One More Life

Magic to Practice

Ainsley told Hans that he'll be having a break from learning today. At first, it upset Hans at his sudden decision, and wanted to tell Ainsley that he can't afford to lose a day without learning. However, seeing the progress from just a few weeks of learning, Hans said yes. Not wanting to overwork the child to exhaustion. Ainsley's body is fragile. Even a tiny amount of stress can get him into a fever. In actuality, Ainsley wanted to take this day to learn magic. He knows Hans won't be much of help to regard his reaction, so Ainsley learned on his own.

Ainsley debated whether to look for the worn-out journal he saw a few days ago. It could be some sort of help to learn magic. Although Ainsley is not entirely sure. However, to have something to learn from than to learn from the game and fictional novel knowledge. It's better to have something from this world to learn about this world's version of magic. After all, it was so out of place to have it in this room. Even if the duke thought that Ainsley or the original might not read it. But Ainsley knows how to read now, so suck on him. Not only that, hidden inside a drawer where most of the personal journals are? Even the original would get suspicious over it. It would only get founded by the original or by Hans. Ainsley doubts the duke wants a servant to find it and learn some dark secret that his employer has. It could be a mistress or how Ainsley is born out of wedlock.

Ainsley opened the drawer and dug through the many journals inside the drawer. Attempting to find that old one. "Aha!" Ainsley shouted as soon as he found it. The journal was as old as it can be. The pages were yellow and a few of the papers were sticking out. As if a few additional pages were added. The destroyed cover was made of leather and is currently dusty. It felt rough on Ainsley's skin as he graced his fingers on the cover. The tiny belt closure was barely hanging on, a tiny piece of thread hanging on. Hiding the contents of the journal as it kept it shut. With a little strength, Ainsley could destroy the belt closure. Allowing for him to open the journal. Ainsley wondered what secrets were in it? The duke's dark past? Or could it be some cheesy stuff that the duke experienced when younger? Ainsley can already imagine the love-struck duke carrying roses to the late duchess with a ridiculous smile on his face as he rubs his hands together. With this journal by his side, Ainsley can easily blackmail the duke and can live as carefree as he can. Stopping his hands, Ainsley flipped the pages open.

"It's... empty?" Scanning each page carefully, it was indeed empty. No words were written and Ainsley can't find any erasures that were abraded. The page was even smooth. A texture that Ainsley didn't expect with a wrinkly old paper. Flipping from page to page, not a single word was written in the journal. No dark secrets and surely no blackmail that Ainsley can use against the duke. Even going to the first page or the last, it was empty. Free of words. "This is disappointing," Ainsley said. Slamming the journal close and, instead of putting it back where he got it, Ainsley put it in another drawer. With how old it looked; it wouldn't be a surprise that nobody would even want it. So, it's better to put it somewhere else and use it as some sort of extra journal later on. And, if possible, there's some sort of magic that can be used to make words disappear, Ainsley can use it as a planner. He can jot down his plans for the future and how to get into a famous school.

Going to the center of his room, Ainsley sat in a lotus position. The young boy did the same process as he did before. Meditating and feeling the flow of magic in him. Similar to how blood is being distributed into the body, magic acts the same way. From the pit of your stomach to the tips of your fingers. Ainsley can easily feel the coldness from before. His breaths heavier each time he exhales and his own body adjusts to the ice-cold temperature from his own body. Once it got too cold, Ainsley opened his eyes. Cupping his hands before releasing the magic. The pain from forcing his magic out is less painful than when Ainsley first did it. Was his body adapting? If so, isn't it too quick? Ainsley thought that it would take a few years at most to get used to the pain.