The vines are encroaching again, and the Major resumes her attacks, setting them all alight along with the surrounding buildings and structures without a hint of remorse. She then orders her men to get a move on, as she cannot keep on using her power forever.
It does not only drain her physically but also mentally. Or maybe it is better to say magically. Maybe.
Mana exhaustion is similar to mental fatigue, as the power to manipulate magic comes from the mind itself, and as such, Intelligence attribute raises the amount of mana a person can manipulate, resulting in a more devastating spell.
An ability or skill is merely a macro telling the System to cast what kind of spell. Therefore, I can mimic any skill and ability through the application of magic as long as I understand the skill or ability entirely.
Thus, it can be said that magic is only limited by one's imagination. But having just imagination doesn't allow one to use magic.
"If you are here to help then help," the Major orders me as she is staring to feel the exhaustion. If she keeps on doing what she is doing, she will be knocked out within the next five minutes or so.
I eye her and then the vines. It is actually pointless to attack the vines since they will just keep coming until their targets are within their grasps. The only way to stop them is to kill the source, and attacking the source directly is not possible if it does not reveal itself.
It is likely hiding somewhere out of sight but not completely out of view. It is likely observing the battle from afar, making adjustment to its plan whenever possible.
I look around to see anything out of the ordinary before firebombing the incoming vines with several incendiary grenades. I have upgraded my home-made bomb. It packs a lot more punch now, creating a much more intense flames due to Runes powered by Fire Essence.
The Major is surprised at the raging inferno. "That… give it to me."
"Sorry, Major, I cannot comply with your request," I response. ���But of course, if you want to buy some off me for your own use, it will be a pleasure doing business with you."
"Fucking mercenary," the Major curses and blasts the vines with the most devastating attack yet. She then turns away and leads her men as well the civilian away on foot. All vehicles have stopped working yesterday thanks to the electromagnetic interference causing all electronics to fail.
I follow her, as I am heading in the same direction. Also, it is because of my story, and she has no way of confirming my story until she meets up with the Colonel. Unfortunately, the Colonel should be with his grandchildren, whose live outside the Life Zone.
In other words, the Major can only take my words for it, and she cannot really dismiss what I have say without any evidences. Furthermore, I have revealed to her that I know her father through a word. It is not a lie, as I do know her father in another timeline. Just not this timeline.
"You have not mentioned your name or rank," the Major comments after we are sufficiently far away from the vines. The men are sweeping the perimeters to make sure no monsters hiding nearby, waiting to ambush the convoy.
"Neither have you, Major," I response, making her glares at me. "Since I have referred to you by your military rank like your men have, you can call me by my class: Merchant."