Chapter 15 – Training [2]

In that large white room, Rai stood idly in the middle while holding a 25 cm-long branch. His eyes were closed, and the only noise inside the room was Ossa's voice.

[As I specially made your body, you will be able to perceive your Magicule easily. Try to use your Weapon Creator without transforming and turn that normal branch into a weapon. Any weapon that you can think of.]

Being new to this kind of thing, Rai had difficulty following the spirit's instructions. It was harder to control Magicule in his basic state. It was as if something was blocking the flow of Magicule inside his body.

'Move!'

Commanding it was also useless. It was so easy when he transformed, but why was it so hard now?

'It's vexing.'

Not only that, but it was also frustrating. The difference was too much. And because he had experienced the easy way by transforming, now the normal way seemed to be so difficult.

[Hard, isn't it? But you will have it easier compared to other people, so do your best.]

"Quack spirit… Isn't it easier to start with basic magic like a barrier, Magicule bullet, or something similar?"

[But you don't need those things with your Weapon Creator, right? You can create magic weapons to imitate those effects.]

Ossa's response was hard to refute.

With Weapon Creator, any kind of weapon with any kind of effect was easy to make. As long as Rai had enough Magicule, that was.

So training that ability was his priority.

Understanding that, Rai growled and concentrated again.

The room was quiet. Only a munching noise could be heard from the corner of the room. Ossa was somehow eating popcorn he took out of nowhere while watching Rai from a comfortable seat.

[Do your best.] A nasty laugh escaped the rat's mouth.

That only added to Rai's frustration. He swore he would be able to use his ability even in his basic form and use that weapon to hit that spirit.

Deciding to ignore that quack spirit – in his opinion – Rai gathered his thoughts.

'How did I do it in my transformed state?'

It felt so natural, like breathing. And that was what made it difficult.

'I can't remember how I learned to breathe as it's already implanted since birth.'

But at least he still remembered the sensation of using his ability. If he could trace that sensation back, then he was certain he could replicate what he did in the transformed state, even in his current basic state.

"That warm feeling coming from inside… Let's try it."

This time, he took a deep breath and calmed himself. Imagining his feeling of making that ribbon into a magic weapon, he began to feel something warm within him.

'Focus and don't add too much.'

His brain worked faster. The way Weapon Creator worked was simple. It took more Magicule if he created a magic weapon with many properties.

When he created that ribbon, he added almost everything in his mind that he thought would be useful to bind that Magical Girl. And that was to allow the ribbon to extend, move according to his will, and be stronger than chains.

This time, he just wanted to use Weapon Creator to turn this simple branch into a magic weapon. Because he also didn't want to waste his Magicule, he just wanted this branch to turn sharp enough to pierce a wooden plank.

'Add sharpness to the tip. That's enough.'

Will and Magicule. Just those two were enough to use Weapon Creator. This ability was always dormant within Rai, a part of himself. So the requirement to use it was simple, and the limitation written in the System Watch was about his Magicule.

The stronger the magic weapon he made, the more Magicule would be required. So he couldn't create a strong weapon worth more than his maximum Magicule.

'Now pull the Magicule from the Core.'

He could feel it now. The warm feeling that he always felt inside his body when he transformed. That was a good sign.

A smile appeared on his face as he glanced at the spirit who read some news with the half-transparent blue hologram screen that showed up in front of his face.

Very soon, his Magicule began to move from the Core near his heart to his hand, which held the branch and pointed it toward the oblivious spirit.

Rai could feel it. His ability was activated.

The amount of Magicule he moved in his basic state wasn't as much as when he was transformed. It was just limited, probably only around 500 to 1000. He still couldn't understand the reason why the Magicule he could use was limited, but it was enough.

'I succeeded.'

A black aura coated his hand and crept toward the branch. When the branch was coated, it immediately transformed. The tip of the branch turned sharper, like a razor. It happened in less than a second.

The transformation of a normal branch into a sharp magic weapon was instant. This could be the most useful part of this ability, something Rai took note of in his mind.

Everything would definitely come to him if he practiced in the future.

As for now…

*Swoosh!*

The branch was sent flying with a flick of his finger. Having 55 STR wasn't for show. He was 5 times stronger than normal people.

*Pang!*

And that flying branch went straight toward Ossa, piercing the hologram screen, a bag full of popcorn, and his body. The rat was sent flying toward the wall and embedded into it.

A bag full of popcorn fell to the ground, spilling its content everywhere. The hole in the middle of the bag was clear.

However…

[That's against the contract, you know?] The spirit spoke in a calm tone as he raised his head.

His dark body wriggled around like slime, moving away from the branch without pulling it out. A grin appeared on his face as his body returned to normal as if nothing had happened and the branch missed altogether.

[But that's some good magic weapon. It can even pierce my body. Wonderful!] It praised in a happy tone, floating toward Rai.

The young man clicked his tongue. His expression then quickly changed into a friendly one as he smiled at the spirit.

"I lost control over my strength and accidentally threw it at a fast speed."

[Well, let's take it like that. I won't allow the second time.] Ossa's eyes shone a strange red glint as he looked at Rai.

It returned to normal almost immediately as he stopped.

[How do you feel?]

"Not good," Rai replied shortly. "I can't draw more Magicule than I wanted. As if something is restricting me."

[That's normal.] The spirit nodded in understanding. [Your body was created from a top base body we produced in this base. It would need some time to adjust to your soul. But… Don't hope to be able to use your Magicule 100% without transforming. That's just impossible.]

"I guess so." Rai shrugged his shoulders in disappointment. "But this is good enough. At least I have a weapon to defend myself in danger without transforming."

[Oh? Do you have a plan?]

"Obviously."

He looked at the spirit as if he was looking at an idiot.

"I have 1 month off before the next mission. I want to look around the city."

[Make sense.] Ossa nodded. [Do as you please. But always bring your System Watch with you. We don't want you to get lost.]

"I will." He nodded. "Can I request something rather important before that?"

[What is it? As long as it's not unreasonable, we will provide our members with everything they need.]

"Great."

Walking around an advanced city such as Alpha City would be an interesting experience, especially since this world's technology was advanced like those in sci-fi movies. Everything would be new to Rai, and he was excited.

Before that, he lacked an important thing. And that was…

"I need some clothes. A good one and not this tight, black bodysuit. Real clothes which will look good in my current appearance."

… some good clothes.

[Easy.] Ossa chirped and grinned widely. [Go find Miss Clown. She will give you the best clothes that fit you.]