"What do you mean by 'one-in-a-million talent'?" Nil asked, puzzled.
In his original world, Nil might have been deemed a one-in-a-million talent if he had returned to his old world with his current memories. But considering this was a high-fantasy world where he was a pointy-eared, blonde, and remarkably handsome elf, he felt disappointed.
"Is Corbenic being sarcastic, or is he just sugar-coating things?" Nil wondered.
"I am incapable of flattery, Nil," Corbenic's voice echoed. "Give me the ring."
Before Nil could move, the ring gleamed as if it were being taken by an invisible force. Then, another ring—a fancy one embedded with a ruby gem and various glyphs—flew toward Nil, landing in his palm.
"Try this," Corbenic said.
Putting on the ring, Nil carefully inspected it, especially the sigils. They looked oddly familiar.
"Now, look at the quill casually; you needn't focus. Think of flying. You can wave your hands if you want."
Following the instructions, Nil calmed his breathing again and pointed at the quill; slowly he lifted the finger.
This time the quill didn't just move; it leaped.
Surprised, Nil tried moving it away, then pulling it close. The quill did as he thought without giving much focus.
He spun it like a tornado, moved it in an infinity shape, and then sent it in a circle around him. Trying to push his luck, he attempted to write on the paper with it. Well, the result was pathetic. His 'a' looked like a 'u' and his 'b' looked like a 'p' which frustrated him.
"If we are done playing, can we focus on the real thing?"
"Oh! Yeah, sure."
"The ring on your finger is a Conduit," Corbenic explained. "Its primary function is to serve as a bridge, connecting your Will Rah with the Object Rah of the quill."
"Rah?"
"Everything from the things we can touch, hear, or sense, like this quill, to the things we can only feel, like emotions, love, or desire, or the image you create when thinking of a quill is composed of the same essential energy called 'Rah.' What only differs between them is their manifestations and frequencies."
Theory of Relativity, Nil thought.
"This implies that existence is not a collection of separate objects but a vast, interconnected tapestry where a change in one thing—such as a shift in your will or desire—can fundamentally alter or influence the physical state of another. Unfortunately, at such a tiny level that you can't even calculate or feel it."
Reasonable, Nil thought.
"Here binding comes to work; you strengthen the bridge between the two objects with pure intent—like what you did previously."
Much like telekinesis, Nil inferred.
"Now, what does the conduit do?"
"The long sigil you see on the conduit is nothing but the ancient language of elvish."
"Eh?"
"Language, drawings, verbal words, and written words are all the condensed and concrete form of intent; it gives the intent a solid form. Think of it like an oratory speech: you copy a good speech of an orator and then use it in your speech. Still, the people will still be as moved by your speech as they would be by the real speaker. In sorcery, you are the novice person, the conduit is the speech, and the orator is or are the ancient folks who created the spells or language to influence the world through years of training and spiritual practices. Copy-pasting is the shortcut. Conduits just do that so that sorcerers can explore many forms of sorcery."
Much like visual coding, I guess. Nil summarized.
"But why did you praise me then?"
"Because you used your raw will as the conduit, the long and hard route effectively. That is an 'arcane' level feat you performed."
Raw will as the conduit... Nil thought. Thinking back carefully, he really had experienced a profound feeling when using the magic.
"It was because of your teaching. Your words earlier really made my focus stronger." Nil said, flattering the AI.
"Well, they were not my words, but Master Etam's."
Nil's jaw dropped. He couldn't believe it. "How?"
"In ancient times, the elves were a hunter race who pursued 'spirit beasts.' This is why they have a naturally built 'hunter trance' when it comes to hunting. Master Etam said humans share the same primal instincts for hunting, so he wisely chose a program to nudge those instincts for greater effectiveness."
Nil pondered that. The reasoning was sound and effective. Whoever this Etam guy was, he had been incredibly knowledgeable and wise. Sometimes Nil felt like he was just a chess piece on a board.
"Existentially unnerving!" Nil remarked.
"Now, we will focus on real sorcery. If you tap into Master Etam's latent memories and your own willpower, I am sure you can achieve at least 'Beginner' level sorcery."
"Umm... Hey Corbenic, can you clarify the levels for me before we start?"
"Oh! There are seven levels of sorcery."
1. Beginner: Knowing basic conduits and bindings. This time you learn the ancient language and different binding rituals.
2. Intermediate: Mastering basic binding, you tap into double-folded bindings and start to use and feel the flow of Rah in you through meditation.
3. Graduate: Creating non-verbal bindings and effectively controlling Rah.
4. Arcane: Tapping into the power of the spirit world, you start using spirit channeling.
5. Master: You must at least have one spirit beast serving you as proof of your mastery.
6. Honored: You must create a dominion in the spirit world and should be able to travel the spirit world.
7. Archmage: You must have a territory in the spirit world to be classified as an archmage. Master Etam is one of those few.
"Spirit World?"
"It is a vast reservoir of spirit energy—high-pressured Rah—where spirit beasts remain. You will learn about them later in particular."
Suddenly, a thought occurred to Nil. "Hey, what about the mythical level?"
"Mythical level? I've never heard of that... though in ancient myths, tribes often prayed to deities. Scholars say those creatures were actually sorcerers who could freely transform into a mythical form without losing their minds. Chancellor A.K. Auganath can be considered quasi-mythical, as he can temporarily manifest a symbolic mythical form through his sorcery. Well, I haven't observed him in that form, so I can't tell you what it looks like."
Nil wondered inwardly. Things were confusing, but he believed that with time, he could understand.
"Patience does matter," Corbenic added. "So, are you ready for the basics of sorcery?"
This might be my best chance to rise through the ranks and find a way back home, Nil thought, hope overflowing within him. Suddenly, he was reminded of a single line:
"Knowledge is strength, and you will need it most in this perilous time."