Episode 8. Super Ultra Hyper General Ether Shot

[Anyone whose Ether Shot destructive power exceeds Level 3 (01:32)]

[Posted by: Not a Snack]

A mage I know showed me a Level 1 magic called Ether Shot

and no matter how I look at it, the destructive power seems to exceed Level 3?

Does anyone know an Ether Shot like this?

It really does seem to exceed Level 3!

- anon: Level 3 power you say? Even if you're faking it lmao

└ anon: No proof, not believing it

└ anon: fr lmaooo

- anon: As if. Wouldn't work even with 100% ESR

└ PinkAddict: I did the math and it looks like anything over 55.6% would do it? It's possible.

└ anon: Is that even human? Sounds like an Abyssal Entity to me

- anon: Ether Shot power can't break past the low end of Level 2

└ Not a Snack: Right?

└ anon: nah they tested it up to Level 4 in the US

└ anon: that was made by pumping Ether in with a machine tho

└ anon: anyway, point made lol

└ TutuChicken: Have you tried it yourself? Have YOU?

└ anon: they said a mage used it over there

└ anon: armchair mages, the lot of you lmao

*

A mass of Ether spinning with ferocious intensity split the pool's water clean in two.

SHHHHHHHK—

The Ether Shot, launched at tremendous speed, slammed into the artificial cliff of the wave pool and sent the rocks crumbling down.

KRAKABOOM—

Enormous chunks of stone tumbling and collapsing.

Monika, watching the spectacle, looked at me with an expression of pure disbelief.

"Good lord…."

One month since I began magical training with Monika.

In that short span of time, the Level 1 projectile magic known as Ether Shot was busy writing itself a new chapter in history.

"Mmm, indeed, calling it a mere Ether Shot does seem a trifle insufficient, it does."

Shouldn't this be called a Super Ultra Hyper General Ether Shot rather than just an Ether Shot?

I asked, eyes sparkling.

"Monika, if I fired this at a mage, do you think they would die?"

"I think it could punch through a Level 2 barrier…?"

"Oh my."

"What do you mean, 'oh my'?! This is the most absurdly brute-force Ether Shot I've ever seen!"

"Is that so, it is."

"Every time I see it I get annoyed. I can't decide whether to call you a genius or a monster."

Monika shook her head as she repaired the crumbling cliff.

I stared at the pool reeking of chlorine and furrowed my brow.

"More importantly! Why must we train in Monika's personal Abyss instead of a proper training center? That is exceedingly stingy, it is."

"Because it costs a hundred million won every hour at the training center, that's why~ Have a little consideration for your teacher's wallet, won't you?"

"Hmph~ Then give back the training center membership. Give it back."

I felt my Ether fading and sank down onto the floor.

I stretched out my short arms and legs and said,

"Three Ether Shots and my Ether hits rock bottom. What an Abyss-level amateur I am."

"Haah…. You were such a well-mannered child when I first brought you in."

"I have merely adopted my teacher's manner of speech, I have."

"…I! Only talk like that because I learned Korean from internet forums!"

I shrugged at Monika's indignant declaration.

"And?"

"Good grief…. How did I end up with a monster like this…."

Monika sat down beside me and shifted her gaze to the vast wave pool.

"That aside, looking at the little one's abilities, it seems about time to graduate from this place."

"Finally! Finally, we are leaving the first floor, are we?!"

This was the first floor of Monika's personal Abyss.

The so-called entrance to a mage's personal domain.

"Monika's first floor has far too little Ether, it does."

"You're right. I never expected the first floor's Ether to run short this quickly. It normally takes five years to reach this point."

"Heheh. Most mages are no longer a match for me now, they are not."

As I lifted my chin with pride, Monika rolled her right wrist.

"Hmm, if that's what you think, shall we have a little sparring match with your teacher? It's been a while."

"Are you certain?! I shall take you on without hesitation, I shall!"

I leapt to my feet with shining eyes, and Monika looked at me with a curious expression.

"Most kids your age would be scared or reluctant to go up against me. You really are something else, aren't you?"

I grinned as I stretched my legs.

"Fighting the strong is the fastest path to growth, it is."

"True enough. That it is."

Monika's left eye gleamed with a dangerous light.

"Provided it's a sparring match you can survive."

"…Hm? Why is it glowing like that, exactly?"

'This is a spar, right? She'll go easy, right?'

I stepped back in alarm.

Every trace of Ether in the surrounding area was being sucked into Monika at terrifying speed.

"H-hey! Foul play! That is foul play, it is! Are you not draining the Ether I need to use?!"

A mass of water was spinning violently above Monika's hand.