Knock. Knock. Knock
Vergil's knuckles rapped against the door. Three steady knocks, controlled, though his fingers itched with the hum of impatience.
A short pause, then the hinges groaned as the door opened.
"It's been some time," Elvira said, one brow arching. "I thought you had died, being gone for so long."
"Don't worry," Vergil gave a small smile. "I don't die that easily."
She chuckled, lips curling sharp. "I'll take your word for it. Anyways, come in. You're here for advice, aren't you?"
The scent of parchment washed over them as they stepped in. The place was messy, just packed to the brim with tomes and scrolls, filling every gap like bricks in a wall.
Eleanor's gaze lingered on the tomes and books, reading each title with a thoughtful expression.
Elvira slowly closed the door, before her eyes fixed on Eleanor with mild curiosity.
"I've not seen you before; but you're not surprised."
Eleanor smirked faintly. "Vergil wouldn't drag me anywhere useless."
That earned a light snort. "Fair enough." Elvira's attention shifted back to Vergil.
"So what brings you two to my doorstep?"
"Please teach both of us magic," Vergil said, voice low, almost clipped.
Her brow arched higher. Rather than in shock, she looked amused before sitting on her chair, arms folded. "And what exactly makes you think that I can teach magic?"
Vergil turned his head toward the shelves.
"Your shelves aren't just full of history. Sure, some of them are. But most of them are magic."
Vergil could keep going, but in reality, he was just rambling—he already knew she was a mage and likely had books related to magic. He couldn't read for shit otherwise.
Eleanor glanced sideways. "You really don't miss a thing, do you?"
Elvira studied him for a moment, then burst out into laughter. "Your eyes are sharp. Ahh, there's no point in hiding now," she said before standing up.
Her stance shifted. Her casual mask faded just a little bit.
"I'm Elvira Vayne, the former Vice Principal of Vaeloria Academy."
Vergil blinked a few times at the news before calming down, while Eleanor simply hummed.
"That explains the way you talk."
Elvira just gave a crooked grin. "No shock or awe, hmm?"
Eleanor shrugged at the response. "You don't exactly fit the role of an 'elderly village woman.'"
That earned another laugh. "Ha, I like her."
Elvira's eyes snapped to Vergil's.
"Now, why do you want to learn magic?"
At the question, Vergil's hands at his sides curled into fists.
"Because I refuse to stay how I am," his voice firmer than ever. "So I wish to carve my own path, starting with magic."
Elvira watched him for a beat before turning to Eleanor.
"And you?"
Eleanor's smile curled. "Magic is strong. I like strong things."
Elvira only shook her head. "You two really are a pair." Then her tone hardened. "But remember this, magic isn't just about strength. It's control. Discipline. And understanding. If you're here looking for shortcuts to power, then you can leave."
Vergil met her gaze, unwavering. "I'm not looking for shortcuts. Just a teacher."
A pause. Then Elvira's eyes sharpened. "…Tell me, Vergil. What will you do with this magic once you've learned it?"
Vergil hesitated. He could give a vague answer, a lie, but that wasn't like him.
"To be free," he said quietly, but each syllable was laced with conviction.
Elvira studied him long and hard before turning to Eleanor.
"And you?" she asked.
Eleanor's lips twitched into an unreadable smile. Her answer was vague. "To take what I deserve."
Elvira only let out a sigh. "You guys are really an interesting pair. Very different… but determined nonetheless." She let the weight of her words hang. "But think carefully before you commit."
She walked to the shelf before speaking.
"A mage's strength is determined by three factors. Their Mana Heart, affinities, and mana efficiency. The Mana Heart is the core, where mana is stored. Affinities determine which elements the person can use, and efficiency decides how much mana is wasted when spells are cast."
Then, businesslike, she pulled two crystals from a wooden box and set them down. "Touch them. They'll reveal your affinities."
Eleanor went first. Upon touching it, it glowed into a bright green and jagged blue color.
"Nature," Elvira said, watching the glow. "The ability to control plants and restore life. And lightning, the most destructive element. A good combination."
Then Vergil set his hand on the second crystal. Immediately, it turned a brilliant red, icy blue, and… something else. A strange silver shimmer, half-formed.
Elvira narrowed her eyes. "Fire, Ice and... Soul?"
The silvery glow didn't settle; it shifted and flickered before vanishing.
Vergil frowned. "Is the last one of any use?"
Elvira tapped the table with her finger. "Useful? Maybe. Understood? Not at all. Soul magic is quite rare. Records call it power tied to life itself. Most cases only appear when a mage forms their Fifth Circle, when their core merges with their soul." She paused. "However, cultivators can use their soul to do… extraordinary things when they reach a certain level."
She studied him closely. "I don't specialize in Soul Magic, but you should find yourself a mentor when the time comes."
Vergil clenched his fist. Not bad body, you make up for being special in some way.
[More like special needs.]
Shut up.
[You have awakened Ice Affinity (A), Fire Affinity (B), and Soul Affinity (S).]
They have different ranks.
[Of course. Some are rarer than others. They allow you to use the specified affinity type of magic. You can't use other affinity types unless you acquire them.]
[Oh, just for your information: even if you get multiple of the same affinity, nothing will happen. But you can combine different ones to form new types of affinities depending on compatibility or turn them into evolution points.]
Vergil smirked faintly. Not bad. Not bad at all.
Elvira set the crystal aside. "Since that's been settled, let's move on to 'Circles'."
She raised a hand, tracing glowing lines in the air, which formed a simple ring of blue light which rotated slowly. "Mana is structured into eight circles. The first is your foundation. Without it, you won't be able to cast magic."
Vergil flinched at the revelation. All this time, he had been trying, only to realize he had skipped step two.
She pointed at the diagram. "You form the First Circle by guiding mana around your core into a stable ring. That's what lets you cast properly."
Vergil leaned forward. "How do we form our First Circle?"
Elvira smirked. "Using breathing techniques. And judging from your affinities and cores, your paths will be different."
She eyed Eleanor. "Your Mana Heart?"
"Crystallized core," Eleanor replied smoothly.
Elvira nodded. "A stable and refined choice. Good for spellcasters," she confirmed. Then to Vergil: "And you?"
"A Pulsing Core."
That made her pause. "An uncommon choice. It's volatile and powerful for hybrids, but hard to master."
Vergil absorbed it all. It fit his current fighting style well due to adaptability.
"Mana efficiency?" she asked.
"Around sixty-five percent."
"Excellent, most mages range from fifty to seventy percent." Elvira turned. "And you?"
She turned to Vergil. "And you?"
Vergil paused. Should he reveal it? There was no benefit in hiding it.
"One-hundred percent."