The Girl Who Hacked The Magic System-Chapter 90 - Teaching an old man the basics

"But, without using skills?"

Ugh.

The hardest part about explaining stuff to this old-timer is that he apparently can’t think outside of the box. I mean, outside of the system.

"Yes, simply forget that the system exists for a moment. You don’t need a skill to see or hear, do you? Also, there is no skill for eating as well. Yet, you do those things all the time."

"But magic is not a frivolous thing like seeing or eating. It’s a blessing granted by the goddess."

It’s taking me a huge amount of effort not to groan audibly. The more Lovelace and I try to explain it to him, the more resistance we find.

"Even so, it is a blessing that is independent from the system. Some monsters are able to use magic, and they don’t have access to the system, do they?"

This argument of mine seems to have worked, as he opens his mouth to argue back and closes it again without saying anything.

Please, old man, listen to us.

I then remember another thing, so I follow up with another explanation.

"It’s like when you look into your mana core to awaken it and learn what elemental affinities you have."

"Look into your mana core to awaken it?"

This time, it’s not only Gundmund looking at me with his jaw dropped. Gramps and Granny, and even Uncle Jyllian, are doing the same.

Did I say something too unusual?

"Aurea, darling. What you did to awaken your mana core is not something most people would be able to do. I have never heard of another person doing it, actually."

"Oh..."

"You... did that to awaken your mana core?"

"Yes, Gundmund..."

"At the age of three."

My mother adds, like a very proud and doting parent. Which she is, by the way.

But the room falls silent, as if the people are having a hard time digesting the information.

"I see. So, that’s why you have that ’Arcane Genius’ title. You really are a genius, unlike anyone else in this kingdom."

"Gundmund is right. You are impressive, Aurea. Definitely my sister’s daughter. The fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree, after all."

Heh. I don’t know how to deal with compliments. And Lillian also seems a bit embarrassed by it, now that her brother included her in it.

And now that he mentions it... Mom is really amazing for knowing how to teach me and guide me when I awakened my mana core.

She even knew the incantations for those spells. Most mages won’t bother about them, because activating the skill for that magic makes it come to your lips automatically.

Or, at least, that’s how human mages learn their magic these days. The system makes everything too convenient, so they don’t put any real effort into it.

In any case, that’s not the focus now! We need to get this conversation back on track.

"But you aren’t able to see your mana core, Gundmund? Like, if you close your eyes and pay attention to the flow of magic within yourself?"

Gundmund closes his eyes and focuses for some time.

After a couple of minutes, he opens them again, and his face is filled with wonder and admiration.

"I saw it! I did really see my own magical body. It’s exactly like you described it. And it’s... it’s so beautiful..."

He looks like a blind man who has suddenly been given eyes. He is on the verge of crying right now.

If this man is the court wizard, allegedly the apex of what a mage can aspire to in his career in this kingdom, then I fear for the state of magic teaching in that royal academy.

It’s no wonder a mana-feeder would be able to infiltrate the palace, with all that blindness.

It took me and Lovelace a couple of minutes to figure out what was happening to the king. While this man was with him almost daily for months.

It’s terrible what religious fanaticism can do to a person’s brain.

"Now, repeat what you just did, but expand your field of perception outwards. Try to reach the magic in other people’s bodies."

Lovelace cuts it short, impatient to get this over with.

Gundmund takes some deep breaths to focus and closes his eyes. When he opens them again, his expression is more serious.

"I can see it now. It’s exactly like you two were describing. The difference between Halinard’s magic body and the body of everyone else... And also the amount and density of magic in the bodies of you two..."

"We can discuss mine and Lovelace’s magical prowess later. We need to focus on doing what we can to help my grandfather."

"Yes, you’re right, princess. But later, it will have to be discussed. Halinard, I ratify Lady Lovelace’s earlier diagnosis. There is something that has been draining your magical energy."

The king nods.

"I see. This is a highly sensitive secret of the kingdom. Talk about this should not reach other people’s ears in any circumstances. Understood?"

"Of course, father."

"Of course."

Everyone voices their agreement, including me.

"Lady Lovelace, what do you suggest we do to catch the culprit behind it?"

"To wait for it to come feed and catch it red-handed. I would need to mount guard until it comes."

Lovelace’s answer came swift, as if she already had thought it over a long time ago. And she probably did. It’s the obvious approach, after all. Except for one thing.

"Lovelace, you will have your daily sleep time. I’ll cover for you during that."

"But you’re a guest, Lady Lovelace... and Aurea, you are my granddaughter and a child. I couldn’t possibly let you do that."

"But if we don’t do it, who would be able to do it, grandpa?"

"Father... Aurea might be a child, but she is mature for her age and quite capable. She lived three years in the Barren Wilds, after all. Gundmund, you can attest to her level yourself, as you appraised her earlier."

"Actually, I wasn’t able to see her level or any of her stats at all. Which means that she is at least a couple dozen levels above my own. I wasn’t able to see her skills as well."

What’s with those gazes again?? Stop looking at me like that, please!

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