After breakfast Jyl headed towards a remote corner of the third level, where the military library was located.

The building gave off an oppressive feeling. Its weathered stone walls and peculiar architecture making it seem like it belonged in a bygone era. The black stone and high ceilings definitely didn’t help one relax. Combined with the fact that it’s purpose held little interest to the physical-oriented demon warriors made it so the library was pretty much deserted at all times of day.

Jyl too held little interest in the building, the only reason she even approached it being that Mirus was teaching her how to read.

Unlike humans, literacy was deemed as a matter of course among the demons. They all learned how to read and write from a young age, either at one of the academies or from family members. That also meant that not being able to read or write in their society not only caused one to be looked down upon, but made it pretty much impossible to do any kind of job.

In other words, Jyl really need to learn.

Her fist lesson had been yesterday, when Mirus had introduced her to the alphabet, and taught her how to use a pen. She had then spent the entire morning repeatedly writing letters, and several simple words, to get used to it.

Entering through the heavy double doors, she was immediately assaulted by the strong scent of stagnant dust and old paper. It was an uncomfortable smell that made her throat feel dry and her nose itchy.

The same old man from the day before sat at a desk, not even looking up to see who entered. His gaze was fixed to a thick tome with no title on the cover. Since he was ignoring her, she paid him no mind either, quickly ascending the stairs to the second floor.

Mirus had picked a quiet, remote corner on the second floor for the lessons. Those were his own words though, to Jyl this entire place seemed quiet and remote. Though she had to admit it was one of the better locations, with a large window and a great view of the city in the valley.

She arrived before her teacher, but he didn’t make her wait long. Armed with a bunch of scrap paper, some simple reading material and pen and ink, he greeted her enthusiastically.

“Good morning, Jyl! You’re up early as always. Jeffrey told me I just missed you at breakfast.”

She simply nodded, instead focusing on the material he handed her.

Like the day before, he first had her practise writing, just copying lines from a children’s book. After that he let her continue trying to read the rest of the tiny book.

Starting to feel bored, she decided to ask Mirus something she had been wondering for a while.

“How does magic work?”

Startled by her sudden question, it took Mirus a couple seconds to gather his thoughts.

“Well, what do you already know?”

“Arick told me a bit about aether and mana”, Jyl replied.

“Alright then”, Mirus nodded, “Let me tell you a bit about the types of magic.

First of all there are the four ‘elemental’ types: earth, fire, water and wind. They’re pretty self-explanatory, and by far the most common. Arick, for example, belongs to the wind type, while Cecile can control fire.

Aside from the four main types, there are two rare ones, called light and shadow. Don’t let the names fool you though. The ‘light’ magic type allows one to heal others, while the ‘shadow’ magic type governs illusions.”

Jyl rested her head on her hands and continued to stare at the wall for a couple minutes, thinking.

“Will I have the same magic type as Arick?” she eventually asked.

“Because of the mark? No. Everyone has their own affinity, independent of where you mana comes from.”

She nodded. That matched with what Arick had told her.

“How will I know my affinity?”

“Hm? That’s simple. You just have to try using your magic, you’ll know immediately.”

“Alright”, she affirmed, closing her eyes to focus.

“Not here!” Mirus shrieked, “What if you put the library on fire?! Try it at the training grounds later.”

She nodded, a bit disappointed. Later, she reassured herself, she would try it later.