History & Mythology II

Thirdday, Autumn 3rd, 3–…4,372; Morning, 12:56 [3342512374]

Now that we've covered a bit of the First era along with the Eternal War, let's take a look at the myths surrounding them.

Yes, Ms. Rowe.

"Were there really people who could cast teleportation spells? You know, instantly move from one place to another? Mrs. Zauber said you would know."

Your Magic II teacher, correct? Well, I'm quite certain those weren't her exact words, but it does touch on an important subject.

First, let me counter your question with a question of my own.

Why do you think Tona Academy teaches mythology as part of its history curriculum?

"Umm, isn't mythology just made up of fake stories?"

Well, in the traditional sense of the word, yes. But that would mean mythology should be a separate class -- a topic more suited for graduate level research on culture. So, I can only give you partial credit for that answer.

...

No one else? Well, I suppose the answer isn't completely obvious.

Then, let's start from the beginning.

When we talk about mythology in history, we are generally referring to events not recorded in modern writing. Most of the tales told during then persisted through the times orally, typically within towns or cities. There were some other forms like drawing, but they weren't as common.

As we've previously discussed, modern writing only became mainstream during the latter half of the Second era, after the moon shattered. There were other writing systems before then, but they were heavily reliant on mana to maintain. Our current world no longer has that amount floating around, meaning most have either degraded or completely disappeared.

Of course, just because the records are not written down doesn't mean that everything is pure fiction or non-fiction. Some tales were corroborated by the few people remaining who were alive at the time, while others were confirmed to be mere hyperbole. Regardless of which, stories from the First and Second era are highly exaggerated. After all, the First era was irrevocably scarred by the Eternal War, and the Second era was the age of gods. Expecting any sort of consistency is foolish.

So, circling back around to your question, it's not impossible to believe that there could've been people able to cast teleportation spells, especially in a place where mana was more abundant. Though, there are unfortunately no first-hand accounts of such a feat, only the whispers told in fairytales. Maybe we will be able to prove the feasibility of instant transportation, but for right now, it's left up to the researchers' interpretations.

Yes again, Ms. Rowe.

"Is that also the case for the man punished for messing with time?"

Ah, yes. That tale. A Murderer's End.

Unlike teleportation spells... well, let me first tell the story.

A long time ago, there was once a man who wondered how it felt to kill someone. To feel their life drain from their eyes. It wasn't out of cruelness, nor was it our of hatred.

No, it was only simply curiosity. An innocence plagued without boundaries.

Of course, the man understood the finality of death. In an age of war, that was all too common. You couldn't be blamed depending on the circumstance. Yet at the same time, each death carried its own weight. It was normal for people to murder others under the guise of vengeance.

Instead, the man had an idea. One that involved turning back time. That way, no matter what he did, he could always revert the damage. The victim would be none the wiser; after all, nothing happened.

So, calmly and casually, as if it was an everyday occurrence, the man jammed a knife into the throat of the first person he saw, watching as they died slowly. And the very end of it all...

"M... om... my...." they took their last breath.

But with a simple spell, time rewound, back before they ever died. He had succeeded, and the man remembered everything.

That should've been the end of the story. However, the man's curiosity only grew. That finality felt... almost euphoric in a way, enough to make him wonder whether another person would be the same in their final moments.

So, he did it again. And again. And again. Young or old. Man or woman. Person or beast. If it could provide him a reaction, he would kill it. Some of his victims fought for their lives until the very end, while others accepted their fate as if preordained. There were even a scant few who tried to use healing magic to save themselves. But it was the faces that drew his attention the most, each warped by the flashing thoughts rushing through their head.

And each and every time, he rewound back to before it ever happened, such that no one was the wiser.

The perfect crime. One he could get away with forever.

If not for one thing.

Just as there were those who were resistant to a particular type of spell, there were some that could resist his.

Those lasting memories never provided the complete picture -- only glimpses into what was erased. However, those figments were more than enough to catch the eye of the Professor.

It didn't take long for the man to be caught after that. Though, by that point, he had nearly killed every single living thing. The majority were fine, but many were scarred by what they saw, and they would have to live that trauma, forever.

Therefore, instead of executing the man, the Professor provided a different punishment. A method of atonement, if you will.

As the man who caused this mess, he would spend the rest of existence cleaning it up, reincarnating from one life to another, until he saved every person he killed. And only once all that was done, he would finally be free, erased by his own hand.

Now, with all that in mind, what do you think is the problem with this tale?

Yes, Ms. Iwatani.

"How do we know something that supposedly would've never happened?"

That's exactly right. By its very nature, it's an impossible story. That doesn't discount the fact that it exists; however, its intended purpose is heavily disputed. Some have even given it a second title, calling it-- hmm?

Are you okay, Ms. Ainsley?