Chapter 49: Romance (3)

Chapter 49: Romance (3)

In the Soul World, there are skills that can evolve through traits.

First aid sets the foundation to evolve into Regeneration,' while Condensation becomes a trait as its proficiency increases.

Just as first aid changes into the superior counterpart of Regeneration and the previous trait disappears, it isn't completely wiped out.

s

As I said earlier, it evolves' to a higher equivalent trait, not disappearing once existing.

You must go through one stage after another to acquire a higher equivalent trait.'

Take boxing and martial arts as examples. If I learn various techniques from Kara in the future, boxing would disappear and evolve into martial arts.

It means that boxing would be included within martial arts, not that it has perished.

But my Condensation just went poofit disappeared. I'm not sure what's going on because it wasn't given then taken back.

I've searched my memory, but as far as I know, such a case is unheard of. Had nothing appeared to begin with, I would have ignored it.

The one thing that catches my attention is the red magic. Since it mentioned compatibility with red magic, perhaps it has a significant connection.

The abilities that Gloria will reveal in the future require exposing magic on the surface, so it's likely that everyone will be paying attention.

"Now that you've calmed down, its time for me to teach."

Time passed, whether I had mastered Condensation or not, and Gloria began her instruction.

She glanced at me nervously, likely due to my recent antics.

Under the impression that I needed attention, she placed Kara right next to me, so close that even the slightest movement caused our skins to touch.

I wasn't quite sure why she put Kara next to me when Luna was around, but there must be a reason. All I had to do was learn.

"What Ill teach you is similar to Condensation; it's called Crafting.'"

"Crafting? Isn't that term usually used for refining gems?"Read latest chapters at nov(e)lbin.com Only

"Exactly. Let me show you what I mean."

Shing

It's better to show than tell a hundred times. Gloria chose to draw her sword instead of explaining.

The sword she pulled out was slender, suited for thrusting, showcasing the style she pursued.

Whirr

Blue magic began to form around the slender sword, the scenario indicating magic filling a weapon.

"As students know, imbuing weapons with magic grants various effects. The most prominent are durability and cutting ability. You are aware of this, right?"

"Yes."

"So what happens when you push the magic to its max?"

"Wouldn't the power increase?"

Luna tilted her head as she answered. Truth be told, thats correct too.

The more magic you put into a weapon, the greater its power becomes, as long as the weapon can withstand the magic.

Back when I was living in the forest, I only had things like stone axes or spears, which were basically single-use. Ragnarok, however, was more likely to hold up.

"You're right there. But unless it's an extraordinary weapon, infusing it with magic beyond a certain threshold is challenging. Here is the tricky part."

Gloria gently raised her pointer finger as she segued to her next point.

"What if two weapons filled with more magic than their limits collide?"

"Would they explode?"

Kara responded with almost a murmur. Her extensive real-world combat experience offered the immediate answer.

"Exactly. They would both bang! blow up. If that happens, both users would suffer significant damage."

"Then why not just increase the limit with Condensation?"

This time, Luna asked the question, having just learned Condensation from Kronos. It was a plausible query.

However, as Gloria initially explained, Condensation and Crafting, while similar, are different.

Gloria smiled faintly, evidently expecting such a question, and continued her explanation.

"That would work, but that's not what Crafting is about. It's about how finely you can hone the magic that appears on the surface. If Condensation increases storage space, Crafting is about refining the magic itself."

"Hmm"

Luna voiced her lack of understanding, showing a puzzled expression, clearly still not grasping it.

To simplify, let's use clay as an example. Condensation is molding the clay into its smallest possible form.

"It can be confusing. Condensation and Crafting actually have complementary properties. Hone your skills in Condensation and you'll get a feel for Crafting, and as you become proficient in Crafting, you'll realize how Condensation operates."

Crafting is then about sculpting shapes from that clay, which is why they complement each other.

At first glance, one might think it's just better to only do Crafting, as the larger the clay, the easier it is to work with.

Yet, learning Condensation is vital since it maximizes the storage space for magic.

Also, while a larger piece of clay might make the sculpting seem easier, more volume means more difficult adjustments need to be made.

"Then, isn't it better to learn just one? I was taught to succeed by focusing on one thing"

Luna, still not quite clear, tilted her head perplexedly and asked the question. It seems the understanding still eluded her.

"That's correct too, but such cases are scarce. Have you ever heard the saying from the East, All Streams Flow into the Sea'?"

"Ah! Yes, I know it. Doesn't it mean all tributaries eventually merge into one sea?"

Luna asked with a rare burst of energy, her eyes now sparkling with vigor.

Gloria herself seemed puzzled by her response, as if to say Oh?' There must be a reason she cherishes that saying so dearly.

Because it was taught by her master.'

In her narrative, Luna remembers it as something taught by her master. She probably didn't know that it was an Eastern saying.

Excited because it was a saying she knew, and even relating to her master.

"Thats an Eastern saying? I had no idea."

"Anyway! Both Condensation and Crafting essentially connect to the vast sea of magic. Ultimately, both are just processes, and the outcome depends on the individual. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I understand."

"Remember, just because you can handle magic well doesn't mean you're good at martial arts or magic. Please keep this in mind."

High mastery of magic doesnt enable you to slash through space like Rod.

In actuality, while my magic rank is Ex, my skill set is basically empty. My can is crazy strong but without contents.

Great hardware but the software is a mess.

"I've gone on a bit long. Let me now show you what Crafting is."

Whirr

Gloria reinjected magic into her slender sword, which formed a soft blue band around the blade.

Up to this point, it looked quite typical. Adding magic would result in just that effect.

"But when you apply Crafting"

Whirr!

Gloria focused, causing the blue band on the sword to shine even brighter.

The change was so conspicuous that both Luna and Kara watched with looks of wonder.

Thump

Thats when Kronos silently dropped an axe onto the sword. It was the same one that had struck his fist earlier.

Unlike the previous impact, the axe began descending from the edge slowly. Normally it would have just hit, but then

Schlick!

It split cleanly in half, a direct demonstration of Crafting's cutting capability.

Snap

The now worthless halves of the axe rolled forlornly on the ground, seemingly pitiable for some reason.

Therefore, red magic means not just mental deficiencies but an absence of intellect altogether.

That's, of course, assuming this follows the same principle. But I am certainly no idiot.

"Me."

"Huh?"

"Not. Dumb."

So I protested. Its not intellect I am lacking it's just the magic thats weird.

The damned faith makes it hard to form words, but that doesnt mean I cant understand whats being said.

"There, there. Did that upset you? Our Sivar got angry for being called dumb?"

Despite my protest, Kara pinched my cheek and teased me. She seemed to find it quite cute.

Further complaints seemed futile, so I just stayed quiet, though my expression remained sullen.

"Just as I thought"

But why do you look so certain of yourself, Gloria? What did you see?

My questioning was short-lived as Gloria clapped her hands and spoke in her characteristically warm and friendly tone.

"What's important isn't the red magic. It's whether you can use Crafting or not. Shall we see if you can do it, Sivar?"

"Hmm"

Condensation might have been easy, but Crafting seems more challenging. It didn't look like I could instantly succeed like Luna.

Plus, with the inherent strength of red magic, caution was necessary in all things. Thus, I turned my body, not towards them but to an open space.

Let's try with the sense I got from Condensation'

I gathered the magic swirling around my hand to the tip of my index finger. It was not so much Condensation as it was closer to Crafting.

In the forest, the sheer force of raw magic was enough for butchering. I had no use for Condensation or Crafting back then.

If Condensation is just about making the clay smaller, Crafting is about refining it precisely.'

Whoever coined that explanation hit it right on the head. Keeping it in mind, I focused intently.

The red magic surrounding my hand gradually collected at the tip of my index finger, combining both Condensation and Crafting.

Such an ability that even Luna could only use when focusing demanded my full attention too. Given my abundant strength, control proved challenging.

Whizzing

Before long, red magic gathered at my fingertip. Smooth and rounded, not jagged, due to Crafting.

"Isn't that dangerous?"

"Don't worry. If Crafting fails, it only disperses, not shooting off anywhere."

"That might work for you, but Sivars magic is red. It feels ominous"

From behind, I heard the chatter of Luna and Gloria. Luna seemed anxious about my actions.

Given my earlier excessive display with Condensation, her wariness was understandable. Nevertheless, I pressed on with my concentration.

Then my fingertip held a ball-shaped cluster of red magic.

[Ability: Crafting acquired!]

The notification announcing my acquisition of Crafting unfolded before my eyes.

Initially, my focus wavered right there.

[Wild Instinct activates!]

[Ability: Compatible with Red Magic!]

[Ability: Crafting has been removed!]

Another notification about the ability being deleted popped up, just like Condensation, fracturing my concentration further.

Normally, Crafting would disperse once focus was lost.

Perhaps because my magic stats were too high or some issue with the red magic itself

"Oh, uh?"

The cluster of red magic at my fingertips didn't disperse. Instead, it desperately tried to shoot out.

My instincts were shouting warnings. If things continued as they were, it would be a disaster. Action was needed.

Without any time to panic, I hastily reached up. Somehow, I ended up with my finger pointing straight up to the sky.

Pew!

Suddenly, red magic burst forth from my index finger.

It shot up toward the ceiling like a laser, leaving a red trail in its wake.

"What"

People behind began to panic, gazing up at the ceiling, just like I was.

The personal training area, unlike the communal one, might be smaller, but the ceiling is just as high.

And that's significant because

Boom!

The red magic that shot up like a laser struck the ceiling and immediately exploded.

The ceiling momentarily flashed red before bursting open with a massive explosion.

Hissing

""

""

""

A huge hole was now gaping in the personal training area's ceiling. Debris fell, but everyone simply stared at the hole above.

Each person wore an expression that clearly read lost for words,' unable to comprehend the current situation.

"Phew."

Meanwhile, I looked up at the gaping ceiling and exhaled a sigh of relief. To be honest, it had been a close call.

Personal training areas are built to be sturdy in anticipation of such events. But despite that, the explosion had torn through the ceiling completely.

The output had been reduced to prevent an accident, yet this was the extent of the damageif I had intensified it a bit more, its chilling to consider what might've happened.

At least right now, only the ceiling was wrecked; more power could've been far worse. It gave me a reason to learn to control my power.

And now I have a suppressive capability.'

I even gained a suppressive capability, coincidentally. Until now, I could only throw weapons for interception.

But today, I finally secured a legitimate suppression move. Using magic is a hurdle, but it's better than having nothing at all.

Now, what was this attack called again? I ruminated for a moment before softly exclaiming with recognition.

"Death! Beam!"

Today, I gained romance.

"I don't know what a Death Beam is, but I can tell The Principal will scold you a lot."

"How can someone cause such a commotion every single day"

I had once again lost the trust of those around me.

And somehow, the situation was dealt with.

"Keep your arms straight up! Don't put them down until I tell you to!"

"Arms sore"

"Don't whine! I know you're fine!"

Rod made me kneel and hold up both arms. It was the first time I ever encountered corporal punishment.

"Don't touch the wall with your hands! Are you trying to dodge the punishment already?"

It really was tough.