4. New Tactical Magic Techniques and the Mother Queen Spider
To apply as a temporary member, I had to submit application data that included a list of abilities and a photo. However, every single one of my submissions was rejected during the data screening process. Wondering why, I decided to ask Regina, a fellow Dragon Hunter, for clarification. When I showed her my application data in the Dragon Hunter Guild lobby, she gave a wry smile.
“This is why you’re getting rejected.”
“Why?”
“Your abilities and rank don’t match up, so they think you’re suspicious.”
I tilted my head in confusion. Seeing this, Regina explained further.
“You’re a Rank C Mage, but you only know the three basic Tactical Magic Techniques. That’s way too suspicious.”
“But it’s the truth.”
“Also, your face looks oddly old.”
I thought my face was normal for a man in his late fifties, but apparently, it’s different in space. Most species have extended lifespans, so someone in their fifties would still look like a young adult.
“Maybe I should undergo lifespan extension treatment?”
“Preferably, yes. But since that’s not an immediate option, how about I introduce you to a team that might take you?”
“There’s such a team?”
“Yeah, it’s the team I joined. They’re looking for a mage.”
“But won’t I get rejected in the data screening?”
“I’ll explain it to them. They’ll judge you based on your actual skills.”
“Does this team have a mage?”
Regina nodded.
“Yes, there’s one mage from the Werecat race. I think she’s at Initial Mage Grade 3.”
The mage ranking system goes from [Initial Mage], [Earth Sage], [Celestial Sage], to [Divine Sage], with each rank divided into Grades 1 to 3, where [1] is beginner, [2] is intermediate, and [3] is advanced.
Incidentally, since I only know the three basic techniques, I’m considered Initial Mage Grade 1.
“What’s her Dragon Hunter rank?”
“Her rank is [D].”
It seems normal for an Initial Mage Grade 3 to be at Rank D as a Dragon Hunter. Someone like me, who’s Initial Mage Grade 1 but Rank C, is considered abnormal.
Regina introduced me to the team. Thanks to her, I passed the data screening for the first time and got a chance to demonstrate my skills. To show my abilities as a mage, I was to demonstrate the power of the three basic techniques in the training field. When Regina and I arrived at the magic training field, three Dragon Hunters were waiting. Regina introduced them. The original team consisted of three members: Aaron, the leader and a sniper-type Werecat; Paula, the mage and also a Werecat; and Roland, a front-line combatant-type Human. Aaron and Paula, both Werecats, were small in stature with faces resembling Siamese cats. Roland, the Human, looked like a regular Earthling but was about 190 cm tall with a wrestler’s build.
“Old man, is it true you only know the three basic techniques?”
Paula’s question was blunt.
“Yes, I’ve only been a mage for a short time.”
“Hmm, how long has it been since you could handle Heavenly wave Force?”
Paula asked. It usually takes about a year to master the three basic techniques after gaining control of Heavenly wave Force. Then, it takes another two years to become proficient enough to learn the next Tactical Magic Technique.
“It’s been about a year and a half.”
Paula nodded.
“That makes sense, but… becoming a mage at your age is unusual.”
Regina laughed.
“Zen looks old, but he’s actually in his fifties.”
“Really? Haven’t you undergone lifespan extension treatment?”
“That’s right.”
When I confirmed, Paula seemed to understand. Most citizens of the Space Alliance undergo genetic modification, granting them extended lifespans from birth. Werecats and Humans, for example, naturally live up to 300 years.
“I get the circumstances, but I still can’t wrap my head around an Initial Mage Grade 1 being Rank C Dragon Hunter.”
Roland still seemed unconvinced.
“My Tactical Magic Techniques are self-taught, so they’re more powerful.”
“Drop the formalities with me. In return, I won’t use honorifics with you just because you’re older.”
“Understood.”
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Entering the magic training field, I found it as spacious as Tokyo Dome. The targets, about five meters in diameter, were made of a rubber-like material and had patterns resembling the “Kasumi” targets used in archery. Kasumi targets are circular with three concentric rings of varying widths. I knew this because I’d dabbled in archery.
“So this is what a magic training field is like.”
Paula laughed at my comment.
“Is this your first time? Let me show you how it’s done.”
She selected one of the targets, stood about thirty meters away, and fired a Particle Bullet. It hit the center of the target, causing an explosion that created a crater about fifty centimeters in diameter.
“Like this.”
“Got it.”
The crater in the target began to repair itself and was back to normal in about five seconds. Impressed by the high-tech setup, I opened the Power Conduit connected to the Nayuta Realm to control level T. Heavenly wave Force and Bosol Particles flowed into my body, and I used them to fire a Particle Bullet. The bullet traveled at three times the speed of sound and exploded upon impact. In the vacuum of space, I could accelerate it to eight times the speed of sound, but in the atmosphere, I limited it to three times.
At thirty meters, I thought the blast wouldn’t be a problem. But the shockwave nearly knocked me over. I had anticipated it, so I managed to stay on my feet. The others, however, were blown back and tumbled across the ground. Others using the training field were also startled by the massive explosion. Aaron was the first to get up.
“Zen, if you’re going to use a Tactical Magic Technique that is not one of the three basic techniques, you should’ve said so.”
“But that was just [Particle Shot].”
Aaron and the others were stunned.
“No way. That’s nothing like Paula’s [Particle Shot].”
“That’s why I said my basic techniques are more powerful.”
“I can’t believe it. If that’s the real [Particle Shot], then Paula’s is pathetic.”
Roland’s blunt comment made Paula slump to her knees.
“Is my [Particle Shot] pathetic?”
“No, it’s normal. Zen’s is just abnormal.”
Regina’s explanation seemed to console Paula, who stood back up.
“I get that Zen’s basic techniques are way more powerful, but why is that?”
Paula asked.
“Probably because I use Heavenly wave Force more efficiently.”
“I see. You said you’re self-taught. How did you learn the basic techniques?”
“Mostly from online information and trial and error. Plus, I fought monsters in space, so I needed that level of power.”
Paula’s eyes sparkled.
“Space? What kind of monsters did you fight?”
“Mostly space jellyfish. But I did encounter a really powerful monster once.”
“Really? What was it?”
“The Armored Artillery Anemone, Threat Level 8.”
Hearing this, the group fell silent.
“Please tell me you didn’t fight it.”
Roland asked.
“No way. I just saw it. It was fighting an Orc fleet and destroying warships like toys.”
“Encounters like that must be common in space. It’s kind of scary.”
Aaron said. It seemed they were considering venturing into space too.
“Hey, can you show us [Particle Piercing Bullet] and [Particle Circular Flying Blade]?”
Paula requested, and I nodded.
“Next is [Particle Piercing Bullet].”
I aimed for the center of the target and fired a Particle Piercing Bullet. The bullet, about a meter thick, pierced through the target and hit the wall behind it with a loud thud.
“Wow, I’ve never seen a target get pierced before.”
Aaron exclaimed. Apparently, no mage had ever pierced a target with a Particle Piercing Bullet. Finally, when I demonstrated [Particle Circular Flying Blade], the target was nearly split in half.
“Zen’s basic techniques are all beyond standard.”
Regina said, exasperated. The other three nodded in agreement.
“Even if you increased Heavenly wave Force a bit, I don’t think the power would go up this much. But since I’ve seen it with my own eyes, I have to believe it. You’re in. Join us as a temporary member starting today.”
I felt relieved at Aaron’s words. Then, we discussed the team’s next target. Aaron’s team was planning to hunt Crimson-Horned Snakes in the northern Garrudo Desert. Crimson-Horned Snakes are massive serpents, about twenty meters long, with a Crimson horn on their forehead. The horn can fire a heat beam. The horn, called [Flamehorn], is said to sell for 30 million Krebits.
“Zen, have you ever hunted in the Garrudo Desert?”
Aaron asked.
“Ah, but I’ve never hunted a Crimson Horned Snake before.”
Hearing that, Roland nodded.
“I see, so you’ve never hunted a Crimson Horned Snake. Don’t worry. We haven’t either.”
Honestly, that’s more concerning, but whatever.
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