The sky was a clear blue, with scattered clouds drifting lazily across it.
Sunlight filtered through the branches of tall trees, breaking into soft beams that touched the ground. Fallen leaves, bits of bark, and broken twigs littered the dirt path.
Crunch!
A shadow fell across the ground as someone stepped forward, crushing the twigs beneath his boots.
Zhang Wei's eyes were bright, his steps steady. Today, he would enter the family library to study wind magic.
"I don't know what kind of test they'll give me, and I don't know if I'll pass… but that doesn't matter. Strength comes first."
He had already decided—he would learn magic that supported his swordsmanship. A fireball or lightning spell looked flashy, but they couldn't match the edge of steel strengthened by wind. At least for now, speed and sharpness mattered more than spectacle.
After a short walk, Zhang Wei arrived at the library.
He lifted his head. Before him stood a four-story pagoda, its roof tiles gleaming faintly under the sun. Wooden railings lined the upper viewing floors, polished and expensive, showing the pride of his noble family.
Pushing open the heavy doors, he walked inside.
Behind the counter sat an old man with a thin goatee, rocking slowly in a chair. He held a book whose faded cover still showed traces of erased words. The man chuckled to himself as he read, but when he noticed Zhang Wei, his laughter stopped.
"Well, well. Young Master Ethan," he said warmly. "I heard you awakened. Congratulations! As expected of the viscount's son."
The old man rose slightly from his chair, but quickly settled back down. He had long been one of the viscount's trusted retainers, and as the library's guardian, he didn't need to bow deeply to anyone.
"Tell me what magic you seek. I'll show you the way."
His voice carried the weight of long experience. He had seen countless noble youths enter this place, all eager to grab power, none caring for the history written in the shelves.
Zhang Wei wasted no time. He calmly stated his wish.
"I see…" The old man stroked his goatee in thought. "Go to the far right corner. Turn left at the fourth shelf. That is where you'll find the wind magic genre." He pointed toward the right.
"I see. Thank you," Zhang Wei said politely.
The old man blinked in surprise. How many noble brats bothered with manners? Very few indeed. A small smile tugged at his lips.
"Hoho! It is my duty," he chuckled.
Zhang Wei walked toward the shelves, weaving between rows of ancient tomes. After some searching, his hand settled on a blue-bound book. The words Azure Wind were etched on its cover.
He opened it.
On the very first page, bold words seemed to leap out at him, carrying the spirit of freedom.
"When my body was trapped in the abyss, my mind soared to the skies. When my heart sought peace, the wind carried me farther than my feet could walk. Freedom is not a gift—it is the soul's first breath."
Zhang Wei's raised his eyebrows. "This feels… strong."
He turned to the next page. The writing continued, almost like a poem.
"I once looked up and saw a bird.
It soared against the blue, untouched by chain or weight.
In that moment, I understood.
What I wanted was not strength, not power… but the freedom to move as the wind does."
"These… are the founder's words?" Zhang Wei whispered. He had expected lines of dense theory, complicated circles that twisted the mind. Instead, he was greeted by verses filled with spirit and longing.
But just as he thought this, the words on the page began to fade.
His vision blurred. A strange lightness filled his chest, as though gravity had loosened its grip. The verses melted into glowing patterns—intricate, flowing lines that curved and danced across the page like air currents tracing the earth.
At the top of the page, new words formed out of drifting fog.
"Body in the abyss.
Eyes upon the wind.
I saw the current, and the current saw me."
Zhang Wei's heart thumped. A deep sense of freedom washed over him.
Then suddenly—
Ding!
A glowing panel appeared in front of his eyes.
{Magic detected… Magic analyzing}
{Magic "Azure Wind" recorded!}
{Starting Stage}:
• Introductory – Seeing the Wind
You can now faintly sense the hidden currents of air. The wind is no longer silent—it whispers, and you can hear it.
---
Next Stage (Locked):
• Stage 1 – Guiding the Wind
You may influence the direction of nearby currents, bending them around your body or weapon.
(Cost: 3 Points to advance)
{Detecting affinity… Affinity: Wind (weak) detected!}
(Cost: 2 Points to advance)
Advance now? → (Yes / No)
But the "Yes" button was gray.
Curious, Zhang Wei touched it.
{Upgrade failed!}
{Not started! Please begin before upgrading.}
Huh? I actually need to master or at least get a glimpse of this magic before I can upgrade it? Or is this not limited to just this one—do other magics also require you to start before upgrading?
Zhang Wei thought about it. He hadn't run into this kind of problem with his swordsmanship since it was already at beginner mastery before he arrived.
If this restriction was only for this magic, then it would be fine. But if it applied to all abilities, it meant his growth would slow down. His strength would increase at a slightly reduced rate, and it would take more time.
It also meant that some types of magic might be forever out of reach for him, even if he had enough points to advance them.
Zhang Wei shook his head. "It's too early to think about that. I haven't even fully learned one, and I'm already worrying about the others."
Then, something else caught his eye.
"Wait… affinity actually reduces the cost of upgrading?!"
His eyes widened, then lit up with excitement.
"Two points… exactly the number I have!"
He grinned. "Alright, I've decided. I'll pick this book!"
He closed the book firmly in his hands, then turned to look at the endless shelves of colorful tomes in front of him. Without hesitation, he turned around and walked toward the counter.
He had already flipped through several books earlier, but this magic—Azure Wind—fit perfectly with his swordsmanship.
"Senior, I want this magic," he said to the old man at the counter.
"Oh? Huh?!"
The old man's relaxed face suddenly changed, his surprise deepening as he leaned closer.
"It's really that one…"
Zhang Wei scratched his cheek, confused by the reaction. This magic… don't tell me it's bad?
"Um, senior, what's wrong with this magic? Is it weak?" he asked, wanting to know the truth.
The old man leaned forward, smiling faintly.
"You boy… you really know how to pick a hard path."
"Why?" Zhang Wei asked, not minding that the old man no longer addressed him as 'young master.'
"Do you know how hard that magic is to master? Of course, it's not as difficult as the very top-grade ones, but what makes this one special is that its power is weak."
The old man explained, shaking his head as though disappointed. To him, this young master Ethan, son of a viscount, clearly had poor vision. There were far better spells in the wind category alone—stronger, easier to learn, and far more practical.
"Do you know how many young masters and even family subordinates have tried to learn that magic? Almost all of them regretted it. Some gave up within a month, others within just a few days."
"All for the same reason—it's hard to master, weak in power, and most importantly, the higher stages beyond the third have been completely lost."
"I still remember the last person who tried it. Foolishly persistent, he only managed to reach the Guiding the Wind stage before he gave up and switched to another magic."
Zhang Wei frowned, hesitation tugging at his heart. But then he straightened his back. They are them, and I am me. They didn't have the system. I do. What's hard for them may not be hard for me.
"Young Master Ethan, you can still change your choice," the old man suggested. But seeing the stubborn look in Zhang Wei's eyes, he sighed and closed his mouth.
"…Of course, if you truly think it's best, then go with it," he said at last. He had done his part by warning him.
"I've decided. I'll pick this," Zhang Wei said firmly, then turned to leave.
Unlike the family's subordinates, he didn't need to register the spell he chose. Still, he said it aloud out of politeness.
The old man watched his back as he left and shook his head secretly.
"Stubborn boy…"