Volume 1 Chapter 35 How To Raise A Stardust Magician
Orkide jumped back, wary of Cosmos.
It was as if he was fleeing, and when he returned to where his father and the soldiers were, Lizeron's bewildered voice hit his ears.
"W-What's going on, Orkide! Why does Cosmos have that kind of power...?!"
"I don't know. Maybe she's getting help from her allies lurking in the shadows..."
He tried to voice that possibility, but immediately shook his head at his own opinion.
If he thought about it calmly, it was easy to see that there was no such possibility.
One of Cosmos's allies was a user of body enhancement magic.
If he was receiving support magic called "Enhance" from that person, it would explain the earlier giant rock.
But even so, the current power was clearly abnormal.
If she had such strength, it would be strange not to have used it 2 weeks ago.
(Then what the heck is this magic right now...!)
As if to answer that question──Cosmos spoke a line that didn't fit the tense battlefield.
"[Sparkling smile──this thrilling feeling──shine, my brightest star]."
"That's..."
He felt a shiver run down his spine when he heard that phrase.
It was just a collection of childish words, but he definitely recognized it.
It was the only skill that the Stardust Magician possessed──'Spell Chanting.' Its effect was to double the user's magic power.
However, the increase rate was laughably low, a super useless skill that suited a useless job class.
Why was she using it now...
"You thought it was a silly skill, didn't you?"
"...?"
"I have to chant an embarrassing phrase, and it leaves me open to my opponent. And on top of that, it doesn't even raise my magic power, so anyone would think this skill is a dud. My father, elder brother, even I thought so. But..."
What was she thinking? Cosmos smiled happily.
"Only one person noticed the 'potential' of this power."
"Possibility...?"
"The effect of the Spell Chanting skill is to double the Magic by chanting specific phrases. But at level 1, the multiplier is only '1.05 times.' It's not until level 6 that it finally reaches '1.3 times.' Because of the low original Magic, that was barely enough to make a pebble just a little bit bigger."
Orkide and the others knew this too.
That Spell Chanting skill was not only inconvenient but also had weak effects.
Even as the level increased, the multiplier hardly changed, and there was no sense of possibility at all.
But...
"That guy alone noticed the true value of this skill, and for the past 2 weeks... he's been pouring all his effort into the growth of the Spell Chanting skill."
"W-wait, what does that even mean...?"
It sounded like a pointless endeavor.
However, Cosmos continued confidently.
"Did you know? Skills level up the more you use them, but as you get closer to the maximum level, it becomes harder to level up. And you know, it's said that the level cap for any skill is '10'."
"Are you insulting me...?! Anyone knows that much!"
The system is the same as the job class levels.
Skills also gain divine growth points through use, allowing them to level up.
The amount of divine growth points gained varies depending on how much the skill helped in monster hunting, and the closer you get to the maximum level, the harder it becomes to level up.
Conversely, the further you are from the maximum level, the easier it is to level up.
In the case of job classes, the level cap is '50,' but for skills, it's even lower at '10'.
"But that's just the general rule; there are exceptions too."
"Exceptions?"
"There's a job class called 'Apprentice Warrior' that only has a maximum level of '10'... but even after reaching that so-called maximum level of '10', there are 'extraordinary skills' that can go beyond it and continue to grow..."
"..."
What the heck is this girl talking about? The way she's speaking makes it sound like the 'Spell Chanting' skill that the Stardust Magician has...
"I realized it too after he mentioned it, but I definitely thought it was strange. I had hardly used my Spell Chanting skill, yet by the time I met him, I had already reached 'level 6.' Skills are supposed to level up only after being used more, so that growth rate is just too weird."
After a long-winded explanation that was starting to get on her nerves, Orkide finally snapped.
"Hey, what the hell are you trying to say?!"
"My Spell Chanting skill... it's already at level '30'."
"...Huh?"
Level 30.
He thought he must have misheard.
Lizeron and the other soldiers were also frozen in disbelief.
"Well, it's not surprising you can't believe it. I still think it's a dream myself. But the fact is, my Spell Chanting skill has surpassed its limit and reached level 30. Thanks to that, my Magic increase rate has skyrocketed to '4 times.' They call skills with uncertain level limits 'extra skills'."
"That's just nonsense...! Don't say random things!"
A Magic increase rate of '4 times.' Even if Cosmos's Magic value was 300, that skill's effect would raise it to an incomprehensible number of '1200.' It's all just baseless nonsense without any proof.
You can say anything with your mouth.
However, the terrifying magic he saw earlier cruelly backs that up.
"Believe it or not, that's fine, but next time, I won't hold back."
"W-Why were you able to raise your level so much...? And in just 2 weeks...?"
"There are 'weirdos' in this world who can help you grow that much in just 2 weeks."
Understanding the strength of Cosmos once again, Orkide clenched his teeth in frustration.
The reason Cosmos had honestly revealed her abilities was to take away their fighting spirit.
By intentionally exposing her hand, she aimed to demonstrate the overwhelming difference in power and make them back down.
In fact, several soldiers had their fighting spirit significantly diminished after hearing her explanation.
Orkide, too, had no idea how to counterattack.
"Haha! What's the big deal if the trick is revealed? All you have to do is get close before you start that Spell Chanting!"
However, among the soldiers, there was one who still held a combative spirit.
That man approached Cosmos with a small knife in hand.
Even from behind, it was clear that he possessed superhuman speed.
If he could indeed dodge Cosmos's initial strike, he could get close before she started the next Spell Chanting.
It seemed like a reasonable approach since she wouldn't be scary if she couldn't chant, but...
"D-Don't get too close!"
As the man approached within a certain distance of Cosmos, a magic circle automatically unfolded above her head.
From there, slightly smaller but still deadly rocks shot out.
They were launched to intercept the man, hitting him directly with a dull thud.
"Ugh!"
The impact was so strong that it sent him flying back, and he lost consciousness.
It was obvious just by looking that most of the bones in his upper body were complexly broken.
Honestly, it was a miracle he was still alive, so for him, it was a stroke of misfortune.
"Just as I thought, it was already deployed...!"
The Meteor magic that automatically counterattacks upon sensing hostile intent──'Altair'.
That magic used to be just a flawed magic that could only throw stones and had a detection range that barely reached out of arm's length.
But by using the Spell Chanting skill that doubles magic power, its strength and detection range have increased dramatically.
At this point, there seems to be no opening to exploit.
Orkide remembers the effect duration of the Altair was quite long, and if he makes a move carelessly, he could end up like that first victim, becoming food for the rocks.
But if he just stand by and watch, Cosmos might eventually lose patience and throw a massive boulder, crushing everyone here under it.
"I really don't want to make a carpet of human flesh in a place like this. So, how about you just tuck your tail and go home?"
"...Ugh!"
He can't help but feel that this is the only option left.
He think it might be better to give up on pouring his hatred onto that foolish little sister...
"Ah, that's exactly the power I've been looking for...!"
"...Father?"
Their father, Lizeron, who had been silent until now, was looking up at Cosmos with shining eyes.
The overwhelming expectation in his gaze was unmistakable.
He was completely captivated by the sight of absolute power.
"Finally! It seems you've finally met my expectations, Cosmos!"
"Huh?"
"Without a doubt, you are the one who should carry the next generation of the Etoile family! I knew my eyes weren't deceiving me! Just like my daughter! Please lend that power for the prosperity of our clan!"
"..."
Cosmos was left speechless in disbelief.
Orkide, too, was stunned by the unbelievable words she heard.
"F-Father! This is not what we discussed! The position of the next head should go to me, Orkide..."
"Shut up, you failure! Not only are you inferior in talent to your younger sister, but you can't even match her in strength! You're nothing but a disgrace to the Etoile family! Get out of here already!"
"..."
Having been completely turned against, Orkide fell into the depths of despair.
Meanwhile, Lizeron changed his attitude and spoke sweetly to Cosmos, the star of hope.
"Don't worry, Cosmos. The brother you hate has already been kicked out of the Etoile family. Now you can come back home without any worries. From now on, let's work together for the prosperity of the Etoile family."
The voice was so sycophantic that it made them feel sick just listening.
Cosmos, who had accepted the invitation, looked utterly fed up...
"Father, it seems like you're misunderstanding something..."
She muttered with a sigh and readied her staff in her right hand.
"[Rigel]!"
A Meteor magic specialized in speed rather than power──'Rigel.' Thanks to the Spell Chanting skill, the rocks, which were more about speed than size, struck Lizeron's stomach at an incredible velocity.
"Ugh!"
The impact sent Lizeron flying.
As he writhed in pain on the ground, Cosmos unleashed a barrage of insults.
"What I hate the most is your rotten core! You damn old man!!!"
"Ugh... ugh...!"
Looking down at her father with a cold gaze, Cosmos declared as if she were threatening him.
"Don't ever show that filthy bearded face of yours in front of me again. If I see you, in that moment... I'll crush you under a rock and turn you into meat scraps."
That was the perfect line to shatter Lizeron's spirit.
Immediately after, she turned her gaze toward Orkide.
"And you, elder brother..."
"W-what... is it...?"
"Since you've caused me a lot of trouble too, I want you to experience some pain just like Father. Well, if you behave, I might let you off with just an arm or so."
"An... arm...?"
A chill ran down his spine.
Would it really just be an arm? That father was still writhing on the ground, unable to get up.
With that last magic, if it had hit in the wrong spot, he could very well die...
"Sparkling smile..."
"P-please, stop..."
Slowly, Cosmos pointed the tip of her staff toward me.
To ensure she didn't make a mistake, she began to chant the incantation with a firm grip.
"This thrilling feeling..."
"Really, please stop..."
Fear becomes the adhesive that makes that childish phrase stick in his head for life.
He begs for her...
"Shine, my... brightest star!"
"Stop it, nooooo!!!"
Orkide's scream echoed, filling his mind with overwhelming despair.
There are no memories after that.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)