Chapter 44
There are several differences between syllabic magic and regular magic.
It requires incantations with a special vocalization method, there are activation incantations called key phrases to trigger the magic, and unlike regular magic where the magic circle is constructed inside the body, with syllabic magic, it's constructed in the external space—this, for someone like me who can see magical energy, is probably the biggest difference.
I followed with my eyes the spear of light released from a massive magic circle constructed about ten meters above Shara's head.
All forms of syllabic magic boast ridiculous power.
Among them, Lux Lance stands out for its penetrating power and destructive force within its effective range.
Even among the humans of the Church, who revere learning divine art, most only study it as knowledge, and those who can use it with masterful speed are so few that you could count them on one hand even if you searched the entire Church.
To begin with, it's strange for a human from the Healing Faction to be able to use syllabic magic.
After all——.
This is the kind of power it has.
The spear of light that struck the Forest Dragon head-on pierced its head, halting its movement for a moment before the entire body shuddered and then vanished with a dry sound like bread snapping.
Along with half of the Forest Dragon's body.
No matter how you look at it, this isn't the kind of magic someone from the Healing Faction, whose goal is to heal people with healing magic, should learn.
Just what was Shara thinking when she learned this kind of magic?
I looked at the self-proclaimed Healing Faction sister.
Shara was sitting on the ground as if her legs had given out, breathing heavily through her shoulders.
She's probably temporarily depleted of magical energy and overwhelmed by fatigue; even her breaths are ragged.
Yet her face looked satisfied.
"Shin"
At Erika's voice, I turned to face forward.
"Are you still going to stand up?"
I couldn't help but let out a pointless remark.
It wasn't so much the Forest Dragon's body as it was a remnant, with not just its head but half of its body gone, yet it was still trying to regenerate its flesh, bubbling flesh forming anew.
Even after blowing away half its body, not being able to defeat it is beyond expectation; they say not to let your guard down even after cutting off a dragon species' head, but this is just too tough.
This calls for a retreat.
Before I could make that decision, Erika moved.
"I've learned a thing or two about controlling the heat."
Saying that, Erika smiled at me and swung her sword like a conductor's baton.
With a roar, the Forest Dragon was engulfed in a pillar of flame.
"As long as I don't burn the magic stones, it should be fine, right?"
Erika said with a proud smile.
*
"To meet such an end, even against a monster, I can't help but feel some sympathy."
Shara, who said that, seemed to have recovered her magical energy as she stood with steady steps.
I couldn't tell if the expression on her face was exasperation or exhaustion.
"Since it had no head, I doubt it felt anything."
Erika, who said that, showed no signs of fatigue despite having burned the regenerating Forest Dragon with a pillar of flame for several minutes.
Just how much magical energy does she have in her body? It's no surprise she's called the prodigy of sword and magic.
Even though half of it was blown away, I struggled with the task of digging out magic stones from the magic stone fragments of a Forest Dragon that was originally the size of a house.
The magic stones are buried and hard to find.
"Shin, shall I help you?"
The one who offered was Erika.
"No, Erika, keep watch around us. I think we're fine for now, but with the Lord gone, other monsters might come back."
Well, even if they do come back, we can handle it, but better safe than sorry.
Oh, there it is, there it is.
I dug out a magic stone from the pile of magic stone fragments and lifted it up.
Its purple surface had intricate patterns like leaf veins.
Holding up the stone, about the size of a human head, I signaled to the two that I'd found it.
Shara still wore a complicated expression as if she couldn't believe this was reality, while Erika nodded with satisfaction, as if the result was only natural.
Now, I wonder what kind of face I'm making?
At the very least, I'm probably making a face that says this isn't the kind of monster you take down on a whim.