NOVEL FROG Chapter 13: 1,000-year-old baby
"I see..." Erik commented thoughtfully, making a mental note not to talk to himself in front of his master. He then continued, "But I’d like to know what the alliances are based on and why they hate each other."
Sigrún nodded, satisfied with her disciple's question, pleased that he could focus on what truly mattered. She responded in a soft and pleased voice.
"That's another great question. I was just about to mention it, but to keep it short, we humans have three different magical systems: one known as Sacred Geometry, which is mainly based on magical circles; the Aegis system, which I practice and is based on runes; and the Zazen Discipline, which is primarily based on meditation and energy control with the mind and body.
The three alliances are the main representatives of these systems: the Meridian Federation with Sacred Geometry, the Boreal League with the Aegis system, and the Jade Lotus Union with the Zazen Discipline. They hate each other precisely because of that, though they occasionally have other excuses to hate each other. But that's the main reason.
They swear their respective system is the best and that the others are just cheap imitations or inferior versions, which has led to several wars. According to them, it's to prove they have the most powerful magical system, though usually, it's just a cheap excuse to steal from each other. The truth is, the three systems are simply different ways of doing the same thing, each with its advantages and disadvantages."
"So, you're part of the Boreal League, master?" Erik asked thoughtfully, looking at his master, who smiled casually and replied.
"Not at all. Although they are known as the three great factions, they aren't the only ones. For example, there's the faction I belong to, the Arcane Order, which is a neutral faction composed mainly of scholars, researchers, and merchants."
"And the others don't try to attack you?"
Erik asked, a bit surprised by the response, to which Sigrún laughed joyfully and then replied with a bit of arrogance in her tone.
"Hahaha, they don't have the guts to do it. Although we are neutral, we are not weak and possess enough power to make them regret attacking us. Besides, we are the main supplier of weapons, medicines, magical artifacts, and knowledge in the galaxy, so it's better to have us as friends than to start a foolish fight they can't win."
"Basically, you became necessary and are filthy rich," Erik commented casually, resisting the urge to roll his eyes, causing Sigrún to respond with a mischievous smile on her delicate face.
"Hehe, you understood quickly."
"So, does the Arcane Order practice the Aegis system, master?"
"You could say we practice all three since we have great exponents of each system and don't believe in the stupidity that one system is better than the other. For us, there is only the most suitable system for a specific goal."
Hearing Sigrún's words, Erik asked, full of curiosity.
"Is it my idea, or did you imply that a person can only practice one of the three systems?"
"More or less. While there's nothing that technically prevents a person from practicing more than one system, it's not easy to master any of the three. You need to be very talented to excel in one due to the difficulty of mastering them.
So, most people prefer to specialize. Also, as I mentioned earlier, the three systems are different ways of doing the same thing, so it's better to focus on the system you're most compatible with. Although many have tried to practice more than one, they didn't get very far and ended up focusing on the one they were most compatible with."
"That's interesting. But what if I'm not compatible with the Aegis system?"
Erik asked, looking his master directly in the eyes. She responded after waving her left hand to indicate it was something of no importance.
"You don't have to worry about that. Even though you're my disciple, that doesn't mean you have to do things the way I do. Besides, although I practice the Aegis system, I'm quite familiar with the other systems and have a lot of experience, so it won't be a problem to guide you if you're compatible with a different one.
Also, when I say they are just different ways of doing the same thing, I mean it. You can perform the same spell with any of the three systems, each with its respective advantages and disadvantages."
Sigrún's response visibly relaxed Erik, who still had tons of questions to ask. He knew that if everything his new master said was true, he had just hit the jackpot without even buying a ticket, so it would be a shame to lose it.
"That's good. And where are we headed, master?"
"We're going to the center of the galaxy, specifically to the Arcane University, the most important educational center in the entire galaxy."
"You mentioned earlier that you're the youngest Master in history," Erik commented, understanding dawning on him, to which Sigrún responded with a small smile.
"Hehe, though you have a small misunderstanding, you're right about something. Your master is the youngest Master in history, surpassing the previous youngest record by 4,000 years," Sigrún said, with a slightly proud smile on her face.
"4,000 years?!!!!!! How is that possible? How old are you, master?" Erik jumped from his chair in shock and exclaimed in surprise.
"Hahaha, your surprised face is really cute, Erik. And there's no need to be so shocked. Although on your home planet the life expectancy cap was only about 150 years, that's just because of its primitive state. Things are very different in the galaxy.
For us, lifespan depends directly on our power level, with some managing to live tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of years. Oh, and by the way, your master is just a baby of barely 1,000 years old, hehe."
Sigrún commented cheerfully, a mischievous smile slipping out of her seductive cherry-colored lips as she watched Erik's face of absolute shock with amusement.
"Hundreds of thousands? A 1,000-year-old baby?..."
Erik's words came out as a whisper, feeling like everything around him was spinning. He couldn't stand anymore and sat down with difficulty, then looked at his master and asked.
"How can you be a 'baby' at 1,000 years old?"
"Hehe, at my level, life expectancy is counted in hundreds of thousands of years. What else could I be but a baby, having lived only 1,000 years? That's not even one percent of my life expectancy."
Enjoying her disciple's adorable reactions, Sigrún commented cheerfully, then took another sip from her cup. Erik looked at her with a slight nervous tic in his right eye, as if he was having an intense internal battle to believe what he was hearing.
"Hundreds of thousands? Are you serious, master?..."
"Very serious. Being a Master isn't just a job like on your planet; it's a title that represents power, the second highest in the power hierarchy."
With Sigrún's calm response, Erik took a few deep breaths, trying to calm his mind full of doubts and questions, then asked in a better mental state.
"Are there more titles?"
"Yes, nine to be precise. From lowest to highest, they are: Initiate, Apprentice, Ascended, Revealed, Illuminated, Sage, Arcane, Master, and Legendary."
As she answered, Sigrún casually waved her hand toward the cup in Erik's hands, which he hadn't even tasted due to his shock. The tea heated up instantly, surprising the boy, who turned to look at her in amazement.
"Drink a bit and eat."
"Thank you, master."
After thanking her, Erik took a sip of tea. Although he had never been a big fan, the tea tasted incredible, feeling smooth and slightly sweet. At the same time, he felt energized, and his mind calmed.
"Delicious, isn't it? Hehe"
Sigrún commented while watching with a small smile as Erik made cute expressions. Fascinated by the tea's flavor, Erik quickly grabbed a cookie and started eating like a little mouse, with small bites while his eyes showed surprise, happiness, and reflection.
(How can he be so adorable?!! It makes me want to hug him and never let go!!!)
"Didn't you have many questions to ask?"
Sigrún asked warmly, which surprised Erik. He quickly put down his cookie and, after coughing a couple of times, quickly asked, though he couldn't stop glancing at the half-eaten cookie on his plate.
"So... uh... oh yeah, right. What title would I have then, master?"
"You would be an Advanced-Apprentice if we're talking solely about mana. But since your knowledge is limited, you'll need to study a lot to be able to do what others at your level can. And in case you're wondering, your life expectancy is 150 years, which is the maximum power level on your planet."
Sigrún responded cheerfully. Seeing that her disciple kept looking at his cookie, she commented amusedly, "You can finish your cookie first."
"Hehe," Erik chuckled a bit awkwardly but quickly grabbed his cookie and began eating it, causing his eyes to shine like lanterns. Somehow, the cookie tasted even better.
"Is there anything preventing someone from advancing further on my planet?"
After finishing his cookie, Erik asked, trying to appear serious, which only made Sigrún smile in amusement.
"It's not like something is actively preventing it; it's just that the resources and knowledge on your planet are very scarce, keeping them trapped at that level. After all, those who invaded made sure to take everything."
"I see... but master, there's something I don't understand. Why would someone as important and powerful as you be on a planet like mine?"
Erik asked, leaning forward on the table with a serious expression, as if he hadn't been fascinated by a cookie just moments before.
"Well, that's because your planet is my master's home planet."
Sigrún responded with a slightly melancholic voice as she turned her gaze towards that greenish-colored planet, which had long disappeared from view. After a slight sigh, she continued.
"Her last wish was for her ashes to rest in that place, so every 50 years, I come to visit her. The island where you were is the place where I laid her to rest."
Erik tried to follow her gaze but noticed something incredible that he hadn't realized due to being so focused on the conversation. Now, all around him were horizontal beams of light of different colors moving incredibly fast.
"This view is really amazing..." Erik commented with a dreamy look, to which Sigrún responded.
"You'll get used to the light show in hyperspace."
"Hyperspace?" Erik turned to look at his master again and asked, confused.
"Yes, they're natural or artificial channels used to travel great distances. After all, if we traveled in normal space, which has a very low speed limit, it would take us thousands of years to get anywhere in the galaxy."
"I see... but everything here is really surprising... Master, may I ask how long your master lived?" Erik asked a bit apprehensively, to which Sigrún responded calmly.
"Don't worry, I've had a couple of hundred years to learn to handle it, and she lived for 40,000 years."
"40,000?" Erik looked at his master, confused, who smiled and commented softly.
"You're getting better; now 40,000 years seems like a short time to you."
"It's not that it seems short; it's just that you mentioned earlier that life is related to power."
"To be someone's master, you don't need to be stronger than that person. Although it's not common, you occasionally see people stronger than their masters. I'm one of those cases. My master reached to be a peak-Sage."
"That makes sense. But master, what do you mean by advanced and peak? Are there levels within the titles?" Erik asked curiously, to which Sigrún nodded, satisfied with her disciple's inference, and responded.
"That's right. Each title actually has nine ranks, from lowest to highest: Initiate, Novice, Practitioner, Skilled, Competent, Advanced, Expert, Virtuoso, and Peak."
"That's interesting..." Erik put a hand on his chin, thinking about something, but his master's words brought him out of his thoughts.
"Erik, now that you've learned a bit about the situation in the galaxy, let me ask you a few questions."
"Of course, master. Ask whatever you want."