Magic Maker - How to make magic in another world - - Chapter 64

Magic Maker – How to make magic in another world –

Chapter 64   Istria defense operations

Dadadada.

The sound of feet hitting the ground echoes loudly throughout the city. While I don’t know the exact area of Istria, it takes roughly an hour to run from the west wall to the east wall. Despite running every day, I am still just a child. Even at a considerably fast pace, I estimate covering about six or seven kilometers in an hour.

If the area is around seven square kilometers, it’s quite substantial. Without a clear destination and movement plan, we might end up achieving nothing or be unable to assist in any way. We don’t seem to be expected much. While Duke Balkh might be different, the commands of the on-site commander are crucial.

I don’t have the time to go to the duke now and complain, nor do I intend to do that. We already have the lightning lamps in our hands, having headed to the nearby warehouse and procured them in advance.

“So, where are we heading!?”

Rafina, running briskly beside me, asks.

It’s been over ten minutes since we started running. For someone not used to running, the pace would have slowed down, and they would be experiencing shortness of breath at this distance. However, Rafina is only lightly sweating. As evident from her sword skills, she undoubtedly undergoes daily training. Well, there are times when she wears oddly heavy armor or acts foolishly, but that’s just her.

“Every unit takes time to head to the scene after receiving lightning lamps. So, with our mobility, we’ll go to the farthest and most dangerous place.”

“Where!? Just tell us!”

“The main gate. From the wall, you can get a decent view of the city. Since I can detect the presence of Wraiths even from a distance, I’ll confirm and strike if they’re in our path. But only if they’re in our way; otherwise, it’ll be a detour. First, let’s go through the wall and head to the main gate!”

“I see! I don’t fully get it, but got it! The tower to climb the wall is nearby! Let’s go there! Huey! Dave! Did you hear that!? Follow us!”

“U-understood!”

“I-i’m about to die, seriously…!”

With the obviously untrained pair in tow, we aimed for the towers installed on the wall. The wall had watchtowers at intervals, which extended to the top, allowing ascent and descent. It’s off-limits for anyone but soldiers, but there’s no special locking mechanism. A wooden door was attached to the wall, and we quickly opened it, then ascended the spiral staircase.

Upon reaching the top of the wall, there were similar doors on both sides. We opened the one in the direction of the main gate and immediately stepped outside. The wall was about ten meters high. Running while overlooking the city, faint lights floated here and there.

“They’re here! Three nearby and five in the distance!”

“What!? What do we do? Descend again!?”

“No, they’re also moving towards the bottom. We won’t make it in time! Let’s continue towards the main gate!”

“Understood!”

Voices from behind couldn’t be heard. Huey and Dave were quite exhausted. Perhaps because sprinting up the stairs while in armor. However, there was no time to pay attention. Hoping they wouldn’t drop the lightning lamps, Rafina and I ran along the top of the wall.

Not only in the city but also outside Istria, we could see the figures of Wraiths. Does the number of Wraiths increase this much during the Night of Illumination? However, there weren’t this many Wraiths last time. Why are there so many now? Is it because it’s different from before? Despite the growing anxiety, there was no time to dwell on those feelings. Then, we encountered a lookout soldier.

“Hmm!? What are you doing!?”

“I am Rafina Spel, the leader of the 75th Royal Guard! Invisible magical creatures, Wraiths, have invaded the city! We’ve formed a defense force and are taking action to subjugate them!”

“Invisible magical creatures? I heard they don’t exist.”

“You can get detailed explanations from the guy behind! Dave, I’m counting on you after the explanation! Catch up when you’re done!”

“Hah…hah… Huh? O-okay, got it!”

Dave looked both happy and bothered. Rafina, Huey, and I continued ahead. When encountering another lookout, this time, I left Huey behind as the explainer and hurried ahead. It might be a hassle, but skipping the details now could lead to interference later, and it might cause trouble down the line.

There was no doubt that the defense force had been formed and was in action. Even if it was reluctantly done under the Duke’s orders, there was no choice but to search for these magical creatures called Wraiths. Only I could see the Wraiths. They were invisible without the aid of the lightning lamps, but if this many had infiltrated the city, some unit should have encountered them. If that happens, they would believe my words to be true, and they would take it seriously. Until then, I had to do my best to minimize the damage.

Even if I explained as clearly as possible, the soldiers’ reactions weren’t favorable. Everyone seemed puzzled, but they had no choice but to accept the fact that the orders were true and reluctantly respond. People don’t believe in things they haven’t seen. I think there are very few adults who would believe in and try to exterminate ghosts when someone claims they appeared. It took us about fifty minutes to finally reach a position where the main gate was visible.

The lights from the lightning lamps began to appear in the city, and the lights of the Wraiths seemed to float softly and move around. Lightning lamps were commonly used indoors. It might not be in every household, but the likelihood of Wraiths attacking indoors was lower.

The guards are the ones in danger. They only carry torches or lamps, making them the most vulnerable to attacks. The Duke’s residence is located near the center of Istria. We departed from there, and it would take time for the defense units to reach the city walls. Encountering Wraiths on the way would further delay their arrival at the main gate. And at midnight, the area around the main gate is where most soldiers gather.

For these reasons, I headed straight for the main gate first. The scene of the main gate gradually drew closer. I shouted.

“Wraiths, five of them! This is bad! I’ll go ahead!”

To succinctly explain the situation, I increased my speed with a jump. I didn’t want to use magic for movement since it quickly depletes, but there was no other choice. There was a group of Wraiths moving towards the main gate from the outside. Since Wraiths can fly, they don’t need to enter through the gate. The invading Wraiths likely came through the city walls where there were no soldiers. The five Wraiths seemed to have noticed the presence of the gate guards and were heading towards them.

Fortunately, the soldiers were still safe. However, the Wraiths were, of course, invisible. If lightning lamps were left, they could have been visible, but the lamps had already been removed. They were likely only placed indoors, in places like barracks and command posts. The guards wouldn’t notice the Wraiths. They wouldn’t even know why they were dying until the moment they died.

I used wind magic and sprinted. Going through the city walls would be a detour. I descended from the wall and landed on the roofs of buildings, using jumps to absorb the impact. Maintaining speed, leaping, and moving along the rooftops, I headed towards the main gate.

Something is still strange.

I haven’t practiced magic for a long time.

So why can I release magical power so smoothly?

Handling wind in jumps is tricky, and every few jumps, I would fail and end up flying in the wrong direction.

Activation also took time.

However, now, the fluctuations and movements of the wind are happening instantly.

Wind moves simultaneously with the release of will and magical power.

But now, I can use the power of the wind as I please.

My body feels light.

Utilizing continuous magic, I can consistently activate jumps and maintain movement speed.

Why am I able to use magic so well?

The total amount of magical power itself shouldn’t have increased.

The magical power supply to the lazy syndrome patients hasn’t changed at all.

If the amount of magical power had increased, I should be able to perform healing.

But I can’t.

In other words, is it just the handling of magical power that has strangely improved?

Perhaps, by continuing to adjust and supply magical power every day, I’ve become accustomed to handling it.

Unintentionally, could it have turned into a form of magical training?

I leaped from roof to roof and reached the main gate.

Jumping over the city wall, I landed outside the main gate.

“Who, who are you!?”

Suddenly descending from the sky, the gatekeepers were on high alert.

A natural reaction, but my gaze was not directed at them.

“Get back! Monsters are coming!”

“There are no monsters! Don’t lie, suspicious fellow!”

I don’t have a lightning lamp.

Anticipating increased mobility, I didn’t bring one.

And there were things I wanted to try.

Ignoring the gatekeepers, I glared at the approaching wraiths head-on.

Upon closer inspection, their appearances were subtly different.

Hair length, face shape, clothing design.

They seemed more like former humans than monsters.

However, whether they were undead or not is something I can’t afford to care about right now.

I need to defeat them before they reach the gate.

I kick the ground.

Using a jump to increase my movement speed, accelerating rapidly.

I equip the Raika and gather magical power at my fingertips.

And then.

I create flares on both sides.

Holding them in both hands.

It should appear as if my hands are surrounded by flames.

“What, what is that!?”

“His hands are on fire!?”

The voices of the gatekeepers could be heard from afar.

It’s a relief that they’re not approaching.

I face the wraiths and release the flares.

After releasing them, I immediately use flares again, setting my hands on fire.

Unlike magical power, flares illuminate the surroundings as blue flames.

I carefully observe the direction in which the flare travels.

The flare reaches near the wraiths.

“Wha, monsters!?”

Along with the gatekeeper’s astonished voice, I silently celebrated with a fist pump in my mind.

It seems that “the wraiths touched by the light of the flares appeared visible even to those without magical power.”

I knew it.

I thought something was off.

Why can I see the wraiths with the lightning lamp, while torches or lanterns don’t reveal their forms?

I considered the possibility of the thunder stone’s effect, but I dismissed that idea.

Because wraiths are entities made of magical power, or something similar.

The thunder stone itself is a natural mineral, and it doesn’t contain elements related to magical power.

So why did the lightning lamp reveal the wraiths’ forms?

Did the wraiths dislike the light of the lightning lamp?

The reason is that the lamp is made from processed thunder stone using magic, and the material for the lamp contains elements influenced by magical power.

Therefore, the lamp had an effect on the wraiths because it utilized materials affected by magical power.

Thinking this way leads to a clear conclusion.

The answer is that magic like the flare might be effective.

On that day, unfortunate and caught in a storm, I couldn’t use flare or bolt.

Therefore, I had no choice but to purify them by directly touching them.

But today is clear, and magic is at my disposal.

The wraiths avoid the flare, making significant changes in their trajectory.

They seem to be averse to magical light more than I expected.

I continue to release flares continuously.

I can activate it once every second.

So, by alternating left and right magic releases, gathering magical power, and casting spells, I can almost continuously counter their attacks.

Without carefully aiming, I release flares.

The wraiths distance themselves from me, dancing in the sky.

Their flight speed is quite fast, and hitting them precisely is challenging.

However, this is as expected.

I released the flare to secure visibility and to confirm its effectiveness against the enemies.

And—a move to set the stage.

I gather magical power and this time, release a “Bolt.”

Both hands thrust forward, and a red electric current shoots straight toward the wraiths.

“Kyaaaa!”

With an unpleasant scream, the wraith disappeared.

Alright!

As I suspected, Bolt is effective too.

If the lightning lamp works, then naturally, Bolt should be effective as well.

Flare was just to catch the wraiths off guard.

Two wraiths caught in the Bolt spell perished.

I immediately cast Bolt twice more and vanquished the remaining wraiths.

Once you know their weakness, they’re just common foes.

If you don’t, they can be quite formidable.

However…

In the distance, more wraiths were approaching.

“…They keep coming. This is indeed abnormal.”

It’s not just a few. It’s more than ten.

Even one is a dangerous opponent, and if the soldiers are attacked by those, they’ll be killed.

The wraiths are still far away.

I turn on my heel and head towards the main gate.

The gatekeepers seemed to have reduced their vigilance as I defeated the monsters.

Lowering their spears, they displayed a strong sense of bewilderment.

“What… What was that? Who are you?”

“I am Shion Ornstein. I’ve joined the defense force under Duke Balkh’s orders. A unit was formed to subdue the wraiths that infiltrated the city.”

“What!? There shouldn’t be any monsters entering from this gate… Well, if they are invisible monsters like the ones earlier, it wouldn’t be surprising if they did.”

The gatekeeper seemed to grasp the current situation relatively calmly, probably because he had witnessed my battle with the monsters.

“Yes. The magic or the lightning lamp I used earlier is effective against them. Only I can use magic.”

It’s an emergency.

Concealing information about magic would only complicate matters. Regardless of whether they believe it or not, it’s better to share the information.

“Magic…? Well, we used to have lightning lamps in the past, but not anymore.”

It was an expected response.

Of course, I won’t tell them to give up.

I approached the giant candlestick placed beside the gate.

Roaring flames. Inside were several logs. It was used for surveillance.

Next to it were logs for fuel and thin wood for torches stored in a box.

I released magic towards the candlestick.

As a result, the flames in the candlestick instantly turned blue.

“W-What in the world is this? This is… magic, you say?”

“Yes. This fire is probably effective against wraiths, just like the magic I used earlier. Attach this to a torch and use it to protect yourself.”

“Do weapons not work?”

“Anything other than magic won’t work. I believe only this fire or a lightning lamp will be effective.”

“I-I see. Let’s do as you say.”

Surprisingly, they were straightforward people.

Well, witnessing a battle like that might make anyone more cooperative.

“Shion! Are you okay!?”

“Pant, pant… I-I’m dying. I’m really going to die.”

“Ugh! You’re going to puke! You’re really going to puke!”

It seems Rafina and the others have arrived.

They don’t have lightning lamps in their hands. They probably handed them over to the guards along the way.

I can use magic, and I think they acted based on the understanding that I would be okay as long as I’m around. I’m not sure if Rafina is actually thinking strategically.

“The wraiths! Did you defeat them!?”

“Yeah, five of them. But more are still coming.”

“How many?”

I look straight ahead and count the wraiths.

In the foreground, there are about a dozen.

Huh? More are coming from the back.

…They’re increasing rapidly.

“About ten? Maybe twenty? No, surely not thirty, right?”

“…There are a hundred of them.”

Huey, Dave, and the gatekeepers stare wide-eyed.

“What did you just say?”

“A hundred. Well, there might be even more.”

The light emitted by the wraiths fills the field of vision.

I don’t show any outward signs of agitation because I already understood.

I’m the only one who can defeat the wraiths, and without me, the damage would be immense.

This isn’t excessive confidence. My sister’s words were true.

There are people who can only be saved because I exist—during the goblin attack, treating the lazy syndrome patients, and now during the wraith attack.

Did I reincarnate to create magic and save people?

Regardless of the intent behind it, whether it’s coincidence or necessity, I don’t care.

I’ve decided to fight, so there’s no need to hesitate or fear.

Even Rafina showed a hint of despair.

In the midst of all that, I turned back and said,

“Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”

I said it with confidence, even if it might seem arrogant.

If stating it boldly can alleviate everyone’s anxieties, then so be it.

Seeing my smile, everyone’s worries seemed to fade a bit.

Even though I’m a child, it seems nobody here is concerned about such things.

This is a positive development.

“I’ll take the lead in the fight. Everyone, be on guard with the blue-flamed torches! Also, someone, call for reinforcements! Report to the defense forces patrolling the city!”

“I’ll do it! I’ll bring a replacement too, so wait for me!”

One of the gatekeepers volunteered.

The four of us are exhausted from the journey here, and he seems more suitable. When I agreed, the gatekeeper hurried into the city with a torch in hand.

“Please! The rest of you, guard this gate!”

“Got it! Leave it to us, Shion!”

“I’ll do it! Yeah, I can do it too!”

“As long as I don’t have to run, anything’s fine.”

With each carrying their own determination, the defense of Istria’s main gate began.

Others don’t know.

What I can see.

I mentioned there were a hundred wraiths, but the reality is different. There are more.

It was a sight reminiscent of the end of the world.

If I don’t defeat them, this city might perish.

There are limits to what I can do with the flames of Flare.

But even in the face of a despair-inducing scene, I had no intention of giving up.

To protect everyone.

My father, my mother, my sister.

The people I’ve met, those who have helped me, those I’ve come to know.

I’m here to help everyone.

My spirit doesn’t waver.

I stared straight ahead.

“Don’t underestimate someone who has experienced death.”

Having once faced death, I know the fear associated with it. Therefore, there are things I can endure and things I cannot. The fear of death itself isn’t that significant. What truly frightens me is being unable to do anything and losing something precious. I know the terror of simply dying without accomplishing anything. That’s why I fight. I won’t run away. I won’t give up. I’m not one to give in easily.

The monsters approach.

I gather magical energy in my hands.

“Let’s go!”

As I shout, everyone responds. They hold torches in their hands. I kick the ground. My steps towards the deadly situation are light, and I am filled with excitement.