——

 

“Magic Curtain, was it? “

 “Yeah. That’s the only way for you to make a good impact.”

  

　We were in a conference room near the court, and close to the training grounds.

 　What is currently being held is a meeting with the group leaders. A place where the leaders of each group in the First Royal Court Magician Division gathered and we decided on the future policies.

  

　In there, I talked about the idea that I came up with last night.

  

　I really wanted to use the word ‘barrage’ instead of ‘curtain’, but in this world without any sort of artillery, I don’t know if the meaning would be conveyed, so I decided on ‘Magic Curtain’.

 

　Magic Curtain―― well, that’s just basically a magic barrage. Using a magic with a short cooldown timer, in other words, the First Form, shoot it like a curtain, overwhelming the enemy. This is a well-known tactic both useful for defense and offense.

 

　In any case, the important part is to “keep firing”. With this, it’s okay to fire a few missed shots, after all, what’s important is to compete with quantity rather than quality to a certain extent. On the defensive side, aside from overpowering the enemy’s arrows and magic, it can be said that even in the event of a kamikaze assault, it’s excellent to restrain it or even destroy it. That’s the case for ground, but.

 

“Wait a moment, kid. But that being the case, wouldn’t the power be reduced? It might not be possible to annihilate them. And that also makes search and destroy, cover, and support uncertain.”

“Well, that’s a given. Most of them don’t even know the Fourth Form. With that, the other option is to give up on everything. Besides, it’s not the mages’ job to do anything like annihilation in the first place.”

“What do you mean by that? “

“You, if I’m not mistaken, are most likely a war veteran. Isn’t the best war’s approach to “increase the number of injured over the dead”?”

“Hmm…… I see.”

 

　At that point, Captain Zephyr finally realized. Twenty years have passed since the last war, so it must’ve been hard to overturn the knowledge burned in him.

 

　Incidentally, even though I’m talking about war with a calm demeanor, all my knowledge comes from 『Team Battles』. There’s no way me, someone who was seriously addicted to online games and lived in modern-day Japan, could have even an ounce of war experience.

 

“The number of injured over the dead?　What does that mean? “

“I suppose that’s a bit difficult for you to grasp, Sherry-chan? “

“I was not asking you.”

“Hm, me then? In other words, not going as far as taking the lives of the enemy soldiers. By leaving the soldiers injured, you can place a burden on the enemy. Transporting, recovery, care. This will cause for people to be assigned to those tasks and will also increase their expenditures.”

“I see, I’m somewhat convinced. Thank you very much, Captain. Then, if that isn’t a mage’s job, what is? “

“……That is, sorry. I don’t know.”

 

　Being given no real answer by the Captain, Sherry-chan turned towards me with a face that seemed to be disgusted by me from the bottom of her heart.

 

“Hmm? “

“Tch……“

“I wonder what do you want? “

“……Tell me, please, by all means.”

“It can’t be helped, sure, I’ll tell you.”

 

　Sherry-chan asked me with a bitter expression. It’s actually quite fun to pick on her. I think that since Silvia, I haven’t found someone like this.

 

“A Mage is basically a “High-power, wide-area, medium-range soldier”. They are great soldiers who can make a huge opening in the enemy army by just using a single high-ranked Fourth or Fifth Form spell.”

“Isn’t that a contradiction to what you just said?　Like this, isn’t the job of a mage to do that instead of a Magic Curtain? “

“That is if you were mages like the ones I described just now. How many of you can use a high- rank Fourth or Fifth Form spell? “

“……About twenty people can. The higher the rank, the fewer people there are……I can use Water Attribute Fourth Form at Grade seven.”

“Ehh, for real? “

 

　Unexpected. Grade seven is quite a high rank.

 

“Yeah. How is it? Are you impressed? “

“By the way, what about the other forms? “

“Of Water Attribute, from First to Third Form, they all are at Grade nine.”

“Great. What else? “

“About the Wind Attribute, I’m so-so up to the Third Form. The others aren’t really worth saying.”

“In our group, nobody comes close to Sherry with it comes to Water Attribute magic.”

 

　The triumphant-looking Sherry is a bit annoying, but even the Captain spoke proudly. Wait, no, no, no……

 

“What about the other attributes? You don’t raise them past the First Form? “

“Yeah. After all, it’s better to give priority to the attributes that have a faster growth.”

“But you learn them, right? “

“Of course. However, just up to the First Form――“

“I just don’t get it. If you’re trying to become a mage, why do you devote all your efforts to just one attribute? “

“……What?　You too, I don’t understand what your point is? “

“Well, I think that for a mage, it is common sense to raise all attributes evenly.”

 

　If you raise the rank of all attributes in order, starting from the First Form, and continuing with the least amount of experience required, then the total amount of INT can be increased the most efficiently. If we compare when only one attribute is raised to reach Grade nine, to raising all four to Grade nine, the total amount of INT has a difference of four times.

　Therefore, as a mage, if you want to pack a punch, you should raise all attributes evenly from the beginning. In particular, since the Fourth and Fifth Forms require a huge amount of experience to rank up, you want to raise the First, Second and Third Forms to a high Grade first.

 

“Are you stupid? It’s the opposite. Everyone has their own attribute, so it’s better to focus on it and raise it. It’s only a waste to spend time on weak attributes. Well, there sure are people who are good at all attributes, but that’s just one in a million people.”

 

“――! “

 

　Good at an attribute…… I had no idea.

 

　I see. I’m a guy who could learn magic just by looking at the Grimoire, but everyone else had to go to the magic academy and spend time learning how to use it. Is the difference too large in how much time it takes to learn it? If that’s the case, then it might even take ten years for someone who’s not good enough to learn the Second Form of an attribute they’re weak too. If so, then it surely is bad, no wonder they are so willing to do their best only at the attribute they’re good at.

 

　However, I wonder why the individual differences are this much? There seems to be a reason that can’t be overlooked.

 

　To use Magic, a deep understanding of its depth is important――Suddenly, I remembered the contents of the class I took my first day at the Magic Academy. That seems to be the core of the matter…… Nope, I still don’t get it. Let’s just ask “Win-aemon”, the next time I see her.

 

　But leaving that aside, the situation is quite bad. I must somehow break these wrong ideas.

 

 

 

“Alright, let’s then begin by breaking that common sense that Sherry-chan speaks of.”

“Eh? “

 

　Getting up from my chair, I asked Irie-san to bring a Game Crown. With a happy “Yes”, she then ran off to get it.

 

　After that, we moved places to the training grounds.

 

　The purpose is to “Compare the power of a single First Form spell, between Sherry and I”. This will most likely break their common sense, along with their pride.

 

　Therefore, a “Game Crown” is used. The only setting changed was「Display DPS ON」. This is the setting I used to use the most.

 

　DPS stands for Damage Per Second, and I think that pretty much explains itself. Originally, this was used to measure the median firepower of continuous attacks over a certain period of time, but this time it will be used to measure just the damage from one spell.

 

　If there’s only one attack made in that second, then the DPS that appears will show the dimension of the attack. After all, if you divide that attack by one second, the damage will be displayed as it was. However, in this case, since the “Display DPS” function shows the damage at the same time as the attack happens, the spell effect might be obstructive and a little difficult to see. That’s why I chose to delay the DPS display for a bit, to make it easier.

 

“Didn’t you say the Game Crown was harmful? “

“In this case, it is rather welcomed.”

“Haa. I wonder how you’ll use it?”

 

　I handed one of the Game Crowns to the captain Zephyr and the other one to Sherry-chan.

 

“You captain, stand here. Sherry-chan will attack the captain using a Water Attribute First Form spell.”

“I’ll be the target, huh……?”

“Understood, alright.”

 

　Since everything is virtual-like, there is no pain at all. Therefore, a real person can play the role of the target.

 

“Here I go.”

 

　The game started with Sherry-chan’s voice, directed to the group watching in a circle around them.

 

　Soon after facing each other, when Sherry-chan’s 《Water Attribute・First Form》 spell of Grade nine was activated, a basketball-sized water mass flew towards the head of the captain while swirling around.

 

　Along a ‘bashaa’ sound, it connected. Noncritical. After a short delay, 「DPS：873」 was displayed above the head of the captain.

 

 

 

“Well, something like this.”

 

　For some reason, Sherry-chan was speaking proudly. With her black hair in a bob cut and her short stature, combined with her slim body, she looks just like a ‘kokeshi’ doll.

“You look just like a kokeshi.”

“Who are you calling kokeshi!? “

 

　Ohh, she understood it. I suppose they are also in this world, the kokeshi dolls.

 

 

 

“Then, next is me and the Leader. You guys, better take a good look at the DPS.”

“I’m the target again……?”

 

　Ignoring the captain Zephyr, who managed to squeeze out his real thoughts, I faced him.

 

　And thus, the game started.

 

　Just like Sherry-chan, I also activated a 《Water Attribute・First Form》 spell. The rank is also at Grade nine. However, when compared to hers, mine is clearly――

 

 

 

“……Whoa.”

 

　Someone raised their voice. That’s right, it’s clearly smaller than Sherry-chan’s First Form spell. It’s about the size of a tennis ball.

 

　Mobius’ 【Magic】 has a peculiarity, the higher the user’s INT, the more compact the triggered effect becomes. Why? According to one theory, it is said that this specification was set in place so that an opponent’s INT can be guessed to some extent when their magic is activated in a PVP. In addition, since the effect is reduced, the visual interference is smaller, and it becomes easier to handle. On the other hand, the other party has a hard time hesitating.

 

　Well, in other words. Something like “The smaller the magic, the higher the power”. Therefore, that voice of surprise must’ve been from someone who knew of this specification.

 

“Here I come.”

 

　Using those whimsical words as a signal, I started. I tried to make it sound like this wasn’t a big deal. However, the insides of my mind were different.

 

 

 

　I’ll put my everything in this. And then, I unleashed the 《Water Attribute・First Form》 spell.

 

　……With this one shot and the numbers that will come out, I’ll let you all know, to the point where you’ll hate yourself, how much of what you’ve done has been too shallow.

 

　With no more than a First Form spell. It won’t be because of some grand and flashy spell. These were my thoughts.

 

 

　This is nothing but the result of you all, happily attaining the position of Court Mages and neglecting the foundations of magic. Regret it, at least. And then, do something to change it. I swore to myself that I’ll make these people in front of me think “I will raise the rank of all First Form spells to Grade nine”.

 

　This is how life is. This is not something to enjoy or to look down upon. Be constantly improving. Or, how can you even call yourselves the best mages in the Kingdom?

 

 

　When you’re not fighting with your life on the line? When you’re not fighting properly with magic!?

 

 

 

 

“Nuwaa! ? “

 

　Then it landed. The captain was blown away a few meters, falling to the ground.

 

　The DPS was displayed.

　Then, there was a moment of silence.

　Immediately afterward, a roar erupted.

 

　Everyone was surprised. And they were those who doubted their eyes.

 

　However, those numbers that appeared ruthlessly pointed out the difference between me and them. A true, undeniable fact.

 

 

 

「DPS：4693」――It said

====== 

 

 

 

Thank you for reading.

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Cheat sheet

Stats details

＜Status Details＞

• HP　Hit Points
• MP　Magic Points
• SP　Stamina Points
• STR　Short range attack skill power, strength, physical power.
• DEX　Long range attack skill power, dexterity, hit rate.
• AGI　Quickness, avoidance rate.
• INT　Attack Magic skill power.
• LUK　Good luck, critical rate.
• VIT　Simple defense.
• MGR　Magic defense.

Types of combat skills

Named after shogi pieces (The word in bold is the one being used in this translation). From easier to acquire to harder.

1. Pawn/Soldier (Fuhyou)
2. Lance(Kyousha)
3. Knight (Keima)
4. Silver General (Ginshou)
5. Gold General (Kinshou)
6. Bishop (Kakugyou)
7. Rook (Hisha)
8. Promoted Bishop/Dragon Horse(Ryuuma)
9. Promoted Rook/Dragon King (Ryuuou).

List of Swordsmanship skills

Swordsmanship

1. 《Soldier Swordsmanship》　                  Normal attack.
2. 《Lance Swordsmanship》　                    Piercing attack.
3. 《Knight Swordsmanship》　                   Precision attack.
4. 《Silver Swordsmanship》　                     Strong single-target attack.
5. 《Gold Swordsmanship》                           Small-range attack to all directions.
6. 《Bishop Swordsmanship》                       ???
7. 《Rook Swordsmanship》　                      ???
8. 《Dragon Horse Swordsmanship》　    ???
9. 《Dragon King Swordsmanship》　       ???

List of Shieldmanship skills

Shieldmanship

1. 《Soldier Shieldmanship》　                  Normal defense.
2. 《Lance Shieldmanship》　                    Piercing deflection.
3. 《Knight Shieldmanship》　                   Defense + knockback.
4. 《Silver Shieldmanship》　                     ???
5. 《Gold Shieldmanship》                           Ranged guided defense + knockback.
6. 《Bishop Shieldmanship》                       Reinforced defense (Temporarily boosts VIT and MGR)
7. 《Rook Shieldmanship》　                      ???
8. 《Dragon Horse Shieldmanship》　    ???
9. 《Dragon King Shieldmanship》　       ???

List of Archery skills

Archery

1. 《Soldier Archery》　                  Normal range attack.
2. 《Lance Archery》　                    Piercing range attack.
3. 《Knight Archery》　                   Precise sniping range attack.
4. 《Silver Archery》　                     Strong single-target range attack.
5. 《Gold Archery》                           Weaker range attack with added knockback.
6. 《Bishop Archery》                       Strong piercing range attack.
7. 《Rook Archery》　                      Very strong single-target range attack with scaling % damage.
8. 《Dragon Horse Archery》　    Powerful piercing range attack.
9. 《Dragon King Archery》　       Powerful on-impact range attack.

Types of Magic skills

They use the “Form” or “step” system of martial arts. From lower to higher.

1. First Form　      　      Regular attack
2. Second Form　      　 Extended range attack
3. Third Form　      　    Strong single target attack
4. Fourth Form　      　  Strong extended range attack
5. Fifth Form　      　      Extremely powerful extended range attack

• Their cast time becomes longer in this order First→Third→Second→Fourth→Fifth.

Ranking of the skills

From lower to higher, then it changes to the “Dan” system of martial arts, which means Grade.

1. 16th class
2. 15th class
3. 14th class
4. 13th class
5. 12h class
6. 11th class
7. 10th class
8. 9th class
9. 8th class
10. 7th class
11. 6th class
12. 5th class
13. 4th class
14. 3rd class
15. 2nd class
16. 1st class
17. Grade 1
18. Grade 2
19. Grade 3
20. Grade 4
21. Grade 5
22. Grade 6
23. Grade 7
24. Grade 8
25. Grade 9
26. Title

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 ToC    

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