Chapter 217: Proficiency in Fire Magic (1)

After finishing the dishes while receiving Hwayoung Sunbae’s heartfelt fellatio.

She and I sat close to the empty table where we had eaten and started talking.

It wasn’t light small talk like where to order dinner from, but rather leaned towards a more serious conversation.

Because it was a lecture time on flame magic, taught by no less than a former S-class Hunter.

“For starters, now that I’ve decided to teach you, I won’t be cutting corners.”

“Yes, Sunbae.”

I nodded my head and replied to her, who spoke those words with the corner of the table between us.

The process that led to Hwayoung Sunbae suddenly starting a magic lecture for me was simple.

It was because Sunbae, who didn’t like the idea of settling the value of the Black Slime material I obtained this time with sex, said she would pay me back in another way.

It was her point that she couldn’t accept being paid for the material in such a favorable way, to the extent that she should have been paying me instead.

I naturally said she didn’t need to worry that much, but Hwayoung Sunbae insisted she couldn’t tolerate a one-sided relationship where she only received.

Since refusing any further would be rude to her, I brought up the topic, suggesting, “Then, as repayment, could you perhaps teach me flame magic?”

“Come to think of it, we briefly talked about that earlier.”

“Yes. Regarding swordsmanship, I already have a teacher who is very skilled, but when it comes to flame magic, there’s no one as excellent as you, Sunbae.”

“Well, I was quite the big deal back in my day.”

Cha Yuri, being an A-class Hunter herself, had a deep mastery of magic among mage-type Hunters, but inevitably, what could be learned from her, a wind mage, was limited to the efficient use of mana.

Regarding how to handle flame magic itself, Hwayoung Sunbae, being a fellow flame mage, would surely possess much more abundant knowledge.

In the first place, a 1-on-1 magic lecture given by a former S-class Hunter would be unconditionally beneficial to learn, regardless of the magic type.

“Then, before we start the lecture, I’ll find out just how much you know, junior.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll start with a simple question. In your own opinion, what level is your mastery of flame magic?”

“For starters, I can roughly use magic equivalent to 5th-circle flame magic. Like Flame Tornado or Scorching Earth.”

Thinking it was a question about the level of magic I could use, I immediately mentioned the highest-level flame spells I could cast, but…

To my confident answer, Hwayoung Sunbae shook her head and said.

“…that wasn’t the kind of mastery I was asking about.”

“Huh?”

I had said it confidently, thinking that 5th-circle was still a decent level, but…

Contrary to my expectations, she was asking for knowledge of a slightly different nature.

“What I’m asking you isn’t simply about the level of which magic you can handle up to what point, but rather how deeply you understand and use magic when you cast it.”

“…Is that a bit different from simply using high-level spells?”

“Of course… Sigh. Right. Anyway, I had a feeling I’d have to explain from the beginning.”

Saying that, Hwayoung Sunbae started teaching me the basic knowledge required for handling magic.

“Let’s think from the very basics. Sungchul Hubae, what do you think is the basic magic of flame magic?”

“Fireball… Ah, no, isn’t it Flame Bolt?”

“More simply.”

“…More simply? Then… Heating…?”

“That’s not simplified. It’s just that the operational method has changed.”

“……”

Having had the two spells, the foundation of most flame magic and the first things 1st-circle flame mages learn, denied, I tried offering several other 1st-circle spells that came to mind, but…

Hwayoung Sunbae just shook her head, denying all the 1st-circle spells I offered.

“Your circle level is 5, but you truly have no mastery of magic at all.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry about. It’s much better than knowing something halfway. At least you don’t need to unlearn any incorrect knowledge.”

Saying that, Hwayoung Sunbae immediately continued her basic lecture on flame magic.

“Most magic is the manifestation of a phenomenon. In the case of wind magic, it’s the ‘movement of air’; in the case of cold magic, it’s the ‘decrease in temperature’. Of course, there are cases where it becomes slightly different magic once you reach the application stage, but regardless, keep in mind that the concept of ‘manifestation of a phenomenon’ itself is important.”

“Magic is the manifestation of a phenomenon… Yes, I understand.”

“Then, what do you think is the basic phenomenon of flame magic?”

“Hmm…”

After pondering her question for a moment, I cautiously blurted out a guessed answer.

“An increase in temperature… is it?”

“That’s just a side effect gained as the phenomenon manifests. The most basic phenomenon is ‘combustion of matter’.”

“Ah…!”

At Hwayoung Sunbae’s answer, delivered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, I felt a moment of embarrassment.

I wondered why on earth I couldn’t think of it, when it was such an obvious and simple answer once heard.

“Don’t be embarrassed. Are you going to get embarrassed about every single thing you don’t know while you’re learning?”

“No, I shouldn’t.”

“Then, here’s the question again. Based on the fact that the basic phenomenon of flame magic is ‘combustion of matter’, try to recall what the basic magic of flame magic is.”

“…Ignition.”

“It’s good that your comprehension is fast.”

Saying that, Hwayoung Sunbae took out her pipe filled with tobacco leaves, held it in front of my eyes, then flicked her finger once to cast the Ignition spell.

“This is the very foundation of flame magic. Flame Bolt is magic one step further from this, and Heating is just magic that maximizes the side effects appearing during the ‘combustion of matter’ process.”

“I see.”

White smoke began to rise from her pipe, and she naturally dropped the Black Slime fluid onto it, then brought the pipe, from which smoke began to rise, to her lips as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Just before the pipe touched her lips, she sent me a subtle glance.

“…What, why?”

“Huh?”

“It’s, it’s just that it’s a waste not to smoke it. I haven’t forgotten my promise to cut down…”

“I didn’t say anything, Sunbae.”

“…Ah, right.”

It was probably the best example to demonstrate the Ignition spell within this space, so I wasn’t shameless enough to argue back and forth about it.

In the first place, I didn’t think anyone could quit highly addictive tar cigarettes overnight.

If that were possible, cigarette companies should have all gone bankrupt.

Despite that, Hwayoung Sunbae subtly watched my reaction, brought the pipe to her lips, and took a big puff.

She deliberately exhaled the smoke carefully in the opposite direction from me, then continued her lecture on flame magic again.

“The fact that Ignition is the most basic flame magic means that from Flame Bolt and other flame magic onwards, something is added to it.”

“Flame magic is the phenomenon of combustion of matter. So, just using Ignition in empty air wouldn’t have any matter to combust.”

“Oh…?”

“So, burning mana to create a burning fireball is what corresponds to the 1st-circle flame magic ‘Flame Bolt’, right?”

Jjakjjakjjak. Putting down her pipe, Hwayoung Sunbae clapped her hands softly.

“It’s certainly rewarding to teach you.”

“I’m naturally quick at learning.”

“Yeah. It would be even better if you didn’t get cocky like that sometimes.”

Sunbae took another puff of her tar cigarette with a look of pity, then immediately went into the next lecture.

“Let’s take the 2nd-circle magic, Fireball, as an example. Since it’s a tangible flame, ‘Ignition’ and ‘Mana Discharge’ are the basic prerequisites. Now, add three more spells to this and try to make it into Fireball.”

“…Three?”

“Uh-huh, three.”

“……”

My mind felt dizzy for a moment from Sunbae’s magic lecture, which suddenly seemed to skip several steps.

…If I had known it would be like this, I shouldn’t have acted cocky for no reason.

“…First, since it gains speed and flies, ‘Acceleration’ must be essential.”

“Yeah. Two are left now.”

“Since it needs to specify the direction it flies, … ‘Designation’ must be added, right?”

“Strictly speaking, it’s not ‘Designation’, it’s ‘Aiming’. Fireball, which simply flies by setting a direction, is ‘Aiming’. And Fire Arrow, which pursues by setting a target, is ‘Designation’. ‘Designation’ can be further divided into two stages: ‘Aiming’ and ‘Detection’.”

“Ah, aaa…”

I felt overwhelmed by the constant flood of new information, wondering if I was now receiving the repercussions of using magic without thinking deeply about it until now.

“Now, only one is left.”

“Hmm…”

“Once you know it, it’s nothing special. It’s naturally not something to worry about that much.”

“Is that so…?”

“If I give you a hint, the name ‘Fireball’ itself is like a hint. If you can’t associate it well, try making a Flame Bolt and comparing it with Fireball.”

“The name Fireball itself is a hint…”

Following her advice, I created a Flame Bolt about the size that fits in my hand and compared its form with the Fireball I had been using until now.

The moment the thought ‘could it be?’ entered my mind, the amorphous lump of flame in my hand changed its form into a sphere.

“Ah.”

“Yes, you did well.”

Hwayoung Sunbae wore a satisfied expression upon confirming the Flame Bolt, which had transformed into a sphere due to the effect of ‘Cohesion’.

“Mana Discharge, Ignition, Cohesion, Aiming, Acceleration. These five basic magics combined are what make Fireball.”

“…Now that I hear it like that, even just Fireball feels like a very difficult magic.”

“It is difficult, in reality. And you’ve been using Fireball recklessly until now, without even properly understanding its principles.”

“……”

“You probably used it by memorizing the magic formula itself. While it might not have been problematic for now, magic used without understanding like that will eventually hit a limit.”

“I have nothing to say…”

“Probably, even the 5th-circle magic you mentioned, like Flame Tornado or Scorching Earth, only mimics the appearance. When you check their substance, they likely won’t display the power of true 5th-circle magic.”

“…It certainly seems that way.”

“It’s like a young child just starting to use chopsticks stabbing food like a fork. For now, because results are coming out, it looks okay, but if you go a little deeper, problems will definitely arise.”

Every word hit the nail on the head, so I couldn’t help but feel incredibly small in front of her.

“After today’s class ends, I’ll make sure you reach at least the level of an ‘Apprentice Mage’.”

“Thank you, Hwayoung Sunbae.”

“And using magic by memorizing the formula whole, like you’ve done until now, is strictly forbidden. If you’re caught even once, I won’t teach you magic again, so know that.”

“…Yes, I understand.”

It was the moment I gained one more demanding teacher, no less than Eunyoung Noona’s swordsmanship lessons.