Ch. 1Magic Was Already Obsolete
Key Plot Points and Events
- Enlise, a 12-year-old girl, lives in a world where magic is considered outdated, replaced by steam-powered technology.
- She struggles with magic classes at school, scoring a 53 out of 100, the highest in her grade.
- Her guardian, Angell, an Intermediate Mage, returns home with a heavy, mysterious table.
- Angell reveals the table is an "Arcade Machine" with a game called "Cecilia," which Enlise plays using her Mana.
Character Developments
- Enlise: Struggles with magic but feels a sense of achievement when she successfully uses her Mana to interact with the game.
- Angell: Struggles with poverty after paying off his family's debt. He's an Intermediate Mage but seems more interested in game planning than magic.
- Black Cat: A talking cat with heterochromatic eyes (one gold, one purple) who can "see" magic components. It's critical of Angell's game plan.
Significant Themes
- The decline of magic and the rise of technology.
- The struggle between old and new ways of life.
- The importance of perseverance and self-improvement (Enlise's determination to learn magic despite her struggles).
Character Interactions
- Enlise and Angell: They work together to move the heavy table, showing a bond despite their different ages and backgrounds. Angell is patient with Enlise's struggles with magic.
- Enlise and the Black Cat: The cat seems to have a protective attitude towards Enlise, criticizing Angell's game plan but not Enlise's lack of magical prowess.
- Angell and the Black Cat: They have a tense relationship, with the cat often criticizing Angell's decisions.