As a programmer, I'm always learning something new. New logic, new processes, new features—and of course, new languages. That's why you shouldn't underestimate me when it comes to learning languages!
Ever since I got reincarnated, I haven't understood a single word anyone around me said. But after a few weeks of observing, watching everyone around me, and slowly developing my baby muscles—finally!
"Eh! Eh!"
With a determined face, I kept trying.
"Beh!"
"Say mama!"
"Bah! Pha! Mha!"
Well... don't judge me too harshly. I can only pronounce basic syllables. Still, by watching them carefully, I started to pick up a few words. I think they named me Alrik? Arilc? Erlich? Something like that.
It's a bit sad, but I rarely see my mother, and I've never seen my father at all. Most of my time is spent with maids and nannies. Even the one feeding me isn't my real mother. I guess that's just how nobles are.
After playing around for a bit, I watched as my mother left me again. It felt a little lonely... but I didn't dwell on it. I just wanted to learn more about this world.
Man... staring at the ceiling is taking too long.
(2 years later)
It's been two years, and now I can run around freely! I finally learned that my name is Alric Karsys Feyloren. My family is a low-ranking noble house with a small land granted by royalty, all because of my father's achievements. Apparently, he's a powerful mage who came from a commoner background. Kinda amazing, honestly.
Most nobles just brag about what their great-great-great-old man did, but my father built his name with his own hands. My mother always tells me stories about how amazing he is—like a maiden in love—whenever she visits. I don't see her much either, but when I sneak around, I sometimes catch glimpses of her working. She's also incredible. She runs everything—the estate, the business, the books.
Apparently, my father works at a place called Magic Tower, but more than anything, I want to learn magic too!
Since my father is a mage, it's no surprise we have a library filled with books about research and magic. It's hard to understand them all because I'm still learning to read, but I've picked up a lot of spoken language by now.
One day, as I snuck into the library to retrieve the last book I was reading, I came across a fascinating one that discussed how magic is formed.
According to this book; "Magic is the manifestation of energy rooted in the soul."
So... it's like spiritual power? That makes sense.
"All living things—and in some cases, even non-living—contain magic energy."
Wait, non-living too? Like... magic rocks? That's pretty RPG-ish.
"Some individuals absorb and internalize external energy. Others receive it from divine sources or rituals."
Gods exists here?
"Magic evolves through simplification, formulation, or inheritance yet all magic came from the basic form, "imagery""
"Magic that is thought to be "inherited" from the family is simpler to utilize, as it provides a clear image similar to how parents instruct their kids; the undeveloped energy of an infant is already taking shape due to powerful imagery handed down by parents. Conceptually, this transmission might also represent a type of magic"
So this is like using someone else's source code. Already debugged and tested.
"Simplified magic is the most straightforward to grasp since it has been streamlined like a textbook; all one needs to do is replicate it. It is frequently utilized in academies."
Yeah, I can already see how boring and stable this kind is. Probably the Hello World of magic.
"Formulated magic is custom magic created by the user, offering flexibility but requiring vivid imagery and deep understanding."
Custom spells! Now that's exciting.
"Formulated magic is significantly more complex than other types, yet it offers greater flexibility because the individual designs the magic, leading to varied outcomes. Nonetheless, since magic relies on imagery, one limitation of formulated magic is the absence of imagery; for instance, if a person has never encountered something, they struggle to visualize it. However, some individuals possess strong imagery skills, making them proficient in formulated magic. They develop new magics, construct and document them, and simplify them for teaching others. Magic circles are also created to represent the magic; essentially, they serve as imagery in written form. Researchers design these circles to substitute for imagery, enabling individuals to channel their energy into forming them"
A magic UI? Diagrams to substitute for brainpower?
Reading through the pages, I saw something that made me nervous
"All magic demands payment. To manifest imagination into reality, a form of payment is required."
Is it like a contract?
"The fundamental payment is, energy. However, it isn't confined to the individual's energy performing magic; it can also derive from inanimate objects, minerals enriched with magic that have accumulated over time, or even from other living. If the desired outcome exceeds the payment, the magic will demand more until the payment is fulfilled, potentially retrieving all the energy from the soul, leading to its depletion. If the payment remains incomplete, the magic will be annulled. As magic is equitable to all aspects, this principle is later referred to as equivalent exchange"
Equivalent exchange... sounds terrifying...
Toward the back of the book, a few beginner spells were listed—nothing major, just records. But then I noticed something engraved on the leather cover:
"Darius Feyloren"
"Is that..."
"That is right! It's your father!"
"Mom!"
Behind me stood a looking young woman with light hair and bright blue eyes like mine. It is my mother, catching me by surprise.
"You buried your nose in a book again, just like your magic-nerd father," she teased, grabbing the book from me.
"Do you even understand this?" she raised an eyebrow skeptically.
"I-I'm lhearning! I want to be shmart like mommy!"
Waaah. That was embarrassing.
"I see~!" She grin as she look at me.
"My son is sooo cute!" she laughed, hugging me tightly.
"M-mommy! I- cahn't breeeahhhh!"
"We should have lunch now. Then Mommy will teach you more later, okay?"
"Okay," I smiled warmly.
Looking up at her, I felt it clearly: my mother truly loves her son.
Even if this world is unfamiliar, I think I'm going to be just fine.