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…Uh…Ah…fuck me…
"I feel like I got hit by a truck," I groan.
"Technically it's the other way around," I heard Alice say from nearby.
"What happened," I ask as I adjust to my surroundings – noticing how I'm back in my bedroom. Alice sat sideways on the corner of my bed.
"To put it simply, you exploded. You failed to control your magic properly and it detonated in front of you – sending you flying into the wall behind you and knocking you out."
I process what Alice said for a second. Recalling where I was standing and how far I was from the back wall… "It sent me flying that far? How strong was the blast?"
"Layfon is a Level Six individual."
I try to prop myself up on my elbows but wince at the soreness in my back. Still, I press through it. "Okay, that's the what and how, but why did it blow up?"
"It's because you aren't used to wielding your magical energy."
"Huh," I turn to her with a befuddled expression. "All I did was try some telekinesis. Layfon's trained his magic since he was ten. Shouldn't his body be able to reflexively control it? You're saying I have to train that too?"
Alice nodded in reply. "Magic is more mental than physical. So, it's understandable how you'd lack the mental dexterity to properly control something you're not used to."
I throw my head back as I groan, "Ugh, fuck. So, I basically hopped on a bike with no training wheels and no idea how to ride one and fell over."
I could hear the sheepish expression Alice was probably wearing as she corrected me. "More like you found a motorcycle with the keys in the ignition, decided to take it for a joyride, went full throttle, and crashed immediately."
I fall back onto by back as I let out an unhappy sigh. "Wonderful."
"Also," Alice began reluctantly, "there's more."
I turn my head toward her.
The small girl then crawled across my bed toward me. Once seated at my side, a transparent screen appeared beside her that she took in her hand before bringing it over to me.
Though curious about whatever ability my Attendant was displaying, I focused on what was handed to me. Taking it, I held the screen over my head while I remained on my back. Though incredibly thin, the screen had some mass to it and felt real. However, I assume that was more for effect. If I let go, it would probably just hover in place.
Anyway, I read what the screen says:
Layfon Drogo (Stan Jude), Rank: C
-- Race: Human (Doru-bloodline), Age: 17
-- Magic Orientation: Metal & Fire Elemental Magic
-- Magical energy: 2,450
-- Magical Aura: 50 – Suffers recoil when utilizing magical energy.
Blinking at the screen, a number of things come to mind. However, the first thing I decide to address is…
I turn my head toward Alice, "You can access Analyze feature of the DC?"
"Mmhmm," Alice nodded. "As your attendant, I am fundamentally part of the system, and have the self-awareness to access its features. I cannot perform actions that require agreement such as making changes to the Dungeon or purchasing from the shop, but I can access recordings, the analyze feature, and so on."
"And you're just now mentioning this to me?"
"You never asked."
I open my mouth to say more but stop.
It's true that I never actually asked what she could do as my Attendant. Since I already had a basic grasp of what was going on, I kinda just brushed over that. Besides, it's not like I even knew about the system having its own Analyze feature. How could I ask about something I don't know. And, if I just ask her to tell me everything she can do…
I'm bored just thinking about it.
The screen vanishes as I let go of it and let my arm drop while bringing the other to pinch the bridge of my nose – closing my eyes. "Make sure to tell me if there's anything important I need to know about you, okay?"
Alice eagerly nodded. "Mm!"
Relaxing into the large, plush bed, I let out a tired groan. Opening my eyes, I stare at the canopy above. "Reincarnated into the body of a strong person, but I not only have to go through the motions of relearning his power, but then you decide to nerf me right when I get it? Thanks a lot asshole."
"Host?"
"Nothing," I sign. "Just complaining about whoever's responsible for setting all this up…. So, how long was I out?"
"A few hours."
"Shit. Does that mean it's night time? What about my family? Shouldn't they have come to check on me? Actually…How did I get back in my bed?"
Alice's big blue eyes turned upward as she raised a hand. Stretching out her fingers, she curled each one and slowly closed her hand as she answered each of my questions. "Yes. They did. I carried you." Done, she lowered her hand and turned her gaze back to me.
"Okay…What happened, and how exactly did you carry me?" I could not hide the incredulity in my voice. I mean…looking at her, there's no way such a small girl could carry an adult (debatably) like me.
"A maid came to invite you to dinner, but I sent them off. And, though I resemble a young girl, my existence is not confined to the same physical limitations as my appearance would suggest. Though," she looked away embarrassed and scratched her cheek, "I admit, it is more accurate to say I dragged you across the floor. The difference in our physical size did make trying to lift you difficult."
"Okay," I nod understandingly. "But, back to the family thing; what do you mean you sent the maid away? You mean you talked to someone? Revealing that I'm basically keeping a little girl in my room?" My voice grows a little panicked as I finish.
Alice gave a small smile and shook her head with closed eyes. "Fear not, Host." She then put a delicate hand to her small chest and spoke with pride. "My body is functionally indestructible, and I am not affected by physical laws the way ordinary beings are. Additionally, although there is currently no option for you to disable my indestructability or alter my appearance, I do possess masterful control of my body so that I may provide Host with whatever they may need. For example, I could sing, dance, play games, compete, and so on. Using my control and vocal skills, I was easily able to mimic your voice to send the maid away while you rested."
"You can just imitate me?"
Alice tilted her head as she replied in a voice unmistakable for my own, "Yes, Host, I can."
CREEPY. A chill runs up my spine. Hearing the slight gravely, deep tone of my voice coming out of a little girl body. No. Nope. Nu-huh!
"Never do that-…Unless necessary, never do that again."
Alice blinked at me for a second before nodding. "Understood, Host. So, what is the plan now?"
I hum slightly as I consider Alice's question. "Well…Nothing's really changed. I still need to develop my own power. It's just turning out to be more complicated and annoying than I originally thought."
"But what of the effect of your Magical Aura?"
I groan a little at the reminder. "Yeah, that…You wouldn't be able to elaborate exactly on what 'recoil' means, would you?"
Again, I think I can see a loading wheel in Alice's irises as she considers my question. She blinks and it's gone. Focusing back on me, she says, "Not really. I understand that you were a fan of trading card games before becoming an Invader, correct?"
"Eh, kinda fell out of it since I don't have the time, but sure. Why?"
"Well, the effect of your Magic Aura could be compared to a cost paid to utilize some special ability of a card."
"…Hmm, so, it's like 'discard this for this to happen' or 'pay life points and this happens'."
Alice nodded.
"Okay," I say slowly. "So, either using magic hurts me or it just requires more energy for me to use it than it does other people." I bring my hand to my chin and begin stroking it as I think.
"I believe it would be most beneficial for you if you try learning magic from scratch," Alice suggested.
"Easier said than done," I say back – maybe a little harshly. "I read the story and know how the main character trained, but there's a difference between reading a book and putting it into practice. Plus, I doubt a book would go into too much detail of describing what to a reader is a fictitious power system. Even if I can pull it off, I might fuck up again and increase my Magic Aura in a way that makes things worse. On top of that, part of the MC's training involved Rosabel's people helping to teach him how to use his magical energy."
It wasn't talked about for long, but toward the start of the main character's training, he received help in learning to channel and regulate his magical energy. After gaining magical energy, Rosabel and her team helped by channeling their energy into him. Showing him how the energy moved and helping him gain a feel for it. Layfon's body already has the memory of it; that's how I was able to pull it off immediately. The problem is, I don't know how to regulate my power the way I should.
That's probably why my attempt at magical telekinesis failed. Too much power with too little control. A hydraulic wench when I needed a little toy grabber. If I went through the normal steps, I would have a better sense for this stuff…Then again if I went through the normal steps I wouldn't be in someone else's body right now.
"So, an instructor is needed," Alice said.
"Problem is, Layfon Drago is a Level Six individual who is known for his ability and power. It would be strange if he suddenly started asking for someone to teach him the basics."
"It's not any better if he can't use magic at all," Alice countered.
"Yeah," I admitted. "I can try to learn precision on my own, I think. Just gotta move my magical energy around. Instead of having it move around all at once, move a little less each time. Focus it all into one area and then pull from it…But, even if I can pull that off, without proper instruction I'll have no way if I'm even doing it right. Plus, moving the energy around my body is one thing, but applying it to magic might not be the same."
I think about my recent failure. What if felt like. To reach out with my magical energy, grab something, and try and pull it toward me. Looking back, the energy naturally flowed out. Trying to extend the energy, it was like an extension of myself, but all my magical energy flowed with it. Like a river with no floodgate.
Normally, people would develop the skill to control how much energy they use as they grow stronger, but I'm starting strong which makes it much more difficult to control…At least, without someone to help guide the energy.
I let out a helpless sigh. Going over the options, I don't think it's impossible for me to learn magic control eventually. Unfortunately, 'eventually' is exactly the problem. Can I get it done in the time left until the story starts? If I can't before school starts, I'll be found out. And, what about the plans I'm making for Vee and their group? I can still pull it off, but dealing with criminals and the villains of a story when I'm virtually powerless is a risky gamble.
So, go it alone or not? Bet on my own ability and hope I don't get found out first, or find some way to bluff my way into getting a teacher. Looking at my chances one way or another…
"No way around it, I guess. Gotta find me a teacher."
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This chapter should have been ot a week ago. Sorry for the delay. I'm trying to maintain a consistent release schedule.
If you wanna talk to me directly, I have a Discord: https://discord.gg/qajxnt7M6E