第１２２４堀：魔術の基礎 (Part2)
"Ahaha, I’m taking the stance of 'I’ll hear the rest later,' but being kept in suspense like this really makes the other party anxious, doesn't it?"
"Now then, let's start with basic fire magic. Mikos, can you do it?"
"Yes. Fireball."
She cast the most fundamental of all spells, the 'Fireball,' firing a single shot at standard power. Well, there are likely others in this viscount's territory who could manage at least this much. We even had mages among the retainers.
Oh, by the way, Kagura and Enora are off on separate business today. Kagura is handling deliveries and paperwork regarding gifts from Haiden and our future schedule, while Enora is visiting the local church. Since we’re only staying in this town for two days, we’ve decided to get everything finished early. I’m not sure if we’ll have the leisure to chat comfortably once we return from the goblin village, after all.
I was just thinking that if Kagura were here, maybe little Mikos would have been sitting comfortably in that seat over there, when...
"Yes! I can do Fireball too!"
Fusora-chan shot her hand up with a *zip*, eager to show off.
"Oh, that’s impressive. In that case, would you mind helping me with a demonstration?"
"Eh? Father?"
"Ah, it’s fine. Go ahead."
"Yes! Then I shall assist!"
With the viscount’s permission, Fusora-chan hopped off her chair and came over to me.
"Thank you, Fusora-chan."
"You're welcome. So, what should I do?"
"First, just like Mikos, please try firing a Fireball at that target over there."
"Yes. Mmm... O sphere of flame, pierce! Fireball!"
Oh, although there was a slight lag, Fusora-chan produced a Fireball on par with my own level and struck the straw dummy squarely. Her precision was sufficient, too. I think she could easily get by at the Haiden Magic Academy with this. Well, at this level, she’d still be a total novice, but for her age, this level of talent is incredible. Honestly, she’s far more capable than Mikos was back then.
"Wonderful power, precision, and incantation speed."
"Thank you very much!"
"Are there any other spells you can use?"
"Um, other than this, I don't have any other attack magic..."
"It doesn't have to be attack magic. Let's see, how about 'Light'?"
"Light? Yes, I can use that. O light, shine! Light!"
Fusora-chan immediately conjured a floating light with a look that said it was only natural. Ho-ho. So she can handle daily-life magic without issue. Well, usually, one masters these before moving on to offensive spells.
"Splendid. Now, can you also use the water-conjuring spell, 'Water'?"
"Yes! O water, well forth! Water!"
This time, she performed the demonstration perfectly. Yep, that confirms she can handle the basics of Light and Water.
"Thank you. It’s a rough summary, but I want you to remember that what Fusora-san just performed is the absolute foundation. And don't forget that you must learn to apply them."
"Apply them?"
"Exactly. For instance, take the 'Water' spell you just used..."
As Yuki-sensei said this, he demonstrated the same 'Water' spell Fusora-chan had used. A somewhat unreliable trickle of water began to drip from the air.
"In magic, imagery is everything. With a standard 'Water' spell like this, you get at most enough for one person to drink, but if you imagine a much larger quantity..."
*Gush-gush-gush...*
The stream transformed into a spray with the force of a high-pressure hose.
"And, even more..."
The volume of water increased further, pouring out like a small river.
"Amazing! Yuki-sama, can you do even more?"
"Yes. Here we go..."
Perhaps he got lazy at the end, as he stopped even pretending to chant and simply amplified his mana.
*Doba-paaaa...*
Whoa, that’s enough water to call it a flood. Even so, as expected of Yuki-sensei, he didn't leave the surroundings soaked; he managed to direct the water into a depression he had prepared beforehand.
"Wow, a pond appeared!"
"Indeed. This is the amazing thing about magic. Even with basic spells like this, depending on how you use them, you can nourish the land like this, or if you release a flood-level amount, you could wash away your enemies."
"..."
At Yuki-sensei’s words, the viscount and the others’ eyes sharpened in an instant. Well, that’s only natural. To think that a mere daily-life spell like 'Water' could also be used on the battlefield.
"Nngh!! Yuki-sama, I can only make the force a little bit stronger!"
"Ahaha, that’s just a lack of practice and mana on your part, Fusora-san. By practicing this every day, you’ll be able to produce more, and your mana capacity will grow as well."
"Is that so? ...Wait, what?"
Fusora-chan started to sway. Ah, mana exhaustion. Mikos-chan gently stepped in to support her.
"Ah, Mikos-sama, thank you."
"It’s quite alright. I used to have that happen to me a lot, too."
Yeah, that brings back memories. Now then, while letting Fusora-chan rest, Yuki-sensei’s magic demonstration continues. I wonder just how much he intends to show them? The topic of the basics of using magic is a common trope in every story, but if you dig deep enough, it seems like you could come up with all sorts of fun tales, doesn't it?