Reincarnated in the Magical Realm

Chapter 6

For Jack, the idea of Angelina becoming a magician in the future was considered common knowledge. Angelina had a mother with the title of a level six magician. While magical talent wasn't solely dependent on genetics, there was evidence suggesting that individuals born to magicians with high magical aptitude were likely to inherit their parents' talents.

Though Jack had been troubled by the fact that Angelina's mother, Fiona, who earned gold easily as a magician, didn't have extra coins to cover the cost of Angelina's "Magic Affinity Stone" test at the Adventurer's Guild. Jack questioned Angelina about this, suspecting she had concealed her test results.

Angelina provided a "reasonable" explanation: both mother and daughter had moved to the small town after selling their large house due to debts. Fiona's earnings were only sufficient to repay debts and cover daily expenses, leaving no spare money for the test.

Initially believing Angelina's fabricated story, Jack later witnessed the neighbor, Auntie, adorned with various beautiful gems, heading out. On that day, Jack confronted Angelina, accusing her of lying and mocking her as a talentless loser who dared not speak the truth.

During the mockery, Jack saw Angelina's tearful and wounded expression, prompting him to retract. He quickly believed Angelina's supplementary explanation: that being a magician required a significant amount of money, and gemstones were indispensable tools. Angelina only wanted to earn gold herself, venture into the Adventurer's Guild for magical aptitude testing after obtaining her citizenship card, and be independent.

Jack naturally agreed with Angelina's bold statement, even joking together, "I'll become a magician before Lily, so I won't need Lily's charity."

As the playfulness continued, Maria's magical demonstration concluded, coinciding with the disappearance of the milky-white light screens that enveloped everyone in the main hall. Now, a brief intermission followed.

With the removal of the blessings granted to everyone in the main hall, Maria graciously thanked all those who had witnessed her immature magical display. She announced a short break before the interactive session.

As Maria spoke, the previously closed doors of the main hall swung open, welcoming more people. This time, not just curious children but also ordinary citizens who attended the church for afternoon prayers entered.

Maria's magical demonstration happened to coincide with the usual conclusion of the daily prayer time. However, at this moment, Angelina's attention was fully captivated by the "screen" outside the large circular platform.

Watching the color of the screen gradually darkening until it turned pure black, completely obstructing all vision, Angelina realized that the number of people had suddenly increased.

After the screen became completely opaque, Angelina noticed that the main hall's doors had undergone a cycle of closing and opening. Now, most of the newcomers were parents of children under twelve who were present in the main hall.

After completing their prayers to the creation god, these parents, while picking up their children, took the opportunity to witness the court magician they had only heard about in rumors.

To Angelina's regret, Maria's aunt, who was supposed to accompany her, did not appear among the crowd. Angelina had obtained the qualification to enter the church by troubling Maria's aunt. Although Maria's aunt emphasized several times that it was just a small favor, offering prayers and handling some minor matters while accompanying Angelina, Angelina had expressed gratitude for a long time.

Feeling sorry that Maria's aunt didn't join her in this activity, Angelina missed the grand blessing spell of the day's event. The effect of the blessing spell was more practical than a simple prayer.

According to the nearby adults who came rushing in, the officiating priest at the prayer event had hinted that this event organized by the court magician primarily utilizing many special magical items of the church might offer some benefits to those who participated.

Based on the previous situation, the main hall might close its doors again when the next event begins, limiting the number of participants. Jack seemed to have realized this and became anxious, frequently glancing backward. However, he was unwilling to give up the prime spot they currently occupied, where they could easily reach the demonstration platform.

Angelina was anticipating Maria's aunt to arrive sooner for the next event. Simultaneously, she was relieved that Maria wasn't present at the moment. It provided her with an opportunity to execute a somewhat dangerous plan she had thought of earlier.

As the crowd increased, it became somewhat crowded. Taking advantage of the movement of people, Angelina, influenced by a small shove, lost her balance and tumbled toward the circular platform surrounded by an unclear "black screen."

Admittedly, it was a staged fall, orchestrated to align with Angelina's calculations, allowing her to touch the "black screen" around the platform.

Angelina was well aware that this was a risky attempt. The "black screen" was clearly a magical barrier created for privacy protection. In an era of strict class divisions, ordinary nobles would not tolerate intentional or unintentional offenses against privacy by commoners.

Closing her eyes, Angelina heard Jack's panicked shout, "Lily!" One of her hands was tightly grabbed, as Jack, in his foolish attempt, tried to save her from a potentially imperfect and injurious fall – or "collision with the wall."

Feeling her cheek half-touch a soft, cold, and elastic object, Angelina opened her eyes. She found herself frozen in a strange half-tilted posture. Jack was strenuously pulling her left hand, maintaining her balance, while her cheek rested against the "black screen," leaving a small dent.

Whatever enveloped the circular platform felt like transparent jelly. Angelina didn't have much time to analyze and experience it before Jack forcefully pulled her up, and they both ended up sitting on the ground.

The minor incident in the main hall easily garnered everyone's attention. Some even held their breath, and Angelina overheard hushed whispers nearby, "She touched it; will she be cursed?"

Of course, these were not exaggerated rumors but rather normal speculations for the locals in the small town of Kslang. Although Kslang Church was small, it had experienced a visit from a court magician decades ago.

That visit didn't involve performances by magical apprentices or interactive sessions. The court magician was merely invited as a "friend" to liven up the induction ceremony for the newly appointed bishop, providing a spell display to enhance the atmosphere.

The court magician who visited decades ago specialized in necromancy. The details of what happened during that visit didn't pass down, but a warning was widely circulated in Kslang: "Always keep a distance from the great magician."

Angelina had heard about this caution from adventurers at the academy she attended. It was based on an incident at Kslang Church decades ago. The great magician performed his magical display behind a screen, and curious children who touched it found their bodies covered in black lines, gradually turning them into undead. The event caused a significant stir, especially as it happened during the induction of a new bishop. Urgent purification spells were cast to save the affected children that day, but their subsequent fates remained unknown.

This decades-old story was widely known in Kslang and neighboring towns. Although Angelina was accustomed to such tales, being the center of attention in front of so many people, especially in the presence of Maria and Jack, made her somewhat embarrassed.

Maria quickly regained her composure, checking Angelina's face with both hands, pinching and prodding. Finding no obvious issues, and receiving a reassuring silly smile from Angelina, Maria reluctantly let go.

Turning her attention to the dazed Jack, Maria scolded, "Jack, you didn't watch over your sister properly. What if something happened to her? How will you explain to your Aunt Fiona?"

The circular platform, covered by the black screen, showed no significant changes. Even the ripples Angelina briefly stirred on the "black screen" slowly settled, returning to its previous state. Angelina felt no discomfort in her body.

The onlookers gradually calmed down, treating this as a minor incident, discussing the courteous visit of the court magician and the noble apprentice. Some speculated about potential benefits from the upcoming events.

Angelina also overheard a small group gossiping about her, "[Angelina] is an unlucky child, the illegitimate daughter of a powerless commoner magician... without detected magical talent, she became an orphan. Now, aside from being pretty, she's worthless... might end up as some noble's mistress in the future."

Angelina had heard similar remarks before, considering the small size of Kslang town. Although accustomed to it, being subject to such discussions in front of Maria and Jack made her slightly uncomfortable.

Maria quickly composed herself, lifting both Angelina and Jack from the ground. Holding the two children firmly, she straightened her posture, avoiding further commotion.

Angelina, looking at Jack's innocent yet mixed expression of regret and fear, felt a sudden pang of guilt. Her impulsive plan had been too reckless. Instead of gaining the attention of the magician, it only caused trouble for her friend. Angelina decided not to engage in any more unnecessary actions that day and go with the flow.

A faint white light appeared around the black barrier, gradually fading, revealing the scenery of the circular platform. Once again, several small round tables emerged on the platform, each displaying various intriguing objects.

With her knowledge and experience, Angelina confirmed that these tables held magical artifacts. She also noticed a small, transparent stone – a Magic Affinity Stone.