27. Divine Arts
"Alright, today we’ll test the Divine Arts."
After eating the breakfast Mitoka had prepared the next morning, Shiro decided to tackle his greatest concern: verifying the Divine Arts.
Divine Arts are spells powered by divine energy, which itself is generated by synthesizing magical energy and life force. The catch, though, is that this synthesis is tricky—it’s not something you can do easily.
High difficulty means you’re capable of handling advanced magic and life-force techniques. Mastering Divine Arts allows you to cast spells far beyond what ordinary magic can achieve.
Divine energy doesn’t just let you manipulate the deeper layers of the world’s structure—Seingraph—it also connects to the soul itself. That makes it essential for spells that seem impossible otherwise: mind-based magic, space-time manipulation, gravity control, soul-based techniques, and even magic that interacts with life forms.
"Design-wise, it’s supposed to be a synthesis of magical energy and life force at the same density and wavelength, but you have to maintain that balance through willpower," Shiro recalled.
"Yes. Adjusting it with life force alone was already difficult, so this synthesis will take time. There’s no substitute for practice," Mitoka replied calmly.
"True. It took me ages to master life-force control, so learning to wield divine energy will probably take even longer. Gotta be patient…"
"Shiro, before we go further—Divine Arts require at least Magic Level 2 and Life-Force Technique Level 3. Your Magic Level is past two, but your Life-Force Technique Level is still one."
"Ah, right. Level 2 was about releasing life force and phase-shifting it into gas form, right? And Level 3 means… particle-phase shifting to create a life-force blast?"
"Yes."
You can't start unless you try, Shiro thought, focusing his awareness on his lower dantian, summoning energy, and consciously wrapping it around his body. Then he imagined releasing that energy from his hands.
……
Trying to move his life force as he had with magic, imagining it like before, proved harder than expected. He’d managed it easily enough with magic just now—then again, maybe he was overthinking it. Mitoka offered advice.
“Shiro, life force needs deeper focus. Keep your mind and body in sync.”
“Ah, right. Qi arts are about unity of mind and body. That’s what matters most.”
Shiro resettled into a lotus position.
He began at his toes, gradually raising his awareness upward through his body.
After circulating it to the crown of his head, he extended his consciousness to every corner of his body, then gently guided it into a state of nothingness.
Then he visualized his life force seeping out like gas from every pore of his body.
——‘[Qi Defense] Level 1 acquired.’
——‘[Focus] Level 1 acquired.’
——‘[Meditation] Level 1 acquired.’
“Huh, new skills. These must be Qi Arts Level 2?”
“Precisely. By slightly projecting life force outside the body, you form a protective barrier.”
“Good. Any extra defense is better than none. And the Qi Bullet—yeah, that’s basically a Qi cannon, right?”
“Fufu, exactly.”
“Feels like I could actually pull that off.”
Shiro steeled himself.
In the state of Qi Defense, he focused—concentrating hard. He’d need at least Focus Level 200, so he poured everything into it.
Something told him he could do it now. He raised one hand.
Extended his index finger, and imagined a sphere of life force bursting from its tip.
Then, aiming at a random target, he snapped his focus—sending the Qi flying.
A faintly glowing transparent sphere shot forward and struck the rock.
At the moment of impact, the sphere didn’t explode—instead, it seemed to vanish smoothly, absorbed into the stone. Then, suddenly, the rock crumbled.
——『[Qi Bolt] Level 1 acquired』
“Huh. This is a pretty strange attack. Anyway, that makes Qi Level 3, right?”
“Yes. Congratulations, Shiro.” Mitoka smiled.
Good. Next up—control of divine energy. Shiro steeled himself.
◇
Divine energy generation, by design, involves synthesizing magic and Qi at the same density and wavelength, then maintaining it through willpower.
The specific procedure: first, saturate the body with magic, keeping it in a calm, liquid-like state. Meditate in that state for a while, then simultaneously generate Qi. While spreading the Qi throughout the body, imagine and maintain it in the same liquid form.
By mentally envisioning both forces mixing evenly, like waves overlapping at the same wavelength, and consciously merging them into one cohesive force, divine energy can be produced.
Recalling this, Shiro attempted to put it into practice—
“……”
“……”
“No. This is tough. Feels like they won’t blend at all. No sign of wavelength synchronization either.”
He slumped. Then,
“Why the hell did I design it like this?” he regretted.
“Shiro, this design is yours, yes—but it’s also a fact of the world created by the divine. Blaming yourself won’t help. Only effort matters,” Mitoka comforted him.
“Haha… yeah. Just keep practicing, that’s all.”
After focusing for about three hours, he tried again and again, but still couldn’t get it right. Shiro sighed, resigned. Tomorrow, he’d try again.
＝＝Status Check＝＝
Shiro, Clan Kaminaka — Human (?), Male, 17
Level: 17
Class: SA
Vitality: 1001/1001
Magic: 142/152
Stamina: 185/193
Physical Attack: 429
Physical Defense: 429
Magic Attack: 1076
Magic Defense: 429
Dexterity: 590
Agility: 914
Luck: 100
Status: Super Healthy
Attribute: None
Title: [Disciple of the Goddess Firumia]
Plugin: [Basic Magic Spirit]
Unique Skills: [Idea] Level 1, [Mitoka] Level 1, [Instant Death Resistance] Level MAX
Skill: [Magic] Level 3, [Magic Perception] Level 3, [Magic Manipulation] Level 3, [Hyper Memory] Level 4, [Concept Language], [Materialization] Level 2, [Scouting] Level 1, [Identification] Level 1, [Inventory] Level 1, [Invisibility] Level MAX, [Stealth] Level MAX, [Magic Control] Level 1, [Earth Magic] Level 1, [Water Magic] Level 1, [Ice Magic] Level 1, [Wind Magic] Level 1, [Fire Magic] Level 1, [Thunder Magic] Level 1, [Barrier] Level 1, [Intuition] Level 1, [Premonition] Level 1, [Spatial Mobility] Level 1, [Alchemy] Level 1, [Shaping] Level 1, [Precision Magic Control] Level 1, [Manifestation] Level 1, [Heating] Level 1, [Qi Skill] Level 1, [Spirit Sense] Level 1, [Spirit Manipulation] Level 1, [Body Strengthening] Level 1, [Body Control] Level 1, [Martial Arts] Level 1, [Spirit Aura] Level 1, [Swordsmanship] Level 1, [Lance Combat] Level 1, [Staff Combat] Level 1, [Barrier Sphere] Level 1, [Psychokinesis] Level 1, [Spirit Defense] Level 1, [Focus] Level 1, [Meditation] Level 1, [Spirit Bolt] Level 1