Chapter 4 “Magic Retard”
Blind to the actual thoughts of the child, Clark appears satisfied with the look he’s getting and returned his attention back to the crystal ball: “Come, let me see if you have the talent. I agreed to teach you, but that’s only under the pretense that you have the talent first. Otherwise…”
“What should I do?”
“Put your hand on the crystal ball and hold it tight, then think of something. Whether it be happiness or anger, anything that can stir up your emotions. Now let me see your talent.”
Doing as told by taking two steps forward, Du Wei placed his hand on the tiny crystal globe. To his surprise, the thing was exceptionally smooth and cold to the touch.
“Concentrate, now, think. Try your best to remember your most profound memory,” Clark’s voice resounded next to the boy’s ear.
Eventually, the crystal ball begun to glow before Clark’s eye as Du Wei searched through his past. From a soft faint glimmer, the light gradually evolved into a radiating brightness of astounding nature.
“Hmm?”
While the mage appears fascinated by the strong reaction, Du Wei on the other hand wasn’t faring so well. He’s agitated, unnerved by the memories of his past life. From his youthful dreams of his former self, to his life, his goals, everything, gone! All of it was gone! The more time he spent here in this strange medieval natured world, the more he adapted to the norms here while more and more of those important memories faded into nothingness. Du Wei knew this phenomenon was considered normal; after all, human memory and emotions fade with time. But that still doesn’t change the longing and sense of sadness over this ending. He’s disappointed by his own lacking….
Before long, Du Wei’s breathing had begun to increase and his heart pounded away like a rocking drum. It appears the crystal ball has a mysterious power to amplify his emotions. If this continued then things might get dangerous.
“That’s enough, my child.” Clark’s voice was indifferent as his hand touched the boy’s head, allowing his power to flow into that little body and calming the chaotic emotions. “Not bad… You are not even six yet and your aptitude for learning magic is already on par with a magic apprentice. If I had to put an estimate on your spiritual pool, its about twice the amount of an average person’s. And considering your age, child, I am quite satisfied with what you’ve shown me.”
Putting away the crystal ball, Clark indicates Du Wei to take a seat first with his finger. “Now we are moving onto the second phase of the test by having you perform the simplest magic out there. First, I want you to meditate and feel the power floating through the world around us. Let me know when you’ve achieved that.”
Memorizing the spell chant with the strange pronunciation imparted to him by this man exuding a strange air of rot and death, Du Wei then did exactly as tell and became a stone.
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“Concentrate and meditate with your heart. This is a crucial step so focus. Many more talented individual before you have failed this part so don’t take it lightly.”
“What should I do now?”
“You don’t have to do anything aside from what I just told you. Repeat the spell in your head and feel your surroundings. Feel the heat, the cold, or sound, anything will do.” Pulling an hourglass out of his pocket, Clark now awaits in silence.
Minutes later, posture change.
A quarter hour later, nothing….
After a good while later, Du Wei finally opened his eyes again, the face serious: “Mr. Magician.”
“Oh! Did you feel anything?”
“I… I am feeling hungry.”
“….”
Disappointment filled Clark’s eye over this answer, This child has excellent spiritual talent but not a delicate heart to observe the world.
The size of one’s spiritual pool, or “spirit force” by most, was of course important. However, it wasn’t the only standard for one could simply improve their spiritual pool by meditating over their lifetime. Those born with a stronger spirit only meant they are capable of getting a head start. The crucial part lies in being able to sense the magical elements of nature.
Prior to this occasion, Clark have taught several students already. Many of whom are nowhere close to being as talented as the boy before him, but one did show the ability to perceive the wind during this very same test. Then later in life, that very same student eventually rose in his learning and status, allowing the person to become a genuine magician focusing in the wind element.
So what does that have to do with Du Wei’s test? Simple. Anyone not able to bypass this stage of sensing the elements are not suitable for becoming a mage, hence the reason why Clark found it such a pity at the outcome. And without surprise, the Earl’s heart also sank upon seeing how disappointed the mage’s expression was upon coming out.
“Earl Raymond, I am sorry, your son doesn’t have the talent to become a real magician. It seems like the Goddess didn’t choose him. You should seek out another path for him.” Pausing for a second, Clark then followed up with another sentence that didn’t quite get through to his recipient, “I have to say, during my thirty-six years of life, I have never seen someone like your son.”
Heaving out a long sigh, Clark then strode away to only turn around right before the door, “Oh, this is just my suggestion. If he really does want to become a magician, there is another way. You can let him choose Magic Alchemy as his field as a last resort. At the very least a Magic Chemist is still considered a branch of the magical family.”
With everything that needs to be said, the dark-robed mage then sprinkled some more gold powder onto himself like in the room back there. In a ‘puff’ of smoke, the person was gone, disappearing under a ball of flame.
Apparently, due to Clark’s own arrogance and his half-hearted sentence there, the Earl has come to a misleading conclusion about his son being a true retard.
What he really should’ve said was this: Never in my thirty-six years of life have I seen someone so talented yet be unable to grasp the elements of nature.
By saying it in that fashion, all the misunderstandings about Du Wei would’ve been dispelled. From being illiterate to deficient, everything would’ve been a thing of the past. But now, due to the repeated misunderstanding with Mr. Rosia, and now Clark, Du Wei has truly been branded as an idiot not only by his father, but by all the residences of the capital.
“Even if you are more stupid, you can’t be any worse than that Rowling idiot.” Many aristocratic nobles would educate their unruly children with this saying to motivate their children since this day.
Just like that, Du Wei has become the focal point of a counter lecturing tactic. So where does his future lie now? In truth, no one knows the answer to this troubling question.
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