Chapter 9
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Introduction to Magic (1)
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Back at the mansion after finishing my meal, I pondered my future growth plan.
In Savior of World, there were several elements that aided in combat.
First, equipment.
Equipment itself came with added effects like causing bleeding or paralysis, and some weapons consumed mana to unleash special effects like flames or poison on the spot.
Magic.
Depending on how it was used, it could take down multiple enemies at once or deliver a single devastating blow.
Secret techniques.
These consumed stamina rather than mana and unleashed special movements to attack foes.
Honestly, some of them felt more like magic than secret techniques at times, but whatever.
And then divine arts.
By offering faith and mana, one could borrow the gods' holy power for various buffs, protections, or direct attacks, with even greater versatility than magic.
Finally, spirit arts.
These summoned spirits to fight alongside you or granted their blessings for buffs.
Summoning spirits also drew aggro from other monsters, so players often used them as tanks while focusing purely on offense themselves.
That said, this was all from a game's perspective, where players could learn everything quickly and evenly. But recalling my memories, mastering all of these was far from easy.
If everyone could just learn them all, why would the world have separate professions like priests or mages?
Everyone would devoutly believe in the gods, wield magic on the side, and pick up martial arts too.
Divine arts depended on talent to begin with, and required dedicated study besides.
Magic went without saying—it demanded study.
And even trickier to learn than those two were spirit arts.
You could use magic to summon spirits and open a line of communication, but whether you could actually wield them boiled down to luck and whether they liked you or not.
For reference, when I was in the capital, I tried summoning spirits too, but one glanced at me and vanished immediately, giving me the boot.
'Spirits aren't tied to the body, so calling them again wouldn't change anything...'
I once asked my triplet younger siblings, who handled spirits well. They said the biggest reason spirits chose people was the scent emanating from their bodies.
Maybe mine reeked worse after dumping all those impurities at once, scaring them off?
Anyway.
'Right now, I need to focus on the fastest way to grow.'
A few days had passed since Aren Eldiad headed down to the village to hunt chikleks.
Ridel Nelraid watched her master grow day by day.
'I'm getting used to it now.'
Even his explosive growth compared to yesterday was starting to feel familiar.
The sight of Aren Eldiad's body gaining more muscle and firmness, pleasing her eyes; the fact that just days ago he'd sparred evenly with the imperial knights, and now he could barely edge them out— all of it had become routine for Ridel.
It was astonishing, but she could accept it as his talent finally blooming, leading to rapid progress.
'Still, it's a shame he doesn't get embarrassed anymore.'
Ridel often teased the somewhat innocent Aren and enjoyed his reactions.
But lately, even when she teased him, he no longer blushed easily. Instead, he'd respond steadily and reliably, leaving her the one embarrassed more often.
'Is it the confidence from all this growth? But... it's not bad.'
She didn't mind her teasing falling flat—not when her master's body was improving and growing more masculine by the day.
And today, as usual, she rose early, entered Aren's room to wake him, admired the firm pectorals peeking through his nightclothes, and was savoring his overall developed muscles (especially his abs) while helping him change when Aren called her name.
"Ridel."
"Yes, Master Aren."
'Did I take too long this time? But can you blame me when your body develops so differently every day, stealing my gaze? Though if it gets much bigger, it might start feeling a bit overwhelming...'
"Teach me some magic."
"...Pardon?"
Ridel thought she'd misheard for a moment.
Lifting her head from his abs to look at Aren, she asked,
"My apologies, Master Aren. I must have misheard. What did you say?"
"Teach me some magic."
"So I didn't mishear."
Ridel quickly finished dressing him and spoke.
"Master Aren, I'm hardly qualified to teach you."
Ridel Nelraid could use magic.
But that didn't mean she considered herself an expert in it.
Her family, House Nelraid, had risen through commerce rather than martial prowess, even if they could wield water magic.
As nobles, they'd learned magic out of obligation, but never delved deeply.
'He must have already studied under far superior imperial mages anyway.'
"Why not review what the imperial mages taught you before?"
"Ridel, back when I was little, those guys had me fire off a mana bullet and then gave up on me."
"..."
It was pitiful, but then why ask her now? She couldn't understand.
But grasping her thoughts immediately, Aren said,
"Just hear me out. I want to test if I have any potential."
"Potential, you say..."
"You know how much I've grown lately, right?"
"Yes. You're advancing at an astonishing rate every single day."
"Exactly. And up until now, I had zero talent in anything. So maybe my magic talent has awakened too? Wouldn't it be worth checking?"
"I see that's how you feel."
'Most imperial family members' talents focus on one area. For him to think he's awakened not just physical prowess, but magic too...'
Objectively, blooming with such groundbreaking talent as an adult was a miracle in itself.
However.
'I understand how Master Aren feels. After all those years of comparisons, experiencing this unbelievable growth must make him wonder.'
Considering his emotions, Ridel resolved herself.
'Very well, Master Aren. I'll keep at it until you're satisfied.'
She figured it wouldn't take long anyway.
Magic talent could be gauged in a short time.
Besides, even if it had awakened, achieving mastery at this stage would be tough.
'Still, I can't half-ass it.'
"Master Aren, then let's test your magic aptitude after lunch."
"After lunch?"
"I'm no expert, so I'll check the mansion's library for magic books that might help you."
"Got it. Thanks, Ridel. You're the only one for me."
"Ahem, well, as your exclusive maid, it's only natural."
'He's been saying things like that without hesitation lately.'
The reason I'd asked Ridel to teach me magic was simple: in this mansion, she was the best at it.
Gillek could wield secret techniques and handle mana, but he didn't call it magic.
According to him, it felt entirely different intuitively.
I agreed.
Secret techniques felt like using mana, while magic was like constructing phenomena with mana as the material.
Of course, this was just a vague recollection from my memories.
From childhood, I'd been branded talentless, so I barely knew even the basics, let alone advanced magic.
'When was the last time I even used magic?'
It had been years since I'd fired even the most basic mana bullet.
I finished my usual morning workout and spars with the knights, then followed Ridel to the garden once she said preparations for the magic lesson were ready.
Several targets were lined up in the garden, likely set there on Ridel's orders.
"What magic do you know how to use, Master Aren?"
"I can do mana bullet."
That was the only one I could manage, really.
"Very well. We'll use mana bullet to gauge your current level and see if you've truly awakened mana talent."
"Thanks."
"Do you need a staff? I can lend you mine if you'd like."
"Nah, using a staff for a talent test feels like cheating."
Staves made magic easier, of course, but in this world, they were purely for boosting power or adding elements—not ideal for judging raw talent.
"Understood. Then follow my lead..."
Ridel pointed her finger at a target.
Bang!
A mana bullet shot from her fingertip and hit the target dead-on.
"Use mana bullet to hit the target next to it."
"Got it."
Recalling the last time I'd used mana bullet, I extended my finger like Ridel and aimed at the target beside the one she'd hit.
'Gather mana inside my body at my fingertip, form a small orb... and fire with all my might!'
Boom!
The recoil from the mana bullet jerked my arm upward.
And then.
Crack!
The wooden target split open with a gaping hole in the center and fell to the ground.
"Huh?"
I'd revived an old memory to cast it, but the mana bullet's power was nothing like I'd expected.
What the hell.
This is scary.
Why's it so strong?
"Master... Aren?"
Turning around, I saw Ridel staring at me with her mouth agape.
It was the exact same expression Gillek and the knights had shown me these past few days.