CHAPTER 24
If judged objectively, Rain's body is several levels below Rin's in terms of physical talent for using magic.
Both stamina and mana.
It's lamentable that the noble bloodline of a prestigious magical family is inferior to that of an orphan.
The biggest obstacle to growth is the innate amount of mana, and right now, Rain's body has less than half of the mana that sixteen-year-old Rin once had.
'So I need to be mindful of mana distribution when using magic…'
With the current amount of mana, only three third-tier spells can be used. But what if none of them work? First, I need to properly analyze the enemy.
"Vel Sidious."
Swish— A silver-white death star gleamed in the boy's eyes, converting all the world's laws into mathematical formulas that were transmitted to his mind.
┏ 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 ┓
The magic formation consists of two rhombuses and one decagon.
The rune symbols used are a combination of the incantation-type Altigma and the forbidden-type Orbios.
Combination ratio: 3:7.
Size: 189 axel, Range: 284 gimite.
┗ 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 ┛
Cold sweat formed on his forehead. A third-tier dark spell… If he tried to interfere with it using Vel Curios at his current level of proficiency, his brain might be consumed by dark poison.
'Then, I'll have to use magic to obliterate it, even if I risk a rebound…'
One shot.
Put everything into a single attack.
'A dark mage might be watching…'
Hiding roughly behind an inconspicuous rock, he spread his palm. A luminous ring that denied the world's foundational equations emerged, scattering an enchanting glow.
"The shape of the magic formation is four overlapping triangles."
Simply four fire attributes.
Light and fire have been the nemeses of the Abyss since the age of the ancient gods.
Abyssal beings do not die from being cut or stabbed. They disperse into viscous liquid, then reform and revive.
They must be completely incinerated until nothing remains of their existence.
"Rune engraving.律 (Restraint), 瀑 (Shower), 稛 (Bind), 䚟 (Horn)."
He imbued the fire spell with the properties of "律: Restrict," "瀑: Scatter like a downpour," "稛: Bind," and "䚟: Extend like a horn."
At the center of the rotating luminous geometries in his palm, runes burned fiercely like an inferno, radiating an even stronger light.
No, it wasn't just light.
A torrent of powerful mana surged around Rain, violently shaking the field's vegetation and trees, producing an eerie wailing sound.
'The equations to solve: fourteen polynomial functions and seven rational expressions.'
0101010001010010101— A vast number of mathematical formulas were computed mentally, and a searing pain spread through his brain as if it were burning white-hot.
At the same time, as he squeezed out the last drop of his mana, a sharp pain shot through his magic core, and hot blood burst from his nose and mouth.
Coordinate equation calculations: Complete.
Power equation calculations: Complete.
All variables assigned coordinate values.
As the mental calculations were finalized, the intricately delicate four-star magic formation—covered in countless mathematical expressions—was nothing short of a masterpiece.
'I'm counting on you.'
Clang— The magic formation shattered in his grip, releasing a clear, ringing sound.
As all the mana linked to the formation drained from his body, a wave of dizziness hit, turning his vision yellow. Rain collapsed against the rock.
And then, that small magic formation unleashed a colossal wave of fire upon the world.
"Go…!"
䚟 (Horn).
A storm of flame, rising in the shape of horns, consumed the air, charring the surrounding forest black as it surged toward the queen.
律 (Restraint).
A fraction of the flame detached, encircling Bart's body in a circular barrier. The scorching heat made the queen recoil in agony.
稛 (Bind).
The binding rune compressed the inferno into a single point, swallowing the queen's entire body.
瀑 (Shower).
Like a rainstorm, embers scattered in all directions, exploding—momentarily draining all color from the world.
KWA-GWAAAAGHHHH—!
The ensuing roar, deafening enough to rupture eardrums, echoed through the mountains in layered reverberations.
The fiery spike reduced the queen's hide, bones, and innards to ash, and even eradicated the abyssal energy writhing within her.
A scorching heat wave and fiery blast swept low across the ground, engulfing both the adventurers and the rat-spiders.
The acrid stench of burning flesh and melting fat wafted through the air.
'How pathetic. I used to be able to cast this spell seven times and still be fine…'
Rather than pride in success, Rain clicked his tongue at his own inadequacy.
'Still…'
In the crater formed by the explosion, Bart could be seen staggering to his feet, staring at the queen's charred remains. Seeing him standing brought a sense of relief, enough for Lem to collapse in exhaustion.
"The queen was taken down in one hit…."
"Who the hell did that? This level of magic…."
"To use magic of this caliber, you'd have to be at least an Atlas (third-tier) mage, wouldn't you…?"
Their voices were filled with disbelief.
And with the reverence one would have for witnessing a masterpiece…
Then someone shouted.
"The rat-spiders are fleeing!"
"Those damned vermin, don't let a single one escape!"
The world, which had been momentarily silent, erupted into chaos once more. Rain slid down the rock, struggling to catch his breath.
'I can't… I can't lose consciousness…'
Even in this era, dark mages exist. There has never been a time without those cockroaches, but he had allowed himself a bit of complacency.
'I thought I could live a peaceful life, just studying magic…'
They might have been watching.
They might have been watching him.
If they appear while he's defenseless—
'I can't afford to lose—'
But his vision darkened.
The world tilted sideways.
Everything blurred…
Faded…
'I can't…'