Chapter 18: The Calm before the Storm
It has been three weeks since I first practiced magic with Hina.
-Farah, please be more focused. (Hina)
-Ughhhh. I'm trying. (Farah)
-3,2,1,...0. Congratulation, you have success in maintaining your mana in the air for 30 minutes. (Hina)
-Hooray. (Farah)
- Once you get hold of this step, the last 2 steps will be much easier. (Hina)
-Fufu, I know I'm the greatest mage ever. (Farah)
Hina hits my head:
-Don't be so cheeky. You need to practice more to be a great mage. (Hina)
-Mooo, let's me be happy for a little longer. (Farah)
Hina smiles and pats my head:
-If you successfully release a spell today, I will take you to eat the biggest parfait in town. (Hina)
-But before that, you need to learn more about how to infuse your mana with elements. You need to detect element particles around you, take them in, and infuse them with your mana. Different color of the particle will represent different elements, for example:
+Red: Fire.
+Brown: Earth.
+Green: Tree.
There are many elements aside from these, with a different element you infuse, the outcome of your spell can be different. Now try it by yourself. (Hina)
-Okay, lets me try it, Hina. (Farah)
First, I let out of my mana into the air. I try to detect nearby elements particles in the air and fuse them with my mana. My mana's color slowly changing to brown.
-Now, you need to imagine what kind of spell will take shape. Depend on your imagination; the outcome of the spell can be different. (Hina)
A spell with the earth element, I can only think of that:
-Golem creation! (Farah)
A 2-meters mud golem was created from mud by my spell.
-Hmmm! A creation spell for the first time, not bad at all, Farah. (Hina)
-Hehehe.(Farah)
-However, you shouldn't use it when you fight with a mage stronger than you? (Hina)
-Why? (Farah)
-They can do this. Mana cancel! (Hina)
With a flick, a mana wave coming out from Hina's body and affect everything nearby. The golem of mine slowly crumbles.
-Ehhh?(Farah)
-A mage stronger than you; can easily take over your mana in the air or creature made from your magic. (Hina)
-Hmm, Hmm. I will remember this, teacher Hina. (Farah)
-But teacher, Hina? (Farah)
-Yes? (Hina)
-Some particle comes from my body when I try detecting the particle around me.
- I never heard of that before. Could you try to infuse it with your mana? (Hina)
-Let's me try. (Farah)
I tried infusing my mana with the red particle inside me.
Condition achieved: These following skill has been unlocked:
Magical Operation (2*): The owner has sufficient skill to create their spell and used it. (Increasing 100% Magical Damage)
Emotion magic (2*): The user will be able to infuse your mana with emotion particles.
??? A side effect will happen if users use other emotion particles.
-Hina, I got a magical operation and a new skill calls emotion magic. (Farah)
Hina comes near and hugs me:
-Good job, Farah. You get yourself a unique skill and magical operation. (Hina)
-Ehehehe.(Farah)
I have gained many status points after training with Hana and Hina. Now my status has become like this:
Name: Farah
STG: 30 (+5)
CON: ∞
DEX: 30 (+5)
INT: 120 (+60)
CHA: ∞
LUK: 1001 (+2)
Lust: Current pts: 231 pts
Chastity: Current pts: 20 beliefs
-How's about going out to eat the parfait now? (Hina)
-All rights, but I need to tell Hana first. (Farah)
-No need. (Hina)
Hina comes and hugs me like a princess.
-Ehhh?(Farah)
-Teleport.(Hina)
I feel dizzy for a moment. Then Hina slowly puts me down:
-We are here. (Hina)
-What is that spell, Hina? (Farah)
-It's exactly like what I have said. It's a spell that can transfer the user to the place you have come. (Hina)
-That's mean you able to interact with space particles? (Farah)
Hina winks at me:
-Yup and it is one of my unique skills. (Hina)
-Can you teach that, Hina? (Farah)
-Let's go into the cafe, for now, Farah. (Hina)
-But Hana still...(Farah)
-Don't worry, that maid will find this place soon. (Hina)
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Hana's pov
The life signal of the master is moved from the guild's backyard to town.
-It seems to be a teleport. This mage is so mysterious, why someone with that level of skill staying here. (Hana)
Through 3 weeks spans of observation, I see that mage doesn't have any ill-intent to master. So I can easily leave my master in her hand.
-I don't need to worry much about master's safety since she is with that mage. (Hana)
Hana takes out a tablet and checks the system report on it:
+Base 3: 30% damaged/Existence X continues attacking the base.
-If this situation continues, I must ask that mage a favor then. (Hana)
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Hina calls the waiter and orders two puddings and one parfait.
-Is it enough? Do you need to order more, Farah? (Hina)
-It's more than enough, Hina. I don't think I can finish the parfait alone, Hana often helps me eating half of it. (Farah)
-Whew, whew. Lets me help you finish it then. (Hina)
-Thanks, Hina. (Farah)
The waiter brings two puddings and a large parfait on the tray to us. We start eating while having a conversation. Hina took out the handkerchief and clean my mouth:
-You should eat slowly, Farah. The parfait won't run anywhere. (Hina)
-Umuu! Thank you, Hina.(Farah)
-From tomorrow, we will start practice in the dungeon, Farah. (Hina)
-Uhm... You mean the place that spawns monsters. (Farah)
-Do you why a dungeon is created, Farah? (Hina)
-The goddesses create the dungeon to let the mortal challenge themselves? (Farah)
-Yes, that's right. (Hina)
-Trial always comes along with the reward. If a person completes the trial given by goddesses. They will be rewarded with a weapon, armor, skill, power, and goddesses artifact. (Hina)
-Ughh, what is a goddess artifact? (Farah)
-It's like its name; an artifact created by the goddess. The artifact can create many miracles such as teleport between planets and creates natural diaster. (Hina)
-That sounds so powerful. (Farah)
Hina smiles:
-But it is incredibly hard to get the artifact. (Hina)
-Have you found any goddess artifact before, Hina? (Farah)
-I am on my way to finding one...(Hina)
-Eh? What is it? (Farah)
-Whew~whew you push all of the jobs to me. And you are sitting here instead do your job. (???)
A rough old man is talking to Hina. He looks like around his 50s.
-I already got my job done for today, Extimus. We will dive into the dungeon from tomorrow. (Hina)
The man smirks and said:
-Right, right. I watched you babysit her for 3 weeks already. You can just ditch her and increase our work efficiency. (Extimus)
-She would help me a lot in the diving dungeon. (Hina)
-It would be better like you said. I don't want to waste more of my time. (Extimus)
-All right. (Hina)
Extimus leaves after he finished reminding Hina.
-Sorry about that, Farah. (Hina)
-No problem, Hina. (Farah)
-.......(Hina)
I continue eating the parfait while Hina is looking at me as if she wants to talk about something.
-What's the problem, Hina? (Farah)
-Why don't you asking about the purpose of diving in the dungeon? (Hina)
I continue eating parfait while answering Hina:
-You probably have your reason. Since you are a good person so you will not do it for a bad purpose. However, if you want to tell me a story, I am willing to listen to it. (Farah)
Hina's face becomes red for a moment:
-You are too naive, Farah. (Hina)
-Eh? (Farah)
-Nothing. (Hina)
After that, I got a pleasant time chatting with Hina.
-Oh, your maid is here. (Hina)
-Hey, Hana. I'm here(Farah)
Hana comes and hugs me.
-Master, don't disappear like that next time. You make me worry. (Hana)
-Sowy, I will tell you next time before I go. (Farah)
-You are overprotecting, maid. (Hina)
-The kidnapper has no right to talk about this. (Hana)
-Fine, fine. Also, can I borrow her for tomorrow? We need to go to the dungeon for practical experience. (Hina)
-Ok. (Hana)
-You can't decline it, she needs experience... Heh? Why do you agree so fast? (Hina)
-I also have one request to ask you after the dungeon dive, so just count this as equal trade. But make sure never to let my master get hurt. (Hana)
-Got it. (Hina)
After finish talking, I go back to the inn with Hana. We cuddle a lot and talk about what happened today.