Chapter 143
Chapter 143
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 143
Chapter Title: Heavenly Punishment
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Having steadied my resolve, I headed to the dormitory first.
Every academy student was assigned a room.
But I hadn’t used mine much, so dust had settled everywhere.
Pat! Pat!
I brushed it off roughly and took a seat at the desk.
Right now, there was one thing I needed to do above all else.
Learn the new spells.
I had to master the two secret grimoires handed over by Asion Gail.
“I wonder what spells are in here.”
Flip!
With eager anticipation, I opened one of the secret grimoires.
I’d only skimmed it earlier, so I hadn’t grasped what spells it contained.
About five minutes passed.
Finally, the book’s flow started coming into view.
Well, there wasn’t anything particularly amazing in this grimoire.
Just spells to create a swirling pillar of fire?
Still, the power wasn’t bad.
It wasn’t as strong as the darkness from [Lich’s Wand], but it far outstripped the regular fire pillars or [Light of Flowing] I usually used.
Honestly, it seemed more suited to Kayla, who mainly handled fire attributes.
Come to think of it, that’s what I’d thought when I picked it.
I should teach this spell to Kayla.
In [Devil Fantasy], no matter how strong you got, solo growth meant nothing.
The further into the late game, the more checkpoints you couldn’t clear alone.
That being the case.
“⋯⋯I’ll have to teach her.”
Deciding to share this spell with Kayla too, I read the grimoire more carefully.
I planned to master it first, then properly pass it on to her.
It was far better for me to learn the technique and demonstrate it than to make her read these complex grimoires.
Plus, it would reinforce my own fire magic power.
‘Once Kayla or old man Thompson reaches a higher level, I’ll teach them other spells too.’
Flip-! Flip-!
Lost in those thoughts, I’d been reading for quite a while.
The spell was harder than expected, but I was finally starting to get the hang of it.
I immediately put it into practice.
Ssssh!
Mana rushed toward me in an instant.
‘Like this?’
Following the grimoire exactly, I completed all the formulas, then overlaid fire attribute onto the spiraling mana atop my finger.
And then.
Roarrr!
The swirling mass erupted into a crimson fire pillar.
‘Once more.’
Wanting to check it more closely, I gripped [Lich’s Wand] and cast it again.
Rooaaarrr!
A vastly stronger spiral fire pillar shot up into the air.
It looked powerful enough to work even on upper demons.
‘Not bad.’
It wasn’t as astonishing as other spells from secret grimoires, but considering total mana cost, cast speed, and so on, it was great value all around.
Of course, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little disappointed.
‘Tch, but it was still better than the others⋯⋯.’
No helping it.
Better than water sprays or dropping heavy rocks.
Not every secret grimoire held amazing spells.
Though most did.
Glance.
I turned my gaze to the other secret grimoire I hadn’t learned yet.
“This one’s the real star.”
Of the grimoires Barus offered, this was the one I’d decided to take at first sight.
Lightning attribute.
In a way, it was my first proper lightning spell since transformation magic.
My excitement built as I read on.
And.
“⋯⋯Insane.”
The deeper I got, the more I marveled.
Even though it was a secret grimoire like the last, the content’s quality was on another level.
Formulas, magic circles⋯⋯.
Everything packed tight with only essential details, no wasted words.
Completely different trajectory from the previous one.
I could tell even before trying it.
That being so.
Thump, thump, thump!
I wanted to cast it right now.
My heart raced wildly at the urge.
One problem, though.
‘⋯⋯Not here.’
The location wasn’t ideal for this spell.
Even if the dormitory had some magic resistance, one slip and I could burn the whole place down.
Especially with the low ceiling.
I needed to move. And I knew just the spot.
This was a magic academy, after all.
Step! Step! Step!
I hurried off.
My steps felt light, probably from the thought of casting soon.
***
The academy’s magic training room.
This place I’d visited before was still well-equipped and pristine.
Though seeing Zone 1’s training room had dulled the awe a bit.
Anyway.
Thud.
I grabbed a human-shaped straw dummy from the tool pile and secured it to the training room floor.
Then, I opened the ceiling.
Rumble rumble rumble!
It split open like the roof of a convertible.
Only after clear sunlight poured in did I confirm preparations were complete.
Without further delay, I drew up my mana.
Someone nearby might be at risk, but I’d already checked—no one around but me.
No worries, I cast the spell right away.
“Hup!”
Pouring in everything from the grimoire.
The change came swiftly.
A thrilling shiver coursed through my body.
Rumble!
Crackle crackle!
A sharp bolt of light crashed down from the sky with a thunderous roar.
It struck the dummy dead-on.
The lightning-hit dummy charred black.
⋯⋯Roarrr!
Then burst into flames.
Perfect success on the first try.
Though more than the success, I focused on the spell’s power.
‘⋯⋯Insane.’
This was the mage I’d always dreamed of being.
A mage who called down lightning.
The kind every guy fantasizes about once.
Even if I’d been unwillingly dragged into this game world.
“Whew⋯⋯.”
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Steadying my uncalming heart, I assumed position again.
I had mana left for one more cast.
Same motions as before, carefully chanting with [Lich’s Wand] in hand.
‘How much stronger will it get?’
I knew it doubled on paper, but I wanted to see it.
With that thought, I chanted.
“Heavenly Punishment.”
The change came fast.
Flash-!
Crackle crackle crackle!
Another mighty bolt nailed the dummy.
Crack!
So powerful the dummy snapped and toppled.
Truly worthy of a secret grimoire.
“This is no joke.”
Pure power-wise, it felt stronger than light beams.
Thus, I’d gained another attack spell.
***
Back in the dormitory, I flopped face-down on the bed.
Not from exhaustion.
Just wanted to express this refreshed feeling.
“Things have changed so fast these past few days.”
From gravity amplification, teleport, barrier, to Heavenly Punishment.
Four incredible spell skills acquired.
Mastering this many right after hitting 7th circle was cause for celebration.
Only possible with talent to seize opportunities.
A run-of-the-mill mage couldn’t dream of it.
I’d have missed most.
Anyway.
‘Let’s grow more.’
Catching Baal no longer felt distant.
Keep this pace, and I’d reach him soon.
No— I needed to accelerate.
Not just maintain.
Fortunately, plenty of ways left.
Rustle, rustle, rustle!
Grabbing the grimoires, I moved to the next task.
With spells mastered, something else awaited.
Drinking the elixirs.
I’d gotten four this time.
‘⋯⋯Start with the cast speed one?’
As the name implied, it boosted spell cast speed.
Made mana circulation in the body a bit faster.
Virtually no side effects.
Perfect to handle first.
Pop-!
I uncorked it and downed the blue liquid inside.
Gulp, gulp.
An indescribable coolness slid down my throat.
Then.
“Ugh⋯⋯!”
Unbearable pain hit.
Muscles, nerves—nothing untouched.
Fleeting, but mind-numbing agony.
“Hah⋯⋯!”
Pain gone, I exhaled the breath I’d held.
Legs buckled, I slumped to the floor.
Mind in chaos.
It was supposed to have no side effects compared to others.
But.
‘⋯⋯No side effects my ass!’
This damn pain was a massive one.
Worse: this was the least painful.
Head already hurting thinking about the rest.
‘Three more of these?’
Maybe today, with all these gains.
Would be my last.
⋯⋯Though I’d never heard of anyone dying from elixirs.
Anyway.
‘⋯⋯Next!’
No hesitation, I uncorked the next.
Green elixir this time.
Attribute affinity one.
Simple effect: removes impurities from mana.
Problem: massive pain incoming too.
If so, I might not endure.
First one’s daze hadn’t fully faded.
But.
‘Long road ahead.’
Only second of four.
Plenty left to drink.
No better spot than dormitory for this.
With that, I uncorked it.
Pop-!
Flower scent filled the room instantly.
No time to enjoy—I started.
Gulp, gulp, gulp.
Luckily, no real pain this time⋯⋯.
Or so I thought.
“Aaaagh!”
Worse pain than before struck.
I screamed instinctively, sensing.
This elixir wouldn’t go down easy.