Chapter 372: Battle with the Miko (6000+)
Chapter 372: Battle with the Miko (6000+)
"Very good, Sakura. Remember, the power that truly belongs to you is the only real power. Even though you've tamed the Clow Cards, they are still Clow Cards. Only when you transform them into Sakura Cards will they truly belong to you!"
Jerry watched as Sakura's Particle Cannon effortlessly shattered the Illusion Card, and he nodded in satisfaction.
Sakura herself possessed nearly a quarter of Clow Reed's magic power, making her a true prodigy. With proper cultivation, her future strength would undoubtedly be formidable.
While Clow Reed's deck of Magic Cards was indeed incredibly powerful, containing the forces of time, space, yin, yang, and the four elements, merely using them without understanding their principles would prevent one from becoming a true Magic master.
"I'll do my best!"
Seeing the result of her own creation, Sakura was startled by the immense power of her charged Particle Cannon. However, after hearing Jerry's praise, she blushed and responded.
"Sakura is the best and the cutest!"
Tomoyo, standing nearby with a camera, cheered on her best friend.
"Too bad I didn't prepare any costumes this time."
When she saw Sakura preparing to use Magic, Tomoyo immediately took out her camera from her bag and transformed into a professional photographer. She even cast a flying spell on herself to capture Sakura's battle from every angle.
Although Tomoyo's magic power was still limited, her intelligence more than made up for it. She had already mastered the flying spell, a highly advanced Magic, even if she couldn't maintain it for long. This was still an incredible feat.
Syao Lang had the strongest combat skills, Sakura had the most magic power, and Tomoyo learned Magic the fastest. Each of them had their own unique strengths.
As for Meiling Li, well, aside from being Jerry's first borrower, there didn't seem to be any particularly talented aspects about her at the moment.
"Let's go!"
After taming the Illusion Card, Jerry led the four children up to the Tsukimine Shrine.
As the only shrine in the town, and with the legend of the Guardian Talisman, the Tsukimine Shrine saw a decent number of visitors daily.
Even though it was a weekday and around three or four in the afternoon, people were still entering and exiting the shrine, especially at the Guardian Talisman stand, where a long queue had formed.
"Guardian Talisman!"
Seeing the stand selling the Guardian Talisman, Sakura and Meiling's eyes lit up, and they eagerly dragged Tomoyo and Syao Lang over.
Jerry, however, shook his head and walked toward a large cherry blossom tree in the corner of the shrine.
"Such strong magic power, it must be close to becoming a spirit!"
"This cherry blossom tree has been growing for a thousand years and has been worshipped for just as long, so it possesses great power, but it hasn't become a yokai."
At that moment, Kaho Mizuki, dressed in a miko outfit and holding a Moon Bell, slowly approached Jerry.
"Hello, I am Kaho Mizuki, the daughter of the shrine's head priestess!"
"Hello, I am Jerry Carmen, a Mage from the United States."
Jerry smiled and introduced himself to Kaho Mizuki.
However, upon hearing Jerry's words, Kaho Mizuki narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Jerry Carmen from the United States, I don't recall hearing about a powerful Mage like you from the United States?"
"I tend to keep a low profile. I rarely go out except to study Magic, so it's normal that you haven't heard of me."
Jerry smiled and replied calmly.
But it was clear from Kaho Mizuki's expression that she didn't believe him.
"No matter how reclusive you are, you should know that the great Mage Eriol Hiragizawa has stated that no Mage is allowed to appear in this town without his permission!"
Eriol Hiragizawa, currently the most powerful Mage in the entire European region and the president of the International Mage Association, had issued a notice two years ago that no Mage was allowed to appear in Tomoeda without his permission. Any Mage from the European region would be aware of this.
Thus, Kaho Mizuki was certain that the person in front of her was likely lying.
"Things can always take unexpected turns, right?"
Jerry shrugged.
"What is your purpose in approaching Sakura?"
Kaho Mizuki asked again.
The origin of the Mage before her was not important; what mattered was that this person was deliberately approaching the new owner of the Clow Cards, which was cause for concern.
Jerry thought for a moment.
"Would you believe me if I said I have no ulterior motives?"
"What do you think?"
Kaho Mizuki raised her right hand, and her body began to emit a powerful magic aura, clearly preparing a spell.
Jerry also sensed this and shook his head helplessly.
"Then there's no other way."
"Since that's the case, Barrier Spell—Eight-sided Cage!"
Seeing that the other party was not going to reveal the truth, Kaho Mizuki wasted no more words, forming a hand seal and beginning to chant a spell.
As the incantation echoed, Jerry realized he had been pulled into a special spatial cage by her spell.
"Interesting Magic!"
Standing within the Eight-sided Cage spell, Jerry was not afraid. Instead, he walked around with great interest, observing and studying the spell.
This was clearly a Spatial-type spell that could pull both enemies and oneself into a special, isolated Spatial dimension. It prevented the enemy from escaping and also avoided attracting the attention of ordinary people or causing them harm during a battle.
Overall, it was quite impressive, but compared to the Mirror Spatial Magic, there was still a significant gap.
"Hey, can you take this seriously? I'm about to attack!"
Kaho Mizuki, seeing Jerry being pulled into the Eight-sided Cage and casually looking around without defending or attacking, couldn't help but twitch her lips.
Kaho Mizuki's shout brought Jerry back to his senses. He stood elegantly across from her and smiled.
"Sorry, I just really enjoy studying Magic. When I see new Magic, I can't help but get a bit excited. Now, go ahead and attack!"
"..."
Although Kaho Mizuki was speechless at his response, she still formed a hand seal and shouted:
"Yin-Yang Spell - Divine Fire!"
Suddenly, various spell-inscribed talismans floated around her body, then burst into flames, forming a massive pillar of fire that rushed straight at Jerry.
"Playing with fire, huh?"
Seeing the fire pillar approaching, Jerry silently chanted:
"Fire Dragons, descend!"
A massive Fire Dragon appeared out of nowhere, roaring as it flew toward the fire pillar. In one bite, it swallowed the entire fire pillar.
After swallowing the fire pillar, the Fire Dragon smacked its lips a couple of times before returning to Jerry's side.
Kaho Mizuki's eyes widened in shock, realizing that Jerry's control over fire far exceeded her own. She no longer made any probing attacks and instead brought out her true strength.
"Shikigami - Tsukiyomi!"
She threw a small paper figure, which instantly transformed into a cold, calm woman wielding a long sword under Kaho Mizuki's incantation.
Jerry gestured for the Fire Dragon to attack, but it was immediately shattered by a powerful slash from the shikigami, infused with the power of the moon.
"Guardian Spirit!"
Seeing the Fire Dragon easily defeated by the shikigami, Jerry was not worried. Instead, he observed the shikigami with interest. As it charged at him, he cast the Guardian Spirit spell.
The Guardian Spirit and the female shikigami collided and quickly began grappling with each other.
Yes, grappling.
The Guardian Spirit spell was the strongest defensive magic, specializing in Magic defense. The moon power from the shikigami's sword was unable to harm the Guardian Spirit.
Thus, the shikigami resorted to physical attacks, attempting to cut down the Guardian Spirit with her sword.
However, as long as Jerry had magic power, the Guardian Spirit would not dissipate, even if it was cut into pieces.
However, the shikigami's sword skills were indeed formidable. In the close combat, the Guardian Spirit, under Jerry's control, didn't have time to use its best grappling techniques and had one of its arms severed by the shikigami.
Unfortunately, as soon as the arm was cut off, Jerry used his magic power to regrow it. Seizing the opportunity when the shikigami was distracted, he disarmed her, forcefully taking away her sword and throwing it away.
Without the sword, the shikigami had no choice but to engage the Guardian Spirit in hand-to-hand combat, and they soon became entangled.
"Evil Spirits Disperse!"
Seeing her shikigami, Tsukiyomi, pinned down and unable to resist, Kaho Mizuki quickly dismissed the shikigami and raised the Moon Bell, shouting.
With the injection of Kaho Mizuki's magic power, the Moon Bell emitted a strange energy wave, causing Jerry's Guardian Spirit to dissipate in a loud explosion.
"Truly a Magic tool crafted by Clow Reed himself, indeed extraordinary!"
Seeing his Guardian Spirit forcibly dispelled, Jerry silently marveled. He then cast a spell at Kaho Mizuki:
"Disarming Charm!"
A blue magic beam struck Kaho Mizuki precisely, and in her bewildered gaze, it forcibly knocked the Moon Bell from her hand.
"Come to me!"
Another spell was cast, and the Moon Bell, which had been knocked into the air, fell directly into Jerry's hand.
"Miss Miko, you are no match for me. This Magic tool is quite interesting. I'll take it for a while to study it. Consider it a compensation for your attack on me. That's all for today!"
With the Moon Bell in hand, Jerry waved goodbye to Kaho Mizuki, who was still stunned, and then used the Apparition Spell to easily leave the spatial magic.
Jerry was an expert at spatial magic!
Under the cherry blossoms at the Tsukimine Shrine, Jerry's figure slowly materialized.
At that moment, Sakura and the others had already finished queuing and received the Guardian Talismans symbolizing love. Seeing Jerry appear, they quickly ran over and asked:
"Brother Jerry, where were you? We searched the entire shrine and couldn't find you!"
"There was a small incident, but it's resolved now."
Jerry smiled and placed the Moon Bell into his box spatial.
Just then, a figure appeared beside the cherry blossom tree once again. It was Kaho Mizuki, who had just dispelled her spell and was now wearing her miko attire.
She saw the Moon Bell disappear from Jerry's hand and her lips twitched, but she knew she was no match for him and decided not to provoke him any further.
"Teacher Kaho?"
Sakura and the others were equally surprised to see their new substitute teacher suddenly appear in the Tsukimine Shrine, dressed as a miko.
Kaho Mizuki's face lit up with a smile when she saw Sakura and the others. She bent down and began to explain her second identity as a miko.
"It's getting late, I'll head back now. Teacher Kaho, feel free to come over to my place for tea with Sakura and the others sometime!"
With that, Jerry waved goodbye to everyone and used the Apparition Spell to leave the shrine.
His goal for today had been achieved, so there was no need to stay any longer.
After watching Jerry leave, Kaho Mizuki turned to Sakura and asked:
"Sakura, when did Mr. Jerry Carmen appear in this town?"
"When? It was just—"
Sakura was about to answer when Syao Lang pulled her behind him, his eyes filled with a hint of wariness.
"If you're interested in Brother Jerry, Teacher, you can ask him yourself!"
Thanks to the year he had spent studying Magic and practicing the Eternal Life Technique with Jerry, Syao Lang's strength had improved significantly. He had also sensed something about the recent confrontation between Jerry and Kaho Mizuki.
Thus, Syao Lang felt a certain degree of caution towards Kaho Mizuki.
After all, compared to the substitute teacher who had just arrived, Jerry, who was both a mentor and a friend, was one of their own.
Sakura, hearing Syao Lang's words, seemed to realize something as well. She stood behind Syao Lang and remained silent.
Kaho Mizuki was taken aback by the wary expressions on Syao Lang and Sakura's faces. She laughed helplessly and said:
"I have no ill intentions!"
She hadn't expected that Jerry Carmen would be so highly trusted by the two descendants of Clow Reed. She had only asked a simple question, and yet she was met with such caution.
What was even more amusing to her was that her purpose in returning to the town was to help the descendants of Clow Reed inherit the Clow Cards and pass the final Moon Judgment.
She hadn't anticipated that she would now be regarded as an outsider to be wary of.
"Looks like I need to contact Eriol Hiragizawa!"
Watching as Sakura and the others left together, Kaho Mizuki sighed and turned to walk back to the shrine.
Originally, according to her predictions, her return to the town should have gone smoothly. She couldn't understand why things had turned out this way, especially since she had lost such an important Magic item like the Moon Bell.
After much thought, she could only attribute it to the one uncertain factor: Jerry Carmen.
"Eriol Hiragizawa, I've encountered an unexpected situation here."
As soon as the call connected, Kaho Mizuki immediately recounted the entire situation.
After a moment, a middle-aged man's voice, filled with a magnetic quality, replied from the other end:
"Kaho, don't worry. I just divined, and Mr. Carmen seems to have no ill intentions. I still have a lot of things to take care of, but once I'm done, I'll come over personally."
"Alright, I understand!"
Hearing Eriol Hiragizawa's response, Kaho Mizuki finally felt a sense of relief.
Two months later.
"Sakura, take this to Teacher Kaho when you go to class tomorrow!"
In the Magic shop, Jerry handed the Moon Bell to Sakura.
He had finished his research on the Moon Bell. It was indeed a remarkable Magic item, as one might expect from Clow Reed, a Magic prodigy.
The fundamental principle of the Moon Bell was quite simple: it dispersed Magic. It emitted a peculiar wave that disrupted the basic Magic power, causing the Magic to dissipate automatically.
All Magic, no matter how extraordinary, required Magic power to function. Without this fundamental energy source, even the strongest Magic would dissipate.
This was why, on that day, Jerry's Guardian Spirit had been immediately dismantled upon encountering the wave emitted by the Moon Bell.
Of course, understanding the principle didn't mean he could replicate it. Jerry couldn't do it yet, as it required not only knowledge of the Magic but also the specific Magic materials, much like how his Time-Turner required the Sands of Time to reverse time.
However, this wasn't an unsolvable problem. Once he returned to the Main World and conducted further research on the Reality Gem, he could use it to replicate the materials needed for the Moon Bell and create a similar Magic item.
So, after figuring out the Magic principle of the Moon Bell, he set it aside, planning to return it to Teacher Kaho when she came over for a visit.
It was just unexpected that Teacher Kaho had such a good mindset. For two whole months, she managed to hold back her curiosity and not come to check things out with Sakura and the others, instead just attending classes normally every day.
Today, when he saw the Moon Bell still sitting there, he decided to ask Sakura to bring it to him tomorrow during class.
When Sakura heard Jerry's request, she put down the Magic book in her hands and shook her head.
"Big Brother Jerry, we already started winter break today."
"Winter break? It's already December that quickly?"
Jerry silently marveled at how fast time passed while studying Magic.
During this period, Sakura and the others had successfully captured the "Return", "Strike", "Sweet", "Drive", "Creation", "Growth", "Exchange", "Freeze", "Fire", and "Arrow" cards.
So Jerry had also been quite busy.
Cards like Strike, Sweet, Drive, Freeze, and Arrow weren't very powerful and contained simple Magic principles, so Jerry didn't spend much time on them.
The cards that really consumed a lot of his time for analysis and research were Return, Creation, Growth, Exchange, and Fire.
The Return card, like the Time Card, contains time Magic, but while the Time Card can freeze time in a specific area or create an infinite 24-hour loop, the Return card works differently. It operates on a principle similar to the Hour Reversal Spell Jerry learned, though much more profound. The Hour Reversal Spell can only reliably return someone to five hours in the past and requires the Hourglass as a medium.
However, the Return card is different. With enough Magic Power, it can even take you back decades or even centuries.
Analyzing this card has allowed Jerry to make significant breakthroughs in time Magic.
The Creation card is one that turns imagination into reality. The more vivid your imagination, the greater its power. The Magic principle is extremely similar to the Reality Gem Jerry protects.
However, things created with the Creation card require Magic Power to maintain. Once the Magic Power is cut off, they disappear. In contrast, things created by the Reality Gem can exist permanently.
Nevertheless, this has given Jerry new insights into the Reality Gem and Magic similar to transfiguration.
Originally, according to Gamp's Transformation Laws, transfiguration couldn't create things out of thin air or transform them into magical beings or items. However, after studying the Magic principles of the Creation card and the Reality Gem, he can now create various real foods that can actually fill your stomach.
The principle is that he can now perfectly convert the Magic Power used in transfiguration into the energy structure of food, then reverse it into actual food. So when the food is eaten, it doesn't disappear like the food from the Goblet of Fire; it remains real food.
Additionally, he can also create magical creatures like Tree Monkey Frogs, Fire Lizards, and Fluffy Puffroots, as long as he provides enough Magic Power and spends some time. Even powerful magical creatures like Three-Headed Dogs, Fire Dragons, and Nightmares might be possible with further research.
However, intelligent beings still elude him. He can't create house-elves, fairies, Acromantulas, or even ordinary humans. This seems to involve more profound transformation knowledge or perhaps the fundamental life Magic laws of the universe.
The Growth card has a relatively simple Magic principle but is one that Jerry values highly. Although he knows the Enlargement Spell, it has limitations. The Enlargement Spell can affect ordinary animals, insects, and non-magical items, but not humans or magical creatures.
However, the Growth card can. After analyzing its Magic principle and integrating it into a new Enlargement Spell, Jerry found that he could enlarge his body several times when he tried it on himself.
Moreover, his strength increased several times as well. Because of his strong foundation, his strength far exceeds that of real Giants.
The key is that this isn't even the limit. If he can optimize the spell further, making himself ten meters, twenty meters, or even a hundred meters tall won't be a problem.
If he delves deeper, who knows, maybe one day he could even make himself as large as a planet.
The last two cards, Exchange and Fire, one allows the exchange of souls between two people, a type of soul Magic, and the other is a fire element Magic.
Both have been very helpful for Jerry's research in the soul field and in enhancing his Dragonfire Spell.
In just these two months of intensive study, Jerry's Magic capabilities have taken a significant leap forward.
It's clear that the field of Magic has so much knowledge to explore and research.
(End of Chapter)
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