Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 691

"T-This is supposed to be a Thunderball?! This is practically a large-scale spell!"

"Wow, Lord Rid's magic is as incredible as ever!"

The Thunderball I had activated rapidly expanded in the sky, easily surpassing 10 meters in diameter, crackling with lightning and roaring with thunder.

It was a recreation of the massive fireball I had once unleashed in Renalute, but with lightning affinity this time.

It wasn't practical for combat due to the charging time, but it was perfect for demonstrating my abilities.

Luva stood stunned, looking up at the sky with a flustered expression, while Arena gazed at the Thunderball with excitement.

"Lady Luva, this is just a Thunderball. I only adjusted the mana output a little."

"A-Ahaha..."

Her eyes widened as her lips twitched.

"'A little,' you say... It seems the rumors of you defeating Elba weren't exaggerated after all."

"Thank you. But I didn't defeat Elba alone."

I narrowed my eyes slightly before continuing.

"So, does this suffice as proof of my Lightning Attribute Affinity?"

"Yes, more than enough. The evidence is clearer than fire itself."

She shrugged with an exasperated sigh.

Given that the Baldia family's signature affinity is fire, she must have been making a joke.

I couldn't help but chuckle.

"That was a good one."

"Well, I have my moments. By the way, what are you going to do about this?"

She gestured toward the massive Thunderball still floating in the air.

"Of course, unnecessary magic should be dealt with like this."

With a snap of my fingers, the Thunderball shrank like a deflating balloon.

The mana used to create it swirled back toward me in a vortex.

If it had been dark, the sight might have resembled an illumination display.

"Um, Lord Rid... What exactly are you doing?"

Luva furrowed her brows, tilting her head in confusion.

"Exactly what it looks like—I'm dismantling the spell and reclaiming the mana used."

"Reclaiming the mana used in a spell?! Is that even possible?!"

"Yes, though it requires considerable knowledge and training in magic. Once you get used to it, it's surprisingly simple."

"Wha...?!"

Luva stood frozen, mouth agape in shock.

In this world, reclaiming mana after casting a spell is considered impossible—a fundamental principle of magic.

But when I developed the mana conversion device, I thought:

"If we can convert electricity into mana, maybe we can do the same with spells?"

At first, it didn’t work.

But after repeated attempts, I solidified the mental image of reversing the spellcasting process and succeeded in reclaiming mana.

I even refined it into a specialized spell called "Mana Reclamation."

Currently, the reclamation rate caps at around 80-90%, but even that is incredibly useful—especially after casting something like that massive Thunderball.

"Lord Rid, you really do shatter common sense."

"Do I? I think anyone could've come up with it given the right inspiration."

I answered casually before shifting the topic.

"More importantly, Lady Luva, could you teach me the sensations of your beastified state now?"

Leaning forward eagerly, I saw her clear her throat and straighten up.

"Very well. But remember, it's just a sensation—I can't guarantee it'll give you the answers you seek."

"Understood. You never know until you try."

"Then let's begin."

As I nodded, she started explaining the intricacies of presence detection during beastification.

To summarize, the basic mechanism was similar to Electric Field, but with one key difference: the ability to arbitrarily limit the effective range.

Normally, Electric Field expands with increased mana output, but by maintaining that output while restricting the range to the immediate surroundings, presence detection improves dramatically.

Easier said than done—maintaining high mana output while narrowing the range requires intense concentration.

Mastering it for combat would take considerable practice.

"...And that's how it works. For me, the optimal detection range is about three meters in all directions."

"Three meters in all directions..."

Being able to detect movements within a three-meter radius would allow for counterattacks that exploit the opponent's momentum—effectively neutralizing racial physical disparities.

The real question was whether Electric Field could be adapted similarly.

Only experimentation would tell.

Difficult as it might be, trial and error was the only way forward.

"But with that range, you can essentially predict your opponent's moves in advance, right?"

My eyes sparkled as I leaned in, and Luva nodded.

"More or less. Let's test it. Both of you—try attacking me from behind however you like."

"Understood. Arena, this way."

"Yes, my lord."

As we moved behind her, she confidently declared, "I’ll even close my eyes. Come at me whenever."

Even without sight, she could react purely through presence detection.

I deliberately stayed silent, signaling Arena with a glance and hand gesture to lunge from behind while I prepared a fire spear.

Arena nodded and tensed—but the moment I channeled mana into my right hand, Luva smirked triumphantly, still facing forward.

"Arena's bracing herself. Judging by her weight distribution, she’s going to leap off her right foot and swing her right arm for a tackle."

"H-Huh?!"

Arena gasped, stunned at being read so precisely.

Unfazed, Luva continued calmly.

"Using magic too? Lord Rid, you're more mischievous than I expected."

"...Impressive, Lady Luva."

I forced a composed compliment, but my heart raced with excitement.

And then—my bad habit kicked in.

"Lady Luva, I apologize in advance. And please... indulge my curiosity just this once."

"Your 'bad habit,' hmm? That cheerful tone makes me wonder what you're planning."

Still facing forward, she shrugged.

She probably already sensed my intentions.

Her response was tacit permission.

"This."

In an instant, I activated Body Enhancement and Blazing Flame, closing the distance to unleash a flurry of kicks and strikes from behind.

Yet Luva, without even turning, effortlessly dodged every single one.

"My apologies. After witnessing your incredible magic, I couldn’t resist experiencing it firsthand. I just... really love magic."

"My my, you’ve got quite the mischievous streak for your age."

As she flipped back to evade, she finally turned to face me—only for my breath to hitch.

Her eyes were still closed.

Even holding back, I hadn’t landed a single hit.

"...Your movements and magic are extraordinary. I don’t think I’ve ever been dodged so completely before."

"Only because you weren’t serious. But I did say we couldn’t spar. Since you misbehaved, I hope you’re prepared for punishment."

Her eyes slowly opened as she delivered that warning.

Then—she smiled sweetly.

The next instant, her fist shot toward me at blinding speed.

"Too fast—?!"

Realizing I couldn’t block in time, I tried to leap back—but she smirked.

"I saw that coming."

"Wha—?!"

Her hand clamped around my ankle mid-jump.

With my body now airborne and defenseless, she yanked me forward—

—and slammed me onto my back with a thunderous thud.

"Ghk—?!"

The impact knocked the wind out of me, a pained groan escaping as my spine met the ground.

"Mischievous children get disciplined."

"Eh...?"

Her face hovered inches above mine, eyes glinting with playful menace.

Bathed in sunlight, her silver fur shimmered, framing an expression both adorable and bewitching.

Just as my heart skipped a beat—

Flick!

"GYAAAAAAAAH?!"

Her finger collided with my forehead like a cannon shot, driving the back of my skull slightly into the dirt.

Tears welled up uncontrollably from the sheer pain.

To an outsider, it might’ve looked like a simple flick—but this was a beastified chieftain’s flick.

It carried more destructive force than a full-powered punch from any ordinary fighter.

Had I not reinforced my body, my head might’ve flown clean off.

As I writhed on the ground in agony, Luva’s laughter rang out.

"I warned you. Punishment. Consider this a light one—I’ll let you off the hook this time."

"...Lord Rid, are you alright?"

"Y-Yeah, thanks... Just... give me a moment..."

Arena peered down worriedly, but all I could manage was a tearful grimace.

Luva Gandarsica.

Petite, adorable, and level-headed—but in her beastified state, she was every bit the chieftain.

And I had just learned that lesson firsthand.