5 – Episode 5
# 5
Ian easily passed Eredis’s test.
“Now, Ian? What’s this?”
“Om. The Om of circulation.”
“Correct! You’ve followed well!”
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Overcome with the realization that her lessons had not been in vain, Eredis applauded. Ridden by momentum, she continued with a couple more quizzes.
“Ka. The Ka of the sky.”
“‘Ham. It’s the ham of the earth.”
“‘Uno. The uno of the world.'”
Applause!
“Excellent! Our Ian is really smart!”
With a genuine joy, Eredis rose abruptly. She affectionately stroked her disciple’s head.
In a state of burning from five hours of continuous lecturing, she brought the disciple to a perfect conclusion.
She had brought him with a recommendation from the space-time wizard, but this guy is really good!
Great! She’s intoxicated!
Eredis was high on what she called ‘disciple euphoria.’
“See! It’s doable, isn’t it? There’s no need to be scared!”
“Hmm. Yes. I see.”
On the other hand, Ian’s reaction was lukewarm.
He was preoccupied peering at the status window.
[Maronius Language – 1% (In progress)]
When Ian received a question from Eredis.
A memory of the class rose like a strong deja vu, and because of this, Ian was able to pass the quiz easily.
‘I… didn’t get it wrong.’
The thought he had been harboring since he started seeing the status window.
That he has a cheat ability in this alternate world and the belief that he would awaken it someday!
This firm belief has endured the cold winter and the dark night and blossomed like a flashy flower.
Player with an alternate world cheat.
I, am here.
“hehehe…”
Lost in solitary thought, suddenly, as if someone who took medicine, he steadily digs deeper. Eredis was a little worried seeing her student with his extreme mood swings. But soon, she changed her mind. Of course, she should be happy that he passed the test of the first lesson unscathed. “I’m hungry, Ian! This teacher will make a delicious dinner for you tonight!” “Wow! Delicious food!” The teacher and student, who are in a good mood for different reasons, spent the evening warmly.
#
Ian, who awakened the cheat abilities of another world, was fearless. He also followed the 100-character class conducted by Eredis without difficulty. But, surprisingly, it was hard to summon the status screen. It worked similar to recalling old memories, and each time he pulled it up, it taxed his concentration. He’d be exhausted if he summoned it too often. Therefore, Ian, who owned a status screen, was not entirely invincible. He made mistakes occasionally when his condition was poor. But Eredis didn’t find such a Ian strange at all. Ian’s grades fluctuated between an average of 90 and 80 points. It was exactly the same score when Eredis studied magic. ‘That’s interesting.’ Whenever she saw Ian devoting himself to study while sweating profusely, Eredis was captivated by strange feelings.
Every time she saw Ian. It seemed as if she was looking at Eredis of her childhood. Although it was said that students resemble their masters, it was strange for him to resemble even her childhood grades. But she didn’t mind it much.
It was time for the journeymen of space-time, the master of the all-powerful cheat key, to show up. That man who the space-time mage had recommended, nothing would be normal about him, anyway. If anyone knew what Erebus was thinking, they would have been shocked. How could Ian, who had the support of the windows of his powered-up abilities, match Erebus who had none? One must emphasize: Ian was never a dumb person. He went to a decent university and studied in a decent department, after all. However, Erebus was a genius that took a different path from Ian’s. He graduated from Seoul National University, got bored, and went to Harvard. He even attended Caltech, pouring out papers like a beast. A true intellectual who fought on the front line of knowledge. That was Erebus. ‘Adorable.’ However, contrary to his sharp intellect, Erebus’s sensibilities were akin to a middle-aged woman. He couldn’t help but find children cute. They listen well in class, they’re conscientious, they don’t throw tantrums, and they like their teacher. Ian was a student with no flaws to dislike. “You mastered the basics last time, right? We’re about to start a real lesson.”
“Oh my, Ian. You’re catching up quickly, aren’t you?”
“Okay. Today is an adjective special! Let’s memorize 100 essential adjectives!”
One year, two years, three years, four years. Ian continued to study, burning through three books each year. From the third year, he studied five books, and from the fifth year, he had to study six. Ian ‘Erebus’ Levien, Sixteen years old. On his way to mastering a book every two months. The amount of study was murderous, famous among medical students, or even more so. From the moment he woke up in the morning till he went to bed, it was only natural as Erebus made him study non-stop. “Master…”
“Yes?”
“I feel like I’m going to die…”
Every five days, Eredis afforded him a rest period. But it was far from enough.
“We’re almost at the end. Just a little more.”
“Really?”
“Yeah! Just learn two more volumes, and you’ll be a master of the Maronius language!”
“…”
That’s right. For the past six years, Ian had been solely studying the Maronius language.
[Maronius Language – 100% (Perfect)]
[You can perfectly use the common magical language of the archmage]
Ian, who had digested all the nauseating amount of learning.
Without the cheat key known as the status window, he would have run away a long time ago.
‘Really…these magicians. Crazy bastards…’
Ian had cheat abilities and even he found it this hard. Just how much effort would an ordinary person have to put in to ‘begin’ magic?
It was either a genius or a madman who became a magician.
The really horrifying part is, Ian was an absolute beginner who didn’t even know the basics of magic.
In game terms, he had just finished the tutorial.
When the disorganized Maronius language lectures finally ended, Ian had turned 17 from 16.
From the day the lessons ended, Eredis didn’t speak in the human language.
He only spoke to Ian in Maronius language.
“Tejevel, loose?”
“Gog. Hina.”
Maronius Language.
A common magical language devised by the great magician Maronius and mastering it is said to guarantee entrance into all types of magical schools.
Magic uses different magical languages depending on the school.
For example, to use fire magic, you need the language of fire.
The language of fire is of no help when using water magic.
Therefore, without mastering the varying magical languages used in each school, a magician cannot use magic from different schools.
The amount of study was astronomical, life had to be poured into it just to achieve something barely significant.
However, with the appearance of the Archmage Maronius, a great upheaval occurred in the world of magic.
In the past, it was a given that different schools of magic used different languages, but Archmage Maronius unified them all into one language, transferring it into books to create his unique language system.
That is Maronius’s language.
Of course, there are many parts that don’t translate in advanced courses.
But in unifying the language of magic, Maronius was truly a mad genius.
“Brilliant.”
Ian’s proficiency in Maronius’s language was perfect.
At this level, there would be no chance of making mistakes when dealing with magical beings.
“Ian.”
“Yes, master.”
“My teaching is over now.”
Eredis closed the book with a smile. It was just the end of her last lesson with her student.
A mage is one who realizes for oneself.
To begin, one needs someone to push them, but once they’ve started, they must find their own way.
A harsh task, if it is harsh.
But Eredis wanted to raise Ian as a true mage, not a bogus who impersonally mimics others’ magic, but a real wizard who explores his own mysteries…
“You must find your own mystery.”
“Master…”
“You’ve worked hard so far, Ian. Now, you are a mage.”
“…”
“Now, go your own way.”
Ian didn’t know what to say.
Eredis was bidding him goodbye.
“Is it not… too early?”
“hehehe. Thanks to your incredible intelligence, there’s nothing more I can teach you.”
“Master…”
“You’re now a full-fledged Seeker. Take pride in that.”
Seeker.
It’s the honorific used by wizards to refer to other wizards.
Ian realized.
Today was their private graduation ceremony.
“I will help with the basic introduction to the school of magic. However, the path beyond that, you must find yourself.”
Ian had perfectly mastered the language of the archmage. However, only when he could use this language to cast magic could he truly be a wizard.
Now, Eledis planned to end her role with helping Ian join the school of magic.
“Let’s get out.”
#
6 years. No, now 7 years living in the beloved home, they were leaving. Ian fell into a peculiar melancholy and stared at his old home momentarily.
Where there is an exit, there is also a return.
Memories are overlaid with new memories. Such is life.
‘Well.’
His master, a natural wanderer, moved on without any regret.
Ian hurriedly followed Eledis.
“What school of magic should I learn?”
As they walked, Ian asked a question.
“There are various branches of magic. I’ve heard there are nearly ten of them.”
“At first, it’s Aeromancy.”
Eredis had thoroughly planned a beginner’s magic curriculum for his pupil.
Controlling the wind with Aeromancy.
Controlling the earth with Geomancy.
These two magics had overwhelming advantages compared to other schools.
Simply… they are easy to learn!
“First, you should learn the easy Aeromancy and Geomancy, then Cryomancy, Hydromancy, Pyromancy in that order.”
The introduction becomes increasingly difficult.
Ian had no ability to distinguish what was easy and difficult as magic was the first time for him in both his past and present lives.
But since Eredis said it was difficult, he simply accepted it and moved on.
“Aeromancy is really easy to learn, so let’s finish it quickly and move on to the next.”
“Yes, master.”
Eredis took Ian on a hike to the Golden Mountain Range.
Although he had lived on the outskirts of the Golden Mountain Range for more than six years, he had never climbed to any high places.
The rare exercise was both challenging and enjoyable.
“Hmm, this looks like a good spot.”
Thud.
The peak of the hill, with its panoramic view all around.
A grand view of the clouds spread out like a sea was indeed impressive.
“I wish I could take a picture.”
As Ian was distracted by the scenery, Eredis began to prepare her magic.
“Ian! Come stand here!”
“Yes!”
Ian stood where Eredis pointed.
Eredis shouted.
“[Rise!]”
A spell composed in a language of magic.
Instantly, the ground shook, and the earth underneath Ian propelled him high into the sky!
“aaah!”
Ian, who had been lifted into the sky on top of a thin disc, couldn’t gather his thoughts due to the sudden flight.
“Ma, Master!”
Terrified, Ian looked down below.
His master looked tiny from up there, not just the master, everything did.
“Ah.”
The bright, gleaming sun. The giant processions of calmly moving clouds. The sharp mountain peak that seemed to have adorned ice…
It was beautiful.
The world looked so beautiful from the sky.
… However, he didn’t have long to indulge in this reverie.
Having been lifted up, it was now time to fall back down.
Ian’s body began to sink downwards.
He was falling!
[Look!]
[It’s a human! A human!]
[He’s flying!]
[“The same as us?”]
‘…?’
It was then.
A familiar language came drifting into Ian’s ears, who was on the brink of collapse.
It was the language of Maronius, familiar as his mother tongue.
‘Huh?’
Ian felt the wind surrounding him.
The voice of the wind can be heard. The winds blowing from the mountain peaks were chattering something in Maronius’s language.
At the same time, a status window popped up.
[Acquired a new skill!]
[Skill: Air Technique]
[It’s a skill that uses wind magic]
‘Is this the wind?’
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The cold wind brushing past his ears.
The whispering about its magic.
“Ah.”
The beginner wizard, Ian.
Listening to the voice of the wind.