Humans developed the ability to manipulate magical power many eras ago, managing to pass that ability to their descendants.
Each was born with a magical core, which flows into a circuit that carries magical power throughout the body.
This core or root also allowed engraving each ritual or spell that was learned or created, to then perform it without problems.
But it also allowed passing to your descendants an original magic created by you, which would evolve generation after generation.
"Normally you'd need to awaken your magical power before being able to use the hereditary ritual, however I'll teach you the basics so you can master it as soon as you awaken it," Baltazar began. "Antithesis is the name of our lineage, a magic that allows generating phenomena opposite to those we observe, or even creating opposite powers."
Lloyd nodded attentively, while his father got up to take an oil lamp and light it.
"Good, tell me. What would be the opposite phenomenon to what I just did?"
The boy didn't hesitate much.
"Turn off the lamp."
Baltazar nodded.
"However, others would have answered water or ice, even cold. All answers would be correct," he said.
Though the blond didn't seem very convinced.
"You asked for the opposite phenomenon to what you just did. If we're talking about 'actions,' the opposite of turning something on is turning it off."
The man sighed while putting the lamp on his desk.
"True. Though you understand my point, right? Antithesis can lead to many options, the more imagination you have, the better your mastery of the ability will be."
"I understand. Each element can have different opposites depending on perspective. Antithesis allows copying something with its ontological nature inverted, but since the duality of something can have various interpretations, the possibilities can vary tremendously."
His father nodded.
"You've understood it perfectly. Do you want to try?"
Lloyd nodded too.
The man knew that if his son hadn't awakened magical power, it would be impossible for him to activate his ability. But that was good, if he tried failure, his mentality would change for the better.
What Baltazar didn't know, was that Lloyd did know how to awaken his magical power.
The boy closed his eyes, while concentrating. First, he had to shut off his senses until he felt the immaterial source of power inherent in every living being.
He took a large gulp of air, then exhaled; as he did, his mind emptied, going blank.
Soon the boy stopped perceiving the world around him, to become more aware of his interior.
A flame ignited, a viscous and dense fire inside him, right at the height of the solar plexus.
He could feel it vibrating, but it didn't emit heat or cold, rather it felt like a current, a strange tingling.
The boy extended his hand forward, where the lamp should be. In turn, he concentrated on the fire, he couldn't see it, hear it or feel its heat, but he knew it was there.
A sound of gears moving began to be heard in his head, while he was invaded by a sensation he'd never experienced before, but was strangely familiar to him.
His mind filled with memories that weren't his, while he felt how the immaterial flow of power began to change its vibration.
He knew what he had to do now. He directed that energy toward his fingertips, expelling that power from his body.
A vibration manifested in the world, striking the lamp, extinguishing the fire, leaving only a small column of serpentine smoke as proof it was there.
A sensation of tiredness suddenly invaded him, he didn't feel lacking in energy, but mentally exhausted.
The young man grabbed his forehead while opening his eyes, somewhat dizzy.
"How did I do?" the blond said, somewhat dazed.
But his father didn't respond. Looking at him, he could see his expression of surprise, his lips opening and closing, like a fish out of water.
Had he left the great Baltazar Morfeus impressed?
It was normal, even Lloyd himself was surprised at having done it so easily. In the novel, the protagonist takes a week to feel his magical power, and two more to be able to use it.
Something that in the novel was considered an incredible feat, and Alexander a genius.
Lloyd however, in just a few minutes had managed not only to control his magical power, but also used his hereditary ritual on the first try.
"Son. Are you sure you haven't used magic in secret?" Baltazar asked.
The blond shook his head. The man looked at him fixedly, with an analytical gaze, he didn't seem to be lying.
A miracle, something that goes beyond common sense. Geniuses like this only appear in stories, it was disconcerting to be in front of one.
The blond had felt it before, when he fought against the cat man, how his instinct helped him fight someone much stronger than him.
Was that what the word genius was used for?
Lloyd smiled, without doubt that talent would be more than useful.
"Well, I see you weren't bragging earlier," Baltazar concluded, with a sigh. "I'll get you instructors as soon as possible, that talent you have can't be wasted."