"Okay, putting aside how cool that is…you said that your world has no magic. So, why are you so cocky about your knowledge of magic? You even were so bold as to claim that nobody on this planet fundamentally understands magic!" (Alto)
Oh, that's…actually a pretty good point when phrased like that.
"Well, we were a lot more advanced than you in our study of the natural world. Despite having no magic, we could fly hundreds of people faster and farther than I did with you today, we could destroy entire continents with weapons like I described, and we had even traveled to our own moon and other planets. As a result, I know that a lot of the spells that people here consider distinct are manipulating the natural world in a really similar way. My own magic aptitude and spell crafting seems to confirm this view as well." (Mizuki)
Alto's eyes are alight with excitement, and she is staring at me intensely.
"Mizuki, if that's true…it's incredible. How do you think magic works then, if not the way scholars here describe?" (Alto)
Alto's face has changed to one of pure excitement, and I honestly appreciate that kind of enthusiasm for science. I smile back at her and give my best shot at explaining.
"I think that magic is just a form of energy that lets you shape the natural world to the way you imagine it. The more accurate your conceptualization of how you want to affect the world around you, the more potent the spell is. I think incantations are just a rudimentary tool to help with visualization. It's also possible that magic class and affinities are a talent for visualizing certain kinds of effects on the natural world better than others, instead of an inherent limitation." (Mizuki)
"So, you're saying…I could…" (Alto)
Alto has a dazed look about her, and she can't seem to collect her thoughts. I just nod and answer her unspoken questions.
"I suspect, but don't know, that if you were to learn how the natural world works in enough detail, you could learn new spells outside the class and affinities that you've been told are your limit. At best, with your magic power level, I might be able to teach you to teleport, heal, turn invisible, and all kinds of other cool stuff without using incantations." (Mizuki)
Alto's eyes are burning with determination when she responds.
"Is this going to be the training that you mentioned tomorrow?" (Alto)
"Yup! That was the plan. I also need Ilina to teach me a spell that she promised. I currently can't imagine how it works, so I wasn't able to recreate it on my own. I'm hoping that with an explanation of what she's thinking about when she casts the spell and maybe an incantation as starting points, I'll be able to recreate it." (Mizuki)
Alto nods excitedly, then starts to get serious after a moment, as if something else occurred to her.
"Mizuki…I'm worried about someone making an attempt on your life in the Elven Kingdom. Even in the elven royal palace. I can't even guarantee that it won't be sanctioned within some factions of the royals." (Alto)
Yeah, I had some questions for her about that, too.
"The truth is, I don't plan on letting my guard down. They would have to be monstrously powerful to stand a chance of killing me, even with a surprise attack. I think I'll be fine. However, I don't want to have to slaughter any elves in self-defense. I won't show mercy to people like that, even if it was an elven royal or the elven king or queen themself that attacked me. On that subject, I do have several questions for you, if you don't mind?" (Mizuki)
Alto raises her eyebrows and nods agreeably.
"If we all commit to the story that I'm just Nina's weaker subordinate, and that I only act at her discretion, don't you think that's going to limit their willingness for hostility against me?" (Mizuki)
"Yeah, I think that's going to help quite a bit, actually. Fufufu…honestly, I was surprised when you suggested a deceit like that. I thought honesty was a huge deal to you?" (Alto)
I shake my head.
"No, not at all. I'll lie all day long as many ways as I want if it's convenient. I just won't insist that I'm trustworthy while doing it. I lied to Ilina plenty before we became real friends. In your case, you expressed a clear reservation about trusting me, so I immediately promised you complete honesty as the cornerstone of our relationship. Earning and honoring your trust is what I cared about, and that just presented itself as a commitment to honesty. I have no such obligation with the average person." (Mizuki)
Alto looks quite shocked by this news, but she seems to come to terms with it. Seeing this, I press on with my questions.
"I also wanted to know…what is the elven government like? Who leads and makes decision? I just realized I've never asked Ilina, I just made some inferences from her statements." (Mizuki)
"Oh, it's essentially a matriarchy with royal succession through Ilina's family. We also have laws that are typically respected by the Elven Queen, but at the end of the day the Queen's word is absolute. The Elven King is her most trusted advisor, and he holds enough unofficial power that most elven nobles wouldn't disobey him. The nobles are elves and high elves who sub-manage different areas of the Elven Kingdom." (Alto)
Well, that's straightforward. Last question.