Vol 7 Chapter 13

It gave Kapros a strange feeling to think that this leisurely grassland, where one might feel compelled to herd a flock of sheep, was Superior's mental world landscape. But what did the place matter anyway? He was actually quite satisfied just to be able to train in a space where time moved much slower than outside. He hadn't had time to fully immerse himself in training while constantly moving around everywhere, but if Superior's words were true, this seemed like it would be quite an interesting opportunity.

Pushing aside his suspicion about whether Superior had always been in such a place inside the staff, Kapros tried various tests to understand this thing called unconscious space.

"Open map window."

With a swoosh sound in the air, a translucent map window appeared floating. However, where there should have been a continental map, there was nothing. The empty white space filling the window indicated that this space was not recognized by the game system, meaning it was a region that didn't belong anywhere on the continent.

"Check coordinates."

- Unable to confirm user coordinates. Unidentified space.

This too was unidentified.

The rest, like item window and skill window, all appeared properly without problems. After finishing his checks and feeling more at ease, Kapros opened his mouth toward Superior.

"When do we start?"

"Oh ho. Such enthusiasm. I suppose receiving my teaching is that joyous."

"..."

"How boring, no reaction. You should get a bit riled up here. Not cute at all."

Why on earth should I appear cute to you, Kapros wondered.

While he was frowning, Superior, wearing light armor, walked several meters ahead with a slight smile and stood facing him.

"Well... first, I should say that I've never taught anyone before, so I honestly can't guarantee I'll be a good teacher. I don't know how well you'll understand what I say, but we'll have to find out by trying."

I never even imagined you'd be a good teacher, you bastard, Kapros thought.

"Watching you so far, I've thought that while you use magic quite interestingly, you surprisingly don't properly know the most basic parts. What I mean is, you're unnecessarily struggling in areas where you don't need to."

The most basic parts...? What exactly was that?

While wondering and waiting for the next words, Superior suddenly changed the subject.

"But before we really begin, there's one thing I'd like you to know. You already know that though we use the same magic, the form it takes is different for each person, right? Like that Inferno from before."

Kapros frowned at the sudden mention of Inferno. Inferno, when Superior had originally created it, was magic that had some will of its own to attack enemies while simultaneously protecting the caster, but Kapros's Inferno focused on forcibly suppressing that autonomy for more delicate control. The memory of Superior laughing hysterically after noticing that difference was still vivid, so what was the reason for bringing up that name here again?

"...I know."

"Yes. I quite like the individuality of the magic you use. I won't tell you to change it to be like my way. So don't think about using magic exactly like me either. Just as no two faces among the countless people in this world are exactly the same, magic is like that too."

"That's obvious."

MIST's magic was originally designed to show differences depending on how the caster imagined it. So it could be considered natural, if anything, that Superior's and his Inferno were so different under the same name. Though it was undeniable that his Inferno had, as Superior said, unnecessarily struggled more in areas where he didn't need to...

Seemingly pleased with his answer, Superior nodded.

"Yes. This considerate me just wanted to say it once more just in case. Keep it well in mind. Now then... shall we see your skills first?"

My skills?...

"You already know them, don't you?"

"That can't be called knowing. What I want is for you to show all the magic you can use here."

Thinking it might be a joke, Kapros studied Superior's face, but there was no sign of mischief in his calm red eyes. He was serious.

All the magic he could use... That was too broad.

"From 1st Circle?"

"That's fine."

Though the method apparently didn't matter, it felt strange to use magic in such a listing manner as he had never done before. After rolling his shoulders to loosen his muscles, Kapros began organizing in his mind all the magic he knew from 1st Circle onward.

The first one to use would naturally be... that one.

"Fireball!"

Simultaneously with the spell's manifestation, the formula world glowing green spread out in the blink of an eye from right in front of his eyes to the horizon. It was always a refreshing and thrilling sight no matter how many times he saw it. The Fireball, manifested exactly as the flame image he was now familiar enough with to use without moving a finger, appeared and disappeared with a whoosh at the desired location in the desired size.

Glancing to the side, Superior was standing comfortably with his arms crossed, watching both Kapros and his magic with an unreadable gaze.

'Then next...!'

Kapros stretched out his hand and called out the name of the next spell.

He found Min-hoo's number by searching through the phone directory.

"Computer, make video call to registered name Kran."

[ Making video call to registered user [Kran]. Please wait a moment. ]

How long had the waiting message and dial tone been going when there was a crashing sound and the screen suddenly brightened.

[ Ka...! No, Mu-heon! ]

Min-hoo's face appeared, panting and showing excessive joy as if they hadn't just seen each other yesterday.

"Did you get back alright then?"

When Kapros quietly asked, a bright smile bloomed on Min-hoo's face.

[ Yeah. Are you... okay? Ah, I mean, I'm asking about the wound. The wound! ]