Chapter 26 - Shadow Magic Rematch...

"Yawn..."

It's now morning and there are five hours before school starts.

I sit upon my bed, thinking about what I should do to kill time. Then, I started thinking about the fight that occurred yesterday. This gave me an idea.

'Maybe I can learn what shadow magic is and how to use it by reading a book!'

I open my mental library and scan through the books. After 5 minutes of looking, I see a book called, "Shadow Magic". 'Wow, I do have books about everything related to magic!'

I open the book and start reading. A couple of inserts catches my eyes.

'Shadow magic is a subcategory of dark type magic. Usually only used from dark elves and half-elves, since they both have huge affinities for shadow magic.'

'Shadow magic uses magic particles to hide objects or to create fake targets with illusions. Shadow magic can also be able to predict incoming attacks; however, it can only detect physical attacks.'

Interesting... So Yoshino used shadow magic at the start to create an illusion of herself. She probably did it again after I discovered it, but coated the clone with shadow magic, making it have invisible attacks.

I continue to read until another insert catches my eye.

'In order to detect attacks, the magician needs deep training in the field. First, practice coating yourself in shadow magic so you appear invisible to the eye. After mastering this art, coat yourself in a thin layer of shadow magic, close your eyes, and clear your mind. Have objects thrown at you and try to dodge them. The easiest way is to stand underneath a tree that's about to fall and dodge as it comes to you.'

Okay, let's give this a try!

I teleport outside my cave and go into an open area. Once ready, I began coating myself with shadow magic. "[Shadow]!"

As I use more mana, I can visibly see dark particles form onto my body. After three minutes, my body is fully engulfed with dark particles. Then I cast a spell. "[Shadow Form]!"

Nothing physically happen but I could sense something a little different about me. As a test, I move toward the fishes. I attempt to grab a fish, stopping before touching the water.

...

As I move my hand, the aquatic creatures don't move. I also notice that I wasn't casting a shadow. 'It works!'

I disperse the spell. Afterward, the fishes noticed me and then dispersed.

Satisfied, I try it out a couple more times.

After finishing that training, I notice that I still have 2 more hours left. 'Let's try dodging then.'

I look around and notice that there's a tree with a branch that could fall at any second. I rush over to the tree and stand underneath the branch.

I close my eyes and create a thin layer of shadow magic. '[Shadow]!'

I waited for about 30 minutes, but nothing happened. Right as I was about to give up, I sense something coming at me. I catch the object and open my eyes to find that it was the branch.

"It works!"

I try again, but this time I threw rocks above me.

Casting another thin layer of shadow magic, I try to dodge the rocks.

...

I succeeded! I dodge all of the rocks with my eyes closed. I practice for the remaining hour. After being satisfied with my training, I move to get ready for school. After washing myself, I teleport to the school.

...

Another three days pass. Every day before school I practice using shadow magic. During school, however, I fight with Tomo using hand-to-hand combat and some weapons. As of right now, I have gotten better using weapons that I can somewhat use a sword.

Today is no different. I have gotten to the point that I don't have to cast any magic to use dark magic. In class, we train like we have been doing. An hour remained for today's class. Yoshino interrupts everyone's session.

"Listen up, class! As you know, today our last day together. You all have grown so much, exceeding my expectations! As I stated on our first day, there will be a test to gauge how much you all have grown. Is everyone ready? Good!"

She smiles devilishly, just like she did at the end of her first day...

"Then let's begin!"

This time, however, she is slower and not invisible. Everyone could see her and took proper measures. Every other student improved enough to evade some of her attacks; however, eventually, they all fell down, defeated. It is now Tomo's turn.

Yoshino smiles and speeds up, faster to what she was on her first day here. Tomo dodges her attacks and lands a hit on Yoshino.

"Very good Tomo!"

Yoshino attempts to change intent and charges at me; however, Tomo gets in the middle of us and kicks Yoshino in the stomach, sending her 5 meters back.

Tomo's attack caused Yoshino to gasp for air.

"Hah! You pass Tomo. Akuma..."

Yoshino suddenly disappears.

"It's your turn..."

This time, however, I don't stress out. I spread a thin layer of shadow magic on my body. I notice an attack coming from behind so I dodge.

"!"

I keep dodging her attacks until she tries to punch me in the face. I grab her invisible hands before she lands her punch.

I smile and punch the air, where I assume her stomach was. She suddenly appears and flies 8 meters away. She coughs up some blood.

"Heh... Seems you have gotten better, but let see how you do If I go all out!"

She heals herself and dashes towards me. I stand still, spreading more shadow magic into me. After enough dark particules were on my body, I cast a spell. '[Shadow Form]!'

"!"

Yoshino stops with a surprised look on her face. She looks around but then stops and closes her eyes. 'I'm guessing she trying to see me with her shadow magic...'

I move instantly at her, leaving her no time to react. She did notices my attack, but I teleport behind her to juke her. It works... I punch her in her stomach harder than normal.

This causes her to fly 20 meters. She slams into the wall with a huge thump. Blood squirts from her body. "Ouch!"

'Ah, guess this means this is her and not a clone...'

I run over to her to see that she is unconscious and is stuck onto the wall. I cast healing magic on her and pull her off the wall. I lay her onto the floor and waiting until she awakes...

"Huh?"

Once she awakens, she blinks at me.

...