Chapter 203
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 203
Chapter Title: Training (2)
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In this fire-attribute-saturated environment, striking enemies using only water attributes?
It was an exceedingly difficult task, but in truth, it wasn't all that challenging for Jun.
During his battle with Derman, hadn't Jun freely wielded fire attributes in a space brimming with water attributes?
Of course, fire-attribute mana orbited around Jun's circles, along with his unique attribute called 'Probing Fire.'
The reverse situation wasn't so daunting.
'First, seize control of the mana in the surrounding area.'
Then forcibly imbue it with water attributes.
Unlike in his fight with Derman, it required some time and consumed far more mana.
But Jun possessed the Demon God Body.
Commanding mana to discard its inherent attributes, then granting it new ones upon obedience.
To the so-called master of mana, the Demon God Body, this was merely a simple, repetitive task.
And that wasn't all.
The fire-attribute orbs still orbiting his circles further strengthened his command over fire attributes.
Pang!
He detonated the [Water Bomb] he'd crafted that way, dispatching the Red Lava.
Water attributes countered fire-attribute monsters by nature, and with Jun now at the 6th circle, even a 4th-circle spell like [Water Bomb] could one-shot a Red Lava.
"You're out."
Lanes's response was ice-cold.
Jun calmly turned toward her, not questioning why, but genuinely curious about the reason.
"Did I fail?"
"Yes. That method you just used... it's creative, I suppose. Utterly unique, in a stubbornly independent way. Something no other mage would dare attempt. But isn't the goal you need to achieve something else entirely?"
"Hm..."
Jun listened intently to Lanes's words and sank into thought.
'She's right. What I just did is impossible for a normal mage.'
He was simply far too adept at forcing spells in such scenarios.
Until now, it hadn't been an issue.
He'd never lacked mana for spells.
And his allies had always bought him the casting time.
'But can I keep growing this way...? No, probably not.'
It was like poor eating habits that feel fine at first but eventually lead to health problems.
Jun had been 'picky' with magic, sticking to what suited him.
It was unavoidable, though.
He'd had no mentor to point it out, and it hadn't hindered his survival.
In fact, that pickiness had been key to keeping him alive this long.
'And now I have to fix it.'
What a tough challenge.
But growth came without challenge.
"I'll figure out a way."
"Good attitude."
With that, Jun pondered deeply, while Lanes silently watched the two young mages.
About four months remained until the season's end, and two until the Magic Conference.
The two young mages' deliberations wouldn't wrap up in a day or two.
After his first failure, Jun steadily wove new theories and personal insights together.
Belles drew on his existing knowledge, striving to make the impossible possible.
Lanes merely observed, offering no advice yet.
Not out of laziness.
'A mage must confront phenomena directly and think for themselves.'
That was her creed.
With their solid foundation in magical knowledge, they'd meet her conditions.
This was just the process, so she'd watch a bit longer.
And true to her expectations, Jun's eyes changed soon after.
It happened while Belles focused on his spell as usual.
"Darn. Not quite."
Belles sighed as his spell flickered into existence, then vanished.
Watching him, Jun suddenly felt his head ring.
Like being clubbed from behind.
A classic 'oh no' moment.
'I've been too fixated on the Demon God Body!'
When was it?
Back when Aiden had just learned [Charge] and kept smashing into rocks.
Jun had explained skill proficiency's importance to him.
And it applied to Jun too.
He'd once regretted neglecting the Demon God Body, then diligently worked to understand it.
'What I learned about it was its coerciveness.'
That force meshed well with ancient magic he still wielded effectively.
So he'd taken forcing mana for granted.
'I've been mistaken all this time.'
The delusion that, as mana's master, he could handle it arbitrarily.
A dictator's mindset.
Why hadn't he noticed?
'Because it never felt inconvenient.'
Mana obeyed him too perfectly.
Plus, releasing incantations and fully unleashing the Demon God Body brought an omnipotent rush.
Dangerously intoxicating, it even overrode his ego.
To preserve his sense of self amid it, he had to coerce mana harshly.
-I am your master.
-You cannot harm me.
-Do your duty.
This habit lingered, making him strict even without incantations.
Absurd, really.
Mana was just mana.
Not living beings with emotions.
He'd merely used it appropriately.
But from an 8th-circle archmage's view?
Did mana seem like mere objects?
'No... Even I, with the Demon God Body, know mana has 'will,' even if not truly alive.'
It doesn't express clear intent, but mana moves or resists based on its controller's will.
'And that's what Belles is doing now.'
Belles probably hadn't realized it himself.
His actions resembled 'coaxing and soothing.'
Too servile? Maybe unfair.
But he strained desperately to birth ice attributes amid fire.
Not forcing like Jun.
Slowly manifesting his mana, converting portions to ice, inviting it over.
'Not wrong. Maybe even closer to the right answer than my way.'
That's why Lanes gave Belles no pointers.
So why hadn't Belles succeeded?
'Simple. His appeal to mana is too weak.'
Like proposing to well-off residents to demolish their decent home for a better one—but if it doesn't appeal, no deal.
Same with mana.
'He's coaxing it to abandon fire for ice, but no compelling merit.'
The key: spark curiosity.
Many ways.
'Meticulous spell patterns, pure mana's pull. Or...'
Precise, delicate, certain imagery.
Jun chose imagery.
'Coaxing doesn't suit me.'
Better: strong leadership, making mana follow willingly.
Not brute force—convince them of better results ahead.
"Ah..."
He visualized it. The sea's most terrifying aspect.
Dark, lonely ocean depths.
Heavy, fearful silence.
Space devouring even light.
The abyss.
[Water Bomb]
[Attribute Grant: Abyss Absorption]
The inky water orb burst before the Red Lava, swallowing it instantly.
The monster spewed lava in futile resistance against that unnatural power.
But astonishingly, its lava vanished upon contact with the dark droplets, absorbed clean.
Water devoured fire.
Not mere extinguishing.
True engulfment and assimilation.
The droplets split, multiplying rapidly.
Brrrrr!!
Startled, the Red Lava spewed more lava, but the result was unchanged.
Belles watched, speechless.
What to call it?
'Terrifying.'
Awe?
No.
Like witnessing the forbidden, fearing the unknown as humans do.
Belles trembled, unable to comprehend.
Tap.
A hand rested on his shoulder.
Lanes.
Startled, Belles looked up—and froze at her sparkling eyes.
Her eyes, which she always said should remain lake-calm, now gleamed like stars in a lake.
"Ah..."
Then Belles felt realization dawn.
Not magical insight.
The day his master first met that mage.
He understood why she'd casually left her disciple outside to talk with Jun.
'Master saw his talent right away.'
Insight comes to all.
Early or late, heaven is fair.
But seizing it depends on one's habits.
Jun hadn't fixated on the water orbs by chance.
Not a momentary epiphany.
He'd pondered endlessly, always.
Ready to deploy knowledge anytime.
Then Jun's daily demeanor surfaced.
Always thinking.
At first, Belles dismissed it as leader duties.
Wrong.
Ceaselessly mulling his magic, seeking growth edges.
'No jealousy left. Just... awe.'
Hardworking genius?
No.
Monster.
A true lone wolf.
'I envied you once.'
That talent, captivating even his master.
Now, it terrified him.
What drove him so?
What life forged such ferocity?
'Scary.'
Belles wanted no part of that existence.
It would kill his love for magic.
용사 파티의 마법사로 산다는 것 204화