Chapter 60: *Shaping a blade*
Kevin then took advantage of the time their teacher spent calming the students, who were mostly cheering him on like a hero, to see how many Soul Force points he would need to use his new spell.
[ MASTERY OF THE ELEMENTS ]
- Lightning Element Level 5: 12,680 / 20,000
- Spell: None
- Water Element Level 3: 3,824 / 5,000
- Spell Level 1: Water Arrow (Soul Force required to activate: 30)
- Wind Element Level 2: 353 / 2,500
- Spell: None
- Earth Element Level 2: 57 / 2,500
- Spell Level 1: Throwing Stones (Soul Force required to activate: 20)
- Fire Element Level 0: 0 / 200
When Kevin saw that he only needed 30 Soul Force points to use the Water Arrow, he felt a pang of sympathy for the other mages around him who would have to learn how to create basic spells first and then introduce the particles of their elements into them. This System was truly a great help; everything was going very smoothly for him.
He decided to refocus on Professor Julian, who had just announced that the demonstration was over and that it was their turn to try and do the same thing. He added that he would go around to help each student individually if needed.
Kevin was eager to give it a try. Yesterday, Alan had helped him concentrate a certain amount of spiritual energy and shape it into a ball, so he thought he would try something different. He focused on the spiritual energy around them and concentrated some of it over his right hand, trying to visualize not an arrow but a blade.
After all, he was much more familiar with this type of weapon than with an arrow, and it was also easier to shape. However, Kevin soon realized that the shape wasn’t holding and that the spiritual energy he had concentrated was scattering.
He pondered how to solve this issue and remembered the amount of spiritual energy the teacher had used to create the arrow. The amount he had focused over his right hand was quite small in comparison. So, he decided to increase the amount of spiritual energy, and when he was confident he had reached approximately the same amount as the teacher, he attempted to shape his spiritual energy into a blade again.
This time, he succeeded! The spiritual energy was so condensed that the milky blade appeared sharp and almost real, looking as impressive as Professor Julian’s milky arrow.
Kevin then threw his blade at the dummy with an expert flick of his wrist. The blade of spiritual energy struck the center of the dummy’s head, leaving a conspicuous mark on it.
Kevin felt a surge of satisfaction and couldn’t help but exclaim, "So cool!"
He paid no attention to the other students, who had all stopped what they were doing to watch the one who had just cast this spell. When they realized it was Kevin again, they all wondered how it was possible. His Soul Force was one of the weakest in their class, yet he was always the first to succeed.
What they didn’t understand was that, whether crafting a potion or creating a spell, it wasn’t merely about the amount of Soul Force reserve a person had. The main factors were focus and a strong mind that wouldn’t get easily distracted, unlike theirs.
Kevin, with his practical mindset, decided to repeat this same basic spell over and over again until it became a second nature and that his execution speed improved to the point of being useful in a real fight.
Professor Julian, who had been guiding the students needing assistance, kept an eye on Kevin. He had hoped that Kevin would require some help, but oddly enough, he was doing exceptionally well on his own. He had heard that Alan wanted to tutor Kevin and that he had submitted an exceptional waiver request for it.
The only information Julian had managed to gather about Kevin was that he was an orphan and lacked any prior knowledge of alchemy or spells. He also knew about his test scores, and having a low Soul Force level wouldn’t hinder his progress in learning to create spells—at least not initially, as basic spells only required between 10 and 20 Soul Force points to be created.
What amazed Julian the most was that instead of trying to shape spiritual energy into another basic spell, Kevin was solely focused on forming blades after successfully creating one. He was shaping the blades faster and faster while still throwing them with deadly precision. Remarkable, he thought.
Kevin didn’t forget that he was only supposed to have 180 Soul Force points. So when he checked his stats and saw that he had already used 150 points, he decided to take a break and ask their teacher some questions.
Julian, just finishing up with a student’s questions, noticed Kevin wanted to talk, so he walked over and asked, "How can I help you, Kevin?"
Kevin seemed surprised, so Julian explained with a shy smile, "Well, you’re the only student with an affinity for three elements, so don’t be surprised I know your name. Tell me how I can assist you; I don’t feel like you really need me."
Kevin sighed helplessly; he had forgotten that having an affinity for three elements was extremely rare. He asked his teacher, "Can you tell me more about the basic spells? I just depleted my Soul Force reserve, and I would like to learn more. Can we shape any weapon from spiritual energy?"
Julian laughed and replied, "Um, yes, you can shape any weapon with spiritual energy. The larger the shape, the more spiritual energy it requires. However, the only limitations to creating basic spells are your Soul Force reserve and your imagination. Basic spells can also be used as a shield; they aren’t just for attacking. Once you can see the particles of the elements without meditating, you will be able to introduce them into your basic spells, and they will then become level 1 spells."
Kevin couldn’t hide his joy and exclaimed, "So awesome!"
