Chapter 22: Attribute Tutoring (3)
Chapter 22: Attribute Tutoring (3)
Fwoosh.
The flickering of the ember, which had looked as if it might go out at any moment, suddenly steadied.
It even began to burn with an orange light that was noticeably more vivid than before.
…I knew something felt off.
So this was the reason.
The structure of the core was perfect but soulless, as if it had been mass-produced in a factory.
And the moment it was registered as a trait, the perfection of the flame spiked.
‘Status Window.’
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Name: Yandel
Title: Lost Stranger
Basic Stats
Strength: 11
Endurance: 10
Agility: 12
Dexterity: 14
Magic: 18
Traits
Endless Mana (A)
Elemental Affinity (B)
Excellent Memory (B)
Crude Weapon Technique (E)
Lintblum Mana Core (C)
Crude Magic (F)
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I organized my thoughts while staring at the translucent screen visible only to me, specifically at the "Crude Magic" trait sitting right at the bottom.
They say the four major elements that constitute magic are Imagination, Will, Intuition, and Formula.
Among them, Intuition and Formula serve to provide corrections, ensuring the manifested magic functions according to the caster's intent.
It seems that, on top of that, I’m receiving a System Correction from the Status Window.
A System Correction, huh…
Now that I think about it, the Crude Weapon Technique trait had its own strange quirks too.
‘Trait Details.’
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【Crude Weapon Technique (E)】
Allows you to handle weapons at the level of a neighborhood thug.
Though it is utterly crude, the fact that you can handle a variety of weapons is somewhat commendable.
-Basic attack power increases by 5% for physical attacks using weapons.
======================
A simple effect: a slight increase in basic attack power.
Until now, I thought an increase in attack power meant an increase in physical strength… but what if it’s not that? What if, as the Status Window description says, I simply became ‘able to handle’ weapons?
What if I only thought I’d become stronger because I was swinging the weapon with a more efficient posture and greater accuracy, achieving better results with less effort?
It wasn't impossible.
Crude Weapon Technique was a trait that took quite a long time to acquire since I didn't have anyone like Carla to help me back then.
So, until now, I just assumed I’d grown accustomed to swinging weapons.
But in the end, my melee combat skills are only at the level of a neighborhood thug.
Normally, I should be making frequent mistakes even if I seem to be fighting well.
In fact, the thugs I got into a scuffle with early on after my possession were exactly like that.
But not me. Even though my weapon skills are only slightly better than an average person's at best, I’ve never once made a mistake.
Like when I took down Pietro—I didn't pierce his heart in one go, but the blade didn't slip in my hand even when it was slick with blood.
I might be overwhelmed by an opponent's superior skill, but I’ve never caused my own downfall through a blunder.
An unnervingly precise level of movement, albeit limited to the level of a neighborhood thug.
It all makes sense if I assume this was only possible because of the System Correction.
Maintaining the highest possible performance within the limits of the rank.
Isn't that the effect of the System Correction?
To test my hypothesis, I drew up my mana once more.
The mana, which hadn't budged from outside the mana circuits before, now gathered at my fingertips with incredible naturalness.
I drew a circle with my glowing blue finger and shouted.
“Tinder.”
Fwoosh.
I didn't have Carla’s help, nor did I pour in a powerful will like I did the first time.
Nevertheless, the Tinder magic manifested naturally. Its power and stability were even identical to the previous cast.
Just as I expected.
A manifestation of magic that pursues extreme efficiency within the constraints of its rank—in a sense, it could even be called perfect.
Fascinated, I repeated it a few more times.
“Tinder. Tinder. Tinder.”
Flicker. Flicker. Fwoosh.
The flames flickered, igniting and extinguishing repeatedly according to my will.
I could feel the mana leaving my body, but there was almost no other effort involved.
It was about as simple as flicking a lighter on and off.
I spent a good while spamming Tinder like a child who had just discovered the joy of playing with fire.
Then, I suddenly realized that Carla, who had been explaining things in her clear voice until a moment ago, had gone silent.
Puzzled, I looked up.
“A-ba-ba-ba…”
Carla was just opening and closing her mouth like a goldfish out of water.
Just how surprised was she?
Every time her pale pink lips parted and closed, I caught glimpses of her moist tongue.
As if possessed, I absentmindedly stuck my finger into Carla’s mouth.
Slurp, suck.
“???”
The moment my finger touched her tongue, Carla moved it sensually as if she were performing fellatio.
“…Gah!”
However, realizing what she had done instinctively, a startled Carla carefully spat out my index finger.
She then rubbed the saliva off my finger with her sleeve before putting on a composed, feigned look of surprise as if nothing had happened.
“Oh my goodness! Master, how did you just do that?! Didn't you say you were learning magic for the first time? To get the hang of it after only one try…”
“Carla?”
“No. This isn't just getting the hang of it. The Tinder you showed just now was as seasoned as a mage who has poured decades into fire magic…”
“Carla.”
“…Anyway, Master is definitely a genius!”
“Carla!”
“Shall I teach you other magic? To test your aptitude, I think basic water attribute magic would be good this time.”
Carla kept feigning ignorance.
Seeing her like that, a dark streak of mischief welled up from deep within my heart.
Giving in to the impulse, I opened my mouth wide. Then, I slowly moved my own finger toward the inside of my mouth.
Naturally, it was the same finger Carla had been sucking on just moments ago.
The effect was immediate.
“Kyaaaaaah!! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! It was my first time being swallowed all the way to the back of my throat, so the sensation still feels like an afterimage, and I did it without thinking! I’ll never pretend not to hear you again, so please, just don't lick that finger!”
“Anyone listening would think I was licking your finger. …Aha! But since you actually licked my finger, Carla, I suppose you could think that way!”
As I chuckled and poked her soft belly, Carla twisted her body with a tearful face.
“Huaaaang… Please don't tease me… Please don't poke me… I was wrong… I won't lick it again…”
“No. It’s fine if you lick it next time. In fact, go ahead and lick it. Just don't try to change the subject because you're embarrassed.”
“Yes… From now on, whether it’s something good, bad, embarrassing, or something to be proud of, I will report everything without hiding a single thing…”
I didn't mean for her to go that far…?
But since Carla, bowing with a dejected expression, was cute, I gave her a casual reply and shifted the topic.
“Uh… yeah. Let’s do that. More importantly, about what you said earlier.”
“…About how your sensation still remains in my throat?”
“That’s interesting in its own way, but I mean what you said before that. When you asked how I did it.”
I’ll be learning all sorts of magic during my time at the Academy.
The System Correction is something that would be considered an anomaly even at the Academy, where the greatest talents of the Eurelia Continent gather.
There will surely be more than one or two people who will pry into it.
But since I can't exactly explain the existence of the Status Window, I have no choice.
Just as I disguised my Inventory as a Subspace Bag or a dungeon reward, I have to fabricate a suitable setting this time as well.
“About that… it seems I really am a genius.”
“…Huh?”
When I said that with a serious face, Carla blinked her ruby eyes and tilted her head.
I continued, rubbing my cheek against her thigh.
“You said it yourself earlier, Carla. That simply getting the hang of it isn't enough.”
“That’s true. Knowing what to do and making it completely your own are two entirely different things.”
“But I can do it.”
“…….”
Carla’s jaw dropped at my nonchalant answer. She absentmindedly toyed with the hand I had placed on her chest.
“You said Imagination and Will cause the phenomenon, while Intuition and Formula assist and sublimate it into magic, right?”
“Yes… that’s right. Magic is essentially painting over the world with a bit of your own will.”
“It seems my Intuition is incredibly developed. Once I use a spell, I instinctively realize how it should be done.”
“…….”
It was total nonsense, merely fitting the System Correction into the most ambiguous element, Intuition.
Normally, it’s the kind of claim no one would easily believe, no matter how many times you showed them… but Carla is different.
Carla, who was a lady of the prestigious Lindelheit magic family, would know. She couldn't help but know.
About beings who cast magic instinctively.
About Dragons.
H&A is based on a fantasy world where various races live, but Dragons are special even among them.
After all, they are the race said to have founded magic itself.
Though they’ve been pushed to the brink of extinction after being caught in the war between the Good Gods and the Evil Gods, they remain a powerful race that can never be disregarded.
However, despite that, they are a race strangely obsessed with humans, and as a result, they left behind quite a few half-bloods.
What if. Just maybe. By some incredibly slim chance.
What if an atavism occurred, and someone awakened the Dragon’s blood strongly within them?
What if someone was born with massive mana but couldn't handle it, resulting in the side effect of Mana Insensitivity?
…What if there was another person just like the Progenitor of the Lindelheit Family?
“…….”
I grinned at Carla, who was looking down at me with her mouth agape.
“Before I stick my finger in again, teach me some other magic. I feel like I’ll learn quickly if you help me like you just did.”
Who knows, I might even be able to learn some low-grade magic before we reach the Academy.
…It feels a bit uncomfortable to layer lie upon lie, but it can't be helped.
I must never let it be discovered that I came from ‘outside’ this world.