"It's time!" I mumbled to myself.
Another year had passed, and I'd finally learned how to read and write. After reading dozens of books and forming my own theories, this was it—the day I would create my own magic!
I snuck out of my room after lunch, excitement buzzing through me.
Formulated magic—custom-made spells built from scratch. In a way, even simplified and inherited magic stem from it. A magic circle is imagery in written form; a chant is imagery in verbal form. Both are substitutes for pure visualization. If a group memorizes a magic circle and understands its result, they can produce consistent effects.
But the flexibility of magic... that lies in customization.
"Let's see..."
With years of reading manga, watching fantasy anime, and playing RPGs, building imagery was second nature. I imagined fire.
*fwoom!*
"Woah! Amazing! It really came out!"
To cancel the spell, I simply cut off the mana flow.
"Alright... what else can I do with this?"
I dismissed the fire and drew a basic fireball circle from a textbook. Then I activated it. Trying different elements, I noticed that each magic circle had distinct shapes and patterns. Triangles and red signified fire, spirals and blue for water, curves and white for air, and squares with orange for earth. There were also words engraved within each.
"This must be part of the imagery too..."
I focused on one circle with a basic fireball formula:
"Shall coalesce, form, and ignite."
It must be referring to gathering energy— now i call it mana to make it more fantasy—and igniting it. What if I tweak this... or this...?
Like adjusting variables and logic in code, I started experimenting on the words written on the circle and the mana output. I altered the fire's color, its shape, even its temperature. Increasing mana output made the fire grow hotter and larger. Decreasing it made the flame dimmer—like a warm candle.
"This is so interesting! I should try this on the other elements too!"
I played with the formulas for hours. Some experiments didn't work properly like bursting or just being cancelled. Some are hard to turn into words, i should experiment circle structures and imagination too. Before I knew it, the sun had set.
"Darn it! I wanted to try a few more things... huff..."
Panting, I finally noticed how out of breath I was.
So this is mana exhaustion? I need to learn how to expand my reserves too...
I laid on the floor, catching my breath.
"Magic... it's really fun. Like a dream come true. But... what do I want to do with it? What should I become? I don't have some grand goal or problem to solve."
I stared at the familiar ceiling I'd seen for the last three years.
*Knock* *knock*
"Young master, dinner is ready," a maid called through the door.
"I'm coming."
At dinner, I found myself pushing food around my plate.
"Al, what's the matter?" my mom asked, tilting her head.
"That's right, Al, what's on your mind?" my dad added.
My father—the great mage mom always talked about—came back a year ago after finishing his research. Since then, he's been traveling between home and the Magic Tower about once a month. The day he returned, he cried, apologizing to Mom for not being there when I was born. He promised he'd make it up to her. What a pair of lovebirds.
"Dad... why did you become a mage?" I asked quietly.
"Oh? Why do you ask?"
"Nothing... I just wondered. Will I become a mage too? Or just the lord of this land?" I mumbled, my eyes cast down.
"Haha! What a smart boy! Already worrying about your future!" he laughed, ruffling my common colored brown hair like his.
"You can be either, both, or neither. Just do what you want," he smiled, reassuring me.
Mom nodded and gave me a warm smile.
"As for me? I just loved learning magic. I buried myself in books, and before I knew it—bam! I became the lord of this land! Hahaha!"
"Pfft!" I couldn't help but laugh. My mood brightened.
Back when I was a programmer, I lived the same way—doing what I loved, and somehow, my games ended up world-famous. Maybe Dad and I weren't so different after all.
That's right. I shouldn't overthink it. I should just live my own way.
My beloved character, Celine—she was an adventurer, a traveler, a hero. She shone brightly in her journey, living the life she chose.
Watch me, Celine. I'll live just like you did.
"Adventure, huh..." I mumbled, dozing off at the table with a small smile on my face.
That was the plan.
Until four years later, when I turned seven. My father took me to the Magic Tower for the first time.
We had just entered the grand hall when we encountered a person in front.
"Oh? I didn't know you were here."
A little girl stood before me in a fluffy, pastel-colored dress. Twin pigtails swayed as she tilted her head with confident arrogance.
My eyes widened.
"No way..."
[Will you come with me?]
[Hah? Why would I come with you?]
[To seek what you desire, to engrave your journey, and to leave behind a legacy. An adventure!]
[Hmph! Just make sure not to bore a genius like me!]
A vivid scene from heaven's will came to me, without a mistake its her!
"Not gonna even say hi? To a genius like me?"
My heart stopped. My mind screamed.
[My name is Celine. What is yours?]
Hearing my father's voice while stunned
"Al, say hi. Her name is..."
[My name is...]
"Lyrielle Mirette Solvaira."
[Lyrielle Mirette Solvaira.]
"Hmph! Remember that, bird brain!"
[Hmph! Remember that, bird brain!]
The memory and the moment collided—word for word, beat for beat. I was staring at a character I've created—standing before me, breathing, talking, living.
Celine!
One thing only cam to my mind; I am in her world!