The following morning Haruto went to the local grove to begin his training with his Mother since no one would see him practice magic there.
"Okay I'm ready to start my training," Haruto said enthusiastically.
I'm glad to hear that, but first, you need to enter your mindscape, Morgana said amused at his excitement.
"How do I do that?" Haruto asked.
First, sit in a meditative position, Morgana said patiently. Haruto, following Morgana's instructions, sat down on the ground and rested his arms in his lap. Good now focus on my voice.
Focusing on his Mother's voice while he was meditating, Haruto found himself drawn back into his mindscape.
"Good work," Morgana praised.
"I presume it's not typical to have a mindscape at my age," Haruto commented as he looked around his mind.
"No, it isn't. When I woke up yesterday this mindscape was created to accommodate me, only a Master Occlumens would have a mindscape, since it helps them create more advanced mental barriers to stop people from performing Legilimency on them," Morgana explained.
Haruto, not understanding what Morgana was talking about, asked. "What's the terms Occlumens and Legilimency mean?"
"Occlumens is a person who practices the art of Occlumency. This allows one to magically close one's mind from foreign intrusions," Morgana, seeing Haruto had understood everything so far, continued on with her explanation. "Legilimency is the act of magically navigating through the many layers of a person's mind to see if a person is lying, as well as delve into their thoughts, emotions, and memories."
"Those sound like useful skills to have," Haruto said thinking of the advantages those skills could provide him in the future.
"I've created some barriers for your mind but I can only do so much since this is your mind, a Master Legilimens could easily penetrate the defences I've set up. That's why it's imperative you learn Occlumency as fast as possible, to prevent anyone from discovering your secrets," Morgana said adamantly.
"If anyone finds out I was a demigod, it wouldn't surprise me if they would try to take advantage of me, or experiment on me to see if they could gain my power," Haruto said, completely agreeing with his Mother in this matter.
"Good we're in full agreement then, for the duration of your lessons you will address me as Mistress, not Mother, you are my apprentice not my son during these sessions is that clear?" Morgana asked sternly.
"Yes Mistress," Haruto said, surprised by this turn of events, but quickly adapting to it.
"I expect the best from you my son, therefore, don't disappoint me. Now the first thing you'll learn today is the basics of Occlumency, that way we can improve upon it in the future and protect your secrets," Morgana said, indicating Haruto should sit down for this part of the lesson.
For the next few hours, Morgana instructed Haruto on how to organise his mind to help him create mental shields. Once Haruto had a grasp of the basics Morgana moved on to spell casting.
"For the average witch and wizard they need a wand to cast spells, but a powerful witch and wizard like you and I don't need one," Morgana said, demonstrating this by creating lightning in her hand.
Haruto looked fascinated at seeing such powerful magic performed in front of him. "Could I create lightning as well Mistress?"
"Yes, due to being a demigod you have much more power than other children your age would. Only a powerful child could hope to pull that off, but the chances of one appearing like that are exceedingly rare. Even then their power would pale in comparison to yours," Morgana said. Internally smiling at how her son will have no rivals growing up when it comes to power.
"Mistress, would Merlin and you count as powerful children?" Haruto asked.
"No, we were abominations in that regard, since when I was alive no one could compare to Merlin's and my power. I very much doubt anyone will ever be born again with the amount of power we possessed," Morgana said.
"Wouldn't I count seeing how I possess so much power Mistress?" Haruto asked.
"I'm speaking about those that are completely human, since you're a demigod it's expected of you to have so much power," Morgana said.
Haruto nodded his head hearing this. It was reassuring hearing that the chances of facing someone of Merlin's level in the future were incredibly small.
"From what you said I presume certain people are born with more magic than others Mistress?" Haruto asked, engrossed with what his Mistress was saying.
"That is correct. I was born with a monstrously large magical core, while you, on the other hand, were born with a core so outrageously large it isn't even funny, but for most wizards and witches they are born with an averagely sized core that will allow them to cast most spells without any trouble," Morgana clarified.
"Is it possible to increase the size of one's magical core Mistress?" Haruto asked curiously.
"It's like a muscle your magical core, the more you use it the larger it'll grow, there are also some dark rituals one could use to increase the size of your magical core, but for an average person even if they did that they would never be able to reach our level, a core can only increase so much before it reaches its limit," Morgana said.
Haruto was satisfied to know no one could instantly become as strong as him and Morgana. "I understand Mistress, is it possible to hide your magic from being detected, I don't want to attract attention with the amount of magic I have, it may raise unnecessary questions."
"Wizards and witches can't sense the magic of other people unless a powerful person releases some of their aura showing off how powerful they are, so suppressing your magic will be something I will teach you at a later date, since learning to suppress your magic isn't that important right now, learning Occlumency and how to keep your secrets safe is our first priority," Morgana said thinking of what Haruto needs to learn as fast as possible, that way he would be ready to face the threat Demeteria said he would meet in the future.
"Before I start showing spells for you to learn, I'm going to go over the theory of magic first," Morgana said.
Hearing this Haruto couldn't help but be slightly disappointed he wouldn't be learning any spells straight away, but he knew how important the theory is for anything. Morgana smiled seeing Haruto wasn't going to complain about learning theory instead of spells like a typical boy his age would.
"Every magical being in the world, human and creature, has a magical core in them, humans draw upon this magical core to cast spells whereas creatures have a magical core to give them certain magical properties like a dragon," Morgana said beginning her theory lesson.
When Morgana was done explaining the theory of magic she then showed Haruto how to cast spells wandlessly. After a few hours had passed, Haruto knew several offensive spells and three defensive spells. Haruto learned from experience it was quite draining casting a spell without a wand.
Morgana explained that using a wand to cast a spell uses less magic than casting wandlessly would. That is why it's more desirable to use a wand in a fight so you don't lose because of magical exhaustion. If he carried on training the drain would lessen on his magical core as he would be used to casting wandlessly, and as he got older his core would grow which would also lessen the strain from wandlessly casting.
Once Haruto had learned those spells Morgana told him to leave his mindscape since she wanted to show him something. As soon as he was back in the material world Haruto blinked a few times to get used to leaving his mindscape.
I want you to take off your ring, Morgana instructed. Haruto wondered why, but knowing better than to question her, took off his ring. Now I want you to channel magic into the ring, specifically the symbol of the full moon on the front of the ring.
The second Haruto channeled magic into the ring there was a poof of smoke, and the sound of something hitting the ground. When the smoke cleared Haruto saw an octagon stone shaped talisman that has a symbol of a purple horse engraved onto it lying on the floor. He picked up the talisman to get a better look, and on its back were inscribed some Kanji that he didn't understand.
What is this? Haruto asked curiously while looking the talisman over.
This is a magical talisman I came across during my travels that has the power of healing and regeneration, Morgana replied calmly like she was talking about the weather and not an impressive magical item.
This sounds like a really impressive item, how can you act so relaxed about this? Haruto asked, confused.
I've had that talisman in my possession for so long, I guess I'm no longer impressed by it. Anyhow, I want you to try using it, Morgana said.
How do I do that? Haruto asked, slightly nervous from using such a powerful magical item for the first time.
First I want you to make a small cut on your finger, then will the talisman to work and it will do the rest, Morgana replied.
Very well, Haruto thought. Using his magic he made a small cut on his finger, which was then followed up by looking at the talisman and willing it to work. A light quickly shines over the engraving of the purple horse, and before his very eyes, his cut immediately heals.
It works, Haruto said astonished
Was there any doubt, Morgana said dryly knowing Haruto didn't completely believe her when she said the talisman could heal any injury. Haruto flushed in embarrassment hearing her tone, knowing he had been caught not believing her.
Sorry Mistress, Haruto replied quietly.
Just don't doubt me again, I haven't led you astray so far have I, Morgana said.
I won't Mistress, by the way, is it normal for a magical talisman to be able to heal that fast? Haruto asked.
No, no other talisman could heal like that, this talisman can only heal injuries because it has part of a demon's power sealed away inside of it, Morgana said calmly.
"WHAT! A demon's power is sealed inside of it?" Haruto shouted in surprise, dropping the talisman.
There's no need to worry, you're not going to turn into a demon or anything like that using it, it's completely safe to use, Morgana said grinning at Haruto's reaction.
I didn't even know demons existed, Haruto commented, picking up the talisman slightly cautiously, even though he knows it's safe to use.
Yes, demons exist in another dimension and can't crossover over to Earth unless summoned by a wizard or witch, and the power of the demon is proportional to the amount of power that was used in the ritual to summon it in the first place, Morgana elaborated.
That's good to know, Haruto thought, relieved there aren't godlike demons running around the world. So how did part of a demon's power get sealed inside the talisman?
I have no idea, it was Lady Hecatia that informed me that demonic power was sealed inside the talisman, Morgana replied.
Looking at the talisman in his hand a thought occurred to Haruto. If this talisman has part of a demon's power sealed inside of it, does that mean there are more talismans out there in the world with the rest of the demon's power?
Lady Hecatia told me from feeling the power inside the talisman, that the demon's power had probably been split twelve times, Morgana said already having a feeling where this conversation was going.
Would it be possible to find the rest of the talismans? Because having the power of all the talismans would be quite beneficial to have in the future, Haruto said.
I tried using the power from the talisman in a scrying spell so I could locate the rest of them, but they had been hidden using powerful spells, Morgana said, annoyed at her failure.
Haruto sighed disappointedly. So there's no way to find them then.
There is still hope my son, according to Lady Hecatia the spells that are placed on the talismans that stop them from being located would wear off in around 1500 years, Morgana said smugly.
That means the spells hiding the other talismans should start wearing off within a few years then, Haruto said happily.
Yes, by that time you'll be strong enough to cast a scrying spell to find them, and then we can start searching for the talismans all over the world, Morgana replied gleefully.
That's good to know, Haruto said, looking forward to collecting all of the talismans. Mistress I was wondering could a wizard find out the talismans have the power of a demon sealed inside of it.
No, I tried finding out what sort of magical power was inside the talisman when I first acquired it, and I was unable to find out anything. This makes it extremely unlikely that anyone else would be able to. To my knowledge only a God would be able to sense the demonic power stored inside of the talisman, Morgana replied confidently. Removing any worries Haruto had about the power of the talisman being discovered, and him getting into trouble for having a demonic item.
Looking at his ring Haruto asked what had been on his mind for a short time. How did you place the talisman inside of my ring Mistress?
Your ring was a gift from Lady Hecatia, she added special runes to each full moon on the ring that would only work for you or me, this way you could store objects inside of the ring, making it impossible for anyone else to access them, Morgana said.
That's really useful to know no one else can access what's sealed inside of my ring, Haruto said looking at each full moon on his ring. I presume I can only store one thing inside of each seal?
You are correct. You can only store one item inside of each rune. This means you must be careful of what you seal inside of your ring, because of the limited space you have, Morgana cautioned. Haruto nodded while sealing the talisman back into the ring for safekeeping.