After the nice lunch, we head out to the training grounds with our maids leading us. My maid seems to have woken up and seems really nervous around me. She keeps stealing glances every few seconds. Ah~ She’s so cute~ I’m going to have fun teasing her~ I restrain myself though. There’s plenty of time for it later, hehe.

They lead us down the long hallways until we finally reach a set of ornate double-doors. The king… he really likes his fancy décor, huh? Most of it’s in good taste, so I can’t fault him. The architecture does remind of ancient Rome though. I wonder if I’ll get to see a colosseum? Once we exit to the training grounds, I’m even more impressed. There’s all of the equipment you need to train properly and wide spaces for sparring. There are soldiers practicing on the fields to the left, and it seems they have a near equal amount of men and women. I have high hopes for this world.

In the clearing to my right, the king and his cohorts are there waiting for us. They seem to be having an amicable conversation. You can tell that they have close bonds from the aura of comfort surrounding them. Hopefully this isn’t some kind of façade and they end up actually being good people. Summoning rituals that on beings from another world are sketchy at best and sinister at worst. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt though. I can afford to have some fun and not worry too much about being deceived. It’s not like they can do much damage to me after all.

Once we reach the merry band, we go through the usual pleasantries before King Fred becomes serious.

“Now that you heroes have learned the basic knowledge of the [System], I’d like you all to choose the type of class you wish to pursue. There are some basic classes that everyone can unlock, and here we have four fine instructors that can help with most everything you wish for. Once you pick what class you want, your instructor will be the one in charge of the furthering of your education of this world. Humanity needs you to become powerful enough to fight the [Demon King], so I implore you to take your training seriously and become the greatest heroes’ humanity has to offer.”

The guy sure knows how to give a speech. That end there is probably going to get John fired up, if no one else. Hm…. I wonder what class I should try for? I don’t really want to get bored, so trying something new is good. Being a mage-type class will let me breeze through everything, but I also really want to try the magic of this world. Being a [Knight] or something will be sufficiently hard, but won’t I accidentally mutilate people with my strength? It might also be really suspicious if I never take any damage… So, I guess a [STR]-based character is out. I could also be an [Archer] or [Ranger], and my instructors would be Good Boy Al. Sniping people from afar is fun… but seeing their fear up close and personal is way more delicious. So, then an [Assassin], [Rogue], and [Duelist]? The more speed based classes would explain why I don’t take damage, and I still want to use this world’s magic though… Actually, wouldn’t it be hilarious if I became a [Cleric]? Ah, but I don’t really like playing the healer… Actually, Mal mentioned unique classes, didn’t she? I could try combining a [DEX]-based melee style with magic and see where I end up… In that case, learning from Mal would be the best option considering her age. She no doubt has the most knowledge out of everyone.

It seems while I was contemplating my class choices, Ali and John both chose theirs. And now everyone is looking at me expectantly. Oops. I get lost in my thoughts too easily, I didn’t even notice they were finished.

“It seems I got a bit lost in my thoughts. What did Ali and John end up choosing?” I ask with a charming smile.

They sigh exasperatingly, but oblige to answer my question anyways. John chose to be a [Knight] like I suspected he would while Ali wants to be… a cleric? Well, she can be the first [Hero] to specialize in healing. Apparently, John convinced her to pick that class, and King Fred is going to get her a special instructor. None of these four know any healing spells so it’s to be expected. But seriously? She’s not going to be able to protect herself very well as a healer, and I’m not planning on staying here for long. Adventures await beyond the castle walls after all. Anyways, I finally deem to give an answer.

“I want to try for a unique class. I think Mal would be able to help me in my endeavor the best.”

King Fred glances over to Mal and mouths. “Mal?” She just shakes her head. Heh, if only he knew what I call him.

“Well, now that everyone has decided, let us be off to training. I wish you all the best of luck.”

I wait for Ali and John to finish their thanks before I reveal my nickname for him.

“Thanks King Fred.”

All they can do is stare at me incredulously as Fred leaves my lips. Heh, I hope they didn’t seriously expect me to call them by their official titles. They’re a couple thousand years too early for me to treat them with any kind of dignity. King Fred seems to roll with it and nods his head to acknowledge our thanks. Mal has a slightly constipated look on her face as she indicates me to follow her. Haha, a stickler for propriety hm? I’m going to have fun messing with her. John stays in the field with Mel while Ali follows King Fred to wherever the healer is. I have a feeling I won’t be seeing much of them in the future.

As I follow behind Mal, she starts to lecture me on propriety and how I should address people with respect to their stations. As soon as she talks about respect, it goes in one ear and out the other. I even adapt a bored expression on my face and make a show of picking at my ears. She seems to get more frustrated, so I decide the best solution is to blatantly flirt with her.

“Your frustrated face is really cute. makes me want to frustrate you in a different way,” I say with a relaxed smile.

Mal sputtered in the middle of her rant and her face gained some color.

“M-My, aren’t you a rascal?! I’m much too old for you!”

“And yet, your beauty has not diminished with age. In fact, it further exemplifies your attractiveness. I’ve always liked experienced women.”

“You’re certainly a smooth talker. But don’t think I would fall for such charms,” she says in a huff.

That really doesn’t convince me. In fact, it does the opposite. Well, I’ve always wanted to see what sex is like with an old woman. Never actually tried it before, so it’ll be a first. We finally reach a different study from before. It’s much bigger, and has a lot more magical artifacts scattered about. It also has an impressive looking library. The room itself is extremely neat and clean. It has the look and feel of a professional [Archmage]’s study.

“As you probably realized, this is my own personal study. Leaving aside our conversation from earlier, I am curious which unique class you were thinking of.”

“Well, I’m not sure.”

She has a questioning look on her face and asks me to elaborate.

“See, I was thinking that I can combine magic with a melee-type class, but I would first need to experiment with magic to see what I can do.”

“Ah, I see. In that case, a general magic study will be best.”

“Actually, could you just teach me every type of magic there is? I think that will be more helpful in the long run.”

“Are you insane?! That will take years to accomplish! And even then, you need to have the affinity for it, no one has ever had the ability to learn every type of known magic!”

“It’s fine, if I can’t do something, we can just go on to the next,” I say with a shrug.

She seems incredulous at my nonchalant attitude. She grimaces then lets out a long sigh.

“Fine, if that’s what you wish, then I will oblige. Since we’re covering all magic types, we’ll have to start immediately. I may not be able to cover any history is this case. It will take a tremendous amount of time to cover each type to magic. You must learn the intrinsic workings of them to truly master these spells. Let’s start with basic magic theory.”

In the next few hours or so, Mal explains how magic works in this world. People are born with a certain amount of [MP] to use to power spells. This amount stays the same and rarely increases except through the harshest of training. [INT] is the stat that influences spell-casting the most. Even then, the [System] doesn’t do everything for you. The [System] is only there to quantify what is already happening and using its inner workings to provide knowledge on certain phenomena in this world. So having a high [INT] simply means that I have the potential to use stronger spells. It doesn’t mean that the [System] automatically adds that benefit, I have to utilize it myself.

Furthermore, people are born with certain affinities for types of magic. For instance, someone may be born with the affinities for fire and water. That means that they can only use those two types of magic to great effect. Trying other affinities is immensely more difficult and is often an exercise in futility. Learning spells of non-affinities tend to become impossible after low-ranked spells. If someone has no affinity for any types of magic, then they will never be able to advance past lv2 in any affinities. Most people are born with about three affinities, but there are a number of people who are compatible with more. Knowing what one’s affinity is is a lot more difficult since it isn’t listed on status windows. It’s something that I’ll have to discover for myself.

And when we get to the types of magic, there are three branches of magic. Elemental and nature magic in one branch, fundamental magic in another, and specialized magic in the last. Elemental and nature magic include: fire, ice, water, wind, earth, lightning, life, and death magic. Fundamental magic includes: chaos, order, void, gravity, space, time, astral, light, and dark magic. Specialized magic includes: enchanting, necromancy, illusion, divination, conjuration, transmutation, purification, ritual, and blood magic. The only magic that is banned from usage is necromancy, every other magic is accepted. To understand how to cast a spell, one must know how that certain element or fundamental aspect works and how it affects the world. The more Mal talks about this, the more I’m convinced that the magic system in this world is heavily science-based. It makes sense why there are certain aspects of this castle that seem too advanced for a medieval world. This world isn’t medieval, it just has the appearance and flavor of the Middle Ages. The actual technology is more modern due to advancements in magical applications.

Another thing to note is that where someone is born plays a part in affinity. For instance, people on Aquaria are guaranteed an affinity in water at the very least. Most, if not all people are born with at least one affinity. They may not have a large mana pool, but they still have an affinity. Those born without are very rare cases and usually have a physical defect. Everyone is also born with at least some mana, it’s impossible to survive without. Ostea is a world steeped in mana and not having any would mean a slow and painful death. A person needs the mana to counteract with the mana from the world that helps raise their natural resilience.

The most important part about magic is learning how to utilize it. Magic is used via spells and spells can only be cast by manipulating the mana within and without me. Most magic requires the use of mana from within a person’s body, but some can use the ambient mana all around them. Mana is pulled from within one’s body and pushed out through gateways throughout the body. The most common usage is through the hands or some type of conductor such as a staff. When I ask about wands, Mal scoffs and says that if I want to push mana through something that small and thin, it would be better to just use my hands. Once the mana pools through either the hands or staff, I have to visualize the effect of the spell and I must understand what exactly it does. With understanding comes the ability to manipulate the mana to do as I will. Most people chant words to help them visualize these effects easier, but that isn’t necessary.

“With that out of the way, I want to see if you have the affinity for water. The fundamental way that water works is that it is a force that flows and is incredibly malleable. It can take on many forms and can be a force of great destruction, yet it is the embodiment of life. The manipulation of water is knowing how to control the flow and shape of it. Low level manipulation of magic is generally unnamed and only special attacks are given abilities, but this type of manipulation can be called [Water Creation]. I want you to turn your mana into a pool of water.”

With that said, I eagerly try it out. I visualize a current flowing from my chest out to my hands. I pool the mana there and imagine it turning into the crystal-clear waters of the Bahamas. My hands gain a feeling of coolness. I slowly push that feeling outside of my hands and when I check to see if it worked, there it was. A small pool of water in an orb. Mal is looking at me in complete shock.

“H-how? How did you get that on your first try?”

I just shrug. I know why, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to let her know that I’m not human. Being a gap demon means that there isn’t an affinity I can’t have. Why I was able to get it on the first try is because of my history as an engineer. Learning the basics of physics, chemistry, and even biology was something I learned before I even got to engineering anything. I know how water works.

“W-well, then let’s continue practicing how to manipulate water. We have a while before dinner. I expect you to gain [Water Magic lv1] before we finish up.”

Instead of responding, I work on getting my mana to take form faster than before. With every repetition of [Water Creation], I can feel my mana flow faster and obey my will. Mal decides to throw in something new and tells me to shape the water into small animals or objects like a book. Manipulating my mana from outside my body is more difficult to control, but I still manage. I just need to allow the water to flow as it likes and only direct the movements it was already making. It was a fluid and beautiful process. I can see how water can be described as graceful and fluid. By the time dinner comes along, a window pops up to show I unlocked a new skill.

Gained [Water Magic lv1]!

With a satisfied smile, I tell Mal my accomplishment. Even though she was the one to tell me she expected me to gain that skill, she seems taken aback. I guess she really didn’t think I would be able to gain it in so little time. Sorry but I want to hurry up and get through all of this training so I can finally try and unlock a special class. If magic is this simple, I can breeze through the rest of the magic types and then get some training from the shadow guy. Getting some melee training will be interesting. With that plan in mind, I follow my maid to the dining hall with a swagger in my steps.