Chapter 4

Trembling with joy.

I had always expected it, but I never thought it would be to this extent.

I had always wondered, when I was the same age as Ferris, could I have possessed the same abilities as him?

When Ferris was eight, the strength I happened to witness in him surpassed what I had at the same age. Indeed, if we were to compare the strength of magic or martial arts alone, Ferris's numbers wouldn't match mine or Zito's. But if we combined both, he would easily surpass us.

It might sound good to say he specialized, but in essence, Zito and I were just clumsy. However, Ferris excelled at both at a high level.

If you have the potential, your numbers will grow. Being happy about your own growth makes you want to improve even more. The minds of those who choose combat are generally like this, and the tendency is even stronger in children.

But among them, Ferris, while saying he was untalented, calmly continued to train in both. I'm sure his self-evaluation was genuine, and he truly believed he was untalented.

Without any coercion or evaluation, he continued his training. Such mental fortitude in Ferris was both terrifying and reassuring.

No matter what he said, Ferris would continue to do what he thought he should.

That's why I always wanted to know how much power he had gained.

I had always hoped that he would alleviate this boredom.

Ah, my right arm hurts.

It's fun.

Ferris, you are wonderful.

---

If Mil had been serious from the start, it would have ended easily. However, the urge to probe kept me going.

I dodge the light bullets coming from the front by swaying my body. I lean my body to avoid the heat rays that come later. Attacks in points and lines are easy to handle.

But the flames spreading to crush my range of movement are not good.

I create a water wall to push back the flames. When I do, more spirals approach. I return them with water.

The battle has taken on the appearance of a territorial struggle. But once it gets to this point, it's bad for me, who lacks training.

"Troublesome...!"

I desperately scatter poison mist from the tip of the rod. To avoid the hassle, I automate the generation of the poison mist. I mix the poison with debris and fire it as bullets. But Mil intercepts everything with the spirals. They can be used as both a shield and a weapon.

I will likely lose in a magical battle.

However, there is no opportunity to turn the tide. My brain is screaming from overuse of 'Concentration.' One mistake and it could be fatal, the tension is overwhelming.

What can I do now?

I launch a water ball high into the air, trying to make as heavy a rain as possible. Suppress the heat, don't let the opponent move freely, and try to make the situation more favorable.

Contrary to my desperate efforts, the air dries up as soon as it gets wet.

"What's wrong with you?"

My frustration grows. Continuing like this won't improve the situation.

I grit my teeth and take a step forward. I can feel my skin being scorched and drying out. This is probably the limit of my distance.

But I push forward even further.

"Ugh, ah, ah!"

I cover my body with water. If I can just endure for a moment. I pour more magic into my 'Health,' which is at its limit, to maintain my shape, which is about to turn to ashes.

I jump into the flame spiral.

I can't breathe, my vision is red, and my whole body is hot.

But I know. She's there.

"There, it is!"

"Tsuh!"

I swing the rod horizontally, extending it to the limit. The poison that spurted out faintly touches something. I can't see anything with my burned and blistered eyelids, so I rely on my instincts for a follow-up attack.

"Ugh!"

I hit her again. The more I hit, the worse her condition must be. As long as I can keep breathing,

"Don't get cocky!"

A flash of light. My consciousness momentarily breaks, and I immediately regain awareness from the shock of being slammed to the ground. My brain shakes, and nausea rises. Still, 'Concentration' doesn't let me forget what I should do. I cover my body with water again and use 'Health' to restore my condition.

It seems I'm still alive.

"Chaos."

I barely stand up, leaning on the rod. Without 'Health,' how many times would I have died?

Why am I trying so hard? In the gradually recovering vision, I see Mil, who has no strength in her right side.

"...This is no joke, what are you?"

No, I knew. I knew she wasn't the kind of opponent I could reach easily.

But I only truly understand now, after experiencing it. I shouldn't have stood against her in the first place.

"You too. It's unbelievable that you're still alive after all this."

"Do you want to kill me?"

"I didn't intend to... but I didn't plan to hold back either."

If you die, that's that.

It makes sense somehow.

I was serious, but I didn't use techniques to kill. I was afraid of the worst-case scenario. But Mil didn't hold back. This is the difference in resolve when it comes to a fight.

"...Well, it's too late now."

I could have used more vicious dark arts—like striking with corruption—to kill Mil. But I can't use such techniques on family, and even if I had the will, my body can't keep up.

So, I have no more cards to play in this situation.

But, well.

"If you're that serious, I'll play along."

"What can you do in that state?"

"Haha."

I laugh.

There are things I can do even in this state. They're just options I wouldn't normally choose.

The point where I have an advantage over Mil is in my magic power. Just as running increases stamina, using magic increases its quantity. The amount I consume daily by processing magic cores is considerable.

Considering this, I decide to engage in a war of attrition.

Even though I feel it's a close call now, I plan to prolong it. The backlash will be severe, and I'll definitely regret it afterward. But it's better than not doing it now.

"From here on, it's going to be troublesome."

I block the incoming light bullets with an ice wall. While the wall gradually cracks, I repair it and block the view with darkness and mist. I create mud to prevent her from getting close. I lower the temperature within my reach and use 'Health' to restore my body.

I launch sporadic stone bullets as if I'm desperately attacking.

"The same as before?"

"Who knows?"

Mil's strategy of creating a favorable space and attacking from there. I slightly change it, putting more emphasis on defense than offense. It's a rehash of the early stages, but this time I don't plan to crush her.

I continue to heal myself while waiting for her to tire. I put away the scythe and free up one hand for close combat.

Then, I'll hunker down.

I create multiple ice walls and line them up. While surrounding myself, I calculate the wear and tear on the walls. The walls have been continuously destroyed, but I manage to create them faster.

A full-strength heat ray would easily penetrate, but I can avoid it since I'm 'Observing.'

It took some time, but I managed to build a frontline base and retreat into it.

"Ah, my body hurts."

My skin regenerates with a sound. Magic consumption increases, but I feel like I'll die if I stop 'Health.'

When was the last time I was this battered?

"Ugh, ugh."

I glare at the other side of the wall, but my knees give out. No matter how much I put on a brave face, my body is honest.

The rest will likely be a losing battle, but I'll try to prolong it as much as possible.

"Just a little more, just a little more."

I throw a large rock in the direction where Mil is likely to be. I see a heat ray cut through the rock from the darkness. That's about all she can do with a single shot.

Then, what if I increase the directions?

This time, I launch stone spears and poison-coated needles from all directions. However, a towering wall of fire blocks everything.

...Is the defense a bit excessive?

No, that's right. Dark arts can affect even with a slight touch. If she's aware of this, I might be able to create a different scenario.

I change the color of a large water ball with dark arts and launch it into the sky. It has no real attack power, but a cluster of light bullets shatters the water ball. I repeat it just in case, but the result is the same. Mil clearly has plenty of magic power but is wasting it.

I didn't notice because her attacks were relentless, but she must be cautious with half her body incapacitated.

While continuing to heal, I construct my attacks with balls lightly infused with dark arts. I occasionally mix in serious attacks to keep her on edge.

"Damn, this is troublesome."

Yes, that's why dark arts are disliked. But this isn't an easy way either.

If I let my guard down, several walls are instantly shattered, and my heart races. I repeatedly repair the walls, tire her out, and wait for a reckless move.

Due to using multiple spells simultaneously, I feel like I'm about to lose consciousness. I want to be done with this quickly.

"Haah—"

Breathing is difficult, and my head is foggy. I barely raise my arm to block the barrage. I don't have the luxury to think about the trajectory of the attacks.

A flame whip slithers along the ground. I don't have the strength to jump away. I rapidly sink into a hole I create in the ground, and a red band passes overhead.

It seems 'Health' is no longer keeping up. How long will it take to move properly... No, wait, there's an opening in the attack!?

My vision clears with surprise. No, when did I start to let my guard down—

"Breathing in the heated air makes you dizzy, right? You taught me that a long time ago."

A gentle voice.

For such a strong person to use such a trick.

"Shit."

I crouch and cover myself with ice at full strength.

The heat wave that follows launches me into the air.

This is as far as it goes.

Thank you for watching.