and who I truly am.

I looked out the window; the moon was shining on the whole mansion. I felt weak.

Walking through the mansion, I noticed Lilith, who was holding a basket of clothes. "Would you like me to help?" I asked.

She studied me for a moment without a word. Her eyes darted left and right before locking back onto mine. She gave a single, curt nod.

Taking the basket, I walked behind her. "You're not really the talkative type, are you?"

"Sure, if you think so. I have too much work to take care of; talking is just... a waste of my time." Lilith said, thinking of her words.

"However, it must be boring. I have never seen any other maids at this place." I replied.

"I guess so, but it's the sole reason I exist," Lilith explained, opening the door to the cleaning room.

Taking the basket, she put it in a big pot of water. "The sole reason?"

She nodded as she made sure all the clothes were inside. "I am a high-ranking spirit, bound to this mansion. When summoned, I must do as I am ordered."

Lilith extended her hand; a blue light came out of it as the water in the pot started moving slowly, and the clothes moved, flying up; they looked like they weren't wet at all. She did it slowly to each of the clothing items.

I just stood there by her side as she did her work. "Isn't it sad?" I muttered.

Lilith didn't hear me, continuing to do her job. After finishing, she led me back to get more baskets.