Chapter 48

Observing Magic
In conclusion, my Hot Reflex wasn’t categorized as healing magic. Makes sense.

According to the Vice-Guildmaster, it was likely a combination magic of water, fire, and wind.

Apparently, combination magic isn’t that rare among those who mainly use magic in combat, but it’s usually just two-element combinations. Using multiple elements for something non-offensive like this was praised as remarkable. I felt happy being complimented, especially because it was said to be possible thanks to my constant mana control practice.

The Guildmaster also pointed out that my magic usage itself was quite unusual and I should keep that in mind.

“So, let me show you some of the magic we use. We’ll start with wind.

Cut through with the blade of wind, [Wind Cutter].

Pierce while cloaked in wind, [Wind Arrow].

Guard me with a wall of wind blades to ward off foes, [Wind Wall].

These are common spells. How was it?”

Boomerang-shaped blades zipped through targets, a greenish arrow pierced into another target with a swoosh, and a small tornado formed around the Vice-Guildmaster, obscuring him from view.

Yep, these chants were totally feeding my inner chuunibyou. Though the Vice-Guildmaster’s incantations were short, I bet there are adventurers out there chanting even more dramatic lines.

Dad and the Guildmaster looked stunned—maybe because of the short incantations? They’d mentioned something like that before. The Vice-Guildmaster dispersed the mini-tornado and asked for my thoughts, so I decided to focus on the incantations.

“The short incantations were really cool!”

“Pfft… wait, that’s what you’re impressed by!?”

Huh? Was that the wrong takeaway?

“Um… I also thought it was amazing how you could attack so quickly without any charge-up like Tony and the others, and I thought maybe similar spells exist for other elements too.”

Tony and his friends used ball-shaped spells, but blades seem more versatile, especially with wind. Fire might be too intense in blade form, so maybe a concentrated beam like a laser would be better for minimizing damage to materials.

“Exactly. Normally, I’d cast these without chanting, but I recited them today for clarity. I’m sure you could use them chantless too.

Also, you’re spot on—similar spells exist in other elements. Let me demonstrate how the same types of spells look with different elements.”

Oh nice, I was right. The Guildmaster looked like he wanted to say something, but the Vice-Guildmaster seemed so happy to confirm it that he stayed quiet—maybe he’ll explain later?

The Vice-Guildmaster then demonstrated with water: [Water Cutter], [Water Arrow], [Water Wall]; earth: [Earth Ball], [Earth Lance], [Earth Wall]; and wood: [Wood Lance], [Wood Arrow], [Leaf Wall], consecutively.

“That was awesome! You’re amazing, Vice-Guildmaster! Like a real sorcerer! The water wall is cool since you can still see through it! I thought earth and wood magic wouldn’t work without surrounding materials, but if you could use wood magic, that means earth magic works even without soil nearby! Oh, and why was the wood wall made of leaves?”

His white hair fluttered as he chanted spell after spell. I bounced on the spot, overwhelmed by how cool it was. I mean, come on! His hair and robes were billowing, his chants were short—so dramatic! I wouldn’t have minded full chuunibyou chants, but this crisp tempo was perfect!

The Guildmaster and Dad were gaping at the non-stop magic casting.

“Phew… hahahaha… so you think it’s cool? I’m glad. It’s heartwarming to be praised so enthusiastically by someone looking up at me with sparkling eyes.

Yes, while it’s true that magic is stronger near its natural element, with enough mana control, you can use it anywhere. Frontline adventurers with less mana usually stick to element-rich environments for efficiency.

As for the leaf wall, that was a fusion spell with my specialty, wind. The wind lifts the leaves, forming a wall that can slice enemies with razor-sharp leaf edges.”

Not many people call you cool, huh? I guess it’s hard to express that to someone this overwhelmingly skilled. But it was genuinely cool! The leaf wall especially felt like something a ninja would use—great for sneak attacks or evasions!

“Man… Vio, you’re something else. You’re not even Alke’s biological kid, but after seeing Aslan’s magic, all you can say is ‘cool’… you’re incredible.”

The Guildmaster, still in awe, patted my head before going to clean up the four wrecked targets.

Huh? But it was cool, wasn’t it?

When I looked at Dad, he gave a slightly awkward smile.

"Well, shucks, it ain't just the Vice-Guildmaster we're talkin' about. A mage who can cast spells one after the other like that is a real blessing if they're on our side, but a mighty scare if they ain't.

Most mages can't keep their focus steady through multiple spells—their power flickers, and they miss their marks. But not the Vice-Guildmaster; he don't lose a lick of accuracy or power."

Hmm, true—every spell he cast landed perfectly.

“So, it’s thanks to practicing properly and mastering mana control. Mom always said to work hard, so I’ll keep up my mana control and sensing practice without slacking off!”

“Hahaha, you’re admirable, Vio.”

“Indeed, it’s such a joy to be understood without fear after explaining the reason. I didn’t realize it could feel this rewarding.”

This really hammered in how important basic training is. Morning stretches, walking practice to the guild, nighttime mana control and sensing drills—I’ll never skip them again!

What do you think about this chapter?