CH 149

Words : 1089 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

The Importance of Not Losing “If you remember, then I can leave out the details. …While I will be teaching you magic, Mr. Takumi, it may not necessarily be something you can use in actual combat.” “I can’t use it during combat?” Yesterday, Sebastian had said that I should learn magic for situations where a sword would not be enough. But if it was more likely that it wouldn’t be useful during combat, then was there really a reason that I should learn it? “The magic that you can use during combat is magic without chanting. However, it will take a lot of training for you to be able to do it. First, you must learn to use simple magic and get used to chanting. Then you will be able to do it silently.” “I see…” Indeed, what he had said before…was that you would not have time to chant long spells during a fight. And so it wouldn’t be practical in battle. And if it really took as much training as Sebastian said, then I would not be able to use it right away. It was just like sword training, and it would take some time…I suppose. “However, please rest assured. Of the kinds of magic that require chanting, I have selected one that could be of use in battle.” “There is such a magic spell?” “It’s one method. And it depends entirely on how you use it.” I guess it was like my Gift then. Something that seems useless at first can be very useful if you know what to do with it. There had been a time when I didn’t think weeds had any use at all. “Now, the first is a spell to create light. I’ve shown it to you before.” “Yes… In the fenrir forest.” It had been dark and difficult to see things, and so he had used this magic to create light. But what good would that do during combat? “Yes. Normally, it would be used to illuminate dark areas so you can see.” “And how would that serve me? Well, aside from when I’m in a dark place…” “I know why you would think that, Mr. Takumi. It does not seem like it would be useful in combat. But you just have to think differently.” “Such as…?” “When you are fighting someone, Mr. Takumi. Do you feel like there is no option but to win?” If I was fighting against a monster, then they would be definitely trying to take my life. To be precise, they would try to eat me. I had to fight and win in order to survive. Now, if it was a human, perhaps they might not kill me. But I think that I would take damage in some way or another. “That is true. There are times when you must win no matter what… But the truth is, you really just need to avoid losing.” “Not losing? How is that different from winning?” “Indeed… For instance, what if you are attacked by a monster in a wide open space. And Leo is not with you.” “Yes.” I imagined the scenario that Sebastian spoke of. “And all your acquired sword skills will not be effective on this monster. What would you do?” “…I would try to figure out why my sword is ineffective, and how I can change that.” “Yes. That is not wrong. But if you cannot find a way to make your sword effective, then defeat is guaranteed.” “That’s true.” In this situation, I would have nothing in my future but a quick death. A situation where I had to lose.. I didn’t want to think about it. And there was only so much that I could do. And my sword skills were still not great. “If you do not want to lose in that situation…then you must run.” “Run…” “If you can run, then you might be able to get help. And you may survive.” “I see… I should run then.” I had assumed that I had to win once I got into a fight. Obviously, I wouldn’t die if I won. Not losing meant winning. I suppose I was too hard-headed, as I couldn’t get past that mentality. “Of course, this enemy will then chase after you.” As the enemy had come to attack me, they wouldn’t let me escape so easily. Especially if I showed them my back. And it was possible that they would be faster than me as well. “In such situations, you can use this magic. …Light Elemental Shine.” And then a sphere of light appeared on Sebastian’s hand. “In the forest, it was a substitute for a torch, and so I used it on swords…. But normally, you would create spheres like this. Though, there is no effect other than the light.” “…Indeed.” I closed my eyes for a second because the sphere was so bright. But as Sebastian told me to touch it, I put my hand over the sphere. However, when I tried to touch it, my hand went through as if nothing was there. There was no warmth either. It was just light. “You can use it as a sphere like this or put it into weapons. Regardless, your aim is to blind the enemy with the light.” “And then I can run away?” “Exactly. Though, it depends on the enemy… Most of them would become cautious and think you will do something. And if you take the opportunity to run, you might be able to gain some distance. Besides…” “What?” “Regardless if they are monsters or humans…they determine things by sight, don’t they?” “Yes.” Though, some may be able to just detect a presence… Normally, you had to see it. And it didn’t matter if you were human or monster. “Now, what was your reaction when I made this sphere, Mr. Takumi?” “…I thought it was very bright.” “Exactly. So you will be able to blind someone momentarily. Of course, it is not as effective during the day, but if this were in a dark place at night…” “It might be enough to stop someone in their tracks…” After all, a light had suddenly appeared right in front of them… They would not be able to see. It would be a good way of taking someone by surprise then.

CH 149

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