Lessons on magic (part 2).

“Let’s explain them in the order I mentioned them” Aoi continued. “Strengthening is perhaps the most straight forward of the bunch, but that doesn’t mean it’s devoid of depth. It’s sometimes also referred to as reinforcement magic. You’ve used some magic of this type before, correct?”

Will nodded. “If you mean using it to enhance strength, then yes.”

“That’s one of its main uses,” she said. She lifted her hand as if she was holding an object, then frowned at as she realized something and… puffed one of her cheeks. “I didn’t bring any props.” Will couldn’t help the snicker, and that made Aoi’s cheeks turn a little red. “Hmph. I’ve had a lot on my mind, as you may imagine. Forgive me for improvising this lecture.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am. Please continue.” Will tried to be polite, but that unexpectedly cute reaction caught him by surprise.

Aoi straightened herself up, which resulted in her chest doing a little bounce inside her top. A little distracting, but nothing the now very experienced William Sawyer couldn’t manage.

‘They ARE very nice, aren’t they?’

‘Too nice. Slap me if I start to lose focus.’

‘Will do.’

“Anyway, as I was saying, strengthening magic can be used to let the normal human body reach supernatural levels of strength, speed and even toughness. For people as involved in the hunting of supernatural phenomena like me, it’s arguably one of the most important types of magic to keep honed. Besides that, however, one could also reinforce other objects to enhance their abilities. Can you think of an example?”

“Mmm…” Will looked around, and seeing the wooden walls, he thought of something. “Making walls tougher?”

“Yes, that’d be one,” Aoi said, smiling. She walked up to one of the walls and gave it a hard punch. It was loud and the entire building rattled, but not a plank was out of place. “The walls here are reinforced just like that. You could also make a knife sharper, for example. Even with something so seemingly straightforward as ‘making something stronger’, our conceptual understanding of the world comes into play. Say, could you enhance the sharpness of a smooth rubber ball?” she asked.

“No, you couldn’t,” Will answered. “A smooth rubber ball would have no sharpness to begin with.”

“Exactly. And since our minds understand it that way, it’s impossible to do. If your mind doesn’t believe it possible, then nothing will happen. Much like how a physically healthy person can’t walk if psychological trauma from a previous accident prevents them from believing they can.”

‘Mmm. Then… Could it be that one of the reasons you’ve had an easy time learning to use my powers is because I showed you what’s possible from the get go?’

Now that Ishtar mentioned it, it made sense. Will’s first conscious experience with anything magic related was Ishtar taking over his body and using sexual energy without restrain. Will felt the odd energy flow in his own body and saw its effects first hand. Believing Ishtar after that was easy.

“You’ve clearly overcome that issue long ago,” Aoi continued, walking back to him. “That will make your training simpler.”

“Is that all strengthening magic is about?” Will asked.

“We will keep it at that for now. This is a lecture on the basics, after all.” With an arm under her chest and a hand supporting her elbow, Aoi raised two fingers with the other. “The next type of magic is Enchantment, one you seem to be deeply familiar with.”

“So I take it it’s not about the enchantments on this barn?”

Aoi shook her head. “Enchantment magic has to do with suggestions and mind control. It’s used to enchant people’s minds and make them believe whatever the caster wants. It’s also called Link magic, because it requires a connection from the caster to the recipient. From what I’ve seen, in your case…” she sighed, “that connection is formed when sexual attraction occurs.”

“Hold on. I haven’t mind controlled anyone,” Will defended himself with arms crossed. “No, this actually sounds more like what Ishtar was doing to me. What stronger link than having her living in my head?”

“The allure you ooze is enough to mimic the effects of a crude charming spell. And like I said before, our understanding of the world comes into play when it comes to magic. You are… undeniably attractive,” she admitted, coughing once to clear her throat. “At least by common standards and thanks to the help of a certain someone.”

“I like to believe I was easy on the eyes before, anyway, but point taken.”

Aoi let out a tired, resigned sigh. “That attractiveness predisposes anyone who has an interest in you to be easily affected by… your magical charms. That’s the link between you and those you want to influence. It might not be mind control, but your powers draw women to you regardless. It’s why I keep saying you’re dangerous.”

Will understood. “And it continues to give credit to Ishtar’s claims. Her powers are meant to make sex feel the best and make it easy to get.”

“Just so.” Aoi’s expression was serious and neutral, but Will could tell the talk of sex was making the older woman a little uncomfortable. Was she remembering what he had to do to her back in that other world? “And now that you know this, can you identify the techniques you used to fight me and bring me out of Jack’s mind control?”

Yeah, she was.

Will pondered on it, but quickly came up with an answer. “Some form of strengthening magic to make your body more sensitive to my touch, perhaps? Is it possible to affect other people that way with it?”

Aoi nodded. “Under certain conditions. What do you think were those conditions and what made them possible?”

The questions were getting more difficult, but Will felt the answer at the tip of his tongue.

‘I think I know. Want me to tell you?’

‘Let me get it on my own. Just… give me a clue?’

‘Remember what you did before you fought her and what she just said about connections.’

It clicked. “I tore off my t-shirt. That let you see me half-naked, creating that connection you mentioned. With us linked like that, using magic to make you more sensible was possible because, in a way, you wan…” Will stopped himself just short of finishing that sentence. Felt completely inappropriate to put it into words, considering most of what he did was done without consent. He clicked his tongue out of frustration before taking in a deep breath. “It was a blend of both strengthening and enchantment magic, right?”

Aoi offered him an easy smile that let Will relax a bit. “Correct. You’re a quick study. You do well in school?”

“Not particularly.” He chuckled. “This, though, feels… natural. Ishtar has explained the way her powers work, and she’s always made a point to mention how important emotions and feelings are. That and the links you mentioned seem to be closely related.”

“Partners, was it?” Aoi’s smile turned wry. “You really would make a dangerous duo. What stops you from wanting more than you have?”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Will admitted sheepishly. “I want more than I have. But show me someone who doesn’t.”

Aoi raised an eyebrow.

“A better car, a better paying job, a house in a more relaxed neighborhood, more stability… Everyone wants more than what they have, even when they have everything they need. I’ve always…” Will grunted. “I’ve always wanted a nice, happy romantic life, you know? Back when I had my first girlfriend, I genuinely thought I would end up marrying her. She had other plans, and so did the three girls I dated before Ishtar **** herself on my life. But even with that, my stupid desire isn’t gone. It’s just… Having Ishtar with me twisted it a bit.”

“Twisted it?” Aoi asked curiously.

With a small, slightly regretful smile, Will continued. “I want a tranquil, happy romantic life. But I feel Ishtar’s hunger as if it were mine. No, at this point it’s mine as well. I don’t want to choose between Reina, Ruth, Cynthia and Amelia. I want to make them all mine, and make them all happy. And I want more girls, too. It’s difficult to explain the ecstasy I feel when I’m with a woman, and how much better it is when she accepts me like the four I mentioned have. It's undeniably twisted, and I understand it’s reproachable, but I can’t help it. Rather than fight this instinct, I will embrace it and do things my way.”

Aoi asked carefully, “And you way is…?”

“Try very hard until it works out. Ishtar said it, right? It means nothing if the girls I like feel nothing for me, or if I **** those feelings to exist with mind control. Sorry to disappoint, but if Ishtar’s powers will let me get away with it, then I’ll do it.”

Aoi shook her head. “You really are a bastard, just like every other spirit host I’ve encountered.”

“Sorry.” Will’s words were honest. A small part of him, whatever remained of his innocent, naïve self, still felt doubts over the path he’d chosen. But doubts were always there, no matter the path. And this time… Well, he had Ishtar. Even if everything came crashing down one day…

‘Yep. Still gonna be there. We both made our choice, right?’

Will mentally nodded. Even if everything came crashing down, he would still have Ishtar. Not the powerful being with sex powers, but simply… her. His partner.

“Regardless,” Aoi continued. “You’re not even ¼ as bad as any other spirit host I’ve met. I should commend you for holding back Ishtar from doing as she pleases. If the cost is a good portion of your sanity, well… I suppose I’ll have to keep an eye on you, so you won’t become an unabashed degenerate.”

Will chest lightened. He shot Aoi an apologetic smile and said, “Sorry for the tangent. I do promise to be careful with everything you teach me. Actually, teaching me will help me be even more careful, don’t you think?”

“Don’t push it.” She chuckled and shook her head. “But you’re right. We should continue.”