Magic and Sandra’s Advice
“What would happen if magic was compressed after activation…?”
“….What are you scheming now, Lord Reed?”
Today I’m receiving attack magic instruction from Sandra. The other day, Father informed me that the departure date for Renalute had been set. And according to Father’s intelligence, some faction in Renalute is apparently devising a plot to get me removed as a marriage candidate.
Therefore, I’m reviewing martial arts, magic, etiquette and so on before leaving. But since I already independently practice magic regularly, that part should probably be fine. I’ve demonstrated it for Sandra several times too and she’s given me a stamp of approval. In that case, I figured I’d try thinking of a more efficient, higher powered attack magic method.
So I’m soliciting Sandra’s opinion along with the lesson, but she’s staring at me quizzically.
“….I’ve never heard of [compressing activated magic] before. And I don’t think anyone’s tried it either. Besides, how exactly were you planning on compressing magic after it’s been activated?”
I see, so there’s a high possibility no one has attempted this before. That makes it all the more worth testing out. The thought that I’m about to embark on an experiment no one else has challenged before naturally made me grin smugly.
“I guess that means I can experiment under Sandra’s supervision, right?”
“Haah…well, I’m interested too so let’s give it a try. But stop immediately if it seems dangerous. Or if you can’t stop, blast the magic skywards, okay?”
Despite her exasperated attitude, her curiosity has apparently won out since she’s agreed to humor my experiment. I promptly take position a distance from the training yard targets and magic practice zones before starting to build up mana. But Sandra interrupts me.
“Lord Reed, since this is an experiment and I’m supervising, make sure to voice the magic names properly.”
“Ehh…”
Well, if she doesn’t know what magic I’m using, there’s no point in Sandra supervising I guess. Conceding this, I redo the mana conversion and focus my magic power. First I’ll fire normally for comparison and to show her.
“Fire Lance.”
I chant the name, and a literal lance-tipped spear of fire shoots straight towards the target and impacts it. At the same time, a light explosive sound rings out around us.
Well, that’s pretty standard right? Thinking this, Sandra calls out to me in a bored tone.
“….Was that the compression? It looks exactly the same as always…”
Giving me a side-eye as if disappointed, she throws her hands up theatrically saying “Oh well.” Her eyes had even lost their light.
“No no, that was just a normal shot. I wanted to show the original version first for comparison.”
“I see…then the real thing comes next.”
Hearing my words, the hopeful gleam and anticipation returned to her eyes. She really loves magic huh. While thinking this about Sandra, I refocus myself then start to build up magic power again. Facing the target, I hold out my clenched fist and start my incantation.
“Fire Lance.”
But this time, I don’t fire immediately. Although I’ve voiced the activation, the magic power that should have formed into a “Fire Lance” swirls restlessly within my clenched fist instead of shooting forth. I forcibly squeeze my fist to compress and crush the swirling magic inside. But I don’t stop there. I steadily channel more magic power into the “Fire Lance” imprisoned in my fist. I feel its power to escape outwards rapidly intensifying, but I clench my fist with increasing force to restrain and compress it.
Of course, I don’t halt the mana channeling either. Sensing that I’ll soon lose control from the escalating repulsive strength, I shout internally.
(This is dangerous!!)
Alarmed at the might of the magic rampaging inside my fist, I thrust it skyward and yell out the magic’s name.
“Fire Lance!!”
In that instant, a thunderously heavy explosive sound reverberates around us. Concurrently, a fireball far larger than myself is unleashed and blasts upwards in a straight line, the deafening roar seemingly pulling it further into the wide expanse of sky. Its tip was still spear-shaped, clearly retaining the “Fire Lance” properties despite its scale being orders of magnitude mightier than normal…. Eventually it disappears into the distant horizon.
“….”
“….”
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Seeing what had transpired before us, Sandra and I were struck speechless, blankly continuing to gaze up at the sky where the fire lance had flown off to for some time. Then finally, Sandra solemnly mutters, shattering the silence.
“….Compressing magic is banned for the time being.”
“….Yeah, we’ll do that.”
For once, she and I fully agreed. Afterwards, we began analyzing the compressed magic attack.
“There’s a possibility this magic could completely overturn conventional attack magic fundamentals.”
“Don’t you think that’s overstating it a bit?”
She immediately starts spouting ominous remarks. Just what does overturning attack magic fundamentals even mean? Unable to comprehend her implication, I look back confusedly. Sensing this, Sandra clears her throat and begins explaining.
“Up until now, what’s been referred to as attack magic follows the sequence: 1. Mana conversion to prepare magic power 2. Solidify the magic image 3. Activation. Importantly, the scale takes shape in step 1. And naturally, the larger the magic power built up there, the harder step 2, solidifying the specific mental image, becomes.”
“In other words, larger scale attack magic requires more mana and concrete visualization, right? That makes both acquisition and mastery more difficult.”
“Correct. That’s exactly it.”
But it felt like I followed the same process earlier right? Noticing my lack of conviction, she continues elaborating.
“What Lord Reed just did was: 1. Mana conversion to prepare magic power 2. Solidify magic image 3. Activation (restraint) 4. Magic power channeling 5. Magic compression (restraining activation) 6. Repeat steps 4 to 5 then activate. The key is vastly simplifying what had been done in step 1 by repeating steps 4 and 5 instead.”
I see. What large scale attack magic previously demanded was mana quantity and visualization precision. Both are quite challenging, including the acquisition process.
However, with the approach I just took, even beginner magic like the “Fireball” Sandra taught me should achieve power rivaling that massive “Fire Lance” from earlier. I relayed my understanding back to her for confirmation.
“Complex attack magic used to require building up copious mana first, then intricate, concrete imaging before activation was possible. But by catching the spell mid-activation to siphon additional mana and compress it, I boosted an ordinary magic to vastly higher damage potential. If applied broadly, this ought to raise any magic’s power to large scale equivalency, right?”
Listening to me, Sandra slowly nodded.
“That’s right. If anyone can understand and utilize the method Lord Reed devised, they may be able to wield terrifyingly powerful magic. This is practically a secret art now. Lord Reed is not just fun to be around…no, he defies common sense…truly a [prodigy rule-breaker].”
You were just about to blurt out I’m fun to play with, right? Though calling it a secret art might be overstating it. Since you said anyone can use it, does that mean Sandra can too? Thinking this, I asked her:
“You said anyone, so Sandra should be able to manage it too?”
My words were exactly what she had been waiting for – her eyes began sparkling with anticipation. Then she deliberately cleared her throat and smiled excitedly.
“As a teacher, I must verify whether my student’s conjectures about this new magic are correct!! Now, Lord Reed, teach me how it’s done.”
The moment she finished speaking, she brought her face right up to mine. Like a pit viper…I thought, but still carefully explained the compressed magic procedure step-by-step.
After hearing the explanation, Sandra seemed eager to immediately give it a try, using Fireball as her test magic. Same as me, she first fired off a shot normally to compare, then began the compression. She apparently modulated the mana infusion far below my attempted amount, promptly activating the spell. Still, the flames were distinctly bigger than her initial casting. Satisfied with the result, she broke out in smiles and frolicked gleefully, but sharply turned grave and deferential when facing me again.
“We must keep this magic mechanism confidential. However, we should inform Lord Reiner about it in due time. The technique holds various dangers.”
Unlike her usual self, she seemed impressively serious. This compressed magic may well upend current attack magic concepts. Meeting Sandra’s intense gaze, I silently nodded back.
“Got it. Unless absolutely necessary, I won’t use this magic from now on.”
“That would be best.”
Saying so, she flashed a faint smile before continuing lightly in her normal tone.
“But as expected, Lord Reed really is a [prodigy rule-breaker]. I look forward to the future.”
“….While I appreciate you anticipating the future, please stop calling me that.”
Seeing my discomfort, Sandra smiled amusedly. At the same time, seeming to recall something, she asked:
“By the way, you’ll be visiting Renalute soon correct?”
“Yeah. But how did you get that information so quickly?”
I was a little surprised she already knew about my recent discussion with Father. Hearing my reply, she grinned slyly.
“I have some advice for when you’re in Renalute, Lord Reed.”
“Hm? What is it?”
But hearing it was advice from Sandra, I didn’t have high hopes. With her right hand on her waist, she pointed skyward with her left index finger, staring straight at me.
“The nail that sticks up gets hammered down. However, a nail that sticks out too much won’t be struck. So in Renalute too Lord Reed, you must stand out to pierce the heavens!!”
“…We’ve been over this before right? That’s less advice and more just you saying what you want…”
I was completely exhausted by her advice. Meanwhile, Sandra seemed satisfied at getting to say her piece.
Some days later, a rare event occurred within the manor grounds on a sunny day – thunder sounding from nearby. A so-called “bolt from the blue”. It became a topic of discussion that everyone had heard the thunderclap but no one actually witnessed the lightning strike, leaving them puzzled. However, Mel alone informed me that the sound was not from thunder.
“Big brother, that wasn’t thunder. It was the fire lance flying reaaaaally high into the sky!! I totally saw it! But don’t tell anyone, it’s our secret!”
“Got it. A secret between you and me, Mel.”
While smiling back at her, I apologized internally.
(Sorry Mel, it wasn’t caused by dragons or lightning but my magic…)
I reaffirmed my earlier decision to refrain from using compressed magic for the time being.
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