Chapter 3

A few months after learning about magic, Shuu had been advancing his research and deepening his understanding in his own way. This technique basically causes phenomena to occur as imagined, but there are other methods to activate magic. One such method involves drawing a magic circle from the beginning.

Even if the phenomenon is not understood, magic will activate on its own if there is a magic circle. However, drawing a random circle can lead to dangerous reactions, or conversely, the spell might not activate at all.

It seems that magic circles have a certain regularity, and Shuu was analyzing and classifying them. As a result, he discovered several physical phenomena that govern the rules of magic circles.

The basic types of magic Shuu considered include: Weighting Magic, which applies pressure to objects; Acceleration Magic, which gives acceleration to objects; Vibration Magic, which manipulates sound, light, and material waves; Decomposition Magic, which separates bonds; Combination Magic, which joins elements; and Movement Magic, which moves objects at a specific speed or along a specific route.

By creating flows of energy such as heat or electricity, most things can be accomplished. However, since Shuu's magic power is not particularly abundant, complex spells are difficult for him.

(Ultimately, the important thing is the caster's thinking ability...)

Through repeated use of magic, Shuu had begun to understand the mechanism to some extent.

First, as an assumption, magic power can carry the thoughts and will of living beings. By thinking this way, the principles of magic can be explained to some extent. Just as photons carry energy to electrons, mysterious particles called magic elements carry the will and images of living beings.

The images carried by magic elements then act on physical phenomena. In other words, the omnipotent energy possessed by magic elements influences matter according to the image, altering the physical world.

In this context, magic circles can be perceived as a language for the world.

For example, commands to a computer are only executed after being converted into a form the computer can understand. Similarly, magic circles convert human commands into a language the world can understand.

Therefore, when a magic circle is drawn and magic power, which is energy, is channeled through it, the magic activates.

(Well, there are many assumptions, but they fit together...)

While there are still many uncertainties about 'Life Absorption' and magic equipment, magic itself is quite understandable. Various applications are possible, so there is still much to research.

Unfortunately, Shuu's magic power is limited, so he cannot use large and complex spells.

To advance his research, he needs to defeat monsters and use 'Life Absorption' to steal magic power.

(Well, let's go look for monsters today)

Absorbing magic power is more efficient from monsters than from animals. More precisely, the more magic power an entity possesses, the more it can absorb.

That's why Shuu was looking for monsters. After floating and wandering through the forest for a while, he found a few goblins.

These goblins are frequently encountered, so Shuu would defeat them whenever he found them.

(Alright, let's do this)

Shuu activated 'Life Absorption' and drew magic power from the goblins. Since 'Life Absorption' converts life force into magic power, it is clear that magic power can be converted into other forms of energy and vice versa.

Thinking about it, 'Life Absorption' is a very convenient spell. It can be activated simply by focusing, without needing a specific image. Just like breathing doesn't require conscious effort, 'Life Absorption' can be easily handled with a thought. Although it is similar to magic, it is a special ability, so Shuu considers it separately from magic.

In any case, he successfully absorbed magic power from the goblins this time as well.

(Well, I'm a spirit that is immune to physical attacks, so it's only natural that I win)

He almost felt like ghosts might be the strongest. However, since his spirit form is constructed by magic elements, he would still be vulnerable to magic attacks. Magical attacks are physical phenomena that carry a trace of magic, allowing them to affect magic entities.

A human he encountered recently had not only magic but also a mysterious power called magic equipment. He couldn't afford to be careless.

(Well, let's go look for the next target)

The high-level spirit, wrapped in tattered black cloth, continued to wander through the forest.

◆◆◆

There is a place called the Twilight Forest.

It is a large forest located in the central part of the Kingdom of Ramza, known for being covered in a faint magical aura. This forest is home to only the weakest class of monsters, called hybrids, and weaker monsters, called low-levels, so it is not particularly dangerous.

It is often used as a practical training ground for those called magic equipment users.

"Still, this forest has a creepy atmosphere, doesn't it?"

"It's just damp, that's all."

"You two are so noisy. Be quiet."

A young boy and two girls entered the forest. They are called magic equipment user candidates, individuals who possess a special ability called magic equipment, which is a talent that can manifest in those with a significant amount of magic power. Unlike magic, which is a skill, magic equipment is a talent-dependent ability. About one in a hundred people have the talent to become a magic equipment user, but there are differences in ability even among them.

Only those who are blessed with talent and hone themselves can excel in this world.

There are educational institutions that train such magic equipment users, and the students enrolled in these institutions are commonly called magic equipment user candidates.

The Twilight Forest is a good training ground for magic equipment user candidates because it is home to many weak monsters.

"Today, we're going to test Alice's second-tier magic, right? Let's get it over with and go home."

"Right, Jazz. But I'm a bit excited about the second-tier."

"Heh, it's not that big of a deal."

For humans, magic is like a formula. Therefore, the idea of classifying and combining properties does not exist. It is more common to learn magic that has been formalized by ancient sages.

The difficulty of the formula determines the power of the magic, as well as the difficulty of activation and the amount of magic power required.

The second-tier magic that Alice has learned is the second lowest level of magic, belonging to the lower tier. It is a basic spell with a small range and low power, but it is impressive that they can use it at their stage as new candidates.

As the three of them walked through the forest, Jazz spoke up.

"Both of you, stop."

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, did you find something?"

"Yeah, it triggered my magic power detection. Marie and Alice, be careful."

Magic power detection is a type of magic, a technique outside the magic manipulation system. There is a difference between those who can use it and those who cannot, depending on their talent.

Jazz is skilled at this detection, which allows him to quickly find monsters.

"It's over there. Let's approach quietly and hide our presence."

Following Jazz's lead, Marie and Alice followed quietly from behind. They confirmed that a monster was hiding in the grass.

It seemed that the monster had just defeated a goblin. Two goblin corpses lay on the ground.

"A ghost... no, a high-level spirit. It's a low-level class, so we can handle it."

"It hasn't noticed us yet."

"Let's take this chance."

The three, hiding behind trees and grass, targeted the high-level spirit. This time, Alice was going to test her second-tier magic.

Alice began the prescribed incantation, aiming at the high-level spirit. A small magic circle gradually formed, and the spell activated after about five seconds.

"Binding Vine"

The second-tier earth attribute magic activated, and a large number of vines emerged from the ground, trying to capture the high-level spirit and drag it to the ground.

Although the spirit is a non-physical entity, magic attacks can affect it.

"Got it!"

Jazz rushed forward, activating his magic equipment. Magic power converged, forming a green-bladed knife in his right hand.

Jazz aimed to finish off the captured high-level spirit, but just a few meters away, a blue-white geometric pattern appeared in front of him. He was too shocked to understand what was happening.

"Ugh!?"

Jazz was blown back by a strong force.

He collided with a large tree and lost consciousness. The tree creaked, indicating the force of the impact.

Marie and Alice were shocked.

"Jazz!"

"Is he okay!?"

The magic was not cast by either of them, which meant the high-level spirit in front of them had used it.

"Monsters using magic..."

"High-level monsters can use it, apparently. But this is a high-level spirit, right? Could it be a confusion with a magic guide? Low-level monsters can only use magic guides!"

A magic guide is a unique power used by monsters. For a high-level spirit, it would be 'Life Absorption,' not wind manipulation. Since a magic circle appeared, it was definitely a magic attack.

While they were shocked, the high-level spirit tried to escape from the vines.

Marie and Alice, realizing their mistake, immediately tried to activate their magic equipment.

However, a magic circle appeared in front of them without warning.

(Why!)

(The circle formed too quickly!)

Magic is usually cast slowly, following an incantation and an image. Even for lower-tier spells like the first and second tiers, it takes a few seconds, with some individual differences.

However, the high-level spirit in front of them completed the magic circle instantly.

In the next moment, both of them were blown back and lost consciousness from the strong impact on their backs.

◆◆◆

(What a problem...)

Shuu looked at the three unconscious humans with a troubled expression. He had repelled them when they suddenly attacked, but they were weaker than expected. He had used Acceleration Magic to push them back, and they had hit a large tree and lost consciousness. He wasn't sure what they had intended to do.

(Maybe they were trying to kill me?)

He had suspected that high-level spirits were a type of monster, and thus a target for humans.

(Still, I got some useful information. My ability 'Life Absorption' is called a magic guide. It's the third specialized term after magic equipment and magic.)

It seems that each monster, including high-level spirits, has its own unique ability. There might be monsters without magic guides, but Shuu couldn't confirm that now.

Considering the information he had gained, the attack was worth it.

(Still, I don't plan to let them go)

They had tried to kill him, so he had no intention of letting them escape.

Although he had once been human, that was just knowledge. It was just data without emotion. The one with emotions now is Shuu.

He wasn't going to let them go after nearly being killed.

There was another reason. Magic had risks, specifically risks related to the use of magic power. Shuu had realized this after starting to use magic. The consumed magic power does not naturally recover. The only ways to recover are to use 'Life Absorption' to steal from living beings or to gain magic power from killing.

This meant that the more he used magic, the further away the next evolution would be.

(This is the first time I'm absorbing from humans. Let's do this)

Shuu used his magic guide to draw life force from the three. He could feel the magic power being converted and accumulating within him. While the magic power from goblins was small, it was more than from animals. From these three, he could absorb a significant amount.

Shuu secretly rejoiced, thinking that the next evolution might be closer.

(Yes, it's quite a bit)

He had gained a considerable amount of magic power from killing the three.

Even considering the magic power he had used, the gain was greater.

Feeling satisfied, Shuu left the scene.

A few days later, a search party was sent out to look for the three missing magic equipment user candidates in the Twilight Forest. They found Jazz and the others, who had died from exhaustion. This caused a commotion, but Shuu never learned about it.

No mercy for humans.

After all, I'm a monster.