Among Monsters (Tensura)

Chap 21.

For the past two weeks, James had made the Sovereign's Sanctuary his home, focusing all his energy on refining his swordsmanship and magic. His routine was strict, but he knew he had to make the most of every day in this new world.

Each morning, he would wake in the amphitheater that served as his makeshift bedroom, the stone floor cold beneath him, but the Eternal Lake nearby provided all the water he needed to stay hydrated. He still had plenty of rations, but he allowed his horse to wander the forest, grazing on the plentiful grass, letting it rest as he honed his skills.

His training started with the Blade Knight, a creation born from his desire to perfect his swordsmanship. Each day, he would summon the knight and spar with it, using his skills to improve his technique. After about twenty minutes, when his magicules began to drain, he would take a short break, eating a quick snack and recovering.

The true focus of his recent efforts, however, was magic. After his break, he would summon the Skilled White Magician, the creature he had created specifically to aid him in understanding and controlling magic. With its help, James had learned a great deal in the short time he'd been training.

The Skilled White Magician had proven to be an invaluable teacher. It was not just a being of great wisdom but one who could adapt to James's needs, explaining complex theories in simple terms. Over the past weeks, they had discussed everything from the basics of magic to more advanced theories, but one lesson had stood out to James.

"Magic in this universe," the magician had explained one evening, "requires you to picture and visualize the effects. The clearer your mental image, the better you can manipulate the energy. The more precise you are, the more control you will have over the magicules."

This simple yet profound lesson had caused James to pause and think deeply. He had already been visualizing things in his head as part of his everyday life—building strategies in games, creating characters, and even imagining intricate worlds. It made sense that he would need to use the same mindset for magic.

The problem, however, was how to apply that understanding in the Sovereign's Sanctuary. How could he visualize the manipulation of magicules? What would the process look like in his mind's eye?

He had an epiphany as he recalled something from one of his favorite animes, Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken. In that show, Rimuru had used a mental image of a cylinder to control and regulate magicules. That idea, simple yet elegant, sparked something in James's mind.

But James was a hardcore gamer, and his way of thinking leaned toward precision and strategy. What if he approached it the way he would a grid-based game or a crafting game? He could visualize magicules as building blocks or pixels, something he could control and place exactly where he needed them. This would give him the structure and clarity he needed, making the process feel natural and logical.

He sat down in the center of the Sovereign's Sanctuary, closing his eyes to shut out the distractions of the outside world. He imagined his magic circle as a grid, each square representing a unit of magicules. In his mind, he pictured the magic circle being created as though he was placing blocks or pixels, much like he would place items in a game. He could see the tiny units of magicules—these pixels—each one floating into place, forming the intricate patterns and symbols that would power his magic.

As he visualized, he mentally mapped out the symbols for the magic circle, carefully placing each "pixel" where it belonged. Each square of the grid filled with a tiny, glowing magicule, building a detailed and intricate design. When he needed a straight line, he arranged the pixels neatly in a row. For a curve, he staggered the pixels in a gentle arc, just like pixel art. The more complex the design, the more meticulous he had to be. But the grid format made it clear and easy to control.

Then, he began layering. For more power in a certain section of the circle, he imagined stacking the pixels, creating denser areas where he needed more force. For finesse, he left thinner layers. It was like adjusting the intensity of his spells, giving him the ability to focus his energy precisely where it was needed.

This approach felt familiar to James. As he visualized, he imagined the layers of pixels as channels, different streams of magic that could flow through the circle. Each channel could control a different type of magic—some for strength, some for subtlety.

The idea clicked for him: He could create modular components of smaller symbols—simple lines, circles, or runes—and then quickly assemble them into a complete magic circle. This would allow him to experiment easily, finding the most efficient configurations for his spells. He could then test and adjust, treating each new magic circle like a game build—testing, refining, and optimizing with each iteration.

James opened his eyes after an hour of practicing. His mind felt sharp, and he was filled with a sense of accomplishment. He had found a way to visualize magicules that suited his way of thinking. Each test would allow him to debug his creations, adjusting them until he found the perfect pattern.

He summoned the Skilled White Magician, ready to put his new understanding to the test.

"Alright," James said, his voice filled with determination. "Let's try something different today."

The magician gave him an approving nod. "Very well, James. Show me your progress."

James smiled and began to visualize the grid. He could almost feel the magicules pulsing in the air, waiting to be shaped by his will. The more he practiced, the more confident he became.

Each successful attempt brought him closer to his goal: creating a magic circle capable of attracting and holding ambient magicules in the Sovereign's Sanctuary. Slowly but surely, he was mastering the magic, one pixel at a time.

End of chap.