Magic Maker - How to make magic in another world - - Chapter 67

Magic Maker – How to make magic in another world –

Chapter 67   Rugure’s genealogy

The area around Einzwerf is engulfed in flames, burning knights and adventurers alive. The stench reaches me. It’s my first time witnessing people die. Strangely, I felt less disturbed. Perhaps I’ve overcome the fear of death once, or my mind is numbed by the overwhelming terror. In any case, my head was surprisingly calm.

“What do we do? Charge in?”

It’s a typical strategy for Glast-san, but it won’t have much meaning. I spoke without changing my expression.

“No, I’ll handle him. Glast-san, flank him and launch a surprise attack from behind.”

“Hey, hey, am I supposed to skulk around? And leaving Shion as bait?”

“You might not like it, but this gives us the highest chance of success. Only I, who can see magic, can evade his attacks.”

Glast-san has seen my magic many times, so he should be familiar with its characteristics.

“…Alright, if that’s the only option. Damn it! It’s pathetic, but Shion, I have no choice but to rely on you. Please don’t die. If you die, I won’t be able to face your family.”

“I’ll be fine. I don’t plan on dying.”

Glast-san seemed like he wanted to say more but stopped himself at the last moment. Then he spoke again.

“We’ll win.”

“Yes, definitely.”

With that, Glast-san disappeared into the flames, swiftly traversing the ground. I turned to face Einzwerf. Due to the distance, he hasn’t noticed us. However, for that magic-wielding demon who can see magical power, finding me should be easy. In that case, there’s no point in sneaking forward.

“Hahaha! How delightful, how delightful! It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed the thrill of crushing insects like you! More, more! Let me kill more!”

“Aaaahhhhhhhh”

People are dying. There’s no time to linger, and rushing in without a plan is dangerous. I start running. Darting through the flames, I approach Einzwerf.

He’s just ten meters away. Approaching without trying to hide, I boldly get closer. My body radiates magical energy.

Einzwerf notices me

“Oh? So, you’re a magic user, huh?”

He can see it. He can perceive my magical energy.

“Well, well. Your blood-red hair and eyes, is this from the ‘Rugure lineage’? However, others didn’t possess it. What’s the meaning of this? Why are you different? Answer me, child.”

Rugure? Those without it? What is this guy talking about? Judging by my reaction, Einzwerf tilts his head.

“Do you not know? No, wait. After a thousand years, and back then, they were…

Well then, hehe, I see. So that’s how it is. How cunning, those traitors trying to play smart… hehe! But it’s interesting.

However, it seems you haven’t been informed of anything!

How foolish, foolish, foolish! Indeed, humans remain ignorant! You haven’t learned anything from that time!

Pathetic, manipulated child. You should die here without knowing anything.”

“…I can’t just die here.”

I lower my stance and gather magic at my feet.

“Hmph. Seems like you can use ‘magic,’ though it’s crude.”

“This is magic. It’s not just sorcery.”

“Either way is fine. You’re going to die!”

Red magical energy approaches me, released like a living creature, extending right in front of my eyes. In an instant, Einzwerf snaps his fingers. Simultaneously, flames burst forth, as if igniting gunpowder.

However, I had already anticipated this. I’ve already taken action. Releasing my magic, I leap from the spot. While avoiding the flames, I drop Aqua, gathered in midair.

A water pouch falls between Einzwerf and me. The magical energy is more substantial than I expected. It was about a meter in diameter, likely influenced by the effects of Kakuya.

I’ll make use of this power now. The water wets the surroundings, extinguishing the flames. Droplets of water put out the burning people. The ground becomes soaked.

“Ho! Using interesting magic.”

Seeing Einzwerf’s smile, a mix of admiration and mockery, I felt a chill. He’s enjoying this. I know there’s a difference in our abilities. Maybe all I can do is buy some time. But I have no intention of running away or giving up. I have to give it my all.

He’s only using fire magic. In that case, water magic might be effective. Deciding on this strategy, I shape my magic. A smooth, lukewarm, and surging surge of unknown force, with a slight exhilaration. While embracing these sensations, I land and continue to move through jumps.

Creating an arc around Einzwerf, I run. I mold my magic, and water bullets float near my hands. In an instant, about twenty water bullets, each the size of a water balloon, appear. Estimated magic power is around 1000. Using this amount would be quite exhausting.

I’ve already used a considerable amount of magic, and my internal magic power is undoubtedly fading. I don’t know how far I can go, but I have no choice. I release Aqua Bullets. With the speed reminiscent of an arrow, they head straight for Einzwerf.

Impact. Each has the power of being hit by an iron ball. There should be damage. I thought that, but the next moment, a large amount of steam rose. I couldn’t see. What happened? Before I could think, Einzwerf closed the distance between us in an instant.

He covered a considerable distance with a single kick. Inhuman physical abilities. Is this what a magical being is like? Despite feeling fear, I immediately activate a jump. Jumping sideways, I mold magic in both hands.

“To run away, how heartless.”

Einzwerf instantly pursues me.

What speed! Seeing Einzwerf up close instilled an instinctive sense of disgust. I was struck in mid-air and sent flying far backward. I barely guarded with the steel part of Raika, but I couldn’t absorb the impact completely.

The back of my hand throbs intensely. There’s no doubt my bones are broken, and I hear a pleasant cracking sound in my eardrums. Enveloping my body with Blow, I activated it the moment I landed. Somehow, the impact disappeared.

However, Einzwerf is closing in on my field of vision. The expectation of a strike is overturned in an instant.

In his hands were giant fireballs. What a magical power! It contained about ten thousand magic powers.

If I took that, my body would explode.

“How about this!?”

With a joyful smile, Einzwerf unleashed the flames. I hurriedly molded magic. But there’s no time to escape. Now, even if I quickly mold magic, there’s no time to activate Aqua.

What to do? Time is running out. I’m going to die. It’s over. Everyone is going to die.

“Die? Not a chance. I’ll protect everyone.”

In an instant, a flash of inspiration. It was a reflexive action, without much thought. Yet, my body certainly responded. I released magic into the ground. The ground suddenly absorbed air and swelled up, pulling me into it.

“What!?”

Einzwerf wore an expression of astonishment. Perhaps, he never expected that I would flow magic into the ground, soften the soil, and sink myself into it. The massive fireball passed through where I was and landed just a bit behind. I endured the shockwave by crouching. Without looking back, riding on the shockwave, I kicked off the ground.

Directly in front, Einzwerf was right there. He wasn’t molding magic. It seemed to take some time to mold significant magic power and activate magic. His magic power level was higher, but when it came to molding magic, I had the upper hand. Moreover, he always snapped his fingers when casting magic. He hadn’t done it yet, meaning there was a little more time until activation.

It was a perfect opportunity. I unleashed consecutive magic. Immediately, I cast Aqua Bolt. I released the levitating Aqua and immediately shot the bolt. This time, it should have hit. Einzwerf’s body should be soaked—except it wasn’t. In front of him were floating fireballs, several of them gently swaying as if protecting Einzwerf.

Apparently, Aqua collided with the fireballs, evaporating them. But that wasn’t all. The Bolt I cast immediately after the Aqua also vanished. Einzwerf had solidified his magic power and collided it with the Bolt, making it disappear.

Yes. When magic power is released, it interacts with the atmosphere and becomes atmospheric magic power. If you let a Bolt touch it in that state, the electric current disappears. It utilizes the insulating properties of the atmosphere, the air. I knew about this. However, this demon also knew. What’s going on? The idea that fire could be extinguished with water is understandable. However, the concept of using lightning—no, electricity—came to me because I processed thunder stone. The Bolt was an idea that shouldn’t have occurred to the people in this world. Einzwerf, directing a small smile at me, who had stopped in surprise, spoke.

“You use quite an interesting form of magic. However, every form of magic always has an opposing attribute. This includes the water you unleash and the lightning from earlier. You probably searched for it with your own power, but this level of understanding is basic, even for us.”

Naturally, when you think about it, the demons use magic. Unlike me, it’s second nature to them. When they create fire, they do so without using something like flint. I don’t understand the principles, but there’s no doubt they know more about magic than I do.

“As for lightning, it seems you can’t use it without that tool, but you’re still immature.”

Einzwerf brought his thumb and forefinger close together. Then, a spark of electricity ran between his fingers. The electricity ran across his palm and filled the surroundings with thorns. It was overwhelmingly more powerful than my Bolt.

“This much is easy. Just understand the ‘Principles of Elements.’ However, you won’t be able to comprehend it. It was quite an interesting spectacle, but it ends here.”

In Einzwerf’s left hand, a massive electric current emerged, while in his right hand, a massive fireball formed. Despair was there. There was no way to avoid it anymore. My magic power was almost depleted. Is this the end now? The moment I thought that, a disturbance appeared in my field of vision. Without a word, Glast-san attempted to strike Einzwerf from behind. The lack of presence and the swift attack—it was impossible to evade such a thing. The downward strike landed on Einzwerf’s neck. I thought it hit! In an instant, Einzwerf’s body trembled, as if in a stop-motion video. In that split second, his body rotated, and he kicked Glast-san, who was behind him.

“Guha!”

Unable to evade, Einzwerf’s kick buried into Glast-san’s side. Despite the surprise attack, he predicted Glast-san’s move. Glast-san was sent flying, and Einzwerf, now facing me, rotated. Next is me. If I’m going to die, I’ll make a last-ditch effort. With all my magical power, against him. Einzwerf smirked, madness directed solely at me. Clang! Suddenly, a metallic sound was heard. I searched for its source and found it.

Dad!

I don’t know why he’s here, but Dad came for me. Dad swung his sword down on Einzwerf’s neck. Yes, he had already swung it. However, the sword stopped on the surface of Einzwerf’s neck. Probably a strike delivered with all of Dad’s strength. Despite taking it head-on, it couldn’t sever the neck or inflict a fatal wound.

“What!?”

As Dad’s voice echoed, his body was sent flying. Despite the surprise attacks from Glast-san and Dad, Einzwerf remained unfazed. Calmly, impassively, he turned toward me again.

“Do you think I would die from a mere sword?”

With an assured attitude, Einzwerf slowly approached. The magic he had activated in both hands was gone, but that didn’t matter. If he reactivated it, I would die. Adventurers and soldiers in the vicinity were watching from a distance. No one would think of approaching such a monster. No help was coming. There were no more options. My legs were trembling. Even facing death, what I found terrifying was my inability to protect someone important. Even if I died, no matter what happened, I wouldn’t let him kill. Stopping in front of me, Einzwerf looked down at me.

“You’re quite the kid. In this situation, you’re still thinking about how to defeat me. Suppressing fear, with a look of determination in your eyes. Truly worthy of the Rugure lineage. That spirit, that mentality, that power. Not bad. I like it, kid. I’ll make you my minion. Become a minion who can gain longevity and immense power. In return, lose your sense of self as a human and become my puppet. But don’t worry, you’ll forget everything soon enough. Everything.”

“Run!”

Following that warning, I instantly kicked the ground. However, such an action was within his expectations. Unable to escape, he seized my neck.

“Gu!”

“There’s nothing to fear. It will end soon. Without pain.”

Einzwerf opened his mouth wide, revealing sharp fangs. No way. Is he planning to bite? Was this guy some kind of ‘vampire’?

I struggled desperately to escape, but Einzwerf paid no attention to my efforts. There’s no way I’ll become his minion.

“Gu, let go…!”

Resisting was futile, and pain shot through my neck. In an instant, my body’s senses were taken away. It felt like I was under full-body anesthesia; I had no control.

It’s hopeless. I can’t do anything.

A few seconds of drowsiness.

After that.

“Gaaaaah! Gah! Gii! Goe!”

The one suffering was Einzwerf. He threw me aside, blood dripping from his mouth. He wore an expression of agony, and he touched his throat.

“This… guh, those damn bugs! You! Were you under the ‘Fairy’s Blessing’? Guh, gah! Traitors, once again interfering! Guh, blood! Impure blood! It’s entering my body!”

Einzwerf, veins bulging all over his face, bloodshot eyes, glared at me with fury, starting to manipulate his magic.

My body wouldn’t move. But I had to do something. My mind wasn’t functioning properly.

“Guh, die!”

Einzwerf reached out a trembling hand towards me and released a fireball.

A small ball of fire, but it had enough power to blow my body away if it hit.

Just before impact, I managed to shift my body sideways. However, that alone wasn’t enough to evade it.

It’s going to hit!

I thought so when my body was suddenly pulled forcefully.

With an explosion, soil and stones scattered. My body was protected by something, and I felt no pain.

“Shion! Are you okay!?”

It seemed like Rafina had protected me. She pulled me just before the fireball hit, shielding me from the debris.

Grateful that I avoided this blow, I gained a moment.

“Raise… my hands.”

I struggled to articulate words properly. My body wasn’t responding.

However, it seemed like Rafina quickly understood my intention. She grabbed my hand and turned my palm towards Einzwerf.

“Is this… okay?”

My body felt numb, but I could still manipulate magic.

“You… damn, Rugure!”

Einzwerf, swaying unsteadily, was attempting to cast a spell. The magic emanating from his body seemed unstable, not forming a cohesive aura around him.

I gathered magic power into my hands, but it took more time than usual.

This wouldn’t be enough to defeat him.

Einzwerf created magic again. The amount of magical energy released was greater than before.

Fireballs, a few dozen centimeters in size, formed in both of his hands.

Still.

It’s still too early.

With this…

Einzwerf, still wearing an expression of anger, was about to release the fireball. It seemed hopeless. I had no choice but to fight back. But then, a miracle happened.

“Ooaaaah!”

“Take this!”

Almost simultaneously, my father and Glast swung their swords down from behind Einzwerf. It was a technique with a significant opening during the leap.

However, if it landed, the impact would be immense. The previous attacks had missed, but this time, they hit.

Einzwerf clearly lost his composure, and he was determined to kill me. Their strategy worked. Glast’s sword flash reached Einzwerf’s left hand. A metallic sound echoed, indicating that the hard skin didn’t let the sword pierce through completely. However, a small crack was visible.

It was clear there was damage.

A few moments after the attack, my father struck with a blow from above Glast’s sword.

The result.

“Guaaahh!”

Einzwerf’s left hand was severed.

“Now! Shion!”

With my father’s shout, I released my magical power. It wasn’t a spell, just raw magical energy.

“That won’t work at all!”

Einzwerf, in anger, unleashed fire towards my magical power. He didn’t know what would happen when fire magic touched magical energy. That’s why he could perform such a feat as letting magical energy touch the bolt. Despite the fact that the fire magic he released was blazing around him.

Normally, it would be too dangerous to do such a thing.

He did it without hesitation.

I speculated that this was because he didn’t know what would happen.

And then…

Magical energy touched by fire magic explodes.

Their fire magic contained around 30,000 magical power, while all my magical power amounted to only a few hundred.

When combined, a massive explosion occurred.

“Guaaaaah! Wh-what’s happening!?”

“Giiii! It’s hot! It’s hot! I’m crumbling, my body is aaahhh!”

A desperate scream.

Einzwerf’s red eyes turned towards me.

A gaze filled with intense hatred.

His eyes held a strong resentment.

“You! You, you, youuuuuuu!”

With a bright flash, Einzwerf’s body exploded.

It shattered into pieces without a trace.

The demon self-destructed with his own magic.

As Einzwerf died, the surrounding flames disappeared.

Silence fell.

“Did we defeat him?”

Next to me, Rafina murmured.

Her voice contained strong skepticism, and I felt the same way.

With everyone’s cooperation, we finally managed to defeat him.

It was a culmination of miraculous events.

I thought I would die multiple times.

I thought it was all over.

There’s no magical power left.

Oh no, it’s coming again.

“…I feel like I’m dying. No, I am dying. I’m already dead. I’m dead.

It’s hopeless. It’s over. Everything is finished…”

Mentally drained due to depleted magical power and physically pushed to the limit, my spirit sank into a negative state. I had reached the point of no return. I collapsed right there.

“Sh-Shion!? Hey! Shion!”

I gazed at the figures of my father and the others running towards me, listening to Rafina’s voice. It was over. It seems our lives would continue for now. Knowing that was enough. I relinquished consciousness without resisting the drowsiness that overcame me, accompanied by a profound sense of relief.