Chapter 67. Desire

“Morning Ken, time to wake up.” Rose said as she began to shake the young man who’s still fast asleep.

Without warning, Ken grabbed the homunculus girl and pulled her onto the bed as he snuggled with her without waking up.

“Wake up, idiot!” Rose said softly as Ken began to open his eyes.

“Why are you in my bed? Wouldn’t your father get angry at me?” Ken murmured as he yawned and got up to stretch.

“You pulled me into the bed when I came in to wake you up!” Rose complained halfheartedly.

“Really? Sorry. You should have smacked me awake!” Ken replied as the pair got ready and headed into the school dining hall for some breakfast.

“So how many girlfriends do you have now?” Rose asked offhandedly as the pair walked amongst the other students.

“Mmm, let me count. 9? If I didn’t forget anyone.” Ken told Rose as he named each of the girls in his mind hoping he didn’t forget one.

“Better put all your efforts into training and studying this month so you can learn space magic so those girls don’t end up with a dead boyfriend.” Rose commented as the pair got some breakfast and grabbed a table in the dining hall.

“You don’t need to tell me twice. I would prefer to go on two exchanges a semester to maximize my time but I am at a loss as to where I could go that will be more beneficial than just staying at Dragonspire after I learn space magic from your dad.” Ken replied as he had some delicious food and greeted the swarm of students that came over to greet him.

“So confident you could learn space magic, the most difficult to understand in a single month?” Rose questioned.

“Not a single month Rose. I've been studying hard for almost 4 years, I just can’t wrap my head around the idea of space magic. Besides, Genesis was able to learn it in 3 days without any studying or training or even a teacher. I’m sure with the best teaching me, a month is plenty for me to get the basics and then I can work with the professors at Dragonespire to improve in the areas of need.” Ken replied confidently as he greeted more students while waving in food in between sentences.

“Genesis is the blonde human that’s always mad when I try to talk to you right? 3 days? You don’t need to lie to me to make your girls seem more impressive.” Rose replied, not believing someone could possibly learn space magic in such a short amount of time.

“Yep. The best healer at Dragonspire professor Aleheart bugs me every time I go and has her heal me after I stress my body out from trying to boost.” Ken replied as the pair got ready and headed for the lesson.

“There is no possible way for anyone to learn space magic in only 3 days without already reaching divine level in all the other aspects. She’s probably studying in secrecy and just trying to impress you and pretend she learned it in 3 days.” Rose replied, still in total denial as the pair walked amongst the other students as Rose led Ken to the building where the beginner space magic lessons are held.

“Genesis can’t even remember her own mother’s gravesite after a few years and literally does nothing but follows me around all day daydreaming and getting yelled at by professors for doing nothing in class. I don’t think she has what it takes to pretend to study.” Ken replied with a chuckle as the pair entered the classroom with many other students.

“Settle down everyone. As you can see, we have a student from the famed Dragonspire here with us today. While he is no doubt talented, he couldn’t learn space magic with the help of those at his home school and decided to join us to see if he could learn space magic. Since this is the beginner’s course for space magic and none of you have managed to conjure it so far, it’s a good chance to test your own abilities against the talent from the most famous school in the world.

Ken! I am under the knowledge that you are in the second semester of your 4th year, I am sure you understand all of the basics that have been taught. So tell me, what level are you currently at and why are you having issues with space magic.” Professor Gilliam asked, putting Ken under the spotlight in front of the class right from the start.

“I am close to divine level on all 4 basic elemental magic as well as all 3 physical enhancements. I am also doing alright in the written classes for theories and whatnot so everything is pretty much guaranteed to be divine level before the end of this semester.

I guess my issue with space magic is that I learn best hands on. It’s easy for me to grasp the concept of fire or water or how I can run faster or be stronger but space is intangible and without the ability to feel or see it, I am having a hard time being able to conjure it.” Ken replied, not fazed by the sudden call out and spoke comfortably to the room full of mostly older students who are in awe that he is almost at divine level at such a young age.

“Hence why space magic is a master level course from the very beginning and why masters of space magic are so sought after. There you have it class, even if you weren’t talented enough to be accepted to Dragonspire, if you could understand and conjure space magic, your future will be bright.” Professor Gilliam preached to the class while keeping throwing shades at Ken for his inability to learn space magic to Rose’s dismay.

“If I knew he was going to talk so badly about you in front of everyone, I would have made him teach you in his free time one on one instead of making you take all this.” Rose whispered to Ken as the class continued.

“As long as I can learn space magic from him, I will gladly let him take a few jabs at me and make the rest of the students here feel better.” Ken replied with a smile, unbothered by the professor’s words.

As the lesson went on, Ken was easily able to follow every concept the professor was trying to teach as the class was not much different from how it’s taught in Dragonspire.

“Maybe it’s just not meant to be. I couldn’t learn Nolan’s speed since it’s innate, maybe I’m not just meant to learn space magic.” Ken complained as the pair finished the first lesson with the beginner class and headed for some lunch.

“Don’t give up after just a single lesson. Besides, dad told you to attend the intermediate and advanced classes as well. Maybe something will click.” Rose offered as the pair grabbed some food at the dining hall.

“I guess. Anyways, where are your friends? You spent all day yesterday showing me around but we are at the academy now, shouldn’t your friends join us?” Ken wondered.

“What friends do you speak of? I don’t have any friends.” Rose replied without hesitation.

“Why not?”

“What do you mean why not. You know what I am and what I have to deal with. It’s not like I am a normal person who can just make friends with others and be normal.” Rose replied, getting annoyed.

“I mean, why would a friend care about any of that. Besides, you hide it so well it’s not like it’s even noticeable.” Ken replied as he looked at the girl covered from neck down in a dark dress similar to the one she wore yesterday.

“People talk, Ken. The entire school knows I am just a doll created by Sylvester. They might not say anything to my face because of my father but I can hear the whispers even when I don’t normally leave the house much.” Rose answered, as the pair finished up their lunch and headed back to the building to join the afternoon session for the intermediate lessons.

“I think you are projecting too much. Sure, some people might be bad just like some beastman that judged me and my siblings as kids but most were nice and didn’t care that we are different. I’m sure if you give people a chance, you will make plenty of friends.” Ken offered as the pair walked to the training facility where lessons took place for the intermediate class.

For the intermediate class, the number of students were significantly lower compared to the beginner class as each of the attendees had to be able to conjure space magic at some level which is something Ken is couldn’t achieve even with his talent and ability to learn.

Envious of the students with their abilities to use space magic, Ken talked with and asked every single one of the students how they were able to figure out how to conjure space magic so he could try out each of their methods and see if any would work for him.

“Nothing new! Everything so far today I already know from Dragonspire.” Ken complained some more as the pair returned to the dining hall for some early dinner before they needed to join the students for the advanced session.

“It’s only your first day here, stop getting so discouraged. You haven’t even met the advanced students yet, maybe they can spark something in you.” Rose offered while Ken’s attention was occupied by the flow of incoming students that wanted to chat with him.

“Why don’t you show some interest in the people that came over to chat? I’m sure some will be more than happy to be your friend.” Ken asked as the pair headed back for the training facility where the advanced lesson also took place.

“Just mind your own business and stop worrying about what I do.” Rose snapped back as the pair arrived with a few others.

Similar to the intermediate class, the number of students got reduced greatly once again in the advanced class. While Ken was still waiting for more to show up, professor Gilliam started the lesson with only 5 other students.

“Well, I learned nothing new today. People either seem to be able to grasp the nothingness of space magic or they are like me and don’t have that talent.” Ken complained as the pair returned to the house late into the night when the advanced lesson finally finished.

“I didn’t know you were this inpatient. I guess for someone who learns everything so fast, not being able to learn something must be frustrating.” Rose commented as the pair chatted in the living room under the watchful eyes of Sylvester.

“Rose! I have been trying to learn space magic for a while now! If it was my first day then obviously I won’t be this frustrated.” Ken replied not sure how he could advance in this area.

“He simply lacks the talent of imagination. Unlike other types of magic, space magic takes imagination and this boy simply lacks that talent.” Sylvester added as he decided to join in the conversation.

“I lack that crazy imagination for sure! I think Genesis was able to learn it in 3 days by imagining being away from me and wanting to make the space between us disappear or something crazy like that. How does one even come up with something that silly.” Ken complained.

“3 days after how many years of training and learning the basics?” Sylvester asked.

“Mmm, Genesis was above intermediate level on all her basic stuff before joining the academy. Then she did absolutely nothing for over two years and was going to get expelled unless she passed her advanced tests. Instead of doing that, she decided to just somehow learn space magic.” Ken replied, thinking back to the crazy event where after only 3 days, Genesis was able to conjure some simple space magic out of nowhere.

“Impossible! Intermediate to learn space magic in 3 days? Not even the most talented individuals in the entire documented history would be able to achieve something like that. How much stronger has this girl gotten?” Sylvester asked loudly, showing way more interest than he ever did for Ken.

“She hasn’t done anything ever since she learned how to conjure space magic. She doesn’t care about studying or training at all. Professor Aleheart kept bothering me about getting her motivated because she is supposedly some once in a millennium talent but Genesis could care less. I actually wanted to learn space magic and here I am, struggling and failing to get any sort of advancement!” Ken complained some more.

“Aleheart the dwarf healer? If even she thinks that highly of the girl then I guess the talent is real. Introduce her to me during the next tournament, I want to talk with this girl myself.” Sylvester demanded, without giving Ken a choice to decline.

“I will try, professor. But instead of worrying about Genesis, can you at least give me some special hints or pointers. Everything you are teaching in class I have already heard at Dragonspire.” Ken pleaded.

“Desire. I was able to come to the conclusion of soul magic because of my desire to cure my daughter. It’s believed that healing magic was discovered by someone with the desire to heal the sickness of their loved one and teleportation was the desire of someone who wished to escape from their situation. If you want to learn space magic badly enough, I am sure even someone as talentless as you will be able to do so.” Sylvester offered as Rose scolded him for calling Ken talentless.

“Desire. I think I might be able to do it then. Thanks for the hint, professor!” Ken pondered at what the professor said for a while before deciding to head up stairs with Rose to turn in for the night.

“You seemed to have figured something out?” Rose asked as the pair reached Ken’s room.

“Yep! If it’s desire then I have the perfect motivation. When I thought about it, my lust is the one thing that I know and even when it’s intangible, I know full well it’s there. If I can channel that into training for space magic, I am sure I will learn it in no time.” Ken said happily.

“And how will you channel your lust into learning magic?” Rose asked, not sure where Ken is going with his train of thoughts.

“Until I can teleport. I won’t have sex!” Ken proclaimed.

“I mean it’s none of my business. But you do realize teleport is one of the most advanced space magic right? Most people who are able to use space magic never ever get to the level of being able to use healing or teleport and are capped at simple space distortion or simple illusions.”

“Rose! I am almost at divine level in everything! You think I don’t know the basics? Of course I know teleport is an advanced level technique that few have ever achieved but I am aiming to become the youngest person in history to reach holy level! I got to aim high or I would be dead just like your father predicted. If the restriction of not having sex won’t get me to learn space magic and teleport then I know it’s just not meant to be and I will have to accept my death.” Ken replied happily as he bid Rose a goodnight before going to bed to work out all the details on his plan and the resolve to follow through.