“That’s ridiculous! A silver coin for avocado toast!?”

I screamed at the mute clerk who had been offering me outrageous prices.

Sure I don’t know about the economy of this world and back in Japan I would never have complained outright about any price to someones face, at least not like this but to think such a ridiculous thing would exist in both worlds just set me off.

I exchanged all my half cores for a couple of silver coins.

Seems the whole core was worth a lot and these halves were significantly less.

Still, quantity gave me quite a bit. I had spent this morning just trying to buy the wares of the store.

It was an absolute pain using facial expressions and bodily gestures to get across my intent but I was able to get a lot of what I wanted. I bought a wok, a cooking knife, a ladle, a bowl, a chopping board, a spoon and a bunch of vegetables.

With the exception of the wok and knife, it was all relatively cheap.

The bowl and spoon were made of wood. The vegetables were pretty much the same as back on Earth but the colours were a bit odd… I guess I’d find out soon how different they were.

Then I asked about bread. The hard-ass stuff I snacked on yesterday was almost unbearable.

So they brought out this small slice of soft bread with what really looked like pieces of avocado and the tiniest round piece of ham. So thin and clear it looked like prosciutto.

No way was I spending money on that. I needed to fight the urge to splurge and buy things I didn’t need.

It’s easy to know the best way to save resources but the modern world has tons of temptations with convenience wrapped in a beautiful and deadly bow. This world didn’t have that.

Extravagance is literally a luxury that I can't afford.

Not now.

I can’t really haggle. Not yet. I don’t know the vendor that well and I never really had to do it back home.

It’s a skill I’ll need to acquire eventually. I got what I came for, so I can’t really complain except…

I stare at a red book with a beautiful golden weaved cover.

I could read the words on it. I didn’t actually understand the characters used but…

I knew the meanings. It seems I did have something on my side but there was a problem.

A Beginners Guide to Magic.

It cost five silver coins. Exactly the amount I had left after purchasing all the other stuff.

The question is, of course, is it worth it? All of what I have left for a chance to better understand this world and the power I wield. If it’s just a bunch of useless information it’d be a waste.

Rather it has to be practical and quickly applicable for me.

Make it more efficient for me to hunt my prey and increase my strength.

On top of that, even if I can read the title on the cover what if I can’t read the actual language?

Fortune favours the bold. I chuck the coins reluctantly on the table and snatched the book up.

I ran out of there with all the stuff put together in a bag except the book which I began to read as I walked back to the cave. The clattering of the utensils vibrated through the air with my every step.

I turn to the first page with a prayer in my heart.

It is answered. I can understand the meaning of the words I found.

I breathe a sigh of relief. Sure, I think it would be very satisfying had I learned this language myself and slowly broke it down but having this little bit of charity imparted onto me…

“To the reader of this book, you have a discerning eye. Thank you.

"I’m sure you’ve realised by now this book has been enchanted to be readable to anyone and anything. The gift of magic, in my opinion, should be freely given to all who have the drive and will to pursue it.”

I smiled. A small warmth filled my heart. From the very first few pages, I was enchanted by a gentle and nurturing sensation. So they made this with others in mind. I felt a connection instantly. I quickly sat down in an alcove within the cave, put down my gear and unpacked it all while putting the book to the side.

I place a bunch of rocks in a circle and then drop some fallen branches within the circle that I had gathered from outside. “Fireball.” I lit the dry twigs alight and placed the wok over it.

I filled the wok with water I had gathered from inside the cave. Not only were there hot springs but several small lakes scattered from level to level.

I got out the vegetables, diced them to bite-sized chunks and chucked them into the wok to let it boil.

It’ll be one of the blandest vegetable soups in all existence but it’ll last for a while and that’s all I need right now.

As I wait for the water to boil I continue reading the book I was given.

“So, I start this book with the basics of basics. Most of the major races have probably learnt them one way or another but some of you are not quite as fortunate. So for your sake, I shall start from the very beginning, just in case.

"So we’ll address the three fundamental elements of constructing magic. Not to be confused with the elemental properties of spells of course.”

I turn the page as my curiosity began to peak.

“The Imaginary Element. The mind’s ability to construct an image of the spell. It focuses on the emotional properties of the magic being attempted. For example for the most basic of fire spells, fireball you would imagine the aspects of fire that are not physically tangible.

“Such as the swiftness of fire, the imaginations ability to think of a spreading flame. Or perhaps the purifying aspects in which case the spell will somewhat develop such properties and be effective against apparitions and the undead.

“Some can even think about fire as an eternal and immortal thing thus making the spell have a longer duration. Try imagining the very idea of fire in your heart and you’ll have one-third of the puzzle assembled. Experiment with your spiritual and fantastical side.”

My mind was beginning to fill with ideas. I could come back to the wok quickly if I ran.

I headed deeper into the cave and sure enough, there were a few slimes waiting for me.

I focused on the next paragraph while building the image of phoenix’s splendour in my mind.

Then the big bang itself. An infinite stretching explosion of life and fire. The birth of blazing stars.

“The Physical Element. Some may struggle with this when it comes to more complex aspects of casting but a good way to explain it would be that fire needs air to burn. Water comes from moisture in the air. The winds are a moving thing. Rocks are formed and moved by the earth itself. Stuff like that. Think of these real-world properties and load them up.”

I close my eyes and imagine the consumption of oxygen by a spark. A spark that becomes a surge of flowing fire. A wave that erupts into a wave of lava that incinerates all it touches.

I take in a deep breath and open my eyes to look back to the book while compounding the images in my head.

“Finally, the Emotional Element. What does the spell and what it is made of mean to you?

“At first you’d think this is quite similar to the Imaginary Element but this can only come from the depths of your heart. Your happiest memories or your traumas associated with magic.

“Shape all your joy and suffering in a blade forged in your heart.

“Now ball it up with the Imaginary Element and the Physical Element.

“Grip it hard with both hands as you put your everything into your magic.

“It’s your magic. Your spell. No one else's. Let it go. Let your soul sing freely to the world!”

I close the book and put it down on the ground.

Fire.

To me… fire is my soul.

My smiles, the small moments of peace I earned in my daily life.

I didn’t let the world extinguish my soul. Sure I tempered it. I hide it.

I protected it and kept it close to my heart, but it never once died even for a single second.

My dreams for the future. My ambitions yesterday, today and tomorrow.

My rage and my joy. The loves that I lost and gained.

Fire is my soul.

I will never give in. I will never sell it at any price. It’s mine.

A flame emerges between the palms of my hands that I had nearly clasped together.

It began to flare and flash rapidly as my heart began to beat with the force and frequency of a jackhammer.

I take in a deep breath and stare at the small group of slimes.

I will never give in no matter who or what tries to hammer me down.

I won’t fall to the levels of others.

If I’m a nail sticking out then the damned carpenters gonna need to lift everyone up to stand side by side with me!

The flame begins to flare at a furious speed.

“I will win!”

I feel it! My fire!

“Fireball: BURST!”

I stretch out both hands into wide palms.

This time it was like a meteor of heat instead of a baseball of fire.

My ears were filled with an explosive cackling as the massive conjuration of flame consumed the air and grew bigger as it rolled towards the targets.

Then it exploded.

My vision turned white as my body was thrown back several feet and my ears began ringing with pain.

I landed with a heavy thud against the floor.

I close my eyes and then open them again.

There ground where the spell had struck was scorched black and was smoking steam.

There wasn’t even a slime core left. There were just ashes.

The book, however, wasn’t damaged at all. I took a second to gaze at the marvel of my magic.

This much destructive force is insane! That all came from me?

From the trials and tribulations of my own heart? I began to smile and tear up in joy.

Then I half got up, lurched over to the side and vomit as my body begins to void itself of what was left of my meal last night. My entire body began to shake as if I caught a fever. My vision was blurry.

I felt extremely weak and it took all I had to not collapse into my own sick.

This was far worse than last night when I had been spamming the small fireballs.

I began to sweat bullets constantly. I used all my strength to push myself up and laid my back against the wall and began panting rapidly.

Shit. That might not have been worth it.

I wasted the cores and thus some of my income.

I also… feel like shit. I have no idea how long this will take to wear off…

Still... I stared back at the destruction I had created.

I felt proud. A blue screen popped up.

“You have obtained a variation of Fireball. Fireball: Burst has been added.”

"THIS IS MY MAGIC!"

I laughed with happiness and pain entwined.

My voice echoed down the dark corridors of the cave.