第２５１堀：フラグは乱立し水も滴る (Part3)
“W-Wow, that’s incredible. As expected of the man who defeated the Principal, Miss Eris’s husband is on another level. To pull off chantless magic so casually...”
Actually, forget my wives—even Taiki over there can do chantless magic at this level.
Come to think of it, most of my wives and Taiki are basically warrior types. Now that I’m dwelling on it, don't I have an unusually high number of front-line fighters? The only ones who stay in the back are Rurua and Eris.
What is this, a muscle-brained party? As for dedicated healers, it’s just me and Rurua.
Anyway, setting that aside, how does he "steal" this fireball I’ve manifested?
“So, Eoid, what are you going to do with this?”
“Ah, sorry. Let me borrow it for a second.”
With that, he effortlessly snatched control of the spell and drew the fireball toward his own hand.
“Ah, I see how it works now.”
“Yes. I can only steal magic that someone else has already activated. Usually, I’m paired with Amanda, so it’s not an issue... but when I team up with others and use this technique, they give me the most horrible looks. It’s caused a lot of bad blood, and I’ve ended up in quite a few duels because of it. It’s been tough.”
I see. Honestly, that sounds like a classic trope.
“I think that talent is amazing, but I guess the other students didn't see it that way.”
“Th-Thank you. The only ones who’ve ever said that to me are Amanda, Cleena, and the Principal.”
Who’s Cleena? Is he already triggering flags with someone else? Eoid really is a protagonist.
“It’s not that I can’t fight with a sword, but I don't get evaluated for that. Since I can’t use magic normally, I usually just end up following everyone around. Amanda said this would be a good opportunity, which is why I joined your monster hunt, Yuki.”
As he spoke, Eoid threw the fireball I’d given him at a tree, letting it dissipate.
Phew, thank goodness. I’d kept the magic at a mere spark level. If I’d used my usual output, that fireball wouldn't have vanished until it had bored a hole straight through the forest. It wouldn't have just been a forest fire; it would have been a catastrophe.
Breaking into a cold sweat for a different reason, I spoke to the apologetic-looking Eoid.
“I get it. I don't mind at all, so I’m happy to hunt monsters with you. What about you two?”
“I don't mind either,” Taiki said. “In fact, I have no objections. Actually, since we’re here, why don't you use this chance to learn how to use magic properly, Eoid?”
“Huh? If it were that easy to learn, I wouldn't be struggling like this, Taiki. I’ve tried all sorts of things on my own, but nothing worked.”
Well, that makes sense. If he could learn it easily, he wouldn't be standing here looking so dejected. But that’s only because he’s self-taught.
“Don't worry. I’ll teach you properly. I can use mana manipulation too.”
“What?”
“Don't look so surprised. It’s not like it’s a skill unique to you. Though, granted, most people don't know how to use it. Yuki-san, could you manifest another fireball like the one before?”
“Sure thing.”
Responding to Taiki’s request, I produced a fireball. Taiki immediately snatched control of it. Seeing this, Eoid was visibly shocked.
“Y-You really did it...”
“Well, normally you can’t. Actually, stealing Yuki-san’s magic is usually impossible. This guy puts multiple layers of protection on his spells.”
“Protection? But I took control of it so easily just now?”
“That’s because the power was so low it didn't matter. When it comes to high-output spells where a misfire would be disastrous, the control formulas become unique to the individual. Unless you’re incredibly compatible, you can’t just snatch them. Does that ring a bell?”
At Taiki’s question, Eoid fell into thought. Then, as if finding the answer, his face lit up with realization.
“Now that you mention it... there was a guy I fought in a duel. It was really hard to steal his Wind Storm. He fired it three times, and I only managed to grab control of the last one to barely win.”
“...I feel like you should be able to steal something of that level easily, though.”
“Huh?”
Don't look at me. Stop looking at me.
“Never mind. Anyway, do you understand now that I can teach you?”
“Yes! Please, teach me! I don't want to be a burden to the girls anymore. I want to be a man who can stand tall beside them!!”
““Ooh, what a hunk!””
Taiki and I spoke in perfect unison.
I couldn't help it. There aren't many guys who can say such embarrassing lines with a straight face. He really is a protagonist.
“Alright, to become that man who can stand tall, let’s start practicing immediately.”
“We’re starting now?!”
“Yeah. Here, try to take control of my Water Ball.”
“...You can do chantless magic too, Taiki?”
“Don't get depressed over every little thing. You’re the biggest amateur here anyway. Hurry up and take control.”
“That’s harsh... There! Like this?”
“Good. Now, maintain that state until the monster hunt is over.”
“What? That’s impossible! I can’t maintain magic I’ve stolen from someone else for long. Five minutes at most.”
“Look right in front of you. There’s a guy who stole a fireball from Yuki-san, and it’s been ten minutes already.”
“Oh.”
“The reason you can’t maintain it is because you haven't mastered that attribute’s magic, so you don't know what to do to keep it stable. Look, the Water Ball is shrinking. Maintain it.”
“H-How am I supposed to maintain it?!”
“Just pour your own mana into it to replenish what’s missing.”
“I told you, I can’t use water magic!!”
“Calm down. The fact that you have control over it means you *are* using water magic. In your case, the problem is that you steal control and then isolate the magic. Just connect it to your own mana. Normally, it’s actually harder to isolate it with mana control like you’re doing.”
Taiki was right. In Eoid’s case, because he’d been called a thief, he’d likely learned how to isolate the magic so he wouldn't have to "touch" it. In other words, he’d mastered the difficult art of magical isolation first.
Incidentally, if he practiced this and refined it, he could eventually create zones where magic is completely nullified.
Of course, it was easier said than done. Eoid’s water sphere promptly splashed apart. The cause was simple: his mana supply stopped, and he couldn't maintain the form.