Sorry to keep you waiting! Chimera battle concluded.
《――……A trade? What are you saying?――》
In the Spirit World… my words made the young spirit look puzzled.
《――You offer something to me? A “human” need only wish. I shall grant one desire――》
“A great spirit might say that. But my wish is a big one. It’s just one wish, but it’s so big, I feel bad.”
I smiled as I said that, and the spirit quietly nodded.
《――Indeed, there have been “humans” who made greedy wishes in the past. But I have granted those wishes as well. To a child who wished to obtain everything of a certain girl, I gave the opportunity to contract with a spiritual life form that grants various wishes――》
So, for this spirit, mediating between humans and demons is just a minor thing.
“I want to combine several magic attributes. But I don’t want to trouble you with something so bothersome. So, would you listen to my idea?”
《――That’s nothing. I can combine all the attributes into a “Chaos” attribute――》
“I’ll pass on that.”
I cut off the spirit before it could finish. If it finished, it might become final.
Besides, a Chaos attribute? Wouldn’t that turn me into a demon? I’m a little curious, but it wouldn’t lead to anything good. I’d probably be turned into an ugly imp.
“I want you to combine all attributes except Light and Dark into two: “Thunder” and “Ice”.”
When I stated my wish, the spirit frowned slightly.
《――That is indeed greedy. You are asking for two wishes. That cannot be――》
“But if you mix them too much, it will become Chaos. And if you only make “Thunder,” “Earth” will be left over.”
《――Even so, the attributes will be combined into two. What more do you seek?――》
“My wish is to combine them. That would mean discarding “Earth.” Is it greedy to wish for something for me, who would be throwing away a precious attribute?”
…It probably is greedy.
If I gave up “Light” and “Dark,” negotiations would be easier, but without those two, I can’t maintain my sickly body. I thought about strengthening those two, but I couldn’t combine Light and Dark like Aria does.
“Light” and “Dark” are Aria’s power, so I won’t wish for that.
《――In that case, I shall give you back the “Fire” you sealed away in the past. Once sealed, it must be trained from the beginning, but it is a fair exchange――》
Returning an attribute that’s no longer useful, an offer that only puts pressure on my heart, I return a sweet smile.
“If you add that “Fire,” wouldn’t it become two attributes nicely?”
《――But even so, it is two wishes. That cannot be helped――》
“No. I’m losing “Earth” and the new “Fire,” aren’t I?”
I sincerely pretend as if this is the truth.
But there’s no problem, right? The rules are up to you.
“This trade isn’t about offering you something. It’s a “trade” to fulfill a single wish for your mercy, for me who is losing things.”
＊＊＊
“――【Paralyze】――”
The level 5 Thunder Magic, Paralyze, strikes the Chimera. As expected, it’s impossible to stop it completely since it’s so big.
If I had only made the attribute Thunder, I might have been able to strengthen it more, but then I might have received something unnecessary again and shortened my life.
But, stopping it for even a moment is enough.
“――【Ice Whip】――”
The Ice Whip entangles the still-moving parts like thorns, pinning them to the floor.
“――【Ice Storm】――”
The Ice Storm, cast with Double Spell, increases its range and envelops the giant Chimera, freezing its entire body in an instant.
But――
Crack!!
『――Giiiiigaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!』
Ignoring the fact that its paralyzed and frozen surface is shattering, the Chimera creates countless arms from within and shatters the ice.
Rank 7… it’s really a monster. How did Aria and Kitty defeat the Dark Dragon?
But, that’s fine.
“Aria!!”
I’m not alone anymore.
“Haaaaaaaaaaaa!!”
『Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!』
Aria and Kitty, who had been storing their power, trusting in me, jump out from the left and right, launching their best attacks.
“――【Real Breaker】…【Dancing Ripper】――!”
A desperate blow combining the Combat Art Iron Rose with another Combat Art.
The light of Real Breaker travels along the blade, and the Black Knife, now a “sword,” cuts away the new limbs as if it were made of the dragon’s fangs that formed its material.
And Kitty’s Combat Art, at Rank 6, deeply tears apart the Chimera’s body, which has lost its defenses.
『Giiiiigyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!』
The Chimera’s death throes echo. But it’s not dead yet.
Even if one more push would win, that push is not enough. The Chimera is an amalgamation of countless beasts. Even if it dies, it won’t die as long as there are living parts.
Those living parts target the two who attacked. Kitty, having just unleashed a Combat Art, can’t move.
Aria is no longer in a state to fight, having combined Combat Arts.
Aria’s eyes, about to receive that attack, reflect “me,” not the enemy Chimera.
I’m not alone. I don’t need to fight alone anymore.
I became an Adventurer. And if this is an Adventurer’s party, Aria the scout is the skirmisher. Kitty will probably be the warrior.
Both of them have the role of “chipping away” in the party.
Then what am I? I’m a “Magician.” I use my knowledge and magic to reduce the party’s danger. What is the most important thing for a Magician?
That is… overwhelming “destructive power.”
Believe in yourself. Believe you can do it. If I can’t do it here, that feeling of vowing to live for Aria, and Aria’s heart, will be wasted.
Level 5 isn’t enough. But, I focused my attacks on Thunder and Ice, and for that reason, the Magic Control level, which had been stuck, reached level 6.
The reason why I, who only believes in my own power, obtained 【Soulthorn】 was to use magic above my level. I, who have little life left, desired the ability to “borrow in advance” the power to reach that realm with my own power someday.
And now, that time has come.
I… can do it!
“――【Lightning Bind】――!”
Thorns of lightning entangle the Chimera’s giant body, continuously damaging it with intense lightning without disappearing. Feeling my mana decreasing for the first time due to the enormous mana consumption, I still unleash the final blow.
“――【Freeze】――!”
The Chimera freezes completely white――
Pikiinn…
The lightning restraints shatter the frozen Chimera into dust, and ice crystals dance in the dungeon like snowflakes.
“This is… the end.”
[Snow] [Race: Human Female] [Rank 6] 1 Up
[Mana Capacity: 34/660] 20 Up [HP: 15/48]
[Strength: 7 (9)] [Endurance: 4 (5)] [Agility: 14 (18)] [Dexterity: 10]
[Martial Arts Lv.3]
[Light Magic Lv.5] [Dark Magic Lv.5]
[Water Magic Lv.0] [Fire Magic Lv.0] [Wind Magic Lv.0] [Earth Magic Lv.0]
[Ice Magic Lv.6] 1 Up [Thunder Magic Lv.6] 1 Up
[Non-Attribute Magic Lv.5] [Utility Magic x6] [Mana Control Lv.6]
[Intimidation Lv.5] [Detection Lv.2] [Abnormal Resistance Lv.3] [Poison Resistance Lv.3]
[Simple Appraisal]
[Overall Combat Strength: 2376 (Magic Attack Power: 4688)] 456 Up
I finally settled things with the Chimera. It was subtly long.
Why did I try to write this in the afterword…
But the ending is going to be even more amazing…
Anyway, the 6th volume of the book and the 3rd volume of the comic adaptation will be released in June.
For details, please see the activity report along with the cover image!
This time, it comes with a rare illustration of Aria’s smiling face!
Thank you always for the typo reports and support.