...
{3rd Pov}
The conditions required for copying magic were relatively straightforward.
Ember needed to know the chant of the magic and witness it being executed in real time, just like Lefiya had done in anime.
However, unlike her, he wasn't restricted by any racial limitations when it came to magic usage.
Of course, there were additional factors to consider, such as maintaining focus and attuning himself to the magical energies in play.
Yet, remarkably, Ember managed to succeed on his very first attempt, as the chant of the magic he was observing was simple and easy to grasp.
He applied the same method while Ash, Aurielle, and Jasmine were dispatched to eliminate weaker Level 1 monsters.
Since these three were not particularly strong in frontal combat, the task of handling the weakest enemies was assigned to them.
It was a deliberate decision: although their combat skills in direct confrontation were subpar, Goddess Athena herself had personally trained them, instilling the belief that a magician who couldn't defend themselves in close combat wasn't truly a magician at all.
(A/N: "A magician who can't fight in close combat isn't a magician at all" – Athena, 2025)
Yes, it may have sounded unusual or even extreme, but they never questioned the wisdom of their Goddess.
That was precisely why they practiced frontal combat, even if only against opponents one level weaker than themselves.
Jasmine wielded a short sword rather than relying solely on her magic, while Ash used twin daggers for precision attacks.
As for Jasmine, she also utilized her magical staff, devastating the goblins with raw magical force, smashing them without hesitation.
Ember couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease as he observed Jasmine in action.
The way she smashed a goblin's face into a grotesque mess while wearing a seemingly innocent, cute smile reminded him of the so-called 'yanderes' from his previous world.
For some reason, the sight sent shivers down his spine.
Thankfully for Ember, the setup provided him an excellent opportunity to learn.
He quickly and efficiently copied Ash's wind magic along with Jasmine's Blizzard magic.
While neither spell was particularly powerful on its own, both were highly versatile, offering him tactical options he could employ later.
The process was smooth, and by the time the trio finished their task, Ember had already familiarized himself with the fundamentals of two new spells, ready to put them to practical use.
Ash had the ability to channel his wind magic in multiple ways.
He could envelop a part of his own body in swirling currents of wind, enhancing both his speed and defensive capabilities, or he could apply it to his weapons and arrows, improving their piercing power and trajectory.
It was efficient, and yet Ember couldn't help but notice it felt like a somewhat cheap imitation of Ariel's style.
As for Jasmine's frost magic, it unleashed a relentless torrent of blizzards, composed of swirling white snow and sharp, piercing hailstones.
The magic was exceptionally effective against clusters of weak opponents, obliterating them with ease.
However, against stronger, more resilient foes, its effects were limited, requiring careful application and strategy.
Ember couldn't suppress the nagging guilt that had begun to creep into his thoughts.
Here he was, an outsider in their newly-formed party, quietly observing and copying their magic without ever asking for permission.
He didn't attempt to justify his actions as being morally right; he simply recognized the practical necessity of having a few extra "whole cards" to play in critical, life-threatening moments.
He couldn't afford to die a pitiful, meaningless death—not now, not when he had someone so important to protect.
Aurora, his lover—or almost his wife—was in his life now, and there was also the family that he had promised to safeguard.
(A/N: Notice how Ember immediately thought of Aurora first. Tsk, tsk. It's fascinating how people can grow attached to someone unknown just a few years ago and love them even more fiercely than the family who has been there their entire life—an unsettling truth of the current world.)
For Aurora, Ember resolved that he would endure anything, even if it meant committing actions that might be considered slightly despicable.
At the same time, he planned to carry out his role within the party faithfully, as long as none of its members betrayed him.
He would uphold his duties as a teammate, keeping their trust while ensuring his own survival.
As the party pressed deeper into the forest, the tension in the air thickened.
They finally came across a formidable opponent: a group of Orcs.
The creatures roared, a harsh, guttural sound echoing through the trees, their massive frames bristling with aggression.
Counting at least a dozen of the hulking beasts, Lance's lips curved into a confident grin, fully aware that the battle ahead would test the coordination, strength, and magic of her entire party.
"Everyone, get into formation!" Lance commanded, her voice sharp and authoritative, and immediately, each member of the party moved to their designated positions with practiced efficiency.
Jack stepped forward first, wielding his massive greatsword with ease.
He swung the heavy blade in a wide arc, cleaving through several Orcs in a single motion, reducing them to nothing more than squirming, helpless corpses.
They were, quite literally, like the pigs he often compared them to in his mind.
Lance followed suit, charging forward with her spear in hand.
Her movements were swift and precise, striking down two Orcs effortlessly with piercing thrusts that left the creatures unable to recover.
Aurielle, meanwhile, prepared her fire magic.
She began chanting, her words longer and more intricate than Lance's, and the air around her shimmered with the intensity of her incantation.
Ember, focusing on his assigned role, couldn't copy her magic this time; the complexity of her spell and the precision of her timing made it impossible for him to replicate in real time.
Instead, Ember stayed close to Jasmine, taking up the role of her protector.
A lone Orc charged toward them, but he intercepted it in an instant, slicing through the creature with minimal effort.
Ash, positioned slightly behind, unleashed his wind-enhanced arrows, sending them piercing through an Orc's head with deadly accuracy.
Within minutes, all the Orcs in their vicinity had been eliminated, leaving nothing but lifeless bodies and a scattering of magic stones.
"They were fine appetizers," Lance declared, her eyes glinting with excitement.
"But we need something stronger! Let's see if we can encounter a Level 3 monster!" Her voice carried both energy and challenge, driving the party forward with renewed determination.
The group advanced another few hundred meters through the dense forest when a sudden, piercing screech echoed above them.
"Wyverns! Wyverns are coming! Everyone, prepare yourselves!" Lance shouted, and all heads turned skyward.
From above, a horde of Wyverns descended, their wings creating strong gusts of wind as they dived toward the party.
The creatures screeched with terrifying intensity, their beady eyes fixated on their intended targets.
"Protect the magicians!" Lance ordered, stepping forward to intercept the first Wyvern.
Jack met one head-on, his powerful strike generating a forceful gust of wind that disrupted its dive and staggered the creature midair.
Lance began chanting her magic, her words ringing out in a commanding tone, while Ember simultaneously started his own incantation, positioning himself strategically to shield Jasmine as she also chanted her Ice Magic.
Ash quickly discarded his bag and readied his bow, sending wind-enchanted arrows flying with precision.
The projectiles pierced through the Wyverns' thick hides, striking with deadly effect.
Aurielle, completing her preparations, unleashed her own incantation.
Ember, being the first to finish his chant, directed a torrent of blue flames from his short staff, the inferno engulfing the Wyverns directly in its path, reducing several of them to ash within seconds.
Immediately after, Lance completed her chant.
Thunder crackled violently along her spear, striking multiple Wyverns at once.
Their bodies disintegrated into black particles that scattered into the wind, leaving no trace of the creatures' existence.
Finally, Aurielle's magic culminated in a massive eruption of bright orange flames.
The firestorm swept across the remaining Wyverns, obliterating them entirely and leaving behind only their magic stones as evidence of the battle.
Within moments, every Wyvern had been defeated, the forest momentarily quiet except for the soft crackling of smoldering embers and the labored breaths of the victorious party members.
They retraced their path through the forest, moving carefully along the uneven terrain, when they suddenly encountered a horde of Hellhounds.
The monstrous creatures, snarling and baring their teeth, charged at the party, but it was no challenge for them.
In a coordinated display of skill, the team quickly and efficiently eliminated the Hellhounds, leaving nothing but scorched earth and scattered magic stones behind.
As they continued forward, the sky slowly shifted colors, turning a deep shade of orange as the sun began its descent toward the horizon.
Spotting a suitable open space, the party decided it was the perfect place to set up camp for the night.
Ash and the other support members immediately began pitching tents and organizing the supplies, while Ember, Lance, and Jack took up positions around the perimeter to keep watch for any potential threats.
Their movements were precise and methodical, reflecting their experience in both combat and survival.
Once the camp was properly established, Lance gave her orders with authority.
"Start cooking the food. Jack, you're on guard duty," she instructed.
The weretiger nodded, taking up his post without hesitation.
Ember and Lance, meanwhile, settled near the newly lit campfire, the warmth of the flames contrasting with the cool evening air.
Along the way, the party had caught two rabbits, which Jasmine expertly skinned and prepared.
Ember glanced at her as she worked, a bemused thought crossing his mind.
'So this is what happens behind the scenes of an RPG adventure,' he mused silently—healer and adventurer, smiling while butchering animals with a strange sense of ease.
"So," Lance began, taking a sip of the boiled water she had prepared, "how was your first day with our party?"
She looked at Ember expectantly, her expression curious yet relaxed.
Ember replied honestly, "It was good. All of you are skilled in your respective roles, and your coordination as a team is impressive."
Lance chuckled softly at his response and finished the rest of her water in a single gulp.
Then, leaning slightly forward, she asked, "Your coordination was quite good as well. Have you ever worked with a large party like this before?"
Ember nodded, his thoughts briefly drifting to his friends back in Argon.
All of them were now Level 2 adventurers, so working with a party of their level had never been particularly difficult for him.
However, the Thunder Lance party was in a different league altogether— stronger, and more coordinated than any group he had faced before.
While he reflected on that, Ash busied himself with preparing a simple but hearty vegetable soup, Aurielle carefully pitched the remaining tents, and Jasmine double-checked the supplies.
Being a more powerful and well-organized party allowed them to approach the evening with a degree of relaxation that Ember found enviable.
The support members could afford to take their time, cooking and setting up, while the front-line fighters maintained vigilance, ensuring their safety for the night.
"Tet, the color of your magic's flames is truly remarkable," Aurielle commented, her golden eyes gleaming with curiosity and interest.
"I have never seen magic that produces blue flames like yours. Most fire-based magic releases flames ranging from red to orange, with the magic producing orange flames generally considered stronger than the red. So, your magic is genuinely unique and quite impressive."
There was a clear sense of fascination in her voice; she was undoubtedly intrigued by Ember's extraordinary ability.
Ember, maintaining his usual politeness, replied, "Well, I am equally fascinated by Miss Lance's magic. Your magical ability is not something to underestimate, and, of course, Miss Aurielle, your magic is formidable as well."
Lance laughed softly at his compliment, patting Aurielle on the back.
"When it comes to raw power, Aurielle's magic certainly surpasses mine," she admitted, her voice light but confident, "however, when it comes to versatility, my magic undoubtedly takes the lead."
Aurielle raised an eyebrow, her pride clearly evident.
"Captain, I also possess a medium-length chant magic," she said, a faint twitch betraying her desire to be recognized.
Lance chuckled and shook her head slightly.
"Bah! That's just single-target magic," she teased.
"Mine can affect both single and multiple targets, making it far more versatile!" Aurielle let out a small sigh, slightly exasperated by the friendly banter, and Ember quietly sighed as well, his mind racing.
'What about me? I have all of their magics except Aurielle's,' he thought slyly, a small smirk crossing his face at the realization.
Since the party consisted almost entirely of Elves, with the exception of Jack, almost everyone possessed some form of magical ability.
An average Elf typically had one magic slot, a slightly talented Elf could have two slots, and truly gifted Elves often mastered all three magic slots.
Altena was home to an abundance of magically talented Elves, making it rare to find an Elf without magical aptitude.
In essence, being an Elf adventurer was almost synonymous with being a magician.
(A/N: Meanwhile, that side character Elf who was previously taken advantage of by Dionysius sat quietly in the corner, quietly crying.)
Soon, the prepared food was ready, the aroma of roasted rabbit and vegetable soup filling the campsite.
Lance called Jack back from his perimeter watch, deciding to take up guard duty herself.
"You all eat while I keep watch," she instructed, grabbing her spear and moving to her post with purpose and authority.
Jasmine, ever attentive, served the cooked rabbit alongside steaming bowls of the vegetable soup, ensuring everyone was taken care of.
As the party began to dig in and enjoy the meal, a sudden rustling of the nearby bushes caught their attention.
Before anyone could react further, Lance, with lightning-fast reflexes, dashed toward the disturbance.
In an instant, she slayed the goblin that had dared to intrude upon their camp.
"Just a pesky goblin," she called back nonchalantly, her expression calm and composed.
"You all continue eating; there's no need to worry." The rest of the party exchanged brief, impressed glances before resuming their meal, reassured by Lance's competence and vigilance.
"You can't even eat in peace here," Aurielle said with an exaggerated sigh, clearly frustrated by the constant interruptions.
"Hey! I am on guard duty, so shut up and just eat!" Lance retorted sharply, her voice cutting through the tension as she effortlessly slaughtered another goblin that dared to approach the campsite.
The display of skill and speed drew a few laughs from the rest of the party, while Ember remained quiet, his mind briefly wandering back to memories of his previous party members and the moments they had shared during hunts and battles.
Time passed steadily, and once they had finished their dinner, Lance returned to the campfire, wiping her spear clean before addressing Ember.
"Tet, it's your turn on guard duty," she said, picking up a bowl of soup and taking a careful sip, as if savoring the momentary calm.
Ember nodded in acknowledgment and quietly walked away to his assigned post.
The night passed without incident; he kept watch for two hours, the forest remaining eerily silent.
When his shift ended, Jack took over the guard duty, allowing Ember to finally rest and sleep peacefully until dawn.
The next morning, as the first light of dawn crept through the dense foliage of the forest, the party prepared to move deeper into the wilds.
Almost immediately, they encountered a group of Bugbears emerging from the underbrush.
Lance immediately took command, issuing orders with precision and authority.
"Let's divide our focus properly," she instructed firmly.
"Jack, you will take the front line! I will position myself to your left. Ember, you will take your place on his right. Aurielle and Ash, provide support from the back. Jasmine, be ready to heal anyone who gets injured!" Within moments, everyone had assumed their designated roles, a testament to their experience as a coordinated unit.
Ember quickly positioned himself on Jack's right and charged forward without hesitation.
With practiced precision, he swung his sword in a clean arc, slicing through the neck of a Bugbear and killing it instantly.
Jack, meeting another Bugbear head-on, swung his massive great sword with brutal force, cleaving the creature in half.
Meanwhile, Lance's expert spear work created a flurry of rapid stabs, piercing through the Bugbear multiple times in the span of mere seconds.
Ash, maintaining composure in the rear, released arrows with pinpoint accuracy, striking the Bugbears in their eyes and severely limiting their ability to move and fight effectively.
Soon, Aurielle unleashed her destructive magic, obliterating two more Bugbears in a brilliant display of fire-based power.
Within moments, all the Bugbears were defeated, their bodies lying scattered across the forest floor.
"Not a bad haul," Lance commented with a grin, surveying the aftermath of their battle.
"If we keep fighting opponents like these, I'm confident we'll be able to raise our parameters by several points in no time."
Her words carried truth; Bugbears, while similar in strength and defensive capabilities to Minotaurs, possessed significantly higher agility, making them especially formidable and challenging opponents, if not for the fact that entire party had above average parameters for their level and Wild Bugbears being weaker than Dungeon ones, it would have been extremely challenging for even their party.
The entire party nodded in agreement, understanding the practical benefits of encountering such enemies in their ongoing journey through the forest.
They continued exploring the dense forest, moving cautiously but steadily through the terrain.
Along the way, they frequently encountered Level 1 monsters, dispatching them with relative ease, while Level 2 monsters appeared only rarely, making those encounters more challenging and strategic.
Their expedition stretched over the course of two full days, filled with combat, tracking, and careful navigation of the forest's hazards.
During this time, Ember had also managed to successfully copy both of Aurielle's fire magics, adding them to his already formidable arsenal.
With these additions, Ember had become the adventurer who possessed the greatest number of magics in the known world.
Even the most elite members of the Athena familia rarely had more than four or five magics at their disposal, but Ember's accumulation far exceeded that standard.
He now commanded three fire-based magics, two distinct healing magics, one wind magic, and one thunder magic.
In total, he wielded seven separate magics—an arsenal that already surpassed almost every other adventurer in existence, if not the entirety of Altena.
After completing their expedition, the party returned to Altena, the forest gradually giving way to the familiar streets and buildings of the city.
Upon arriving at the Guild, they sold all the collected magic stones and valuable materials, dividing the spoils among themselves.
Their total earnings from the trip amounted to an impressive 2.1 million valis.
"It will make 333,400 valis each," Jasmine calculated aloud as she distributed the money to the team members, "and the remaining valis will go to Lance, as the leader of the party."
Aurielle's eyes sparkled with satisfaction as she chimed in, "This time, we made 800,000 valis more than our last expedition! This is actually the third largest haul we've ever collected on any mission!"
Typically, their expeditions would yield around 1 million valis on average, but the addition of Ember allowed them to take greater risks and, as a result, secure significantly larger rewards.
"So, how about it, Tet? Do you plan to continue adventuring with us?" Lance asked, her sharp eyes studying him closely for his response.
Ember's expression remained calm and composed as he replied, "I find the Thunder Lance party to be quite capable and well-coordinated, so I am willing to continue adventuring with you. That said, I also enjoy traveling solo, so I might not be joining you on every expedition."
Lance's brow furrowed slightly at his words.
"You like going solo? That's incredibly dangerous, you know," she said, her tone a mixture of concern and incredulity.
Solo adventuring was generally reserved for those who had no party or familia backing them.
While in Orario, going alone might be considered a manageable risk, in the outside world it was far more perilous ironically despite monsters being far more weaker than dungeon.
"I am aware of the risks," Ember replied calmly, "but I believe that solo experiences are essential for sharpening one's abilities and honing true combat skill."
Her eyes lit up with excitement at his words.
"Indeed! That is the best way to hone your abilities. Perhaps I will try solo runs more often as well," she said enthusiastically, clearly inspired by his resolve.
The rest of her party, however, let out long, exasperated sighs, exchanging glances as they silently questioned her judgment in following such a reckless idea.
With that, they parted ways for the day, each member taking their share of the money and preparing for their own tasks and routines.
Ember, satisfied with the expedition and the progress he had made, left the Guild to continue on his own path, stepping into the city streets with a renewed sense of purpose and the knowledge that his solo adventures would only strengthen him further.
To be continued...
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