[The Saintess, Anastasia Lacroix - 04]
[The Saintess, Anastasia Lacroix - 04]
"Hey, tell me about the basic attributes."
"Have you finally taken an interest in such things? I'm so moved I might cry."
"You know how to cry?"
"Of course I do."
The morning right after we returned to the Cathedral, the Saintess-nim said this to me while eating breakfast in her room.
Actually, it wasn't class time yet, and I wasn't strictly obligated to do it, but since it was a very good thing for the Saintess-nim to express curiosity and ask questions on her own, I decided to answer.
"Do you know about the types of basic attributes?"
"I'm asking because I don't know."
Well, I guess it can't be helped if she doesn't know.
In the worst-case scenario, there were many people who only learned about them after becoming adults and going to The Academy.
Especially since The Academy accepts commoners along with nobles, where would a commoner get an education?
Unless they were lucky enough to be taught by someone or self-studied from books on their own, there was almost no chance for them to learn.
"Fire, water, lightning, earth, wind....... These are the basic attributes. On top of that, there are people born with the rare light and dark attributes."
"Then is light just a normal attribute too?"
"Well, you could say that. There's a saying that people with the light attribute learn healing magic more easily, but it hasn't been theoretically explained. It's just that many people believe this story."
"Why?"
"Because everyone chosen as a Saintess possesses the light attribute. Because of that, many people affirm the idea that those with the light attribute are suited for learning healing magic."
"Then, conversely, is there magic that people with the dark attribute learn well?"
"......They say they learn weakening magic well, but unlike the light attribute, the credibility is a bit lower. Since it's the dark attribute, which is on the opposite side of light, it's just a matter of association. Of course, that's what it means for now."
In reality, the person I know who is best at using weakening magic didn't have the dark attribute, but the earth attribute.
Of course, since I'm speaking from personal experience, it's possible that a theory stating people with the dark attribute learn weakening magic well might be published later.
"Basic attributes are something you're born with. You could say they are determined from the moment you are born."
"What about you, Ed?"
"I am wind."
"I don't really get it. Ed, you didn't use any wind magic in that forest."
"Hmm, this part is a bit complicated. My Shadow Magic is a combined magic created by using the wind, earth, water, and lightning attributes simultaneously."
"Is that even possible? Aren't you supposed to only have one attribute?"
"Not at all. Depending on training, you can increase that number as much as you want."
It was a common sight to see people with two attributes if they had some skill.
It's just that it's easier to learn the basic attribute you were born with, but you can learn other attributes too.
Of course, it's just that you can learn them; compared to your basic attribute, the training efficiency is poor, and it's quite difficult to learn.
Therefore, if someone had mastered about three attributes, it was safe to consider them quite skilled.
Or, it was safe to assume they had put in the corresponding effort.
"Can I learn them too?"
"It wouldn't be impossible. You should try it later."
"That sounds fun. ......But how did you make the shadow by combining those four?"
"Attributes have corresponding characteristics. The light magic the Saintess-nim possesses has a certain degree of penetration property."
"Penetration?"
"It means it passes right through without making a hole or tearing. That's why there's a saying not to use shields against those who use light magic."
For a skilled light mage, holding a shield or blocking an attack with a wall has no meaning.
Because light magic will pass right through that cover and hit the enemy. Therefore, light mages are the most annoying when fighting in forests or places with lots of cover.
Cover like trees was only an obstacle for me, not for the opponent. If they could just pinpoint my location, a light mage could launch an unblockable attack.
"Hmm."
The Saintess-nim reached her hand toward the window.
I widened my eyes.
"Saintess-nim, wait......."
Tuung, a small bit of light magic flew from the Saintess-nim's fingertips and passed right through the window.
"Oh, it really does. I didn't know that."
"......Saintess-nim, have you ever practiced this technique?"
"Did you hear what I just said? I said I just found out!"
"......."
"Is it time to praise my talent?"
"Yes....... Honestly, it seems it is time to praise it."
I was surprised.
Every time I saw a glimpse of the talent the Saintess-nim possessed, I couldn't help but think. It's absurd.
To utilize the properties of magic in earnest, it required months of grueling training, and for some people, it even took years.
It meant she had succeeded right there on the spot just by hearing my brief explanation.
Even if it was just a window with no magical power, so the difficulty was low, this wasn't something that could be done so easily.
Every time I was surprised by her talent like this, I felt like I would become afraid of the adult Saintess-nim.
Because she could easily make a village cease to exist just by waving her hand.
"So, next. Keep explaining. ......This is quite interesting."
I was silent for a moment before deciding to continue explaining.
"The dark attribute makes it easy to hide the presence of magical power. Simply put, it's the perfect attribute for surprise attacks. Even people with rare constitutions or those sensitive to magical detection find it easy to only realize it right before being ambushed by a dark mage."
"I see."
"However, since it's only the magical power that's hidden, one cannot hide their own killing intent or presence. Some people can hide these well depending on their skill, but there are really only a handful of people who can hide all of this well."
"Why?"
"Just like light magic, dark magic also has quite complex control."
"Aha."
Light magic requires complex calculations to pull off, and the same goes for dark magic; on top of that, you have to focus on making it stealthy, and you also have to hide your own presence or killing intent, so it requires mind-numbing concentration.
Therefore, people usually tend to hide the presence of the location rather than their own presence.
They use the characteristics of magical power to create a kind of invisible barrier to erase the presence of the people in that place.
If used that way, there's almost no chance of killing intent and presence being detected.
However, as I said, it's a barrier type, so it's not something you can use while moving, and you'll be discovered immediately if you leave the barrier, so you have to fight a speed battle, but at least it was more realistic than the previous method, so this method is usually adopted a lot.
"Besides that, fire has the property of breaking down magical power, and water has the property of being easy to change the form of magical power."
"Easy to change?"
"If you put water in a jar, it takes the shape of the jar, and if you put it in a water cup, it takes the shape of the water cup, right? Likewise, its form is the most free to change."
When I gestured, a stream of water was created in the air, moving like a whirlpool to form a shape like a swan.
"I see......."
It was a water figure that a normal child would call pretty, but expecting such a sentiment would be wrong.
"That's why they say water magic is the easiest to learn. Many people choose water magic when selecting a second basic attribute."
That's why I also chose water magic first when selecting my second magic. Because it was the easiest to handle.
"Hmm."
"Lightning makes it easier to penetrate, and wind increases cutting power. Finally, earth is superior in defensive power compared to other magical powers. People who carry shields are often preferred to have earth magic."
"But you said my light magic penetrates? Isn't a shield meaningless?"
"Of course, you can't just pierce objects that possess magical power; it requires a corresponding technique. The biggest reason why earth magic is recommended for holding shields is that it isn't easily pierced by light magic, which has that penetration characteristic."
Unless there was a significant difference in skill, it was possible to reduce the damage.
Of course, depending on the opponent's skill, you'd have to be prepared for some injuries, but at least it would hurt much less than getting hit with your bare body without a shield.
Since they have to focus on calculations and technique, the damage that comes through after piercing the shield is lowered to some extent, making it bearable.
"In other words, if I take down a skilled earth magic user in one hit with penetration, I'm the strongest?"
"......Well, that's not exactly wrong."
"So, you said Shadow Magic was made using four types of magic?"
"Yes."
My shadow rippled, and a blade of shadow rose from the floor.
"I maximized the characteristics of wind's cutting power and lightning's penetration power, and raised the strength with earth. As a bonus, I made it so it can also counter light magic. Finally, I can change its form freely with the power of water. It's a blade because it's the easiest to handle and simple in shape."
Control is already complex enough; if the shape were also complex, it would be a hassle.
Shururuk, the shadow changed its form, turning into the shape of a cat, and then into the shape of a spear.
"The shape is really free."
"Usually, because of the shadow characteristic, some people sometimes mistake it for dark magic, and some people think it's magic formed using a shadow as a medium."
"Ah, come to think of it, you were trying to target it with light."
It certainly wasn't impossible to have a magic that was truly a shadow blade by using the shadow itself as a medium.
Someone might be using that magic, but my Shadow Magic was merely created with the intention of deceiving the enemy, starting from the name.
If they are deceived and use light, I just have to pretend to be troubled.
Everyone approaches, thinking they've got it right.
They fall into the trap, and I take most of them down in one blow.
Just like the kidnapper I met last time.
"Combined magic that mixes four attributes......."
The Saintess-nim thought deeply for a moment, then looked at me and said.
"Hey, Ed. I'm starting to think that your claim that you're not weak isn't just modesty, but a statement that lacks objectivity. What do you think?"
"There are people stronger than me. Saintess-nim, please remember that too. If you act arrogantly just because you're strong, it's easy to be hated by those around you."
The Saintess-nim laughed playfully at my answer.
"You know you're strong, don't you?"
I've rolled around on the battlefield for several years and survived; there's no way I could be weak.
I can guarantee it.
The future Saintess-nim will probably be able to subdue me with one hand.
This woman is not human.
Seeing her use the penetration property right away sent a chill down my spine.