Spellcraft... one of the secret discoveries I've made without revealing its mechanics to people.
Just as it takes a person's mana core to organize the mana that can manifest as magic through spells, this method also allows a person to cast spells, but not necessarily using their mana core.
Humans have a limited mana, and therefore, the casting of spells, as well as their quality, would be greatly limited by their mana level.
But what if I told you there was another way?
And that was the only way I could survive this night if I succeeded!
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Phase One... Distraction
My skin prickled as I focused on distraction.
Tiny amounts of mana floating inside my body.
It felt as if countless needles had pricked my skin as the mana leaked from my pores, a strange new sensation I had never experienced in my past life.
"Bear it, Louis, bear it," I gritted my imaginary teeth.
The pain was unbearable for my small body, and I felt I would pass out from the strain, but I endured it, because if I didn't... I would die!
My focus was no longer on the assassin, and I couldn't open my eyes for fear of becoming distracted and losing concentration.
That would be fatal in that case.
By my calculations, it would take another ten seconds before he finished.
If that's the case, I still had a little time to complete the spell.
After dispersing the frugal amount of mana out of my body, I followed the next stage.
"Stage Two... Gravity.
The surrounding mana began to slowly draw towards me. It wasn't easy since my mana was of very small and non-repeating quality, but by focusing, I was able to draw a small amount into my tiny frame.
Phase Three... Convergence!
The two different types of mana slowly mixed, becoming one in an instant. They were very small particles, and therefore invisible to the naked eye.
Even the assassin wouldn't be able to sense what was happening unless he also used magic.
Since he had brought a blade, instead of using magic to finish the task, he was avoiding using it. This made my job easier.
From this point on, I had to hurry.
Because... there were only five seconds left.
Phase Four... Transformation!
This was when the magic actually happened, and since I needed a spell to activate it, I had the perfect spell to use.
A spell that didn't consume much mana, was fast and effective, and was able to incapacitate my assassin in an instant.
And ensure my safety.
A spell like this... I must customize it.
Imagine that, Louis! Imagine!
My thoughts instantly produced the perfect spell to use.
Three seconds left.
I formed my mana, which was mixed with that of the surrounding areas. When I gathered all my mana particles together, it shone faintly as it became clear.
Two seconds left.
The assassin must have noticed by now, so I couldn't give him any more time to react.
Using the humidity of the air, I made ice, and froze it using the tiny mana I dispersed while using the power of the wind to act as a fan.
One second left.
"A tiny snowball"
I opened my eyes at once to see the assassin's knife near my throat. Because of my magic, there was a slight glow in the room, which allowed me to see the man more clearly. He was wearing a hood, which prevented me from knowing his identity.
However, I didn't need that at the moment! All that mattered was my survival.
Targeting the point that would cause the most damage, I identified his temple and fired my extremely intense ice bullet, enhanced by everything I could muster and gather from the surroundings.
"Phase Five... Activate!"
In an instant, the bullet flew, spun by the wind, and spurted straight for the man's temple—the weak link in his skull.
I heard the spongy thump of flesh tearing and the crack of bone as the assassin's head was pierced. In a moment, the bullet had penetrated the stranger's insides—his brain and everything—and exited the other side in a decisive blow.
The knife he had been holding fell heavily to my sides.
And everything - and I came out the other side with a decisive blow..
The knife he was holding tightly fell to my sides as his body jerked and swayed before he collapsed to the ground.
My eyes were tired at this point, and I couldn't confirm his death. If he was still miraculously alive after this attack, then I had been wrong.
After all, I had exhausted my last bit of strength. I squeezed my eyes shut against the waves of nausea and exhaustion that crept into my childlike body.
The lingering sensations of pain remained. Yet even as I drifted into unconsciousness, I was swept away by an endless feeling of happiness and accomplishment.
After all... in that moment, I had done what I had dreamed of my whole life.
I had done this! I had used magic!
And then everything went dark!