Hi! It's me, you know, Shiro! It's been about three days now... and it actually hasn't been too bad! Aside from one day, it's not been too hot, and unlike when we were first going to Draila, I actually have people to talk to! Ashin, Quenilla, and Theca, unlike me, all are good at talking with others! Sure, our short conversations are a bit awkward, but who cares?
Although, being around people all the time has really drained me of energy... but, at least we're almost there! I mean, we're already in the Vernin Forest and everything!
Oh, and get this, I completed the magic book! Which is another reason I wasn't that bored. So, I'm pretty much a magic master now! Hah-hah-hah! All these fools will soon cower before my magic prowess!
That's what I would say... if I could actually cast any spells. . Apparently, magic works like this. First, you absorb mana into your body. I can skip this step since I'm a monster. Next, after that, you convert that mana into your desired attribute inside your body. Now, you use that converted mana to cast the spell! Pretty simple, honestly...
The next thing I learned was that people usually only ever have two attributes. One from the basic category (either fire, water, air, or earth), and one from any of the others. There are five categories not including basic, Elemental Deviant, Miscellaneous, Advanced Basic Elemental Magic, Advanced Elemental Deviant, and finally Heretical! Each one has a ton of different attributes, and my ice attribute falls under Elemental Deviant Magic.
Then the book went all about different things you can do with each attribute. Apparently, spells are just different utilizations of mana. So, I can just create my own spells! The problem is, I have no idea how to do that. I learnt to control my mana well enough, and I can even convert it into the ice attribute! But when it comes to that final step, I'm hopeless...
Hah... maybe I could ask Theca or Quenilla about it later. It's almost night, so we'll probably be setting up camp soon. Hm... Theca usually serves as the lookout, like, the whole night. They don't even sleep... maybe it has something to do with that Unhindered skill they have? Oh, right, I haven't actually appraised it. Let's, uh, do that.
... Wait, seriously? The skill literally makes it so that you can't be affected by any 'debuffs', and that includes all of them. With this skill, you don't get tired, you can't be poisoned, and you can't be weakened by any skill. How is that fair?! Damn it, now I really want that skill...
"Hm..." Ashin spoke, looking around a bit, "From the request information... the Goblin nest should be somewhere nearby... Okay! Since it's pretty much night, let's just set up camp for the night!"
Oh, geez, isn't that good timing? Alright, then... this might take a while.
...
And so, it did. It took almost an entire hour for us to start a fire, set up a place for us to sleep, and all that other stuff. Heh, it's almost like camping back on earth! Though, I don't think I actually have ever camped...
Anyway, right now is the perfect time to ask Theca how to properly use a spell! Yeah! This won't even be a challenge!
So, I, uh, walk up to them... what do I say now...? Right! I should say 'hi!' or something!
"... hi." Oh, come on, me! That was totally pathetic! Are you even trying?
"Hm...?" They tilted their head slightly, continuing to speak, "Hello." Their scarf muffled their voice a bit-- hm? Did I even mention Theca has a scarf on? Yeah, I don't know why they wear it, but it's obviously way too big for them too.
Damn it, how do I ask this? Just 'How do I use spells'? No! I can't just say that! That's stupid! No, no, no! Fine, let's just wing this!
"You... know how to use magic, right?"
"Yes," They went silent for a moment, seemingly in thought, "How did you know?"
"Oh, I have the appraisal skill."
"You... then, you know." Oh, they stood up... should I have not had say that?
"Know what?" Look, I seriously don't know what this guy is talking about! I'm just as confused as you are!
"... What I am."
Oh, that? Why should that matter? Who cares if they're some sort of demon?
"Why should that matter...?"
"You're strange." And then they went completely silent, sitting down again.
Eh? What's that supposed to mean?! Okay, so what? You're even more stranger! Yeah, I said it! But seriously, what's weird about that? Oh, right, I could just ask.
"Why?"
"... even though Halega is on friendly terms with almost all major kingdoms, humans and other races still look down on demons due to the former Demon Lord's actions. I was just surprised due to your opinion on the matter... although, thinking about it, your supposed 'partner' is a beastman, so obviously you don't care about things like race... then again, perhaps you're not a human. My apologies, for assuming things."
Okay... then. What in the world is Halega? Okay, okay, using my expert deduction skills, I can assume that Halega is a kingdom of Demons! I'm a genius, I know. Oh, right, so this former Demon Lord guy was super evil and stuff? Then the new one is nice! Interesting stuff, huh?
"Oh, I see."
And then it went silent for a while... like at least a minute went by until one of us spoke again, which was Theca, by the way.
"So, why exactly did you come up to me? I assume it has something to do with magic... considering what you said earlier."
Oh, right, yeah. I did want to ask them something...
"I've been attempting to cast some spells along the way, but I haven't been able to. I have the first two steps down, but I can't cast any spells with the converted mana." Whew! That was difficult, but I managed to make a coherent sentence! Yes! I'm so good at this!
"Oh, I've heard that's a common problem when it comes to novices," Alright, I'll ignore that they just called me a novice... "I assume you're trying to use your converted mana to cast an example spell from a book. Perhaps try instead to use your mana to do something original, like that icicle attack you've used before. I assume that's a skill, rather than magic, correct?"
"Oh, yes, you're right... thank you."
Oh... I see! I get it now! I think I do, at least. Let's just try that, then! Okay, first convert my mana inside my mana core into the ice attribute, release it out, and finally, create something out of it! Oh! It worked! I created a small ice cube! I'm so amazing!
"Ah, you did it. You're actually quite talented, in my opinion."
See? Even Theca agrees! And their opinion is obviously the right one, seeing how it compliments my own. What? Me, being narcissistic? Never, I would never be like that!
"Oh... thank you, again." Hm, is it just me, or is there a huge difference between how I speak and how I think most of the time? Geez, I really have to work on that, huh? Anyway, let's just leave then, with my goal accomplished and everything.
"Before you go, could I ask why you asked me rather than Quenilla? She's much more knowledgable on the subject, after all."
Hm, Why did I? You know, I actually don't know. Just felt like it, I guess. Although, after talking with them for the first time, I feel like I made the right choice! Ah, I should answer though...
"Just felt like it." And such, I left! Why, aren't I so mysterious and cool? Truly, I most definitely am.
And with all that done, I lie down. I guess now's a good enough time to sleep. Today was a pretty productive day!
[Chapter 34, end.]