Learning magic

"Sir Lin Mo, we've arrived. This is Moonlight's End," Fendona said.

The name had a poetic ring to it.

And the place lived up to that name.

It stood at the very top of the World Tree, the highest point in the entire Elf Royal City.

Lin Mo was led into a room formed from living trees. Aside from a scattering of gemstones, its design was entirely natural, and it also had an enormous terrace.

He stepped onto the terrace, and a single glance took his breath away.

Below him lay the suspended Elf city, countless lights flowing among the immense branches.

In the distance, the radiance of twin moons bathed an endless forest.

The breeze carried the fragrance of plants and a clean chill that belonged to the sky.

"It's so beautiful..." Lin Mo marveled sincerely.

He was growing fonder of this world by the day.

"Sir Lin Mo, this is the highest point in the royal city. Only our most honored guests may stay here." Fendona stood behind him, pride in her voice.

"Well, that's fantastic." Lin Mo turned, flashed Fendona a broad grin, and gave her a thumbs-up.

"Thank the Queen for me. I really like this place."

"I'm glad you like it." Fendona bowed slightly, her emerald eyes sparkling in the moonlight.

"You must be tired after your journey. Bedding and clothes have been prepared in your room, so please get some rest. I won't disturb you any longer."

She bowed and turned to leave.

Lin Mo tugged at his clammy collar. His shouting match with the old man at dinner had left him drenched in sweat, and the Queen's imposing presence had weighed on him too.

Now that he could relax, he felt uncomfortable all over.

His gaze fell on the bathtub in the center of the room, enclosed by enormous petals.

It held clear water, with a few glowing leaves floating on the surface. The atmosphere was perfect.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind.

Why don't I try learning magic?

In so many novels, all it takes is a water ball spell to bathe. How convenient would that be!

"Hey, wait!" Lin Mo hurried out the door and called after Fendona.

"Is there anything else you need, sir?" Fendona stopped and looked back in puzzlement.

He looked at Fendona and asked curiously:

"Princess Fendona, I have a rather presumptuous request."

Seeing his serious expression, Fendona couldn't help growing curious herself:

"Please, go ahead."

"Well, could you show me some of your magic?"

"I'm very curious about the magic in your world."

Fendona: "???"

She had imagined countless possible requests, but never this one.

How was that even a request?

"Show you... magic?"

"Yes!" Lin Mo nodded emphatically,

"Would you? I want to observe it up close and see exactly what kind of power magic is."

Fendona considered it. There seemed to be no reason she couldn't, so she readily agreed,

"Of course, sir."

Lin Mo invited her into the room, his face full of anticipation.

Fendona held out a slender, fair hand,

"Please watch, sir."

As she spoke softly, the bathwater in the corner seemed to come alive.

A handful of clear water rose silently, gathering into a perfect sphere in the air.

Guided by her fingertips, the water ball shifted from a lifelike little fish to a bird poised to spread its wings and fly.

Lin Mo's eyes instantly widened.

He reached out to feel the fluid movements of the water, clicking his tongue in amazement,

"This is incredible!"

"How exactly did you do all that?"

"What's driving it? Your mental power, or some kind of 'magic element' in the air that I can't sense?"

Fendona paused in surprise,

"Huh? I just thought about making it move, and it moved."

She answered as though it were perfectly obvious.

Lin Mo: "..."

"Just by 'thinking'?" Unwilling to give up, he pressed further,

"Then can you control its temperature? For example, make it freeze, or... boil?"

Fendona tilted her head, but did as he asked.

Her emerald eyes focused slightly.

The water swimming through the air froze in an instant, becoming a crystal-clear ice sculpture of a little bird, cold radiating from it.

Then she willed it to change again.

The ice bird melted instantly, and a second later, it began churning violently, billowing white steam!

The water was boiling!

Lin Mo: "!!!"

He froze where he stood, his mind buzzing as though a bolt of lightning had struck it.

No heat source, no refrigerant.

With thought alone, she could turn ice into boiling water in a matter of microseconds.

Now that really is magic!

Was she heating the water by manipulating its molecular structure to generate friction?

And making ice by reducing the movement of the water molecules?

"Princess Fendona..." Lin Mo's voice trembled.

He walked up to her, gazing at her intently before looking at the obedient stream of water at her fingertips, his eyes filled with longing,

"Teach me!"

Startled by his sudden action, Fendona instinctively stepped back half a pace, her cheeks growing hot:

"Teach... teach you what?"

"Teach me magic. I want to learn!" Lin Mo pointed at the water,

"I want to see if I can do it too."

Fendona was utterly stunned.

She opened her mouth and said hesitantly:

"Sir, magic... requires talent."

"We Elves can communicate with the elements naturally, though large-scale spells or techniques still require chanting incantations."

"People of the Holy Human Race also need an innate affinity for magic elements, along with training."

"How will we know unless I try?" Lin Mo's gaze was unusually determined,

"There has to be some method, right? How do you start? Meditation? Chanting spells?"

If he learned it, everyday life would become much more convenient. Not only could he wash whenever he wanted, but he would always have water to drink.

Back on Blue Star, in that world of ordinary people, who wouldn't be stunned if he casually showed off a trick like this?

Seeing the look in his eyes, which made it clear he wouldn't stop until he got what he wanted, Fendona could only nod,

"All right... give it a try."

She explained patiently:

"First, close your eyes, clear your mind, and feel... feel the elements flowing through the air. They're like breezes, like streams, everywhere around you."

"Then try to reach out to them with your mind and establish a connection."

"Finally, imagine the effect you want in your mind."

"If you can manifest it, that means you have a natural affinity for magic. After that, you can learn techniques and incantations to increase its power."

Lin Mo took a deep breath and closed his eyes, imitating her.

Clear my mind...

Feel...

He did his best to sense them.

A minute passed.

There was nothing but the wind.

Two minutes passed.

His legs were starting to feel a little numb.

Three minutes passed.

Lin Mo opened his eyes and shook his head:

"No good. I can't sense anything. Is there any more specific guidance you can give me?"

Fendona scratched her head,

"You just... just have to feel it with your heart!"

Lin Mo: "..."

After struggling with it for so long, Lin Mo could only give up in the end.

Elemental magic among the Elves seemed to be more of an innate gift. Perhaps he could try the Holy Human Race's methods in the future.