First Spell

[SPELLCRAFT]… one of the secret discoveries I made without revealing its mechanics to people.

Just as it would take a person's mana core to regulate mana which could be manifested as magic through spells, so also this method allowed a person to cast spells, but not necessarily with a mana core.

Humans have limited mana, and so the casting of spells as well as its quality would be heavily limited to their level of mana.

But, what if I told you that there was another way?

And that method was the only way I could survive this night if I pulled this off!

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"Stage 1… Dispersal!"

My skin tingled as I concentrated on dispersing the little amounts of mana floating within my body.

It felt like countless needles poked my skin as mana leaked out of my pores, a strange new sensation I had never experienced in my past life.

'Endure it, Lewis, endure it!' I gritted my imaginary teeth.

The pain was unbearable for my little frame, and I felt like I would pass out from the strain, but I endured it, because if I didn't… I was going to die!

My focus was no longer on the assassin, and I couldn't afford to open my eyes lest distraction befall me and I lose concentration.

That would be fatal in this case.

From my calculations, it will take another ten seconds before he concluded his act.

If that was the case, I still had little time to complete the spell.

After dispersing my frugal amount of mana outside of my body, the next stage followed.

"Stage 2…Attraction!"

The surrounding mana slowly began to gravitate toward me. It was no easy task since the quality of my mana was very small and unrefined, but through concentration, I was able to draw a small quantity to my small frame.

"Stage 3… Convergence!"

The two different types of mana slowly mixed, becoming one in an instant. They were very small particles, therefore invisible to the ordinary eyes.

Even the assassin wouldn't be able to sense what was happening unless he used magic as well.

Seeing as he brought a blade, instead of using magic to conclude the job, he was avoiding its use. That made my work easier.

"From this point on, I have to hurry!"

Because… there were only five seconds left!

"Stage 4… Transformation!"

This was when the magic truly happened, and since I needed a spell to activate it, I had the perfect one to use.

A spell that didn't use up much mana, was fast and efficient, able to incapacitate my killer in an instant and ensure my safety.

A spell such as that… would have to be customized by me.

"Imagine it, Lewis! Imagine!"

My thoughts instantly produced the perfect spell to use.

Three Seconds Left.

I molded my mana which was mixed with that of the surrounding. Drawing all my mana particles together, they shone dimly as they became evident.

Two Seconds Left.

The assassin must have noticed it by now, so I couldn't give him any more time to react!

Using the moisture of the air, I created ice, freezing it with the little mana I had dispersed while utilizing the force of the wind to serve as a propeller.

One Second Left.

"[Mini Ice Bullet]"

I opened my eyes instantly to see the killer's knife nearing my throat. Due to my magic, there was a slight glow in the room, allowing me to see the man a little more clearly. He had a hood on, preventing me from knowing his identity.

However, I didn't need that at the moment! All that mattered was my survival!

Aiming for the point that would deal the most damage, I pinpointed his temple and launched my highly condensed ice bullet which was strengthened with all the mana I could muster and collect from the surrounding.

"Stage 5… Activate!"

>FWOOOOOSHHHH<

In an instant, the bullet was sent flying, rotating due to the influence of the wind as it darted straight for the man's temple—the weak link in his skull.

I heard the squishy sound of tearing flesh and the cracking sound of a bone as the killer's head was pierced. Within a moment, the bullet drilled through the stranger's insides—brains and all—and passed out of the other side in a decisive hit.

The knife he held so tightly fell to my side as his body staggered and flailed about before collapsing on the ground.

My eyes grew tired at this point, and I could not confirm his death. If he was still miraculously alive after that attack, then I was screwed.

After all, I had used up the last of my strength. My eyes were forcefully shut by waves of nausea and exhaustion that permeated my childish body.

Lingering sensations of pain remained. However, even as I drifted off to unconsciousness, a bottomless feeling of happiness and fulfillment rushed through me.

After all… at that moment, I had done what I always dreamt of my whole life.

'I did it! I used Magic!'

And then everything went dark!