Chapter 35

"Is Ougan also here?"

Kairu glanced uncomfortably at a corner of the square.

In a corner of the square where they usually practice swordsmanship, Ougan was lecturing Shira on the mindset needed when using magic.

Ougan had been staying at the mayor's house since yesterday, but he had come to Rio's house early in the morning to start teaching Shira the basics of magic.

"From the strength of his body enhancement, I thought he might have a talent for magic, but not to the extent that Ougan would want him as a disciple."

"Is Ougan famous?"

"I think there's no one in the Rozis territory who doesn't know him. He's a veteran who has served since the time of the previous Rozis viscount and is highly trusted. He's not only knowledgeable about magic but also has extensive knowledge about animals and plants. There's even an encyclopedia he wrote in the guild's reference room."

"…Is Shira going to be okay? I hope he doesn't say anything rude."

"From what I hear, he's not strict about manners because he's from a commoner background, but since he wants a disciple, there's no need to worry."

While Rio was talking to Kairu, Ougan's lecture progressed to the practical training stage.

Ougan took out a magic array that seemed to be carved from an animal's horn and handed it to Shira.

"First, channel your magic power into this magic array."

"…Hmm."

Shira, who didn't seem very enthusiastic, took the magic array, and a fist-sized white light orb floated up from it. Seeing the orb glow faintly, Ougan smiled.

"Your magic power is pure and clear. There's almost no wasted power. It's an astonishing aptitude."

Ougan beckoned to Rio.

"Rio, come here for a moment."

"Huh? Okay."

As soon as Rio was called, Shira started smiling. Rio thought Shira should focus on learning magic from a lord's mage, but he knew it wouldn't do any good to say it.

Ougan seemed to have noticed that Shira's mood improved when Rio was involved.

"Rio, touch this light orb. It's not dangerous."

Following Ougan's instructions, Rio touched the floating light orb with his index finger. His finger sank into the orb without resistance, and he felt something like a membrane. Rio stopped his hand.

Seeing Rio's reaction, Ougan spoke.

"That membrane is the core of the magic. When the magic power contained in it is completely consumed, the magic itself disappears. Conversely, if you can break the membrane, you can destroy the magic. Try to pierce it forcefully."

Following the instruction, Rio thrust his finger into the membrane, and the light orb disappeared.

Ougan turned back to Shira.

"By strengthening the core membrane, you can penetrate defensive magic. Conversely, if you can strengthen your defensive magic to surpass the core membrane, you can protect a swordsman like Rio, who is otherwise helpless against magic. To gain Rio's trust in defensive magic, you two should practice strengthening the core membrane together."

By the time Shira realized he was being used, it was too late.

Shira immediately grabbed Rio's wrist.

"…We'll practice together."

"But I have sword practice."

"You can do both. Move the light orb and have Rio's sword strike it. This will allow you to practice both magic control and core membrane strengthening. No complaints, right?"

As expected of a mage serving the lord, he was quite eloquent.

Shira, who had been completely taken in, immediately made a light orb float and started moving it.

Realizing that he was going to be dragged into the practice, Rio resigned himself and started swinging his sword.

Since he was practicing with a real sword, he could easily cut through the light orb without any resistance.

While practicing his sword techniques, Rio suddenly thought of a question and asked Ougan.

"Um, if magic can be cut, why do they say that swordsmen have no way to deal with magic? Is there a reason for that?"

"It's simple."

Ougan took one of the wooden magic arrays hanging around his neck.

Immediately, about twenty light orbs appeared around Ougan.

"Suppose all of these were fire orbs. Do you think you could cut them all down?"

"…No, I can't."

"Exactly. While it would require considerable skill and incantation to produce this many fire orbs, once they are produced, you can't resist them. A simpler method would be something like this."

After dispelling the light orbs, Ougan extended his left hand and started chanting in a low voice.

"Sharp and keen thorns, form a great snowflower of ice pillars."

A hexagonal ice crystal with countless ice blades appeared at the tip of Ougan's left hand. It was twice Ougan's height.

"The core of this magic is about the same size as the light orbs we just saw. If it hits you, the ice blades will reach your body before your sword can reach the core. Moreover, an experienced mage like me can even with small-scale magic—"

Ougan dispelled the ice crystal, touched the wooden magic array, and created a light orb, which he sent toward Rio.

Reacting instinctively, Rio swung his sword and cut the light orb in half. However, he didn't feel the resistance of piercing the core membrane.

In fact, the light orb passed by Rio without disappearing.

Ougan smiled mischievously, like a child who had successfully pulled off a prank, and shrugged his shoulders.

"The core doesn't necessarily have to be at the center of the magic. Experienced mages often offset the core membrane from the center, even with small-scale magic, to make it physically unbreakable."

Guided by Ougan's words, Rio tried to strike the light orbs repeatedly and felt he had caught the core on the third strike.

However, if Shira's light orbs were like soap bubbles, Ougan's light orbs were as hard as tree bark.

Despite his slender arms, Rio managed to cut through the core, and the light orb dissipated into mist.

"What is the mechanism of defensive magic? If you have to destroy the core, wouldn't the magic penetrate the defensive magic and reach the caster?"

If the magic phenomenon appears around the core, wouldn't the distance between the core and the tip of the magic allow it to penetrate the defensive magic and reach the caster?

Ougan looked pleased at Rio's question. He seemed to enjoy teaching, even if he was selective about who he taught.

"Defensive magic doesn't destroy the core; it prevents it from advancing further. Just like a shield stopping an arrow without breaking it. Some defensive magic does have spikes that can pierce the core, but they consume a lot of magic power and are not practical."

"So, defensive magic can be activated from a distance?"

"Exactly. There are types that can be moved freely after activation and fixed types. By the way—"

Ougan, having finished his explanation, looked at Shira.

"I knew it, but you have an incredible talent."

At the end of Ougan's gaze, Shira was making two light orbs appear simultaneously in both hands and repeatedly colliding them with force. They seemed to have some elasticity, as they bounced to the sides each time they collided.

Making eye contact with Rio, Shira lightly threw the light orb in his right hand.

Knowing its strength, Rio stepped forward with his right foot and swung his sword seriously from above, cutting the light orb in half.

He felt a definite resistance. The sensation of cutting, which he couldn't experience just by swinging his sword for practice, made Rio smile.

"This is great. Shira, throw more. Make them harder if you can."

"…Okay, got it."

Perhaps because Rio had rarely asked for anything, Shira seemed to be filled with enthusiasm and started throwing light orbs from both hands.

Rio, while practicing his sword techniques, paid attention to ensuring the blade's edge was properly aligned and continued to cut down the light orbs.

Both Rio, receiving occasional advice from Kairu, and Shira, receiving advice from Ougan, refined their movements.