Teaching Magic
"Or rather, what is it that you want? As things stand, I won't refuse. To cover up the fact that Emilia lost the Insigna, I am willing to pay for anything. Come—what do you want?"
Roswaal spoke boldly, and then the reception room fell silent.
Everyone was waiting for Subaru's answer, but Subaru remained silent.
He couldn't quite figure out what he wanted to get from Roswaal.
Honestly, Subaru himself couldn't come up with an answer.
Much of his behavior was driven by anger because Roswaal had offended Reinhild, so he had been mindlessly snapping back.
"Magic… can you teach me magic? Or is it that if you're not a magic user, you just can't handle mana?"
After a moment of thought, Subaru voiced what he had been dreaming of: to have the strongest magic historian in this country teach him magic.
"That's not how it works, but if it's such a great favor, you'll have to show some real skill."
"I have some business to attend to, so I'll be leaving now. Subaru, Otto will be waiting outside the door on standby.
If you have any doubts, you can go ask him.
Roswaal, rest assured, the soundproofing in this room is invincible to most people.
Subaru, the Roswaal family has been a family of magicians for 400 years, so listen humbly.
I have assigned other people to your work for today, so don't worry."
"Now then—I'll give you a private lesson. To teach someone a bit ignorant like you what it means to be a magic user—how does that sound?"
With the reception room door closing once again, Roswaal finally raised a finger, cleared his throat, and began.
"Then let's start from the basics. Subaru, you know what a 'gate' is, right?"
"No. Even if you say it's obvious and that I should know, those who don't know still don't know."
"You don't even know about gates?
Simply put, a gate is the entrance and exit for mana to flow in and out of your body.
Through the gate, you can absorb mana and also release it. It's our lifeline.
All living beings have gates—no exceptions, whether plants or animals.
Otherwise, society as it currently is, which relies on magical ores, wouldn't exist."
"I see. It's like a faucet just for MP..."
Thanks to Roswaal's simple explanation, Subaru understood.
"You said everyone has a gate. Does that mean I have one too?"
"Of course, you do—if you consider yourself human. You are human, right?"
"Finally, I'm going to become the magic user I've dreamed of… No, wait, could this be my chance to stand on equal footing with Reinhild?"
With no combat strength, no quick wits to break the situation, mediocre academic ability, slightly above-average physical ability but no stamina, Subaru always felt like a nobody.
So this was possibly the second piece of good news since coming to this other world.
The enticing word "magic" made Subaru's heart cry out loudly, his pupils shining brightly with hope.
"To be this happy about the topic of magic—ah, may magic bless you.
However, even if you have a gate, your innate talent plays a huge role. I'm proud because I'm talented; it's unfortunate for those who aren't blessed like me."
Roswaal's opening words triggered a faint 'plot advancement' sound effect in Subaru's mind. Confident Roswaal didn't know Subaru was a "Summoned One" from another world.
Since ancient times, those summoned from other worlds have had special powers.
Yet Subaru had no fighting power, no knowledge, and luck so bad it was negative.
But now, he had magic—yes, magic.
"Here it comes, Roswaal, my brand new hope! Magic, let's talk about magic. Right now, a wave of magic is coming. My radiant future is drifting on that wave!"
"Is that so? But it's almost impossible to stand on equal footing with Reinhild by magic alone, since every time she swings her sword at full power, she absorbs most of the ambient magical energy.
Anyway, let's continue.
Magic is basically divided into six attributes—you heard that just now, right?"
"So, what about Puck's ice, Bernie's space magic, and Reinhild's lightning? Those aren't part of the six attributes, right?"
"Ah, let me explain. Mana is divided into six types. Because of different uses, some special magic can form. For example, Puck's ice is actually fire attribute, Bernie's space is yin attribute, and lightning is wind attribute. Water attribute also has a derived spiritual attribute."
"In simple terms: fire relates to heat, water governs life and healing, wind acts outside the body, and earth acts inside the body. These four are the main categories, plus there are the very rare 'Yin' and 'Yang' attributes. However, very few match these; if it weren't for the Berni siblings in this family, I might have ignored these two attributes.
Most people have an aptitude for one of the attributes. By the way, I have aptitude for all six."
"Wow! Amazing! I basically understand now. So, tell me more! How do you find out your attribute?"
Subaru's request pleased Roswaal greatly. Nodding, he continued his explanation.
"Of course, a magic user like me can tell just by touching."
"Really? Here it comes—the scene I've been waiting for. Help me find out, and then tell me!"
Subaru, like an untrained dog, joyfully wagged, looking at him with affectionate eyes.
Roswaal placed his palm on Subaru's forehead.
It was a scene where two men's eyes sparkled as they looked at each other.
"Alright then—excuse me! Mew Mew Myo..."
"Whoa! Such a magical sound effect! Now, this is the moment to witness fantasy!"
Only now, forgetting all worries, Subaru let his thoughts run free in the romance before him.
—Magic. It would definitely become the fangs of the summoned one who had come to this other world.
With sure hope making his pupils shine, Subaru waited eagerly for the diagnosis result.
"Alright—got it."
"Finally, that's what I wanted to hear. So, what is it? What's my attribute?"
"Hmm, it's 'Yin.' Your connection with the other four attributes is very weak, but your specialization in this one is quite rare."
"So, I have the so-called space ability!"
"Well, actually, among Yin attribute magic users, only Bernie can use space magic.
Famous Yin attribute magic involves obscuring the opponent's vision, blocking sound, and slowing movement. Those are basically the usable skills."
"DEBUFF specialization!?"