Chapter 92
Student Council Election Battle (5)
The most important virtue for a magician is always to maintain rationality.
Magic and magical power are not always as precise as mathematical formulas.
One must always be careful not to expend more magical power than necessary or to utilize power at a level too high.
There is no point in attempting magic far beyond ones capabilities, as it is not even feasible to mimic.
However, practicing magic slightly above ones level is always dangerous.
Because the flow of magical power within interacts with it, the power is actually consumed.
Therefore, recognizing ones clear limitations and avoiding overexerting magical power is crucial.
Especially those who must be exceptionally careful are the spirit summoners.
The amount of magical power consumed through spirits is overwhelmingly more than other types of magic, though spirit resonance as a support spell does increase magical efficiency.
That is why a well-trained summoner must never lose their rationality.
One should clearly acknowledge their magical level and objectively decide which spirits they can handle.
Yenika Faelover was well aware of that fact.
However, knowing it and practicing it are completely separate matters.
What What is that?!
The scale of the magic circle that bloomed in the night sky seemed familiar.
Yenika Faelover, who could even freely control high-tier spirits, would only be able to summon one type of spirits if she lost her rationality completely.
They are the highest-tier spirits recognized for their formidable strength among the few high-tier spirits.
For each element, there exists only one such supreme spirit.
For Yenika, who had even summoned the right arm of the highest-tier dark spirit Glascan, calling upon a highest-tier spirit wasnt impossible.
In fact, after a year of training, she had ascended to a higher realm. The domain of the highest-tier spirits was merely a dangerous area to reach out to for her, not an unreachable field.
The summoning circle that soared in the rainy sky ironically represented the opposite element of water.
It was the summoning ritual of the highest-tier fire spirit, Theophis, reputed to have burned down the entire Apoth Mountains in the mythological age.
The figure of the dragon that spewed flames that scorched the earth and swung a tail larger than the royal palace itself was a grandiose scene recorded in history books.
Glascan sealed an entire academic building with just one arm.
Likewise, the summoning of even a limb of Theophis would undoubtedly engulf at least the northern forest in flames.
Yet, such a future did not enter the enraged Yenikas mind.
Anger directed her gaze solely towards the murderer before her.
Sssshhhh!
Waaaaaaah!
On the rainy cliff, as Knox watched helplessly the great magic circle that filled the sky, he could do nothing but stare.
Being in a completely incapacitated state, there was no need for the ritual to summon the highest-tier spirit against him.
But rage paralyzes rationality.
The sorrow of losing a loved one completely takes away ones reason.
The pain that tears flesh and pierces the heart is equitable to all.
Do you realize what youve done?
Heat gushed from the sun-like summoning circle, starting to envelop the open air over the sea in steam.
Although hard to believe, the heat rising from the circle evaporated all the rain before it even touched the ground.
The steam rose like fog, shrouding the coastline and pushing the furious girls expression into darkness.
Now Knox truly sensed the approaching death. A murderous intent different from when Ed Rothtaylor approached.
The likelihood of losing his life to a single rage-driven strike seemed inevitable. That much was the girls overwhelming spirit beyond his ability to bear.
Just as Knox was about to accept his impending death.
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
A gust of wind blew away all the mist in the area. Blocking Knoxs path with a swooshing sound stood a massive wolf made of wind.
Woowooowwwww!
I slowly steadied myself and tried to raise my upper body, feeling strength gradually return.
Returning to the camp in this rain would be arduous, but it was a necessity.
Thats when I heard it.
-Woosh!
I found you!
I could sense an intense heat, which seemed to emanate from right above me.
Unbelievable
The sight of the gigantic fire lizard clinging to the cliff was magnificent.
The girl who jumped down was undoubtedly Yenika.
Her face, as she crossed the rocky area below the cliff, filled me with an unwarranted sense of relief.
Wow I was in such sore shape, on the verge of death even and to think you found me like this!
Grateful, I waved at Yenika with a cheerful expression.
A friend who comes to help just in time, appearing precisely when needed, is indeed a reassuring presence.
I had to start with explaining the situation.
After contemplating where to begin, I was about to open my mouth when Yenika suddenly rushed towards me.
Yeni-
-Whoosh, squeeze!
Yenika, now hugging my neck tightly, collapsed with her face buried in my shoulder without letting go.
-The sound of spring rain.
Yenika, who was smothering me in her embrace, was uncharacteristically silent.
Contemplating what to say, I ended up hugging Yenikas back in return.
I always seem to cause you worry. Im sorry, Yenika.
Her head, resting on my shoulder, appeared to shake slightly.
She was probably unable to speak.
*
-Crackling of firewood.
Considering the wood was soaked, it burned surprisingly well, likely due to the power of spirit magic.
To call it a cave would be generous seated with Yenika in a hollow below the cliffside, we went over the whole situation.
So Ed, it seems best for you to lay low until the election is over for your own benefit in the long run.
Thats right. Id rather the Rothtaylor main house didnt know Im alive. If I can persuade Tanya, I wont have to reveal my existence to them for as long as Im at this school.
Laying low within Aiken Island could be more comfortable than being exposed, depending on the circumstance.
That means Ill need to hide out for a while. At least until Tanyas retinue leaves, when the student council elections are over.
Ill bring you the essentials and other living supplies. Dont worry too much, Ed.
Thanks I always appreciate it, Yenika. But my wounds are starting to pain me again
The space near the fire was ample, but since being discovered lying below the cliff, Yenika kept a tight hold around my neck.
I didnt want to embarrass her by saying anything unnecessary, but it was getting increasingly difficult to bear the pain.
Yenika took a deep breath and released her grip before speaking.
Sorry holding you somehow makes me feel safer, Ed
.Can you forget I said that please?
After hastily unlatching her arms, Yenika grasped her own knees and took deep breaths, her face flushing red. I caught my breath, pondering whether to speak up, but the pain became relentless, and I decided to focus on tending to my body first.
Then I quietly watched the rainfall outside the cave.
It seemed the spring rain would continue for a while longer, but unlike a winter blizzard or summer monsoon, it wasnt expected to persist too long.
So much left to do
For now I decided to wait for the rain to stop.