Chantless Magic

Of course, his system also came with a proficiency training feature. But ever since he had spent an entire day practicing Water Ball without sleep, the system had stopped rewarding him with experience for lower-tier water magic.

Maybe he had maxed out Water Ball's proficiency.

That power... was that Intermediate Water Magic, Water Cannon?!

Roxy stared at the water projectile that had blasted apart the tree, her little mouth agape as she covered her lips and looked in disbelief at the damage caused by Water Cannon.

That tree was completely ruined. Not even Intermediate Healing Magic could save it now.

"You—you didn't chant just now, did you?!"

"Huh? Magic needs chanting?!"

"Of course it does!! It's weirder not to chant!!!"

"O-Okay, Master, I'll chant properly. Just don't get so close."

"That's not the issue, idiot!"

Cain looked at the cute, angry face right in front of him. She was so close that he could even feel the warm, moist breath Roxy let out.

Cain's face flushed slightly, and he took two steps back.

"Wait, Cain. Have you known magic from the very beginning? And have you always cast magic without chanting? Hurry up, tell me the truth!"

"I understand, I'll explain. Teacher Roxy, please calm down—no, please keep some distance."

Cain pressed his lips together and took another two steps back. With a faint blush on his face, he placed his hands on Roxy's shoulders and sighed. He was not attracted to little girls.

But there still needed to be some distance between men and women, after all. Keeping a little distance from Master Roxy was necessary.

There was no denying that Teacher Roxy was cute, but she seemed desperate to know the answer about his Chantless Casting.

Cain looked at Roxy, who had calmed down somewhat but was still staring fixedly at him with her large eyes, and scratched his slightly reddened cheek.

Had this foolish master of his forgotten something? He was the Sword God of the Sword God Style. If he meant her harm, she would be in great danger. Why was his master not wary of him at all?

Of course, he was happy about it, but vigilance was still necessary.

Although he was happy that he had gotten along with Roxy so quickly, shouldn't his teacher be at least a little cautious? Of course, she could relax around him somewhat.

Cain smiled as he thought about it.

Forget it. There was plenty of time. As long as she had a student like him by her side, nothing would happen.

With that thought, Cain composed himself and looked at Roxy.

"I only discovered it two weeks ago. I can cast magic without chanting, and I barely used any magic at Sword God's Holy Land."

Was he showing off? How irritating... So this was the difference in talent. Had I finally reached this point too? I'm sorry, Teacher Jinas. I finally understand how it feels to be jealous of a student's talent.

Roxy did not know about the system. She even felt regretful that Cain had not been taught magic from childhood and allowed to fully develop his magical talent.

"S-So this is your talent, right...?"

Roxy looked deeply shaken. Wearing a dejected smile, she squatted on the ground and began drawing circles in the snow with her finger.

Don't just throw away your magic staff...

Looking at the staff that had been discarded again, the corner of Cain's smiling mouth twitched. If he threw his sword onto the ground, Gall, the Sword God, would make him swing it ten thousand times.

Cain picked up the staff that had been tossed aside, placed a hand on Roxy's shoulder, and offered a few comforting words.

"Um... Cain, am I a foolish master...?"

"Not at all! Teacher Roxy is an incredible magician in my eyes!"

"Huh? Really? You're not just trying to comfort me, are you?"

"Not at all, it's true! I swear on the Sword God's honor!"

Well, it was his master's honor, not his own.

"O-Okay..." Roxy lightly coughed twice and took a deep breath. She seemed to have regained some spirit. Her expression grew somewhat serious as she looked earnestly at Cain.

There was no doubt that Cain was a genius, the kind with extraordinary talent in both swordsmanship and magic. Roxy had never seen anyone cast magic without chanting. Not a single person.

"You will become a magician far stronger than your teacher. On that point alone, I guarantee it in the name of the Water Saint. I may even become jealous of your talent someday..."

"Huh? Teacher, would you be jealous of me?"

"I would... I'm already jealous of you..."

Roxy pursed her lips and puffed out her cheeks. Looking at Cain's obvious smile, she took the magic staff from his hand, sighed, and lightly tapped him on the head.

"Please don't become arrogant."

"I'll remain humble, Master Roxy!"

Perhaps Cain would become someone like the legendary great hero, the first Water God. He might even become a magic swordsman with Divine Rank in both magic and swordsmanship. Of course, as his first magic teacher, she already felt greatly gratified.

With a faint smile at the corner of her lips, Roxy looked at Cain.

"Ahem. In any case, I'll begin teaching you magic now, though you may not even need to learn it..."

"Please teach me! I'll give it everything I have, Master Roxy."

After hearing Cain's words, Roxy puffed out her cheeks again.

So jealous...

The night stretched on. Since she had no spellbooks, Roxy could only teach Cain a few spells that she herself commonly used and knew well, such as—

"O mighty water spirit, child of the Thunder Emperor ascending to the heavens! Forge a mighty giant sword of ice, and crash down!"

"Lcice Break! Ice Spike!"

A massive ice spike suddenly condensed above Roxy's magic staff, then shot forth with a thunderous roar, pulverizing the trunk of another lush green tree beside the tree that had just been destroyed by Water Cannon!

"Amazing!" Cain's eyes lit up.

"This is Intermediate Ice Magic. Cain, try using the technique I taught you. Picture water condensing into ice in your mind, then release it toward the target."

"Okay! Leave it to me!"

Cain raised his hand toward the last remaining tree. He began recalling the image of the enormous ice cone formed by Master Roxy, and as he gradually poured magic into his hand—

The outline of an ice cone appeared above him as well. It continued to solidify and grow until it became twice the size of the one Roxy had released with her staff, only then slowly stopping its formation.

I'm a little jealous... but I'm even happier.

Roxy smiled helplessly, brushing aside the bangs before her forehead and gently pressing her lips together.

Even with the magical amplification of her staff, the ice cone she created had been so much smaller than the one Cain had made on his first attempt. It was clear just how terrifying Cain's total mana was. Did she really have the qualifications to teach him...?

Even if Cain were not the Sword God, with his aptitude, he would certainly become a King-class, perhaps even Emperor-class magician.

There would always be peerless geniuses like Cain in this world...

Roxy held down her magic hat, her azure eyes glinting faintly as she watched the boy who was condensing magic with his eyes closed. Her lips curled upward slightly.

"When casting magic, Cain, you need to use your eyes to confirm the target. So please don't close your eyes."

"Yes, I understand, Master!"

Cain slowly opened his eyes. After confirming that his target was the lone remaining pine tree, his gaze sharpened.

"Ice Spike!"

With a boom, an enormous ice cone as long as a small two-story building shot out with a whoosh!

But it grazed the pine tree and crashed heavily into the snow. It missed its target, punching through the smooth snowfield and leaving behind a rocky crater several meters deep.

The smile on Roxy's face grew a little wider.

"Wonderful! Ahem, I mean, what a pity. Cain, your accuracy still needs improvement."

"Understood, Master Roxy. I'll pay attention next time!"

[Successfully cast Intermediate Ice Magic: Ice Spike!]

[Proficiency: +167 points]

[Reward: Ice magic casting speed slightly increased, ice magic mana consumption -5%, total mana +1%, ice magic power +1%]

Cain blinked as he looked at the adorable smile blooming across Roxy's face. Master seemed really happy just now. She must have been happy that he had cast the spell. Of course, he really had failed to control the ice spike's accuracy properly. He hoped his teacher would not be disappointed.

In truth, the bigger reason he had missed was that Cain had suddenly thought of something. Why were there several evergreen trees near the city gate in this freezing, snow-covered landscape? Could it be...