Chapter 26: Lord Jonas, So Powerful. |
...
In the open field.
Charis was practicing magic according to the beginner mage's manual.
Holdo and Jonas watched with some concern: "Jonas, are you sure this little one will become a great mage in the future?"
Perhaps due to long-term malnutrition, Charis was quite small, making her appear somewhat delicate as she held and read the magic manual.
Jonas: "No mistake about it.
She'll be a devastating weapon on the battlefield."
Slynda curled her lips: "With that timid look, I doubt she'd even dare step onto a battlefield."
Charis was so exquisitely beautiful that Slynda suspected Jonas had brought her back to satisfy his own desires.
Before Holdo could finish speaking, Charis suddenly raised her fair right hand.
Slynda: "What does she think she's doing?
Without magic crystals, she wants to cast magic?
Isn't that ridic..."
Before she could finish.
The next moment, a massive fireball exploded in mid-air.
BOOM—
The flames instantly illuminated their faces.
Their eyes widened abruptly.
"Huh?!"
Is... is that the Fireball spell?!
No, that's not the point - the real point is, she learned it just by reading about it?!
And successfully cast the Fireball spell.
Wait, she didn't even need magic crystals.
What kind of monster has Jonas brought back?
...
Charis, who had summoned the exploding fireball, also stared dumbfounded at the blast.
The intense flames reflected in her pale blue eyes.
Then she looked at her fair hands.
Is... is this my ability?
After the initial shock, her pale blue eyes suddenly sparkled with joy.
She... she can be useful to Lord Jonas now...
[Charis]
[Magic Ability Value: 134]
[Fireball Proficiency: 80]
Jonas was equally astonished.
These initial ability values and proficiency were incredibly high.
Truly worthy of S-level talent.
He immediately opened his own panel.
[Jonas]
[Magic Ability Value: 670]
[Fireball Proficiency: 400]
[Mana Furnace: 100% Magic Affinity]
...
After binding with Charis.
Jonas could clearly sense the flow of magical energy around him.
Feeling this change, Jonas couldn't help but smile faintly.
With increased magical power combined with swordsmanship.
He could achieve dual cultivation of magic and martial arts, becoming a magic swordsman.
Interesting.
...
At this moment, Charis came running over on her short legs, stopping before Jonas.
"Lord Jonas, I... my magic."
Jonas smiled and patted the girl's head: "First focus on comprehending and practicing. Later I'll find you better magic scrolls."
Charis basked in the touch with slight infatuation.
Then responded firmly with a "Yes!"
...
Many days later.
In the open field.
Charis continued practicing the Fireball spell.
As she conjured fireball after fireball.
The fireballs grew larger, and her casting became faster.
The heat waves from the fireballs made even Jonas narrow his eyes.
Taking a simple Fireball spell to this level would likely astonish even veteran mages.
After so many days of guidance... interaction, Charis's loyalty had reached 30%.
With sixfold returns plus the unique Mana Furnace.
His magic would become even more terrifying.
But just the Fireball spell wasn't enough - he needed to find higher-grade magic scrolls.
And learn healing spells to treat younger sister Oliphina's Black Toxin disease.
It seemed another city visit would be necessary later.
But for now, this was an excellent start.
While practicing, Charis couldn't help stealing glances at Jonas.
Jonas sat in a recliner, drinking milk, savoring its rich smoothness as it slid down his throat, an involuntary smile appearing.
Seemingly influenced by Jonas's mood, Charis also felt happy.
Lord Jonas seems in good spirits.
Noticing the girl's smile, Jonas said:
"Well?
Do you like the gift I gave you?"
The girl wore a deep purple magic robe, the soft fabric draping to her calves, its subtle embroidered patterns shifting slightly with movement. Matching colored stockings hugged her slender legs, the silver rune patterns at the tops both delicate and playful.
When she rose slightly on tiptoe, her skirt swayed, revealing pale ankles, her whole being exuding a mysterious yet lively aura.
This outfit was Jonas's gift to her.
Charis fiddled with her sleeves, leaning forward slightly, her face flushing.
"My Lord, I love it..."
Jonas instinctively patted Charis's head.
"What are you thinking about?"
Feeling Jonas's touch, Charis's face grew slightly warm.
"N-nothing?"
"How's your magic progress now?"
Charis thought for a moment:
"Well... my magic growth has slowed recently.
Mainly because there's too little advanced magic material, and the Fireball spell is too basic - hard to make breakthroughs."
Jonas extended a hand: "Then let me teach you.
Watch carefully, learn well...
Gradually incorporate what I teach into your own understanding."
"Is Lord Jonas also a mage?"
Jonas nodded slightly: "You could say that."
"Huh?"
She hadn't seen Lord Jonas practice magic before.
At this moment, Jonas opened his outstretched right hand.
The next instant.
Magic gathered.
An enormous fireball exploded in mid-air.
The dazzling flames and shockwave made Charis's hair flutter wildly.
Her eyes widened immediately.
Mouth agape.
Her gaze filled with admiration.
"Wow—"
"L-Lord, you're so powerful!"
The same simple Fireball spell, yet when the Lord used it, it was many times more powerful than hers.
And his casting speed was more than twice as fast.
Most importantly, within this spell, she sensed something similar to what she possessed.
Making her feel even closer to Jonas.
Jonas: "Want to learn?"
"Yes!"
"Then I'll teach you, and you must improve.
I'll be counting on you in the future."
"Yes!
I'll work hard!"
[Charis]
[Loyalty: 35%]
[Magic Ability Return: 7x]
.....
BOOM—
Outside the walls of a noble's territory.
Magic-formed ice pillars smashed violently against the towering walls.
The thick walls crumbled, tearing open a hideous breach amid the dust.
Before the dust settled, countless figures surged in like a tide.
They wore simple coarse linen clothes, white badges on their shoulders glinting in sunlight.
These "Destiny Army" members wielded cold-gleaming weapons, advancing like sharp swords under cover of rear-platform mages' spells.
The defending noble soldiers hastily resisted but were steadily pushed back by the Destiny Army's assault.
On the platform behind the Destiny Army.
A white-robed elder patted the girl beside him.
"Evelos, your magic growth is truly astonishing.
Just months ago, you could barely repel a small squad - now you can shatter city walls.
You can even use Black Iron-rank magic now.
Such progress speed is practically unheard of."
The black-robed girl beside him exhaled, her purple hair appearing eerily beautiful under blue magical radiance.
"It's thanks to the scrolls Teacher provided.
I'm still only Greenstone-rank, barely managing Black Iron-rank spells."
"Being able to use Black Iron-rank magic at Greenstone-rank is already a unique talent.
With your joining, 'Destiny' will grow even stronger!"
"The honor is mine."
As she spoke.
The girl brandished her ice-crystal-embedded staff, silver bells at her wrist chiming clearly.
Her vermilion lips parted, obscure incantations flowing between teeth as air suddenly solidified, temperature plummeting.
Sharp ice spikes sprouted from the ground like bamboo shoots after rain, whistling through air.
They shot toward still-resisting noble soldiers.
The spikes pierced armor and flesh with precision, leaving hideous holes in bodies.
The girl panted slightly, brushing aside hair fallen over her forehead: "Regin Family, you're next."