Chapter 4: One Year Later (Patreon)

He glanced at Roxy, whose face was full of anticipation.

Rudy got straight to the point. "Turning magic from active to passive... The most important part of this is the method of detection for defense. For example, when we encounter a magical beast, or an enemy. We use our awareness and perception to recognize who — or what — we're facing. And then we launch the corresponding magical attack.

"From what Master Roxy explained this morning, I realized that creating a spirit out of elements can achieve the same effect. You place the spirit on your own body, and at the same time, set it to a fixed trigger condition. As long as that condition is met, it fires automatically. That way, you turn an active response into a passive one. Even if you're walking alone out in the wilderness, as long as you have a spirit guardian, you can rest easy.

"Also, you can use the spirit to pre-set part of the elements needed. That speeds up the casting of the whole spell, and if you want it even faster, you could craft a matching magic tool. Stack the two together, and the overall casting speed should jump by a huge margin.

"At the same time, you could use a spirit as a storage unit for magic power elements. You could even use the spirit itself as the outcome of the spell. Turn the spirit into a powerful bomb — in that case, you get the fastest possible casting speed of all.

"There's even another approach — you could use a spirit to hold a spell in a pre-cast, ready-to-fire state. Then a single command would trigger the spirit into casting instantly."

"..."

"..."

As Rudy laid out idea after idea, one after another, the excitement that had filled Roxy's expression at first slowly gave way to something closer to dread. Because she'd realized something. Many of Rudy's ideas, however wild they sounded, were, in a great number of directions, genuinely achievable.

Of course, that wasn't the real reason for her fear. What truly frightened Roxy was that every single direction Rudy was researching existed purely to inflict maximum damage on an enemy as fast as possible!!! By any means necessary!!! As long as there was a way, as long as it could bring down an enemy, no method was too filthy for Rudy to refuse.

If — if Rudy used these methods on actual enemies, there'd be no problem at all. But if Rudy turned them against innocent living beings instead — what a horrific, blood-soaked scene that would be!!!

The thought made Roxy ask, worry plain in her voice: "Rudy... You carry a very powerful noble bloodline. In the future, there's a real chance you'll end up caught in conflicts between nations, between races. So — how do you see all this?"

Looking at the worry etched on Roxy's face, Rudy laughed. "Is Master worried I'll go around slaughtering innocents? Honestly, Master, you don't need to think in such extremes. To be honest, if you hadn't brought it up, I never would've thought this far. When the time comes, I can only say I'll deal with it then. But I do understand how powerful magic can be. I can tolerate a lot — I'm not exactly short-tempered. But if someone really crosses the line, I won't let it slide. Because my bottom line has always been my family!"

Looking at how deadly serious Rudy's eyes were, Roxy nodded gently. "I hope you'll keep your word."

Rudy nodded too, smiling. "Since Master's asked, I'll make sure I do."

"Actually..."

Roxy sighed. "You don't really need to call me Master, you know. Your abilities already far exceed my ceiling. I believe whatever you achieve in the future will far exceed anything I could imagine."

Shaking his head, Rudy stepped forward and took Roxy's hand. He smiled. "Then how about we're teachers to each other? Master Roxy, you teach me the knowledge of a Saint-rank mage. And I'll teach you how to use chantless magic. What do you say?"

Roxy pressed her lips together, looking at Rudy's earnest face. Truth be told, she'd always believed magic required chanting to work. If she really could use magic without chanting, her own strength would grow enormously. In that moment, Roxy was genuinely tempted. But looking at the boy in front of her — only three years old — she couldn't help a flicker of hesitation.

Rudy, though, paid that no mind. He simply smiled and launched straight into a detailed explanation of chantless magic.

Seeing this, gratitude welled up in Roxy's heart. She said a quiet thank-you, and then listened with utmost attention.

...

...

Time slipped by. Before anyone quite noticed, a full year had passed. Three-year-old Rudy had grown into four-year-old Rudy. Roxy, too, had gradually mastered some methods of chantless magic. And together with Rudy, they'd developed a number of rather interesting spells.

Out on the wild grassland, Rudy stood there, quietly watching Roxy, eyes closed, practicing chantless magic.

He raised a hand and gave it a sweep. Streams of wind element turned into currents of air, weaving swiftly around Roxy's body... In an instant, Roxy's neatly pressed clothes were sent fluttering wildly upward.

Roxy, caught off guard, opened her eyes, and stared at Rudy, utterly speechless. "What are you doing?"

Rudy asked with a grin, "Master Roxy, were you tidying up last night?"

Roxy let out a sigh. "So you heard, huh," she said quietly.

Rudy nodded, smiling. "Not just heard — I saw too."

As he spoke, Rudy raised his hand and summoned a red-colored elemental spirit. "Master Roxy, the light in your room — that's been her doing the whole time."

Roxy furrowed her brow, speechless. "So... everything I do and say in my own room, you've been able to see all along?"