Chapter 97
Chapter 97
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: Who Catches the Most (1)
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Magic acquired through the status window levels up incredibly easily up to a certain point.
You can just hole up in a corner of the room and practice whatever comes to mind based on the knowledge etched into your brain, and it grows like wildfire.
It's a phase where you don't need to hunt evil beasts or humans to level up. If I had to name it, maybe something like the "self-study limit."
The problem is that it doesn't specify exactly what level that limit is.
You only realize it belatedly when you hit a wall after grinding away on your own.
Still, I could make a rough guess based on the samples I had.
"Weak foes teach you low limits, strong ones push higher."
The Water Flow Manipulation and Spirit Creation I'd learned from Silver-rank mages topped out at Silver through self-study. Technically, Water Flow Manipulation came from Jerbon's secret manual rather than Jerbon himself.
On the flip side, Earth Bind stolen from the Gold-rank Akanksha, and Territory March copied straight from that ruin's system—which felt Gem-level—both hit Gold through self-study alone.
The sole exception was Vanity Inferno.
Acquired via the Silver-rank Carne, its self-study ceiling was Gold in the level 50s.
Galen looked like he was just standing there doing nothing.
In reality, he was using Earth Bind, pinned in place by its sheer weight.
No attacks were coming, but it was like throwing up a full-power shield anyway.
It might seem like a pointless mana drain at a glance—and normally, it would be—but...
Right now, the progress bar was steadily climbing.
Beyond the self-study limit, you'd burn through all your mana and barely nudge it by 1%.
Here, it'd jumped 3% already with barely any effort.
After learning five spells, there was no mistaking what this meant.
The self-study limit had definitely risen.
"Hoping it punches through to Gem is probably too greedy, though..."
Territory March's self-study cap was level 60, and it still was—nowhere near replicating the ruin's defense system perfectly.
Earth Bind was probably the same. No clue what level Radica was at, but Galen couldn't copy her towering mastery exactly. If he could, great—but no.
"This is plenty."
Self-study for Earth Bind was dead simple since it just sat there draining mana passively, but combat leveling had been the toughest.
As it got stronger, the weight became unbearable, limiting it to pure defense.
Couldn't exactly tank hits on purpose either—his body inside the shield was just a normal guy's. Anything punching through the defense could wreck him bad.
It'd been more of an insurance spell... but thanks to Radica, he could squeeze out a little extra honey now.
Galen watched the spar with satisfaction.
Bang! Pop! Bang!
The duel was heating up, clashes booming louder as air burst around them.
A bit noisy, sure, but with progress ticking up smoothly, even the racket sounded sweet.
The spooked mules tried shifting, but with Galen turned boulder-heavy gripping their reins, they weren't going anywhere.
Then, suddenly—
BOOM!
A shockwave unlike any before erupted, hurling Lilia's body into the air.
"Lilia?!"
Galen, who'd been watching casually moments ago, yelped in alarm.
Thought Acceleration kicked in from slip mode, time slowing. Galen drew on Spirit Creation's mana.
Whoosh!
The spirit burst from his wrist, shooting forward and swelling huge in an instant.
It caught Lilia like a giant cushion just shy of Galen.
The slight issue? Lilia hadn't seen it coming at all.
She twisted midair for a landing, only to find a water balloon in her spot.
"Waaah?!"
The spirit sloshed wildly, bursting from the impact as it absorbed the blow.
Still, Lilia somehow kept her balance, landing upright without falling. Her clothes were soaked, though.
"A-Are you okay?"
"Now it looks like I popped it 'cause I'm too heavy..."
Her pouty complaint suggested no major harm. Galen sighed in relief.
"Sorry. I panicked and reacted without thinking..."
"This much is nothing! I'm super grateful you worried, though."
Lilia's beaming smile faded a touch moments later.
"...That's what I was gonna say, but looking at my clothes now..."
It wasn't just wet—rips were starting here and there.
Hardening miracle toughened the body, not the clothes, which couldn't withstand the shockwave.
"Here, at least cover up with this."
"N-No, it's not that bad..."
"Still."
Galen draped his robe over her. Blushing faintly, Lilia carefully clutched the collar shut.
"You alright?"
Radica had approached unnoticed. Galen grumbled.
"It's a duel—go easy, would ya?"
"I was going easy."
"...Sure, by Gem standards."
"I asked her! Wanted to experience it firsthand."
Lilia tugged Galen's sleeve, jumping in quick.
"She held back the power, but I was still helpless. Couldn't hold ground at all."
"You can't weigh yourself down with earth power. But rolling with the hit and flying back to shed impact? Smart move."
Radica smiled, praising her.
"Different flavor from Galen. Fun, though. Nineteen, right?"
"Yes!"
"Humans learn faster than us generally, but you two are ridiculously quick. Wonder if I should even allow it."
"Huh?"
"The tournament. After seeing your skills, letting you in feels unfair to the others."
Should've dialed it back. Galen inwardly winced.
Luckily, Radica pondered briefly before shrugging it off.
"Eh, but it's hunting, not straight duels—full of variables. They've heard rumors from the ruins. If they greenlight you anyway, that's on them."
"We wanna join, but not crash the party rude-like..."
"Nah, nah. We're not that cliquey. Half curiosity, half rivalry, I'd say. Sure, some'll hate it just 'cause you're human."
"Plenty of humans like that too. Long as they don't jump straight to sabotage."
"Who'd pull that on my guests?"
"Good to know."
"It'll be fine. Anyway, spar's over. Head back. Good work, both."
"Thank you."
"Thanks, Radica!"
"Had fun too. Hmm, wonder if the Alliance Leader's back yet?"
He wasn't back right away, but by evening, Galen spotted the Alliance Leader.
"Pleased to meet you. Name's Girishi. I hold the top seat in the Crimson Rock Alliance, for what it's worth."
Girishi showed no special fondness for the pair.
Not hostility, though—he thanked them for saving the expedition in the ruins.
Grateful, yes, but not warmly intimate. More like polite distance.
Honestly, that was the normal reaction. Radica approaching closer than Sachet, whom they'd spent days with in the ruins, was the outlier.
"You've probably heard, but I just passed the message—Radica's the one who invited you. No real business with you myself."
"Ah, got it."
"So relax, ignore me. Come by if anything comes up."
Now that was true consideration.
With the Leader's okay, they could play legally now.
"I'll prep first. Win or lose, come have fun."
Radica left those words and departed next morning.
Akanksha apparently had backlog. She'd been away awhile ferrying them.
"Sachet could've covered without me, but I can't just leave it all to her when I'm here."
Thus, Galen and Lilia toured freely, untouched.
They strolled other villages beyond their path, but farming and livestock were nothing special.
So they stuck mostly to the city... or town hub, whatever.
"What meat's this?"
"Deer... maybe?"
"Oh, yeah, now that you say it."
"How'd they grill it, though? Some weird spice."
"Ask Akanksha later!"
Some dishes like human fare, others alien—curiosity had them sampling.
"This tea's really good."
"Right? Right?"
"Wait, you knew and ordered it?"
"Got some from Akanksha last night! Thought your brother'd like it."
"Love it. Gotta ask where to buy."
Café lounging, people-watching earth fairies for hours, chatting away. Though they seemed the main attraction.
Like rich, idle Euro-tripping: savoring exotic vibes leisurely, pure healing.
Days blissed out like that.
Nights, he'd sneak Earth Bind practice. Rude as a guest, but it was subtle.