Percuntra, who would normally never say such embarrassing things, blurted out something that made him cringe.
In any case, he was an annoying guy in every way.
While other mages, despite lacking ability, would arrogantly say things like, "I think I can do it! What do you know, spirit? Just watch! I won't die!" and then fail, Yi Han, despite having the ability, would respond with things like, "I don't think I can do it," "Why are you being so reckless?" or "Are you saying that because it's not your problem?" There's a limit to being humble...
"Self-confidence comes from an objective analysis of the situation, not from a few words of encouragement. Now, focus and do as I say!" Percuntra ignored Yi Han's words and just said what he wanted to say.
He had realized that getting involved would only make him angry.
"Imagine the image of lightning, just like you've handled other elements."
The basics of elemental magic.
Visualizing the image of the element strongly and manifesting it in your mind.
The process of changing your magical energy to match the element was the most fundamental step.
However, the lightning attribute was a bit different.
"But don't imagine a bolt of lightning striking from the sky!" The most common image of lightning that mages usually think of is a bolt of lightning flashing and striking from the sky.
However, imagining such a bolt when converting to the lightning element was dangerous.
To cast a spell, a mage needs to maintain and control a certain amount of magical energy in one place, but the image of a lightning bolt is the complete opposite of that control.
Burning flames, still water, and frozen ice could all remain in one place.
But lightning, by its very nature, couldn't stay in one place.
Once it strikes from the sky, it is destined to scatter in all directions.
If a young mage carelessly imagined the image of a lightning bolt and converted their magical energy to the lightning attribute, they could lose control immediately, causing the lightning to scatter everywhere.
Having nearly died with Yi Han in the underground punishment room last time when he recklessly messed with Yi Han's flames, Percuntra had to be especially cautious about safety.
Given the young mage's magical energy, even a single accident could easily turn into a major disaster.
"Of course, I understand. You might think, how can you imagine lightning without thinking of a bolt? But countless mages who have mastered the lightning attribute have overcome that limitation and succeeded! You'll eventually get used to it too. A true mage doesn't just accept and settle for the given reality; they must be able to change reality according to their will! Now, lend me your arm."
Of course, Percuntra wasn't a foolish spirit who just spouted reckless nonsense without any method, as Yi Han might have thought.
He acknowledged Yi Han's talent, but it was indeed very difficult for a young mage to handle the lightning attribute without any practice.
Naturally, he had a plan.
Just like in the punishment room last time, he intended to possess Yi Han's arm and help control the lightning.
Even though he had lost most of his power after being summoned, he could still manage that much.
But then...
Crackle!
"I've done it. Shall I lend you my arm now?"
"......"
Percuntra was shocked to see the sphere of lightning formed on Yi Han's staff.
Surprisingly, this young mage had already completed the elemental conversion and successfully maintained the lightning-attribute magical energy in one place before Percuntra could even possess him to help.
'How on earth???' Unlike Percuntra's shock, Yi Han didn't find handling the lightning attribute particularly difficult.
From the start, Yi Han's way of thinking was different from other mages.
He approached it very simply.
Not being able to imagine a lightning bolt wasn't a problem at all.
He just imagined a sphere of magical energy on his staff and thought of it as a capacitor.
To Yi Han, it was an obvious idea! Imagining the electricity charging up inside the sphere like a battery wasn't that hard.
Perhaps because the method suited him well, he succeeded immediately.
In fact, it felt even more stable than other elements...
'It's easier than I thought.
You're overreacting.' Yi Han thought, though it was a bit rude.
Come to think of it, Percuntra had been quite dramatic ever since they met in the punishment room.
With the flames too...
"You... have quite a talent for lightning!"
"Is that so?" Yi Han was indifferent.
After hearing a few compliments about his elemental affinity, he was starting to get suspicious.
Was it just a courtesy? Since confidence is important for young mages, maybe he was just being told, "You have talent in the A attribute!" to boost his confidence.
And that indifference was conveyed to Percuntra as well.
Percuntra was dumbfounded.
For a spirit of Percuntra's caliber to give a compliment was truly rare.
"Do you think I'm lying?! You really do have talent!"
"Well... maybe."
Yi Han thought that perhaps his cramming had given him a talent for lightning, or maybe lightning-attribute magic wasn't as difficult as he had thought.
Probably 99% the latter...
"But when are you going to possess my arm?" Yi Han asked, puzzled.
Percuntra had asked to borrow his arm but was just standing there silently.
Was there some problem?
"Wait. I'm possessing you now!" 'I hope he doesn't have memory problems too.' If a spirit had both mood swings and memory issues, even if they were powerful, one would have to think twice before summoning them.
While Yi Han was pondering this, Percuntra possessed his arm.
"From now on, focus on the spell I'm about to teach you."
Percuntra intended to pass on his magic to Yi Han.
The magic of spirits was wild and capricious, but with the mighty spirit Percuntra lending his arm, even a novice mage could use it.
Percuntra's Lesser Lightning.
It was a 2nd-circle spell that Percuntra was about to teach Yi Han.
The principle was simple.
Convert magical energy into the lightning attribute and shoot it out! There was no need to shape it into a sharp arrow or spear, or add any other complex attributes.
Lightning was enough on its own.
"Given its size, is this really enough? Won't it just provoke it?" "Please, just listen to the spirit who's older than you! Stop talking back!" Percuntra half-shouted, half-pleaded.
It was good that Yi Han wasn't arrogant, but his excessive humility was driving Percuntra crazy.
Even so, Yi Han wasn't easily convinced.
Percuntra eventually realized that to make this damn contractor listen, he had to use logical and rational persuasion.
"Listen carefully. Lightning is the most destructive and wild of all the elements." 'Coming from the spirit of lightning, that sounds a bit ominous.' "Other elements aren't easy to use as offensive tools on their own."
Yi Han agreed with that.
To use water-element magic as a proper offensive tool, you had to add a few things.
Not just the 'water' attribute, but also attributes like 'sphere' or 'spear,' and even 'control' had to be added.
"But lightning is different. It has powerful destructive force on its own."
"But fire also..."
"You don't need to shape it! Or aim carefully! Because all you need is to hit the target!" Percuntra cut Yi Han off and continued.
"That summon was originally just a plant monster, but the students fused it with various other monsters, giving it very complex attributes. But that also made it more vulnerable to lightning. Think about it. Your goal is to rescue the students it captured, right? Not to kill it, right?" "That's true."
"Then this Lesser Lightning is enough! The moment it gets hit, it will drop all the students it's holding. The power of lightning will make it cower! It won't want to keep fighting you. It's already full of magical energy, so if it gets hit, it will run away!" 'That's persuasive.' Yi Han was convinced by Percuntra's logic.
No wonder he was an ancient spirit. <Percuntra's Lesser Lightning> was similar to the <Lesser Paralysis Curse> that Yi Han knew.
Both involved converting magical energy into an attribute and then releasing it, and both had the power to paralyze the target.
The difference was that <Percuntra's Lesser Lightning> caused more physical damage, and unlike a curse that could be dodged or blocked, it didn't give the target that chance.
In the current situation, it was very effective.
"Understood. I'll cast it now!" "Good! Took you long enough!" Pretending not to hear Percuntra's words, Yi Han swung his staff and chanted the spell.
"Strike forth, Percuntra's Lightning!" "Well done..."
Percuntra was about to praise Yi Han as he saw the condensed lightning-attribute magical energy successfully shoot out.
But then Percuntra realized something was wrong.
The amount of lightning-attribute magical energy condensed in the sphere was much more than he had expected.
'...???????!!!' Percuntra realized that during the short time he had been chatting with Yi Han, the young mage had unconsciously gathered even more magical energy. 'No!!'
While the students of the Blue Dragon Tower and the White Tiger Tower were chasing the vine monster, the students of the Phoenix Tower and the Black Tortoise Tower acted a bit more wisely.
They went to find Professor Garcia.
"Professor! Over here!!" Fortunately, the students managed to find Professor Garcia as he was walking.
The skeletal headmaster was floating nearby, and Professor Voladi was also there, but the students didn't say a word to either of them.
"Hurry! It's urgent!" "Everyone, stay calm."
Professor Garcia swung his staff, and the students who had been screaming instantly calmed down.
At the same time, the ground shook, smoothly pushing Professor Garcia forward.
Professor Garcia and the students moved like the wind.
"Is this the right way?" "Yes! Yes!" Fortunately, the traces left by the vine monster hadn't disappeared yet.
In Professor Garcia's vision, the vine monster fighting in the distance came into view.
The White Tiger Tower students were surrounding it, swinging their swords and hitting it, but it wasn't very effective.
Instead, they were being dragged away one by one.
Professor Garcia raised his staff, intending to first immobilize the vine monster with a spell.
At that moment, a thick bolt of lightning shot out from the sky.
Crackle-crackle-crackle!
The lightning struck the vine monster's body directly.
Even from a distance, Professor Garcia could feel the strong magical energy contained in the lightning.
His hair stood on end.
-■■■■■■...
The vine monster wasn't just electrocuted; it was completely charred black.
The students it had captured began to fall like rain.
Professor Garcia quickly swung his staff to ensure the falling students landed safely.
"Are you okay?!" "Ughhh..."
Seeing the students trembling, Professor Garcia worried that they might have absorbed too much magical energy.
Since the vine monster was a magical energy-absorbing monster, young mages could suffer serious internal injuries if they were caught by it.
The Tiziling priest who had called Professor Garcia looked at his friends with a worried expression.
Would they be okay?
"Thank goodness!" When a relieved voice came from Professor Garcia's mouth, Tiziling also felt reassured.
Fortunately, they seemed to be okay.
"Is everyone unharmed?" "Yes. Everyone's fine. Just a bit electrocuted by the lightning." "...?" Tiziling was confused.
Was that really okay?