บท 24: Spells
"Good morning, sensei!" Sanji headed straight for the kitchen area, already planning what to make for breakfast. As the cook started gathering ingredients, Lucius noticed something unusual - Zoro was actually sleeping deeply for once.
Thanks to the dojo's safety, the swordsman finally let his guard down enough for proper rest. Usually he'd be doing intense training by now, but the dark circles under his eyes had been getting worse lately. This rest would do him good.
The smell of Sanji's cooking gradually woke everyone else up. Vivi and Nami came out first, followed by Karoo who stumbled a bit sleepily. Usopp dragged himself out looking half-dead until the food smell hit him. Luffy practically teleported to the kitchen the moment he woke up.
After they finished eating, Lucius gathered everyone in the main training area. The manuals he'd been writing would have to wait - this needed a proper introduction.
"Before we start today's training, I need all of you to sit in lotus position," Lucius instructed, demonstrating the cross-legged pose.
"What are we learning today, sensei?" Luffy bounced excitedly as he tried to copy the position.
"Something completely different," Lucius smiled. "Today, we're going to learn magic."
"Magic?" Usopp's eyes turned to stars. "Like actual magic spells?"
"Real magic?" Luffy jumped up. "Like wizards and stuff?"
"That's right," Lucius nodded. "While Devil Fruits exist in this world, what we'll be learning is different - true magic that uses spells and magical energy."
"This sounds ridiculous," Nami crossed her arms skeptically. "Magic isn't real. Devil Fruits are one thing, but spells?"
"It does seem far-fetched," Sanji agreed, lighting a cigarette. "Even in the Grand Line, I've never heard of real wizards."
Zoro just grunted, clearly doubting but willing to watch.
"What's the difference between Devil Fruit powers and magic?" Luffy asked, tilting his head.
"Good question," Lucius replied. "Devil Fruits change your body permanently, giving you one specific power. Magic is more flexible - anyone can learn it, and you can use many different spells. It all starts with something called mana."
"Mana?" Vivi asked quietly, paying close attention.
"Yes - it's energy that flows through everything," Lucius explained. "Think of it like an invisible river of power that we can learn to tap into. Unlike Devil Fruits that lock you into one ability, mana can be shaped into different forms."
"But how does it work?" Nami was still skeptical but now curious. "Where does this power come from?"
"It's already inside all of you," Lucius said. "Like how you learned to use the Six Powers by understanding your body's physical energy, magic comes from understanding how to use your spiritual energy - your mana."
"Sounds complicated," Zoro frowned.
"Maybe it's better if I show you," Lucius stood up. "Sometimes seeing is better than explaining."
[Demonstration Mode Activated]
[Mana Activated]
Brilliant blue light suddenly wrapped around Lucius's body like ethereal flames. The aura pulsed rhythmically, making the air feel thick with power. Unlike normal fire, this light gave off no heat - just pure magical energy.
Three special training dummies materialized. These were different from the usual steel ones - they seemed to shimmer slightly with their own magical energy, specially enchanted to only be affected by magical attacks.
"This is what mana looks like when manifested," Lucius explained as the blue aura continued flowing around him. "Now watch what it can do."
He held out his palm toward the first dummy. Unlike wizards in stories who needed wands or staffs, Lucius's advanced understanding of magical theory let him channel mana directly. The magical energy responded to pure will and intention.
"Watch carefully," Lucius said, holding his palm out toward the first dummy. The blue aura of mana swirled around his arm, concentrating into his hand.
[Fireball Activated]
A tiny spark of flame appeared first, floating just inches from his palm. Unlike normal fire, this one spun in place like a miniature star. As Lucius fed more mana into it, the spark grew rapidly.
The fireball swelled to the size of an apple, then a melon, finally reaching the size of a cannonball. Different colors swirled within it - deep crimson edges that faded into bright orange, with an intense blue core that pulsed like a heartbeat.
"The size and power depend on how much mana you put into it," Lucius explained as the fireball continued growing. "You can make them small for precision or large for raw power."
To demonstrate, he split the large fireball into three smaller ones, each about the size of his fist. The smaller flames orbited his hand like tiny planets.
"Magic responds to your will," he said, making the fireballs dance in complex patterns. "Once you understand mana control, you can shape spells however you want."
With a gesture, he merged the three flames back into one massive fireball. The heat it gave off made everyone step back, even though they weren't its target.
"Now for the fun part."
Lucius launched the fireball at the first dummy. Instead of flying straight like a cannonball, the magical flame curved through the air, leaving a trail of multicolored sparks. The dummy didn't even try to dodge - it just stood there as certain doom approached.
BOOM!
The explosion wasn't like normal fire or gunpowder. The dummy didn't just burn or break - it disintegrated into glowing ash that faded away before hitting the ground. The blast itself released no heat, just pure magical force that made the air ripple.
"That's not just fire," Sanji observed, his visible eye fixed on where the dummy had been. "Normal flames don't move like that."
"Can we learn to make them curve like that?" Usopp asked excitedly. "Think of the possibilities!"
"One spell down," Lucius smiled. "Now for something completely different. This next one is called Expelliarmus - it's meant for disarming opponents."
He turned toward Zoro, who instinctively gripped his swords tighter. "May I?"
Zoro nodded cautiously, curious despite his skepticism.
Unlike the flashy fireball, this spell had no visible effect at first. Lucius just made a quick pulling motion with his hand. Suddenly, all three of Zoro's swords - even Wado Ichimonji strapped securely to his back - flew through the air.
The weapons didn't tumble or spin like thrown objects. They moved in perfect arcs, their hilts rotating to point forward as they soared across the dojo. All three landed gently in Lucius's outstretched hand, arranged as neatly as if he'd placed them there himself.
"How did you-" Zoro started, then stopped as Lucius levitated the swords back to him. They floated through the air point-first, each returning to its proper place.
"The spell doesn't just knock weapons away," Lucius explained while Zoro checked his swords. "It can control how they move, even guide them back to you if you want."
"Could this work on anything?" Nami asked, her mind probably going to stealing techniques.
"Any weapon or item being used against you," Lucius confirmed. "Though magical objects might resist it."
To demonstrate further, he turned toward the training equipment along the wall. With one gesture, he sent every practice weapon flying - wooden swords, training daggers, practice staffs, all of them soaring through the air in a controlled display.
Rather than letting them fall, he made the weapons dance through complex patterns. They wove between each other like schools of fish, never touching or tangling. After a few seconds of this aerial ballet, each weapon returned perfectly to its original position.
"The control is incredible," Vivi noted. "No wasted movement at all."
"That's because magic responds to intent," Lucius explained. "You're not forcing objects to move - you're asking them to follow your will. The better your control over mana, the more precise your spells become."
"QUACK!" Karoo watched the display with obvious interest, probably imagining ways to enhance his own techniques.
"And before you ask - yes, animals can learn magic too," Lucius smiled at the duck. "Mana flows through all living things."
"But the most practical spell might be this last one," Lucius turned to Usopp. "Would you mind using your Finger Pistol on me?"
"Are you sure that's safe?" Usopp asked nervously.
"Trust me," Lucius smiled reassuringly.
Usoup took careful aim and launched his technique. The compressed air shot forward with impressive speed.
[Protego Activated]
A shimmering barrier of translucent energy appeared in front of Lucius. When Usopp's attack hit it, the shield flared with bright light. The force of the Finger Pistol was completely neutralized, dispersing harmlessly against the magical protection.
"That's impossible," Nami muttered, her skepticism weakening. "That shield appeared from nowhere."
"Not nowhere," Lucius corrected. "From mana. And that's just the beginning of what magic can do. These spells can be combined with your existing techniques to make them even stronger."
"You mean I could add magic to my kicks?" Sanji asked thoughtfully.
"Or enhance arrows with spells?" Usopp wondered.
"Exactly," Lucius nodded. "Magic isn't limited like Devil Fruits. It can adapt to support whatever fighting style you already use."
The dojo fell silent as everyone processed what they'd just witnessed. This wasn't just tricks or illusions - they'd seen real magic in action. Spells that could attack, defend, and enhance their abilities in ways they'd never imagined.
Even the skeptics couldn't deny the evidence of their eyes. Nami was already taking notes, probably thinking about combining magic with her weather techniques. Zoro studied his swords thoughtfully, likely wondering how magical energy might enhance his cutting power. Sanji extinguished his cigarette, clearly interested despite his initial doubts.
The more enthusiastic students could barely contain themselves. Usopp was mumbling about magical arrows, while Luffy bounced in place with excitement. Vivi and Karoo watched attentively, recognizing how useful these abilities could be for their mission in Alabasta.
"When do we start?" Luffy asked eagerly.
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