"Come, take a close look."
Viris spread a sheet of paper across the desk, weighing down one corner with a magic crystal ball.
Arwen stood beside the desk and looked down.
There were six rows of combinations on the paper, each containing four kinds of shapes: circles, squares, stars, and flowers.
These four shapes were mixed together, with different numbers of each.
With the aid of [Dual Souls], Arwen took one look and immediately recognized it as a logical reasoning puzzle.
Before Viris could ask, Arwen spoke.
"The seventh row starts with three stars, six circles, four flowers, and five squares."
Admiration flashed in Viris's eyes, and she turned the paper over.
This time, it showed five trees, each spaced a different distance apart.
"Very good. Now look at this picture. Can you tell where the sixth tree should go?"
Arwen thought for only a moment before pointing between the third and fourth trees.
"Here."
"Two seconds. Absolutely wonderful."
"Arwen, how does looking at these logic puzzles now compare to before? In terms of your thinking, I mean."
Viris's question brought Arwen to a sudden realization.
"These pictures aren't very difficult, but before, I probably couldn't have found the answers this quickly. I would've needed quite a while to think."
Viris clapped her hands. "That's the effect of increased mental power. The stronger your mental power, the faster your brain processes things. Meeting the mental power requirement is also a prerequisite for casting magic."
"That is precisely why magic is an ability that can only be mastered through diligent study and practice, and only those with talent can master it. The latter is more important than the former."
"The delightful thing, Arwen, is that you belong to the latter group. Magic has opened its doors and extended its hand to you."
"One last question. What do you think magic is?"
Viris clasped her hands and looked at him expectantly.
"There's no rush. Sit down first, think it over, and give me a considered answer."
Arwen sat in the chair prepared beside him and lowered his head, thinking for a long time.
"Lady Viris, I think magic is a sign of danger in some people's eyes. Like Lake Mokva, which you told me about before. Just one wooden barrel full of alchemical potion could destroy its ecosystem."
"But used properly, it can also be a stepping stone to the world's progress. Like the magic crystal chandelier overhead, which gives off light without burning oil. That's also a product of magic."
"Hmm... it's like a double-edged sword. Whether it's used properly still depends on the caster."
Viris's eyes flickered. "Very well said."
"Magic can be a curse or a blessing. It is chaos itself, and also the source of creation."
"It is an art. Whether it brings destruction depends entirely on us."
"Your mental power has already reached the threshold for casting magic. More importantly, you have a clear understanding of magic."
"That is truly rare."
"Come, I'll teach you a basic spell today."
Viris spoke in a bright voice, clearly very pleased with Arwen's answer.
At her words, Arwen's heartbeat involuntarily quickened.
Magic!
This day had finally come.
Viris said, "Vesemir should have taught you the hand gestures for Signs."
"Yes."
"Here, follow my lead."
Viris held out her right hand, pressing her thumb against her palm and twisting her index and middle fingers across each other to touch her little finger.
Arwen tried to copy her, but did not get it right at first.
Viris rose and approached, bringing with her the fresh scent of chamomile.
She bent down and gently adjusted Arwen's fingers with both hands.
"Relax. Don't keep your hand so stiff. If it's too stiff, girls won't like it in the future."
Arwen averted his eyes from Viris's body, trying not to take her words the wrong way.
With her help, he soon formed the correct Sign.
Arwen noticed that Viris had not spoken, yet a whisper sounded in his mind.
It was telepathy, just like the last time in the water.
"Wan'ter va. This is the ancient elven language. It roughly means, 'Water of healing, I summon you!'"
"Wan'ter va..."
Arwen repeated the obscure phrase.
"Your pitch was too high at the beginning. A little lower."
"Wan'ter va. Like this?"
"Yes, a little lower still."
"Wan'ter va!"
"That's right, just like that!"
"Now concentrate. Sense the water elements as described in [Basic Meditation], and recite the incantation!"
Arwen closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
With [Low-Level Water Element Affinity], he quickly sensed the fluctuations of water elements.
They came from the teacup on Viris's desk, from the alchemical liquids on the shelves, and even from the water molecules drifting through the air.
"Wan'ter va!"
The instant Arwen finished the incantation, he distinctly felt his brain freeze for a moment.
Then the surrounding water elements began gathering in his palm.
He opened his eyes abruptly. The pale blue point of light turned pale green, settling between his fingers like a firefly.
Arwen pressed his dry lips together, his feline eyes watching the pale green light excitedly. With just a thought, he could send it flying wherever he wished.
Viris smiled. "See? It's not that difficult."
"What spell is this?"
"The lowest-level first-tier spell, [Healing Spell]. Any element can be converted to cast it. It's a required subject for magic apprentices."
A system notification sounded.
[First-circle magic Healing Spell detected. Unlocking] [Healing Spell EXP +5!] [Healing Spell Lv1: 5/100]
Arwen lowered his head and directed the healing light toward his left ankle, where a Drowned Dead had scratched him.
The light passed through his boot and settled against the wound. A tingling itch swept over him, and the faint pain immediately eased.
"How amazing."
Viris sat back down, lifted her teacup, and sipped her tea, raising a hand as she did.
Arwen sensed a fluctuation of magic power. The teapot on the shelf rose into the air and poured a cup of hot tea into a teacup on a silver tray, which then flew over to Arwen.
"You must be thirsty after talking for so long. Drink."
Arwen accepted it solemnly. "Thank you."
He drained the cup. It was ordinary boiled water with a little honey added, but even this was beyond what ordinary people could afford to enjoy.
"[Healing Spell] is first-circle magic, but it has a very wide range of uses. Especially for you, when facing powerful monsters, it will be very useful, whether you're helping yourself or saving others. Make sure you practice it diligently."
"I understand."
Viris set down her teacup. "Mm. I thought today was a terrible day, but now that it's almost over, your intelligence has brought me joy."
"All right, that's all for today's lesson. Go join your activity. They should be waiting for you."
"Activity?"
Arwen sounded surprised.
Viris smiled. "Two poor lizards have been sent into the arena by you lot."
Arwen understood. He had never imagined Paul and the others were actually waiting for him.
"Go on. I've been traveling all day, and I need a hot bath too. Magic does indeed require an enormous investment of time and effort."
"But fortunately, your life, and mine as well, will be very long thanks to magic power and mutations."
"Now go back and enjoy your time with your companions."
Arwen rose, carefully considered her words, then gave an apprentice's bow.
"Yes, Lady Viris. Have a pleasant evening."
"Mm."