《Child of Light》Volume 1: Chapter 4 – Basic Knowledge
Advertisement
Chapter
Volume 1: Chapter 4 – Basic Knowledge
“Zhang Gong Wei, what time do you think it is right now?” Teacher Xiu said with eyes full of fury.
“Ah! Teacher why are you here? Ah, sorry I overslept this morning.”
The truth is that I was terrified of meeting this terrifying teacher today, so I ended up walking in circles in the front of the school as I didn’t dare to go in. I hadn’t expected him to come out, I’m doomed.
As expected, “You overslept? Then your willpower must not be good. The most important thing for a mage to practice is their willpower. Then you’ll need to be stimulated first then. Go run five laps around the school until you’re vigilant.”
With no way out, I began running at a slow and leisurely pace.
“My name is Xi Lu Xiu. Obey my call, come forth my servant, Light Tiger.”
This is a level five magical beast. (Every person who studies magic each has their own magical beast. They can have more than one, but summoning more than one will consume a greater amount of willpower.)
“Zhang Gong, you have to run faster. If you get caught by him, you know what will happen to you.”
Seeing the light tiger who is four to five times bigger than me, gave me a lot of motivation. The fear of getting eaten drew my strength out and quickly ran straight ahead. Teacher’s light tiger followed me not too slowly or not too close. When I slow down a bit, a light arrow flies over and scares me, so I immediately speed up again. (Elementary and intermediate light spells only have one attack spell that’s at rank two.)
Ah, I’m truly miserable.
Finally, I finished my run which was like a long journey. Teacher Xiu unexpectedly let me rest for fifteen minutes.
Ah, how does my life have so much suffering?
“Resting time is over, now we’re going to see what you have learned already. What spells do you know Zhang Gong?”
Advertisement
“I know the illumination spell.”
“What else?”
“Nothing else.”
“In two years you have only learned the illumination spell.”
Carrying on, Teacher Xiu asked me many questions regarding my knowledge of basic magic theory and then some problem questions. My knowledge of basic magic theory was horrible since I mostly sleep in class. However, for the problem questions, my answers were really good, as after all I am very clever.
Teacher Xiu looked at me for two minutes then let out a heavy sigh.
“How did I meet such a lazy student? Ah, no wonder Teacher Lin asked me to teach you. Although I know your scores are near the bottom, I still didn’t expect it was bad to this extent. Well, let’s end class for today. Don’t be late tomorrow.” I encountered such a poor student and he’s also helpless.
What? He allowed me to finish class already, and it’s still the morning. He’s so great!
“Right, I’ll give you some homework to do.” saying so, he handed me two thick books.
Receiving them, I took a look. One of them says “Basic Magic Theory” while the other says “Major Light Element Spells and Explanations”. Giving me this, what does he expect me to do with it? I cannot help but wonder about his intentions.
“For tomorrow, you must memorize the basics of magic theory so you can make up for your originally poor knowledge of magic theory. I don’t want my students to be lacking in comparison to others. The other textbook is for later but you can also take a look at it. Well, you can go home now.”
“Teacher, the whole book of basic magic theory must be memorized?” I still hold onto a miniscule bit of hope.
“Of course. Tomorrow I will check your knowledge. If you want to continue playing with light tiger, then you can choose not memorize it.”
With these words, Teacher Xiu returned to the teacher’s office, leaving me in a daze.
What kind of teacher is this? Ah, he really is a demon, giving me only one day to memorize a 300 to 400 page book.
Advertisement
Today’s weather is quite good, sunny and no wind, makes a stark contrast with my mood.
Back at home, mother and father weren’t home, both of them were working. (Father is a metal molder while mother is the village healer.)
I take out “Basic Magic Theory” and flipped through it. Although I’m lazy, thinking about this afternoon’s demon’s punishment…. My calf muscles are still clenching. What other alternative is there but to memorize it.
Gradually the sun went down. With my tireless effort, I finally managed to memorize ten pages. Only ten pages. Ah, my life is over.
“Oi, who came home so early?” Usually the first to come home every day is my mother.
“Me.”
Hearing my faint voice, mother quickly came over.
“My baby child, how come you’re home so early today? Why are you so listless, did you do something wrong and got scolded?”
“No mother.” Thinking about the impossible task, I rushed into mother’s arms and started crying. After all, I am only 7 years old. Hugging me, mother asked:
“What is it? Quickly tell mom. Is some bullying you?”
“Yes, yes! My new teacher is really horrible. The task he left for me, it was impossible to begin with, but he also punishes me too!”
“Ah! What task? How is this teacher punishing you?”
Reluctantly, I told mother what happened today at school.
“Zhang Gong, it’s you who is wrong. In the past, mother knew your studies weren’t too good, but mother didn’t think your studies were bad to this extent. Unexpectedly, even after two years you haven’t learned the basics. Teacher’s actions are correct. For a slacker like you, a ferocious teacher is best for teaching you. Mom and dad have let you become so spoiled.”
“What your mother says is correct. Let father see what kind of impossible task you were given.”
Father also came home.
After looking at my homework, father smiled.
“My foolish son, aren’t you usually very smart? How come you’re so foolish right now? Although this book is very thick, you don’t have to memorize it. Let your mother go cook dinner and father will coach you.” Afterwards, father taught me how finish this impossible task.
“Look Zhang Gong, this section primarily talks about applications of magic theory. In our world, there are many elements, the six basic elements you know about right. In order to use magic, you must communicate with your element properly, making it recognize you then gathering it around you. Afterwards, through an incantation you transform the magic essence gathered to achieve what you want. You see, this is magic.”
“My name is Li Ao Wei, wind essence hear my call, come to me, protect your friend – Wind Shield!” Father, while explaining to me used actual examples to inspire me. He divided the whole book into several parts, with each part having a main idea. Then he explained each part’s theory to me. Through father’s pointers, the clever me immediately found a trick and gradually aroused my interest in magic.
…… …… ……
“Well, it’s very late now. Only a bit is left, so tomorrow morning we’ll wake up early and finish it.”
“Okay father. I never thought magic was like this.” Receiving quite a bit of magic theory knowledge, I can’t help but indulge in how profound magic is. (In one night I have gained more knowledge than the two years I spent leisurely.)
“Zhang Gong, before, mother and father were at fault, having too little concern for your studies. From now on, Father will tutor you often. Our Zhang Gong will definitely become an outstanding mage.”
While patting my head, father kindly looked at me.
“Father, I will definitely properly study magic!”
The Child of Light didn’t yet know whether he was able to walk this path, but after this first time studying magic, he truly studied magic properly afterwards. (Regardless of whether or not he truly meant what he said, Xi Yu Xiu (Teacher Xiu) was there to make sure he didn’t slack, heh.)
Advertisement
Two Times Perfect?
Thomas Freeman -- a simple child born into a world of swords and sorcery. Common looks. Common wealth. Of common status. A common enough existence. At least until he started remembering a past life as Thomas Faraday. Thomas Faraday -- a modern child, born in the modern era. Or was he? Maybe he's just a dream of Tomas's that never really existed. It's not like his previous knowledge actually was any help in his current life. Or is it? Read it and find out for yourself. Two Times Perfect -- The tale of one man trying to reconcile the memories of two lifetimes into one memorable existence. Rated: M[18+] Contains (or will contain in the future) sex, nudity, rape, violence, gore, and lots of goodly evilness and evilish goodness!
8 199The Crystal Ring.
Life has never been easy for Eric Kenwood. A dead father, a mother who doesn't believe anything he says, and a step dad who appears to be out to get him. Down on his luck Eric has no choice but to ask his dreaded stepfather for a job. Losing his job, and potentially his apartment Erics inner tormoil is what lets him swallow his pride, and do whats best for him right now, that was until an assassination attempt goes wrong. Met by a blue screen with a startling message Eric closes what could be his only warning. "The Gods are ready to play Eric, are you...."Meeting a goddess, subterranean riches, forest fires, and goblin tribes, Erics once normal world has been turned upside down by a tiny object known as The Crystal Ring. Will he survive, and build a thriving civilization, or will he fail time after time. Having Immortality may not be all it's cracked up to be when it comes with a yet unknown catch.Welcome to my very first fiction ever, I am new to writing, but have decided to put my foot in the water.I wont make an upload schedule if I cant gain any traction as well as writing in my spare time I do not wish to disappoint.Have fun on the journey. Temporary cover
8 76Re: (Union//Incarnation)
Two years ago, a meteor fell and decimated the southeastern lands of Gaia, turning them into wastelands constantly shrouded in white fog. None of those who saw the blazing calamity with their own eyes lived to tell the tale, and those who attempted to venture in never came back. Since then, towers, caverns, and ruins have appeared and disappeared without a pattern. Those who were brave enough to venture in were rewarded with a partner capable of defying the natural laws as humanity knows it. People started to call them ‘Incarnation’, and before long, more and more Incarnation were gathered and sold as commodity, especially after a billionaire has sponsored a fighting tournament offering cash prizes to those possessing the strongest Incarnation, spurring the greedy and desperate to hunt for the fabled creatures at the cost of their lives. Claire Saphira wanted none of that. She simply wished for a life where she could live without worry of her own survival. As she ran from the debt collectors for the umpteenth time, she was swallowed by an errant tower, where she saw a frail, pale-skinned girl with ashen hair hung by chains. It was a chance, a chance to participate in the tournament and live without worrying about survival. Yet, something nagged in the back of her mind. Why did she look so familiar? Planned release schedule: One chapter every day for Mon-Fri, and a break on Sat-Sun. The release will slow down at some point, but most likely won't go under 3 chapters a week.
8 174for Khiara
(Completed) poetry and prose for a girl i probably should stop writing for(Copyright © 2016 by vanillaVDE)
8 95Necromancer
I'm writing day by day without plan nor any idea of where the story is going and I'll be making no effort of editing or proofreading until I'm done with the story if ever. Be warned. Blue sky, blue water, blue moon, green pasture, this is the world of Blue. Long ago, the known world was divided into six kingdoms each embodying its own element. War and violence were everywhere, and the people suffered until one day the death lord had enough. Breaking a long-standing alliance with the Life lord, they killed him and resurrected him as a pawn. Before long, all but the fire lord were puppets under their rule, but the people rejoiced as war was all but finished... … but it was not to be. The death lord grew old. By the time of their final victory, they were already at death door with the armies of the fallen lord still disputing their heritage. Desperate to take things under control before his final demise, a ritual was conceived, one to transform the dying lord into an undying lich. The ritual worked but not without an unforeseen consequence: only the living can control the dead. As one, his former minions rose to overthrow them and before long the powerful elemental lords ruled again as the wight kings. Now immortal, their rules and their war became more cruel than ever and the people despaired, all the blame falling on the one they had once claimed their savior. The wight king's war lasted for six hundred year, but eventually even them were consumed by its violence and peace came. Generations have passed, new kingdoms have raised out of the ashes of the old ones, however the fear of the dead and those who rules over them still haunt the heart of the people. In a world that fears and reject them, death mages must works behind the scene to appease the spirits and heal the scars of the world.
8 93Behind the mask
High School student Hiccup is a bad boy, in with the wrong crowd and a pest to those around him. Astrid Hofferson is Class President, cheerleading Captain and most popular girl in school. But neither are what they seem: Astrid's popularity hides a determined but very insecure young woman battling against impossible expectations while Hiccup struggles in an abusive home he endures for the sake of his ailing mother. Both wear masks at school-but can they see behind the other's facade and help each other through? Modern AU, Hiccstrid.
8 143