Volume 4, Chapter 39 – Devastating Magic

I should try the [Hyper-computation] version.

As usual, the optimized information from [Hyper-computation] flooded into Fia’s mind. She then lifted her head and used [Airflow Control] on a sand dune about a hundred meters away.

Whoosh—

A sky-darkening storm instantly erupted.

The sand pelting her face made Fia instinctively hold her breath and raise a hand to shield her forehead. Although the massive cyclone was a hundred meters away, the airflow it generated was strong enough to blow sand onto her.

If the previous [Airflow Control] was just a whistling cyclone that kicked up a small amount of dust, then this was a howling gale capable of lifting a person off their feet.

Like a high-speed vehicle at an altitude of ten thousand meters, in the blink of an eye, a hundred-meter-tall pillar of sand formed before her. Its overwhelming presence dimmed the sky, and even Fia’s black cloak, twin tails, and dress were swept forward by the wind.

Feeling the suffocating sensation brought on by the accelerating airflow, Fia couldn’t help but think that if she hadn’t been using [Flight] to maintain her position from the start, with the princess’s body weight, she would have surely been sucked into the sand tornado.

Fia quickly formed an eggshell-like shield around herself with [Telekinesis]. After the uncomfortable feeling of suffocation gradually dissipated, she began to try and control the airflow.

Generally speaking, the larger an object, the harder it should be to control. But compared to the previous miniature cyclone, the tornado a hundred meters away was actually easier to manage. At full power, its speed was comparable to that of a flying bird, and its maximum range could extend beyond one hundred and fifty meters. Furthermore, Fia could switch the airflow between the forms of a tornado and a miniature cyclone, making the idea she had initially conceived—using the airflow to slow down flying objects—achievable.

Not only that, but Fia could also perform fine manipulations of the airflow. For example, she could split one strong current into multiple streams, one to lift her from the ground and another to propel her forward. Although this would inevitably affect the environment (such as scraping off the top layer of the ground as she moved), it was another option nonetheless.

The feeling of being pushed forward by a cool stream of air was very novel. Fia could even lie on her back on a cushion made of air and have another stream push her along. It was more than ten times more comfortable than [Flight].

It felt like she wouldn’t need a carriage in the future; she could just have Anastasia and the others sit on air cushions and fly. Fia couldn’t help but imagine the flying carpet from Aladdin’s lamp, but in reality, the air cushion was more like a hovercraft.

After playing around for a while and getting a general grasp of [Airflow Control], Fia soon began to learn the next spell. She snapped her fingers, cutting off the mana supply to the spell. The wall of wind rotating around her instantly dissipated, and the surrounding sand fell like snowflakes.

“—[Flowing Wind’s Blessing].”

In the form of a chanted spell, Fia’s body was instantly covered in a layer of cyan light. At the same time, she felt her body become slightly lighter. Even a simple action like raising her hand was accelerated by the blessing.

However, perhaps because her own movement speed was already very fast, or perhaps because her own rank was too high, causing low-rank enhancement magic to be less effective, Fia didn’t feel that the enhancement was on the same level as Greyan’s. It had probably only increased her speed by ten to twenty percent, whereas his had increased by at least fifty percent.

It wasn’t until she switched to the [Hyper-computation] version that Fia felt a significant increase in speed. Her movement speed was more than twice as fast as before. Not only did her sword-swinging speed increase, but it was also effective on things controlled by her will. For example, the flight speed of Laevateinn and [Airflow Control] would also increase greatly. The difference was that Laevateinn received a higher boost, while [Airflow Control], possibly due to its large size, only had a boost of about forty percent.

The most noteworthy was [Flight]. In its normal state, it could easily surpass the speed of sound. After applying [Flowing Wind’s Blessing], its speed underwent a qualitative leap. Under the combined maximum acceleration of both, the process even made Fia feel uncomfortable—if it had been an ordinary person, they would have surely been crushed by the g-force.

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“Although it’s very practical, it will take time to get used to…”

Looking at the wide trench behind her caused by the strong wind pressure, Fia sighed. Just like when she first came to this world and was not used to her body, always accidentally crushing wild fruits, the boost from [Flowing Wind’s Blessing] was too high, making her feel a little unaccustomed to her own body. To rashly use it in battle without being proficient would likely have the opposite effect, such as accidentally overshooting her target.

However, as long as she put in more time for training after she returned, she could overcome this problem.

After that, Fia used [See Through], [Ready Stance], and [Demon’s Bane] in succession.

Except for [Ready Stance], even after being enhanced by [Hyper-computation], Fia could not feel the existence of the other two spells. [See Through] was only effective against illusions and magic that concealed perception, and [Demon’s Bane] was a spell that caused specialized damage to demons. She had neither illusions nor demons in front of her to test them on, so she couldn’t feel the difference.

If she had to say, it was only that Laevateinn, enchanted with [Demon’s Bane] in its [Hyper-computation] state, became exceptionally bright, emitting a dazzling golden light with the brightness of [Illuminate]. It could be said to be a case of “injuring the enemy by a thousand, and oneself by eight hundred.”

As for [Ready Stance], Fia had initially wanted to try and see if it could be enhanced onto magic. The result, because of [Airflow Control], was an unexpected gain.

The disadvantage of [Ready Stance] was that one could not move while using it; even using [Flight] would be considered an interruption of the casting. However, [Airflow Control] was a form of passive movement, similar to a knight using [Ready Stance] while riding a horse. Therefore, Fia could use [Ready Stance] while moving with the help of [Airflow Control].

In terms of power, the normal version of [Ready Stance] was even more pathetic than [Flowing Wind’s Blessing]. Because Fia’s rank was too high, it barely provided any boost. Even if she extended the charging time to one minute, the result did not change.

However, after being enhanced by [Hyper-computation], [Ready Stance] became somewhat useful. Take a fireball, for example. In the past, Fia could control its diameter to a maximum of one meter; any larger and it would turn into a firestorm. But after about three seconds of [Ready Stance], the next time she used [Fireball], its diameter would explode to five meters. Fia couldn’t even imagine what a fireball would look like if the charging time became an hour.

It should be said that no one else could possibly charge for more than an hour; even five minutes would be difficult to sustain. [Ready Stance] consumed mana at an extremely fast rate, completely exchanging time and mana for power, and the conversion efficiency was not high. It was a spell that was only used in rank-defying challenges and large-scale wars.

After the practical magic test was over, Fia let out a light breath, cupped her hands to create a small stream of water with [Torrent] to quench her thirst, and then used [Cleanse] to remove the sweat and sand from her formal dress.

Next time, I should find a sea to experiment with magic, Fia thought. The desert was dry and hot, not very comfortable.

Realizing this, a question suddenly appeared in her mind. Since the World Tree Continent was a landmass that protruded from the primordial continent, why were there still things like oceans? Shouldn’t the seawater have flowed into the outside world due to the height difference? Or was the so-called ocean actually a super-large saltwater lake? But if an abyss appeared there, wouldn’t the seawater disappear?

I should go and see when I have time.

“Hah, let’s start the single-target spells with [Thunder Spear].”

After a short rest, Fia took a deep breath and began the main event of her trip.

Many of the attack spells on the World Tree Continent had effects that could be known just by their names, such as [Thunder Spear] and [Mind Blast]. The former was a Third-Rank lightning attack, and the latter was a Fifth-Rank high-level mental magic.

Anyone who had used [Mental Shock] could appreciate the convenience of mental magic. Unlike the brief daze of [Mental Shock], [Mind Blast] was more like an attack spell. After being hit by it, at the very least, one would lose consciousness on the spot. At worst, it could cause near-permanent brain death or even a shattered heart. It was a spell that would kill once used.

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Although it sounded cruel and bloody, attack magic was inherently a tool of slaughter. Instead of killing someone with several cuts, it was a kind of mercy to let the enemy die instantly without feeling any pain.

She didn’t know what [Mind Blast] would become after being enhanced by [Hyper-computation]. After all, this was a high-rank spell of the same rank as [Spatial Rift].

As for the remaining, more abstractly named [Seal of Retribution] and [Hellfire], their effects were clearly written in that high-rank magic book. [Seal of Retribution] was a holy-attribute, close-combat spell that had extra damage against demons and was also quite powerful against ordinary creatures—she had learned the demon-slaying magic to deal with the Darkborn. Both the Despair Demon General and Balor were members of the demon race.

And [Hellfire], although it had “fire” in its name, was actually a dark magic. It was one rank higher than both [Mind Blast] and [Seal of Retribution], a Sixth-Rank single-target attack spell.

Once hit by it, the body would begin to burn from the soul level. Even if the flames were extinguished by high-rank holy magic, the damaged parts of the soul could not be restored. And if one died under [Hellfire], there would be no chance to even go to the land of the dead, meaning they could not be resurrected by forbidden-level faith magic and would be forever gone from this world.

It was the same as [Mind Blast], a spell that would surely kill once cast, and it was even more vicious.

It sounded evil, but since it was about killing, any means would do. Killing was about the result; not being able to kill was the real problem. This was also the reason why Fia had chosen one from both holy and dark magic. What was evil was never the magic, but the user. As long as she maintained her principles and did not kill the innocent, it would be fine.

It was worth mentioning that the highest-rank magic in the princess’s library was only Sixth-Rank. There were no magic books that recorded Seventh-Rank and forbidden spells. That part of magic could only be read in the forbidden library stored in the Holy Tree.

In addition, the princess’s entire library only had a few books that recorded high-rank magic, and only one recorded a Sixth-Rank spell. This was not because the elf race had not collected enough magic, but because there were very few people in this world who could reach this level, and even fewer who could develop magic of this level.

To possess several collections of high-rank magic was already a dream that countless magic-casters would not even dare to have. Many high-rank magic-casters would only know three or four Sixth-Rank spells in their entire lives. Knowledge was always a priceless treasure, or rather, in the World Tree Continent, it was actually a strategic resource.

“[Flight].”

Unlike when testing practical magic, in order to see the power of the magic more intuitively, Fia floated twenty meters above the ground, with the sand dune below as her target. [Mind Blast] and [Hellfire] were both spells for people; their power could not be seen without a test subject. Fia planned to learn them first and optimize them with [Hyper-computation], and use them when she had the chance. For now, she would test [Thunder Spear] and [Seal of Retribution].

“—[Thunder Spear].”

The chant for a Third-Rank spell was much longer than that of a First-Rank spell. Even for Fia, it took three seconds. As a result, a spear as thick as an adult’s arm, its surface crackling with blue-purple electricity, appeared in her hand.

Because the spear was constantly crackling and its interior was emitting a dangerous, incandescent light, Fia was at first reluctant to hold it. However, just as she could only feel warmth when she put her hand in [Fairy Fire], [Thunder Spear] would not harm the user. So, she held it lightly and then threw it down with force.

Bang!

The spear slammed heavily onto the sand dune, throwing a large amount of sand into the air. The deafening explosion, although not comparable to real lightning, was equivalent to the explosion of a large-caliber howitzer. When the dust settled, a large crater three meters in diameter and about a meter deep appeared before her.

As a Third-Rank spell, this power was already quite good. [Thunder Spear] was, after all, a single-target, point-to-point spell, not one that relied on an explosion for damage like [Fireball]. For her to have it attack the ground was actually asking a bit much of it.

“Ahem.”

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After a couple of dry coughs, Fia raised her altitude to a hundred meters and used [Thunder Spear] again—of course, the optimized version.

Tssss—

I hope it doesn’t turn into a pillar of lightning.

As if hearing her thoughts, amidst a scene of arcing electricity, a spear slightly longer than the previous one slowly extended in her hand and quickly took shape.

Compared to the previous one, the current [Thunder Spear] was thinner, and its surface no longer flickered with electricity. At first glance, it looked like an incandescent javelin wrapped in a layer of blue-purple light. But Fia could clearly feel that this seemingly inconspicuous spear contained a terrifying amount of energy. The proof was that she could clearly feel the materialized mana when she held it, and an arc of electricity had already connected between her cuff and the spear. The air was filled with a scorched smell, and even her hair was standing on end, her skin tingling.

Even she could feel her skin tingle. It was hard to imagine what the effect would be on a person.

After a moment of hesitation, Fia poured all her strength into the spear and then, just as before, threw it at the ground with all her might.

Tzzz!

Like a thunderclap across the sky, a huge explosion and an intense flash of light almost robbed Fia of her hearing and sight. She only saw a white light explode on the ground, and then everything in her vision was stripped away by the white. Gusts of wind swept across the sandy ground. Even at a height of a hundred meters, she could smell the sand in her breath.

Fortunately, the blindness came and went quickly. In less than two seconds, she had regained her sight.

Next time, I’d better not stare at the thunder spear. With that thought, Fia looked at the ground. And then, a narrow, bottomless pit appeared before her. The diameter of the hole was not wide, only three to four meters, but its depth was so great that it was pitch black, as if it were endless. The sand around the opening had been roasted to a scorched black by the high temperature and was emitting wisps of white smoke.

Was this still a single-target spell?

A deep doubt rose in Fia’s heart. If this was a single-target spell, then the opponent must be a dragon or a giant. And even against a dragon, it would surely cause a piercing wound. Fia couldn’t help but be reminded of the [Divine Judgement] Claire had used to destroy the Unsinkable Moon.

“Mmm… I should be able to control the power, right?”

Fia began to organize the information in her mind and put it into practice.

Just as she had thought, [Thunder Spear] could be used in a weakened state. The weakest state was two to three times the power of the normal version, and the energy was more concentrated, with a flight distance of five hundred meters, and it was also less likely to cause collateral damage.

It could be said that she had chosen the most needed magic at the moment.

Her mood brightened. Fia cheerfully set her sights on [Seal of Retribution].

◇

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By the time Fia returned to the Witch Hall, it was already noon.

“Lady Fia, we have already prepared—uh, your expression, did you run into something good?”

Seeing Fia walk over with a light smile, Friede tilted her head.

“You could say that.”

The smile on Fia’s face grew wider. She nodded lightly in response to Friede, then patted Milu’s white hair.

She couldn’t be blamed for not being reserved. Anyone who had seen the [Seal of Retribution] would have a hard time not feeling happy. That sacred giant hammer that could knock down a city wall with a single blow—even a Moon Dragon surely couldn’t take two hits. The magic book had clearly stated that it was a healer’s spell, yet it was so violent. It made one wonder if all the healers on the World Tree Continent used giant hammers as weapons.

If the Despair Demon General were to come again, she could surely smash it into a paste. Of course, if possible, it would be better if it didn’t come again.

Seeing the happiness on Fia’s face, Anastasia also smiled.

“When we return to Blossom, can Your Highness show me your magic?”

“Of course. But we’ll have to find a safe place. Alright, it’s already noon. Since you’re all ready, Friede, let’s not delay. Let’s go back to the capital. The teleportation magic requires physical contact to work, so everyone stand a little closer.”

“…Physical contact.”

Friede held her right hand to her chest, looking very hesitant, as if she were embarrassed.

Fia, in turn, extended both her hands, one towards Milu and Anastasia, the other towards Friede, the black-mist-like Lianne, and several young apprentice witches. It should be said that Fia saw the envious gazes of Latania and the other apprentices in the distance. Even without being told, she knew that they also wanted to see the new home, but the apprentices Friede was bringing this time would be living on the farm, and it would be inconvenient for too many people to go. So, Fia only responded with a smile and then looked at Friede’s group.

“Hold my hand, or grab my arm. The teleportation process will be a bit long. Don’t let go.”

“Just holding hands…”

For some reason, Friede had an expression that was both wistful and relieved. However, Fia’s attention was entirely on the apprentice witches who were grabbing her arm, so she didn’t notice—their happy yet timid grip made Fia feel very itchy. She had to concentrate on keeping her expression straight, otherwise she would appear to lack the dignity of an elder.

Once everyone was ready, Fia used her will to pick up the [Transmission Beacon] and then infused it with mana.

[Teleport].