Chapter-11 · EP-175

Episode 175: Hikaru Kujo – Mana Conduction

I came to the dungeon with Mei to learn a new technique from Kyoya Murasakimura-san.

Murasakimura-san also brought his friend, Sendo-san.

Since Ichinose-san, a mutual friend who was supposed to accompany us, was called away by Susa-san from the Self-Defense Forces, an awkward silence hung over us as we walked side-by-side with Murasakimura-san and his companion.

Finally, Murasakimura-san spoke.

"Well then, I'll show you the technique I want to teach you. First, please watch."

I silently nodded at his words.

Murasakimura-san raised his wooden sword.

As praised by Takigawa-san during yesterday's club activity, his stance was captivatingly beautiful.

While I had been trying out various weapon arts, he had continued to hone his swordsmanship alone.

As a result, there was already a large gap between his skill and mine.

It was frustrating, but I was completely outmatched.

As I watched him with such feelings, he gripped his wooden sword tightly.

At that moment…

Crackle, crackle!

A pale blue electric current ran along the blade of Murasakimura-san's wooden sword.

I was speechless with surprise.

Then Murasakimura-san swung the sword down, and another current ran through it at that moment.

He had added the electric shock from his unique skill, Lightning Magic, to the strike of his wooden sword.

Murasakimura-san turned to me, still surprised, and began to explain.

"This is a technique I learned the other day thanks to Ichinose-kun's advice."

"Mana conduction… the so-called enchantment."

I knew this technique. Because I had seen someone use it.

That person was my brother, Kazuma Kujo.

My brother used Fire Magic with this sword, 'Benikiri,' which he had given to me, making the blade glow bright red as he swung.

Murasakimura-san could use the same technique as my brother.

"You know this technique?"

Murasakimura-san said, looking surprised.

I explained.

"Yes. My brother can use the same technique. In his case, since he conducts Fire Magic, the blade glows red, but Murasakimura-san's glows pale blue."

"Kazuma-san can use it too? I thought this was my own technique. …As expected of Kazuma-san."

Murasakimura-san seemed somewhat excited hearing about my brother.

Perhaps Murasakimura-san considers my brother his goal.

Then Sendo-san interjected, as if to bring the off-topic conversation back.

"Kyoya, if that's the case, maybe there was no point in teaching Hikaru-san this after all."

"I see. You're right. Hikaru-san, I'm sorry. It seems I did something unnecessary, assuming you didn't know."

Murasakimura-san had tried to teach me mana conduction out of kindness.

Whether I knew about it or not wasn't important.

"Not at all, Murasakimura-san. Thank you for showing me such a valuable technique for my sake. I don't know if I can do it, but would you teach me how?"

"Haven't you learned it from Kazuma-san?"

"No. He only showed me; he never taught me the method."

"I see. Well then…"

And so, Murasakimura-san's lesson on mana conduction began.

I raised Benikiri and tried to channel mana while listening to Murasakimura-san's explanation.

He taught me in detail about the image of mana, the physical sensations, and various other things.

Following his advice, I raised Benikiri. I desperately imagined the mana flowing into Benikiri as if it were a part of my body, if such a thing as mana existed within me.

Had I been in this state for over ten minutes? A single drop of sweat ran down my forehead.

But there was no change whatsoever in the blade of Benikiri in my hands.

"Perhaps it's impossible for Hikaru-san, who doesn't have a magic skill?"

Sendo-san said, seeing no change after all this time.

I secretly thought so too.

Mana conduction is a technique that uses one's own magic skill to conduct mana.

For someone like me, who doesn't have a magic skill to begin with, don't I lack the magic to conduct?

Murasakimura-san answered Sendo-san.

"I thought Hikaru-san could do it…"

That was an overestimation.

But I also understood that Murasakimura-san had expectations of me.

Come to think of it, perhaps my brother also had expectations when he gave me Benikiri.

Benikiri is a rosewood sword treated with magic infusion. It is a very valuable sword, made from materials dropped by the Elder Treant, the floor boss of the 30th floor.

My brother gave me Benikiri because he no longer used it, having obtained a stronger Mithril Silver sword with even higher mana conductivity. Perhaps it was a gift imbued with his hope that I, too, would be able to use mana conduction.

I gripped Benikiri, cursing my own lack of ability.

"I'm sorry for your trouble in teaching me, Murasakimura-san. I'll continue to practice every day."

Even though I knew it was impossible without a magic skill, I still wanted to live up to everyone's expectations someday. So I gave the most positive answer I could.

"By the way, Hikaru-san. You said Kazuma-san's blade glowed red, right? He didn't have flames enveloping the blade?"

"Yes. Apparently, that happens when the mana conduction is done cleanly."

Murasakimura-san looked thoughtful.

He was probably wondering how to become like my brother.

"Perhaps it's also due to the properties of this sword. This wooden sword has been treated for mana infusion, so it conducts mana well."

"Is that so!"

Murasakimura-san looked at my Benikiri with great interest.

"Would you like to try using it?"

"Eh! Is that alright?"

Murasakimura-san was delighted at my suggestion.

I nodded and handed Benikiri to him.

Murasakimura-san gave his own wooden sword to Sendo-san, then held Benikiri with both hands and raised it.

Then,

Whoosh

The blade of Benikiri glowed pale blue for an instant, like a fluorescent light, and sparks of electricity scattered.

Each time Murasakimura-san channeled his mana, it would light up, fade, and light up again.

"It's quite difficult. But this sword is amazing. Even without consciously focusing on channeling my magic, it feels like this sword naturally draws out my magic well."

Hearing that explanation, I felt envious.

Because Murasakimura-san was experiencing a sensation that I never had.

He was using Benikiri better than its owner, me.

Jealousy welled up in my heart.

No. Instead of envying others, I must work hard and become able to use it better than Murasakimura-san.

"Thank you."

Murasakimura-san said and returned Benikiri to me.

I received it and held it close to my chest, cradling it in both hands.

"Someday, I too will obtain such a wonderful sword."

My rival was envisioning himself acquiring a new sword and becoming even stronger.

I couldn't afford to lose either.

"Murasakimura-san, thank you for today. I will also become stronger and surpass you someday."

Without bravado, I truly felt that way. Perhaps this is what it means to have a rival.