Magic
A supernatural science to which Gaius and other dreamers had never had access on Earth.
Many witch children had never understood Gaius's childish fascination with magic, even though he was usually serious and dependable.
An otaku trait he hadn't lost despite his hazy memories of Earth during his first ten years.
'My entire generation of witches… no, the whole Boiling Isles didn't grasp the true value of magic,' he thought, using the System's AI to analyze more books.
"What a sad realization *sigh*," he muttered under his breath.
The power to alter reality through a second heart fascinated the young boy.
But the witches of the Boiling Isles lived magic every day and had lost interest in that power.
The situation was like that of a boy living in a technological age who fails to see the value of science from the perspective of a clever person in the Middle Ages.
'Fortunately… I won't be alone for long in understanding the value of the anomalies within the Boiling Isles and of magic,' he told himself mentally as the image of Luz Noceda flashed in his mind.
Unconsciously, a smile of anticipation crept across the young boy's face while he analyzed the book in front of him.
He didn't yet know the curious teenager who would come to the Boiling Isles.
Yet… Gaius already had expectations of her.
…
"Mother, I want to learn more of your magic," he said in a low voice.
Gaius was already learning Odalia's magic—his mother's. Still, he had surpassed her in theory.
The power of the AI was no joke.
'All the same, Mother has more practical experience…' he thought, watching her nod approvingly at him.
"You're very hardworking, my little Gaius… but I've noticed traces of Abomination magic in the house," Odalia replied, her brows furrowing slightly.
At first she spoke with pride, but as she mentioned abomination magic, her disappointment became plainly audible.
"S-sorry… but if possible, Mother… I want to learn both your magic and Father's. That way I can compare before choosing my magical path," the young man lied without blinking.
Magic is a respected science and art in the Boiling Isles, even if the Emperor has warped the people's perception of it.
That's why one must reach a certain age before truly touching it.
Gaius Blight was an anomaly because of that.
He had learned and practiced magic from a very young age, thanks to various excuses and lies.
Now he was trying to take a more advanced step in that mystical art.
Odalia's sigh echoed through the room before she looked at Gaius with weary eyes but a hint of respect.
"Very well… but once you're grown, you'll have to choose," she said in a resigned voice.
"Thank you! I love you, Mommy!" Gaius was so happy he leapt into his mother's arms.
A childish gesture, but the young wizard didn't want to fight the instincts of his age.
It was just mentally exhausting in the long run.
'I really do love my new parents…' he thought, rubbing his head against his mother's chest like a spoiled child.
At first he had been uncomfortable with the idea of seeing them as his real family after regaining his memories.
Especially Odalia Blight, since he knew the future and her controlling streak.
But after a few months with them, Gaius came to understand two things.
First, he loved them.
It was factual and genuine, unlike some transmigrators. He had literally inherited the feelings of his new body after fully transmigrating.
So those emotions were pure and sincere.
As for the second reason? Odalia hadn't done anything yet.
Gaius didn't want to condemn his mother for future mistakes that didn't exist.
It would be unfair and unreasonable.
That was why he felt close to her.
'Beyond moral reasons, Mother's magic is too fascinating to set aside…' he analyzed silently.
Oracle magic.
That magic was potentially the strongest in the Coven system, aside from Alchemy that could grant life, and Bard magic.
Thanks to it, control over one's own mind was guaranteed… and over others'? A possibility.
Gaius wasn't interested only in the spiritual side of that magic, but also its mystical aspect—precognition, pure energy.
In truth, if he had to pick just one magic, Gaius would choose Odalia's.
But he had ambitions far greater than that.
"So, big guy, which magic are you going to learn first?" asked Alador after entering the room.
Gaius was momentarily startled, but he remembered that his father was one of the strongest witches in the Boiling Isles.
It was normal for the former Bonesborough Brawl champion to fool a child's magical senses.
"Mommy's, obviously, hehe ~" he answered with a light laugh.
Alador Blight's magic was impressive, but for the future projects Gaius had in mind, he could put it off.
That magic wasn't a priority or particularly useful for maximizing his grasp of the supernatural.
The Abomination Coven was powerful, but the fighting style of creating mud golems for various effects wasn't useful to the current Gaius.
'I remember the future head of the Abomination Coven is a close friend of Dad's and demonstrated the ability to turn himself into an abomination,' Gaius mused after a brief thought.
Darius Deamonne.
He would be the future head of the Abomination Coven in the Owl House story that Gaius recalled.
That man could shrug off most physical and even magical attacks thanks to his artificial abomination nature, made possible by his magic.
A real cheat code, according to Gaius.
He could even sew clothes with Abomination magic and craft weapons.
Yet that aspect of Abominations was also achievable with Oracle magic.
That was why Gaius ultimately chose Oracle magic.
'If I can develop something like Legilimency and Occlumency with Oracle magic…' He paused before concluding: 'then the System's AI will become even more effective.'
Learning speed would increase, and the chance of divination in the middle of battle wouldn't be zero.
Gaius could deduce it: Luz had already undergone a divination foretelling punishment at Hexside High.
An item capable of such a feat was accessible even to high schoolers, so why hesitate any longer?
"Don't be down, Dad, I'll still be around the workshop. And I can always learn Abomination magic later, or even choose it in the end," Gaius explained, noting Alador's pale face.
His father didn't seem to appreciate losing to his mother. So Gaius decided to remind him that he was also following in his footsteps with magical mechanics.
"You two are really exhausting," Odalia sighed wearily after watching the exchange between Alador and Gaius.
Unfortunately, she hadn't noticed the suspicious look Alador shot her.
"D-dears, not in front of Gaius!" Alador ignored Odalia's protests and kissed her before leaving in a better mood.
'I love these family moments, but…' Gaius thought.
However, he knew things would soon change. His mother's greed and ambitions would end up destroying the family he cherished so much.