Chapter 12: End Of Occlumency Lessons, and Day Out With Lia (1/2)
Books. Memories. Books. Memories.
For another five months, Quinn slaved away in his mindscape, sorting memories to bookshelves. It was an arduous project, as there were too many memory books. Even if Quinn managed to clean out an area, more would appear in the same area.
Quinn had to sort through all the memories of his life. Viewing every memory that was presented to him as memory books. It was all not bad as Quinn's speed of sorting increased with time. From the first time, his current speed was twice as fast. But it was nothing when compared to the speed Alan had described to him.
”Mr. West, I have reached the level where my memories are sorted in real-time. The ongoing memory of me talking to you is already sorted. I don't have to sort them as you do. I have trained my mind and mindscape to sort them the moment I see them.”
Plus, Quinn could only complete a quarter of the total immersion possible for a memory. Alan, on the other hand, was once again on another level.
”I achieve complete immersion for all my memories. I can recall the input from all my senses; Sight, Sound, Smell, Taste, and Touch. I can even recall what emotion and thoughts I had during the memory,” Quinn had remembered the look Alan had given him as he had revealed, ”Mr. West, I have sorted every memory of my life. Even the unpleasant ones, like the death of loved ones, fears, insecurities, and many more. I have relived those memories just so that I could sort them. You don't have to complete the immersion on those memories, but there will be times when you would chance upon those memories.”
It was one of those rare times when Alan was serious, ”I would suggest that you at least sort them with minimum immersion. Otherwise, they would remain outside your bookshelves, and believe me when I say it would cause problems in the long term. Emotions are powerful, Mr. West. Magic responds the most to emotions. It would be difficult, but I have confidence that you would be able to power through.”
It was Quinn's first time hearing a somber side of the magic. He couldn't imagine what it would be like to relive not-so-pleasant memories. To feel the emotions at their height. What about experiences from which you had moved on in life, but you had to go back and relive them with a complete immersion and feel those heavy emotions?
In six months, Quinn went through all of his memories. Because he wasn't aiming for feeling emotions and only had quarter immersion, he didn't face major emotional problems. It did bother Quinn when he found memories of his transmigration and the subsequent days. Plus, the various times he had slipped into guilt, shame, and depression.
He was in one of the rooms, walking as he admired the full bookshelves. After he was satisfied, he closed his eyes and exited his mindscape. When he opened his eyes, he was lying on the familiar sofa in Alan and Quinn's room.
He sat up and looked at Alan, who was reading a book. Quinn knew that even though Alan looked like he was doing nothing just a moment ago, Alan was with him in his mindscape.
”So, what is next?” Quinn asked as he sat on his usual stool.
Alan removed his eyes from the book and answered, ”We are done, Mr. West.” Quinn was confused as he titled his head, ”What do you mean, we are done?”
Alan closed his book and set it on the table, ”I have taught you the basics of the aspect of efficiency. From here on out, you would have to carve out your own path.”
Quinn frowned and questioned, ”But, all I have done is sort my memories. There must be more to the aspect of efficiency.”
Alan nodded and returned, ”Do you feel any difference in your memory recall?”
To that, Quinn nodded without hesitation, ”Yes, absolutely. It has become easier to recall things. My memorization speed might not have increased, but I am positive that I can retain things longer.” Quinn knew that after sorting his memory, he could easily access them by entering his mindscape.
”Tell me, did you decide the bookshelves for the memory books?”
Quinn shook his head as whenever a memory book gained quarter immersion, it would disappear from his hands and insert itself into a bookshelf, and he would know which bookshelf it was, but he could never decide which bookshelf should the books go to.
”Now that you have sorted all of your memories. You have the option to arrange the memory books in the bookshelves of your choice. How you sort is up to you. How you arrange books in your mindscape is important, as you would know where the books are and could find them much faster than now. There is more information in the book that I have given you, reference sorting techniques from there, but do create something original. You would be the most comfortable with your own craft.”
The book mentioned by Alan was; 'An Occlumens' Treasure Trove, Part 2'. The book was based around the efficiency aspect and was an extensive text made from the result of Alan's knowledge and experience.
Alan continued explaining, ”After you have found a sorting scheme, learn how to dive into your Mindscape without detaching yourself from the real world,” It was a valid point as Quinn had to close his eyes and focus so that he could enter his mindscape. Currently, he couldn't do anything in the actual world while he was in his mindscape, which was very inefficient. ”There are many things that you could accomplish with both aspects that I have taught you, but it will be your decision what to learn, how to earn, and when to learn. I have given you the resources. Use them well.”
Alan had gifted Quinn the third and final volume of 'An Occlumens' Treasure Trove' series, centered on the emotional aspect. According to Alan, after learning two aspects, Quinn had enough experience to get started on the third aspect without his guidance.
Quinn bit his lower lip, and Alan could see the wheels turning in his student's tiny head. He could guess what Quinn was thinking, but he silently waited for Quinn to speak.
Quinn made up his mind and asked, ”I want you to teach me Legilimency.” Alan smiled in his mind but just stared at Quinn, watching as his student fidgeted in nervousness, as he stayed silent, enjoying the moment.
Alan stayed silent for a couple of minutes before saying, ”I will draft another contract extension with your grandfather. Of course, only if he agrees.” Quinn nodded as if his grandfather refused; he wouldn't be able to learn anything from Alan.
”And, if your grandfather agrees, I would start after a break of three months. I want to relax.” Quinn stilled for a moment but then nodded as he understood the need for a break. Alan had been visiting the West Manor for around twenty-one months.
”I understand. I would set up a meeting with my grandfather. You can discuss the details with him.”
In the meeting, they decided Alan would teach Quinn the art of legilimency after a three-month break. He would visit thrice a week, one more than the previous twice per week arrangement. The new plan pleased Quinn more than anything.
It would be the evening after the day of the meeting that Alan would call Quinn into his study.
- (Study Break) -
Quinn sat in his grandfather's study. Quinn liked his grandfather's study. It was an elegant room, and with grandfather in his seat, it looked like he was in control of everything.
Quinn looked at his grandfather, who had a drink in his hand, and asked in French, ”Why have you called me here, grandfather?”
George West swirled the drink in his hand as he asked, ”Quinn, why do you want to learn Legilimency?”
Quinn stayed silent for a moment, thinking about why his grandfather would ask him the question, before replying, ”Mr. Baddeley is a brilliant teacher. After learning from him for such a long time, I thought I can learn more from him. He is an extraordinarily rare case of dual natural talent in both Occlumency and Legilimency. Plus, he is a master of mind arts. As for why I want to learn legilimency? I want to be an excellent occlumens; then it would be wise for me to learn legilimency, so I know how legilmens approach their craft.”
Quinn paused for a moment before adding in a slightly lower voice, ”Plus, this is the only magic I can do right now.” Occlumency and legilimency were the only magic that Quinn could do openly, but he couldn't tell anyone the truth, so he said it this way. He could brew potions whenever he wanted but had to call Elliot to prepare ingredients that needed wand-work.
The words gave George some clarity about Quinn's situation. He knew about his grandson's love for magic. In fact, Quinn had gone on another book shopping spree. He had bought books from the countries of the South American continent. So George had to commission another translation work for the new books.
George nodded and ended that line of questioning. A silence fell upon the pair. Quinn knew his grandfather was a man of few words in his personal life. So, it was up to Quinn to initiate the conversation.
”When is Lia coming back?” His sister had been out for work for a couple of weeks, and he had started to miss her.
George thought about it for a while and replied, ”She would be back within a week. She has done a good job at the project in Italy.” He had a smile on his face as she praised his granddaughter.
Lia had grown a lot in the time she had gotten involved in the family business. She traveled a lot and worked at different small family shops and businesses. Each time he would give her the task to make a positive and noticeable change. [A/N: Like in the Stagiaire arc of Shokugeki No Soma.]
Quinn nodded and looked forward to reuniting with his sister. Maybe this time they would go out to play and have.
- (Study Break) -
Lia had returned home within a week. After giving her a couple of days for rest, Quinn dragged her out of the house to play in the non-magical(muggle) world.