Volume 4: The Saint and the Witch

  “Hmm… so, you're saying that your inherent skill ‘evolved’ at that time?”

  In a room within the floating city of the Abyssal Confederation, Veridith sat on a sofa, nodding slightly toward Misako.

  “My inherent skill should only allow me to control the trajectory of light, using it to conceal my presence,” Veridith expined, opening her skill panel for analysis.

  …

  [Inherent Skill: Trajectory Deviation]

  [Skill Effect: Shifts the path of light around the user.]

  …

  The description was succinct, the effect equally simple. At most, it allowed light to distort as it reached her, diverting it around her body.

  Most creatures in the world perceive the world through light that is reflected off surfaces and enters their eyes. Veridith’s skill enabled light to bypass her entirely, preventing it from reflecting off her and thus rendering her invisible.

  However, for Veridith, this skill had not been of much use.

  Firstly, since she could expin the skill in detail, it meant that others were also familiar with it to some extent. In fact, simir invisibility magic had already been developed, and her skill was merely an efficient version of such magic.

  Furthermore, as a green dragon, Veridith was already highly adept at shifting her form. If she practised and mastered this ability, she could even alter her colour and appearance like a chameleon.

  In essence, the skill had little significance for Veridith… at least, it hadn't up until now.

  “But at that time, I think I sensed something, and then, following that instinct, I used my skill. To my surprise, the attacks from the others were deflected,” Veridith continued.

  Though it was possible that her inherent skill’s range had evolved at a critical moment, successfully deflecting the ‘light beam,’ she had previously tested this skill, and it could only affect natural light, not magical light.

  This brought up the essence of magic itself. Magic was based on maniputing the world through ‘mana,’ a special form of energy. In other words, energy was energy, and using magic to create material substances was not true creation but an interference with the world.

  Energy-based substances that were not ‘material’ were called ‘quasi-substances,’ and there were simir concepts in other worlds, such as ‘mass-energy conversion.’ However, in this world, energy referred specifically to ‘mana’ or ‘life force,’ distinguishing it somewhat from the former.

  Thus, although light magic was cssified as ‘light’ magic and appeared to create light, these were not the natural ‘light’ of the world, and Veridith’s inherent skill couldn’t affect them.

  “I see… now I understand. I never imagined you’d progress this quickly.”

  Despite the unusual circumstances surrounding Veridith’s situation, neither Misako nor Farkonia showed any signs of concern.

  “You’ve successfully reached the core of your soul,” Misako remarked, eyes narrowing.

  “The core of my soul?” Veridith’s small head tilted in confusion.

  “Do you know what an inherent skill is?”

  “Hmm… isn’t it a ‘skill’ we’re born with?” Veridith responded, unsure.

  “That’s partly true, but there is a deeper meaning to it.”

  Misako straightened her posture, preparing to expin further.

  “Skills are rooted in the soul, and they can do things far more refined and powerful than magic. Inherent skills are a direct reflection of our souls. When a living being comprehends their inherent skill, they begin to understand the ‘essence’ of their soul. This essence may align with the inherent skill, or it may be something entirely different.”

  “Skills, in essence, allow us to influence the world more efficiently and powerfully. Inherent skills are the most potent of them all, tailored specifically to you. When we comprehend the essence of our soul, we can touch the world’s rules and interfere with them. Think of it as a form of ‘authority.’ Magic, on the other hand, is merely a crude imitation of this authority. Of course, there are some who have mastered magic to the point that it rivals or even surpasses the power of inherent skills.”

  After expining the nature of skills and the essence of the soul, Misako looked up to find Veridith staring bnkly, as though lost in thought.

  “…Er, you’re not following, are you?”

  Though Veridith was undoubtedly a genius, the information she had just been given was well beyond her current understanding. After all, this was high-level knowledge, touching on the very fabric of the world’s rules. For someone who hadn’t yet reached the seventh tier of power, it was simply too complex.

  In fact, Misako herself had only comprehended these ideas after reaching the tenth tier, spending years of study to grasp them. And even then, she had barely scratched the surface—what she hadn’t expined was even more profound.

  And even if she understood it all, it would do little for her current self. The only one who might benefit from such knowledge would likely be Farkonia, who had reached the pinnacle of mortal power.

  “Ahem! To put it simply, inherent skills are manifestations of the soul and allow one to influence the world’s rules, essentially making them a higher-level version of magic. You’ve managed to grasp the true essence of your inherent skill, enabling you to interfere with the rules more powerfully and efficiently,” Farkonia interjected, offering a simpler expnation.

  “…Ah! I understand now! I’ve discovered the true power of my inherent skill!” Veridith’s face lit up in realisation.

  “Mm… that’s about the gist of it.”

  Seeing Veridith grasp the concept so quickly after Farkonia’s words, Misako couldn’t help but feel her own shortcomings as a teacher.

  “Seems like Farkonia would make a great mother, huh…”

  “Hmm? Did you say something, Misako?”

  “…Ah! No, nothing at all!”

  Farkonia’s inquiry made Misako snap out of her thoughts. She hadn’t realised she’d spoken aloud. If there had been snow around, she might have transformed into a fox and burrowed into it to hide her embarrassment.

  “…Hmm… by the way, where’s Aris gone?”

  Misako, eager to change the subject, asked the question with some trepidation.

  “She seems to be preparing something in her room,” Farkonia replied.

  “…I see. Even after all this time, she…”

  While it had seemed like a long time, in reality, it had only been a few months. Compared to the 80,000 years spent in the Abyss, it felt like but a fleeting moment.

  Still, despite the passing of time, her resolve had not wavered.

  “I hope things don’t come to that…”