Chapter 2: Meet the Magic (2)
i3IcntIll try again.XC5Gb
v7HEVincent stepped back, but Shirone remained motionless and observed the dented spot on the tree.9UhS
2k5Vincent, who briefly thought he might just be goofing off, shook his head to dismiss the thought.og4a4a
npTEseHes not the kind of kid who would play cheap tricks on his parents.dW8cXD
VZtqsX8He waited, holding back his impatience, but Shirone made no move to continue.Nixb3
FAswPWmWhat in the world is he looking at? When it comes to chopping down trees, using your body instead of your head is much more important. Come on, pick up the axe, Shirone. You just have to hit the tree as hard as you can.bcDmesl
RKv0QJContrary to Vincents restlessness, Shirone felt a light tremor travel through his body.R5gs
vhnHI see.BRYZ6
Nt6vHHit the same spot, but with a slight twist to the angle.5k6gZ8
0mNIt was complicated to explain the principles, but it was probably one of the oldest realizations in human history.uGXc7Dl
Ze2H8GjAnd that realization was evolving into a more powerful form in Shirones understanding.QCyel
Fcdn4zwI think itll work. Hit here, like this.CQjv3ad
HdsFinally, Shirone pointed to the base of the tree, where he made the dent.Ar8
KdcDad.dk3DoUI
8zu0EcSHmm?3z6iQ
LgAOH0IShould I break it in one hit?F0J6
FHpwrHahaha! Youre not even halfway through yet. Do you think itll break with one swing?N7KGu
yhP11qWith a bit of luck, who knows? It might work.RFMM4
LMPO6lOf course, an experienced lumberjack could break a tree in only a few hits by targeting the vulnerable part of the tree.nN6v
2YYUDk5Alright! Lets trust my sons luck!QV0
ujPRegardless, Vincent went along with whatever his son had in mind.qpH
eTZAThat was because he was proud of Shirones ambition, regardless of whether he did it right or wrong.Ct17y
ddJIf I break this, please grant me a wish.7MAs
XmXA wish?udwdy
L6VbVincent was anxious.MQJ
InpTcedWhat if he says that he wants to study? What if he asks me to send him to an academy like the nobles?e5sNG
zBiRWTake me to the city with you this time.gHzt
fz3To be honest, his request frightened Vincent out of his wits. However, he didnt reveal it in his expression and laughed back.F4Jvtx
uJfWvIf its just that, then thats not too hard! Ill grant this wish of yours!8mbHaG
dQJ7Shirone smiled while holding up his axe.9Yt
6k1Then, after a while, the smile disappeared from his lips. Vincent felt a little appalled.Xylu
thEuThe sight of Shirone staring at the tree was eerie. It seemed as if he was looking at something only he could see.UgzqI
zf389ucThe axe swung.XUjrprT
GiEVThis time, although he aimed exactly where the previous dent was located, there was a slight alteration that normal humans would not be able to discern.coo1pu
9np21Craacck!ucfq0
r1vm2Vincents eyes widened as a sound resembling thunder rang out.moLmSI
NZMIeIThats?if2ec
AuG4Fissures appeared in the place the axe was struck. The tree, unable to handle the weight, fell.3Is2GA
dT4Yay! I did it!l2aR
4nNbVincent couldnt believe it.Xg9
NMDEWhat Shirone succeeded in doing was called a Thunder Strike, which was considered a legend among lumberjacks.E4PUtG
OORoIts a skill that even I succeed in performing only once in a blue moon or so, and by luck, that is.8GILR
vvBb6V5There must have been a weak or a vital spot.N4hg7zU
qVQ8A very small probability, one that existed with variables such as shape, weight, or formation deficiency.wiL4j
KUF6Most lumberjacks experienced it once, but to do it consciously would be like a dream come true.sbeQ
VORCownIts not like you had to cut down a tree that way, but if you swing your axe with that thought in mind, expecting and hoping for something, youd only get tired and give up.9MdBd7
K9UdgTIt was different from the world of swordsmen, where they focused on the importance of swinging technique.4H6p9
B1VFVincent didnt know the details, but it was a phenomenon that had already been studied amongst them. Even so, beginners among those swordmasters could not even think of attempting something like this.6fnr
KQApcc3I did it! I did it!ug0UH1y
RiT3Shirone was more delighted to be able to enter the city than about what hed done.GZXc
m7HrDad! You have to keep your promise, okay?aMmor
deOVincents mind, while staring blankly at his son jumping up and down, became conflicted.XwWF
zJJkuPWhat do I do?lTHjaui
j2Gk6He felt lost at sea, unable to figure out whether he should be raising this child as a lumberjack or not.fx4
4oa* * *miTEu
JYbiW6The cart crossed the city gate.ekr8
hglxAs Vincent grabbed the reins, Shirone was sitting in the luggage compartment, eyes sparkling in excitement.0u8J
WFurIt been so long.Kmb4o
dKldfJust looking at the number of people passing by on the street made his heart race.0djzdK9
DJ7We still have a lot of time.POz3Ja
BNNRThe luggage compartment where Shirone was seated was filled with materials and resources from the mountains.Fw2U
cHQLeathers for weapon stores, meat for the market, and intestines for herbalists or magic shops.KcVyZEM
QVWThe road was quite long, and they would have to sell and haggle over their goods. That would take a good 4 hours.0bJ
kQhXWhen Vincent arrived at the market, he took a bag of meat and looked at Shirone.fvSWA
ci4kYou have to come back before sunset.nev
aYFDont worry. Ive memorized all the roads.i08tJ6V
PmhRJOnly walk on the main roads. Dont go wandering into secluded places. If someone comes and asks why youre alone, point to the nearest store and say youre waiting for your dad.2KUh
n2NYJahDont worry. Plus, nothing happened the last time I came here.3HMolL
1ayp7H4Vincent was heart-stricken because it seemed like he was neglecting his son, but it was inevitable because his familys livelihood was at stake. Their bargain would have to do, for now.UF85
W7qpwwThe first place Shirone found himself, once he stepped outside of the shopping district, was the largest library in Creas.lDND
kNdThe boys heart, looking up at the huge and magnificent building, began to beat fast.pKMU4TV
oRJkqKnowledge.UgL
kwh7Did that place hold all the knowledge written down since the beginning of history?X3x3
Hz0ibThe way to satisfy ones curiosity was to take a look at it for yourself, but access was prohibited to everyone except for nobles.MB7
4kbTwo girls came out with a book in their arms, and Shirone hurriedly stepped aside.qsz
l0lxOTheyre nobles.3VWK9
BTXsyxThere were wicked people everywhere in the world, and among the nobles, good people existed as well.xbkGE
ksfHowever, when speaking about nobles, Vincent always spoke as if they were the same type of threat as goblins.Inug
u1dNever oppose them or speak out of turn.Xar
3wDLoHThe nobles had money and power that could easily crush the lives of a commoners family.33m
5qEbGThey could. But0A7
YTbShirone looked back at the schoolgirls, who walked past him indifferently.zcg
tcFPI just want to read a book.7XJV0ur
BTZQcwWith a little bit of obstinance and eagerness, he followed the two towards the aristocratic area.i75Un
rS65VNgWhat kind of life are they living?IWTDk
IYruhTHowever, that initial thought was overwhelmed by the aristocratic energy of the buildings. He couldnt raise his head.91fCv
IVVThis was built for people to live in?UGu9ReH
OHmNuKAmong them, the best academy was as large as several mountains combined.hxZ
ypv1sShirone stopped walking and read the antique inscription on the arch of the main gate.laPyYR9
wJILla3Alpheas Magic Academy.59b
MkF* * *WhCH
PE5* * *OFAfYTl
csjSMagicYfJ5ZoD
P11VkO2That one word was the only word that Shirone could not perfectly understand.I9W
aUFThat was because, although that term was mentioned in numerous books, none could accurately describe the principles.wBM5r
E15eIKUnless you were a mage, explaining the workings of magic was futile. Youd only be seen as an arrogant being who thought they knew everything.pAfA
wgF5RWhat the?! You, who are you?ftp9F
bVjCVwIt was the security guard guarding the gate that shouted.IkLfuW
aQTstU2Shirones shabby clothes were at fault, as they stood out more since this was an aristocratic district.V7erbMi
YaeusGo back! This is no place for a kid like you.Kjy
E3BpEOh, Im sorry.i7k
MtnouShirone ran away in a hurry, but no matter how much he ran, the wall did not end, which led Shirone to stop.hDLK2K
ys3GHow wide is this thing?GnCjEv
WQAgx8QJust then, an old mans voice was heard over the wall.bRL31L
rthqWell, lets talk about what magic is today.lS4oG3
Pj0IGxNo, I dont want to! Show us magic. Show us one more!5jVH
47wS7yLFire! The one with fire, headmaster!E8FpWkV
ubWvShirone stared at the wall.w7U
RetyCm1Spotting the beautiful tree peeking from the top of the wall, Shirone realized that the headmaster seemed to be teaching under the shade.MMlTi
n1Hd2sThe voices sounded young.XKvmHb
ue7dbnOf course, that wasnt strange, since nobles were taught from the moment they were born.PW2mjl
Sr8jSdHohoho, well get in trouble if we start a fire in our academy. Instead, if you get this question right, Ill show you a fun magic trick.GVARD4t
rPwR8zRYay! Whats the question? Hurry up and quiz us!4vJ8
6UKCurious, Shirone listened.kqkpl
jC6qd8UWhat talent do you need the most when learning magic?9bXs6ot
dxb0There was a pause.SMrMFji
ePyIt was quite a subjective question in Shirones opinion, but those children were recognized for their magical talents. They came up with answers, one after another.n46yyaX
IH2IAaEffort. Magic is so extensive that you wont be able to learn everything, even if you study your whole life. So effort is important.K7f
7WitcIn addition, there were other plausible answerssuch as concentration and memory, but none really reached the headmaster.1dvPI0l
IhNtHe was probably harboring a smile of recognition.DCCOQ
4XLBKOMoney. You would need to buy a lot of stuff in order to learn magic.JD8sb
ZJOThe children burst into laughter, and the headmasters laughter was also mixed in.osaB
58WIf its neither effort, knowledge, nor money Then what talent do you need the most to learn magic?QgSxN
sZW95At last the headmaster spoke.neY
ctPThe most important talent for learning magic is perspicacity. This is more simply known as insight.FLM2
6uoA second pause.X8dMIGZ
ZUQ3UWhat is an insight?bYozUV
mNVFThe headmaster made a groaning sound, but soon explained with a kind tone of voice.LKN2sS
CaBWvInsight is more accurate than knowledge, and faster than effort.or4
TZhSDWoah! Then thats like, the greatest magic.hWJKB4
meC0UffHaha! I guess it could be seen that way. No, youre right. All magic that exists in the world began with insight. Let me give you an example. Do you know what one plus one is?pbLsN
8RFgVOf course its two.eJLx
fOOThe children answered in unison, as if they were wondering how he could ask such a question.xpSWC
sBRbgI see. Can you explain why one plus one equals 2?WrDACR
8pbeHuh? Of coursej0uay
IFL1mkzThe children said nothing.nhLeRU
g6XVKThey couldnt figure out where to start, what to explain, and how to explain it.Oyuceht
SI1KcAlpheas smiled.1DU1Z5O
2faWadThat strange feeling you feel now is insight. Long ago, there was a time when you didnt know that one plus one equals two. But its been verified with a lot of knowledge and effort combined. But dont you guys understand perfectly that one plus one equals two, without going through that process?vOO
xv9LYuShirone slowly immersed himself in the story.k5CSD32
TpaMagic is a phenomenon that exists from scratch. Like the way that you know the answer is two, even when you didnt know that one plus one equals two. The way someone puts effort and knowledge to figure it out, and the way someone, like you guys, comes to understand and realize it naturally. As such, insight is the quickest way to understand certain rules.HLc8zm
iHqKO3So that means we dont have to study or try?TXl
VZSyHohoho, is that so? Does it end up being like that? But to be honest thats the truth.kwtcF
mg1IIts normal for common sense to be to ones liking, but in some cases, it is common sense because its easy to understand.q3VbS
hERVHShirone could guess the pressure the headmaster was feeling while speaking of this cruel reality.1OWO
j4Gnu1fInsight is not something you can acquire with a flick of a finger. The reason why one plus one is two is because scholars have verified it over many years. Of course, there are cases where someone might realize the correct answer without going through such a process. I would call those people geniuses.eD7T0lj
MsOmYV2My mom said Im a genius.rotq
PorPmIm sure thats not wrong. Every human being is born with talent, and if they sharpen that talent of theirs, anyone can be a genius.EsP
XN2WThe moment he heard that, a lump formed in Shirones throat. He felt overwhelmed.nO0P
bj8xhAnyone can be a genius.tndkJ
ZJRR9But, was that really true?uOK
zyg8hWHWould he be given the opportunity to climb over that far-off wall?jrP
L7xM5QYes. There, the one standing behind the wall. Id like to hear what you think.U9ua
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