16 Chapter 16 - Learning About Magic

Standing in a mostly open grassy field near their campsite, Jellal asked, "Before we get started, how much do you already know about magic, Jin? You should know a decent amount, right?"

"Hmm… I've observed most of it from an outside perspective, so just treat me as a slightly more informed audience member in the stands of the Grand Magic Games or something."

"I guess we'll start with some basics, then. Magic Power lets us use magic, and the source of Magic Power is Ethernano that exists within nature. Do you know about Magic Power and Ethernano?"

"In a general sense, yes."

"Good. Well, it's like… hmm… Actually, now that we've gotten to this point, I'm not sure how to explain it beyond that to you. Give me a second to put something more cohesive together."

Hearing a sigh from nearby, Jin and Jellal glanced at Irene who stepped toward them. She placed a hand on Jellal's shoulder and shook her head, which confused him. Then, a pink glow illuminated her arm, and she swung it outward. Next moment, Jin's eyes widened and followed Jellal's body hurtling through the air like a rocket.

Ignoring Jin's surprise, Irene acted nonchalant like she hadn't just tossed Jellal like a ragdoll in Garry's Mod and said, "Allow me to take over in explaining magic to you."

"...Sure."

'I'm sure Jellal's fine, but holy cannoli, man. This woman's definitely still got some loose screws.'

"Since it seems like you understand magic to some extent, I will start by paraphrasing one of the books in my library which states: 'Magic is the physical embodiment of our spirit. When your physical spirit connects with the spiritual flow of nature, the spirit forms Magic. Though Magic goes beyond reason, it is still born of reason and requires an enormous amount of concentration and mental strength. One's magical powers are also tied to one's life force.' That generalized explanation is the basis of any magic you learn to use, and is a general understanding stated within introductory or conclusive notes in magic research. Make sense so far?"

Nodding, Jin replied, "That's a lot, but it does fit with my understanding."

'Pretty sure I'll be fine on the mental strength front after everything I've been through,' he thought.

"Good. Now, there are plenty of types of magic you can learn, but oftentimes, a magic will choose the magician rather than the other way around. Although you can learn any type of magic if you put your mind to it, it is best to first focus on magic suited to you, especially if you aren't talented. Once your friend returns, we can start testing which types of magic would fit you best."

'Why the hell did you toss him like that, then?'

Not letting his thoughts show in his expression, Jin calmly nodded.

"In the meantime, however" Irene continued with her lips curved into an amiable grin, "how about some tea and a friendly chat?"

Without waiting for an answer, the scarlet-haired witch pulled out an entire set of table and chairs complete with a wide umbrella and a fancy tea set. In a smooth movement, she sat down in the chair across from Jin and gestured for him to sit.

Unsure how to react, Jin simply raised a brow. After processing the situation for a second within his mind, he shook his head and took a seat. Who said he couldn't learn magic over tea with an attractive older lady? No point rejecting the offer.

The moment Jin sat in the other chair, Irene snapped her finger. A pink magic circle appeared on the ground next to them. After a bright flash, Irene's blue-haired follower, who Jin couldn't recall the name of, teleported above the magic circle. The woman surveyed the surroundings for a moment until laying eyes on Irene.

Bowing her head slightly, she asked, "Do you need me for something, Lady Irene?"

"Be a dear and make some tea for us, Heine."

"As you wish," The woman replied, briefly glancing at Jin with equal hints of suspicion and curiosity.

After preparing the tea, Heine retreated back to wherever Irene teleported her from. Once Irene and Jin were alone, Irene asked, "Out of curiosity, Hideyoshi Jin, did you already know about me before using that strange power on me?"

"Thought I already mentioned it at the beginning, but yes, though not in as much detail as I saw last night," Jin casually answered in between blowing on the steaming hot tea. The drink was way too hot for his liking, and he marveled at how the woman in front of him drank it with no problems.

"Is that so? You really aren't scared of me, are you?" She teased with a grin.

"Rather than scared, I just find you unpredictable to some extent. You offering to teach me magic really caught me off guard."

Irene sipped her tea before replying, "It was a whim of fancy, I suppose. Is there anything specific you wish to know before your friend returns?"

"Well, if you don't mind explaining more intricacies of magic, I'd appreciate it. Even going overboard with details would be fine."

"...That is no problem."

For some reason, Jin wondered why her tone contained hints of disappointment, but her subsequent explanations on how magic function quickly distracted him. While fantastical in nature, her explanations opened the door in his mind to a wider world of the science behind the magic of the Fairy Tail world. They bolstered his already thorough knowledge of what magic had to offer in this now real world identical to the one he followed in his youth.

* * *

Eventually, Jellal returned with a peeved expression on his face. Upon seeing Jin and Irene casually drinking tea, he facepalmed and groaned. Despite his irritation, he shook it off and walked over from behind Jin.

"You're back," Irene remarked since Jin couldn't see him yet. "Now that you're here, help me test which types of magic will best suit him. Even better, bring your friends. More people makes my method easier."

Jellal paused. Then, he sighed and nodded. A brief silence followed, during which he contacted the others using telepathy.

"Ultear will be here soon. Meredy just woke up, so she'll come a bit later"

"Good enough," Irene responded.

"What about your squad members?" Jin asked, raising a brow.

"I don't trust them to hold back against you yet."

Jin pressed his lips and wondered if he should change his mind on whether learning from this woman was a good idea or not. The next few hours definitely didn't help, though he couldn't deny the results. Several hours of the others forcing him to try different types of magic actually reminded him of how the chat group application guided him in using his phantom arms to close the Reality Crack before, though in a less direct method.

At one point, he tried casting fire magic. Only a puff of embers popped out.

He tried lighting magic. Only a spark arced from his fingertips.

He tried flight magic. It ended up more like a haphazard double-jump with an awkward landing.

Despite the lack of observable results, just casting some sort of magic brought a smile to Jin's face, even when he received backlash from incorrect casting at times. Of course, the others explained that practicing each type of magic required time and patience, yet his morale did not sway. Effort was one of his closest confidants over the years who helped stave off boredom or stress. At least, he chose to see it that way.

Around midday, subtle chimes alerted Jin and Jellal, prompting them to take a break. They left the others to 'use the bathroom' and checked their devices. Each of them received identical notifications, though both realized it was a secondary notification since they missed the first one during their hasty escape from the scene of the crime.

{Tutorial Mission #1 Completed. Issuing Rewards.}

{Received 1 Bronze Lottery Ticket.}

{Received 100 RP.}

{Group Admin can return to homeworld at any time. Automatic transfer will occur in: 5 days, 14 hours, 28 minutes.}

Aside from those notifications, they both realized they had yet to do a daily check-in. Both of them checked in and received a weekly reward of an extra bronze lottery ticket on top of their normal 100 RP.

Almost in sync, they both read the description of the bronze ticket.

{Most common Interdimensional Chat Group Ticket. Can award basic abilities, powers, or skills that do not have great effect on the world or combat, basic ingredients or materials, low-grade weapons, armor, tools, or technology, or other random items. Pulls from a pool of myriad worlds. Warning: may grant gag abilities or party tricks on occasion due to the large pool of possible rewards.}

"This is somewhat interesting," Jellal mumbled while rubbing his chin.

"It is, but it looks like there were also messages in the chat we missed."

"Oh, you're right."

Railgun: [Hello? You guys there?]

Origami Master: [Here.]

Railgun: [Yeah, I see you there, and I know first mate is busy, but those two other guys haven't come online even though they are normally the most active.]

Those messages were posted around the time they found the Reality Crack. Then, a few hours ago, Railgun posted again.

Railgun: [Oi. @WizardofRegretandRedemtion and @Jin. You guys alive? You haven't come online since your mission started.]

Imagining an anxious Railgun, Jin snorted and typed out a reply.

Jin: [@Railgun, we're fine. Just been a bit busy with the aftermath.]

Over in the Toaru world, Railgun, who was staring at her phone with a worried expression, nearly jumped up from her bed upon seeing the message. A sigh of relief slipped from her mouth. Thankful that the others in the group couldn't see her reaction, she feigned a casual approach with her next message.

Railgun: [Okay. Good. World would've been better with one less magician if things went sideways.]

Wizard of Regret and Redemption: [...]

Jin: [...Just be honest. Your life'll be a lot easier that way.]

Railgun: [Dunno wsth yhro talking about. I'me lesanfving.]

"Oh god… why can't I edit the typos," Railgun noted in horror before throwing a fit on her bed.

Elsewhere, the others in the chat showed different reactions. First-mate wondered if the girl forgot to double check her message before sending it. Origami Master stared blankly without understanding what just happened. Jin chuckled and shook his head, though Jellal didn't know what to make of it and scratched his temple.

"Want to open the tickets now?" Jin asked, changing the subject.

"Don't see why not."

Without further ado, the two used their tickets.

{Received 'Low-Hanging Fruit'. Item transferred to inventory.}

{Received 'Shut Up and Take My Money'. Skill transferred to inventory.}

"..."