Since that rainy day, I don't know if Izoruti took the wrong medicine, but she became even more fond of my magic lessons. She actively requested to learn Water Magic, whereas before I had been teaching her Wind Magic, which is easier to learn because there are more elements in the air.
Previously, she showed great enthusiasm for learning magic, but she would become very dejected after failing to use it, lacking the same drive she had when practicing the sword, where she wouldn't be discouraged by failure.
It's different now. Although she has no talent for magic, she asks me for the specific reasons after a failure. Since I'm not a mind reader, I don't have a good way to find the reason why she failed. Because some things were things I could do on my first try. As for why she couldn't, it was hard to explain clearly.
Sometimes I would comfort her, saying that everyone has things they aren't good at. You are very talented in the Way of the Sword; you can't expect a person to be perfect and learn everything instantly.
But she still insisted on continuing her magic practice.
I was also at my wit's end with her, so I decided to treat a dead horse as if it were alive. I thought about trying to use my own mana to guide the mana within her body through a cycle, allowing her to formally cast a spell.
I extended my hands, just like passing power in a wuxia novel, facing Izoruti directly with our hands joined. In my view, this wasn't an embarrassing posture. Besides, physically, we were both just four or five-year-old children. Such an operation wouldn't cause any psychological fluttering; what child hasn't held hands with a female classmate in kindergarten?
I channeled a small portion of my mana into her body through my right hand, then guided the mana within her body along her meridians to form a cycle. I hoped she could feel the sensation of mana moving through her body. After finishing, I withdrew my mana through my left hand.
"Did you find the feeling? Controlling the movement of mana within the body is the first and most important step in using mana. No matter what magic it is, it needs mana for support. If you have no way to move the mana throughout your body, then you should give up on this path as soon as possible."
"I think I've found the feeling. Let me try first."
She followed the incantation I taught her: "May the great protection of water descend upon the place you seek, let the cool shallow stream manifest here — Water Ball."
After the chant ended, a Water Ball the size of an egg appeared in her hand. "I succeeded!" she shouted excitedly.
This was the first time I had seen her so excited, because in the matter of learning the Water God Style, whether it was learning a new move or successfully defeating me, she had never been this excited. It seemed she really valued learning magic.
It seems a person only feels the greatest sense of achievement after making a great effort and not giving up after many failures to reach a goal. Her previous learning of the Water God Style Swordsmanship was probably too easy, which is why she didn't show any joy.
"The Water Ball is still very small, which means your mana cycle was only done once. Normally, the first time requires mana to continuously cycle within the body and provide a steady output. Moreover, the Water Ball spell requires launching the Water Ball, not just simply generating a small one in your hand. A Water Ball alone is useless, at most only good for quenching thirst."
Hearing my instruction, her happy expression immediately turned into disappointment.
I chuckled inwardly, thinking, she really is just a child after all. Seeing your expressionless face before, I thought you were some cold and aloof swordswoman.
"However, your progress this time is very large. You can already be called a magician. Congratulations on stepping through the doorway of magic."
Her expression brightened again, and the corners of her mouth gradually curled up. She playfully whispered in my ear, "Hehe, it's all because the master taught well."
...Does she have such a talent for teasing? I feel mentally exhausted for my future teaching duties.
Another month passed like this. One morning, after finishing breakfast, the butler came forward and said to me, "Young Master Daolin, the magic teacher the Master found for you has returned to the Royal Capital. He wants you to go visit her today and strive to learn magic from her."
"Understood, Bertrand. Please help me prepare the visiting gifts and a carriage, and send someone to the Water God Style Main Dojo to tell my master that I won't be able to go there to learn swordsmanship today. Thank you."
"Certainly, Young Master Daolin. Here is the specific information about the magic teacher you need to consult today. Please take a look."
I took a piece of yellow parchment and read it carefully. (Bladiconde Gallanod, Court Magician, Water King-level Magician, other magic also reached Saint-level. Long-eared Race. Age unknown. Likes dungeon exploration, writing books, and traveling everywhere.)
Could this person be the author of 'traveling the world'? I remember the author of 'traveling the world' was also named Bladiconde; then this person must be at least nearly 300 years old. I really envy the Long-eared Race. I'll bring the 'traveling the world' book; even if the apprenticeship fails, maybe I can get an autograph.
With such a mood, I set out on the path to find a master.
As a Court Magician, Bladiconde's residence in Yars is within the palace. Of course, the palace is very large; she lives in a room that is neither too big nor too small on the outskirts of the palace.
After knocking three times, I waited outside the door like a noble. These were all taught in etiquette classes; although I wasn't very interested, they weren't very difficult to perform.
After waiting for nearly ten minutes, just as I was doubting if anyone was inside, the door opened.
The first impression was a sloppy woman, wearing strange pajamas that looked like a white lab coat. Her eyes were bleary, her hair unkempt—yellow hair curled like a bird's nest.
But I pretended not to see that she had just woken up. I still wore a noble-style smile and bowed, saying, "Good morning, noble lady. Even the morning light pales in your presence. I am Daolin Prodia Grellat, recommended by High Minister Darius to come here and learn magic. I hope my sudden visit has not disturbed your sweet dreams."