8 Chapter 9: Battle (1/2)

As we stood in our positions, monsters started to come out from the woods. it was 6 Goblins.

”Hmm, this will serve as good training.” I quietly muttered

The goblins wore a cloth on their waste and carried a club. They didn't look strong and were the size of a dwarf, but looks can be deceiving and they are monsters after all. They be a bit buff but less than the blacksmith that we met. They definitely look stronger than a guy who's all skin and bones like me..

The Goblins slowly approached us. It seemed as if they were wary. For monsters they're pretty smart.

The first to attack was me. I shot off the 4 Ice spikes at the the 4 Goblins and in an instant, the moment there was impact, they froze up. They tried to dodge but my spikes out-sped them.

Whoa.. I might not need any other spells if this one is this strong, I'll name this spell Glacies.

Seeing as how their comrades were frozen. The remaining two looked frightened and slowly started to step back. However..

”Glacies.”

At a single word, within seconds, 2 Ice Spikes were formed around me.

Since I've gotten a feel for the spell, i'm able to use it faster.

Seeing this, the goblins began to tremble and shriek..

”what..? You're scared? Even though you came all this way to attack us, you're thinking about running?”

After i said that, the goblins turned around and started running in an attempt to escape. But, before they even realised, they had been frozen by my Glacies.

Seeing this, Ariel looked speechless. I Couldn't really tell what she was thinking but she was probably afraid.. I mean it's only natural i guess..

After she saw my saddened expression, Ariel walked up to me and asked. ”What's wrong? That was Amazing! You easily managed to take all of them out! C-Can you please teach me how to use magic just like you?” With dimly lit eyes and excited expression

That was the first time i ever saw her this agitated.

”Thanks for trying to cheer me up, yes, yes, I'll teach you”

Seeing my smile, Ariel showed a relieved expression on her face

So she was worried about me..

”Pfft, hahaha”

”W-What.. What's so funny!?” she said with her cheeks puffed up

”Sorry, sorry.” I said with a content expression on my face

I guess it was a bit bad of me to assume such a thing.

”S-So how will i be able to use magic like you? I wasn't of any help in the fight and i don't want you to think i'm useless..” she said with a saddened expression on her face.

Ah.. so she was worried about that..

I let out another laugh

”don't worry, i'll do my best to teach you what i know, but after we collect the goblin ears.. It'd be good if we could take their whole body in exchange for silver but we can't really carry it all.”

She nodded in response

Besides, despite all of those casts, i don't feel tired at all. Not to mention i don't need to chant. Isn't this pretty broken?

I walked up and asked. ”How will i melt these?”

She shook here head in response

”Ah i have an idea”

I placed my hand on the ice and it melted

”What did you do?”

”Well, I changed its state from solid to liquid. I imagined the particles which were once tight together, separating, having more space to move and more movement. it may have melted but the water is still cold so be careful”

So basically, i imaged the particles acting as they would in the liquid state

Ariel showed a deeply confused expression

That makes sense, she's never learnt about this so i can see why.

”Ah, don't worry about the details, i just imagined the Ice turning into water”

”Still.. To be able to do that..”

”Hehe..” I nervously chuckled

I unfroze all of the goblins and as it had turned out, they were dead. I didn't feel guilty at all for killing monsters, they're doing what they can to survive, and i'm doing what i can. Besides, i hate goblins.

We cut off their ears with the daggers given to us and placed them in the bag.

Despite all the blood spurting every where, Ariel didn't seem to bothered by it. In fact, she seemed used to it... Not a scene you'd expect to see from someone with such a cute face but i didn't mind.

In fact it was good that she had no problems with blood as we would be getting into a lot of fights as adventurers.

”Hm.. but this is certainly a problem.. Changing the state takes quite a bit of energy... Ariel.”

”Yes?”

”I'm going to try learning a new a spell. Do you mind waiting, before we head back?”

”Mnm, not at all.” She said while she shook her head.

”Thanks”

I sat on the ground and began concentrating again. A spell which can efficiently cut the enemies without having to worry about burning the forest.. Ah that's it!

”Alright, i have an idea.”

She observed me carefully as if trying to understand the process. And around 10 seconds later a tree was sliced in half.

”?! Was that a wind spell?” She asked

”B-But how.. Most people are only able to use one element..”

”Hmm, It's either because i have aptitude for both or because i am able to grasp the concept..?”

She gave me a look as if she wanted me to teach her.

”Anyways, i think it's time for your first lesson.”

With a joyous expression on her face she thanked me

”The first thing i'll be teaching you is magic perception. To use magic you need to understand and feel the flow of mana in your body”

”Yes.”

”For that you'll need to concentrate.. Close your eyes and focus on your senses.. Try to imagine what magic feels like and try to feel the flow of mana within you. Don't lose focus.”

She nodded her head and closed her eyes. After a while, nothing seemed to have happened. If a person walked in, i'm sure they'd find it weird how she just motionlessly stood there. But i knew that she was concentrating and didn't want to disturb her.

After a few minutes, she opened her eyes.

”Were you able to feel it?”

”Yes! I was able to feel and see my flow of mana and the flow of life coming from the trees, plants and you. It felt amazing being able to see the world in this new way..”