At noon, the orange glow of the sun shone down on Rain, who was intently studying the books spread out beside him.
"Looks like I'm starting to get the gist of it," Rain thought.
"For a mage to cast a spell, one must first put down their canvas," he recalled. "A canvas is the space where the mage draws their magic circle. A mage's intent to cast will automatically create their own canvas, but for a newbie like me… I have to imagine it first. I'll know it's successful once I feel the flow of mana in my palm."
He readjusted his posture. "The location of the canvas is automatically close to the caster's palm or whichever body part they'll use to cast the spell."
Closing his eyes, Rain stretched out his palm as if trying to catch raindrops. "Imagine a canvas on top of my palm," he murmured in his mind.
A few moments later, he felt it the subtle movement of mana gathering at his hand.
"I DID IT!" Rain exclaimed.
But just as quickly, his canvas shattered into nothing.
"I LOST MY FOCUS!" he cried out.
With a frustrated groan, he slumped back. "Ugh… I think it took me about half an hour just to establish that canvas," he muttered to himself.
The last rays of the sun bled away beyond the horizon, leaving the forest wrapped in cool shadow. Rain was still hunched over his scattered books, brow furrowed.
"I really ran out of time," he murmured, closing one with a soft thud. His gaze swept the darkening treeline. "Let's just hope there aren't any monsters… or bandits."
When he tilted his head back, the sight stilled him three moons hung above, pale and luminous against the velvet sky. He stared for a long moment, caught between awe and disbelief.
So it's true… I really am in another world.
His chest tightened. I hope the family I left behind… I hope someone's there to take care of them.
A sudden rustle drew his eyes downward. The rabbit from earlier padded up to him, a round, apple-like fruit clutched in its tiny mouth.
Rain blinked. "Huh? I already let you go since the fruit's safe. But…" He sighed, a smile tugging faintly at his lips. "I'm sorry about earlier, little one."
He lifted the rabbit onto his lap, fingers sinking into its soft fur. The animal settled quietly, and Rain took the offered fruit, biting into its crisp flesh as his eyes wandered back to the moons.
Jade… I already miss your silver fur.
The thought alone was enough to make his vision blur.
"The base of Elementary Rank spells is always a circle," Rain reminded himself. "This base is the main circle in any magic circle. I need to make it strong so I can add more parts later."
A small white dot appeared in the center of his Canvas. Slowly, it expanded until it reached the full size of the Canvas.
"Looks like I've finished creating the base of the spell's magic circle," he thought, his chest swelling with excitement. Even so, he forced himself to keep his focus.
"Next is the foundation of the spell. It's like the base, but this time I have to add an element to it."
"First, create the base circle… then infuse it with the Fire element."
Minutes passed before a faint red dot flickered into existence at the center of the base circle. It pulsed, then spread outward, quickly covering half the Canvas in a warm crimson hue.
"Success!" Rain whispered, grinning but still holding his concentration.
"The next step is the glyph the part that contains the element itself."
"The glyph for Fire… a flame icon wrapped in an oval shape."
"To power it, I just have to run mana through the foundation circle. That will convert it into Fire element, and from there, I can construct the glyph."
With extreme focus, Rain began shaping the magic that would breathe life into his spell.
After an hour of work, Rain let out a frustrated sigh. "I didn't expect creating a glyph to be this hard…" he muttered, staring at the incomplete magic circle before him, the glaring absence of a glyph mocking his efforts.
"Let's start over," he decided, determination hardening in his eyes. But before he could even finish the new attempt, a sharp sound like glass shattering rang out again.
"Again? Why won't my glyph form?" Rain frowned, running through possible causes in his mind.
Then, an idea struck. "Let's change our approach… Hmm, instead of thinking of it as a cog in a machine I'll think of it as…simple symbol, No, better yet-. a battery"
Almost instantly, the glyph began to take shape. The base circle flushed crimson, signaling completion, and in the center of the magic circle, a ball of fire suddenly ignited into existence.
"Wha- YESSSS! I MADE IT! I CREATED IT!!!" Rain whooped, leaping to his feet. Without wasting a moment, he dashed toward the small pile of wood he had gathered earlier and lit it.
Minutes later, Rain sat beside the crackling campfire, basking in its warmth."It took me about three to five hours to create this Elementary Rank Spell… I wonder how veterans fight like this? Do they just whip one out and fire it?" he mused aloud.
As he pondered, Vivi approached, holding a different kind of fruit.
"Hm? What's that, Vivi?" Rain asked, tilting his head as the creature placed the fruit down. "Looks like some kind of berry. Are you sure this isn't poisonous?"
Vivi quickly shook its head.
"Thanks," Rain said, smiling warmly. Then, remembering something, he added, "Oh right, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Rain Watanabe."
Vivi extended a small paw, and Rain chuckled before shaking it firmly.
"But in this new world, I should probably change my last name if I want to blend in," Rain mused, staring into the flickering campfire. "Problem is… I've got nothing to base a new name on." He shook his head with a faint smirk. "Forget it. I'll think of one later when I actually need it."
With that, Rain popped another bite of apple into his mouth, alternating between its crisp sweetness and the tart burst of berries. The warmth from the fire wrapped around him like a blanket, making the foreign wilderness feel just a little less hostile.
Once I'm done eating… I'll keep practicing spells, he thought, eyes narrowing with renewed determination. The embers danced in his gaze, as if echoing the fire he had just learned to create.
That night, Rain sat before the campfire, his back resting against his usual tree. The flames danced before him, their warmth a quiet comfort in the still darkness.
"Ever since I cast my first Firelight, the ones after that have come so much easier," he murmured to himself. "Looks like I just need to fully grasp its concept first. Spellcasting in this world is so much different from the magic books I've read back on Earth."
He flipped another page in the book on his lap. "An Elementary Rank Spell consists of the Base, the Foundation, and the Glyph… with a maximum of four parts," he read aloud. "The fourth is called the Manascript the letters inscribed within magic circles. Basically, it's the instructions and stats of the spell."
Turning the page again, his brow furrowed. "Hmm… a veteran mage can create a magic circle with multiple Foundations?" He blinked in surprise. "Wait doesn't that mean they can combine multiple elements? Because… every Foundation needs its own set of Glyphs to work…"
The next morning, Rain stretched and took a deep breath of the crisp air. "Let's start the day by being productive and gather some firewood," he said with a hint of excitement.
This is my third day in this world… I need to learn attack magic soon, he thought as he began walking toward the treeline.
One thing's for sure every element has its own unique shape for its Foundation. He recalled the notes from his book. Like how the Fire Element's Foundation is shaped as a circle.
"For now, I just need to reach Novice Rank in Fire Magic," he murmured to himself, tightening his grip on the small bundle of sticks he had already collected. "At the very least… I'll be able to protect myself."
"Hello? Is this Rain?"
Rain froze, his body tensing. He scanned the surroundings, eyes sharp. "WHO ARE YOU?" he shouted.
"I'm speaking inside your empty head," came a deep, manly voice.
Rain's heart skipped. "A-Are you… a god as well?"
"Yes. I am the God of Swords. I've contacted you under the order of the High God. Your task is to head north. You will find a cave, and inside its depths awaits your first enemy. You must eliminate it."
"I… I see. Then I'll take care of it now," Rain replied, setting off northward without hesitation.
But as the trees passed by, his determination began to fray. "I said I'd do it, but I don't even know how to defend myself. And now I'm supposed to kill some enemy?" He spotted a fallen branch sturdy enough to serve as a makeshift weapon. "At the very least… this might buy me a few seconds."
Eventually, he reached the cave entrance. "So there really is a cave here…" he murmured.
Suddenly, a cry for help echoed from within. Rain's heart leapt. Without thinking, he bolted inside. "HELLO! I'M HERE TO HELP!"
He cast Firelight, the glow spilling across the damp cavern walls. His eyes caught a small figure a little girl, trembling in fear.
"Hey, are you okay? What happened?" Rain knelt beside her, quickly scanning her for injuries. "What ha-"
Before he could finish, the child's form twisted, flesh warping into something grotesque. In an instant, the innocent face became a gaping maw lined with jagged teeth snapping shut, aiming to bite his head clean off.
"UH- ARGGG!" Rain shouted, stumbling backward in a rush of panic. He flung the branch he had been holding straight at the creature.
It snapped its monstrous jaws shut just in time but the stick wedged between its upper and lower teeth, forcing it to recoil with a loud crunch.
Rain didn't hesitate. Taking advantage of the brief opening, he bolted, heart hammering, as the creature thrashed behind him, teeth gnashing where the branch had struck.
Rain's lungs burned as he sprinted deeper into the cave, the uneven floor and low-hanging stalactites forcing him to dodge and weave. Behind him, the creature's guttural growls echoed, punctuated by the sickening crunch of its teeth snapping together.
Think! Think! Rain's mind raced. I can't just run forever… I have Firelight!
He skidded to a halt near a cluster of rocks, planting his palm on the ground. "Canvas… Foundation… Glyph… Firelight!" he shouted, throwing all his focus into the spell.
A small orb of fire flickered into existence in the center of his magic circle. It hovered, trembling, as if testing itself in this hostile environment. Rain's eyes locked on the creature as it lunged, faster than he expected.
With a burst of determination, he sent the orb flying. The ball of flame slammed into the creature's side, eliciting a scream that reverberated through the cave. Smoke and scorched fur filled the air.
The creature staggered but recovered quickly, its eyes burning with rage. Rain gulped and grabbed another sturdy branch, holding it like a staff. I need to keep it at bay long enough to finish casting the next spell…
He focused again, feeling the flow of mana through his palm and into the circle beneath him. Another Firelight orb ignited, brighter and steadier than the first. Rain's heart pounded. This time, I have to aim carefully…
He flung the second orb with all his strength. It struck the creature square in the chest, knocking it off balance. Smoke curled from the impact, and it let out a strangled roar. Rain seized the moment, sprinting past it and deeper into the cave.
The creature lunged again, jaws snapping just inches from his shoulder. He pivoted, narrowly avoiding a deadly bite. "This… is… bad!" he panted, desperation making his movements erratic.
I need a better plan… I can't just rely on these weak spells… but I have to survive this first encounter.
Rain's chest heaved as he stumbled backward, the monster lunging closer with each step. Firelight… that's all I have, he thought, gripping the branch like a lifeline. It's only meant to illuminate, not fight… but I have to survive.
The creature's jagged maw snapped just inches from his face, forcing him to dodge again. Panic surged through him, but he forced his mind to think. Okay… if I can't hurt it, I need to outsmart it.
He scanned the cave, spotting a narrow corridor with jagged rocks that could slow the monster down. Muttering under his breath, he swung the branch wildly, not to attack but to distract it, buying himself just enough time to dart forward.
"Firelight!" he shouted, raising his palm. The familiar orb of gentle flame appeared, illuminating the dark cave. The creature hissed, momentarily blinded by the sudden brightness. Rain's heart pounded as he dashed past it, using the flickering light to navigate the obstacles ahead.
I can't defeat it… I just have to survive and keep my distance. Sweat dripped down his face as he pressed himself against a wall, the monster thrashing and snapping just a few feet away. Each swing of the branch or flash of Firelight gave him only seconds but seconds were all he had.
Rain's mind raced. I need to figure out how magic really works here. Maybe… if I understand the flow of Mana better, I can do more than just light things up…
For now, all he could do was keep moving, keep thinking, and hope he survived this first terrifying test of the new world.
Even if Firelight only illuminates the surroundings… it's still made of fire, Rain thought, eyes narrowing. It still burns. It can still hurt or at least do some damage to that thing.
He froze mid-step. Wait… what if I can use it to make actual spells?
His gaze swept the cave, settling on a large opening ahead. The sound of rushing water echoed faintly from somewhere deeper in the cavern. The fourth part of a magic circle the Manascript is like the command, or in Earth terms… the code of the system. If I can figure it out, maybe I can create or even reverse-engineer real spells, he thought, a spark of excitement and urgency coursing through him.
The creature was slowly closing the distance, jaws snapping and claws scraping against stone. Rain's mind raced. First, the Foundation and the Glyph… they only have a limited storage for Manascript. I have to be precise.
He dropped to one knee, letting his palm hover above the ground. "Canvas… establish…" he muttered under his breath.
First, make my Base… Rain thought, focusing on the swirling Mana in his palm.
A faint roar of water echoed through the cavern. Rain's head snapped toward the sound. Is that… a waterfall?
He clenched his jaw and refocused, knowing he had only seconds to experiment before the creature reached him. If I can pull this off, I might finally turn Firelight into something more than just light.
"After creating the base of the magic circle… Foundation is next, then the Manascript!" Rain's thoughts raced as the monster's steps echoed closer.
"JUST USE JAPANESE AS THE MANASCRIPT!" he suddenly blurted. In an instant, glowing Japanese characters appeared, wrapping around half of the foundational circle.
"I wrote: 'Fire straight, explode with about fifty kilograms of TNT, after two seconds.'" His eyes narrowed as he extended his hand toward the creature, the Fire Glyph taking shape.
The moment the glyph locked into place, the circle flared red. Instead of a harmless glow, the spell fired what should have been Firelight.
Rain didn't wait to watch he leapt backward off the cliff, hoping the roaring sound really did mean a waterfall. "Please let there be deep water down there…"
Before he could even glimpse the bottom, a deafening explosion tore through the cave behind him. The blast wave caught his back mid-fall, shoving him forward as heat and light swallowed the cliff edge.