Kanzaki Rei immersed himself in the joy of mastering new spells.
Compared to First-Tier magic, Second-Tier spells were on an entirely different level—far more flexible, far more versatile.
First-Tier spells were almost purely offensive in nature. Functionally, there was little distinction between them.
But Second-Tier magic? It could generate terrain, blast enemies away, disperse fog, summon entities that persisted and continued attacking… the range of effects expanded dramatically.
"Mm… that should be enough learning for today."
After finishing the lesson on Shadow Mire, Iz Palut nodded with a faintly satisfied smile.
"Master Iz?"
"Only six spells? I can learn more."
Rei still felt brimming with energy. Mastering new spells truly was exhilarating.
"The path of exploring the Arcane is a gradual journey," Iz replied calmly. "While learning, you must also think for yourself."
"I know you can learn more spells. If I were willing to teach you, you could even master every Second-Tier spell I know…"
"But that would stray from the true purpose of the Arcane Path."
"Rei, remember… we walk the road of uncovering the very roots of magic."
"Exploration is not merely learning."
...
Rei cooled the excitement in his heart and nodded.
"I understand, Master Iz."
Iz was a good teacher.
His understanding of magic ran deeper than Rei's own.
And his words made Rei think of the Advancement Ceremony.
The process of advancement was meant to showcase the fruits of one's pursuit of the Arcane Path.
Those fruits were not simply measured by how many spells one had learned.
"Come."
Iz stepped into the center of the training field.
"You've learned many spells, but you haven't experienced much combat."
"Your spell control is extremely refined. But your battle standard is still that of a Level 1 novice."
Iz raised a hand toward Rei.
"Attack me with everything you have. I will restrict myself to the mana capacity of a Level 2 Mage and use only First- and Second-Tier spells in response."
"Do not hold back. I am far stronger than you think."
Rei bowed respectfully, his tone serious.
"Master Iz… does that mean we are fighting at the same level?"
The image of his Ice Shard piercing through Iz's chest flashed briefly in his mind.
Iz Palut laughed brightly.
"That's right."
Rei lowered his head, maintaining his respectful posture.
"Master Iz… I'm afraid I might injure you."
Boom!
「Lightning Flash (LV: 101)」
Triple Cast!
At nearly the same instant, forty-two Ice Shards materialized in all directions around Iz—front, back, left, right, above, below—
And shot toward him in an explosive barrage!
「Ice Shard (LV: 101)」
Triple Cast!
Whoosh!
Three earthen walls erupted upward, instantly enclosing Iz within their confines!
A Condensed Flame Sphere gathered in the sky and plummeted downward!
A Silent Wind Swarm had already formed, seamlessly blending into the natural wind currents stirred within the field.
Though soundless and unseen, if that wind brushed against flesh, it would carve it open in bloody gashes.
A Holy Light Cross pinned Iz's shadow in place.
A Curse Arrow hid within the inverted shadows of the stone walls, piercing toward Iz along the darkness!
Three Pillar Surges erupted from the walls, compressing inward from different directions!
Vines burst upward from the ground!
Heh…
Worrying about him getting hurt?
Rei had long since stopped.
Kumironi had said it before—if there was ever another chance to injure him, go for the kill.
If he truly died to a mage below Level 7, then perhaps he deserved it.
Since he carried such a lofty evaluation…
Let me see if you really are that strong, Iz!
Boom!
[Divine · Multicast]
In a single instant, he released every spell he had mastered simultaneously!
Each and every spell—
Triple Cast!
In that fleeting moment, through the gaps in the stone walls, Rei clearly saw the flicker of surprise in Iz's eyes.
Even you didn't expect me to change this much, did you, Iz?
But immediately afterward—
The corners of Iz's lips curled upward.
As expected of my disciple.
He did not speak, yet the thought brushed across Rei's mind in an instant.
The next moment—
Boom!
Ice Shards collided with raging flames.
Flame Spheres were blasted apart by surging water columns.
Curse Arrows were pinned down by radiant crosses.
Stone walls were smashed apart by colossal stone arms.
Vines were incinerated.
Wind blades were shattered by violent gusts.
Crackling lightning was neutralized by reverse-flashing crimson thunder!
Rei saw only a dazzling storm of elemental turbulence sweep across the field—
And the offensive he had constructed was annihilated as though rotten wood before a flood.
「Transcendent Magic — Ice Wave」「Transcendent Magic — Grand Stone Arm」「Transcendent Magic — Furious Skyward Torrent」...
Rei could tell immediately.
These were no ordinary mastered spells.
They were the same as his own.
Transcendent Magic.
And Iz was casting simultaneously as well—releasing multiple spells in a single instant, utterly disregarding conventional casting rules.
Their exchange lasted scarcely longer than a single thought.
The moment Rei's spells formed—
They were swept away completely by Iz!
Such speed.
Even his fastest spell—Lightning Flash—had been countered.
There was no such thing as "too fast to react."
But—
「Lightning Flash」
Boom!
The instant it was neutralized—
Another Lightning Flash detonated directly in front of Iz!
Ice Shards formed again!
Every spell—
Recast in an instant!
Iz raised both hands high and stepped toward Rei.
Boom!
Elements exploded around him!
His spells clashed violently with Rei's, bursting into brilliant colors across the training ground!
His expression burned with excitement.
"Ohhh!"
"Little Rei, you always manage to surprise me!"
Was he truly using only the mana and spells of a Level 2 Mage?
Was he a monster?
Can't beat him? I have two Divine-Tier Talents now!
If Proficiency Evolution was a developmental talent—
Then Multicast was pure combat power.
Releasing all spells instantly, compared to casting them one by one—
The increase in combat strength could be described as a hundredfold surge.
Spells could form synergies, combos—
Not to mention…
Triple Cast.
Iz's voice brimmed with delight. Watching Rei grow like this thrilled him immensely.
"You're still thinking in terms of overwhelming force."
Bang!
In that instant, all of Iz's spells detonated—
Then transformed into the exact same spells Rei was using.
But the quantity—
Was only one-third.
Bang!
Yet Ice Shard collided with Ice Shard. Flame Sphere merged with Flame Sphere…
Identical spells—
But under Iz's control, they completely suppressed Rei's triple volume of magic.
"Magic also demands technique."
"Apply casting technique…"
Whoosh!
Just as Iz intended to hold back slightly while calmly instructing Rei—
A faint line of blood appeared across his cheek.
Iz touched his face lightly.
A speck of red stained the back of his hand.
"Master Iz… is this what you meant?"
Rei's strained smile carried a trace of triumphant confidence.
In Rei's eyes—
Iz saw something unmistakable.
Provocation.
[Silent Wind Swarm — Instant Wind Blade]
It was pride that refused to be looked down upon.
Pride that believed he would not lose to Iz Palut.
Pride that believed—
He would surpass Iz Palut.
How long had it been since he'd seen such eyes?
No…
Not "how long."
Never.
Never had anyone believed they could become a mage stronger than Iz Palut.
Never had he seen anything but humility under instruction, reverent acceptance, and the resignation that losing to him was natural.
Never—
Had he seen the arrogance of someone who believed they would surpass him.
"Ha—haHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA—!!!!!!"
Iz threw his head back and roared with laughter.
"Good!"
"Excellent expression!"
The elements began to riot.
Rei could feel mana surging—howling.
This was completely different from before.
An oppressive force he had never experienced.
"I underestimated you, Rei!"
"You are a powerful mage!"
"You are worthy of being my opponent!"
Mana pressed down like gravity itself, forcing Rei's body to feel heavy.
Iz Palut's figure distorted within the dense sea of magic, as though transformed into a shadow.
Only his wildly laughing mouth—
And those brilliantly shining, exhilarated eyes—
Remained visible.
The elements raged—
The Silent Wind Swarm filled every inch of the training field.
Every breath of wind—
Was a blade.