SMMA 91

Chapter 91
Believe in yourself!
It was an embarrassingly sentimental line that Perkuntla would normally never utter.
This human really was an irritating one in every possible way.
Most mages without skill arrogantly said things like “I can do it! What do you know, spirit? Watch me! I’m not dying today!” before failing spectacularly.
But Ihan—who had ability—reacted entirely differently:
“I don’t think that’s possible.”
“Why are you being so reckless?”
“Are you saying that because it’s not your problem?”
There was a limit to humility…
Self-confidence doesn’t come from emotional pep talks; it’s built on objective analysis, Ihan answered dryly.
Enough talk! Focus, and follow my direction!
Perkuntla ignored the boy’s reply—arguing with him would just end with Perkuntla himself getting irritated.
Visualize lightning, the same way you have with other elements.
That was the foundation of elemental magic:
to vividly imagine the element, shape it in one’s mind, then alter the nature of one’s mana to match it.
This process—transforming magical energy into an elemental form—was the most basic of all basics.
However, lightning was different.
But do NOT imagine a bolt striking down from the sky!
“!”
It was natural that most mages imagined lightning as flashes crashing violently from the heavens.
But invoking that image while channeling the lightning element was dangerous.
To cast magic, one needed to hold and control mana in a stable form.
However, lightning, by its very nature, symbolized loss of control.
Flames could stay burning; water could remain still; ice lingered where it formed.
But lightning could not stay.
It was born only to strike and scatter—an element destined for dispersion.
If a young mage rashly invoked the image of a lightning strike while transforming mana,
they could instantly lose control and unleash stray bolts in every direction.
Perkuntla had nearly died before when touching Ihan’s raging flame spell in the punishment room;
he would not risk another close call like that.
Given the sheer power of this boy’s mana, even one minor error could cause a catastrophic accident.
Of course, I know what you’re thinking—how can one picture lightning without imagining a strike? Yet countless lightning mages throughout history overcame that challenge. You too can master it! A true mage does not accept reality as-is—they shape it to their will! Now lend me your arm.
Despite his dramatic tone, Perkuntla wasn’t some mindless fool spewing bravado.
He understood well how dangerous lightning could be for an untrained mage.
He had a plan.
Just as he’d done in the punishment room, he intended to merge partially with Ihan’s arm to help control it directly.
Even weakened, he could manage that much.
However—
Crackle!
Done. Should I lend you my arm now?
“……”
Perkuntla was speechless. He gawked at the orb of lightning forming atop Ihan’s staff.
Shockingly, before he could even assist, the boy had already completed the elemental conversion—successfully stabilizing lightning mana on his first try.
How… how is that possible?!
While Perkuntla reeled in disbelief, Ihan felt no particular difficulty manipulating the lightning attribute.
He simply thought differently from most mages.
Not being able to picture a bolt didn’t matter to him.
He imagined a sphere of mana atop his staff and treated it like a battery.
A perfectly obvious thought, at least to Ihan.
Envisioning electricity filling the sphere like stored energy came naturally—and fittingly, it worked.
It even felt more stable than other elements he’d tried.
This is easier than he made it sound. He’s being dramatic as usual.
The thought was disrespectful but not inaccurate. Perkuntla had a habit of overreacting—especially since Ihan first met him in the punishment room.
You… you have a natural talent for lightning!
Do I?
Ihan sounded indifferent.
He’d heard similar compliments about multiple elemental affinities by now and had begun to suspect they were just morale-boosters.
After all, confidence was important for young mages.
The lack of enthusiasm came through clearly.
Perkuntla was stunned. For a spirit of his stature, sincerely praising a human was rare indeed.
Do you think I’m lying? You truly are gifted!
Yes… sure, perhaps.
Internally, Ihan assumed it was probably because he’d been “struck by lightning” so often in a figurative sense—or that lightning magic just wasn’t as hard as he’d thought. Likely the latter.
So, when exactly will you take my arm?
Perkuntla blinked, realizing he’d asked for it and then stood there doing nothing.
Just give me a moment. I’m doing it now!
Hope you’re not forgetting things on top of your mood swings, Ihan thought uneasily.
If the bipolar spirit started losing memory, summoning him might become a genuine risk assessment.
While Ihan considered that, Perkuntla finally merged with his arm.
Focus on the incantation I’m about to share.
The spirit began transmitting his spell—his own elemental art.
Even though spirit magic was volatile and fickle, with the assistance of a high-ranking entity like Perkuntla, even a novice mage could wield it safely.
Perkuntla’s Lesser Lightning — a second-circle spell.
The principle was simple:
convert mana to lightning, then release.
No need to shape it into arrows or lances, no need for guiding constructs.
Lightning itself was destructive enough.
The creature’s huge—will this really suffice? What if it just enrages it further?
Please, can you stop arguing every five seconds?!
Perkuntla nearly begged now.
He appreciated that Ihan wasn’t arrogant, but this kind of extreme modesty was intolerable.
Still, Ihan wasn’t one to accept vague persuasion, so Perkuntla resorted to logic.
Listen carefully. Lightning is the most destructive and violent of all elements.
Coming from the Spirit of Lightning, that sounds a bit too on the nose, Ihan thought.
Other elements require shaping or modification to become weapons. Water, for instance—
Ihan nodded in agreement.
Just to weaponize water, he had to shape it—“sphere,” “spear,” “controlled orbit”—too many layers.
But lightning is different. It’s pure destruction even without a form!
Though fire—
No shaping! No aiming! Because once it hits, that’s all that matters!
Perkuntla interrupted, unwilling to tolerate logic in this discussion.
That monster used to be an ordinary vine creature. Students fused it with other monsters, giving it complex properties—but in doing so, made it highly conductor-friendly. That means lightning will work better. Think, boy! Your goal isn’t to kill it, right? You want to rescue the captured students.
Correct.
Then this lesser lightning is enough. Once it strikes, the parasite will drop them immediately. The shock alone forces release! It’s not built to endure voltage—it’ll flee after one hit!
Reasonable, Ihan admitted. The argument held water.
Perkuntla wasn’t just old—he was logical when he wanted to be.
Perkuntla’s Lesser Lightning reminded Ihan somewhat of Lesser Paralysis Curse.
Both involved converting mana into a restricted attribute and releasing it to immobilize the target.
The difference was, this lightning spell caused physical damage and allowed no room to dodge or block—a far better choice under pressure.
Understood. I’ll cast it now!
Finally! Took you long enough!
Ignoring the snide remark, Ihan swung his staff and chanted,
“Strike forth—Perkuntla’s Lightning!”
Very goo—
Perkuntla’s words froze.
The spell had fired successfully, lightning surging outward—but the amount of mana condensed was far above what he’d anticipated.
…????!!!
In the brief time they’d been chatting, Ihan had unconsciously gathered even more mana.
No! Stop—!
* * *
While the Blue Dragon and White Tiger Tower students chased the vine monster into the forest,
the Phoenix and Black Turtle Tower students made a far wiser decision—
They went straight to find Professor Garcia.
“Professor! Over here!!”
Fortunately, they managed to intercept him walking nearby.
The skeletal headmaster floated lazily along beside him, and Professor Volady followed,
but the students didn’t even glance at the other two.
“Hurry! It’s urgent!”
“Calm yourselves.”
Professor Garcia waved his staff; instantly, the panicking students quieted.
The ground trembled, gently propelling him and the students forward swiftly, a windburst carrying them.
“This way, correct?”
“Yes, sir, yes!”
Fortunately, the tracks left by the creature hadn’t vanished.
Soon, Garcia spotted the battle ahead.
The vine monster was encircled by White Tiger students slashing their swords—but their attacks did little. One by one, they were getting snatched up.
Garcia raised his staff, preparing to immobilize the monster—
Then—
A massive bolt of lightning ripped through the sky.
CRACKKK!
It struck dead center into the vine creature.
Even from afar, Garcia could feel the immense magical power saturating that lightning—it made his hair stand on end.
■■■■■■…
The creature didn’t just convulse—it turned completely black and charred.
The students it had held dropped like stones.
Garcia swiftly raised his staff again, cushioning their fall with magic.
“Are you alright?!”
“Uhh… ahhhh…”
Watching them tremble and twitch, Garcia immediately feared the worst—had they absorbed too much mana?
Since the monster drained magical energy, younger mages were particularly vulnerable to internal damage.
Tijiling, the cleric who had fetched Garcia, looked at her friends anxiously.
Were they okay…?
“Thank goodness!”
Garcia’s relieved exhale calmed her worries.
It seemed they were fine.
“Is anyone hurt?”
“We’re fine, sir. Just… a little singed by lightning.”
“…?”
Tijiling froze.
Was that supposed to be fine…?