Volume 3 Chapter 1: Contrary to expectations

(Melon Liszar)

In one month, it will be the end of the semester, and it seems that I won't be able to meet my Master's expectations for now.

I received a suggestion from others to skip a grade, something that they said definitely wouldn't be a problem for me.

According to the academy's system, specialized magical combat training classes are only available from the third year onwards.

...Normally, even if one doesn't enter the academy, as long as they gain combat experience, most [Fighter] will eventually be able to comprehend [Arte] to some extent one way or another.

However, I still feel greatly lacking in that regard.

[Arte] are crucial for [Fighter], much like magic is for [Mage].

[Arte] is an attack that combines the strength of magic and the user's physical technique, and since it uses magic, it would also need an incantation.

However, many physical techniques require seamless execution, making it impractical to speak during combat. That's why many top [Fighter] dedicate themselves to mastering their [Arte] to the point where they only need a concluding phrase or even eliminate the need for incantations altogether.

This is a particularly common thing among close-quarters combat specialists.

I've seen examples of this in Miss Derisha and the priest who intruded into the mountains while I was living there. They both demonstrate this well.

The members of the [$Eyes of the Night Cat$ B Team] also seem to possess such abilities as well, although I haven't seen it myself.

For close-quarters [Fighter], specializing in specific [Arte] comes at the cost of having fewer techniques at their disposal.

A counterexample would be Miss Barrela... Miss Aure, whose talent leans toward being an [Archer], who is focusing on long-range sniping as her primary means of attack.

Since she has fewer occasions that require close-quarters combat, she hasn't needed to train all her [Arte] to be incantation-less. As a result, she has mastered a wide range of techniques to adapt to different situations.

I've seen light-based, water-based, wind-based, and fire-based techniques.

On the other hand, I haven't acquired any [Arte] at the moment.

Right now, I'm in Training Ground #4 within the academy.

"[Arte]... Unlike studying magic books, you have to comprehend them on your own," Miss Derisha says as she stands beside me, holding a training spear in her hand.

When I mentioned my desire to learn [Arte] early this morning, Miss Derisha agreed to accompany me to the academy.

She said it was a way to thank me for bringing her back and treating her to a meal.

Such gratitude should be directed toward my Master, shouldn't it?

But... [Arte]... To meet and surpass the expectation Master's has in me, I must learn them quickly.

"However, if you are talking about attacks that cause fire, explosions, or freezing, aren't those things that you did before also a [Arte]?" Asked Miss Derisha, holding a training spear in her hand.

"They are not [Arte], they are..." I was about to speak, but then I remembered that it might not be something I should mention. "...I apologize, but without my Master's permission, I cannot disclose that information."

"I see. So they're really not [Arte]... That's right, I don't see any flow of magic when you use those attacks," Miss Derisha says, showing no intention of pursuing the matter further.

Even though she's also a noble, she has a completely different demeanor and isn't annoyingly persistent like that idiot.

Why is it that Miss Derisha doesn't become a detestable person, but that fool is incredibly loathsome to be around?

"The flow of magic?"

"[Arte] are... Ah, never mind. Have you mastered any magic for enhancing your body?"

"Yes, I have." I acquired it a long time ago when I defeated the earth wasp for the first time.

As I say that, I activate [Physical Reinforcement], and wisps of steam start emanating from my body.

"[Physical Reinforcement] of the non-elemental category... Listen carefully, [Physical Reinforcement] involves infusing your body with magic to strengthen it. However, [Arte] are somewhat the opposite."

While Miss Derisha explains, she picks up a training staff from the side.

A touch of bluish-green gathers in the air, eventually forming a ball of light floating in mid-air, with a gentle breeze blowing around me.

"People of the [Mage] category communicate with elemental spirits through their staffs to cast magic," Miss Derisha says as she swings the staff, and the magic sphere transforms into a gust of blue wind that blows away.

She possesses the talent of a [Mage] as well? That's impressive...

I have a strong barrier when it comes to chanting magic. Training [Physical Reinforcement] to the point of eliminating the need for incantations gave me a headache.

"And as for [Arte], they involve using oneself as a medium to apply magic to weapons... OOO, OOOO, OOOOO──Storm Rush!"

Dropping the staff, Miss Derisha's spear emits a bright light, and then she takes a step forward...

"Boom!" The training spear, enveloped in a hurricane, explodes in front of us, creating a powerful storm. Dust flies up instantly, and the students who have been secretly watching nearby let out amazed gasps.

"...However, when I use [Arte], the weapons often can't withstand the magic and get destroyed. This level is not even feasible..." Miss Derisha sighs.

"I can only explain it to you roughly up to this point. The comprehension of [Arte] still relies on oneself... Often, it's in moments of urgent need that something wells up inside, and then you feel it," Miss Derisha says as she picks up her staff and walks to the side to put it away.

"Well then, I'm off to take on a commission, for now, try to practice on your own," she says, and then she turns around and leaves.

[Arte]... Although I don't fully understand, I can grasp the general idea that they are a form of magic.

My Master said that my mana level is not low, and I do have some basic magical abilities.

But... communicating with elemental spirits and such, I have no clue about that.

I only know how to infuse mana into my [Band of the Bold].

Hmm... What if I try infusing mana into my hand?

I walk up to a training golem that has been standing by on the side for a while.

I lightly throw a punch!

I didn't put much force into it, so the golem isn't shattered. Instead, it goes flying and then lies on the ground, twitching continuously.

Is it because my mana was infused into it, causing some interference to it?

[Achievement Unlocked: Hidden Condition of [Path of the Grandmaster]

[Learned Passive Skill [Mana Drive - Inner Power]

...?

It seems I learned a new passive skill.

But... is this still not the [Arte] I'm aiming for? From what I heard, [Arte] are active skills, not passive ones.

...I still can't learn it after all, [Arte] really is hard to learn.