"Glyffe, that's too big of a word for Reno right now—he wouldn't understand. Reno, 'resurrection' means to come back from a long, endless sleep." Silvia seemed to have gotten the wrong idea about why I exclaimed like I did.
"A long sleep?" I played along with what Silvia said. I mean it made sense she reacted like she did because I really shouldn't know about death - or resurrection – at this age. She didn't know I'd been resurrected once before already.
"Yes, sleeping. A very long and scary sleep." Silvia continued in a strangely calm tone, considering the topic.
I think very long was an understatement - try forever.
"But that spell can awaken someone from that - very long sleep?" I continued.
"Yes, but a healer that well versed exists only in myth. And anyways, most of the myths say the cost for using the spell was the caster also falling into that exact same very long sleep."
"So, what was the point?" I couldn't help but ask. I guess it wasn't without its consequences. The price of resurrection was death - how ironic.
Hearing my question, Glyffe turned serious.
"To save someone who they saw as even more important than themselves. Perhaps a friend, a lover or maybe a child. Everyone finds something worth protecting. When you do, cherish it." Glyffe began by looking at me but by the end he was looking over at Silvia across the table.
"Hmph," Silvia looked away, her cheek hiding a slight blush. "You're still sleeping on the couch today too," she couldn't help but add while still looking away. Glyffe tactically smiled – choosing not to react to that last sentence. Chess not checkers.
When you find something worth protecting, cherish it, huh? I wondered if I'd ever find something worth protecting. Quite a deep sentiment to share to with a five year old don't you think Glyffe? Though I suspected that his words were meant more for Silvia than me.
Seeing me muse over his words quietly, Glyffe sighed and followed up with a classic, "You'll understand when you're older, Reno." His comment earned a soft smile from Silvia.
"The last one is summoning magic, which allows you to summon a creature to help you. They're usually most useful in battle, but some can be used for auxiliary purposes, like building things. These include familiars, florons, and ancient monsters." Glyffe seamlessly redirected the conversation back to its original course.
"Wait ancient monsters? Doesn't that mean light magic can be a useful counter to summoning magic?" Surely if certain ancient monsters could be summoned then light magic had at least one use.
"Yes, in some situations light magic can act as a counter to summoning magic for that exact reason, but it's not that simple. Summoners who can summon ancient monsters are extremely rare and even those that can summon them can only summon a handful, often conditionally."
Ah that made sense. So while light magic could act as a counter to summoning magic, that was only if they were able to summon ancient monsters in the first place. And it would only show its maximum usefulness if the summoner's strongest summons were ancient monsters.
"Okay I think I get it. What types of magic can you cast Glyffe?" I couldn't help but be curious about my parent's magic proficiency. They were going to teach me magic so I hoped they were pretty good themselves.
"I can cast Elemental and Summoning magic." Glyffe announced proudly.
Two types. That had to be above average right?
"What about you mam?" I couldn't leave out Silvia now, could I?
"I can cast elemental magic and healing magic." Silvia declared as proudly as Glyffe had earlier.
Two types too. Maybe that was average in this world.
"Can you both cast all five element types?" I was curious where their limits lied.
"Yes and no, Reno. We can both cast all five elements, but that doesn't mean we do—or should. Most people who get a standard magic education at the academy archipelago can cast every type of magic, though to varying levels of success, of course.
People have different affinities for elements. Generally, people use the elements they have the highest affinity for. Simply put, it's easier to use, easier to train, and generally more powerful when you focus on an element you have a high affinity for.
Even if you can use all five elements, you need to manage training in all of them, which is impractical. It's usually best to focus on the few you have an affinity for since you'll improve quicker." Glyffe answered so smoothly it seemed like a PR-trained response.
"So, both of you have elements that you mainly use?" I added, trying to make sense of Glyffe's response.
"Ding! Ding! Correct! For example, my main affinities are water and wind," Silvia interjected from across the table. She was clearly in high spirits from Glyffe's flattery earlier.
Just then, our cups of water began to tremble, and clear blue streams rose from within them. The jets of water formed a continuous ring above the table, which soon morphed into a large, shimmering sphere. Suddenly, the sphere burst apart, scattering countless droplets that hung motionless in the air above the table.
An unexpected, soft gust of wind sent the cups on the table soaring into the air, where they began chasing the water droplets. Like fish gliding through water, the cups wove gracefully through the air, each one skilfully collecting an equal amount of water in a mesmerizing, synchronized rain dance.
"A mana domain, huh? What a show-off." Glyffe shot Silvia an amused look, and Silvia shot a playful one back at him.
Iguess this is what it's like being a third wheel.
"My main affinity is earth magic." Glyffe said.
Just then the front door burst open, catching both me and Silvia off guard. To our surprise, a small boulder came flying in and settled just over the table. It was surrounded by the flying cups and water droplets.
Unexpectedly, the boulder began to morph at a rapid pace. First, it formed a unique model of Glyffe. The model was toned and muscular and clearly represented his frame well.
Next it reshaped into a beautiful model of Silvia - lovely flowing hair and the curvy frame of a young mother.
Then it was my turn. A small innocent child with nice short hair and a tiny body. The figure had a shockingly cute smile and big hazy eyes. So that's what I looked like.
Just then the boulder transformed briefly into the image of all three of us - a happy earthbound family. But that was short lived and soon a figure of Glyffe facing off against a wooden dragon formed.
Abruptly, the wooden model of Glyffe slashed through the dragon, causing it to burst into flames – which were promptly extinguished by the water droplets nearby.
"Not bad, Glyffe." Silvia said, appraising his earthly antics. Clearly, she was quite impressed. "But don't break the front door trying to show off to Reno." Silvia added with a pout. All Glyffe gave in response, however, was a dry cough.
Their magic displays were quite impressive but - I wasn't one to be overshadowed.
"My speciality is fire magic!" I shouted while getting up and raising both my arms like I was getting ready to cast Fireball.
Clunk!
Before I could react, earthen handcuffs had arrested me - locking my hands in place. In an instant, the rest of the boulder had morphed into a shell that anchored me firmly to the chair.
In that same instance, gushes of wind forced the plates and the big porridge pot to the far end of the table. The once playful water droplets had coalesced into a thick and robust shield that charged in front of my hands - blocking any chance of conjuring a fire spell.
""Don't even think about it!"" Glyffe and Silvia shouted in unison, their synchronised display of magic shutting me down extremely quickly.
"It was just a joke guys..." I already learned my lesson from last time.
"Reno don't you remember the rules - no magic in the house!" Glyffe asserted dominantly, leaving zero room for discussion.
"Yes but-" but you clearly just used magic!
""No buts!"" Silvia and Glyffe exclaimed together.
They could be quite annoying sometimes but I had to admit they were right. I shouldn't be using magic indoors - at least not until I had their level of control. Not that I actually planned to use it just now though.
"Eager as always aren't you Reno!" Glyffe laughed at my downcast expression - clearly finding it quite amusing. Then he continued, "Fine, once we finish our food we'll rest for a while then go out into the field. There we'll start teaching you magic - how about that?"
"That sounds like a great idea! What do you think Reno?"
"Yep, that'd be great! Just uhm, one question -" Both of their ears perked up and they listened closely to what I would say next. "Can you untie me... and get rid of the shield please?"
This earthen prison really wasn't comfortable.
"Oh my, sorry Reno." Silvia apologised quickly and the plates and the pot smoothly returned to their rightful places. First, the cups gently descended back onto the table. Then, the robust water shield dissolved slowly – the water of the shield beautifully cascading down into the cups.
The table had been restored to its original, peaceful state. If someone walked in, they definitely wouldn't be able to tell there was a magical commotion earlier – though they might be confused as to why I was in handcuffs.
"Sorry Reno." Just then as Glyffe apologised, my earthen handcuffs and blanket came undone. I'd served my jail time for more than long enough and it was time I roamed free. The boulder reformed and flew back out the door and a well-timed gust of wind closed the door that was forced open earlier.
Now the whole room was back to normal as if nothing had happened. The only thing left was to steadily finish our food and so we did.
Glyffe and Silvia talked over the food about random events in Butter town and the outside world. They discussed topics such as how the dwarven dictator continued to overwork the dwarves, how the great elven outposts' businesses were booming, and the ongoing power struggle between human empires and cities.
Honestly, I wasn't paying that much attention to all those politics though, as I was still engrossed in the memory of that magic show they put on earlier. Their quick reactions earlier told me my parents were probably quite a bit stronger than I initially thought.
Once we'd finished our delicious silver oats porridge and were sufficiently rested, we got ready to head outside. To think that throughout the whole five years I'd been here, I hadn't been outside even once.
The majority of my time was spent trying to read, walk, crawl or talk to Silvia. I mean I'd occasionally watch Glyffe train in the garden from the window but I never joined him or anything. That was going to change shortly though.
With Glyffe leading the charge, I stepped past the door behind him and felt a comforting puff of wind drift by.
Clear azure skies, a gentle breeze and the morning sun peaking over the horizon. Golden hues glossed over the endless expanse of lush green grass laid out before me. The air was crisp and filled with the sweet scent of morning dew. Above the horizon, fluffy marble-white clouds drifted idly by, adding to the scene's tranquillity.
Today was a beautiful day.
The clear air was especially noticeable. It was free from the pollution I was used to back on Earth. Running in such a clean environment must be quite satisfying.
From here, I could see a town nestled beneath the hill our house stood on. That was almost certainly the infamous Butter Town I'd heard so much about.
"The weather is so nice today!" I said. As someone who grew up in England in my previous life, talking about the weather was second nature to me.
"Yes, the weather is quite nice Reno, but it's usually like this." Silvia commented naturally.
Not at all like England then.
"Reno this sort of weather is just what you'd expect in the Butter region. You've been smiling ear to ear this whole time - is it your first time outside or something?" Glyffe couldn't help but joke light-heartedly, his hearty bellows a little too loud for my liking.
His smart comment earned a long disapproving glare from Silvia. "Well, it is his first time outside Glyffe. And whose fault is that?" Silvia to the rescue as usual.
"Ahem." Tactfully clearing his throat Glyffe continued, "How about we get this magic lesson started?" Glyffe suggested, cleverly changing the subject. Silvia clicked her tongue in response but let him continue.