The Villains I Taught Became Heroes

36 – Winds of Change – 1

Having mastered the written aspect, I felt it was time to truly teach magic.

In the world of Ragnarok, magic could be broadly classified into two categories: natural magic and dark magic.

Natural magic utilized the magical energy present in the natural world, while dark magic involved tapping into the power of demons.

Naturally, dark magic was easier to learn and more potent.

However, it was not without its drawbacks.

The more one used dark magic, the harder it became to reach a certain level of proficiency, and there were other risks involved.

Excessive use could lead to uncontrollable surges, and if mishandled during a surge, death was not uncommon.

On the other hand, while natural magic had a slower learning curve, it was stable, and with enough mastery, one could even summon spirits. Therefore, it was better to teach Lena natural magic.

In the game, Lena became a silent witch wielding dark magic.

Considering that, dark magic might be more fitting for her, but…

I don’t know how to use dark magic myself.

Teach what you know.

Still, Lena’s talent is remarkable; it should be fine.

“So, let’s begin the formal magic training.”

“Yes, yes! I understand…!!”

Lena, visibly tense, trembled for a moment and then raised her hand energetically.

Staring at me intently while sitting at the table, Lena seemed to be fully focused.

Well then, shall we begin?

“The first thing you need to master is sensing magic. Magic exists in everything in this world. In the air, in the sunlight, in this candle, on the desk, and even in the chair.”

“Is it not limited to natural things?”

“Good question. You’re right. Generally, magic is said to be inherent in natural things, but in reality, it extends to artificial things as well. The difference lies in the quantity; magic exists everywhere, with just variations.”

This is a theory that varies depending on the school of thought, but the magic I’ve learned assumes that magic is inherent in everything in the world, so it’s better to teach it this way.

“Now, how do you sense magic? There are two methods. The first is realizing magic through calm meditation and concentration. The second is forcibly awakening and sensing the magic within your own body.”

“Which one is better, the first or the second?”

“There are pros and cons. The first is slow but natural, while the second is fast but unnatural.”

“…Natural and unnatural, what’s the difference?”

“The difference is whether it hurts or not.”

“So, um, what I choose is the natural one!”

Unbelievable.

I gave Lena a kind smile, as if she were trying to meditate with effort, and then held her hand.

“Eugyahyahyahyahyahyahyahya!!”

I forcefully infused magic. Lena’s dormant magic began to awaken rapidly as it overlapped with mine.

In the pain, Lena, who had let out a bizarre scream, slumped down and weakly said, “It burned…white…”

We haven’t even started, and she’s talking nonsense.

“Focus. From now on, you have to start feeling magic in earnest.”

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“What if I can’t feel it?”

“We’ll try again.”

Only then did Lena, who had adjusted her posture, close her eyes.

And with a wide smile, she exclaimed, “I-I felt it!”

She’s just bluffing.

Even if she’s overflowing with talent, feeling magic all at once?

Does that make sense?

I shot a magic bullet towards her.

“Hiik!”

An invisible mass of magic like a pea-sized pellet aimed for Lena’s head.

Closing her eyes, Lena trembled in shock, covering her head with both hands and cowering.

“What the… Did you really feel it?”

“This guy.”

“For real.”

She’s indeed the Witch of Silence!

“Oh… Quite impressive.”

“Hehehehehe~.”

Seems she’s weak to compliments.

Lena scratched her head, giggling softly.

As cute as that may be, it’s a rule not to show blood or tears when teaching.

Once again, I cast a magic bullet, and this time, Lena, unable to dodge, clutched her forehead, whimpering.

“Hiing…”

“If you felt the magic, you should also learn to move it, right? Moving magic is simple. Command your inner magic. By doing so, draw out your own magic and move it through the natural magic.”

“Um. Uh. I don’t get it.”

“It’ll be easy once you try. Come on, let’s go again.”

Lena hated pain.

How many people in the world enjoy pain? She despised it to the extreme.

So, even if she dislikes pain, she’ll quickly get used to it.

As expected, Lena, hit twice by my magic bullets, grasped the method of moving magic.

Well, truly splendid.

“Magic is a kind of law accomplished through spells and the movement of magic. It’s convenient to think of creating a framework for magic through spells. Now, let’s try creating the flame of magic for starters.”

“Fi, Fire, is it?”

“Yeah. It’s the easiest magic in the fire category. This level of magic is called basic magic. Once you master all types of basic magic, you can be called a wizard.”

“Ah. Um. Got it.”

Clutching her fist tightly, Lena’s eyes sparkled.

Talent and passion, if she keeps this up, she can learn everything within a year and gain qualification.

“Work hard.”

“Yes, sir!”

The enormous city was trembling. It was because an unstoppable, immense darkness was approaching.

“Ahhhh!”

“We need to run!”

Everyone was petrified. Everyone was afraid.

“Tayler got hit too!”

“Ahhh! Is there no one to save us?!”

Despair.

People were hoping for salvation as if struggling in an inescapable darkness.

And then, there was someone who appeared.

“That, that’s her!!”

A silvery thread illuminating the darkness.

With a massive staff in hand, a woman walked shamelessly towards the darkness, her azure eyes unwavering, not losing even a single glimmer of light.

As if not fearing anything, those in despair began to shout one by one at her confident stride.

“She’s finally here!”

“She’s here! She’s here!”

The sighs of despair turned into cheers, as expected.

It was only natural. The woman walking was the one who had reached the pinnacle of magic, bearing the singular title of ‘Grand Magus’ in the world.

“Y-you…?!”

The soldier, who had been struggling against the darkness, cautiously asked as he looked at the woman appearing before him.

The woman, who had been facing the darkness directly, turned her head.

After slowly removing the mask covering her face, she spoke in a kind and gentle tone, in stark contrast to her formidable title.

“I am Lena.”

A simple statement.

Yet, the sense of reassurance it generated was anything but trivial.

“Lena!”

“Grand Magus!”

A beautiful woman who held all the magic in her hands yet treated everyone kindly.

Indeed, she was the true hero of this era.

“Hehehehehe…”

Lena, who had been envisioning scenes of powerful flames and lightning overcoming darkness, suddenly snapped back to reality.

“…Huh?!”

“…Are you lost in your thoughts again?”

“Uh… well, you see…”

She had lost focus due to her daydreaming.

Watching Lena stumble and mumble in embarrassment, Lee Hyun, who had been looking at her with warm eyes, handed her a bag of silver coins.

“Go to the village and buy some vegetables. Let’s have vegetable stir-fry for dinner tonight. Use the leftover money to get yourself some snacks. Your performance has been quite good lately, so consider it a reward.”

“Uh, you’re not scolding me, are you?”

“I don’t see a reason to when you’re doing well, right?”

Smiling contentedly, Lee Hyun patted Lena’s head.

A bright smile appeared on Lena’s pretty face at his touch.

“Oh! Yes, yes!! I’ll, I’ll be right back! Oh, and! I’ll buy some alcohol for you too, Master!”

“If you do that, I’d appreciate it.”

With two silver coins from Lee Hyun, Lena walked briskly towards the village.

In the past, she would have been cautious, thinking she might need to gather mushrooms or herbs on her way to the village. But now, after a month of learning from Lee Hyun, it was no longer necessary.

Whenever there was time for herb or mushroom picking, Lee Hyun would instruct her to practice her spells again, so she walked towards the village concentrating on her incantations.

“Oh, Lena, is that you?”

“I wonder if Lee Hyun will come today.”

“Oh. Uh, yes. Yes.”

Since becoming Lee Hyun’s apprentice, people had started approaching her more often. To be precise, it wasn’t because she looked like a beggar anymore, now that she washed properly and all. But that too, thanks to Lee Hyun’s instructions, could be considered a result of his influence.

“Well, Master is truly remarkable.”

How could one quickly become friends with people? Lee Hyun had only been here for a little over a month, yet he had already become quite close with the villagers.

Naturally, Lena, as Lee Hyun’s apprentice, also gained their attention.

The position that had changed tremendously from the past still hadn’t fully adapted.

“So, could it be that I’m indulging in such fantasies…”

In the past, it was a fantasy that never crossed the realm of dreams.

Becoming a hero, saving people.

Receiving more praise from others, living amidst cheers.

It was just a fantasy, but maybe, just maybe.

If she followed the teachings of Yi Hyun and became an advanced sorceress, perhaps that dream could come true.

“Uh, yeah! Yeah! I need to work hard…”

“Aaargh!”

Screams echoed from the direction of the market.

In a village always bathed in peace, screams were an anomaly.

Startled, Lena hurriedly ran towards the source.

“Give it back!! That was a gift from my husband… Aaargh!!”

“Hehehe! Who would have thought we’d find such a precious thing here!”

“Uwaaah! Mom! Mommyyy~!”

They were adventurers. They were attempting to snatch Luceia’s necklace, and she, resisting, was being threatened by the adventurers.

Crying beside her was Lorien.

Witnessing the adventurers draw their swords, Lena found herself involuntarily stepping forward.

“What is this?! You pests!”

“…Um. Uh. Well. I-I mean. Th-that, um. Th-that’s…”

‘What should I do?! What should I do?! Of all times, why isn’t Master here!!’

Everyone’s gaze was fixed on her.

Luceia, with her collar gripped tightly, looked at Lena with difficulty.

Lorien, in tears, gazed pitifully at her.

Since helping her clean up, people who hadn’t been particularly close to her in the bathhouse had always treated her kindly.

Those were the people looking at her now.

In the past, she would have just lowered her head and walked past, even if faced with such scrutiny.

Because she was powerless.

Perhaps even now, it wouldn’t be much different.

Unlike the self in her fantasies, the current her was nothing more than a novice sorceress, barely capable of using basic magic.

Fearful. Terrified to face them.

That’s why she closed her eyes, and that’s why they just sneered.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?”

“Hehehehe! What’s this, a coward who can’t even speak properly?!”

“You think you can leave without getting beaten up first?!”

In response to their threat, Lena involuntarily hunched her shoulders.

And soon, she realized.

This current appearance was her when she had no strength.

She wanted to change.

She wanted to become different.

Her teacher had said.

To change, one must grow stronger.

Her teacher had said.

She had talent and would definitely gain strength.

In just a month, although it was a short time, she had learned a lot from him.

So there would be strength in these hands.

The strength to change the fearful self.

The strength to save those who are afraid.

Therefore, Lena opened her closed eyes and raised her hand.

“Magic Arrow.”

And then there was light.