Shadowed Gaze: The Highserk War Saga - Chapter 11

After eliminating the defeated soldiers in the rural area, Walm’s Duwey Squad recommenced their march towards the enemy’s capital, Aidenberg.

The journey was relatively smooth, as the vanguard had cleared the resistance, and unlike five years ago, scorched earth tactics were not used. Communication lines to the rear were firmly maintained, and it seemed they would meet up with the main force earlier than expected.

Occasionally, messengers on horseback rushed past Walm. While communication magic devices exist, they were rare, and mostly used to find artifacts from ruins and labyrinths. Thus, only a handful were available at the national level.

During a short break by a river, Walm sat down, loosened his bootlaces, and took off his half-boots to stretch his feet. He used to wear straw sandals for farm work, but now he wore half-boots reinforced with iron plates.

Initially, the long walks caused severe blisters and bleeding, but over time his skin had thickened and hardened. Wrapping cloth around his feet before wearing the half-boots also helped, so now Walm could run any distance without pain.

Socks did exist though, but they were primarily a fashion statement by nobles and royalty. Only highly paid soldiers and adventurers could afford to use them for practical purposes.

While cleaning his body in the river, Walm also washed his clothes and the cloth he wrapped around his feet. Other soldiers were similarly engaged in their routines.

After finishing his tasks, Walm rested in the shade, where Wilart sat down beside him.

“How unusual. What’s up?”

In Walm’s memory, Wilart rarely engaged in casual conversation and was usually quiet during marches.

“I remember you said you were interested in magic before. I’ll teach you.”

Walm vaguely remembered responding positively when Wilart had supported him during a battle. Surprised that Wilart was serious about teaching him, Walm couldn’t hide his excitement.

“Yeah, I did say that. I’d really like to learn.”

Magic was universally fascinating, and Walm was thrilled at the prospect of possibly learning some.

“Hold my hand.”

“What? Hold your hand?”

Walm was taken aback by the unexpected request.

“Yes, and close your eyes.”

Despite feeling awkward about two burly soldiers holding hands, Walm complied.

“Huh, getting hot here,” teased Jose, likely intending to mock Walm with a mischievous smile.

“Just kidding.”

Walm stared blankly at Jose, who shrugged uncomfortably.

“Focus.”

Chastised by Wilart, Walm put aside his irritation with Jose and concentrated on the hand he was holding. He felt a cold sensation, unlike the warmth of a human hand.

“It’s cold.”

“Yes, this is the state of magic power prepared for attribute magic.”

For Walm, who had lived his entire previous life in a world without magic, the allure of magic was even stronger. In this world, the residents felt either excitement or disappointment by their aptitude for attribute magic.

“Remember this feeling. Now concentrate.”

After a few minutes, Walm began to sense something he had never felt before, a heightened sensitivity.

“Let go of my hand and focus on your palm. Imagine a river or the sea, anything with flowing water.”

Walm instantly thought of rain. Cold rain that robbed the body of heat, nourishing the earth, flowing into rivers, reaching the sea.

“Ah…”

Before he knew it, Walm’s palm was filled with water. A slight sense of fatigue accompanied this creation.

“Is this magic?!”

Walm couldn’t contain his excitement, smiling broadly at Wilart.

“Damn… it’s a failure.”

Wilart seemed disappointed, as if he had expected something else.

“Huh?”

“You can use it, but barely. At best, you’re a walking water bottle.”

Walm wanted to argue that being a human water bottle was impressive enough, but he held back.

Water magic users, regardless of their power level, always faced challenges. Depending on age and individual differences, around 60% of the human body was made up of water.

Walm knew that not all magic users could use magic in combat. This was particularly true for water attribute magic users. While they received preferential treatment in food distribution, their fate might’ve been endlessly producing water until their magic power dries up, much like humans targeted by succubi or incubi.

Wilart was one of the few magic users who could use magic in combat and cover the need for drinking water. Perhaps he was more relieved than disappointed in Walm’s performance, which lightened his own burden. Walm seemed somewhat pleased by this.

Walm glanced around to see if any of their comrades had noticed, only to find the whole squad intently observing this ceremonial-like teaching of magic.

Seeing the smirking squad leader, Walm was certain: it was already too late.

“Well, compared to the explosive amount of magic power used in regular skills, it’s a failure. You’ll make a fine human water bottle.”

Walm, lamenting his own blunder, refocused his attention as Wilart opened his mouth to speak.

“Was I using magic?”

“Of course. Renowned soldiers use magic for enhancing skills and physical abilities. Didn’t you know?”

Wilart frowned in exasperation at Walm.

“I’m just a soldier from a rural village, completely uneducated in this. How would I know such things?”

Walm grumbled, but Wilart wasn’t listening.

“Next then. I can use the elements of water and fire, so try to visualize it.”

Fire was familiar to Walm from his previous life and was indispensable in this world as well.

Walm had once had his hair burned by an enemy’s fireball. It wasn’t hard to imagine it.

He closed his eyes and concentrated. He felt that Wilart had jumped back. Opening his eyes, he saw flames reaching as high as the trees from his right hand, spreading fire all around.

“Wilart! What should I do?!”

Panicking, Walm called out for Wilart’s help as the fire spread.

“Is the enemy attacking us?!”

“No. Walm is burning the surroundings with his fire magic.”

“Idiot, stop it right now!”

Walm was bombarded with unprecedented jeers and insults from the three idiots.

“My hairrrr!”

Barrit, with his magnificent crown, was on the verge of becoming a roasted chicken as his hair caught fire.

“Please spare his hair, Walm!”

New recruit Nohl called out to Walm while trying to extinguish Barrit’s blazing head. The situation around them was a complete disaster.

“It wasn’t on purpose. What should I do?!”

Walm begged for help, but Wilart’s action was simple: “Fight fire with water!”

“Wai—”

Before Walm could plead for mercy, a water orb struck him, extinguishing the fire and knocking him to the ground, where he rolled six times before stopping.

“This isn’t a joke, Wilart!”

As the small fire disturbance settled, Walm voiced his complaint.

Wilart extended his hand to Walm, who grasped it, and stood up. The magic soldier murmured softly.

“Continue. Quickly visualize the next element.”

“H-huh…”

Walm was terrified by the command.

He had forgotten that this quiet, hairless eccentric was uncompromising when it came to magic.

Subsequently, Walm showed no aptitude for earth magic, but like fire magic, he had a high affinity for wind magic.

The problem was that he couldn’t control it, and Walm’s raging winds caused havoc, attacking squad members during their break until he was subdued with the squad leader’s ultimate sleeper chokehold.

The price was high; in addition to being covered in bruises, Walm was assigned to three days of sentry duty and tasked with being the water supply troop using his newly learned water magic.