Chapter 7: Magic is Fun... But Secret Magic is the Gold

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"Since you don't have to say incantations to use magic, this should be an easy spell for you!" Kimara suggested, gesturing to the long magic incantation in the special tome.

'Yes, I might be special in that aspect, but I still have to pronounce the word in my head and understand its concept,' Ruthar thought as his eyes grew wide, staring at the twenty-four-syllable word.

'How am I supposed to memorize this? Am I an AI?'

This was the eighth week of training under Kimara, and it was the hardest week yet.

She had skipped the basic elemental training of water, wind, and land after Ruthar mastered them and had moved straight to the tongue twisters. This particular spell was especially troublesome.

Even after learning how to cast spells without saying the words, which was an advanced technique, the tongue twisters were still an issue.

"I can't do it," Ruthar admitted ruefully, folding his arms.

"I believe in you, Lord Ruthar!" Gandara was there to praise him through this difficulty. But even praises could not accomplish this task.

Kimara smiled and patted her waist with her left hand. "Exactly, you cannot master, let alone learn this spell."

"Then why did you show it to me?" Ruthar asked, wondering if this was another feint to disgrace him or one of her many evil punishments he had come to know.

"This is a lesson. You cannot learn everything just because it's right before you. Time is the greatest teacher," Kimara's words sent a chill up Ruthar's spine.

In the novel and even now, she gave him the same feeling. It was true that his magic was very outstanding, but the issue of learning advanced spells was another thing entirely.

Even in the novel, masters of magic meditated for years or decades to invent a spell. Even geniuses couldn't easily crack those spells.

"Are you saying this is where my magic class ends?" Ruthar was open and in awe. He thought magic would take him years to master, but he had caught up in no time...

"No, unfortunately, all you have learned are simple spells. You haven't yet scraped the potential of your core. Until you turn five years old, you will study magical theories and textbooks on exorcism."

'Damn, boring theories once more, and for over a year,' Ruthar smiled bitterly. 'I knew she wanted to punish me.'

"But I will give you the day off because you have a visitor waiting for you at the castle gates," Kimara added, plunging Ruthar into an abyss of thoughts.

A visitor? Wasn't that too much of a rotten feint? He wasn't popular outside, and for someone to be addressed as a visitor, it had to be someone from a royal family or at least someone influential.

Immediately, he rose to his feet and began his long journey to the castle gates. Fortunately, Gandara followed him from behind.

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Afterwards:

Ruthar walked through the halls, reflecting on his growth and the story's plotline.

Just as Kimara had said, his magic core was still immature, and the number of spells he had cast over the past weeks had caused him pain in his chest now and then.

The world was still peaceful for now, so no one trained as hard as he did.

'And Gandara, on the other hand, I've seen her practicing flame magic secretly,' he thought. Though she had no magic core and her words were merely recitations with no manifestation, he strongly encouraged it.

The visitors at the castle's doorsteps had come particularly to find him and not the royal family. Why was that?

'Is this where I get betrothed? No, Ruthar, it must be something very urgent.'

After a long argument within himself, he decided to see for himself, increasing his pace.

Later on, he was already out of the large arched doors of the castle and headed silently to the gates.

Even from where he stood, he could see a noble family and an escort of men on horses. They looked quite peaceful.

This mainly piqued Ruthar's anxiety. 'Why are they here? Is it to take me or has Kithara Darkdawn finally decided I am no longer needed as a slave?'

Gaining closer range, Ruthar and Gandara made sure to stop two yards from the leading escorts.

No, these weren't just escorts; one was a nobleman in his early twenties, dashing and very manly. The extremely handsome kind that did not need pickup lines.

Another was a small boy, about five years old, also looking like a noble.

Now the question of why they requested a three-year-old boy loomed in the atmosphere.

"Sorry, my name is Taenok Nightshade of the Diamond, son of the House of Diamond Horus, and this is my younger brother Mandara Nightshade of the Diamond," the elder, handsome one introduced.

'Very familiar names? I better find out what their deal is.'

"Uhm, Lords, can you let me know why you have chosen to honor me with your presence?" Ruthar bowed his head, and Gandara followed.

If not for his current inability to be more powerful, he would skip these formalities and ask directly, but just for now... he would have to play along.

"I love your manners. We are here to ask for help from the wonderful scholar, to help dethrone a witch," Taenok Diamond suggested, forcing a gasp from Ruthar.

Was he really asking for an alliance to dethrone Kithara?

Ruthar was awestruck. That could never be the case. 'Who are these guys anyway?'

"You are Taenok...?" Ruthar cut his question short to piece together some information before speaking again. "Are you elves? You're after the dark runes...?"

He paused as he saw Mandara and Taenok's faces darken at his question. So his suspicions were right...

'These two are too early. Shit, I stand no chance... They're going to destroy the castle.'