"Well then, let's begin."
Merlin started by picking up a piece of string from the table. It was about the same length as his arm with handles at each ends of the string.
He stretched it to the limit as it hummed to life with magical blue light.
Merlin used the string to cut one of the 2 meter tall marble cubes into several smaller squares. The string cut the marble with ease like it was butter.
'These tools the Master gave me are so high quality.' He tightened his grip on the string's handles.
As the head of the Cyanal Family, the Master of The House had built many connections throughout his years.
One of the more notable bonds is his connection with Garden Academy, the most prestigious school for Magic holders.
Not only that, it is the home base of Garden of Magic, the organization that oversees all Magic holders, which is where Merlin theorized the Master of the House got these tools from.
'I should probably thank him again when I see him.'
After arranging all the smaller pieces of marble he cut, Merlin sat back down on the stool.
He looked towards the other large block of marble, still uncut.
'I'm saving that one for now, I should use it for a bigger sculpture.' He decided with a hum to himself.
Merlin decided to use a few of the smaller blocks to practice, it was his first time using marble after all.
He took a chisel from the workshop table and lifted up one of the small cubes onto a smaller table infront of him.
Despite the presence of magic changing how tools evolved through time, a few remained the same.
A prime example was the chisel in his hand, it's handle was engraved with magic characters but it's design was no different from any other chisel.
'It probably needed no additions in design that would show improvements in effectiveness, so they enhanced it with magic instead.' He thought to himself.
With magic, a leaf could be a weapon, and even a stick could be a blade.
Breaking out of his thoughts, Merlin put his focus entirely on the chunk of marble infront of him.
Using a pencil, he marked the marble with preciseness. Marking the parts he needed to chisel.
Merlin didn't need to use any measuring tool, he could see faint blue lines on the marble showing him exactly where he needed to mark like a guide.
The act of marking the marble is useless to him, even now he's only doing it for tradition.
The faint blue lines Merlin sees is the result of his Magic.
In the world of Tania, when a being reaches the age of 18, they can awaken Magic.
This awakening marks the beginning of their connection to an ancient force that binds the world's elements, concepts, and even abstract ideas. Upon awakening, each person receives a single Word, a unique term that defines the nature of their magic. This Word is not chosen, it is bestowed.
The Word can be anything. Some awaken with elemental Words like [Flame], [Stone], or [Ice], granting them control over those forces. Others receive more peculiar or abstract Words like [Thread], [Echo], or [Vines]. Each unlocking a path of magic tied entirely to the essence of that word.
A person with the Word [Vines], for example, might begin by summoning simple forest vines to entangle foes. But as their proficiency deepens, they could weave vines made from steel, gold, or even light itself, shaping them into armor, whips, or bridges. Mastery of one's Word depends on creativity, emotion, and understanding of the Word's meaning beyond its surface.
As long as their word is not specific, such as [Tree Vines] or [Steel Vines].There are no limits beyond imagination.
Vagueness is strength.
Two people may share the same Word but wield their magic entirely differently.
Some view their Word literally, while others unlock hidden potential by interpreting it metaphorically or symbolically.
This is the Law of Word.
Merlin's Magic, [Guide], is what enabled him to see the guidelines on the marble.
Merlin awakened this magic 5 days ago, on his birthday.
Since then, Merlin has found numerous ways to apply his Magic. Thanks to [Guide]'s vagueness, he hadn't found a limit to it's versatility yet.
Even on simple chores like cooking and cleaning, [Guide] could be used. It let him see and feel exactly what he needed to do to get whatever outcome he desired.
And yet, today, he would use [Guide] to sculpt for the very first time.
'I wonder how much I will improve.' A flash of excitement streaked in his eyes. Though it was his first time using marble, he had confidence in the skills he accumulated while working with stone and clay.
As Merlin stared at the chunk of marble on the table, he imagined a simple tree, with large leaves and vines hanging from it's branches.
Merlin's blue eyes shimmered with a faint golden hue as he activated [Guide].
A sudden pull stirred deep within him, it was subtle and undeniable, like a thread was gently tugged from his core.
His hands moved instinctively, mallet and chisel finding their places as if they had always belonged there.
He knew where to strike.
He knew how much force to strike with.
Merlin's very understanding of sculpting deepened.
At will, he could see blue lines flickering across the surface before him, faint and precise, tracing paths only he could see, instructions written by [Guide] itself.
Merlin could feel everything.
Every grain, every angle, every flaw.
[Guide] didn't just show him what to do, it made him understand why.
"Whoa.." Merlin couldn't help but exclaim in awe.
He had heard about how powerful Magic of the Law of Word could really be when it's limits were unclear, but for something as simple as the word Guide, he didn't expect it to be of this caliber.
Fighting through the shock and awe, Merlin wasted no time.
Following the surging feeling of knowledge in his arms with [Guide], Merlin striked relentlessly, his mallet hammering down on the chisel with precise and controlled force.
Clanking sounds echoed throughout his room constantly. Bits and pieces of marble fell on the floor with a thud.
It was enough noise to make people think there was a construction site nearby.
Though, fortunately, Merlin knew each room in the manor was enhanced with a soundproofing spell, preventing any noise from escaping the confines of the rooms.
It was gesture of goodwill from the Cyanal Family to the servants.
They tasked one of their members who had the Magic [Sound Nullify] to work together with a hired guard with [Apply Borrowed] in order to create this effect.
An hour and 30 minutes.
That was the amount of time that passed before the noise stopped.
[Guide] naturally pulled him towards the most efficient and fastest way to complete the structure.
However on some parts of the sculpture the lines were blurred and smudged, making it harder to follow and causing merlin to lose a little time.
Merlin knew that this was the first hurdle every creature that possessed Magic would have to surpass in order to strengthen their Magic.
They called it The Hurdle of Comprehension.
It meant that the Magic holder's understanding and knowledge of their Law of Word was lacking, needing to be broadened further.
The blurred lines likely meant that there was something about [Guide] that he had yet to understand or be aware of.
Although, Merlin had heard that the effects of The Hurdle of Comprehension were far more severe than mere unclear lines.
"Hmm.." Merlin hummed with satisfaction.
His muscles were screaming and his arms burned from the continuous strain, but looking at the sight infront of him, made Merlin feel like it was all worth it.
The dull block marble that sat on the table was no longer there. It had transformed. From it, something else was born.
Sitting in it's place was large, graceful tree, its roots spread out and curled downwards as if it was looking for soil.
It looked.. real.
Despite the white and shiny coloring, it looked like it was alive.
As if the leaves would sway with just a gentle breeze and descend slowly to the ground. As if it needed water to survive. Like they would dry up and die when autumn came.
Merlin ran a finger across the surface of the tree bark.
"Its indistinguishable from the actual bark of a tree." Merlin marvelled as he felt the texture of the marble's 'bark'.
"But...."
Merlin's eyes narrowed. His eyes roamed the sculpture, piercing through it like he was looking at something that wasn't there.
"It feels... empty."
It was missing something.
Something that Merlin knew was essential, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
It looked real and alive, yes, but empty nonetheless. Probably related to the blurred lines he could see earlier.
Merlin activated his Law of Word, seeking an answer.
[Guide] hummed to life, Merlin felt it resonating with his mind as if trying to tell him something.
Merlin looked at the tree sculpture yet no blue lines appeared this time.
He waited for awhile but to no avail, and eventually let out a resigned sigh.
"It seems I can't rely on [Guide] for everything after all." Merlin chuckled.
This time it looked to have caused a reaction.
A blue horizontal line appeared in his vision, it wiggled and spiked continuously as if irritated.
[Guide] was disagreeing with him.
Merlin froze in place for a moment.
"That's strange..." He murmured to himself.
Strange it was indeed. Merlin had never heard of Magic being sentient and responding to the holder like this.
Though right now it was just a cute little line that wriggled around in his vision.
'I should definitely go to the library soon.' Merlin decided to look for clues in library about his situation and as well as to deepen his understanding about [Guide].
He glanced outside his window and noticed that night had already fallen. The full moon hung on the sky was beautiful this night, it was big, full, and unreachable, greeting merlin with anticipation.
Ignoring the wiggling line trying to catch his attention with unintelligible movements, Merlin turned back to the sculpture and decided to call it a night.
After a little tool maintenance, Merlin put the white cloth back on, the outline of the newly formed sculpture covered in shadows.
As he lay in his bed, Merlin felt at peace as he thought about the day and the new discoveries. Even [Guide] seemed to have calmed down, the wiggling stopped.
This was the day he officially took his first step towards the path of sculpting.
Merlin closed his eyes in anticipation for what was to come next.