71 – What is magic?
“Excuse me? I don’t think I understand.” Magnus furrowed his brow, trying to grasp the weight of her question.
Tia floated closer, her expression unwavering. “What’s there not to understand? It’s a simple question when you think about it. What is magic?”
Magnus hesitated, unsure if he should give the answer he’d been taught. Magic is viewed and described in a certain way in many textbooks. “Magic comes from the ancient language of runes passed down by the Gods. By reciting the chants recorded in these symbols, we can unleash spells.”
“Hou?” Tia’s eyes narrowed playfully. “Is that the answer you’re going with?”
He closed his eyes, realizing it didn’t feel right. In the end, he wanted to give his own answer. What he felt deep in his heart. Even since he was little and everyone laughed at him for being weak, Magnus still found joy in magic for one reason. The answer that was read in countless textbooks, what scholars across the world would call the true definition of magic… But…
“No.” His eyes opened, more resolute. “Although that’s what most would call the definition of magic… no matter how I look at it, that’s just how you use magic. Not what magic itself is.”
“I see.” Tia’s smile widened with excitement, her gaze fixed intently on him. “This is getting interesting! So, I’ll ask again. What is magic?”
Magnus took a deep breath, searching for the words. “Magic… It’s hope. The hope to make our dreams come true. When we’re faced with the impossible, magic gives us the power to reach for something beyond ourselves.”
He looked down, feeling the weight of his words. “It’s not just about power. Magic is a way for us to express our deepest desires… to add color to a world that can feel so… empty. When everything feels lost, magic gives us hope that maybe—just maybe—we can change things.”
A brief silence settled over the void as his answer lingered.
“Aha~Hahahaha!!”
And then Tia burst out laughing, holding her belly and floating around him with infectious joy.
“Oh, this is priceless! Such a pure, heartfelt answer… I love it!” she giggled, wiping an imaginary tear from her eye. “You might actually be a genius, Magnus! But such innocence…”
Magnus wondered if his answer had been too… strange. Maybe he’d overthought it or even given Tia the wrong impression. But, at the end of the day, it was his answer—what he truly believed.
When Tia finally calmed herself, she looked at him with a warm, lingering smile. “You know,” she began, amusement still glinting in her eyes, “I’ve heard countless answers before, but never one as funny as this. It’s so… childlike.”
Magnus blinked, uncertain if he should be offended or grateful.
“But,” she continued, twirling gracefully around him, “it’s a fresh change of pace. Lady Senya also thought that magic was more than a mere tool for just casting spells. In a sense… you and her are not that different.”
Magnus stiffened, surprised at the mention of Senya. Not that different? To be compared with his idol… he wanted to inquire more, but before he could press her further, Tia twirled one last time and floated closer, her expression turning serious.
“Alright, Magnus,” she said, with a weight that left him holding his breath. “I’ve made up my mind.”
He felt her tiny hands cup his face, her gaze locking onto his as if reading something deep within. “I deem your answer to be adequate.”
“Does that mean…?” Magnus barely dared to breathe.
“Yup!” she nodded with a grin. “The staff is now yours. Just one more thing.”
Before he could process her words, Tia leaned forward and, with a mischievous smile, planted a kiss on his lips. A sudden rush of warmth filled him, and the world around him blurred as his vision dimmed, his consciousness slipping away like a fading dream.
------
Naja waited patiently on the other side of the door, thoughts swirling as turbulent as her emotions. Part of her truly hoped Magnus would succeed, to prove himself worthy of Ophelia’s power. But another part clung to a more cynical belief—that Ophelia would only ever accept Senya as her wielder.
Suddenly, the ground began to shake, and an unsettling noise echoed from behind the door. Alarmed, she swung the door open to investigate.
The sight before her left her speechless: a massive vortex of mana raged around the room, swirling with a ferocity that caused the very earth to tremble. And in the eye of the storm stood Magnus, roaring like a dragon, Ophelia held high above his head.
“The staff that no one has ever controlled…” she whispered, her eyes wide. “It accepted a new wielder?”
This was unlike anything she’d ever seen. The Staff of Great Beyond had never been seen to accept any type of mana. Ophelia wasn’t merely reacting to the mana; it seemed to harmonize with it. She watched in awe as the light gradually faded and the violent mana settled, leaving a calm stillness in its place.
“Whoa!” Magnus exclaimed, a look of wonder on his face. “It’s like… my understanding of magic has transformed. The staff… it’s combining with my own thoughts, as though it’s guiding me, almost providing assistance.”
The knowledge was flooding into him, each spell formula reshaped, simplified, as Ophelia’s ancient wisdom synchronized with his own, making even complex concepts clear and intuitive.
“This is incredible!”
As Magnus marveled at the new power now pulsing within him, Naja approached him, her face set in deep respect. She dropped down as low as her lamia allowed it, bowing with a grace that made the moment feel timeless. She extended her hand toward him, her voice soft and reverent.
“Magnus… it seems you truly are a legendary figure. I recognize you as Ophelia’s rightful wielder… and I accept you, Magnus, as my consort.”
Magnus, still in awe gracefully accepted Naja’s hand and helped her stand.
“Once again, Naja, this unity is for the sake of Ephiria. I’m sure together we can achieve long lasting peace.”
A slight blush on Naja's cheeks made her fluster, but she quickly regained her composure. Was she happy at the end of the day? Magnus couldn't quite tell.
“One question,” she said, tilting her head toward something behind him. “Who is the little girl behind you?”
He turned around, eyes wide, only to find...
“Huh? Tia?”
And at that, Tia popped into view, grinning playfully. “Boo!”
“What do you mean Boo!? Why are you here?”
“What? Did you really think that because the space disappeared I would disappear too? I’m a familiar. A living and breathing being. It’s not like I’m made of magic to just go poof!”
“Then… why…”
“You own Ophelia now. It's quite simple. That means you also own me. Let's get along, papa!!”
“Eeeeh!!!? Papa!? Where did that come from?”
It was clear that Magnus had lots of explaining to do. Not just to Naja, but to all the girls in Bloomhaven too. Magnus foresees some very rough times waiting for him in the near future.