Time to Learn Some Magic. (3)
Arriving at the village and unpacking at the inn, Ghislain looked into the mirror.
"Hm..."
Dark circles hung under his eyes. He looked utterly exhausted.
Now he understood why Astion's complexion had looked so terrible in the dream.
"Possession isn't a normal state. On top of that, I've been recklessly using strength..."
Possession wasn't just about feeling tired. It disrupted the balance between mind and body. Those who became possessed gained knowledge easily but paid a heavy price for it.
Most other hosts couldn't last long and left quickly, so their side effects weren't too severe. But Ghislain had completely settled in.
Ghislain's consciousness was enormous. Only a body that had grown alongside such a powerful mind could withstand it.
Astion's body, however, was still lacking in strength and cultivation, unable to endure Ghislain's vast consciousness.
If Ghislain hadn't used his powers, the damage wouldn't have progressed so quickly.
"And I didn't even use my full strength. Tsk, tsk."
Ghislain clicked his tongue. The more he used his powers, the weaker this already fragile body would become.
There was only one way to stop it.
"I need to raise this body's level."
Magic was a technique to defy the laws of the world. Learning magic could temporarily cover the gap between his mind and body.
Moreover, if Astion's level improved, his body might be able to endure Ghislain's strength and consciousness a little longer.
"I need to train those three faster before this body breaks down."
Ghislain couldn't help but feel a bit anxious. The Demon Realm had not yet risen in full force.
In the worst-case scenario, he'd be expelled from the body. Before that happened, he had to establish a foundation for the three to stand on their own.
After assigning the three their independent training, Ghislain immediately woke Astion.
'Hey, wake up.'
— Ugh... Give me back my body. My balance is falling apart... My body can't handle your strength...
Astion, existing in the form of consciousness, was fully aware of what was happening to his body.
Ghislain responded right away.
'That's why you should've at least done push-ups or something. How can your body be this weak? But there's a way. We just need to raise this body's magic level. While we're at it, I'll learn some too.'
— Y-you idiot! I need the body to continue learning magic!
'I'll do it for you. Just teach me the spells you know.'
— Didn't you say you wouldn't learn magic?
'I'm aiming for the 9th Circle.'
— Are you insane?! Magic isn't that easy! You need to study formulas and gain enlightenment!
Astion had initially suggested that Ghislain learn a few simple spells.
But after realizing the body was breaking down, whether Ghislain acted as a proper mage didn't seem to matter anymore.
Still, Ghislain shrugged like it was no big deal.
'No need to study something so complicated. I'll learn it directly through my body. Just activate the spells, and I'll pick it up.'
— What? That's ridiculous!
'A strong body spares the brain from unnecessary work.'
— …
Wasn't it usually the other way around? Astion asked suspiciously.
— But... can I regain control of my body?
'You just need to suppress my consciousness temporarily. Then you can use it.'
— W-wait. So you could've given me my body back anytime but didn't?
'Stop whining.'
— .....
Astion was so dumbfounded he couldn't even respond. Apparently, Ghislain had deliberately withheld control even though he could have given it back.
'Don't treat me so harshly. I'm stuck here too, you know? Well, for now, this is my body.'
— .....
Astion wanted to tell him to get lost and go back to his own body but decided to hold his tongue.
This might be his chance to regain control of his body.
— F-fine. Let's do it. I'll cast spells with my own body.
Smirking inside, Astion resolved to never lose control again once he got it back.
After Astion agreed, Ghislain led him to the inn's backyard training ground.
Deneb, who was already training there, asked, "Ghislain, are you okay? Need some healing?"
"I'm fine. I'm thinking of training in magic now."
"Magic?"
"Yeah, it never hurts to learn, and it's convenient for everyday life too."
That was true. Magic wasn't just for combat. It also brought immense convenience to daily activities.
That's why mages moved even less than ordinary people.
Ghislain had considered learning magic before. But there was just too much studying involved.
He was already busy strengthening his body, and he had no time for such studies. Honestly, it gave him a headache just thinking about it.
Using Astion's body, however, he could directly feel the flow of mana while casting spells. That seemed like the fastest approach.
'Alright, I'll suppress my consciousness now. Take over.'
For Ghislain, who could manipulate willpower, this wasn't difficult.
As he closed his eyes, the three trainees stopped their training to watch him.
Moments later—
Ghislain trembled slightly before opening his eyes, and his expression had completely changed.
"I-I'm back! I'm back! This is my body!"
Seeing his reaction, the three just stared at him blankly.
Astion shouted at them.
"Yulian! Deneb! Kyle! It's me! It's Astion!"
Yulian stammered.
"R-really, Astion?"
"Yes! I've taken my body back!"
The three looked skeptical. Ghislain was such a trickster that they worried this might be another scheme.
Noticing their doubtful gazes, Astion grew frustrated.
"It's really me, Astion!"
Then Kyle suddenly looked around and exclaimed, "It's true! Dark is gone!"
Dark, who always supervised their training, had vanished.
Only then did the three finally believe Astion.
"Wooooaaaahhh!"
They cheered instinctively, not out of dislike for Ghislain but out of sheer joy at the prospect of getting some rest.
Kyle was the first to shout, "Hey, hey, get out the money! Let's skip training and feast today!"
Ghislain had been managing the money, so Kyle immediately grabbed the pouch from Astion's waist.
"Hey, Astion, check this out. Did you know we earned a ton of money?"
Kyle busily pulled out gold coins, not noticing Astion's expression.
Only when the atmosphere grew oddly quiet did he glance up. Astion was smiling softly.
Something felt wrong.
Kyle stammered.
"No way, right?"
Astion kept smiling and raised his staff.
Panicking, Kyle jumped back.
The three instantly abandoned their celebration and returned to training.
Watching them, Ghislain clicked his tongue.
"Tsk, tsk. All you think about is slacking off. Keep that up, and you'll really die someday."
Ghislain was referring to the fight against the Demon Realm, but the three misunderstood it as a threat to their lives.
They felt wronged. Training nonstop was exhausting.
'This is all for their own good.'
Ghislain's efforts to protect them went unrecognized, leaving him feeling somewhat resentful.
"Yulian! Deneb! Kyle! It's me, Astion!"
Astion shouted again, but the three ignored him. No matter how many times he called out, they clenched their teeth and pretended not to hear, focusing solely on their training.
Their firm determination not to be fooled again was evident.
"Arghhh! Damn it! Ghislain Perdiuuum!"
Overwhelmed by betrayal, Astion roared toward the sky, but the three still ignored him.
Astion faced reality. Even if he regained his body, he could not overpower Ghislain's immense consciousness.
"Ugh... I didn't think it'd be this bad."
He was confident he could endure if he could just reclaim control, as his consciousness had grown significantly stronger.
But once Ghislain set his mind to it, Astion immediately lost control again.
Having no other choice, Astion began casting spells as Ghislain instructed.
"This is a 1st-circle spell, Light."
Flash!
He demonstrated the 1st-circle spell first. Ghislain, observing through his consciousness, carefully analyzed Astion's body.
He could clearly sense the flow of mana. The more spells Astion cast, the more vividly the process etched itself into Ghislain's mind.
Whoosh!
Astion even cast a 2nd-circle Fireball several times. To anyone watching, it looked as though he was simply practicing magic alone in the air.
Feeling triumphant after demonstrating several spells, Astion smirked.
"How was it? You don't get it, do you? Without understanding the formulas, magic can't be used. It takes serious study."
Astion had learned magic through possession since childhood.
Having put in considerable effort, he took pride in his knowledge. Magic wasn't something one could learn just by watching a few demonstrations.
Ghislain reclaimed control of the body and quietly examined himself.
"Hm... So that's how it works."
Ghislain, who had already surpassed human limits and gained deep enlightenment, instantly memorized even the subtlest movements of mana.
"Let's see... Shall I give it a try?"
Ghislain extended his hand.
The process of casting magic was complex. Mana had to be moved according to formulas and imbued with will at the desired location.
Simply adding will wasn't enough. The mana then had to be rearranged to match that will.
It was a task that required extreme concentration and calculation. Mana split, merged, and reshaped the world based on those calculations.
As Ghislain arranged mana in the air, he smiled.
"It's like solving a puzzle."
For him, no calculations were necessary. He simply rearranged the mana precisely as he had observed and felt it.
The air rippled slightly, and then the mana radiating from Ghislain took form.
Whoosh!
A large flame suddenly appeared in midair, blazing intensely.
This was magic—redefining the forces of the world, making the impossible seem natural.
It was a technique that required advanced mana manipulation and the caster's willpower.
"This is easy."
Ghislain grinned as he looked at the fireball before him.
Watching this unfold, Astion was utterly stunned.
— H-how?!
A man who didn't even know the formulas had successfully cast magic just by observing the mana's flow and arrangement!
It didn't make sense. Even if one could mimic the movement of mana, without knowing the formulas and meanings, it was impossible to imbue the proper will.
That was why mages emphasized enlightenment so much.
However, there was something Astion didn't know—Ghislain had reached a state where his will could resonate with the world itself.
Even minor errors could be 'corrected' by simply demanding it of the world.
If a small intention was all that was required, magic became even easier for him.
The only downside was that, since he hadn't studied magic, he still couldn't create new spells on his own.
"Well, that's what Astion's for."
Ghislain could learn every spell Astion knew simply by observing him.
In other words, Astion could handle all the tedious studying while Ghislain reaped the rewards.
Who could resist such an effortless way of learning magic?
Astion, still in shock, screamed again.
— How the hell did you do that?!
'I told you—having a strong body makes things easier.'
— That's ridiculous! This is unfair!
Leaving the fuming Astion alone, Ghislain continued practicing his new spells.
Boom! Bang! Boom!
Countless fireballs appeared and disappeared in midair.
"This is more fun than I thought."
By reaching the 7th circle, one could use magic creatively in battle for unpredictable attacks.
Even outside combat, magic promised immense convenience in everyday life.
In the real world, Ghislain would have needed to spend years studying magic to wield it.
But by possessing Astion's body, he was learning it effortlessly. Once again, he was grateful he had followed the saintess's guidance.
"And I still have some fragments of Artherion's Dragon Heart."
Though shattered by Yulian, a Dragon Heart was still a Dragon Heart. Each fragment held vast amounts of mana.
Absorbing them would significantly boost his mana reserves.
Of course, he needed to learn as many spells as possible before returning to his original body.
"Hey, where do you find magic tomes?"
Astion was only at the early 5th circle. Despite learning from past hosts, he didn't know all the spells in existence.
So, they'd have to track down and collect additional spells.
Astion replied gloomily.
— Magic tomes are hard to come by... Especially high-circle ones. The Magic Towers strictly control their distribution.
Ghislain nodded. That wasn't much different from his own era.
No matter how talented someone was, they couldn't cast spells without understanding the formulas. That's why learning magic took so much effort.
Problems, however, existed to be solved. And Ghislain was an expert at solving problems.
"Looks like I'll have to start hunting down some mages."
If spellbooks weren't readily available, he'd just have to find people who owned them.