Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Rock's Parabolic Trajectory
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Title: Essential 2nd Circle Magic Summary for Kim Muggle
Let me say this upfront: things won't be easy starting from 2nd circle. That 5th circle spell you used before? Every formula path in it was the same length. Meaning uniform computation speed.
But most magic isn't like that. Almost all the current 2nd circle spells are the same. And that's normal. It's already hard enough drawing different formulas, let alone precisely controlling their speeds (of course, that's by your standards lol, it's easy for us).
Magic with uniform formula lengths is something only folks at our level can create. Bet no one at that academy can pull it off. Speed control ain't easy.
Until you become an archmage yourself, assume you won't see more spells like that. Don't use magic you can't create yourself. Solidify the basics, I said it before.
Kids who try to skip to higher realms without basics? Nine out of ten go astray or give up discouraged. Grind the fundamentals hard.
(Numerous 2nd circle magic formula diagrams)
Unlike the 1st circle magic post, this one came with a ton of warnings.
The gallery archmages were all saying the same thing: build from the basics.
I'm planning to do that anyway, so no issue.
"Still not ready? If you're scared, just admit it. Heh heh."
I was scrolling the gallery when Elrim started needling me again.
She scratches at you every damn minute. But I ignored her and carefully noted the useful spells.
I could guess most from their names, but not exactly.
Since you never know what'll pop out when computation finishes, gotta stay cautious.
I picked about ten that seemed variable-free and floated them on my grimoire for this spar.
"Ready. You better not chicken out. But how exactly do we decide win or loss?"
"Same as standard practice spars. First to run out of mana, surrender, or fail to block an attack properly loses. In real combat, artifacts let you tank a few hits, but in practice spars, taking one ends it by convention. Most spars are in training rooms with auto-protection anyway, so no death worries... Wait, you don't even know that?"
"Thanks for the great explanation."
That cleared up how mages spar.
Definitely pure magic showdowns. Mages are so rigid.
"What about dodging spells by rolling?"
"Ha? Why spar if you're gonna roll? Maybe military mages, but who does that?"
Guess rolling during my entrance exam was a huge no-no for mages.
No wonder the examiner and Hisenna gave me those looks.
"Got it. Let's start."
"Right. Spar starts when the system countdown beeps!"
Beep-
The system signal blared, and the spar began.
Signal hit, and Elrim and I started computing simultaneously.
Rock's Parabolic Trajectory
Irregular circle formula + double-curving parabola formula
My first pick: Rock's Parabolic Trajectory.
A magic circle with a bumpy round formula and a twice-curving parabola one.
Despite the wildly different shapes, I chose it.
Archmages say normals struggle to control mana at will.
Even mid-tier mages have issues.
Like a brush that won't obey. Taming it takes ages.
But not for me.
Natural mana feels clear, mana control's a breeze.
Talent? Focus? Or gallery archmages psyching me out?
Anyway, with focus, I can draw most desired formulas with mana.
Next hurdle: drawing two different ones simultaneously.
Piece of cake for me. Drew triangles with one hand, squares with the other since kid days.
Matching speeds ain't trivial, but two's doable.
That's why I handled that 5th circle spell from MagicIsNotHard.
Uniform speeds meant just drawing the formulas worked.
2nd circle with two? No sweat.
I prioritized similar lengths, short computation ones.
Rock's Parabolic Trajectory
Whoosh- the rock wrapped in mana shot toward Elrim like a comet.
True to 2nd circle, weaker-looking than Five Rays of Brilliant Flash.
But mana-clad rock arcing like a mana bomb? Mortar vibes, pretty intimidating.
"...!"
Then Elrim finished her computation.
Seeing my spell inbound, she feigned surprise.
Didn't expect my speed?
But no instant win.
Spells crossed, so fastest defense wins.
Staring at the fireball Elrim launched my way, I started defense computation.
Huge crossed squares formula.
Defenses simpler but mana-hungry.
Overlapping Square Shield
Bam- square shield clashed with Elrim's spell.
Shock rippled my body. No stopping. Computed Rock's Parabolic Trajectory again.
This time, two in a row.
Rock's Parabolic Trajectory
Rock's Parabolic Trajectory
One right, one left—the strongest rocks
Power same, but speeds changed.
"Huh?"
Elrim visibly panicked. Still computed—decent skill.
I doubled up same speed as before.
Meaning double computation speed.
'Speeds up when familiar.'
Rock's Parabolic Trajectory simple, no big boom, but short formula.
Fast compute = spamable.
First cast slow 'cause new, now faster.
"Panicking? My speed too much?"
"N-no! Not at all!!"
Bang!
Elrim fired a explosive mana surge charging straight.
Dunno the spell. But I defended timely.
"Ngh...!"
Elrim defended my two rocks.
Close call though. Bit later, hit.
Almost there.
No need for ten spells. Two suffice.
Prepped next while casting Rock's Parabolic Trajectory again.
"Three this time."
Now three.
Prior speed edge compounded; three per turn now.
Familiarity helped too.
Whoosh- whoosh- whoosh-
Compared to Elrim's spells, pebble toss level.
But pebbles easy to chuck.
"...!"
Elrim's smirk vanished.
Terror-stricken rigid face; dropped attack compute for desperate defense.
Meanwhile, I switched: not rocks, new spell.
'Go for high damage. End it here.'
Speed gap set.
Elrim likely can't block next.
Even if, she'll defense-only.
Then overwhelm with faster barrages.
'Swirling tight circle. Sun-like flickering orb.'
One formula spirals circles smaller.
Other wiggly lines loop into flickering circle.
Huge path length diff.
Spiral races like whirlwind.
Flicker creeps slow like rising heat.
Match speeds to converge perfectly.
Tough first try.
But this pace? Spot on.
Trust gut, keep drawing—
Accelerating Fireball
Gradually accelerating orb
Slow-flickering fireball flew.
Speed ramped up.
"Eeeeek...!"
Elrim scrambled next compute.
But just defended once.
And Accelerating Fireball—accelerated hard.
Whoosh-
Exponential speed surge.
Before defense done, fireball roared in—Elrim's scream echoed.
Beep-
Training room system blared.
Forced protection on Elrim. System shield dispersed my fireball.
My win.
"Heh heh heh. I win? All that talk, but nada. Pfft."
"H-how...? I lost...?"
Pfft at slumped Elrim, mock her.
She dished it, time served. Pffbt.
"Oh, right."
More important: post proof pic to gallery.
Photo without consent? Mosaic face/ID bits.
Don't provoke if you can't win.
Title: Redhead Schooled Proof.jpg
(Mosaiced photo of defeated redhead slumped in daze)
Thanks, archmage bros. Redhead fully schooled thanks to you!
Posted proof happily, eyes back to reality.
Check replies later. Finish bet first.
"What's with that guy? Computation speed nuts."
"Strategy was systematic too. Rock's Parabolic Trajectory? Weak 2nd circle nobody uses, perfect feint to steal turns."
"Who is he? Archmage duke spawn? Commoner?"
"Accelerating Fireball's tough even for 2nd circle, finisher?"
Onlookers buzzed at my win.
That surprising? What're they on about.
Snorted, strode to Elrim.
Like she approached me: creepy grin.
"Heh heh heh. Lost? Time for bet."
Grand Prostration, right? Ready?
"G-Grand Prostration...? What's that... More like, how'd I lose?! Impossible!"
"Impossible? You suck more at magic. Straight up trash. Magic? Trash."
"Uuuueeeek...! Ugaaaah!"
Freakout useless. You proposed bet.
"Tch. Quiet. Gotta practice proper for Lady Hisenna later. I'll teach."
"Y-you'll teach Grand Prostration...?"
For perfect Grand Prostration to Lady Hisenna? Demo as expert TA.
Showed Elrim pro form.
She saw, freaked, toppled backward.