Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy - Chapter 91

– Believe in yourself!

 

Perkunthra uttered awkward words that it would never have said before.

 

Regardless, he was a nasty character in every single matter.

 

Usually, when other mages were arrogant and failed despite their lack of ability, saying things like, “I think I can do it? Don’t tell me what to do, spirit. Just watch! I won’t die!” But Yi-Han, despite his abilities, would respond, “It doesn’t seem possible,” “Why are you being so reckless?” “Are you saying that because it’s not your business?” 

 

There’s a limit to being humble…

 

– Self-confidence comes from an objective analysis of the situation, not from a few words of encouragement.

 

– Now, focus and do as I say!

 

Perkunthra ignored Yi-Han’s words and just said their piece. He realized that he would only get worked up if he got caught up in it.

 

– Visualize the image of lightning as you did with the other elements.

 

The basics of elemental magic…

 

Was to vividly visualize the image of that element and embody it in the mind.

 

The process of changing the nature of your magical power to match the element could be said to be the most basic step.

 

However, the lightning attribute was slightly different.

 

– But don’t visualize the lightning that strikes from the sky!

 

“!”

 

The image of lightning that mages most often visualized was the lightning that flashed and struck down from the sky.

 

However, it was dangerous to visualize such lightning when converting the attribute to the lightning element.

 

In order to use magic, a mage must maintain and control a certain amount of magical power in one place, but the image of lightning was the exact opposite of such control.

 

Blazing flames, still water, and frozen ice could all remain in the same place.

 

However, lightning was an existence that inherently could not remain still.

 

It was a phenomenon that was destined to disperse in all directions upon striking down from the sky.

 

If a young mage rashly visualized the image of lightning and converted their magical power to the lightning attribute, they could lose control and end up causing lightning to scatter wildly everywhere.

 

Having nearly died in the underground punishment room after tampering with Yi-Han’s fire, Perkunthra knew to be extra cautious about their safety.

 

Judging from the young mage’s magical power, even a single accident could very well turn into a major disaster.

 

– Of course, I understand. You must be thinking about how you can draw the image of lightning without visualizing lightning. However, numerous mages who have handled the lightning attribute have overcome that limitation and succeeded! You’ll be able to get used to it eventually. A true mage should not accept and settle for the given reality but should be able to change reality according to their own will! Now. Lend me your arm.

 

Of course, Perkunthra was not a foolish spirit who only spouted reckless words without any solutions, as Yi-Han thought.

 

He admitted that Yi-Han’s abilities were outstanding, but it was indeed very difficult for a young mage to handle the lightning attribute without any practice.

 

Obviously, he had an idea.

 

Just like it had done in the punishment room last time, it planned to possess Yi-Han’s arm themselves and help him control the lightning.

 

Although it had lost most of its power and had been summoned, it was still capable of doing that much.

 

But…

 

Crackle!

 

-I did it. Can I lend you my arm now?

 

-……

 

Perkunthra was shocked when he saw the orb of lightning formed on Yi-Han’s wand.

 

To their surprise, the young mage had succeeded in converting the element and maintaining the magical power of the lightning attribute in one place before Perkunthra could even possess him and help him.

 

‘How the hell???’

 

Unlike Perkunthra’s shock, Yi-Han did not have much difficulty handling the lightning attribute.

 

Yi-Han’s way of thinking was different from other mages from the beginning.

 

Yi-Han approached it very simply.

 

The fact that he could not visualize the image of lightning was not a problem at all.

 

He just visualized the shape of an orb made of magical power on his wand and thought of it as a battery.

 

It was such an obvious idea for Yi-Han!

 

It was not difficult to visualize the image of electricity surging inside the orb like it was being charged.

 

Thanks to the fact that the method was compatible, he succeeded right away.

 

In fact, for him, it felt even more stable than the other elements…

 

‘It’s easier than you said. You’re being too dramatic.’

 

Yi-Han had a disrespectful thought.

 

Come to think of it, Perkunthra had been quite dramatic ever since they met in the punishment room.

 

The flames too…

 

– You… have quite the talent for lightning!

 

– Is that so?

 

Yi-Han was indifferent.

 

After hearing compliments about his attributes a few times, he was starting to get suspicious.

 

Was it just a polite gesture?

 

Since self-confidence was important for young mages, it might have been saying, ‘You have a talent for attribute A!’ just to boost the confidence of the mages.

 

And that indifference was conveyed to Perkunthra as well.

 

Perkunthra was dumbfounded.

 

It was a very rare thing for a spirit of Perkunthra’s level to give compliments.

 

– Do my words sound like a lie to you?! You really do have talent!

 

– Yes… Well, that could be true.

 

Yi-Han thought that either he had developed a talent for lightning because he frequently had electric-spasms, or perhaps because lightning attribute magic was not as electrifyingly difficult as he had imagined.

 

It was probably 99% the latter, but…

 

– When are you going to possess my arm?

 

Yi-Han asked curiously.

 

Perkunthra had told him to lend him their arm, but he was just standing there doing nothing.

 

Was there a problem?

 

– Wait. I’m possessing you now!

 

‘He doesn’t have amnesia too, does he?’

 

If it had amnesia on top of their mood swings, no matter how capable a spirit it was, one would have to think twice before summoning them.

 

While Yi-Han was having such thoughts, Perkunthra possessed Yi-Han’s arm.

 

– From now on, focus on the spell I’m about to teach you.

 

Perkunthra was trying to pass on his magic to Yi-Han.

 

The magic of spirits was violent and erratic, but if the powerful spirit Perkunthra lent him his arm, even a rookie mage could use it sufficiently well.

 

<Perkunthra’s Lesser Lightning.>

 

It was the 2nd-circle magic that Perkunthra was trying to pass on to Yi-Han right now.

 

The principle was simple.

 

Convert one’s magical power to the lightning attribute and shoot it out!

 

There was no need to give it the shape of a sharp arrow or spear or to add other complicated attributes.

 

Lightning was enough on its own.

 

– The summon is quite big, is this enough? Won’t it just provoke it?

 

– Please listen to a spirit who’s older than you! Stop talking back!

 

Perkunthra shouted, half-pleading.

 

It was good that he was not arrogant, but this was so humble that it made Perkunthra’s stomach churn.

 

However, Yi-Han did not obediently follow Perkunthra’s words. It eventually came to accept that the only way to make this damn contractor listen obediently was through logical and rational persuasion.

 

– Listen carefully. Lightning is the most destructive and violent among the elements.

 

‘It sounds a bit different when the spirit of lightning says it.’

 

– The other elements are not easy to use as offensive magic on their own.

 

Yi-Han agreed with that.

 

For example, in order to properly use water element magic as an offensive spell, several modifications were necessary.

 

Not only the ‘water’ attribute but also attributes like ‘orb’ or ‘spear’ had to be added, and ‘control’ had to be added on top of that.

 

-But lightning is different. It has strong destructive power on its own.

 

“But what about fire…”

 

– There’s no need to give it a shape! Or complicated aiming! Because all you have to do is hit it!

 

Perkunthra cut Yi-Han off and continued speaking.

 

– That summon was originally an ordinary plant monster, but thanks to the students fusing it with various other monsters, it ended up with very complex attributes. However, thanks to that, lightning will work even better. Think about it. Your goal right now is to rescue the students that it captured, right? Not to kill it?

 

– That is true.

 

– Then this Lesser Lightning is enough! No matter where it hits, it’ll make it release all the students it’s holding. The power of lightning makes the enemy flinch! It won’t want to keep fighting you either. Having had its fill of magic power, it’ll flee if faced with such an attack!”

 

“That makes sense.”

 

Yi-Han was persuaded by Perkunthra’s logic. Age really brings wisdom after all.

 

<Perkunthra’s Lesser Lightning> was similar to the <Lesser Paralysis Curse> that Yi-Han knew.

 

It was similar in the sense that it only converted the magical power to an attribute change and launched it, and that it had the power to paralyze the opponent.

 

The difference was that <Perkunthra’s Lesser Lightning> caused more physical damage, and unlike a curse that was easy to dodge or block, it did not give the opponent an opening to dodge.

 

In the current situation, it was very effective.

 

“Understood. I will cast it now!”

 

– Yeah! Took you long enough!

 

Yi-Han swung his wand, pretending not to hear Perkunthra’s words. Then he chanted the spell.

 

– Strike down, Perkunthra’s Lightning!

 

– Well done…

 

Perkunthra tried to compliment him as he watched the condensed lightning attribute magical power shoot out successfully.

 

However, Perkunthra belatedly realized something strange.

 

The lightning attribute’s magical power condensed in the orb was much more than he had thought.

 

‘…???????!!!’

 

Perkunthra realized that Yi-Han had unconsciously gathered more magical power in the short time they had spent having a useless conversation.

 

‘Noooo!!’

 

***

 

While the Blue Dragon Tower students and the White Tiger Tower students were chasing after the vine monster, the Phoenix Tower students and the Black Tortoise Tower students acted a bit more wisely.

 

They went to find Professor Garsia.

 

“Professor! Over here!!”

 

Fortunately, the students succeeded in finding Professor Garsia walking.

 

The Skelly Principal was also floating next to her, and Professor Bolady was there as well, but the students did not say anything to them.

 

“Hurry! It’s urgent!”

 

“Everyone, calm down.”

 

Professor Garsia swung her wand. Then, the students who had been screaming stopped shouting all at once.

 

At the same time, the ground shook and smoothly pushed Professor Garsia forward. 

 

Professor Garsia and the students rushed forward like a whirlwind.

 

“Is this the right way?”

 

“Yes! Yes!”

 

Fortunately, the trail left by the vine monster had not disappeared yet.

 

In the distance, Professor Garsia saw the vine monster fighting.

 

The White Tiger Tower students were surrounding it and swinging their swords at it, but it was not very effective. Instead, they were being dragged away one by one.

 

Professor Garsia raised her wand. She planned to hit the vine monster with a spell to immobilize it first.

 

At that moment, a thick bolt of lightning shot out from the sky.

 

Crackle!

 

The lightning struck the vine monster’s body directly. Even though they were far away, Professor Garsia could feel the strong magical power contained in the lightning. Her hair stood on end.

 

-■■■■■■…

 

The vine monster was not just shocked. It was completely charred black. The students who had been captured started falling down.

 

Professor Garsia hurriedly swung his wand to make the falling students land safely.

 

“Are you alright?!”

 

“Uuuugh…”

 

Seeing the students trembling, Professor Garsia worried for a moment that they had been drained of an excessive amount of magical power.

 

Since that vine monster was a monster that absorbed magical power, young mages could suffer great internal injuries if they were caught by it.

 

Priest Tijiling, who had called Professor Garsia, looked at his friends with a very worried expression.

 

Would they be okay?

 

“Thank goodness!”

 

Tijiling was also relieved when he heard the relieved voice coming from Professor Garsia.

 

Fortunately, they seemed to be okay.

 

“Is everyone not hurt?”

 

“Yes. We’re all okay. We just got a bit shocked by the lightning.”

 

“…?”

 

Tijiling was puzzled.

 

Were they really okay?

–
Translator: Kaiser | Editor: Gleru