Chapter 18: Sound-Type Witchcraft
"What should I do?"
"Look at , then imitate what I do."
Tucking the red curls behind her neck, under Janna's focused gaze, Liji Silks gently uttered a few syllables—so short and abrupt, others high-pitched and drawn out.
"Try it yourself."
Following the syllables that Liji Silks had just produced, under the effect of the [Voice of the Heavens] talent, Janna smoothly completed her first vocalization.
"Was it like this?"
After she finished, seeing that Liji Silks remained silent, Janna couldn't help but turn her head, looking at her with a hint of confusion.
"Y-Yes, that’s right. Try imitating this next one."
As she spoke, Liji Silks humd a line in a pitch that was an octave higher than normal.
"This one might be a bit harder. It's okay if the pitch is off the first ti."
"Alright."
Recalling the correct pitch from earlier, Janna mimicked Liji Silks, humming the sa lody in a chant-like manner.
"Do you have a talent for sound-type magic?"
"I don’t."
Upon hearing Janna’s reply, Liji Silks' expression turned rather odd.
"Your pitch accuracy is much lower compared to soone like who has the [Perfect Pitch] talent, but... your vocal qualities are simply astonishing! Even better than those sound-type witches who have the [lodious Voice] talent!"
To Liji Silks, who harbored a sowhat fanatical love for music, witnessing such an unpolished gem take form under her own guidance was a trendous surprise.
"I originally planned to teach you these three pieces over the course of a month… but now it seems a single day might be enough."
Hearing her original plan, Janna, though keeping a calm expression, couldn't help but quietly breathe a sigh of relief.
After all, given her current financial situation, she could only afford a few days of lessons… No wonder they say studying the arts is a pursuit for the wealthy.
"Then let’s start our formal practice with Bloodshadow Rose as the breakthrough piece..."
…
Late at night, the moon hung above the treetops.
Seeing the darkening sky outside the study room, Liji Silks, a bit reluctant to end the lesson, stood up, looking slightly tired.
"These three pieces still have so pitch issues, but as long as you keep practicing with the thods I taught you, you should get the hang of it."
"Thanks for your help today. Here's your task paynt."
Handing over the Gold Surrels, Janna also expressed her sincere gratitude.
After all, in terms of task duration, Liji Silks had worked several extra hours without compensation.
"Alright. If you need anything else, feel free to co to ."
As she instinctively counted the coins Janna handed over, Liji Silks noticed there was one more than agreed upon.
"Since you stayed overti, that extra one is a little bonus from to compensate you for your extra hours."
Looking at Janna’s sincere smile, for so reason, the fatigue on Liji Silks’ face suddenly eased.
"You really are just like the rumors say… I’m glad I got to know you today!"
"Sa here."
The two shared a smile, said a simple goodbye, and Janna gathered her things and walked back to her dorm under the moonlight.
“Ding—”
Just as Janna reached the door to her dorm, the quest system's notification rang in her mind.
【Today’s Quest: Learn a sound-type witchcraft.
Reward: 100 Talent EXP, 500 Skill EXP, and a random reward.】
Seeing the quest details, Janna’s previously good mood turned slightly bitter.
“Sound-type witchcraft… even the cheapest one costs thirty academic credits, and I definitely don’t have that many right now…”
As she debated whether to abandon the quest, it suddenly occurred to her that tomorrow should be the day for apprentice subsidies.
“If I add the apprentice subsidy to the Gold Surrels I’ve saved, I might just barely be able to afford a sound-type spell… I’ll check again after I get the subsidy tomorrow morning.”
The daily quest system counted from the mont the quest was issued. If not completed within seventy-two hours, the quest would be marked as failed.
Although there were no punishnts for failing a quest, the daily quest system would enter a one-month cooldown.
During that month, no quests would be issued.
For soone like Janna, who was in a critical stage of growth, that would be a serious setback.
“For a witch, money really is never enough… Without it, I can’t even complete system quests.”
Letting out a helpless sigh, Janna, who hadn’t finished her ditation for the day, didn’t dwell on the issue and quickly returned to her dorm.
…
The next day, at the White Coral Academy’s Magic Tower.
Having collected her subsidy early in the morning, Janna brought all her savings to the first floor of the academy's Magic Tower.
She hesitated in front of the magical crystal wall for a long while before finally finding a spell among the sound-type witchcrafts that was a perfect fit for her.
【Siren’s Chant】: A ntal enchantnt-type witchcraft. By mimicking the chant of a siren, the caster constructs a soundwave infused with spirit power to confuse enemies and induce ntal disarray. (Note: The caster must possess talents related to vocal prowess such as [lodious Voice] in order to cultivate this spell.)
“This spell is a perfect match for my [Voice of the Heavens] talent, and it also fits my current combat strategy.”
As a wizard apprentice specializing in summoning and plant magic, Janna’s most powerful offensive spells were [Contract Summoning] and [Spirit Summoning]. Her other spells—like [Vine Bind], [Soul Lash], and [Acid Spray]—while useful, lacked subtlety.
Especially [Soul Lash] and [Acid Spray], which also required the enemy to be within a certain range to be effective. If they were too far, they would be completely useless.
Just like during the duel with Bell Moonshadow, Janna had no way to lock onto her opponent hidden in the shadows, so those directional spells couldn’t even be used.
But [Siren’s Chant], as an area-of-effect spell, could solve that dilemma perfectly.
As long as her enemies fell under her charm and lost control, they would inevitably expose themselves. Then Janna could easily pinpoint their position and coordinate with her summoned creatures to finish them off.
“It’s just that the price… forty academic credits, which equals forty-two Gold Surrels.”
Touching the pouch holding just over fifty Gold Surrels, Janna hesitated only for a mont before making her decision.
“I saved all this money so I could spend it. Besides, this spell suits so well—even if it's expensive, it's worth it…”
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