Reincarnated in the Magical Realm

Chapter 7

The Eskot Empire is currently the only empire on the magical continent established by humans. In this magical land blessed by divine beings, various races coexist. Humans, created in the image of the gods, are considered a balanced race compared to elves, orcs, dwarves, and other races with innate talents.

According to historical legends, humans were created by the gods in their own image. To balance the favoritism given in this aspect, humans were not bestowed with specific racial talents. Unlike other races, which bear some external features of the gods, they are inherently connected to magical elements, possessing unparalleled control in specific magical domains. With sufficient dedication to training, they can even transcend the inherent constraints of their race, acquiring a form closer to that of the gods.

Humans, on the other hand, lack fixed attributes from birth, and only a mere one percent of them may possess magical talents. These individuals often require a special Magic Affinity Stone as a catalyst for awakening.

Human magic users who awaken their magical talents are not subjected to the same specific limitations as other races, enabling them to learn any magic related to their attributes. However, this doesn't mean that only this one percent of humans can engage in magical professions.

The Magic Affinity Stone serves to identify future magicians, but it also plays a role in identifying another class of individuals who cannot use magic themselves but can wield magical items – the future "Mystic Knights." This innate talent allows them to excel as warriors, surpassing ordinary people and rivaling even magicians in the art of using magical items.

The gods who created this magical continent maintain a delicate balance among these various races. Although almost all races acknowledge the principle that the creation god is just, humans, inheriting the appearance of the creation god, firmly believe that they are a favored race.

The only human-established Eskot Empire fervently worships the creation god based on this belief. The Magic Affinity Stone is a symbolic magical stone of the Eskot Empire, said to be a special stone bestowed by the creation god, also known as the "Invitation to Magic Stone."

Angelina's direct impression of the Magic Affinity Stone comes from five years ago when she placed her hand on the stone, causing it to change color after the magician chanted a spell. However, she couldn't sense any particular changes in her body. To this day, she cannot comprehend why, despite the stone emitting light upon her touch, she was still deemed magic-deficient.

Angelina once thoroughly searched the small library for books on magic but found no explanation for the functioning of this unique magic stone. Even asking her mother didn't provide any answers. As an underage individual without a national ID, Angelina couldn't carry out the daring feat of sneaking out with ten gold coins to undergo a second private assessment at the adventurer's guild.

Over these five years, Angelina's only option has been to attend various adventurer-led academies, gathering information on what adventurers think of the Magic Affinity Stone and making her own speculative guesses.

Before awakening her past memories, Angelina had planned to wait until she turned twelve and obtained her national ID to undergo a second assessment at the adventurer's guild. Now, with an opportunity in front of her, she doesn't want to wait another two years.

A black hole appeared on the barrier-encased circular platform. A man in a black mage robe, holding the sleeve of Maria, emerged from the hole, with the disappearance of the black hole following shortly. Angelina had been observing the changing platform and faintly saw behind the black hole – a room with tables and chairs, presumably a VIP lounge within the church.

The disturbance caused by Angelina's actions, shielded by the black barrier, seemed unnoticed by the two figures appearing on the platform. She hadn't received any special attention.

Angelina noticed that, after a brief rest, David's complexion had improved. The most noticeable evidence was that, this time, his gaze didn't drift above the church but quickly scanned the crowd beneath the platform. Although his face remained expressionless, the previous impatience was no longer present.

Maria, on the other hand, maintained the same elegant and polite smile during both appearances. However, Angelina felt a slight crease between her brows, indicating that Maria might have encountered something affecting her mood.

This observed change made Angelina feel a bit nervous. There must have been some plot developments during David and Maria's break – perhaps David encountered someone or something, deciding to take on an apprentice on the spot.

Angelina had already decided not to act recklessly today, opting to quietly observe as a bystander, even if she discerned something. However, she felt a slight increase in the grip on her wrist, where Maria was holding her. It conveyed a sense of locking her securely by her side, making Angelina somewhat bemused.

In Maria's eyes, has she already left the impression of being particularly impulsive? While it was just the entrance of a magician, she didn't lose her composure immediately. Angelina turned her gaze and received Jack's subtle hint, seemingly caught in a similar grip, but like her, he dared not speak.

Looking up, Maria was still gazing intently at the center of the platform, absorbed in observing someone or something. Angelina could only raise her eyebrows at Jack, silently conveying that they had to endure this. Next, she had to continue being a well-behaved and trouble-free child.

This time, David began to speak. The silver-haired, gray-eyed young man provided a brief introduction of himself and his background: "David, proficient in spatial magic, accepted an invitation from the imperial palace to serve as the court magician."

The name matched the information Angelina had gleaned from her memories. However, in this crowd of commoners, David surprisingly didn't mention his noble background. This mysterious aristocrat, contrary to the typical aristocratic behavior, left Angelina particularly baffled.

In Angelina's memory, the information about David was limited to: "Name is David, part of a mysterious magical aristocratic family, Maria's first magic mentor, accepted a magical apprentice at Kslang Church, disappeared after taking on an investigation mission from the palace."

Angelina was still hoping that David's self-introduction would follow the usual aristocratic format, starting from the surname to the given name. This way, she could gather more basic information about him. However, her expectations were in vain. The information Angelina could extract from David's self-introduction was surprisingly limited to "David is proficient in spatial magic," a conclusion evident from his appearance on the stage.

Angelina's mood, initially filled with impatience, turned into annoyance at her own baseless expectations and subsequent disappointment. David, although not displaying overt noble arrogance, seamlessly incorporated the typical aristocratic aloofness into his speech and actions.

After the brief self-introduction, David straightforwardly explained that he happened to be passing through the town, seeking accommodation at the church. To settle the expenses for his stay and hospitality, he agreed to conduct a simple magic teaching activity at the Kslang Church.

Following this, a special interactive session was announced, involving the random selection of lucky audience members to closely observe the magician's magical tools. After hearing this speech, Angelina's initial impatience transformed into amusement at the absurdity of her own fluctuating emotions.

David continued his calm, scripted, and uninspiring speech. Angelina's fleeting hopes of obtaining more information about David were dashed. The pre-disappearance intelligence on David also had connections to magical dragons, making Angelina feel that the magician's disappearance might be somewhat related to her Odyssey ancestors' disappearance. Hence, she had been paying particular attention to him.

However, the useful information Angelina could extract from David's self-introduction was limited to "David is skilled in spatial magic," which was evident from the moment he appeared. This realization instantly fueled Angelina's frustration.

David continued his mundane speech, and after a short self-introduction, he honestly stated that he was merely passing through the town and had agreed to conduct a simple magic teaching activity at the Kslang Church to cover his accommodation and hospitality expenses.

After the announcement of the special interactive segment, where lucky spectators would be chosen to closely observe the magician's magical tools, Angelina's annoyance turned into amusement. She observed the reactions of other children, including Jack, who suddenly ignited with enthusiasm, eager to participate.

To Angelina's surprise, Jack, who had mocked her in the past for showcasing Fiona's magical tools, now showed interest in David's magical tools. Fiona's creations were simple, basic magic stones that stored magical energy, and Jack had previously scoffed at her, using odd-looking stones as magical tools to intimidate people.

Now, David's magical tools, despite being only ornately decorated items, had piqued Jack's interest. Angelina couldn't help but sigh for her less foresighted friend. Jack had seen plenty of Fiona's magical tools, but due to Fiona's pursuit of simplicity, they were all basic magical stones.

Currently, with David's magical tools, which were artfully crafted into beautiful shapes, Jack suddenly found them intriguing. Nevertheless, Angelina's mood, which had briefly picked up, deflated again. She noticed a naturally unadorned, transparent stone among David's magical tools.

David didn't bother explaining the showcased magical tools. After announcing the special interactive segment, he casually stepped back a few paces, gesturing for Maria to continue overseeing the upcoming events. He sat on the only chair on the platform – the table where the magic affinity stones were placed.

At this moment, Maria had returned to her normal state. At least, Angelina couldn't detect any additional expressions on her face. Maria, with a graceful curve at the corners of her mouth, announced the method for selecting lucky spectators in a soothing and friendly tone.

Attendees with national IDs could place their IDs on the special device provided by the church to read their national points. David had pre-written seven numbers, and if the national points matched one of these numbers, everyone guaranteed by the national ID would have the opportunity to closely observe the magical tools on the platform.

After Maria announced the selection rules, she waved the wand – initially a bare wooden stick in appearance – and softly recited an incantation. A large magic circle appeared outside the barrier surrounding the platform, slowly revealing three-tiered wooden steps. The screen-like barrier, under the touch of Maria's wand, exposed a square hole.

This was a path leading to a platform above the circular one, precisely in front of Angelina. This series of changes successfully drew everyone's attention. A priest holding a square box with a small recess in the center appeared in front of Angelina. He ascended the first step.

Angelina then noticed that the main hall's door had quietly closed again.