The Thorn Arrow's Fury

The Northern Duchess was a sword genius. But she used magic. Actually trying out something I'd only imagined was surreal. Whoa, so that's how it works. Yeah, this must be magic. Fuck, the thrill was insane. My whole body was tingling.

Yeah, this had to be from using magic. Not from smashing the wall.

"...So."

"..."

"You were practicing magic... and the wall ended up like this...?"

The wall was a total wreck. August Hailron stared at it and said that to me. I couldn't even lift my head.

...Ah, that wall looks expensive as hell.

Judging by the building's size and condition, it sure as shit wasn't cheap. That's what made it so unfair.

That thick wall crumbling just from a few thorn shots? Does magic slap that hard? Even so, this was too much.

Fuck...

I felt eyes on me. I'd already been rolling around like a total incompetent, not knowing when I'd get kicked out. Now I'd smashed a wall too. This was beyond redemption.

Even trolls aren't this trollish.

This wasn't just torture-chamber level. Fuck, but honestly, I felt kinda wronged? Who knew thorn arrows hit that hard?

Looked like goddamn mouse turds.

No matter how I looked at it, it didn't make sense. But now wasn't the time to question my understanding.

"...The wall.... What the hell did you...?"

"I'm sorry."

"Hah...."

August Hailron stared at the crumbled wall like he'd lost the words. Then he looked at me.

"...You were practicing magic?"

"Yes...."

"What kind of magic could do.... No, didn't you say you couldn't use magic at all? That's why you wanted to learn to read, right?"

"...Yes. So I learned to read and picked up some magic."

"What?"

August's eyes shook at my answer.

"You learned to read and picked up magic?"

"That's right. Thanks to Lady Iris teaching me last night, I could read the book my mom gave me and learn some magic. I got excited and tried it out. Didn't expect this.... I'm sorry."

I bowed deeply. Best not to make excuses—just take it.

"...You learned to read and magic in one day? From a book...?"

"Yes.... It just kinda happened."

"How is that even.... No, what magic did you use exactly?"

"It was called Thorn Arrow."

"...Thorn Arrow?"

August's eyes narrowed.

"Thorn Arrow is a 1-circle spell, isn't it?"

"Yes, correct."

"And that... did that to the wall."

August glanced back at the wall.

"I don't have money to fix it right now. So, please...."

"Use it."

"Pardon?"

"Thorn Arrow. Show me now."

"...Right now?"

I rolled my eyes. Use it now? August seemed like he wanted to verify something.

Fine, whatever. It'd work like before, right? I immediately spun the circle.

Vmmm-!

Same as before. The circle in my heart revved like an engine, mana flowing over it. I saw it shimmering in my hand. I condensed it. Reshaped it into thorns. Just thinking it, trying it—

Zzt!

"Guh!?"

Suddenly, mid-cast, a massive headache hit. Breath caught in my throat. The spell fizzled.

"Gah... heok."

I collapsed to the floor. What the hell was this? Chest tight, heart and head pounding. Mind blank.

"Hahk. Hek."

Gasping for air, barely breathing.

"Mana depletion."

August spoke like he knew exactly what was up.

"From the looks of it, you just learned magic. Means your mana reserves are low."

"Heok... yes...?"

"Thanks for confirming it for me. Rest up. We'll discuss the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠rest later. Alphonse."

"Yes."

"Get this room repaired and give him a new one."

"Understood."

"Ruin. If possible, don't practice magic in your room next time."

"Got... got it."

August left, and Alphonse helped me up.

"This way."

"...Thanks."

I staggered to another room and flopped onto the bed.

"Urgh...."

Mana depletion, huh? So this is what it feels like?

"...Gonna die."

Running out of mana hits like this. Shitty cost-performance. Two spells and I'm wrecked.

Guess I need to find a way to increase my mana now.

Dizzy as hell.

Ah.

Then my mind started fading. Exhaustion crashed over me. Mana depletion—first time feeling it, so I closed my eyes. Passed out.

＊＊＊＊

"...Learned to read and magic in one day."

In the Duke's office, August rested his chin, deep in thought. Probably about that kid mage, Ruin.

"Should I believe this?"

He'd rushed over at the report of a destroyed room. Heard a loud bang suddenly, but a room destroyed?

No way.

Iris. Had that girl caused trouble? First thought that hit August.

Nothing else made sense. But surprisingly, not Iris.

Ruin. That young mage did it. Practicing magic and wrecked the wall?

Even with Thorn Arrow, punching through a wall.

A weak 1-circle spell. Sure, high-level mages could pierce steel or walls with it easily.

But.

That kind of impact? Unheard of.

Common sense said no.

And learning magic in one day.

Could a fresh circle-opener learn spells that fast?

Never heard of it.

August wasn't a mage, so he didn't know details. But magic wasn't simple. First, sense the circle's movement. Like a wingless human sprouting wings—creating a new sensation.

Once made.

Then manipulate mana ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with it.

Invisible energy. Shape it into spells? How do you even birth magic from transparent qi? So mages chant. Words shape mana into form. Endless repetition for one spell.

One day?

If Ruin was telling truth, the kid was a monster.

"Elise...."

What the hell did that witch bring?

August's face hardened.

"...Looks like."

He needed to confirm. Maybe—

This frozen North—

Could bring new hope.

＊＊＊＊

I woke up. Slept well—no more fatigue.

"Whew, feels alive again."

Mana back too. Body fine.

"Sleep's the best, lol."

Wall intact here too. Thinking that, knock knock.

"...Who's there?"

Wanna pretend not home, but after smashing a wall? Conscience wouldn't let me. Orphans got no cash.

Creeeak.

Door opened—a soldier. Awkward face.

"Time for subjugation patrol."

"...Again?"

"Yes."

"Every day...?"

"Patrols are daily."

"After yesterday?"

"That's why we're going somewhere definitely safe this time. Duke specifically requested the mage come."

"..."

Duke says go, I go. Can't pay wall repairs anyway, total scrub.

"Got it."

Grabbed clothes, headed out. Noticed yesterday—clothes oversized. Fur for North cold, but not for a growth-stunted kid like me.

Arrived at soldier muster. My arrival? Bad vibes.

-A mage who can't use magic.

-Hans died protecting that guy—

-...Dead weight. Why bring him?

Whispers clear. Maybe said loud on purpose.

Apparent leader ignored them, spoke up.

"Today's patrol: Sector 4. West passage, three hours. Stay sharp."

Same guy from before. Led last time too. Name probably—

Roden, I think.

Yeah. This body's memory was sharp.

"Sector 4? That's not our usual—"

"Changed. Ours for a few days."

"...Vacation."

"Barely any beasts there. Safer."

Reactions said easier than yesterday. Tension eased.

"Any issues with the patrol?"

Roden asked me. Tradition to ask mage opinion, apparently.

Soldiers eyed me: Speak up if you got something.

Ah, full dislike.

"Nothing—"

"Then we move."

Roden led out. I followed.

＊＊＊＊

Sector 4? Dead quiet. Dense forest, but peaceful. No beasts, as said. Safe zone—only marked spot on map.

Soldiers even chatted.

"Alon got caught sneaking to brothel by his wife."

"What? How?"

"Girl there was his wife's friend."

"Hah...."

"But get this—turns out his wife was ex-brothel too. House was chaos. Kekekeke."

Juiciest gossip: affairs. Entertaining.

"Focus."

Roden called out. But his lip twitched up.

"Safe or not, stay alert."

"Yes, sir."

"Yeah, gotta watch. Without Lady Iris yesterday, we'd all be dead."

"...True."

Lady. Iris mention drew sighs.

"...Amazing. Sword Expert at her age."

"Top talent in North, Empire even."

"No doubt. Our lady'll be Empire's top knight."

"And she leads subjugations with that talent...."

"Academy'd let her soar. Shame."

All praise for Iris. Must be legit.

Personality seemed bitchy though.

Just to me? Fuck, what'd I do? Ridiculous.

People can be useless sometimes. World harsh. If not for wall, I'd grind teeth here.

Tsk.

Clicked tongue, scanned around. Snowy forest. Pretty.

How far in? Two hours maybe.

Deep, but light march for safe zone? Legs hurt anyway. Gotta fix this frail body soon.

Urgh.

When tired—

"Hm?"

Saw something amid chatting soldiers. Far forest—something rippling.

"What's that...?"

Smoke? No.

...Mana?

Mana rippling from forest. Body tensed. Instinct screamed.

Something's there.

Yelled.

"Something ahead!"

"...What?"

Roden reacted. Soldiers casual.

"Saw a beast?"

"Mage's got good eyes."

"Yeah."

These fuckers? Rage spiked.

Then.

"Halt...."

Roden stopped. Silently drew bow and arrow.

Soldiers' mood shifted hard.

Twang.

Full draw. Whoosh-!!!

Arrow flew into forest. Soon—Thud! Thud! Thud-!

"What!?"

"This is...!"

Soldiers moved at footsteps. Owner burst from trees.

KYAAAAAHHHHH-!!!!!!

Huge ugly brute. KRAAAAHHH-!!!!

"Ice Troll!"

"Again!?"

Ice Troll. Safe zone bullshit—same monster that slaughtered last time.

KYAAAAHHH-!!!

Roar whipped hair. Fuck.

That energy was from it.

Aura leaking from troll.

Said it wouldn't show!

Safe my ass, just patrol they said.

All Northerners liars?

Grind.

Troll and surrounding beasts—greedy, starving eyes craving human flesh.

"Kuh!"

"B-battle ready!"

"Venter! Run back, call reinforcements!"

Spears, swords, shields out. Same as before. Fastest runs for help. Others hold line.

Their way.

"Fuck...! Why another troll...!"

"Something's wrong...!"

Despair and fear in eyes. Me too.

Monster bitch.

Meters tall, hideous, unpierceable. Heart raced before it.

Again. Yesterday's guy.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Felt every beat. Breath ragged long ago.

"H-hold the line!"

Scream pierced ears, fighting fear. Difference this time?

-Mage...! Do something...!

No expectations now. Unlike before. Guys who died shielding me flashed.

No shield before me now. Useless mage treatment?

Didn't hurt feelings.

Just.

Weird.

Simply curious.

Why so calm?

Fear there, but head ice cold. Troll in safe zone. Death looming again.

Knew it all, yet rationally detached. Heart pounding—not from fear.

What to call it? Not sure yet.

"Attack! Hold till reinforcements!"

"RAAAAHHH--!!"

Soldiers charged. Then.

Vrrrrm.

Circle spun. Mana flowed. Knew my job.

Thorn Arrow.

Mana condensed, formed. Thorn-shaped mini-arrow. Faster ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠than first.

Aimed at troll with hand. Good.

Huge target.

Bigger than soldiers. Easy hit.

Will it work?

Dunno. Sword-proof—will tiny arrow? Fail and fucked.

Thought flashed.

No choice.

Flick.

Fired at troll. Same power as wall.

Shiiiing-!!!

Fast flight, spinning. Real arrow. Mana trail.

Thud into collarbone.

Pok.

Krr?

Troll puzzled at thorn. No effect? Fuck.

Swallowed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hard—

BOOM-!!!

Kyalk.

"Huh."

Troll screeched, upper body exploded.

"Eh...?"

"Wha.... Wha?"

"Troll.... Troll...?"

Soldiers froze.

Thud--.

Lower half hit ground.

"..."

"..."

Soldiers stared blankly at me behind.

Met eyes, said:

"Whoa.... This shit slaps hard?"

Magic really packed a punch.