Chapter 5

It had been a year since Merea had reincarnated.

For Merea, it felt like she had been running non-stop since being reborn, constantly pursued by the intense training from the heroes, leaving her no time to catch her breath.

"Alright, this formula is like this, and this formula combines with a variable formula... Ahh! Why are there letters mixed in with the shapes!! Who the hell came up with this?!"

That day, Merea was surrounded by three female heroes, looking at the complex and bizarre patterns carved into the stone table.

She traced them with her fingers, muttering to herself and occasionally clutching her head.

In response, the three beautiful women, who were grinning, said one after another,

"That's wrong. That event formula won't work. You won't produce fire with that."

"Ah... Who the hell came up with this?"

"Who knows? Maybe a god? The formulas, after all, are just representations of phenomena in this world. When you get down to it, the answer is 'that's just the way it is.' No one looks for a reason why light travels at a certain speed."

"I understand that, but it's so ridiculously complex that I feel like spitting at it."

That day, Merea was receiving a lecture on magic.

Magic is a technique that uses a special formula, commonly known as a "formula," to represent phenomena in the world, and channels "mana," a fuel within the body, to actually produce its effects.

It sounds simple, but in practice, the system of shapes and letters used in the formulas is complex, and Merea struggled to get used to the formula language that simply states "that's the way it is."

"You're doing well for just a year, so keep it up. Being good at this is quite impressive, I think."

"Then tonight's dinner is..."

"What? That's a different matter. If you don't do it properly, no dinner, even if you're good."

"Smiling so cheerfully...!"

"Alright, next, interpret this event formula and construct a reverse formula."

"Ah... My head hurts... Do I really need to master this?"

"You have Franader Crow's magic eye, so you absolutely need to know about formulas. Otherwise, it would be a waste of a treasure."

Merea, upon hearing this, peered into the water bottle on the stone table.

Her face was reflected in the water's surface.

Snow-white hair, red eyes.

These red eyes were said to be from Franader.

—The "Divine Mage's Magic Eye."

It is called that.

—Indeed, thanks to these eyes, I can instantly understand the construction of formulas...

The "Divine Mage's Magic Eye" can see through any formula.

Most formulas become invisible once they manifest as phenomena, but the "Divine Mage's Magic Eye" can see through the construction of formulas even from the outside of the phenomena.

By reading the opponent's formula and applying a reverse formula, you can nullify the formula.

You can also overpower the opponent's formula with a stronger one, but this method is ineffective against non-physical formulas.

For example, formulas that absorb or reflect the opponent's formula, or those that impose constraints or limitations on living beings, are difficult to counter with brute force.

In such cases, a reverse formula is effective.

A correctly reversed formula cancels out the effect of the formula.

That's why Merea was relentlessly drilled in formula theory by the heroes.

"The ideal is to do it reflexively. The moment you read the opponent's formula with the 'Divine Mage's Magic Eye,' you should reflexively apply the reverse formula. Only then will you pass."

"Reflexively...?"

"Just do it without complaining."

"Okay..."

The heroes, who were kind outside of training, were extremely strict during training, regardless of gender.

◆◆◆

When Merea used the "Divine Mage's Magic Eye" to read the formulas of several heroes and derive and construct reverse formulas, at first—

"Ugh...!"

"One minute. —Too slow."

"Shut up!"

It took her one minute.

"One minute, and you'd be dead."

"I know..."

She read the formulas, understood the theory of the combination of shapes, letters, and numbers, and predicted the final effect based on the construction.

Next, she reversed the formula and constructed a reverse formula. Simply reversing the shapes or letters does not always create a reverse formula, as the same shape can produce a completely different effect when mirrored.

"My head feels like it's going to explode..."

That's why Merea was drilled in various formula theories.

From general formula theories to esoteric ones found in remote regions.

The heroes came from various places, and even among those who were mages in life, their formula techniques varied.

She had to select and choose from the theories drilled into her, create several candidates for reverse formulas in her mind, and use the one she thought was most suitable.

The process was enormous, and it was no wonder it took time.

"First, it's fine to start with reverse formulas for barriers, but eventually, I want you to do offensive reverse formulas."

"Offensive?"

Merea tilted her head.

"Instead of defense, you'll convert the opponent's formula into an offensive one. For example, if you reverse my black flame formula, it becomes a white flame formula. You read it reflexively, construct it reflexively, and fire it first. Isn't that the ultimate?"

"Firing before the person who created the formula...?"

"There's a time gap between when a formula is constructed and when it becomes a phenomenon. The more skilled the user, the faster the activation after construction, but the formula is always constructed first. The 'Divine Mage' could apparently construct a reverse formula reflexively just by seeing the leading formula without using the magic eye. Even if you're not that monstrous, a skilled mage can estimate the effect by seeing the leading formula."

"You just called me a monster! I'm being made to do monster things!!"

"Don't worry, with the 'Divine Mage's Magic Eye,' the 'War God's Rigid Body,' and other hero traits in your body, you're already not a normal human."

"What's 'don't worry' about that...!"

While saying this, the female hero suddenly generated a formula.

Seeing the formula array spread out before her, Merea, despite her shock, immediately set to work on constructing a reverse formula.

◆◆◆

Thus, the training by various heroes continued for about three years.

Merea grew rapidly.

"Alright, three at once for the final test."

That day, Merea stood before three female heroes, her arms slightly spread, ready.

In response, the female heroes each extended their hands and cast their magic.

"Flame Spear"

"Lightning Spear"

"Water Spear"

The construction formulas appeared briefly before their hands, then immediately transformed into flame, lightning, and water, disappearing from sight.

The lag between the construction and manifestation of their formulas was almost non-existent, a testament to their skill.

However, Merea could see the construction formulas within them.

In an instant, Merea constructed separate formulas in each direction.

From her palms, formula arrays formed by formula language and shapes spread out, acting as shields.

The spears advanced toward Merea's formula barriers.

And—

"—Good, you pass. Well done."

The spears vanished upon impact with the barriers.

They were neutralized by the reverse formulas in the barriers.

"Finally! It took three years!!"

"I took five years. You have more talent than I do. It's amazing, coming from a world without formulas."

Franader Crow, who had come to Merea's side, smiled happily and patted her head.

"I'm glad to hear that from Franader. But Franader must have done it all on your own, right?"

"Pretty much."

"Having mentors makes learning much more efficient."

"They would be happy to hear that."

Franader pointed to the three female heroes.

Merea, following her gaze, saw—

"...Huh?"

She was speechless.

The forms of the female heroes were fading, almost to the point of disappearing.

"..."

Merea, sensing something wrong, ran to the female heroes.

They smiled calmly.

"—Yes, our lingering attachments are running out of fuel. ...I think I understand how Reilas felt a little."

"Reilas ascended in joy when her child was born. She was so happy."

"Reilas died young."

"Everyone—"

Merea looked worried.

But they each patted her head twice.

"We've become complacent, too. We thought we'd clear our attachments more dramatically, but raising you was enough. I never had children in life, so that must be why. Motherhood is a troublesome thing."

"Merea, at first, I thought about making you a hero to avenge us against those who betrayed us, but now I don't want to burden you with that. Restricting a child's freedom is quite heart-wrenching."

"That's why, live as you please, Merea. Just be strong enough to protect what you want to protect. As a man, you should always have that strength."

The three voices echoed gently—

And they disappeared.

"—Now the spirit mountain will be lonely again."

Franader, who was beside Merea, looked up at the sky and muttered.