magic something you do on your own? Shouldn't there be a teacher giving you hints?" I've personally felt

that using "Hyo" in actual combat is the best way to improve overall, but maybe there's an even better method. Given that they've advanced further in research than

someone like me, just arrived in this world. "No... since spiritual resonance depends on

individual talent, we don't really focus on that. My younger sister is a genius—she obtained Photon Ray within just one month of her contract. I never considered that results could vary depending on method..." "Hmm, in a world this reliant on spirit

magic, could that really be possible...?" "Perhaps the Great Temple of Light was somewhat unique

. I mean... it's rather closed-off."

According to Reflair, there are few temples dedicated to the Great Spirit of Light, and even her hometown, Siltion, was built on the very place where the Great Spirit of Light once resided.

It's different from places like this town, where four Great Spirits are gathered and constantly making contracts with explorers... that seems to be the gist.

Still, it makes sense when you think about it—being overlooked like that.

I might have relied solely on Shadowbind if I were a proper warrior.

"Well, whatever—let's just do what we can. After all, we only have so many uses per day."

"There are orcs over there, nyaa. What should we do?"

"Take them down, then look for more ogres."

"Got it, nyaa."

Fighting orcs and goblins isn't satisfying enough, even for practice. Reflair's too strong—there's nothing but slaughter if we just go at it like that.

And so, I practiced Reflia's light spirit magic against an ogre.

Reflia could defeat an ogre even in a straightforward one-on-one fight—she was stronger than the ogre even in her base form. By combining it with Darkness Fog and Light, I could defeat it in a single strike.

Even just bathing the ogre in Light without using Darkness Fog caused it to flinch significantly. It was hard to believe this was only on par with Dark Mist in power.

Apparently, light also had powerful offensive techniques like Photon Ray, and healing magic too—making it undeniably direct, effective, and strong compared to darkness.

…Well, I guess it doesn’t matter since this darkness magic suits me just fine.

"Hah, hah… I really do get exhausted after five uses…"

Reflia, flushed and breathing heavily.

For someone who hasn't gained the favor of spirits, using spirit magic five times must be quite tough. I've used it more than five times just to descend three floors, so the difference in perception is nothing short of drastic.

I discreetly manipulated my status board to appear invisible to the two of them, spending three crystals to exchange for a spirit energy recovery potion.

"Reflia, drink this."

"Huh? Huh? What's this? Juice?"

"Juice with spirit energy recovery effects."

Perhaps because I handed it over so casually, Reflia seemed to take it as a joke and laughed as she drank it all in one gulp.

Well, it does taste exactly like orange juice, after all.

"Thank you, it's delicious—wait, huh? What...? Why??"

"Don't you feel the heat leaving your body?"

"Is this really a genuine Spirit Energy Potion?"

"I told you, didn't I?"

"But Spirit Energy Potions cost five silver coins, right?"

"I just happened to have it on me, so don't worry about it."

Higher than a mid-grade healing potion, a Spirit Energy Potion.

One bottle costs five silver coins—quite expensive.

"Then, let's head down to the third floor and continue practicing spirit magic, Reflea."

"Eh, really!? You're still going to keep going? Hikaru's pretty strict, aren't they?"

"There's not much time left. I need to learn Photon Ray before then."

"Y-you're serious about this…?"

They're being watched by the audience. The more events, the better.

Besides, since she's going through all this trouble to accompany me, she should get something out of it too.

I'll become first place and bring Nanami back to life.

Refleia will remember the Photon Ray and pass the Holy Knight Exam.

Grapeflour will earn more than usual and gradually rise in rank.

Though doing something like this won't truly atone for exploiting them, if they feel even a little benefit from it, I might find some solace myself.

Even if that solace comes only from my own desire to feel better—pure hypocrisy.

In the third layer, by shining light from the Light upon the darkness of the Darkness Fog, most monsters could be thrown into disarray.

With the amount originally usable and the equivalent of two spirit potion bottles, totaling fifteen uses, and with only a few days remaining, it's uncertain whether I'll be able to master the fourth technique—but Refleia herself seems to feel quite encouraged.

Maybe it'll work out somehow.

So, I continued hunting on the third floor for three days.

The Garden Panther never appeared, but with consistent hunting, I started earning more than I did on the second floor.

Perhaps because I've been actively defeating monsters other than trolls, my rank is improving. I feel lighter, and I'm getting more accustomed to combat. I might even be able to take down goblins or orcs from the second floor without using spirit magic now.

"So, Hikaru. You're taking tomorrow off, right? I'm going to ask the Great Spirit whether my rank has increased... and if I can use my new technique."

"Oh, right— the Great Spirit will teach you. I hope you can use Photon Ray soon."

"Hehe. Not quite, though. You can't master it in just three days."

"I guess that's how it works."

The spirit mages of this world can't tell whether a new technique has emerged on their own, so they go to ask the nearby great spirit. They even check their rank at the same time, making the results quite exciting.

I don't need to go asking, since I have a status board.

Still, the status board itself is pretty much a cheat. It has a clock, can set alarms, and with just three points, it can expand into a world map.

The viewership race has seven days remaining.

Today marks exactly one week—halfway through.

My rank is still far from first place.

Tomorrow, I'll descend into the fourth layer alone—