After the incident at the bandits' village, Tris and Rin resumed their journey as before. For Rin, she continued to receive constant lessons in magic along the way.
Today, another important lesson was being explained by Tris:
Tris: "Mastering control over magic is absolutely crucial. With combat techniques, once you learn them, you can immediately apply them effectively in practice. Of course, further training to refine your skill is still necessary, but it's nowhere near as critical as with magic.
This is especially true for Fire magic, the attribute you are most compatible with and currently learning."
Rin: "Because of its danger?"
Tris: "Yes. Compared to other attributes, Fire magic usually has higher damage and wider attack range. For example, with a weak 'Water Ball', if it accidentally explodes near someone, they'll just get a little wet. But using the same amount of spiritual energy to create a 'Fire Ball', if it explodes nearby, it could cause serious burns.
Without precise control, you could easily burn or injure yourself. This is especially risky when using it in forests, enclosed spaces like caves, or inside houses, etc. If you can master control, you'll burn only what you intend to burn, avoiding harm to yourself, your allies, or causing unnecessary fires in the environment."
Rin: "So how do I achieve that?"
Tris: "It's difficult and requires many techniques. For instance, focusing heat in a single direction instead of letting it spread evenly, or dispelling flames when they catch in unwanted places. Of course, controlling the exact point of release, as well as the trajectory and movement of the magic, will also help. Now, you should begin practicing like this…"
. . .
At times when Rin had nearly exhausted her spiritual energy from training, Tris would take the opportunity to teach her additional theoretical knowledge about real combat with magic.
Tris: "When fighting with just the body, the focus is mainly on technique and reflex speed. There's very little that requires calculation or mental effort. In contrast, once magic enters the battle, everything becomes far more complex, with countless variables at play."
Hearing this, Rin immediately nodded.
It was easy to understand; there are simply too many things one can do with magic. Even within a single attribute, there are already countless things one can do, let alone when multiple attributes are combined.
Tris: "To reduce the complexity, let's first divide combat magic into two categories: offensive and defensive.
Offensive magic includes magics that deal direct damage, whether single-target or area-of-effect, whether aimed at the body or at the mind. It can also include indirect effects such as weakening, binding, restraining, or obstructing."
Rin: "Obstructing? Like blocking the enemy's movement?"
Tris: "That's one way. It could also mean preventing the opponent from successfully casting magic. For example, by disrupting their control over spiritual energy, or simply silencing them. Many Mages struggle to use magic without words, especially in tense situations that demand high concentration.
Speaking of wordless casting, this is an important technique you'll need to practice regularly. As I mentioned, it prevents situations where you can't speak. Moreover, it speeds up casting. It's a complex skill, and the higher the level of the magic, the harder it becomes.
For you, start by shortening the incantations for basic magics. Then keep practicing, gradually improving until you can freely use magic without words."
Rin: "Master, have you already reached that final level of mastery?"
Tris: "If I sit still and do nothing else, I can use any magic I know without speaking. But in real combat, for the most complex magics, I still need to whisper the incantation to maintain focus.
For lower-level magics, I usually shorten the words into just a few syllables, though sometimes I don't use words at all. It depends on the situation.
Sometimes I want to prioritize speed, so I skip the words. Other times, when I'm juggling too many magics or actions at once, using words helps reduce mental overload and prevents mistakes."
Tris paused briefly, then added:
"Of course, for basic magics where speed is the priority, there's no point wasting time with words. It only slows you down."
As he spoke, he pointed his finger at a nearby tree and fired a rapid stream of simple 'Magic Bullet', as fast as a machine gun. The tree trunk was instantly riddled with holes, resembling a beehive.
Then Tris took the chance to remind Rin of something he had taught before:
"And that's when speed matters most. But if you need more serious damage to break through an enemy's defense, you may have to sacrifice speed and quantity. Like this…"
This time, instead of a barrage of bullets, only a single shot was fired. Yet that single bullet didn't just leave a small hole in the tree.
Rin could clearly see that the attack flew at a terrifying speed, and when it struck, it carved out a hole many times larger than the bullet itself.
Not stopping there, the bullet pierced through the first tree and continued into the one behind, leaving a deep, gaping hole in the solid wood.
Tris: "This too is the result of mastering control over the same magic. Alright, enough digression; let's return to classifying magic in combat. After offense, let's talk about defensive types.
Defensive magic most obviously includes magics that block or resist attacks, but it can also mean those that help you evade. Other types put you in advantageous positions, or enhance and heal yourself, whether body or mind.
And to add, preventing or obstructing the enemy's attack is also a valid form of defense. That's why many say offense is often the best defense, and they're not entirely wrong."
Tris's extended lessons continued afterward.
. . .