#Fact 8: For those who know about that famous dark theory about the pokemon anime... Travis isn't in the coma at all after he got electrocuted by the thunder, and all of his adventures didn't come from his imagination...

Everything he has been through and all the people he met in the game are REAL.

At least, in the fanfic.

THEORY DEBUNKED OFFICIALY BY ME

~Cyrus's POV~

After the Headmaster gave me the keys to the magical training room, we have both left the Academy as I showed something to Travis.

"Look, Travis. A front of you lies the Royal Palace, the actual residence of the Royal Family."

We were standing not far from the Royal Place as we could see the impressive castle which was considered as the most beautiful building of the city-state, even though I believed it was the Royal Library in my opinion.

But that was such a magnificent palace ! There was a huge fortification old of a few centuries which were able to resist countless raids during the past wars, guarded by a few watchmen, and with 4 radiant towers which reached the 20 meters of height. There were also 2 other towers on the sides that served as outposts where we could also see lookouts.

Behind the walls was standing proudly the majestic Palace, where would lie the Royal family's apartments, the Sacred Flame's flame pit, and of course... the Royal Throne !

There was also a huge iron gate at the entrance, and a lot of royal flags were wonderfully prospering under the blow of the wind.

We could observe as well a patrol of guards who were walking in rhythm through the Place.

Travis looked quite amazed to see that.

"Wow... So that's where the King, the Queen, and the Princess are living ?"

I nodded to him as I explained proudly.

"This building has been built during the first days of the foundation of Atlasdam. It represents a symbol of power and prosperity alongside the Royal Place, the Royal Library, and the Royal Academy."

"What a royal city...", declared the boy, still innocent as usual when he asked. "Do we see sometimes the King having a walk right there ?"

"Ha ha ha ! You want to see someone from the Royal family, right ?!", I chuckled happily before I answered. "To tell the truth, the King is gone to a hunting session in the Woodlands for a few days."

"And what about the Princess and the Queen ?"

"Well, I believe that her Highness the Princess Mary must be suite busy today, as she has some responsibilities to handle as the future heir of the throne, including studying my lessons.", I explained when I frowned a bit. "About the Queen, sadly... She has been ill in her bed for a few weeks..."

"Oh... That's too bad.", mumbled Travis.

"I know. Can we go ?"

The boy nodded as he followed me while I was heading to the South.

I remembered that the building where lies the magical training room wasn't very far from where I lived. I would sometimes observe some scholars leading a few apprentices inside the building to teach them about the magical arts.

We walked through the large alley which started to be more crowded, but with the opening of markets permitting us to feel quite discreet, as I heard Travis's voice speaking to me.

"By the way, professor Cyrus. There are a few other scholars who are as smart as you, right ? So, why don't we ask them to help us find the man with the yellow helmet ? You should know it's better when we work together by being more numerous, right ?!"

"Quite a true remark, Travis...", I declared to him calmly when I answered him in a slightly serious tone. "But like I have explained it earlier, Travis, we are not allowed to make some research about the Sacred Flame or the Plague by order of the Headmaster, and it would be too risky if I attempted to collaborate with one of my peers... In other terms, what am I doing now is illegal, which means forbidden by the law."

I frowned a bit when Travis looked quite angry.

"And what the yellow helmet man wanted to do with the Sacred Flame, it isn't forbidden by the law maybe ?!", he protested angrily while knitting his eyebrows and shouted. "Really, I think that's completely absurd !"

His reaction somehow surprised me, as he was finding the Headmaster Yvon's forbidding completely unfair

"Me too, Travis... Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do to convince the Headmaster for now. All we can do is to only rely on ourselves..."

"..."

I watched at the boy who frowned while looking down at the ground, as he seemed to be quite upset.

~Travis's POV~

I couldn't stand why Cyrus's boss wouldn't allow anyone to search anything about the disease or the Flame, and that he would punish those who disobey the law. That was so unfair !

If I was him, I wouldn't care if we worried the city's inhabitants, especially if it could save them from the explosion the man with the yellow helmet wanted to provoke.

We arrived a front of a quite old building, which looked very vast and every window seemed to be closed for years.

I was impressed by the large black metallic door where I noticed the royal symbol that I've seen at the Academy.

Cyrus took the keys he retrieved earlier and started to open the large door.

"Here we go. Just make sure your shoes aren't dirty before entering."

He then pulled the big metallic doorknob and the door started to open when Cyrus let me enter first.

The room looked completely dark, which made me a little frightened as I got bad memories from the catacombs...

I entered and looked back at Cyrus who closed the large door.

KLANG !

The sound echoed through the room as I was wondering in what kind of place we were actually, as it went back to completely dark after the door closed.

"It's too dark to see anything, Professor... Have you brought a lamp ?", I asked curiously while trying to see through the dark.

"There is no need to."

Crackle !

"!!!..."

I was surprised, as I saw a small and warm fire which just appeared in Cyrus's hand and burned calmly while illuminating itself like a candle !

So, Cyrus has well the power to create fire with magic !

'It's like Therion's magic !'

I watched Cyrus as his spell was still burning in his hand, but without burning him when he looked above himself.

CRRRRrrrrr...

He then calmly threw his fire like a small ball in the air and suddenly.

CRAAAACKLLE !!!

"!!!..."

I saw a bigger fire which appeared on a chandelier in the ceiling, and suddenly the light appeared through the room, as I discovered the place where we were.

It looked to be an old but wide room, which was almost as big as Sunshade's tavern. There were big marble pillars that were supporting the ceiling, the rocky tile was surprisingly cleaned as I also noticed some weird circles at the center of the ground with many weird symbols.

There were also some small statues standing next to the closed windows, alongside a few vases, and noticed some kinds of targets made from a sort of smooth rocks at a corner of the place. There were also a few small iron braceros present in the room which weren't lit but I believe they would serve of something... and perhaps it was also to decorate.

Anyway, I was completely amazed by the place I was actually.

"Wow !..."

"I always liked how scholar instructors would surprise their students by doing so !", said the professor amusingly when he showed me the place. "My dear Travis... Welcome to the magical training room !"

So, that was the magical training room the Professor told me about ?! It looks more beautiful than I expected and so... magic !

Of course, I couldn't stop to roam everywhere and stare at everything interesting.

"That is incredible !... Why are they so many weird circles on the ground ?"

"These are arcane: they serve as landmarks to prepare the most advanced magical spells, but also as a radius of action for an apprentice learning the basis of magical arts. Generally, this area is only available for scholars apprentices and their master, but we can say that, in your case, you are an exception.", he explained to me while putting his hand over a marble pillar. "Indeed, this closed place has been built with a resistant structure to prevent any collateral damage outside. Here, you can use freely your powers without worrying about that."

"That's why there aren't any windows in this room...", I commented while looking above me, feeling so small inside such a place when I looked at the Professor. "But tell me, professor Cyrus... Where did magic come from ?"

"Oh, that's a very good question you're asking me, Travis !", he answered me happily when he added. "And each very good question has a long and complex answer. However, if I tried to tell you everything about the source of magic, it would take you 3 entire years of studies, I believe !"

"3 YEARS?!!!", I shouted surprisingly.

Cyrus nodded when he checked one of his books while responding to me.

"After, considering that everyone has a different rhythm of learning, it is still possible that it will only take you one year if you are so motivated at this point."

'But one year it's still too long !!!'

It seems Cyrus tried to reassure me at his best, even if it was hard to believe I will have to train my powers for one year. Indeed, Cyrus told me that his studies were very long and hard, and we mostly needed to be patient.

Honestly, I wasn't used to learning so much simply because I've never been to a school...

The professor bent down at my level and reassured me again.

"Though, I must admit you aren't experienced enough to get instructed with all the details, so I will improvise my lesson and resume you everything important about that subject if it can help you."

"Yes, please ! Professor !"

"But for that, you will have to listen to me carefully. Understood ?"

"Understood !", I agreed.

In reality, I was still determined to train for my powers as I did with sir Olberic, and when I was at Sunshade. But this time, I really wanted to give everything I could do !

After every adventure I've known with all my friends, I understood that I often used my powers to defend myself and the other, a bit how would do a superhero from these famous comics books, or even like a video game character !

Though there were many times when they weren't powerful enough to help me fight the yellow helmet man and his crazy superpowers, and I would often run out of electricity at some moments and getting tired.

If ever I lose my powers while I or one of my friends is in danger, I would be completely useless. Also, even if my powers make me run faster, I wouldn't be fast enough to protect my friends... And that's why I wasn't able to save Yusufa...

However, I didn't want this to happen anymore !

I have to find a way to get stronger and improve my superpowers, like being even faster or even training my "reflexes" like how Sir Olberic told me to.

Indeed, I will get a lesson about something fun, which is magic ! When I read some of these fairytale books, I would often dream to have magic powers like wizards, and now, I felt like my dream truly come true !

'Be serious, Travis !... It's not only for fun that you learn magic !'

I tried to be focused as much as I could because Cyrus told me it will be hard and I have to listen to him.

Honestly, I barely knew anything about magic when I came into that world. But if it's to help my friends and save the world, I have to know more about it, even if I have to go to school and get lessons for the first time !

I saw Cyrus standing up when he declared.

"Alright. This is the beginning of your first lesson."

CLAP !

He clapped his hand as I was ready to listen to him.

'Don't worry, guys... And you too, Professor... It's time for me to learn more for you !'

I noticed that I was standing in one of these magical circles with strange symbols drawn on the ground when Cyrus started to speak.

"First, let me ask you a question: what is present, around you ?"

'What does he mean by that ?'

"Well...", I was slightly confused, as I looked around myself when I responded to him. "There is you, professor... And also these pillars, these walls and..."

"Uh, no. I'm not talking about everything which is physically around you right now... In fact, my question is more general: when you're standing, walking, running at any places you have ever been... what was always present, no matter wherever you were ?"

Right now, I just understood the Professor's question was way harder than I thought.

Honestly, I didn't understand that: how can something be always with me wherever I was ?

Coult it be my clothes that I wear wherever I go ?

'No... I didn't have one when I landed in that desert...'

Or could it be all my hair that I always have even when I'm naked ?

'No, that's quite stupid.'

'Come on, Travis ! Be serious !'

There's no way I couldn't answer the Professor anything, else he would give me an "F" like kids who get bad results at school !

'Wait... the professor just said he wasn't talking about something physical... that we can touch...'

So, that has to be impossible to touch !

'Something which has always been present... wherever I was... that we cannot touch...'

"It isn't the air we breathe, outside ?", I asked the Professor.

"Yes, we can find that everywhere too... But that is still not the right answer.", he answered me in embarrassment, making me quite upset when he advised me calmly. "I would like you to find it by yourself... and I'm confident you already heard a lot about it... Just remember..."

"..."

Cyrus was looking at me like he was expecting a particular answer. In fact, I just noticed it couldn't be a simple one at all, else it would be way too easy !

But even finding the answer wasn't easy at all, as I didn't believe it would be the kind of question we could ask kids instead of something like "2+3= ?". Also, if I wanted to learn more about magic, wasn't supposed to be the one to ask for questions instead of him ?

No... I think I should try to look for that answer, even if it was very hard, as I didn't have to always let the others do things at my place.

I won't answer him "I don't know"... I will find the right answer by myself.

By the way, Cyrus also told me that it was something that I've already heard a lot... but I didn't know what he was talking about.

'Remember...'

I just got back in my memories once again, trying to find out the answer.

When I closed my eyes, I was already remembering everything which happened to me since I landed in that game, from when I met Therion in that tavern, to when I met Cyrus in jail. And since then, so many things have happened to me.

I've known so many adventures which were mostly fun and dangerous, like making a robbing inside a manor, or hunting in a vast forest. I've been traveling through that unknown country, even if I would cheat by teleporting myself through that blue vortex, but I discovered so many landscapes that I've only seen in books, like deserts, mountains, and even the sea ! I've eaten so many delicious meals, like that delicious steak from that inn or that salty chicken cooked by Tressa's mom, but also all these good APPLES which I had the pleasure to eat in pies, juice, and even in fritters ! I've also learned many things about the world, like harvesting plants for curing people, discovering the wild, and also about all the treasures we could find in this world. But the most important... is that I've met so many friends which I could count on and who have never watched me so badly as the people from the real world.

Ophilia, Cyrus, Therion, Olberic, Primrose, H'aanit, Tressa, and H'aanit... they all have been so nice to me even if I was a stranger to them.

Some were very sympathetic like Alfyn and Tressa, others were quite serious like sir Olberic, H'aanit, or even Primrose, but were still good with me... Cyrus too was nice to me as well, Ophilia was very sweet with me, and Therion too... he cared a lot for me.

They were all different, but I loved them all and I was so happy to have met them. With each of them, I had so many fun moments with them. I laughed with them, I told them some of my secrets and I even trusted them more than anyone. Even if sometimes there were some sad moments which made us upset... I've always been happy to have been with them.

For me, getting sucked inside that game was like an unexpected miracle. I was unhappy in my old world, but since I've discovered that switch and pressed that small button A... Everything was different, just like my life started since I fell in that desert.

And then, I've known everything which I wished for: having many good friends, traveling through a beautiful world, discovering so many things.

All of that was the best experience I've ever known.

'All of that, it's...'

"Magic...", I said calmly to myself, a smile on my lips as I felt peaceful.

'!!!...'

'But yeah !'

I got it right !

"It's magic ! The answer is magic !", I repeated happily while opening back my eyes.

I looked at the Professor who smiled at me proudly.

"That is correct ! You see that you can find the answer by yourself !"

"He he !... Thanks !", I scratched the back of my hair proudly.

Finally, the answer wasn't so hard to find ! Indeed, Magic has always been present with me wherever I go, even if I didn't use my superpowers, and I couldn't really touch it with my fingers !

"Now, listen to me.", said the professor when he explained to me. "Indeed, Magic isn't only defined by supernatural powers which permit you to control elements like the lightning, the fire, or even the light. In reality... it is present among us."

"..."

He walked a few steps while putting his hand over his chest and explaining wisely with such a soft voice.

"We might not be able to see it, but if we focus well, we could feel it inside us... Since the old Times, Magic is present among humans. It is, in fact, a pure force which links every living being and Nature itself... We could feel it everywhere: in the sky, in the sea, in the fire, in the earth... and most importantly, around us... It bathes in our world like soft light, able to appease any spirit from gloom and misfortune, and can be also influenced by our emotions...", he then stopped and closed his eyes. "When we close our eyes, we could feel all its pureness, and feel everything around us..."

As the professor looked so peaceful, I closed my eyes as well and focused on myself before taking a small breath.

Of course, I couldn't see anything with my eyes closed, and everything was black to me...

Though... by dint of remembering my memories as I could actually see them... I had the feeling there were many things that we didn't need our eyes to see them.

"... you're right...", I said calmly.

Indeed, I was feeling so peaceful while closing my eyes. It was a little like I left the place I was actually, and I could feel myself in another one where I could feel at peace, where I could forget my problems, and where I could imagine everything I wanted...

I have never done that experience before... it was like... my little escape...

Also, there were many things that I could see when I was there... Like the air... the wind... nature... the birds... the peace... people's feelings... my feelings... all these buildings around us... the fire which illuminated the room... everything which has been created by the earth even if I didn't know how... and of course...

Magic itself...

It seems like I didn't have to open my eyes to see all of these... All I have to do is to imagine what could be possibly around me and how much they are linked to me...

The professor was right... All of that formed a force that we couldn't see, but that we could feel...

'It reminds me a little of something that I've heard once in the real world...'

I smiled peacefully when I heard Cyrus's voice.

"By the way, I remember an interesting theory where each living being, including Man himself, has been created by magic from the 12 gods who built our world."

I calmly opened back my eyes, surprised by his theory, but I still felt calm as I replied with a smile.

"Oh, really ? I find that quite weird !"

"That is just a theory, you know !", chuckled the scholar before he added. "Anyway, what is important to take note of is that your emotions have an influence on your magic and how you use it."

"Ah, you mean my feelings, Professor ? That I should... control them ?", I asked, feeling quite unsure.

"That's right ! I can see that you progress well !", he told me happily when I listened to his lesson. "As a matter of fact, the kind of emotion you feel have an impact on the amount of magic you use, and it is necessary to learn how to be well focused when using it: if you feel nervous and that you try to use your lightning powers, you could feel troubled and use more magic that you need to create a spell, and that is not adviced. However, if you focus on yourself and control your feelings, the magic will slowly come naturally with more fluidity, and it will be easier to summon a spell. Do you manage to understand ?"

"Yes, I do.", I answered, finding his lesson quite interesting as I reminded something. "Indeed, I remember when I and my friends were in danger in these 2 caves... There were a lot of lightnings around me, and more than the other times, but I couldn't use my powers for a long time."

"That is perfectly normal ! Each person has a limited quantity of magic they can use, and the control of their emotions permits them to choose the amount of magic they need.", he explained to me as I became much curious while listening. "I imagine that you weren't completely able to control your magic flow the 2 first time you unleashed the powers, so you would have kept using unconsciously many magic in a shorter time."

"My magic flow ?"

"It is the steady stream of magic which is present inside you before you unleash it, and there are many ways to use it carefully and use the required quantity when you want to create a particular spell. For example, if you just want to create a small spark of the size of your hands, you will only use a very small quantity of magic from your flow, without taking into account your emotions. But if you want instead to summon larger lightning which reaches the ceiling, now you will need a larger quantity from your flow."

Even if Cyrus's explanation was quite hard to understand and that I didn't remember to have heard about magic flow before, I managed to understand 2 or 3 things.

"Ah, ok ! It's like when I'm very hungry, I have to eat a big delicious apple, and when I'm just a little hungry, I just eat a few slices, right ?"

"Err... Yes, we could compare it with that !", he answered me when he clapped his hand and approached me. "Now, we can start in practice. Can you try, if you are able, to create a small spark with your hands ?"

"Yes, of course !", I shouted happily.

After listening to all his entire lesson, I wanted a lot to show my superpowers to Cyrus, as it's been a while since I haven't used them !

'It was what I was waiting for the most !'

So, I crossed my fingers and

Gzzz ! Gzzz !

SCRAAAATCH !

Blue electricity appeared around me, covering most of my body like an armor, with many sparkles traveling through my arms and my legs, and some thunders would hit either the ground or the ceiling.

My body illuminated the room around me in blue, and I would feel all that strength traveling through me... And it was magic !

SCRAAAAAATCH !!!

As most of my thunders were unleashed across the center of the room and hitting marble pillars, the professor stepped back in surprise, trying to not get hit by my thunders while he looked surprised.

"Oh !!!... That's fascinating !", he shouted amazingly.

"Thanks ! What do you think of my little sparks ?!", I asked proudly while raising my voice because of all the noise my powers made, so Cyrus could hear me.

"Well, I'm surprised that you already managed to create some in your hands !..."

Gzzz ! Gzzz !

As I started to unleash fewer thunders around me, I showed him my hands all the blue sparks which were flying out.

"Yeah ! I try my best to only use a little magic !"

"That is right ! What you're doing right now resume well in practice everything I told you about your amount of magic flow: the more you use, the more powerful will be your spells !", he explained to me while rising his voice and continuing his lesson. "Indeed, you look to have understood my lesson well as you are focusing on your emotions. You just need to stay calm and your spells will come naturally."

"Thanks professor !"

Gzzz ! Gzzz !

I tried as much to focus on the blue sparks on my hands, watching curiously at my powers and trying to do what Cyrus just told me.

I stayed calm like earlier while watching at my powers, as I could see a little fewer sparks on my hands, but there were still some sparks on my arms that I didn't intend to create in the first place...

"Err... But I think focusing on my feelings is harder than I thought it would be !", I said to the professor.

"You feel still nervous, right ?", Cyrus guessed as I nodded to him before he showed me his hands. "Let me show you."

GZZZZZZ !!!

"!!!..."

Suddenly, I saw a few sparks appearing on Cyrus's hands, which were yellow instead of blue !

He was doing exactly the same thing I was doing with my magic, and there were even fewer sparks on his hands, just like he was able to control them !

"You... you can create electricity too ?!"

"Lightning magic is part of the basic spells we learn in the training room. Indeed, if you keep practicing about focusing yourself and using as little as possible the quantity of flow you need, after several years of experience and training, you will be able to summon some without almost any effort.", the professor explained his lesson calmly while he started to create even more yellow sparks between his 2 hands.

"Woah..."

'He doesn't look tired at all !!!'

It was incredible to see Cyrus using his superpowers while he was acting like he was giving a school lesson !

Indeed, it's been 15 years since he was mastering magic, so he must be very good to use his magic without being tired and creating such spells !

Me too, I wanted to do the same thing as him one day !

Gzzz ! Gzzz ! Gzzz !

We were both still using our lightning powers with our hands when I watched curiously at his yellow sparks and had an idea.

I approached my blue sparks to his yellow ones...

"Wait, what happens if we..."

"TRAVIS, NO !!!"

SCRAAAAAAAATCH !!!

Too late ! A bunch of blue and yellow electricity just suddenly unleashed between us and created a big noise through the room !!

"..."

We became speechless, astonished.

Our hair became strangely all frizzy and our faces were covered by soot !

Both surprised, we didn't even dare to move...

Oops ! I think I shouldn't have done that !

"Is this what happens when we mix blue and yellow electricity ?", I asked in a low tone.

"I'm afraid that you will have still a lot to learn, my boy...", answered Cyrus in an embarrassed tone.

~Later~

We were both back to normal, and now, there was a target made of smooth rock which Cyrus placed a front of a wall.

He wanted to show me something as he placed himself a few meters away from the target.

"Alright. You will now try to reproduce what I will do with my lightning spells. Are you ready ?"

"I'm ready !", I said as I was watching him not far from where he was.

"Good."

GZZZZZZZZZZZZZ !!!!

The professor created a ball of electricity between his hands before he slowly distanced his hands from each other and

SCRAAAAATCH !!

A yellow lightning just appeared between each palm of his hands !

"...!!!"

I stayed speechless after what I just witnessed, as it was still hard for me to believe that a smart man like Cyrus would have powerful magic powers ! And he didn't look to have a hard time doing such a thing !

"Now, try to reunite the sparks of your hands as I do.", he said while the lightning was still unleashing between his palms.

I approached Cyrus and stood next to him and watched at his hands again before watching mine, as I was still hesitant about the control of my powers.

"How do I do ?"

"Just focus yourself.", advised me the Professor with a smile.

GZZZZZZZZZZZ !!!

Despite I looked quite unsure if I would be able to do it or not, Cyrus looked so confident about me.

So, I took a small breath and focused on myself.

'Alright... Here we go !'

Gzzz !! Gzzz !!

Blue electricity covered my whole body again as soon as I crossed my fingers, but this time, I was doing my best to create fewer lightnings than usual, as I wanted to do the exercise.

While trying to stay calm, I watched at the sparks traveling through my hands when I faced them distanced them a little from each other them.

Then, I continued to focus my powers again and again...

Gzzzz !!! Gzzz !! Gzzz !!

GZZZZZZZZZZ !!!!!

Finally, a blue lightning appeared between my hands !

This one looked smaller than Cyrus's but it was a little bigger, as I could feel all its power between my hands !

"It works ! It works !", I shouted happily.

"Great ! Now, try to last it for longer !"

GZZZZZZZZ !!!

We both continued to unleash our thunder between our hand, as I was more focused on mine.

In reality, I was doing the best I could to make that thunder lasting for a longer time, as I could feel my hands trembling. I could feel the lighting being a little unstable compared to Cyrus's one, with my palms feeling itchy as I wasn't used to doing that with my powers.

However, I didn't have too much trouble as I managed to stay calm like how the Professor advised me.

I watched at him bringing closer his hands, making his lightning less long as he raised his voice.

"And now, look at my movement !"

His hands then formed a "V" and

SCRAAAAAAATCH !!!

Suddenly, a big yellow lightning appeared from his hands at a quick speed and directly hit the target right on the mark !

"!!!..."

I was so surprised by what he just did that I flinched and almost lost control of my small lightning, but I managed to stay focused while watching his incredible action.

Really, I couldn't believe he was able to create such a single but powerful lightning that would exactly hit a target ! Perhaps he was even able to more things with his lightning powers than I could !

SCRAAAAAAAAAATCH !!!

The yellow lightning continued to hit the target while moving a little when Cyrus, who looked more focused this time, made it disappear as he stopped using his powers.

"Now, focus on the direction of your lightning and aim at the target !"

"Okay, I will try !", I exclaimed while preparing myself.

As my blue lightning was still electrocuting between my hands, I decided to approach them and to form a "V" like how the Professor did when

GZZZZZZZZ !!!

I felt so many electricity between my hands that it was so hard for me to stand in place, as my hands couldn't stop to tremble, but I tried my best to aim and

"HA !!!"

SCRAAAAATCH !!!

I did the same as Cyrus and I was now shooting a big lightning on the wall while aiming with my hands, focusing all my lightning powers in one place !

I was really impressed by what I just did, but I wanted to be serious and I continued to release all my magic towards the target.

However, my lightning would only hit besides the target, as I wasn't as accurate as Cyrus, and there were also more lightnings from my hands which keep hitting the wall !

I wanted to do the same thing as Cyrus, but it was much harder than I believe to hit the target. My hands couldn't stop to tremble with all the electricity I was shooting.

So, I continued to aim at the target as the lightning started to approach it and I screamed with all my strength.

"HAAAAAAAAA !!!!"

SCRAAAAAAAAATCH !!!

I was now releasing so much electricity that I almost lost my balance and Cyrus quickly stepped back.

Suddenly, I saw something that appeared from nowhere and which flew towards the thunder I was releasing !

"!!!..."

'The vase !'

An iron vase was just attracted by the blue lightning before it started to fall down and

CRAACK !!

It then just broke into several pieces !

I was so surprised that I couldn't handle the huge amount of power in my hands and fell backward.

SCRAAATCH !!!... GZZZZ !!! GZzzz !!

All the lightning have disappeared, and my body wasn't covered with electricity anymore.

As Cyrus was covering his face in fear of being hit, I was feeling quite exhausted after using so much of my powers and started to breathe heavily.

I was a little upset as I wasn't being able to hit the target but I was still so shocked about what just happened.

I watched at the broken vase which belonged to the room and felt guilty.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Professor !... I didn't want to break it !...", I apologized to Cyrus while taking my breath, but he didn't answer me. "Professor ?..."

He just approached the broken vase and examined the pieces curiously, as I noticed they were made of metal.

The professor looked well concerned by these pieces when he mumbled.

"...That's incredible..."

"What's incredible ?!..."

He looked strangely impressed as he stood up and still watched at the broken vase when he told me in a calm and curious tone.

"It seems that when you tried to focus on your power, you unconsciously attracted that metallic vase to yourself... just like a magnet."

"!!!..."

So, it was because of my powers that the vase was attracted ?! But I didn't mean to do that !

'Wait a minute...'

"Hey... I remember to have already done that a few times !"

"Yes, you told me earlier that during your trip, something similar has occurred twice when you attracted an axe..."

"...and a knife !", I finished at his place.

"...", the professor was thinking for a while, as I was rather curious when he finally explained to me. "I was right: generally, when scholars apprentices are learning to master lightning spells and did the same exercise as you, there was no risk for them to hit another remote target like this vase... but your own lightning powers, Travis, are a whole different level."

"You mean..."

"What you did just proved me that your lightning magic has particular and various properties.", the professor replied when a smile started to appear on his face and declared. "Now, it starts to be interesting !"

I was well concerned by his reaction: Cyrus looked so amazed after making this discovery although he wasn't expecting this. I couldn't clearly imagine what he has in mind and what made him so excited.

I thought he would be angry towards me after I broke that vase...

Curiously, I watched at Cyrus who took something from his pocket and showed it to me.

"Could you rub your fingers on that piece of tissue ?"

"How long ?"

"10 seconds will be enough."

I took the tissue from Cyrus's hand as I felt quite unsure of myself and confused about what he asked me to do.

I didn't even manage to clearly understand: why did the professor want me to rub my fingers against that thing ? It wasn't like my hands were dirty !

However, something was telling me that Cyrus hasn't asked me to do such an odd thing during such a moment, especially during my first lesson... and after what I just did.

Also, from a way or another... I started to have faith in him.

Anyway, I did what he asked me to and

Gzz !

We noticed a small blue spark which appeared for a very quick while, as I felt well astonished.

"!!!... Have you seen that, Professor ?!"

"Give it to me, now.", he extended his hand as he became very curious.

I gave the issue back to the professor before he took an iron key from his pocket.

After examining both objects, he held the piece of tissue with 2 fingers while his other hand was holding the key.

He then dropped the key and, to my surprise, instead of falling... the key was attracted by the issue and clung to it !

"!!!..."

We were both amazed by what we just saw as the professor declared.

"Now that's fascinating !"

"It just attracted the key !"

Even though I didn't have any idea of how a simple tissue could attract a key by magic, I started to enjoy the discoveries Cyrus and I made today about my superpowers !

Cyrus gave me the piece of tissue and let me observe it, as I started to have fun to hardly remove the metallic key away from the tissue and to attract it back.

"Do you have understood what this means, Travis ?"

"Err... I have the power to make objects attracting metal things !", I guessed happily.

"Well, to be exact... Your fingers have the ability to create a phenomenon of magnetism to a simple object by producing an electric reaction while rubbing your fingers."

"An electric reaction ?"

Even if I didn't clearly understand some words, I continued to listen curiously to the professor.

"Let me explain: in our world, we could find many resources, like iron, that are naturally filled with electricity and can have magnetic particularities which attract other metallic objects thanks to the static energy."

"Wait, they have already electricity inside ?"

"We could say that, but it cannot be seen with the naked eye, and we have proven through experiences that they have a lot of particles which permit to create an electromagnetic field.", Cyrus explained, as he noticed I had some trouble to understand when he continued. "In simple words, they can attract metallic objects, but their phenomenon of attraction isn't powerful enough. The solution is to amplify it by creating an electric reaction, and for that, we need something like a piece of leather that we rub to the magnet. And then, their attraction is powerful enough to attract metallic objects."

"Ah, ok ! It's like what happened when I rubbed my fingers on the tissue !", I answered curiously, as I was trying to understand as well but I was still a little confused. "But I still don't understand: I thought only things made of metal could attract objects..."

"Me too. In reality, our community of scholars have managed to confirm that scientific observation and hadn't found out any counterexample yet which could question this theory, even with magic...", told me the professor in a low tone when he became more positive. "But you, Travis, have finally proven otherwise: with your magic, it is now possible to give casual objects or surfaces electromagnetic properties ! Just like the wall on which you fall a few days ago !"

"So my powers are really able to change anything ?! Even everything about SCIENCE ?!"

"I guess so !", he exclaimed proudly when he looked down at me as I felt quite disturbed with all these changes. "And you know, Travis, Science is a domain which is so vast that we make discoveries each day, whether they are important or not. Over time, scientific advances are often occurring and permit us, searchers, to make incredible discoveries, to emit countless theories, and to disprove a large majority of them. For me, Science is like a long and eternal path with many turning points which are those amazing discoveries."

"Wow... You really know how to explain well...", I replied, impressed by his concept of Science when I asked him again."But if you say that Science is changing every day, how are we gonna find out the knowledge you told me about although we don't know anything yet ?"

"The answer is simple: it's our role, at us scholars, to seek for unknown knowledge and to study it. So, even if we have only a few clues, we just have to work hard for finding the whole truth about your powers.", he answered me proudly with determination, his hand against his chest.

"I guess you're right. So, that means that you will always have work ?!"

"Yes, thankfully ! Else, my work would be really boring if everything has already been found out !", he answered cheerfully.

'And he's proud of it !'

Honestly, by seeing how much Cyrus loved work as much as I loved apples, I started to doubt if he was really human, videogame character, or not...

~Later again~

"Well, Travis ! Now, you will try to attract my keys from your position !"

"Understood, Professor ! But are you sure I'm not too far from you ?!"

"It's alright! I think you can do it from that distance !"

About 10 minutes after the exercise with the target, Cyrus has managed to remove the broken vase remains, and now he was proposing to me a new kind of exercise !

This time, he was standing at the end of the room while I was 10 meters away from him, and he was now holding the same keys as earlier.

That's right: he wanted me to redo the same thing I did with my axe and Primrose's knife !

"Remember: I will drop them when I think you will be able to attract them !", repeated Cyrus, as he was ready to drop the key.

"Okay !"

SCRAAAAATCH !!

I activated my superpowers once again while trying to control my feelings like earlier and watching carefully at the key.

Many sparks were covering my whole body, especially around my hands, but differently than earlier.

GZZZZZ !!! GZZZZ !!

"COME TO ME, KEYS !!!", I shouted while gathering my powers.

It wasn't an easy exercise as well because I couldn't see that "electromagnetic force" which was invisible according to the professor.

"JUST TRY TO PRODUCE THE SAME FORCE YOU FELT WHEN YOU ATTRACTED YOUR AXE !!", exclaimed Cyrus while he was still holding the key.

I tried to attract his key from far, but it didn't move yet, so I decided to use more and more power.

GZZZZZ !!!

SCRAAATCH !!!

I used so much electricity that I accidentally unleashed thunders on my sides, and I saw Cyrus who finally dropped the key.

It was about to fall on the ground... but suddenly, it flew towards me at an incredible speed in direction of my head !

"WATCH OUT, TRAVIS !!!"

"AAAAH !!"

I quickly bent down in fear and avoided the key which continued to fly through the training room and

CRAAAASH !!!

I broke another vase !

Gzzz ! Gzzz !

I deactivated my power by crossing my fingers, as I was still quite shocked.

Once again, I managed to attract a metal object from a long distance, but it was too fast so I could catch it !

Could there be a way to attract it a little slower ?

"It's all right, Travis ! You're just starting to learn, and you managed to attract them at least ! We will just do more tests !", encouraged me Cyrus.

I watched him taking some notes on a piece of paper, as he wasn't annoyed by the fact I wasn't able to attract the key properly, and neither by the other vase I broke.

'I think his boss will be very mad at him because of me...'

~At the next try~

GZZZZ !!!

I activated again my power and felt more focused than last time.

"Try to focus on the direction where you want to attract !", exclaimed Cyrus while he was about to drop the key.

"..."

I tried not to use too much electricity for having that invisible force again, and even if it was quite hard, I started to remember how I managed to do that skill.

So, I gathered some sparks in my hands and tried to control them, just like they were rubbing against my hand, like when I rubbed my fingers on the tissue. Perhaps it could help me to get that invisible force again !

I watched at Cyrus who dropped the key and then, it was flying again in my direction, but much slower than before !

"That is correct !!", cheered Cyrus.

I smiled as I continued to control these sparks, and started to feel the same electromagnetic force as before, as I kept focusing on the flying key which started to go down while turning.

So, I gathered a little more sparks when the key finally approached me, so I extended my hand and... it just fell a front of me.

"You were so close ! Good job !", encouraged me Cyrus again like how would do a coach.

I watched at my hand again, as I progressively regained confidence in my powers and myself, with the control of my powers getting better and better.

If I continue to train every day, I'll be able to master them and be stronger !

~At the 3rd try~

I took a deep breath, feeling all the strength inside me, and crossed my fingers again.

SCRAAAAAAATCH !!!

Gzzz !! Gzzz !!

Normally, I would always unleash much electricity around me when I activated my superpowers. But this time, I've finally found a way to make sure to use less electricity around me the quickest possible right after summoning my powers !

Cyrus was once again at his spot, his hand still ready to drop the key.

"Go on ! Remember the manner you used !", he encouraged me.

I listened to him and prepared myself when he started to drop the key.

So, I quickly extended my hand and gathered blue sparks.

GZZZ !! GZZZ !!!

The key suddenly flew towards me at a slower speed than the first time, but at a higher speed than the second time...

I extended my hand, and by reflex, without moving... I caught them in flight.

I watched amazingly at the key and happily jumped up.

"I GOT THEM !"

"Excellent job !", congratulated the professor.

Finally, I was able to attract the key with magic by myself, and to even catch them with my hands !

I was so happy to have learned a new trick, and I'm sure the others would be so impressed to see that !

The professor proudly walked towards me as I was very excited.

"Have you seen that, Professor ?! Now, I can attract anything metallic !"

Cyrus chuckled at my reaction.

"I have to congratulate you on achieving the exercise !... But I believe you still have a lot of practice to do... For the moment, you have just managed to attract some small keys, which I believe are the easiest object to attracts before attracting heavier ones..."

"Oh..."

I felt quite upset, as I believed the exercise was still too easy.

Honestly, I would have preferred it was something harder...

The professor crouched down and put his hand on my shoulder while reassuring me.

"But there is nothing to be worried about, my boy. You did a good job when you managed to attract that key, and you start to make progress for controlling your powers."

"...thanks, Professor.", I answered him with a small smile, as I regained hope.

Really, he was such a nice teacher... Did the ones from the real world's schools are all as nice as him ?

~Later again~

This time, I wasn't training to use my superpowers.

I and Cyrus were both sitting on a chair while facing each other, and Cyrus was asking me several questions about my magic.

Scritch ! Scritch !

He was taking some notes with a feather and a quill when he asked me.

"Have you sometimes experienced fatigue after using your powers ?"

"...Yeah... Once, I had used so many lightnings to save myself that I couldn't move for a while..."

Indeed, when I and Primrose were in the catacombs, one lizardman tried to pull me in the precipice with spikes at the bottom.

I remembered to have released so many thunders above me to prevent myself to fall and to go back to the top. After that, I used my superpowers too much and my body was too lazy to move so Primrose had to carry me on her back...

"I see... And then, it needed you around an hour to recover your energy, am I wrong ?"

"Err... yes, no... well, I don't really know as I didn't have a watch... I mean, something to tell me the hour, at this moment. A bit like a charging battery, you know.", I tried to explain to him as I felt quite pensive. "But perhaps if I aimed better with my lightnings, I would have gone up quicker and be less tired."

"That's right. It's dangerous to use your powers too much, as your magic has a certain influence on your vitality and your health, and you are forcing yourself too often... you can die of exhaustion."

"!!!..."

What the professor just taught me made me disturbed...

Seriously... could I really die if I use my powers too much ?!

I heard the professor who looked quite impressed by me.

"Though, I cannot still believe how much a child like you could have such impressive stamina after creating such a powerful spells. And shooting bolts of lightning for elevating yourself wasn't mean to be an easy spell at all, and neither a common one..."

"Mmh... actually, even if this is kinda cool to shoot lightning by my hands like that, it's not really what I prefer to do the most with my powers.", I told him honestly.

In fact, it wasn't really my thing to throw thunder like that from a distance like how Cyrus would do.

The professor became well curious.

"Oh, really ? And how do you prefer to use them..."

SCRAAAAAAAAATCH !!

I grinned as I activated my lightning powers and left my chair.

"!!!!!..... What the... ?!!"

GZZZ !!! GZZZZ !!! GZZZZ !!! GZZZZ !!! GZZZZ !!! GZZZZZ !!! GZZZZ !!!

I dashed at lightning speed between the pillars, running around them a few times while letting an electric trail behind me before I quickly sat back in my chairs and deactivated my powers.

"Like that, Professor !", I said cheerfully.

"That's... that's... That's spectacular !", Cyrus was very astonished by what I just showed him as he became amazed and curious. "So, you can use your powers to increase your speed ?!"

"Yes ! Well... I became as fast as lightning !", I answered proudly before I continued. "And I can also punch very hard and protect myself from big shocks with my lightnings surrounding me, but I still have lightnings which would hit the ground and the ceiling around me !"

Scritch ! Scritch ! Scritch ! Scritch ! Scritch !

I watched at Cyrus who couldn't stop to take notes about his famous observations, and I strongly believed that from all the things I could do with my powers, it was the one which interested him the most !

"Now, I understood how you were able to confront the creatures that you fought !", told me Cyrus while still writing.

"W-what does that mean ?"

He stopped to write as he became calm but still looked a little amazed.

"That means, Travis, that your principal way to use your powers is well different than the generic one !", he declared me when he explained. "Normally, when we teach how to use magic at the academy, we always use an elemental spell of ice, lightning, or either fire that we throw at a distance from our target, like an aggressive beast to defend ourselves."

CRAAAACKLE !!

He created a small fire on his hand as he continued.

"They are often powerful enough to summon when we are quite far from our enemies. However, they are way risky to use in close combat, especially again specialists in that fighting style. And of course, we, scholar, exercise more our brain than our body like any intellectual, so we are weaker in defense, he he !", Cyrus chuckled as he looked at me. "But you, Travis, you use your own magic to directly increase your physical strength, and also as a magical armor to increase my physical defense."

"My physical defense ?", I asked curiously, not clearly understanding what the professor meant when I had an idea in mind. "Can I just try something ?"

Cyrus nodded as I left my chair, picked up one of the remains from the broken vase, and crossed my fingers.

SCRAAAAATCH !!!

Electricity surrounded me again like an armor when I held the piece of the vase in my hands and started to gather more electricity around them.

"GNNN !!!"

Then, I tried to crush the hard steel with my bare hands and

CRAAACK !!!

I destroyed the piece in thousand ones !

Cyrus quickly stood up and became amazed again.

"Perfect ! This is exactly what I imagined !"

Scritch ! Scritch !

He continued to take some notes while I was still a little surprised that it worked.

GZZZZ !!! GZZZZ !!!

Despite the iron piece was very hard, I could feel armor in my hands and it was much easier as it's like I was crushing a nut !

"!!!... You're right, Professor !"

My lightning powers have well made my hands stronger as Cyrus have believed !

I then dropped the sharp pieces above my foot which was also covered by electricity... and felt almost nothing !

Gzzz !! Gzzz !!

I deactivated my powers as I was still impressed by that "armor".

"It didn't almost hurt my foot !"

"It's because you used your magic to cover your entire body, and your blue lightnings have simply cushioned the pain.", explained to me Cyrus while walking towards me when he continued. "To tell you the truth, the people which use magic to enhance their physical strength no longer exist today, and their powers are considered to be ancient..."

"Ancient ? Like Primrose's magic darkness ?"

"Of course, but there are still other examples of ancient magic. By the way, today's scholars have already studied it and tried many experiences, like enhancing their fist with a fire spell to give a more powerful punch. Sadly, it didn't work as the fire would burn the user's fist because its physical body couldn't endure well the magical power. Remember that magic spells are basically used to be shoot from a distance.", Cyrus explained with many details while he continued to speak. "However, Travis, it seems that your own body is exceptionally able to support the incredible power of your blue lightnings, as you can use it for a few minutes and to gather both your physical strength and your magic to give powerful blows. Indeed, the fact your elemental magic is lightning enhances even more the strength of your feet and permits you to run at considerable speed. Do you understand ?"

"Yes. Me too, I find that very cool that my magic permits me to be stronger, quicker, and also to not get hit too hard.", I answered him, understanding that my powers were different from everyone else when I became confused. "But I still don't understand how the man with the yellow helmet was able to hit me normally although I was protected by my powers..."

True...

In that cavern full of crystals where I and Philip were trapped, I had to fight him for the very first time. However, he was way too strong, and my powers weren't strong enough against his magic, so I couldn't do anything until Sir Olberic saved us...

Actually, his powers were quite strange, with that weird green force field and that green light surrounding his arms...

I still felt quite troubled by these memories when I heard Cyrus who made a deduction.

"Hmm... If you say that he attacked you by giving you physical blows... I believe this individual also uses the same kind of magic as you."

"!!!...", I just understood Cyrus's remark and shouted. "But you're right ! That's why I wasn't able to hit him as well with his weird green magic !"

"Actually, he could have found a way to enhance even more his magic at specific parts of his body to either protect himself or increase the power of his blows."

"W-what to do you mean, professor ?"

I didn't understand his explanation again, but this time, I wanted to know more.

"Let me explain: imagine there are two individuals who have the same magic as yours and him who are fighting each other. At a moment one of them tries to punch his stomach with a blow filled with magic, and his opponent's basic defense enhanced by magic isn't hard enough to protect himself. So, he will need to concentrate better his magic's flow around his stomach to better withstand the attack.", he explained to me by pretending to have magic around his stomach to help me to better understand when he showed his foot. "Conversely, if the second opponent wants to ripost with a kick blow, but his adversary's magic basic defense is hard enough to withstand it, he will need to concentrate even more his magic flow around his fist to break the enemy's defense. To be clear, my theory insists that their fighting style is based on giving the right amount of magic at the right spot and at the right moment."

"Hmm... That sounds like quite complicated, to me...", I sighed annoyingly.

Really, learning magic was much harder than I would have expected, as the professor has been definitely gone so far in his lessons, and not a single detail would escape him !

With so many things to learn, I started to have a huge feeling that I would be at least 80 years old when I will master my powers...

Though I was still pretty curious because for now, I wasn't the only one to use my superpowers like armor and also focusing my lightning on my body parts to protect ourselves. And even our stomach !

I looked down at my feet, imagining them covering of electricity when I flinched and quickly realized something.

"!!!... Wait ! I remember when I and H'aanit have fought that giant creepy rabbit, that I was running faster than usual !!"

"Well see, young boy ! You could have unconsciously enhanced your magic flow around your feet to increase even more your speed !"

But YES !!! That's why I was running even more faster and that sometimes I avoided some blows from the giant creepy monkey I fought with H'aanit and Linde !

Now, that made so much sense !

I was so curious that I couldn't stop imagining what I could do with my powers and told Cyrus.

"Hey ! I have an idea ! I could also jump further with more electricity around my feet !"

"I believe that could be possible !", he answered me positively when I was about to jump but he calmly stopped me. "... but I would advice you to not try here ! You could get your head hit by the ceiling..."

I gave up on my idea, feeling a little upset but still happy to get such an amazing idea.

I breathed calmly, as I was finding fun the lesson Cyrus was teaching me. Even if it was quite hard to understand his lessons and to do some exercises with my powers that he showed me... all of that was such a great pleasure...

However, I started to be so concerned about how powerful was my magic, and that perhaps the reason why Cyrus told me it would take me a year to learn magic is that my magic is kinda astonishing, compared to his and that of others...

Learning all of that will keep being hard... especially during such a moment.

"Is something wrong ?"

"N-not really...", I answered calmly with a frown, as I wanted to speak with him. "You know, Professor, I had the feeling that there were so many things that I didn't know yet about my powers, because with everything I could do with them... Now, I understand why the yellow helmet man wanted to capture me...", I felt quite guilty when I watched gratefully at Cyrus. "But you, even though you barely knew about them... I can't still believe that you could give me a lot of cool tips to use them... That's why I would like to thank you, Professor."

He smiled at me and ruffled my hair.

"...Well, you are welcome. And I would like to thank you as well for being so attentive to my first lesson with you. I might have a lot of experience in giving a class to many students, but it was truly the first time I work with such a young child."

His words were making me feel better as I replied while being a little happier.

"Me too, it's the first time I got a lesson from a teacher... but I think you were really good ! I would like you to teach me more about my powers !"

The professor was quite surprised by my decision but I could see he looked happy when he chuckled.

"You'll finish making me blush !"

I calmly chuckled back.

This professor was really incredible !

He was very nice to me since when we met and cared for me like I cared a lot for him as well.

That man was so smart that he could quickly find out the answer to any question, to any situation... and even know how to make me feel better.

Indeed, I was feeling better since I took lessons from him, feeling better to know more tricks about my superpowers which were strangely so powerful, and most importantly... I started back to have faith in myself again.

I've never imagined I would meet such a smart and amazing person like him, as I believed he was the smartest man in the world. And somehow, me too I wanted to be smarter and know many things about the world like him.

He too became my model besides the 7 others I already have !

Also, I remembered every model also have a model and wanted to become like them when they were younger...

I wanted to know more about that so I asked him.

"By the way, Professor... Did you have a professor too when you were younger ?"

"!!!...", Cyrus looked slightly surprised, as he became pensive when I saw a soft smile appearing on his lips. "Yes... Me too, in my younger days, like any scholar, we all have known the education from another experienced teacher... Mine was a renowned scholar who has been at the time the previous Headmaster thanks to all the countless knowledge she has sought... and her name was Rebecca Milestones."

"Rebecca Milestones ?"

I continued to listen to his story as Cyrus looked a little dreamy.

"When I arrived at Atlasdam 15 years ago, I could only fend for myself and I had nowhere to go... However, professor Milestones, who has been always been so nice and admirable with others, fortuitously raised me and immediately took me under her wing, as her apprentice. She was the one who made me discover the world of knowledge and their numerous scholars seeking it. Alongside many other students, she taught me everything from all the amazing work done by scholars, to the magical arts, and while I considered her as a wonderful professor, she considered me like her best apprentice, and perhaps even more...", he talked proudly about her, his eyes full of nostalgia when he took a small breath and put his book against his chest. "It was thanks to her that I wanted to become a scholar like her, she is my model, and I still owe her a lot..."

Cyrus looked so proud and amazed by his teacher, and it warmed my heart to see him happy while talking about her.

"She must be really amazing...", I said calmly, finding his story passionating when I asked him. "And... Where is she, now ?..."

Then, I watched at Cyrus's smile which slowly turned into a frown as he replied in a sad tone.

"Sadly... A few months after she raised me... She has lost her life..."

"!!!..."

I was so shocked to learn that I felt a sudden pain in my heart when Cyrus muttered.

"She has been found... murdered in her office..."

"W-what ?... But who could have done such a horrible thing to her ?! And why ?!", I shouted surprisingly, becoming more shocked than ever.

Cyrus looked down at the ground as he explained.

"At the time, this crime has caused such a scandal that it created havoc and melee in the scholar community. But despite the whole case which has been done for solving the crime, not a single culprit has been ever found, and the motive for her assassination became a state secret... In most of these case, we often have to hide some secret information related to the crime from the public for safety reasons, but even I and most of our community didn't have access to this exclusive knowledge.", he then sat on his chair, looking sad as he sighed and added. "Though... I always believed that she might have discovered something important which led to her death..."

"Like what ?..."

"I have no idea... Since then, Professor Yvon took the place of Headmaster, and there could be a great chance that he should know more details about that awful tragedy..."

I felt very bad for him...

How could someone kill such an amazing person like her ?!... Seriously, I didn't understand...

Cyrus looked to like his teacher a lot, and it must have been so hard to have been separated from her... like how I and the others have been separated from our close ones.

"I'm so sorry, Professor... Your teacher was so nice that she didn't deserve to die at all..."

"You're right... Sadly, we often say that the first are the first to go...", he mumbled sadly before he looked at me with concern. "This is also why I'm worried about you: the powers you have are very desired and you already know a lot about them. People would always have many foes if they are aware of something which they weren't supposed to know, and this is the reason I want us to be carefully cautious in our investigation."

I looked down at the ground, my hands behind my back as I would sadly agree with what Cyrus told me.

"I know... It could be because of them that I often get problems since I arrived in this world... I didn't tell you before, but my life became hard since I'm here... With everything which is about to happen here because of the yellow helmet man, I don't know how I will manage to get through everything one day..."

I felt so upset and well stressed while imagining everything bad which could happen to me, as we never know what could happen...

Cyrus stood up from his chair and bent down at my level.

"We will find a way to get away with all of this. I promise you.", he said calmly while putting his hand on my shoulder in a reassuring manner.

I looked back at him trustingly, as Cyrus looked so honest and caring and calmly nodded to him.

Now, I understand how much it was important to accomplish things together: if ever one felt sad and too scared to not succeed, someone else would find a way to cheer him up.

If ever I never met Cyrus, if instead, I continued to do things alone like how I was used to doing up there in the real world... It would be way too hard for me to endure problems, and also... I would have never been happy.

It was sad to be alone, to not be loved by someone that we love in exchange, and to do anything we do to help him for not being alone as well...

Like how would do true friends...

Like how would do... a family...

I watched at Cyrus who looked again at his notes when he spoke.

"Actually, I think you showed me already many things with your powers, and even if you still need to train to master them... I have the conviction they have still a lot of things they are hiding. However, I cannot still confirm if they could be useful to fix the Sacred Flame at its normal state."

"Really ? So, how are we gonna know ?"

"Sadly, I think it is time to put an end to your lesson of magical arts for today, as we have better things to do..."

"Oh, too bad... I would have preferred to train more... But if you say that it's for our investigation, I agree to follow you, Professor !"

"We could still have another one tomorrow if you want.", he proposed to me when he added. "But for now, we have to find the missing information to study further your powers, and for that, we have to borrow a certain book."

"A certain book ?"

"Yes. Indeed, it was a work that I foresaw to read for a while, and the place we should go to get it is none other than the Royal Library."

"Oh, you mean the place where we could read a lot of books ?!", I replied curiously as I became interested. "Me too, I was used to go inside a library to read books when I was bored in the real world !"

"I see that ! But you will see, it's such a wonderful place for any book lover and the best ally for any scholar in search of knowledge !", told me Cyrus happily.

"So, what are we waiting for ?!!"

I was pretty excited to go, especially since it's been a while I haven't been in a library since I left the real world.

"It's not too far from here. Here we go."

So, we left the magical training room, and now my first lesson has finally ended.

Though, I believe I will still learn a lot of things about my powers today...

~Cyrus's POV~

We were walking through the alley while heading to the north, with Travis closely following me.

Honestly, I was satisfied that he was interested to go to the Royal Library, as I wanted absolutely to show him that amazing place. But we didn't have a lot of time to wander as I needed to get the book and to study it deeply to find some answers about the flame's behavior and Travis's power.

His lighting powers were truly astonishing: during my 10-year career, I've discovered many forms of magic which were so powerful and stunning, but that one... it was definitely the most incredible magical art I've ever seen.

That child was able to use that blue mysterious electricity to move as fast as lightning, and use it to increase his physical strength, a skill which was considered "impossible" to reproduce at the Academy with normal spells.

I was very impressed that he was able to handle such power inside him although the way he obtained it was quite strange.

'It's incredible how much progress this boy has done in only 2 weeks...'

'And yet, he is still determined to train how to control it and to become more powerful...'

His motivation for learning reminded me about myself, with the will to never give up despite the difficulty of the task. All of that because he wanted to protect all the friends he has met during his amazing journey...

I too, somehow, wanted to give everything to help me, as through all my years of learning, especially with the late professor Milestones, assisting others, especially to closed ones, was the best motivation for people to do their very best.

Indeed, with every secret he has discovered about his powers, I didn't want him to have the same fate as her... But I swear in my honor as a scholar that I will do everything in my power to prevent that to happen.

We were still heading to the library when I heard Travis's voice.

"What is the book we need to get, Professor ?"

"It is called: "The Church of the Flame: A Complete Historie". It is only available in the special archives where the works stowed here could only be borrowed by renowned scholars like me."

"And do you think we will find anything about my powers ?"

"Perhaps... I'm not really sure if we could find something useful, but if your powers are well related to the magic of the Sacred Flame, there could be a chance that it brings us some answers. Indeed, it's important to follow any lead we could find if we want to discover the truth."

"I guess you're right. Me too, I wonder what's in this book, and I'm sure Ophilia would like to read it, knowing her !"

I chuckled calmly.

"Only a few persons indeed have access to these archives !", I replied when I warned him calmly. "But do not forget that its content is very precious, so we should not reveal to anyone any information from that book. Our research has to be as secret as possible. Understood ?"

"Understood, Professor !", he promised with a small grin when he stopped and looked up. "Woah !..."

"Here we are. The Royal Library !"

Travis was well amazed by the beauty of the building, as he couldn't stop to look in awe at every detail, and I felt amused because it reminded me of my first reaction when Professor Milestones showed me the place.

The boy looked so speechless and had such a dreamy look.

"There are so many beautiful buildings in that city !...", he mumbled while admiring the building when he asked. "And why we call it "Royal" ? Does it belong to the King ?"

With pleasure, I answered his question.

"In reality, it has been built during the foundation of Atlasdam a few centuries ago, after a request from the past Royal family. I also remember a few historical anecdotes that I would tell to my students in class ! Would you mind if I tell you one ?!"

I felt slightly impatient to tell him while he looked pretty nervous.

"Err... Can we first go inside to get the book ? I would like to know how it looks like !"

"Ah, of course, Travis ! We should know that it's still our top priority !"

We entered the Royal Library, as I remembered again the real reason of our coming.

It was quite bad that I didn't have the time to tell him some anecdotes about this place. Maybe I will have more opportunities in the future...

"Incredible..."

Travis was once again very amazed by the gigantism and the beauty of that wonderful place. It was nice to see him staring at all the countless books around him, especially when he told me the "library" from his world he was used to visit was pretty small.

I enjoyed seeing his reaction, especially since it was nowadays uncommon to see children being amazed by such a place...

I noticed while looking at my surrounding that the ambiance here was much quieter than usual.

'After the incident from yesterday, this place is much less crowded...'

'But on the good side, we will be more tranquil to study the book...'

I was lost in my thoughts when I saw Travis who was reading a wide-open book with curiosity, as he was trying to stay focused on the reading.

I felt amused when I told him.

"It's just been 30 seconds since you visit that place and you have already your face in a book ?..."

"This one has so many words... It's just quite hard to read one without any picture in the pages!...", he replied annoyingly while turning the large pages.

"Well, you just need to use your imagination... And naturally, by dint of reading books or novels of that kind, you could develop it even further and have a more cultivated mind..."

Travis then stowed the book before he replied positively.

"Oh, I didn't mean to say anything bad about it, Professor. I just think a book could be very fun to read if there were amazing pictures on it, like animals or fun places to visit. It thanks to these kinds of books that I want to discover the world by myself."

"Everyone has an opinion about their likes, Travis.", I added while we both started to walk through the place when I explained. "Though, people's likes change with time, and I strongly believe that, in a few years, you would love to spend time reading novels."

"Y-you think so ?"

"We count many kinds of novels by themes: some of them are telling a romantic story, others could narrate frightening tales to make the reader bloodcurdling, and I don't even mention you about the countless adventure stories we can find..."

"There's adventure stories ?!!", he shouted in excitement.

"SHHHH !!!"

Someone shushed at Travis, warning him to not make some noise while he was trying to focus on his reading, making the boy covering his mouth with regret.

I continued the conversation with a low voice.

"Of course. I tell you that we can find many kinds of novels which can please any readers according to their likes. Me, I always preferred the novels which would tell the History of our world, as I would really enjoy all these amazing historical moments which has led to the creation and the evolution of our country."

"So, basically, you prefer to read stories about stories...", mumbled Travis.

"Hum... I swear you it could be considered as a distinctive theme as well. A "story" in general is a tale, either true or imagined, which tells a series of connected adventures, while"History" with a capital "H" refers to the knowledge and real stories from the past events, such as the foundation of Atlasdam and the legends of the 12 gods. Even if they look alike a little, they are still considered as 2 different terms."

"Well, that what I said: you like stories about stories.", mumbled Travis again with a smart look.

"!!!..."

I felt well embarrassed, as Travis didn't look convinced by my explanation at all, and I had no other argument to counter him.

We might have confirmed for a long time that distinction between these 2 similar but differents words, but he didn't seem to care about that, as he must have admitted that stories are just stories, no matter of what kind they belong...

'I cannot deny that his affirmation wasn't wrong...'

'Really, this kid is way smarter than he looks to be...'

"Huh... Let's go to see the librarian, so we could ask her for the book we search.", I advised Travis as he nodded.

I noticed Mercedez at her desk who was talking with a reader who wanted to borrow a book, as she noted his name on a parchment.

We still have to retrieve the book The Church of the Flame: A Complete Historie from the special archives to find out more information about Travis's power and the flame's unstable behavior, so we could be one step ahead of the man with the yellow helmet Travis told me about.

Because of the incident, I didn't have the chance to check back if Mercedez has found the lost book yesterday in the evening...

'I hope she has managed to find it...'

'Else... We will have trouble to continue our investigation...'

After Mercedez saluted at the reader who took his book, we headed towards the desk.

"Good morning, Mercedez.", I saluted her calmly.

"Ah, Professor Albright.", she smiled at me.

"Good morning, miss ! We would like to borrow a book, please !", cheered Travis happily to the young lady.

"Hello, little one !", she looked down at Travis with a friendly smile and replied nicely. "It's the first that I see you here. What is your name ?"

"Well, Mercedez, this is Travis. He's a boy whom I'm proceeding his reeducation, and so, he is a new student of mine.", I presented him to her, as she looked delighted to meet this boy.

I could say that she was very friendly with kids despite we didn't see such a young audience roaming in such a place dedicated to the culture.

Mercedez watched again at the boy with a curious glare and spoke to me.

"So, you have a new student ? Well, it must be the first time that you instruct a child, but knowing your good relationships with your actual students, Professor, I believe it won't be too hard to handle one more."

I chuckled calmly at her.

"I can even say that I and him already got along together !", I answered her cheerfully when I asked her calmly. "Anyway, did you have any luck finding this tome ?"

"I'm afraid not...", she sighed annoyingly.

I sighed as well.

What a shame... While we really need that book at such a time...

Travis also felt upset when he asked the librarian with a curious and innocent glare.

"Excuse me, miss... but what happened to the book we want to look for ?"

"Sadly, it has been missing from the archives since yesterday. I swear I searched the tome from top to bottom during the night, but still no trace of it..."

"Oh... Too bad... How are we gonna do, Professor ?"

I was thinking about the whole situation.

'That's pretty strange...'

Mercedez was well known to be such an ordained librarian and that I have never heard about any case of lost books since she started to work her. Indeed, if ever a book was missing, she would consider that one reader has simply forgotten to return it and if doesn't until a limited date, he could incur a penalty for late filing.

However, the missing book belonged from the special archives where the works are much more secured, and forgetting to return one book would be unforgivable. Furthermore, it's been months that no one has ever borrowed that book...

I think we must have concluded that mysterious disappearance...

"Well, this is most unfortunate. One might conclude that it had been stolen.", I deduced.

"!!!...", Travis's eyes widened as he was surprised. "A-are you sure, Professor ?!"

The young woman also flinched at my remark.

"Professor !... Taking books out from these archives is strictly forbidden, you must know. And as you know, the keys to the vault are entrusted to only a select few !", she averted me calmly, still shocked by my theory before adding. "Quite honestly, it would be easier to steal the crown of the king's head."

"I guess she's pretty right, professor !...", shushed me Travis.

I guess it won't be as easy as I believed to find out all the mysteries I and Travis were trying to find out. Without that book, we didn't stand a chance to study them and to stop that criminal responsible for the apparition of the pillars of light...

However, because of the current situation and the bombing this menacing man would be preparing, there was no way to twiddle our thumbs and to let that happen. If ever that book has really been stolen, I will find the culprit as soon as possible !

'Let's think about it...'

My fist against my chin to help me focus, I walked a few steps while saying.

"An impregnable vault... a disappearing tome... It would seem we have quite the mystery on our hands. And the mysteries of the world are meant to be solved !... Or so the scholar in me says. Would you not agree ?"

"Y-yeah, of course !", said Travis.

Despite he was also doubting my theory, I could see Travis was still willing to follow me everywhere in my investigation as he must have put all his trust in me.

I believed he won't stop to surprise me sometimes...

Anyway, I guess the Academy would be very upset if they learned the theft of an invaluable tome from the Royal Academy, especially one from the special archive.

Indeed, the Headmaster Yvon would never accept such a crime to have been committed, as all the knowledge and memory gathered by scholars since generations and generations is menaced.

The librarian looked also pensive when she declared.

"If it 'had' been stolen, I would say it's a job for the city guard..."

Travis had something to say too.

"But... didn't they have better things to do instead of searching a book ?", suggested Travis, who looked pensive when he felt a little guilty. "Also, I know this one is pretty important, but I just wanted to say that..."

"No, I think you should be right, little one.", answered the librarian at the boy, slightly amused by his deduction when she told me. "And I can see, Professor, that you won't let it go until you've "cracked the case", as it were.

I chuckled while nodding.

"Ha ha ha ! You could say that, indeed. A habit I just can't seem to break. Once a puzzle is placed before me, I simply cannot rest until I've worked out a solution."

"Well, far be it from me to stand in your way.", she replied.

She thought for a while.

I decided to ask her calmly.

"Haven't you noticed someone suspicious who wandered next to the archives ?"

She frowned at my question.

"Sadly, not. When I do my job, I didn't have always the time to watch over everyone inside the Library. But normally, everyone would respect the rules in this place and has never tried to steal a book from here... until now, unfortunately.", she then looked slightly upset about the book's disappearance."I think it's partially my fault if someone had really stolen one of the books from the special archives. Sometimes, I would be busy checking my working parchments, and there could be a possibility that someone could have entered inside the archive and take the tome while I was turning around... I'm pretty sure the Headmaster would never forgive me when he will learn this one..."

As she looked guilty, Travis looked up to her with pity.

"You know, miss... It happens to everybody to be a bit distracted sometimes... And I think you already do a great job at stowing all these books on these shelves !", he reassured her positively before he added while trying to deduce. "And also... Perhaps the guy who stole that book must be so mean that he waited the moment when you were just too busy to check..."

I smiled and put a hand on his shoulder when I replied.

"What you meant to say, Travis, is that the culprit could have waited until the right moment before deciding to move to action... Am I right ?"

"...Yes ! Perhaps !", the boy answered cheerfully.

"So, I guess it can be a possibility.", I said.

I could say this young boy was also pretty smart for his age. His deduction skills would show in him someone with a clever and cultivated personality...

Mercedez sighed again and said.

"It must be tough being a genius."

I chuckled a little, showing her my pleasure.

"Ha ha ha, I'll not deny it ! Worry not, the tome will be back on the shelf before you can bat an eyelash.", I promised her.

Of course, Travis made a promise as well.

"Yeah, don't worry miss ! We will bring it back to you before your boss knows it ! I'll do my best to help the professor !"

The boy looked well-motivated to find the stolen book ! I could still see again all the determination he has through his blue eyes full of curiosity, as it was so unique to meet such a boy like him.

And of course, me too I wanted to find out that mystery about that stolen book.

Honestly, I always considered investigations to be like a game: searching for clues, inquiring witnesses, examining the places... All these tasks were like a trial that would test our intelligence and our perception, and let us imagine the most possible scenarios until we finally reach the truth.

Indeed, I and Travis were already playing a dangerous game which was a race against time before the man with the yellow helmet manages to summon that bomb and destroy our world...

So, if he really wanted to play that kind of game with us, why wouldn't we play our own game as well to find him ?

Mercedez looked proud at seeing our determination as she told us.

"Right, thanks. Best of luck in your search."

'... And the game is afoot !'

While the young librarian went back to her paperwork, I and Travis shared a look, agreeing about that decision.

We walked through the library together when I heard Travis speaking.

"It's too bad that the book has been stolen while we really need it, Professor ! How are we gonna do to find the one who stole it, Professor ?!", he asked me as he looked a little unsure before he added. "Honestly, I don't have any idea of who could have done that..."

"Well, Travis... I think we will start to think back about the recent events for finding a potential culprit."

We both sit at the same table, as I tried to think for a potential suspect.

Who could have committed the theft ? And for what motive ?

I might have a theory, but I will need to find proof to confirm it.

The one responsible for the theft of the tome...

The strange man with the helmet Travis told me about...

Perhaps... there was a chance they could be the one and same person...

~

A/N: With the announcement of a character's death I made in the last chapter, I guess some of you might have believed it will occur in that one, so you could have panicked during the reading !

However, it hasn't occurred in that one yet... Just be patient...

Anyway, in several shounen mangas, there are often scenes where the main character is training and we learn more in-depth about the magic power which only exists in mangas like Chakra, Haki... or just Magic !

And so, this was my own point of view of how magic works in the octopath traveler universe while being inspired by some other manga powers. Indeed, it was time for Travis to be aware of how powerful was his magic, or his superpowers if you prefer.

With that, TRAVIS COULD BE OFFICIALLY A SHOUNEN CHARACTER !!

Anyway, it's been more than a month I haven't uploaded until now, as we have been confined again in France. But I will try as much to make some effort and upload at a quicker rhythm, even if I fear I wouldn't end my first book before 2021...

So ! I hope you all enjoyed it, and I'm actually working on something else that I would like to show you if I could (that's not a new book) !

See ya !

P.S.: I made the edit picture myself with Paint !