Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Human

A few months after learning magic, Shu continued his research and deepened his understanding on his own. This technique essentially causes the phenomenon to occur as imagined, but there are also other ways to activate magic. One such method involves drawing the magic circle from the beginning.

Even without understanding the phenomenon, magic will activate automatically with the magic circle. However, if an inappropriate circle is drawn, there is a possibility of dangerous reactions or the spell may not activate at all.

There seems to be some degree of regularity in the magic circle, and Shu was analyzing and classifying it. As a result, he discovered the laws of the magic circle as several physical phenomena.

The basics of Shu's ideas were the weight magic that applies pressure to objects, the acceleration magic that gives objects acceleration, the vibration magic that manipulates waves of sound, light, and matter, the decomposition magic that separates bindings, the binding magic that connects elements, and the movement magic that moves targets at a specific speed or route.

If a flow of energy elements like heat or electricity is created, most things can be accomplished.

However, Shu's magical power was not abundant, so complex things seemed difficult.

(In the end, the important thing is the cognitive ability of the magician...)

Shu began to understand the mechanism to some extent as he repeatedly used magic.

First, assuming that magical power can carry the thoughts and intentions of living creatures. This way of thinking can explain the principle of magic to some extent. Just as photons carry energy to electrons, a mysterious particle known as magical elements can carry the thoughts and images of living beings.

The image carried by magical elements then acts on physical phenomena. In other words, the omnipotent energy possessed by magical elements affects matter according to the image and alters physics.

At this point, the magic circle can be recognized as a language to the world.

For example, computer instructions must be converted into a format that the computer can understand before they can be executed. Similarly, the magic circle is a representation of human command images translated into a language that the world can understand.

Therefore, when the magic circle is drawn and magical power is flowed, magic is activated.

(Yes, there are many assumptions, but they fit together)

Although there are still many uncertainties about "Life Drain" and magic attire, magic is quite easy to understand. There are still many research elements left because it can be applied in various ways.

Unfortunately, Shu's magical power is low, so he cannot use large and complex magic.

It is necessary to defeat demons or steal magical power with "Life Drain" for research purposes.

(Now, should I look for demons today?)

Absorbing magical power is more efficient by defeating demons than animals. Specifically, the more an entity possesses magical power, the more magical power can be absorbed.

So Shu was searching for demons.

After floating around in the forest for a while, he found a few goblin imps.

He had seen these goblin imps frequently, so Shu defeated them every time he found them.

(All right, let's do this.)

Shu activated "Life Drain" and sucked the magical power out of the goblin imps. Since life force can be converted into magical power and sucked out, he realized that magical power can be converted into other forms of energy and vice versa.

If he thought about it, "Life Drain" was a pretty useful technique.

It could be activated simply by being conscious of it, without needing to imagine anything specific. It was as easy to use as breathing, without needing any particular conscious effort. Although it was similar to magic, it was a special ability that was distinct from magic, so Shu thought of it separately from magic.

Anyway, he successfully sucked out the magical power from the goblin imps this time too.

(Well, I'm a spiritual body with physical attack immunity, so of course I won.)

He felt like he might be the strongest ghost of all.

However, this spiritual body was also constructed by magical elements, so it should be vulnerable to attacks by magical power. Magical attacks are both physical phenomena and are enveloped in a tiny amount of magical power. Thanks to this, attacks can pass through magical bodies.

Recently, he found a human who had a mysterious power called magic attire in addition to magic. If he let his guard down, he might be caught off guard.

(Okay, let's go find the next prey.)

The high-level spirit, High Ghost, wrapped in tattered black cloth, wandered through the forest again today.

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There is a place called the Dark Forest.

It is a large forested area located in the central part of the kingdom of Ramza and is famous for being covered in weak magical energy. This forest is inhabited only by weak monsters called "hybrid weeds" and "low-ranking Lesser" monsters, so it is not particularly dangerous.

It was often used as a training ground for people called "Mage Armorers" for their practical training.

"Agh, this forest still feels creepy."

"It's just damp, isn't it?"

"You two are so noisy. Be quiet."

A boy and two girls entered the forest. They were candidates for Mage Armorers.

Among humans, there are those with a particularly high amount of magical energy, and those who have the special ability called "Mage Armor" in which their talents can manifest. Unlike magic, it is an ability that depends on an individual's talent. Mage Armorers are found in about one out of every hundred people, but there are differences in skill even among them.

It is a world in which only those who are blessed with talent and who continue to polish themselves can succeed.

There are also educational institutions to foster such Mage Armorers, and the students who belong to them are commonly referred to as "Mage Armorer Candidates."

Since weak monsters appear frequently in the Dark Forest, it is a good practice ground for Mage Armorer candidates.

"Today is the test shot of the second-tier magic Alice learned, right? Let's do it quickly and go home."

"Jazz is right. But the second-tier magic might be interesting."

"Hehe, not really."

For humans, magic is like a formula. Therefore, there is no concept of classifying and combining its properties. It was common to learn magic that was formalized by ancient sages.

Magic becomes more powerful and difficult to activate as the difficulty of the formula increases, and it requires a large amount of magical energy.

And the second-tier magic that Alice learned is the second lowest level of magic. It is basic with a small range and power, but it is quite amazing that they can use it at their level as newly-minted candidates.

As the three of them walked through the forest like that, Jazz raised his voice.

"Stop, both of you."

"What's wrong?"

"Oh my, did you find something?"

"I sensed some magical energy. Marie and Alice, be careful."

Magic sense is a type of magic and a technique outside the system called magic manipulation. Talent also plays a role in these abilities, creating a gap between those who can use them and those who cannot.

Jazz was skilled in this sensing ability, allowing him to quickly find monsters.

"It's over there. Let's go quietly and hide our presence," he said.

Following Jazz's lead, Marie and Alice quietly followed from behind. They soon confirmed the presence of a single monster beyond the grassy area.

Apparently, the monster had just defeated a goblin.

Two goblins lay dead on the ground.

"It's a Ghost...no, a high-level spirit, a High Ghost. It's a lower-level Lesser Class, so we're more than enough to handle it," Jazz said.

"It haven't noticed us yet," Marie said.

"This is our chance," Alice said.

Hiding behind trees and grass, the three targeted the High Ghost further inside as their prey. The goal was for Alice to test-fire her Second Tier magic.

Alice began chanting the predetermined incantation and aimed at the High Ghost.

The small magic circle gradually completed, and in about five seconds, the spell was activated.

"Plant Vine Chain!"

The Second Tier Earth Attribute magic was activated, and a large number of vines sprouted from the ground. The goal was to catch the High Ghost and pull it down to the ground.

The opponent was a ghost-type monster without a physical body, but attacks using magic power were effective.

"We did it!" Jazz exclaimed.

Saying so, he flew out and manifested his magic outfit. Magic power converged, forming a green knife blade in Jazz's right hand.

Jazz attempted to strike the High Ghost that had been captured, but as he approached it within a few meters, a blue and white geometric pattern appeared in front of his eyes. He was surprised and tried to think about what was happening, but he had no time to spare.

"Gah!?"

Jazz was forcibly blown away by a strong force.

He collided with a large tree and lost consciousness, and the tree he hit made a cracking sound, indicating that he had hit it with considerable force.

Marie and Alice were surprised.

"Jazz!"

"Is he okay!?"

The magic that just happened was not cast by the two of them.

In other words, it was cast by the High Ghost, a powerful spirit that stood before them.

"Monsters can use magic..."

"It seems that high-level monsters can use it. But isn't this one a High Ghost? Did you mistake it for magic? Magic is only used by lower-level Lesser-class monsters!"

Magic is a power that monsters use exclusively. If it's a High Ghost, it's a power called "life drain," not the power to control wind. Moreover, since a magic circle was floating, what just happened was definitely a magic attack.

While they were surprised, the High Ghost tried to escape from the ivy.

Marie and Alice thought they were clumsy and immediately tried to deploy their magical equipment.

However, without any warning, a magic circle appeared in front of them.

(Why!?)

(The deployment of the magic circle is too fast!)

Magic is something that is activated slowly according to the chant and image. Even with lower-level magic like the First and Second Tier, it takes several seconds, although there are individual differences.

However, the High Ghost in front of them completed the magic circle without any delay.

And the next moment, the two of them were blown away, received a strong impact on their backs, and lost consciousness.

　◆◆◆

(Oh no)

Shu had a troubled expression as he looked at the three fainted humans before him. He had repelled their sudden attack, but they were weaker than he had anticipated. After using acceleration magic to fly backwards, he crashed into a large tree and fainted. He didn't really understand what they were after.

(Perhaps they were trying to subjugate me?)

He had expected as much. The High Ghost, a powerful spirit, was apparently a type of demon and therefore a target for subjugation by humans.

(Anyway, I've obtained another piece of information. My ability, "Life Drain," is a type of magic. It's the third specialized term following "magic equipment" and "magic arts.")

It seemed to be a unique ability possessed by demons, so there was probably something similar for other demons aside from High Ghosts. There might be demons that didn't possess this "magic," but Shu had no way of confirming that right now.

From this perspective, the attack had been worth it to gather information.

(Well, that doesn't mean I'm going to let them go.)

They had come to kill him, so he had no intention of letting them escape.

Although he had memories of being human, it was only knowledge. He was only a collection of emotionless data. The only one with emotions was the current Shu.

He wasn't foolish enough to let them go after they had almost killed him.

Also, there was another reason. Magic carried risks, specifically related to the use of magical power. Shu had realized this after he began using magic. The consumed magical power didn't naturally recover. The only way to recover it was to either take it from a living creature using "Life Drain" or to kill and absorb the magical power.

This meant that using too much magic would push the next stage of evolution further away.

(I've never sucked life from a human before. Well, let's give it a try.)

Shu used magic to suck the life force out of the three humans. He could feel the power converting to magical power and accumulating within him. He could only sense a small amount of magical power from the goblins, though it was more than he would get from an animal. However, he could take a considerable amount of magical power from these three humans.

Shu secretly rejoiced that he might be close to the next stage of evolution.

(Alright. I've gathered quite a bit.)

He had obtained a significant amount of magical power from killing the three people. Even considering the magic he used, the benefits outweighed the costs.

Feeling satisfied, Shu left the scene.

Several days later, a search party was sent out to find the missing three magic-wielding students who hadn't returned from the forest. Jazz and the others were found weakened to death, causing a stir. However, Shu didn't know anything about it.