Chương 10: Training Day (2)
Rex's mischievous grin faded, replaced by a solemn expression. He understood that he had much to learn. Respect for Gamgee's wisdom and experience swelled within him. He listened intently as his grandfather now addressed as "master," unveiled the next lesson in their magical journey.
Gamgee decided to focus on the basics of transformation magic, which were often overlooked but incredibly vital. He explained that Rex had already shown a remarkable aptitude for complex aspects of Transformation magic, but they would start with something even more fundamental - the art of "acting."
With a raised eyebrow, Rex questioned the importance of this particular skill. Gamgee's eyes gleamed with an intriguing theory as he replied, "You see, my lad, I have a belief that if one masters the ability to seamlessly emulate another person, they may eventually gain access to that person's unique abilities. It's a theory, mind you, but one worth exploring."
Rex's curiosity was piqued. The idea of gaining someone's abilities through mimicry was an exciting prospect. Gamgee also explained that having the skill to seamlessly transform into different people could come in handy when it came to shielding oneself from unwanted attention, especially from the ever-watchful eyes of the Magic Council.
Rex froze when Gamgee darkly mentioned the Magic Council, understanding that there might be a greater story behind it. He couldn't help but equate the council's reputation with a corrupt government, just like the one in his past life. The parallels sent a shiver down his spine.
But then, Rex's mind raced as a brilliant idea struck him. This training could kill two birds with one stone. Not only would it help him master the art of 'acting,' as per the system's suggestion, but it would also give him an opportunity to verify his theory about gaining abilities through mimicry.
With newfound excitement, Rex decided to put his idea into action. He extended his wand, activating Grey's transformation magic. His form began to shift, and he gradually transformed into the persona of Magna Swing.
Magna was a man with a lean build and two different colored hairs, light grey hair at the top and black hair at the sides, forming a striking mohawk. He wore a white shirt covered by a navy leather jacket and matching trousers. Black fingerless gloves adorned his hands, a pair of blue shades shielded his eyes, and a chain dangling from the left side of his waist, connected to his trousers. A belt held his pouch, which contained his grimoire, and was adorned with a skull and crossbones symbol.
As a member of the Black Bull squad, Magna also wore their signature black squad robe, which closely resembled a mantle with a hood and the squad's insignia displayed on the left side.
Rex, now disguised as Magna, greeted his grandfather (master) with a mischievous grin and a casual tone. He ruffled his hair and exclaimed, "Sup, chief!"
Gamgee stood there, dumbfounded by the 'interesting' identity his grandson had chosen to portray. He sincerely hoped that Rex wouldn't turn out like this in the future.
Ignoring the subtle look of horror on his master's face, Rex continued with enthusiasm, "I'll show you what a real man is!"
Before Gamgee could respond, Rex summoned the system and checked his template:
- Name: Magna Swing
- Alias: Weird Glasses Yankee
- Magic: Fire Magic
- Age: 20
- Height: 169 cm
- Blood Type: B
- Eyes: Light Grey
- Hair: Don't Ask
- Country: Clover Kingdom
- Occupation: Magic Knight
- Squad: Black Bull
- Progress: 3%
Rex's face lit up with excitement as he realized he had found a way to make progress. Light congratulated him on his discovery but couldn't resist a little mockery for how cringe Rex's new persona was. Rex brushed it off, feeling more disappointed that he hadn't completed a side quest to discover some new system features. He chided Light for being stingy, but Light simply ignored his sulking host.
However, Rex's disappointment quickly faded when he received an alert on his digital grimoire. It indicated that he had unlocked a new spell, "Exploding Fireball." His excitement soared, realizing he could finally train his fire magic.
With renewed determination and a newfound ability to progress, Rex was ready to continue his magical journey, and this time, he was doing it with a bang.
------
"Who is that?" Gamgee inquired, his eyes focused on my Magna-like appearance. I considered my answer for a moment before deciding there was no harm in honesty. "Magna Swing, a popular character from a comic book in my past life," I replied.
Gamgee nodded, but there was a subtle quirk in his eyebrow that betrayed his confusion. I could tell he was inwardly questioning who could find charm in such a 'punk' character.
Gamgee commented, "Magna's punkish appearance makes even 'Goldmine' seem civil in comparison."
"Whose Goldmine?" I asked, intrigued by the mention.
Gamgee chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mysterious knowledge. "A tale for another time, young one, a tale for another time."
Curiosity was etched into Gamgee's expression as he continued, "Is there any other reason why you chose this character?"
I hesitated for a moment and then decided to stretch the truth a bit. "Well, I picked Magna because I admire his innovative uses of magic, and I wanted to practice some attack magic."
Gamgee nodded thoughtfully, acknowledging my response. He noted that while I had a fair bit of magic power for my age, I didn't know any actual defense spells, given that transformation magic was more of a support type. "A good offense is a good defense," he mused, "and it's wise to be capable of protecting oneself when I'm not around."
I decided to fill in the gaps, explaining, "Magna uses fire magic, which is something I thought I'd give a try."
Gamgee's relief was palpable. "Ah, fire magic. I know a few spells for most element-based magic, so I can certainly help you out with that."
But then he suggested that he would demonstrate some fire spells for me to start, and I hesitated. "Actually, I was hoping to use some Magna-style spells," I told him.
Gamgee raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued, "Magna-style spells, you say? But as far as I know, you can only use transformation magic."
Not wanting to reveal the true source of my newfound abilities, I replied with a half-truth, "I felt like I learned one of Magna's core moves when I started acting like him."
Gamgee's eyes gleamed with delight. "That's fascinating! If you truly have learned a spell through mimicry, that's an incredible step forward."
However, when Gamgee asked me to demonstrate the move, I hesitated once again. My master's expression shifted, and he seemed to be growing wary of my constant reluctance.
Realizing my poor communication and rudeness, I quickly apologized. "I'm sorry, sensei. It's just that I feel the best way for me to show what I've learned and grow is through combat."
Gamgee paused, his wise eyes studying me carefully. He finally nodded, understanding my request, and said, "Very well, let's see how well you can handle your new abilities in a real magical confrontation."
With that, we both stepped back a few yards from each other, our staff and wand at the ready. The anticipation in the clearing was palpable, and I was ready to put my newfound skills to the test.
------
Gamgee and I assumed our stances, tension rippling through the forest clearing. With a nod, Gamgee calmly declared that we'd commence when ready, granting me the advantage of making the first move.
I acknowledged and prepared to put my newfound abilities to the test. However, as I raised my wand, a realization struck me. I quickly relaxed my grip, tucking the wand back into my coat. Gamgee raised an inquisitive eyebrow, silently questioning my decision. I smiled and explained, "Magna doesn't use a wand."
With that, I initiated my attack. There was no need to shout the spell, but Magna had never been one to keep his voice down. So, I let out a hearty yell, "Fire Magic: Exploding Fireball!" as I mimicked Magna's signature throwing motion. From my outstretched palm, a fiery projectile, roughly the size of a soccer ball, materialized and hurtled toward Gamgee.
Without uttering a word, Gamgee swiftly erected a protective blue dome around himself. It was the same barrier that had sheltered a newborn me and him from the rain. The dome remained unwavering as the fireball impacted it. No cracks appeared, and there were no signs of weakening. It stood as a solid shield, even though the resulting explosion incinerated the surrounding foliage and a nearby tree. Gamgee's defenses remained impervious.
As I looked at Gamgee with astonishment, his lips curved into a teasing grin. He mockingly quipped, "Be careful now; we don't want to start a forest fire!" He then calmly extended his staff and silently released a gentle spray of water, dousing the flames that threatened to spread through the forest.
I was taken aback, not because I had failed to harm Gamgee. I wasn't arrogant, and I understood that my grandfather, my teacher, was undoubtedly an accomplished mage. It was unrealistic to expect to outmatch him on my very first day of magical training.
What astonished me was the sheer magnitude of the explosion caused by the fireball. Even at full power, a simple exploding fireball shouldn't have resulted in such extensive blast damage. It suddenly dawned on me that my magical energy was on par with Grey's, a commoner who possessed more magic than a peasant from the sticks, like Magna. That's why the fireball I conjured was the size of a soccer ball, rather than Magna's signature baseball.
I quickly formulated a plan and conjured the same spell once more. This time, I channeled extra focus to compress the soccer ball-sized fireball into the dimensions of a baseball before hurling it at my teacher. Gamgee nodded in approval as the smaller, swifter projectile raced towards him.
Gamgee remained unfazed, maintaining his composure. He swiftly reshaped his dome into a simple rectangular shield, positioned protectively in front of him. He didn't want any reflections or stray sparks to endanger another tree.
The explosion triggered by the compact fireball was even more spectacular, drawing the attention of the Hobbiton villagers. Nonetheless, they didn't panic; Gamgee had forewarned them earlier in the day about our training session in the forest.
Yet, this time, the shield's impenetrability did not dishearten me. Instead, it ignited a competitive fervor within me. I was determined to breach that formidable barrier, even if it was just once, before the end of our duel. Sensing the competitive spirit emanating from me, Gamgee playfully guided me to give it my all.
------
As I prepared to launch another attack, Gamgee decided to seize the initiative this time. His stern words resonated with a hint of sternness, emphasizing that I shouldn't expect my adversary to merely stand by and let me unleash my spells.
Gamgee's eyes bore into mine as he continued, "You see, in a real battle, your opponent won't be as cooperative as me, waiting for your every move. They'll strike when they see an opening. You need to be prepared for that, lad."
Outwardly, I gave a look of understanding, but within, I couldn't help but offer a sarcastic inner monologue. I thought to myself that I was well aware of this fact, given my less-than-pleasant experiences as a gunner in the trenches during my previous life. The battlefield had taught me that harsh lesson all too well.
But, here in this world of magic, I had to heed my mentor's advice. I couldn't rely on the rigidity of military doctrine anymore; the rules here were different. Gamgee had seen many more years than I, and his wisdom was invaluable in this new realm.
From Gamgee's staff, a crimson-red magic circle materialized on its tip, and an impressive fireball, the kind of size that might even attract the attention of a certain clan of red-eyed pyromaniacs and fanatical emos, surged forth. Its fiery brilliance contrasted vividly with the forest's emerald surroundings.
As Gamgee's fireball roared toward me, my mind raced. I knew that merely dodging wasn't enough; I needed to respond with my own magic.
My fingers tightened around my palm, and I raised my arm, my hand aimed at the approaching fireball. My mind raced, I needed to respond with my own spell, not just avoid damage. I focused on the spell I'd learned, "Fire Magic: Exploding Fireball!"
With a swift motion, I cast the spell. A searing fireball the size of a basketball fizzled into existence in my palm, before quickly compacting to the magnitude of a gold ball, and I let it rocket forward, propelled by my intention and will.
The two fiery projectiles collided in mid-air, and I couldn't help but imagine an epic burst of flames that might rival a grand fireworks display. Gamgee's fireball met my exploding fireball with a thunderous impact, unleashing an explosion of heat and light that momentarily blinded me.
In the midst of the fiery eruption, I felt a sense of triumph. Perhaps I had matched my wise mentor in this magical clash.
But that triumph was short-lived, for instead of my attack dispersing due to the explosion, Gamgee's fireball revealed its true nature. It transformed into a ball of water, snuffing out my explosion. Then, this newly formed watery sphere continued its trajectory, now moving even faster than before, hurtling toward me like a tidal wave.
I berated myself for succumbing once more to the same deceptions and ploys he had cunningly presented in the previous chapter.
Time seemed to slow as my mind raced to respond. With enhanced attributes thanks to my time spent in this magical world, I nimbly evaded the water sphere, darting to the right. My body moved with newfound agility and reflexes that I'd never experienced before.
In that moment, I realized something crucial: not only had my magical energy increased as I made progress, but all of my attributes had been enhanced. My intelligence, wisdom, and physical qualities such as strength and speed had all improved. If Grey was the source of my magic power, then Magna's template would undoubtedly help me train my physique.
The watery projectile crashed into a nearby tree, soaking it and extinguishing any flames in its path. The surrounding area was transformed into a scene of sizzling steam and scattered droplets of water.
I glanced back at Gamgee, who stood there with a small, satisfied smile on his face. His eyes held a mix of approval and challenge as if to say, "Well done, lad. But the real battle has only just begun."
I, too, felt a sense of exhilaration. This magical training was not only enhancing my power but also opening new dimensions of my capabilities. The challenge ahead was daunting, but I was eager to meet it head-on.
------
I decided to seize the initiative this time. My body, surprisingly agile and far more reflexive than what I'd expect from a four-year-old, rushed towards my grandfather, Gamgee. I knew he must have guessed that I wouldn't be foolish enough to think I could best him in close combat, and his expression said it all.
Just a little over a yard away from Gamgee, I swiftly conjured a fireball in my right hand. The fiery orb, no larger than a ping pong ball, came to life and rocketed towards Gamgee with impressive speed. Gamgee couldn't help but crack a small smile, taking a stance with his staff like a batter, clearly intending to knock my fiery projectile away.
However, something miraculous happened when Gamgee's staff made contact with the fireball. It became outlined in the same blue light that had appeared when he telekinetically lifted the twig to test my magic, and it was swatted away without any explosion. What baffled me even more was that, instead of blasting off into the sky, the fireball curved and shot back at me with twice the speed.
I relied on my newfound physical prowess to barely evade the fast-moving fireball, but it managed to sear the right side of my hair as it passed. Gamgee wasn't finished, though. He pointed the tip of his staff at the escaping fireball, and, once again, it was enveloped in the blue aura. It defied the laws of physics, reversing its course and hurtling towards me at an even faster speed.
This time, I had no chance to dodge. The fiery projectile slammed into my back, causing a massive explosion. It sent me flying through the air, past Gamgee, and crashing into a tree with a sickening thud. The tree itself snapped in half, mirroring the impact, and the collision reduced my velocity, allowing me to roll to a stop.
I struggled to gather my bearings, wincing from the pain. I held my bleeding, broken nose and rubbed my scorched and burnt back. In all my experiences as a soldier in my past life, I'd never sustained wounds as grievous as these. Being blown up by a tank didn't even compare – that had been more of an execution.
As I knelt on all fours, trying to get up and recover, a shadow loomed over me. I raised my battered face to see an astonishing sight. Gamgee's staff now held an icy blue magic circle at its tip. It appeared to be drawing water particles from the air, solidifying them into shards of ice. It promised a hailstorm of destruction to anyone who dared to challenge Gamgee.
My grandfather, or rather teacher, spoke sternly, "You're outmatched and impulsive. Whatever common sense you had in your last life means nothing here. Earthland operates by its own rules, filled with miracles and phenomena that defy scholars' teachings. To survive in this world, you must adapt and expect the unexpected. Anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Stand down and surrender."
My thoughts immediately turned to Murphy's Law, the adage that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. I pondered Gamgee's words and realized that he was right – my past memories might serve more as a burden than a boon in this new world. I knew I needed to adapt my understanding of this society, making it an asset rather than a hindrance. My past life's knowledge could provide a unique perspective and benefit me in this world.
Gamgee's words and my own determination spurred me to discard the notion of quitting. I was determined to push past my limits like the Magna Swing I was embodying. I believed that not only could progress be made with my template but it could also be lost if I acted uncharacteristically. And quitting was something Magna would never do. I was determined to keep fighting and training, just as Magna would, no matter how impulsive or ridiculed my actions might be.
With newfound resolve coursing through my veins, I pushed myself to my feet. Blood dripped from my broken nose and wounds throbbed with pain, but I knew I couldn't give up.
I looked at Gamgee with fiery determination, meeting his gaze without hesitation. "I won't give up," I declared firmly. "I'm going to keep fighting, and I'm going to get stronger. I know I have a long way to go, but I won't stop until I've reached the top, just like Magna."
Gamgee's expression grew impassive and stoic, his eyes seemingly ridiculing my bravado while inwardly applauding my resolve. "So be it," he said calmly.
Without warning, he gestured with his staff, and the icy blue magic circle above me released its frozen shards. The hailstorm fell upon me, and as I faced this new challenge, I knew that the path to becoming a true mage like the Black Bulls was fraught with obstacles, but I was determined to face them head-on.
SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO 
hmak27230
hmak27230 Sup guys this chapter was grammatically edited using grammarly and chatgpt ai. Honestly chatgpt is very convienet if I say so myself. Anyways sorry for leaving you guys on a cliffhanger and this little traning arc will end chapter.
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