Chapter 39

Chapter 39: Belief and the Waist

Originally, transitioning from non-attribute magic to attribute magic was not this easy.

Transforming all the accumulated magic power into new magic power.

However.

'The Thousand Circle Technique doesn’t need that.'

Magic power that can embrace all attributes.

When in the core, it doesn’t carry any attribute, but the moment it flows through the circuits, it instantly changes to the desired attribute.

Is that all?

'Even with multiple attributes, it’s the same.'

For example.

Fire and Earth.

When a magician contains two types of attribute magic, what method would they use?

Generally, they divide the core’s area.

If the core has a total capacity of 100, it is divided equally into 50 and 50, with one side for Earth and the other for Fire.

For three attributes? Divide it into three equal parts.

For four attributes? Divide it into four equal parts.

But, with the Thousand Circle Technique, there was no need for that.

Without dividing the core’s area, the Thousand Circle Technique could encompass all attributes just by learning them.

Why is this significant?

'If you divide the core into two 50s, would the output be the same as a 100? No.'

Compared to non-attribute magic, it could be better.

Since attribute magic is more efficient, that’s a given.

However, when learning the same attribute magic. If one is a single attribute and the other is multiple attributes?

'The difference starts from there.'

Of course, each has its pros and cons.

Multiple attributes have lower output but are more versatile and can cast various composite spells.

Anyway.

"Huh, it’s so quiet."

I moved to the open space near my lodging.

There was no training ground near the lodging I used to stay in, but now I’m staying in a temporary lodging provided by the academy for the affected students.

This temporary lodging, which was originally for VIPs, had all the facilities one could think of.

Perhaps because it was my first outing in a week.

'It’s chilly.'

It might be because it had rained heavily.

Or maybe it’s just colder at night.

Anyway, I stood in the middle of the quiet training ground and quietly ignited a fireball.

Whoosh—

A bright light flickered in the middle of the dim training ground.

I quietly observed the fireball and gauged the consumed magic power and various metrics.

The result.

'Efficiency is roughly... '

About twice as much.

Size isn’t everything, but when creating a fireball of the same size, non-attribute magic consumed about half as much.

Then, what’s next?

'Compression.'

The fireball created with non-attribute magic could be compressed up to eight times.

Of course, this didn’t mean the power increased eightfold, but it could be amplified several times with compression.

However.

Crack, crack...!

The fireball, compressed to a certain extent, began to tremble as if about to explode.

I looked at the fireball for a moment and clicked my tongue.

'Still, only once for now.'

I had hoped for more, but it was as expected.

'The nature of non-attribute magic and fire magic is different.'

If non-attribute magic is like clay that can be shaped as you mold it, fire magic is like a highly elastic substance.

It has strong rebound.

It feels like it will burst if you keep pressing.

"Hmm."

I dispersed the fireball and fell into thought.

As the light that had illuminated the surroundings disappeared, darkness quickly descended on the center of the training ground.

'If they are so different... it’s impossible to even dream of a collision technique, right?'

The collision technique is a skill that manipulates the energy derived from the collision of magic particles.

Compared to compressing magic, the difficulty is several times greater.

Moreover...

'It’s also dangerous.'

Now, I can handle the collision technique without much trouble, but when I first devised and practiced it, I was injured countless times.

If the backlash hits the body instead of the outside, it could be fatal.

What if something like that happens while using the collision technique with fire magic?

'Terrifying.'

Perhaps my hand would burst.

The rebound is beyond imagination...

'Then, what about the interference technique?'

Interference Technique (干涉式)

The method I used to disperse Kalahen’s field was this interference technique.

It reads the flow of magic power in the field and aligns my magic power’s flow with it.

When the flows align, the rebound disappears, and if you slide your hand into the field, the field is dispelled.

'Let’s see...'

I summoned magic power in my palm.

It looks like the usual deep blue magic power, but its essence is clearly fire magic.

I spread the fire magic across my palm and then retracted it.

"This is... "

Too rough.

Uncontrollable.

If the collision technique is avoided due to its danger, the interference technique is difficult to attempt because it requires such precise control.

Perhaps the attributes themselves don’t match.

"Tsk."

I sighed in disappointment.

'There’s no need to put much effort into the interference technique, but the collision technique is a bit disappointing.'

Just because I can handle fire magic doesn’t mean I can’t use non-attribute magic.

So, there’s no need to apply the mismatched fire magic to the interference technique.

However, the collision technique is genuinely disappointing.

After all, its destructive power is undoubtedly exceptional.

"Well... time will tell."

It’s difficult, but it’s not impossible.

When I first handled non-attribute magic, it was even more challenging than this.

By the way.

'I need a spell that I can use now.'

Adequate Fire is merely fire magic and a vision that points to the ultimate goal.

The issue is its application.

What does this mean?

'I have a good sword, but I don’t know how to use it.'

Basically, I can easily cut, stab, and swing.

But, why is that?

'Something like Chenbi’s Earth Spear.'

Thinking about it, Chenbi’s breathing technique was surely not an intermediate one.

A type that manifests a mental image, like Adequate Fire.

'The mental image and the Earth Spear must have matched well.'

The shape of the mental image created by Chenbi’s breathing technique and the form of the Earth Spear must have aligned.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible to draw the Earth Spear.

Thus, magic is not just about obtaining something.

'Even if you master a good vision, you need a matching spell. And even if you have a good spell, you can’t use it if it doesn’t match the vision.'

The reason the noble families thrive is because of this.

"Kya, phew."

A feeling of dirtiness.

But, it’s fine.

'Well, I can use any spell for now.'

Fire spells, for example, don’t heavily depend on the match between the vision and the spell.

If it were a plant vision,

It would be more challenging.

Vision, spell, and the seeds of the plants you have.

There are many factors to consider.

By the way...

"..."

I gathered my thoughts and slowly turned my gaze.

It was generally the time when everyone would be asleep.

But, I sensed someone.

Finding someone getting up in the middle of the night and heading to the training ground? It’s possible.

But, there was no one in this temporary lodging.

The students had only escaped a life-threatening situation a week ago, and the knights from the empire were guarding the area tightly.

No, regardless of the reasons, the reason I sensed someone was different.

'Too obvious.'

The presence was continuously emitted as if to announce its existence.

I stared into the darkness between the streetlights, where the light didn’t reach.

The silence of the night.

The sound of clapping broke the silence not long after.

Clap, clap, clap.

The claps were intermittent and not very loud.

What can I say?

A faint sound that quickly disappeared into the darkness.

But, why?

"..."

The soft claps seemed to fill the space.

A strange pressure.

The person hidden in the darkness took a step into the light.

Shoes that gave a sense of age.

The clothes, though worn, had a vintage feel rather than being old.

And when the person’s entire body, from the upper half to the head, emerged from the darkness,

An old man with white hair smiled at me.

"Indeed, Professor Pelina had reason to be suspicious. Your senses are quite good, and most importantly... to handle such difficult fire magic to this extent is impressive."

Professor Pelina was a name I knew.

About a month ago.

The gaze that had been watching me ever since the test ended.

There was no hostility or suspicion, but I could feel the observing gaze.

But, an old man mentioning Professor Pelina.

I looked at the old man closely.

A memory flashed through my mind.

"Headmaster?"

"Call me Headmaster."

The old magician who gave endless speeches with 'Eh, that, this' in the grand hall.

The person in front of me was that headmaster.

But.

"..."

The pressure was incomparably stronger than before.

What can I say? A pressure I had never felt in my entire life.

When I thought about it.

"However..."

A faint anger flashed across the headmaster’s face.

The atmosphere around him changed instantly.

I had seen something similar with Heng, but this was incomparable.

It was as if the surrounding air moved according to the headmaster’s mood, a natural flow rather than an artificial one.

'Damn.'

What is this situation?

'I don’t know.'

Is it because a goblin from a shallow mountain came out to the vast plain?

Why am I meeting so many strong people in this life that I’ve never heard of before?

Professor Falun and the other professors at the academy were also strong people I had never heard of in my previous life.

Positively, it means the water I’m in this life is much bigger. Negatively, it means...

'I’m in a perfect position to die.'

But, who am I?

A former troubleshooter.

I won’t bend, even if I break.

'If he comes... I have to face him.'

As I secretly steeled my resolve, the headmaster’s voice echoed in my ear.

"Are you not going to greet me?"

"..."

"Hmm, well, I may look like this, but I am the highest authority in the academy. Hmm."

Who said it?

The body’s reaction is faster than the mind.

"Hello, Headmaster! No, Headmaster!"

I bowed deeply, more than 120 degrees, to the headmaster.

I won’t bend, even if I break, is a matter of belief.

But the waist is a joint meant to bend and twist.

The headmaster smiled generously at my greeting.

"Hehe, he... Your manners are truly proper. But, could you lower your voice a bit...?"

"My voice was too loud! I’m sorry! Headmaster! I was too nervous!"

"Hmm, you see. Shouting like that won’t bring anyone. I’ve blocked out all the surrounding sounds."

Ah, that’s what it was.

"If you had told me a bit earlier, it would have been better. Hmm, my throat is quite dry."

"..."

It clearly smelled of annoyance. It also felt like a secret visit.

I thought I could easily gather people and drive him away, but I didn’t expect him to have set up a magic field.

'What a quick-witted old man.'

Of course, he still had a smile on his face.

As I said, not bending, even if breaking, is a matter of belief. Smiling is neither breaking nor bending.

I just smile because it feels good.

"So... why did you come?"

At my question, the headmaster looked at me with a blank expression for a moment and then spoke.

And when he opened his mouth,

"I came because I have a question. But, I’m not sure if you’ll answer honestly."

Crack, crack—

An indescribable pressure squeezed my body again.

'Damn it.'

Really, a damn life.