Magic Maker - How to make magic in another world - - Chapter 34

Magic Maker – How to make magic in another world –

Chapter 34   Monster subjugation 2

The habitat of Kobolds seems to be mainly in the forest. They build small settlements in open areas and live there in groups of dozens. We headed towards a forest to the west of Istria.

Although the surroundings of Istria are covered with plains, a little distance away, there are several dense forests. Many monsters inhabit places such as forests, caves, and mountainous regions, which are difficult for humans to approach. It seems like humans and monsters are like water and oil, inevitably leading to such a situation.

As we traveled towards the forest, Dad began to share precautions and information about Kobolds. By the way, we were traveling on foot. Going on horseback would attract monster attacks, leading to being eaten, so walking was the standard method, especially in nearby areas.

“First, let’s talk about Kobolds. Do you both remember Goblins?” Dad asked.

In response to Dad’s question, Marie and I nodded simultaneously. Marie’s expression immediately became tense.

“You might know, but compared to Goblins, Kobolds have lower individual strength. However, they are more cunning and exhibit group behavior, making them troublesome. Still, they are easier to deal with compared to Goblins, and adventurers, swordsmen, and mercenaries often face them as their first opponents. That’s why we chose Kobolds for this mission, right?” The last words seemed to be directed at Glast. However, Glast remained silent, only shrugging his shoulders in response.

“Among monsters, Kobolds fall into the category of being quite weak. But complacency is forbidden. Even seasoned adventurers have been killed by Kobolds. Letting your guard down can be fatal. Regardless of the opponent, always stay vigilant and never neglect caution. That’s an absolute requirement for monster hunting.”

To be honest, I didn’t feel much sense of crisis. Perhaps it was because I had experience defeating Goblins once before. There might have been a belief that things would somehow work out. However, as I observed Dad’s and Glast’s reactions, the tension gradually increased.

However, I had no intention of running away. Until I grew stronger, there was no guarantee that monsters wouldn’t attack. Therefore, it was necessary to test whether the magic I had learned, which was likely effective, actually worked against monsters. Trying it out in a real situation was crucial; discovering ineffectiveness on the spot wouldn’t serve any purpose. This was both an experiment and a practical combat scenario.

“Kobolds are about the size of human children, but their strength is comparable to that of adults. They handle weapons like clubs or axes and are reasonably agile. Moreover, they coordinate with each other. Be cautious if there are multiple Kobolds. However, if it’s just one, even Marie should be able to win. There shouldn’t be a problem if you fight calmly.”

Marie nodded slightly, but her face remained tense.

“Don’t worry, both Glast and I are here. You’ll be fine. We won’t let you or Marie get hurt,” Dad reassured with a confident smile, and I felt some tension release from Marie’s shoulders.

“The formation will be Me, Marie, Shion, and Glast in that order.

I’ll give the orders. Glast will grasp the surrounding situation and convey information, so make sure not to miss anything.

If we encounter enemies, I’ll take the lead. If they come at us, each of us deals with our respective opponents.

Marie and Shion, stay close to me or Glast. Got it?”

“Yes, understood.”

Dad and Glast seemed relaxed, making them quite reliable. They reassured us that everything would be okay with them around. Marie seemed to feel the same way, and her initial tension appeared to ease a bit.

As we walked and talked, the forest came into view. It resembled the forest near our home, perhaps of a similar size. There was something else, though—some kind of stirring feeling in my chest. What was the source of this sensation?

“What’s wrong, Shion?”

“Nothing, really.”

It was probably just my imagination. I assumed my heart wasn’t adapting well to this first experience of monster hunting. There didn’t seem to be any other adventurers around.

“Today, it seems there are no fellow hunters. In a sense, it makes things easier with no competition.

Now, let’s form the formation I mentioned earlier. Try not to engage in conversation along the way. If necessary, speak in low voices.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

We formed our formation and stepped into the forest. The unique, earthy scent of plants filled the air. Without time for a leisurely stroll through the woods, we advanced, parting the grass and trees.

Footsteps and the rustling of leaves. The ambient sounds that should normally evoke a sense of freshness seemed oddly eerie. After a while, Dad raised his right hand, and we all came to a stop. He bent down, as if examining something.

When we approached, we saw footprints on the ground. They were about the size of a child’s, and the toes numbered only three. Were these the footprints of a Kobold? Dad followed the footprints.

After walking for several minutes, our field of vision began to widen. Simultaneously, we heard low-frequency sounds, resembling voices from underground. Was it conversation? The noise was like the whimpering of a dog, echoing from various directions.

Dad moved forward slowly and gently halted. We stopped too, and as we moved to Dad’s side, faces emerged from the thickets.

There they were.

Kobolds.

Dozens of them.

The numbers were substantial.

As Dad described, they had a canine-like face, covered in shaggy fur that seemed unkempt. A faint beastly odor emanated from them.

Upon closer inspection, the bodies of the creatures faintly glowed. Similar to Goblins, it appeared they possessed magical power. However, their sheer numbers were overwhelming.

Facing such a large group of monsters seemed like a daunting task. Dad signaled us to wait in this spot, drew his sword, and entered the midst of the settlement. He proceeded without hesitation, confronting the Kobold group alone.

Marie and I couldn’t help but let out a small gasp at the surprise of his bold move. I instinctively glanced at Glast, but he just smiled reassuringly. All we could do was watch Dad’s actions.

The Kobolds, noticing Dad’s presence, suddenly entered rudimentary tents, and those who were nearby grabbed weapons. The Kobolds emerging from the tents were also armed with weapons.

“Gagaugagagaa!”

With fierce barks resembling those of ferocious dogs, the Kobolds surrounded Dad, baring their teeth. Despite being completely cornered, there was not a trace of panic in Dad’s expression.

The state of stiffness didn’t last long. One Kobold quickly lunged at Dad, initiating an attack that others swiftly followed. Attacks from all directions, impossible to evade or counteract—normally.

Dad crouched low in place, effortlessly slipping between the Kobolds. Simultaneously breaking through the encirclement, he swung his sword. With a single strike, several Kobolds fell to the ground, screaming.

Both Kobolds and we were bewildered by what had just happened. However, time didn’t stand still. With every move Dad made, Kobolds met their demise. In about a minute, the dozens of Kobolds had been annihilated. It was a momentary event, a stark difference in power.

We had no idea. We didn’t know that Dad was this strong. The sense of the monsters vanished; they were completely wiped out. We stood there, mouths agape, stunned.

“Seriously, he’s as monstrously strong as ever.”

With an exasperated scratch to the back of his head, Glast emerged from the bushes. We followed suit, exposing ourselves and entering the settlement. Every Kobold had been slaughtered.

Even an amateur like me could tell—it wasn’t ordinary skill. Dad wiped the blood from the blade, sheathed his sword, and continued on.

“We’re safe now.”

Indeed, we were safe. However, I couldn’t help but feel perplexed that we had no opportunity to act. I wondered about the achievement of our goal. Dad, with a wry smile, began to speak.

“Don’t worry. I intend to let you two join the fight properly. There were just too many of them. We needed to reduce their numbers. During this time, some of the Kobolds may have gone out for a hunt and will likely return. Fight them. Their numbers shouldn’t be too overwhelming.”

I felt relieved. It seemed Dad had thought about various things. Well, I never really believed he would send us to defeat the Kobolds without a plan. …Right?

Before the other Kobolds returned, we cut off the ears of the defeated ones and placed them in a leather bag. It seemed necessary for adventurers, but it wasn’t the most pleasant task.

As we were doing this, Dad shifted his gaze towards the forest.

“It seems they’ve come back.”

When we looked in that direction, six Kobolds stood there. Clearly agitated, they were intimidating us. However, they didn’t immediately attack. They crouched low, growling, and wielding their weapons.

“Kobolds on a hunt have higher combat abilities and stronger vigilance than other Kobolds. Since we don’t have long-range weapons, they’re keeping their distance. Marie and Shion, take the front. Shion, they think we don’t have long-range attacks. In other words…”

“It means magic will work, right?”

I equipped my Raika that I had from my waist and entered a combat stance. Moving to the front, I wove magical energy in both hands. The opponents didn’t move much. In that case, I should start with a slow-activating spell.

I warmed up the fingers of my right hand, lit the magical energy, and produced a flare. The sudden appearance of flames caused some confusion among the Kobolds, but they couldn’t react to the quickly released flare. The flare reached them, and I released the woven magical energy in my left hand to hit it. The blue flames, imbued with magical oxygen, exploded. With a roar, the bodies of the Kobolds were blown away. The halves of two Kobolds in the center were scattered, blood and flesh flying into the trees. Bomb Flare—its power was beyond my expectations. While exhilarated, I quickly moved on to the next step.

It takes three seconds to release magical energy again. They were still affected by the aftermath of the explosion. Two were blown away, and two others hurriedly escaped, clearly shaken. I immediately gathered magical energy in both hands.

However, the two Kobolds targeted me and quickly leaped towards me. Elapsed time, two seconds. One more second was needed. The inability to use magic continuously was the biggest weakness of magic. The Kobold’s axe was about to reach me—before that, my sister moved in front of me.

A sharp metallic sound rang out, and simultaneously, my sister’s body trembled slightly.

“I won’t let you touch Shion!”

She skillfully dodged the attacks of the two Kobolds. The Kobolds had superior physical strength, and being outnumbered made the situation even more challenging. Yet, Marie managed to deflect their attacks almost simultaneously. It wasn’t about strength; it was about skill. Her quick movements left me astonished at her swordsmanship.

However, I couldn’t afford to be amazed; there was a task at hand. Merging the magical energy gathered in both hands, I moved to the side. In an instant, electric currents surged through my palms. Pushing both hands forward, I released the magical energy.

Line bolt.

An enhanced bolt with increased power due to synergized magical forces. High voltage struck the two Kobolds. The red lightning shot straight toward them, creating a dazzling flicker upon contact, accompanied by a sharp, bouncing sound.

“Gargh!”

The Kobolds let out agonizing cries. They convulsed for a while, emitting a burnt smell before collapsing on the ground.

Were they dead? Both Bomb Flare and Line bolt were more powerful than expected. Regular Flare or Bolt probably wouldn’t have inflicted more than minor burns. It was the synthesis of magical powers that unleashed such force. The remaining four Kobolds, witnessing their fallen comrades, trembled in fear. However, there was no sign of them fleeing. Their gazes were fixed on Father and Glast-san. Realizing the overwhelming strength before them, they seemed to understand escape was futile.

Without hesitation, they charged at us, possibly with a suicidal intent. Yet, this played into my favor. The post-magic usage stiffness worked in my favor. Just as their attack overlapped with my momentary vulnerability, I swiftly leaped backward. It seemed like a coordinated shift from offense to defense, but as I retreated, Marie once again stepped forward, protecting me. Her profile showed desperation, with traces of fear. Nonetheless, she was determined to confront them.

Turning towards Marie, the Kobolds swung their weapons, but Marie, despite her expression, handled the situation calmly. Lowering her posture, she evaded the attacks and slashed the Kobold’s legs. It was an attack from an unfavorable position, incapable of delivering a fatal blow. However, by inflicting certain wounds, Marie caused the Kobold’s stance to slightly falter. Seizing the opportunity, Marie, after delivering her attack, swiftly moved to the side of the injured Kobold, escaping the attack range of the other.

“This!”

Spinning around, Marie delivered a swift strike to the Kobold’s neck. The sword traced a perfect trajectory, and the Kobold’s head fell to the ground. Simultaneously, blood splattered, obscuring the view. This was likely Marie’s first time killing a monster. However, there was no conflict or regret in her about taking a life. As evidence of that, without pausing, she immediately moved towards the remaining Kobold.

Her dance-like swordsmanship reached the heart of the second Kobold.

“Haa, haa, haa!”

Exhaling heavily, Marie withdrew her sword from the Kobold. She remained vigilant. Father confirmed the Kobold’s death.

“It’s dead. Well done, Shion, Marie.”

Upon Father’s words, Marie finally relaxed. I, too, breathed a sigh of relief. It was over. Somehow, we managed to defeat the Kobolds. However, the exhaustion was overwhelming. Despite facing only a few of them, the tension during the battle was tremendous. Moreover, we learned many things from this fight.

Magic had a long activation time, and the cooldown was equally lengthy. While its single-strike power was high, if there were multiple opponents or the target wasn’t down with a direct hit, I would be left defenseless. Marie’s presence compensated for that flaw, but if I were alone, I would undoubtedly have perished.

Still excited, I patted Marie’s shoulder.

“Thank you, sis. Thanks for helping me.”

“It’s only natural to protect Shion. Besides… because Shion was here, I could fight. Thank you, too. I gained a bit of confidence.”

“You both did great. For your first battle, Marie, you faced your fear and showed calm strength. Shion, you demonstrated the effectiveness of magic. It turns out to be a more powerful weapon than expected.”

“But seriously, magic is really amazing… If only I had the aptitude for magic.”

Glast muttered with a hint of frustration. From what I observed, there were no adults with magical abilities. Perhaps Glast couldn’t use magic either. Currently, it’s unclear whether anyone else, besides me and Marie, can use magic. Marie can use it, but her practicality is limited to Flare. Whether there are others who can use it or not remains uncertain.

So far, we know that Rose has the aptitude for magic. However, we haven’t talked much lately. Since the incident with the Goblins, there’s been a subtle sense of distance. This applies to Maron and Red as well. There might be a confidentiality agreement with Dad, and well, considering what happened, it’s understandable that no one knows how to handle the situation.

Anyway, for now, we don’t need to think about magical aptitude and the versatility of magic. What matters is the present. We learned a lot from this actual battle. Just one fight. Even so, having the experience of fighting or not makes a significant difference. Based on this experience, we’ll need to think about improving magic. Well, I’ll have to think about all that when I get back. While I was contemplating this…

“After collecting the ears, let’s head to the next dwelling place.”

“Huh?”

It seems that both I and my sister had the same thought. We fought it’s the first day, so we thought it was time to go back. But Dad still seemed to be full of energy.

“Glast and I don’t usually have much time, and opportunities like these don’t come by often. It’s just right. We should experience as much practical training as possible.”

It might be true, but I was extremely tired after the first battle. Surprisingly, I already wanted to go back. However, seeing Dad’s face, we gave up. No matter what we said, he was determined to continue.

“Now, let’s go! I found other footprints earlier!”

While Dad advanced energetically, Glast slapped our shoulders.

“Don’t give up. If you do, it’ll be pointless…”

Glast has been Dad’s longtime friend. Like us, as part of the family, he knows Dad well. There must have been various things in the past. With a resigned smile and a sigh, we followed behind Dad.