Chapter 39: Life Magic
I explained to Shaara how to register as a user and had her attach the secret Magic Pouch to her outfit, which resembled a samue. I secured a Class 2 Magic Pouch to her waist and had her store a pouch containing ten gold coins inside it.
Next, we headed to the Commercial Guild; things were getting busy. That man was still working as a doorman, but even when he saw my face, he remained expressionless and politely bowed his head. I had Shaara exchange five gold coins for forty-nine silver coins and five copper coins, informing her that the exchange fee was one percent.
I introduced Shaara to the hotel manager, explaining that she would be living with me for a while and requested that her expenses be billed monthly. However, I was met with a refusal, as they had been informed by the Marquis.
The next day, after breakfast, we went to the market to buy salt, sugar, and various seasonings, which I had her store in the Magic Pouch.
“I’m going to be away in the plains for a while, so buy whatever you want to eat or any snacks you like and put them in the pouch. Just be careful with perishables; they spoil in about six months.”
Since she was being a bit reserved, I encouraged her to buy plenty of things that children would enjoy or wouldn’t mind. By early afternoon, we left the city and walked along the highway, but Shaara was like a living radar. To ensure my own awareness didn’t dull, I instructed her not to inform me of any approaching strong enemies or dangers unless absolutely necessary.
We arrived at our usual campsite, which was great because the ground was dug out, protecting us from the outside elements. Shaara seemed curious, looking around as if everything was new to her. There were only a lookout point and a single floor with bunk beds for the knights, but I suppose it was a novelty for her.
During tea after dinner, I served the snacks we had bought at the market, and she happily munched on them, her eyes narrowing with delight.
When I lit the Life Magic light, she made a strange face, so I asked her what was wrong. She said she felt like she could do it too. At thirteen, it wasn’t unusual for her to be able to use Life Magic; I recalled that I had thought I could use it after watching my mother perform it when I was around that age. I remember being told I was a bit early for that at nine.
If she could use Life Magic, it would be beneficial for her to learn how to manipulate mana, so I had her try to sense it. I instructed her to focus her nerves just above her navel. She said she felt something hazy, which was a good sign.
“Shaara, before we get into Life Magic, I’ll teach you how to move your mana. If you remember this, it will make using Life Magic much easier. When you received your magic from the Creator God Elmart during the Bestowal Ceremony, you’ll find it easier to use.”
“Please teach me, Kaito.”
“I told you to drop the ‘sama.'”
“But you helped me, removed my slave collar, bought me nice clothes, and taught me so much…”
“Ah, don’t make that teary face. Just hurry up and call me without the ‘sama.'”
She smiled brightly at that, but I figured she’d be calling me with the honorific for a while longer. It felt strange to be called ‘sama’ by someone younger than me.
For a week, I made her practice mana manipulation every night before showing her examples of Life Magic. I taught her the methods I had shown Hyaru and Fi, emphasizing the importance of having a clear image and flowing the mana lightly through her body without straining.
I hadn’t expected much, but after demonstrating the Flame spell, I lit the prepared firewood.
I conjured a fist-sized flame, while Shaara produced a flame the size of a human head, and we both laughed. Well, I could do it too, but normally one wouldn’t imagine such a large flame for lighting firewood. I thought she had potential for magic. She easily cast Water and Light spells in one go, but the water overflowed, and the light was blinding. It seemed she had developed a habit of flowing too much mana during her practice.
After she learned to manipulate mana, teaching her Life Magic went smoothly as expected. I reminded her not to neglect her mana manipulation practice, as I was looking forward to the Bestowal Ceremony.
During the day, Shaara and I walked around the campsite searching for medicinal herbs. She was quicker than me at sensing the presence of beasts, and it seemed hard for her to stay quiet until I noticed, as she kept glancing at me.
“Kaito, there’s a pack of Rush Wolves coming this way. It’s dangerous if we don’t escape.”
Right, I hadn’t shown her much of my Earth Magic yet, so this was a perfect opportunity.
“Shaara, when I tell you to come to my side, you need to come immediately, no matter what. I’ll explain why now.”
I could sense the wild beasts approaching, and before I knew it, I spotted them. There were more than ten Rush Wolves in the pack.
“Shaara, come here!”
She swiftly came to my side, and as I built a fortress, Shaara gasped in surprise.
“I can use Earth Magic and, secretly, Transfer Magic. But I can’t use Earth Magic much on people. After all, my mana grade is only 40.”
“Does that mean you’re not good at magic?”
“You know that the Creator God Elmart said we would receive magic when we turn fifteen, right?”
“Um… I’ve heard that only those who can use Life Magic receive it.”
“That’s right. Those with low mana who can’t use Life Magic either don’t receive magic or, if they do, their mana grade is 50 or lower, making it hard for them to use magic effectively. Even if they can, they’ll quickly run out of mana and faint. Since my mana grade is 40, it means I normally can’t use magic or would collapse immediately if I tried.”
After saying that, I peeked through a hole to observe the Rush Wolves. I needed to show Shaara and teach her what to do.
“When you’re with me, you’ll have many opportunities to learn about magic, but don’t tell anyone else. Only Hyaru and Fi know my true abilities, and even they don’t know everything. If everyone knows your full strength, it could put you at a disadvantage in case of an emergency.”
I waited for the Rush Wolves to come closer.
“I understand. I won’t tell anyone what I see.”
“Which one do you think is the pack leader?”
“I think the one lying far away is the leader.”
I decided to stimulate the wolves’ curiosity to lure them in. I created a basketball-sized sphere and rolled it toward the Rush Wolves. Two of them approached the ball out of interest. Once they got close, I led them back toward the fortress, and the Rush Wolves followed.
“Eh? What’s happening?” Shaara was excited.
I almost teased her, wondering if she was a wolf, but then remembered she was a catgirl. I thought about whether she would react to a cat toy.
When the Rush Wolves pawed at the ball, I broke it apart and created another one to roll. After repeating this a few times, the leader seemed curious and came closer. I waited until I could target the leader and three others, then took them down one by one with Stone Lance.
Not understanding what had happened, two more wolves approached, so I took them down as well, and the remaining ones fled.
I dismantled the fortress and headed to collect the fallen wolves. Shaara looked at me with sparkling eyes, filled with admiration, as if she couldn’t believe how easily I had defeated the Rush Wolves.
“It might have looked easy, but if I overuse magic, I could run out of mana and die. What I just built is called a fortress. I can’t say for sure about the Armored Buffalo’s charge, but there’s no need to worry about Fang Boars or Rush Wolves. In other words, if Shaara senses danger, she can run away, but I can build a fortress or hide in the Camp House.”
“So, Kaito, you can protect yourself with Earth Magic, so you don’t need to run away.”
“I can’t say it’s absolute, but I should be fine. I’ll create a place for you to escape to as well, so let’s practice putting it in the Magic Pouch and getting inside.”
I constructed a container measuring 2.5 meters wide and 5 meters long, adding a small door on the vertical side. I demonstrated how to store it in the Magic Pouch, take it out, open the door, and enter while locking it.
I had Shaara practice taking it in and out of the Magic Pouch and getting inside.
Having gathered quite a few medicinal herbs and captured six Rush Wolves, we decided to return to the city. While walking with Shaara, I remembered to ask her about handling horses and operating carriages, and it seemed she had learned that from Fi.
“I was told I still need more practice.”
“When we get back to the city, practice with the carriage until you’re used to it. If you buy a two-wheeled carriage that one horse can pull, you won’t have to walk anymore.”
As we chatted while walking, a Goblin approached and asked if it would be alright to hunt it down.
When I asked why he specifically wanted to test his skills against a Goblin, he mentioned that he felt fully recovered and wanted to see if his reflexes were still sharp.
Nodding at his words, I confirmed the area was safe before quietly approaching the spot where the Goblin was located. Suddenly, I launched into a full sprint and leaped over the Goblin’s head.
As I performed a forward roll over the Goblin, my blade cleanly severed its head. Upon landing, I twisted my body and swiftly decapitated the Goblin to my side. With the momentum carrying me, I spun around and slashed the throat of the Goblin behind me, using the force of the kick to impale yet another one.
The efficiency of my movements was astonishing, and the level of my athleticism was truly remarkable. Orlan’s claim that he had little to teach me was no exaggeration; my skills spoke for themselves.