Encore 34 — New Beginnings (VII)

For the past three days, Arthur has been helping me out with my tasks and Nama hasn't bothered to pester me in any way.

Like always, after finishing the daily quota for firewood, I practice my mana control.

Arthur peeked over at me.

"You're doing it again?"

He asked me.

"Yup. I'm getting used to imbuing mana through objects now."

I already know how to do it successfully but I want to be able to do it almost unconsciously.

"Then, let's see what I can do."

Arthur said.

A faint green aura cloaked him and a gust of wind carried several pieces of firewood, before splitting them in half. They were all clean cuts.

"What was that?"

I asked.

"It was an advanced magic spell I used. Well, more like combining two spells into one."

"I didn't hear you chant though."

"I can still whisper, can't I?"

I chuckled slightly.

It's a common misunderstanding that chants must be said out loud. There's nothing within the rules of magic go against spells being chanted silently.

Of course, you can't mouth it, but the words must be coming out of your mouth.

I'm glad that someone knows it. I know it even though I've barely had a week to get used to mana. Well, my sister did teach me.

"So, what's our next task, Mr Chief?"

"Don't call me that."

He sighed.

"Today, there's a new task that I've assigned to you."

"What is it?"

"Hunting."

I blinked a few times at him.

"Sorry? You assigned me to hunt? Why?"

Arthur tapped me on the chest with a smile.

"Shouldn't the words you say be, 'thank you?' It'll help with your training, right?"

"You little..."

We both patted each other on the back, grinning at each other.

"Arthur."

Nama approached us. He glared at the both of us before talking.

"I don't think we should be trusting this newcomer with a job like that. Let me in on the hunting, so I can teach him."

Nama made eye contact with me.

It was clear what he was after. He wanted to teach me a 'lesson' of sorts. He was being extremely bold about it. I wonder if this was the chance he was waiting for.

"Nama, how—"

I stuck an arm out, signalling Arthur to stop. I then walked up to the bald giant.

"I'll be in your care, Nama."

"Kazuya!"

Arthur yelled, worried.

"Likewise."

He replied with a nasty smirk.

Let's see what he has in store for me.

·———·

Around half an hour later, there was a small hunting group set out to catch food. I was in it and so was Nama. There were three other guys too. They seemed to be grouped with Nama though.

I took a knife since I wanted to use this opportunity to use my Singularity efficiently and show the results of my training against moving enemies.

"Okay, so, I'll go with these guys and you'll go by yourself. Is that fine?"

Nama sneered at me.

He wanted to make it so he could leave me alone in the forest. If I were to die or go missing, he could just say that I went rogue and rushed ahead.

He's so transparent that it hurts me.

Though, this chance is the best for me.

"Yeah, you guys go search that way and I'll go east. We'll meet back here in half an hour. Is that fine?"

Nama was slightly shocked by my attitude but still agreed.

"Yes..."

"Well, then. See you in 30 minutes."

"Bring the bodies of the prey you catch. That's if you do catch any."

The group began laughing as I walked in the opposite direction. They have low-level thug insults and they were supposed to be normal villagers.

Anyway, 30 minutes is a perfect time for me. I'll hunt for the first 20 minutes with Sacred Lightning and use the rest of the time to get back since the effect duration is 25 minutes.

I used my Singularity.

⟨The Singularity, 'Sacred Lightning,' is selected.⟩

⟨The user's physical condition has improved. The effect duration of 'Sacred Lightning' has increased from 25 minutes to 35 minutes.⟩

⟨The effects of 'Sacred Lightning' have been strengthened.⟩

⟨50% of 'Sacred Lightning' is usable.⟩

Oh, Sacred Lightning has grown stronger. The effect duration and effects of the Singularity have grown stronger too.

Ah, but that doesn't make sense since Yuichi can only use Sacred Lightning for 10 minutes at full power. I'm not complaining but it doesn't make sense.

The only explanation I can think of is that, perhaps, Archive ignores that restriction...

"Time to hunt."

I began jogging.

I was faster than before. It felt like I was running as my old self. To think that this is only half of the full effects of Sacred Lightning.

As I spotted my first prey, I took my knife out and imbued the blade with mana. The wolf noticed me, but, before it could react, I slashed at its throat, cleanly cutting its whole head off.

Cutting its head off that clean would be too hard without mana, even if I did use all of my strength.

"Now, I just need to find a way to carry it, alongside other bodies I'll get..."

I thought for a second.

"Maybe I can create something from mana. Creating something from my mana is impossible for now. However, if I create strings of lightning then..."

As I created a lightning knife, that other time, I created a string of lightning. From there, I created many more, attaching them to that string. In the end, I ended up making a net of lightning, in which I could carry the bodies of the wolves and other animals I kill.

"I wonder how I'll be moving when this net gets full..."

And so, I continued my hunt.

·———·

"How did you..."

I came back to the meeting point and Nama was shocked by the amount of wolves I caught.

Halfway through the hunting, I released Sacred Lightning and the net stayed. I'm guessing, as long as I don't let go of the net, it won't disappear.

"You! You are what she said! The absolute devil!"

"Huh?"

Nama had a sword by his waist. He unsheathed it and pointed it at me.

"Oi, what're you doing?"

I asked him.

Who was he talking about?

The men behind him took out their weapons too. One had a bow and arrow while the others had an axe and spear.

They all pointed their weapons at me.

"No normal person can kill those wolves and carry them around like that! She was right... Now, I get my chance to kill you!"

"Who is she?"

I stayed on guard while cloaking my body with mana.

"She said... we would be the strongest if we killed you..."

"!"

Black mana seeped from his body and his eyes became black, along with those behind him. Signs of black mana coursed through their bodies as black veins became visible.

It was strange... I felt mana from them, yet, they're not supposed to be Streia.

Nama also mentioned someone else. Maybe they're the ones involved. A normal Streia can't do this. There's no way they would be out here, so the only person I can think of is...

A god.

They already found me. That's fucking annoying.

I paused.

From my left, there was a huge explosion, followed by a strong gust of wind. Flames engulfed the village.

There was an attack.