Re:Grimoire

As Subaru sat on the crate, I watched him quietly. He hadn't noticed. His shoulders were slumped, his fingers tangled together. trying to stay steady. i supposed.

I used the time to map out a plan. It didn't take long. Once I was satisfied, I gave a small nod to myself and walked over to him - or I guess, floated over.

"Alright," I said, stopping in front of him. "I've got an outline for what we're doing."

He flinched slightly and looked up, startled. "Ah-! Jesus. Has it already been five minutes?" Five minutes?"

"It has," I replied. "Now, before we start, do you need more time to yourself? Or are you ready to move?"

He hesitated. "I'm fine," he said, too fast.

I raised an eyebrow.

He noticed. "Really. I mean it."

I studied him for a moment before sighing. "I won't push it. If you say you're alright, I'll believe it. But don't forget that asking for time doesn't make you weak. If you force yourself to keep going without grounding, you'll end up breaking. I hope you get what I mean."

He looked down and exhaled.

"...I know I'm not at my best," he muttered. "But sitting still just makes it worse. I don't want to do nothing anymore."

I gave a small smile and nodded. "Alright. That's enough for me. Before we go over the plan, though, there's something you need to understand. A basic skill you need to learn before anything else." I stepped back and motioned for him to stand. "I'll be teaching you the fundamentals of magic. Just enough so you're not caught off guard. Then, more importantly, we'll end with the Flow Method. So, you're not completely useless in battle. Understand?"

Subaru's face lit up instantly, completely ignoring the jab about his battle skills. "Aye aye, captain!" he said with a wide grin, enthusiasm bubbling over as if his crush asked him out.

I couldn't help the slight laugh that slipped out. That kind of enthusiasm made everything easier. When someone actually wanted to learn, the process flowed more naturally.

"Alright then. First things first."

"Magic, at its core, is the act of channelling mana, your internal energy, into the world around you. Think of it as rewriting reality in small ways to match your will. Cooling yourself on a hot day, lighting a dark room, mending a wound, or firing a spell at something that pisses you off. It all starts with the same thing. Mana."

Subaru nodded, listening intently. He was clearly trying to take it all in.

"Now, there's a lot to go over when it comes to mana, but for now we'll stick to the essentials. Mana is both inside you and all around you. It's produced within your body through something called the Od. Some call it your spiritual vessel. Think of your Od as a bowl—it naturally generates and holds mana over time. But the size of the bowl is fixed. You're born with it, and it doesn't grow."

"Then there's the Gate. That's the actual mechanism people use to release mana and cast magic. Your Gate controls the flow of mana. It determines whether you let out a gentle stream or blast everything with a flood. If your Od is the bowl, your Gate is a locked gate attached to it."

Subaru furrowed his brow, absorbing the comparison. "So basically like a container and a faucet," he then smiled and quietly muttered, "it's basically a textbook mana system. just like in most isekai."

I gave him a moment to process, trying not to laugh at his response. But atleast he understands.

"Because you just arrived in this world, your Gate is... fragile. Like a newborn's. It exists, but it's underdeveloped. Weak. Right now, if you tried to use magic, it wouldn't regulate the mana at all. You'd probably end up harming yourself. The backlash is no laughing Mana and could perhaps, if abused enough, shatter, which is a death sentence."

His face paled slightly, but he nodded.

"But don't worry, gates, unlike Od's, change throughout a living being's growth, as time progresses. Your gate will strengthen, especially if practised precisely. But still, you won't be casting high-tier spells anytime soon."

I paused, checking his expression again. "Keeping up so far?"

He gave a quick thumbs-up, though his face had that look of someone trying very hard not to look disheartened. 

"Good, we will move on to the actual elements."

I raised a finger.

"There are six primary types of magic. Four are common. Two are not. The four standard elements are Fire, Water, Wind, and Earth. Each governs a different domain of our world."

"Fire isn't just flames. It's control over heat and temperature. A skilled fire-user can raise or lower temperatures. Burn something to ashes or freeze it solid. Most people only think of fire as destructive, but in truth, it's much more flexible than that."

"Wind magic is about control over particles and movement. It's not limited to slicing gusts or tornadoes. Wind mages can shift the air pressure around them, carry voices long distances, and enhance mobility. It is the one that can become quite complex when needed."

"Earth magic governs all that is solid. Stone, metal, dirt, sand. Earth mages are defensive tanks or relentless attackers, depending on how they use them. Making walls, traps, or launching stone projectiles."

"Water is the domain of life. Healing, purification, even toxins. Water magic can mend wounds or manipulate the fluids inside someone. It can bless or curse if used correctly. Just like how life is."

Subaru blinked at that last part, visibly unsettled.

"Then we have the two advanced elements. Yin and Yang. They are... rare. Rare in users, and extremely complex compared to the other 4. Yin governs shadow, while yang governs light. opposites in their entirety. Those were extremely extremely basic descriptions, but currently, that is all you need to know now. When in a more stable situation. I will explain more, especially shadow magic in particular, but you will find out then."

I clapped my hands lightly, snapping him from his thoughts. "able to comprehend all that, or do you wish for any revision?"

Subaru blinked, then nodded slowly. "I think I got it. Od is the soul. Mana fills it. The gate controls mana flow. Four basic elements: fire, wind, earth, water. Two advanced ones: shadow and light." Then he whispered under his breath, "basically like a JRPG."

I gave a short hum of approval. "If that's what makes it easier to digest, then go for it."

I stepped a little closer and gestured to his chest. "Now we move on to something practical: the Flow Method. It's a technique used in physical combat, allowing you to enhance your body using mana, speed, strength, reflexes, even your senses."

I watched his expression grow from excitement into curiosity. However, the excitement still bubbled behind.

"The way it works is simple in theory. You spread your mana through your body, into your muscles, joints, bones, or anywhere you want to reinforce. But while the principle is basic, true mastery takes time. Control, precision, and awareness are everything. Too much or too little can cause in balance... and well, you can fill in the consequences. following?"

Subaru gave a short and quick nod.

"Good. Now, close your eyes and take a deep breath. Usually, learning the flow method for the average knight takes weeks or months to get just a feel. But thanks to our contract and the perks that come with it, I can lend you a hand. I'll guide you through it directly, which will expedite the process greatly."

In an instant, my form vanished, shifting back into my book form, far more suited to helping from within.

The moment I did, Subaru's eyes twitched faintly. He flinched - not in pain, but surprise - as something stirred deep within him. Not physical. Not emotional. Something… else. Something core.

"There it is," I said, my voice now resonating from the book in his hands. "You feel that? That warmth in your core? That's your Od."

He swallowed lightly, brows tightening in focus.

"Good. Now visualise it," I continued. "Give it a form. Doesn't matter what. A star. A flame. A pool. hell, a bowl can work as well. Just picture it clearly in your mind. That'll help stabilise it. After all, that is what magic's core concept is. Giving thought form."

He nodded slowly, eyes still shut, his breathing calm but shallow.

"Next, imagine a door," I instructed. "Or something connected to that mana. Something that can be closed and opened like a gate would. Perhaps even use a faucet, as it seems to be what your mind relates it to most. It is the channel and the key to your output."

Seconds passed.

"Make sure it's connected. Feel the link between the door and your Od. Now… slowly open it. Let the mana flow. When finished, I'll regulate the flow and direction of mana. Just concentrate on the feeling, and concentrate on keeping the gate open at the exact same rate."

His body tensed slightly, and a sweatdrop dropped from his forehead. "Now I'll do the rest. Remember, focus on the feeling; it would be best if you could replicate this on your own as well."

ChatGPT said:

His body tensed slightly, a single bead of sweat trailing down from his brow.

"Now I'll handle the rest," I murmured. "Just focus on the feeling. If you can memorize it now, you'll have a much easier time replicating it later."

Through our contract, our souls were linked, an open channel between us. From within the book, I guided the stream of mana with surgical precision. Like a gentle river, I directed it from his core outward, threading it through his spine, down his arms, legs, and into every corner of his frame. His muscles reacted, no outward change, but internally, they began to stir. The mana circled like blood in veins, pulsing, reinforcing, beginning to belong.

"It's flowing," I said softly. "Keep your mind on that sensation. Etch it into you."

Minutes passed.

He was doing well. For a beginner, surprisingly well. Especially due to his unique circumstances. But just before the five-minute mark, I felt the slightest irregularity. A tremble in his gate.

Immediately, I acted.

I severed the flow, dissipating the mana evenly throughout his body to prevent backlash. Then I shut his gate and reinforced it with a thin layer of my own power, like placing a protective seal over fragile glass. No harm done.

I returned to my physical form, materialising in front of him.

He was still standing, but his body trembled faintly. His breaths came heavy and uneven, and sweat clung to his skin.

"Open your eyes," I said.

He did.

"We'll take a short break. You did well, but I hope you paid close attention to the sensation, because we're not stopping here. This is just the beginning."

I crossed my arms, expression firm.

"We'll keep at it until you can circulate mana unassisted and, more importantly, until you can use it in practice. Got it?"

He gave a small nod/wave and collapsed onto the ground, drained from the encounter. "Alright, yep sure. Got it! I... Huff. got it well and clear." 

But that's natural, expected. A first time for him has to be extremely strenuous. So it's a good thing for him that he's performing well.

...

I suppose while he rested, I think things through again.

A/N Hope you enjoyed. Last chapter I said this would be the end of talking, but I guess past me is dumb... sorry, I won't be making any promises this time. As my brain for writing is completely random.

Anyway, I hope the magic explanation and learning were interesting atleast. Next chapter I am pretty sure we are meeting Emilia, but... uh... my brain is particular... and dumb. sooo. Don't bet on it.

See ya.