The practical effects of Kazuma's Skill surprised Adam.
In just a few days, Kazuma had unlocked potential in what seemed like such a simple Skill. Moreover, Adam sensed that〚Acceleration〛's potential wasn't limited to this — Kazuma would surely discover even greater uses for it.
"It's an excellent Skill, Kazuma-kun."
"Hehe." Kazuma chuckled, looking quite pleased and a bit smug at Adam's praise.
"Well then, let's have Yunyun try out her newly acquired Skill next."
"Y-Yes!" At the sound of her name, Yunyun tensed up like a soldier preparing for inspection.
"Now now, no need to be so nervous, Yunyun." Darkness said, trying to comfort the startled young beauty.
Adam added, "That's right, Yunyun. Your Skill is very powerful — have some confidence in yourself."
"Y-Yes... I'll do my best."
Clearly, their encouragement didn't have much effect.
"Th-Then, I'll begin." Yunyun gulped and activated her Skill.
Whoosh—!
A phosphorescent red light emanated from her body as an elegant Magic circle spread beneath her feet, spanning ten meters in diameter.
At the same time, a crown materialized above her head. The palm-sized crown was blood-red and seamless, as if carved from crystal. Three blood-red pebbles — one large and two small — adorned its top in a triangle pattern.
Delicate, elegant, and bright, the floating crown gave the quiet beauty a touch of majesty.
"H-How is it...?"
"Ohhh—!!!"
Everyone exclaimed in wonder.
"Not bad, very nice."
"Though we don't know how effective it is, it certainly looks impressive."
"Indeed, if we could sell it, it would probably be worth quite a bit."
"Stupid Aqua, stop thinking about unrealistic things!... But really, Yunyun's Skill is quite impressive."
"Tch! Why does Yunyun get a crown while I get nothing?!"
Everyone voiced their thoughts at once, all unanimously approving of Yunyun's Skill.
"Well then, let's test its magical effects."
According to the description in Yunyun's attribute panel, the〚Crimson Demon Crown〛was as practical as it was impressive in appearance.
"Mm, I'll try." Yunyun adjusted her breathing, then extended her hand toward a Giant Toad in the distance.
◈ Light of Saber! ◈
Lightning shot forth from her palm, its bright thunder-light striking the distant Giant Toad and instantly charring it black.
Boom!
The Giant Toad fell to the ground with a dull thud, defeated.
"How was it, Yunyun, how did it feel?"
"Mm... the magic power has increased, and both the mana consumption and recovery speed show significant enhancement."
"Oh?"
It seems this Skill has effects similar to〚Acceleration〛— it's not a simple Skill at all.
"Then next is testing Megumin's Explosion Magic, right?"
"Um... well, I've already used today's daily Explosion, so my mana..."
Adam just remembered — Megumin had already used her daily allowance of 'pyrotechnic show' this morning.
He couldn't help but think how wasteful it was to use such powerful magic just to defeat one Giant Toad. Such an enormous amount of mana for so little result.
But it was fine — he had a solution.
"Don't worry, Megumin." Adam placed his hand on her shoulder and began transferring mana, "Remember? I have a Skill that can help restore your mana."
◈ Drain Touch ◈
This very practical Skill came into play at this moment.
"Oh right, I completely forgot!" Megumin twirled around excitedly as if she'd discovered a new continent, "If you can restore my mana, doesn't that mean I can cast Explosion Magic twice a day?!"
This girl was taking too much for granted!
Did she have any idea how much trouble her〘Explosion Magic〙had caused for Axel and the 『Hero』 Party all this time?!
"Forget it, Megumin, I won't agree to that."
"But why—"
"Even if you try to act pitiful, it won't work!" Adam cut off her appeal and urged her to hurry with the test, "Megumin, quickly try your Explosion Magic and see what kind of power it has under the enhancement of Magic Burn and Crimson Demon Crown."
"Yes! Just wait and see how powerful my Explosion Magic really is!" Under his firm response, Megumin stopped persisting and focused on the task at hand.
"Oh right, just to be safe..." Adam pointed to a mountain in the distance, "Megumin, see that mountain over there? Use that as your target and let's see what your Magic can do."
"Alright! I'll use all my mana and surprise everyone!"
With that said, Megumin went to Yunyun's side.
"Are you ready, Yunyun?"
"Yes, I'm ready!"
"Then..." Megumin closed her eyes and began adjusting her internal mana.
To accurately test her Magic power under normal conditions, Adam didn't give her excess mana, but stopped when it reached saturation.
◈ Explosion!!! ◈
After a brief adjustment, a super-giant beam of light — larger and thicker than ever before — shot out from Megumin's staff, heading straight for the distant mountaintop.
BOOM——!!!!
The tremendous roar was so powerful they could feel its world-destroying force even from far away, complete with air shockwaves and ground tremors.
Compared to when Megumin faced the Mobile Fortress Destroyer, this power was several times stronger! The distant mountain peak was completely leveled by her Magic!
With one enhanced 〘Explosion Magic〙, Megumin had actually flattened a mountain!
"Ugh... s-scary." Kazuma stepped back in fear.
He knew the power of her Magic, but he never imagined it would be this extreme with Yunyun's enhancement!
"Ha-haha, hahaha! How's that, my Explosion Magic!" Megumin laughed triumphantly while lying on the ground.
Even though she looked quite disheveled now, no one present dared make fun of her anymore.
"My Explosion Magic... what score would you give it this time?"
"1000 points!" Adam gave her such a high score, not worried about her becoming arrogant — it really was that impressive.
And this was just when Megumin hadn't fully matured yet. Once her level reaches the forties and her class reaches LV5, she might be able to defeat the Devil King with a single explosion under Yunyun's enhancement.
After helping Megumin up from the ground, he turned to the other Crimson Demon and said, "Yunyun, now it's your turn. Convert Megumin's spent Magic essence into spiritual power and absorb it."
"Y-Yes!" Like a soldier receiving orders, Yunyun quickly took action.
Hum—
The Magic circle beneath her emitted light, and glowing sparkles were gradually drawn to her, gathering toward the small crown above her head, causing it to burst with red light.
However, since Megumin had consumed so much mana with her Magic, Yunyun struggled to absorb it all. Yet she persisted, pushing herself beyond her limits. She began making sounds that could be easily misinterpreted.
"Nngh... so full... Megumin's... Megumin's coming in! My-my body is so full... I'm about to... I'm about to... ah~"
Hey, wait! What are you saying!
Seeing Yunyun's face flush deeper and deeper red, seemingly at her limit, Adam quickly halted the process.
The first attempt was always like this. Though inexperienced, she had performed remarkably well.
"How do you feel, Yunyun?"
"Great! I've never felt this good before!" Yunyun beamed.
The newly energized beauty radiated a different aura.
"Describe it in detail."
"The mana recovery speed has greatly increased, and the spiritual power from the previously cast Magic has been fully replenished. I'm now at peak condition!"
"Hmm... just as I thought, it's a Skill for sustained combat." Adam nodded with satisfaction.
He suspected the〚Crimson Demon Crown〛definitely had other effects and untapped potential, but there was no rush — Yunyun would need to use it more to discover them.
✧✧✧
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