Chapter 4

Learning...

It wasn’t that he hated studying.

But the thought of starting from scratch in a completely unfamiliar world—digesting obscure, incomprehensible knowledge—was enough to give him a headache.

"...Got it."

In the end, desire for magic won out.

Kanzaki Rei accepted the spellbook.

He flipped to the first page.

As expected—dense, arcane script. Definitely not Chinese characters.

Yet just as he could naturally understand Kumironi and the others when they spoke, the strange, twisting letters on the page were somehow comprehensible to him.

Good.

If he couldn’t even read, he’d have to start from basic literacy.

That would be hell.

He skimmed the table of contents:

Lightning Strike: History and Origins... 1Lightning Runes... 20Spell Structure of Lightning Strike... 25Incantation for Lightning Strike... 29Core Principles of Lightning Strike... 29Prospects and Variations of Lightning Strike... 32

Heh...

The book wasn’t thick—only 35 pages total.

But nineteen of them were dedicated to history and origins.

"Ah, you can skip the front part," Iz said casually.

"Just turn to page 29."

Excellent, Iz.

You really are a decent teacher.

Thank God you’re not going to force me through a long-winded lecture on the ancient lineage of Lightning Strike.

For someone who just wants to cast magic, that stuff is completely irrelevant.

Rei flipped to page 29.

[Incantation for Lightning Strike]

[O raging power of thunder, I call upon the descent of lightning—deliver punishment!]

"Lightning Strike is a Tier 1 spell," Iz explained as he stepped beside him.

"It doesn’t require constructing a casting array."

He handed Rei a slender wand, light and balanced like a conductor’s baton.

A clear crimson gemstone was set into its tip.

"Here. Aim at that open patch of ground."

"Recite the incantation. See if you can cast it."

Rei accepted the wand. "Thank you."

He exhaled slowly.

So all I need to do is chant?

Then why pull out a whole spellbook and scare me like that?

He drew in a deep breath.

The incantation’s script differed subtly from the rest of the text, but he could read and pronounce it without issue.

"O raging power of thunder."

Mana within his body began to stir.

The surrounding lightning elements resonated with it, merging, becoming an extension of his will.

It was an indescribable sensation—utterly foreign compared to anything on Earth.

"I call upon the descent of lightning."

Crackle!

Sparks burst from the tip of the wand. Arcs of electricity leapt wildly, making Rei’s heart jolt.

On Earth, lightning meant danger.

Here—

It was his magic.

"Deliver punishment!"

The chant completed.

In that instant, he felt as though he held dominion over thunder itself.

As if he could simply reach into the sky and drag lightning down.

Without hesitation, he swung the wand.

BOOM!

A thin bolt of lightning split the air and struck the ground.

Lightning Strike!

The bolt blasted into the earth, scorching the grass into blackened soil.

「Spell Learned — Lightning Strike (LV: 1)」「Lightning Strike Proficiency EXP +10000」「Lightning Strike (LV: 5)」

As the bolt landed, a hazy realization bloomed within his mind.

His understanding of Lightning Strike deepened instantly.

"Ha! Not bad!" Iz laughed, hands on hips.

"Definitely talented!"

Kumironi looked genuinely surprised.

"You only read the incantation once and managed to cast it..."

Rei blinked. "Isn’t that normal?"

Kumironi smiled and shook her head.

"Not at all. Normally, after receiving a spellbook, a mage must carefully study the recorded theory."

"They follow the described mana flow, simulate it internally, resonate with the corresponding elements—"

"Only after that do they attempt the incantation."

"If they fail, they reread the book. Again and again, until comprehension improves."

...Oh.

So that’s how it works.

No wonder they handed me a full spellbook.

I was thinking, if it’s just chanting, you could’ve told me verbally.

Then again—

Maybe I really do have solid magical aptitude.

Or perhaps...

It’s the Talent.

「God · Proficiency Evolution」「Greatly increases ease of learning new skills. All skill proficiency gains are multiplied by 10,000× under normal circumstances.」「Upon reaching proficiency thresholds, skills may evolve.」「Skill proficiency progress becomes visible.」

That would explain why one chant was enough.

Though... maybe I’m just naturally gifted.

Rei raised his wand toward the open field again, preparing to recite the incantation—

But suddenly, a different intuition surfaced.

The chant felt... too long.

As if it could be shortened.

「Lightning Strike (LV: 5) — Chant shortened, slight increase in power」

"Lightning descend—deliver punishment!"

Shorter.

Faster.

BOOM!

Another bolt crashed down.

The first strike had been thin—like a rope of light.

This second bolt was as thick as an arm.

Far more destructive.

"Shortened... the chant?"

Kumironi’s eyes widened.

On only his second cast?

His magical aptitude... truly carries shades of Iz.

"Again!" Iz urged excitedly.

It had been a long time since he’d seen genuine talent.

Rei nodded.

「Lightning Strike (LV: 8) — Further shortened chant, moderate power increase」

"Thunder!"

BOOM!

Only two syllables this time.

The moment the word left his lips, lightning struck.

The bolt was larger still. After impact, faint residual arcs crackled across the scorched ground.

「Lightning Strike (LV: 10) — No chant required, significant power increase」

A rush of exhilaration surged through Rei.

Mana roared inside him, resonating fully with the lightning above.

Sky and earth felt connected to his spirit.

He swung the wand again—

BOOM!

A massive violet pillar of electricity slammed down like a descending serpent!

Then immediately—

A second strike!

A third!

「Proficiency Level Up — Lightning Strike (LV: 12)」「Proficiency Level Up — Lightning Strike (LV: 14)」「Proficiency Level Up — Lightning Strike (LV: 16) — No chant, Double Lightning Strike, greater power」

From the fourth cast onward, there was no incantation at all.

This child’s talent for magic was terrifying.

BOOM!

BOOM! BOOM!

Lightning raked across the field, turning lush grass into patch after patch of charred earth.

Yet each blackened scar was quietly soaked by gentle streams of water—Kumironi restoring the land without a word.

Loving magic was a good thing.

Iz had no intention of dampening a child’s enthusiasm.

The feeling of wielding supernatural power was incredible.

Casting magic was incredible.

He was a Mage now.

Commanding wind and rain—

This feeling was indescribable.

Then—

A wave of dizziness hit him.

Why is my vision... going dark?