Chapter 9

Although he couldn’t cast a second spell while one was still in progress—

Once a spell’s proficiency leveled up, it could unlock multi-cast effects: double shots, triple shots, even five consecutive projectiles.

Unfortunately, those chains still counted as a single cast.

If each projectile were counted separately, that would mean five times the proficiency gain.

"Level 80..."

Kanzaki Rei murmured inwardly.

"Switch to Fireball."

After Level 80, the number of casts required for further advancement increased dramatically. Rather than grind one spell endlessly, he decided it was better to raise all three spells Master Iz had left him to a solid baseline first.

The second spell was Fireball.

"Blazing flames that burn with searing heat."

"Gather and take form within my palm."

"Fireball—burst forth."

Boom!

A roiling sphere of flame condensed in his hand—completely different from the crude elemental fire he had formed earlier.

This Fireball burned hotter.

And...

He could throw it.

Boom!

Rei hurled the Fireball into the sky.

It exploded midair in a burst of firelight. A faint detonation echoed in the distance.

"That’s... not exactly subtle."

Compared to the near-silent Ice Spear, Fireball’s explosion definitely made some noise.

Still... probably acceptable.

"Fireball—burst."

Whoosh!

With the incantation shortened, he cast again.

—

Inside Iz’s room.

Akagi, Kumironi, and Obadis were gathered around the dining table in the suite’s living area.

Small pastries sat before Iz and Kumironi. A steak rested in front of Akagi.

Obadis had nothing.

Cradling a cup of hot tea, Kumironi asked softly, "Iz... what do you think of little Rei’s talent?"

Iz sliced off a piece of cake and placed it into his mouth before replying.

"His magical aptitude is extraordinary. First-rate elemental affinity. First-rate mana affinity. First-rate comprehension."

"Even compared to myself, he doesn’t fall short by much."

Kumironi smiled faintly. "That’s very high praise."

Iz nodded.

"I’ve taught many students. To achieve chantless casting, most require tens of thousands of repetitions of the same spell."

"Even those with proficiency-based talent can only reduce that to around ten thousand."

"He mastered chantless casting in three."

"This level of casting talent... I’ve never seen it before."

Kumironi sipped her tea, smiling.

"But compared to a certain mage who never chants to begin with, he’s still slightly behind, isn’t he?"

Iz Parult grinned confidently.

"Not everyone can be me."

Kumironi tilted her head. "So what’s your plan now?"

Iz fell silent for a moment before answering.

"My original intention was to train him into a mage capable of basic self-preservation. Then, under my recommendation, introduce him to the Kingdom of Loren and enroll him in the Loinz Academy of Magic."

"After graduating as a Level 2 or Level 3 Mage, he would be able to establish himself in Loren."

"Loren is a relatively peaceful kingdom. He could live a decent life there."

Kumironi chuckled softly. "That was your original plan. What about now?"

Iz smiled knowingly.

"You understand me well, Kumironi."

"After witnessing his magical talent, I’ve decided to personally cultivate him into the finest mage."

Kumironi raised a brow. "Second only to you?"

Iz nodded.

"Second only to me."

Akagi leaned back in his chair, rocking it lazily while digging in his ear.

"Iz, is there no chance he could surpass you?"

Iz stroked his chin, clearly amused.

"Mm. I suppose that possibility must be considered."

"A mage who surpasses me? Hahaha... how exciting."

"If that day comes, it will certainly be something worth celebrating."

Iz looked toward the ceiling.

The elemental fluctuations overhead had not ceased for even a moment. Rei was still tirelessly casting.

Through mana perception and magical detection, Iz could clearly sense that every single cast Rei performed was stronger than the last.

Akagi asked, "So tomorrow’s raid on the Earth Draconian Overlord—you’re not coming with us?"

Iz replied, "The three of you should be more than enough. I plan to accompany him into a dungeon instead."

Akagi blinked. "Which one? The Level 6 Cavern of Despairing Howls?"

Iz shook his head.

"That would be too difficult for him. This time, I don’t intend to intervene."

"I’ll take him to the Level 2 Darkwood Forest."

—

He cast until deep into the night, until drowsiness crept back over him.

Ice Spear, Fireball, Wind Blade—all had been trained to LV: 80.

Mana Tide had reached LV: 99.

Once the novelty of magic faded—

Rei finally lay back on the bed, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling.

Suddenly, a wave of sorrow surged through him.

He thought of home.

Ever since crossing into this world, his mind had been preoccupied with survival and magic.

Only now, in the quiet, did everything settle.

And home resurfaced.

"Mom... Dad... are you okay?"

"Was there an explosion at the airport?"

"Did they hear news of my death?"

"After I crossed over... did time stop for them? Or is it still moving?"

"Is there... any chance I can return?"

Grief swelled uncontrollably. Tears streamed down from the corners of his eyes.

The novelty of another world could not erase the pain of leaving one’s homeland behind.

Iz’s speculation hadn’t been wrong.

He had been randomly transported here...

And likely could never return.

The sorrow crashed over him like a tide. Rei wrapped himself tightly in the blanket, curling into a ball on the bed.

—

When he opened his eyes again, sunlight was streaming through the window onto the sheets.

An unfamiliar environment.

A hazy mind.

It took him a long while to remember where he was.

The events of the past two days still felt unreal—like a dream.

He couldn’t even recall when he had fallen asleep. Only that he had cried for a long time.

But now that he was awake, the ache had dulled.

When he thought of home again, the sharp sorrow was no longer as overwhelming.

Perhaps that was why Iz hadn’t lingered last night.

He had intentionally given him space.

"He really is a kind person."

Kumironi and Iz Parult had both left excellent impressions on him.

He hadn’t interacted much with Akagi and Obadis, but they seemed decent as well.

Akagi was beloved by the town’s residents—no less than Iz.

In fact, he seemed especially popular among the elderly.

Rei got out of bed and washed up. Last night, Kumironi had given him a new set of clothes.

Compared to the coarse linen he had been wearing, this outfit was far more refined.

The fabric was smooth silk.

Once dressed, it formed a proper mage’s robe.

「Thousand-Thread Mage Robe」「Quality: Fine」「Defense Effect: Weak」「Special: Slightly increases casting efficiency (Activated for Level 1 Mages)」

"So that’s how equipment works."

There were no level restrictions on wearing gear—but if an item had special effects, they required meeting a level condition to activate.

Otherwise, it was merely decorative.

After finishing dressing, Rei glanced at the wall clock.

10:00 AM.

He had slept quite a while.

Patting his cheeks lightly to shake off the lingering haze, Kanzaki Rei stepped out of the room.