It’s about time the materials I brought back from the dungeon have piled up, so I’d like to make some weapons for Ikezawa-san.
Until now, we’ve managed with just buff magic, but there may be times in the future when Ikezawa-san will need to participate in attacks as well.
Of course, Ikezawa-san’s specialty is her unique vocal cords that can imbue magic into her voice, but having more options for combat can increase her chances of survival.
With that in mind, I decided to call Ikezawa-san and Daigo-san, a senior who is skilled in magic, to discuss the direction we should take for her new weapon.
“So, these are all the materials that Eito -kun currently owns, huh? I see.”
Daigo-san was deep in thought as he examined the materials.
“Yeah, there are a few different weapon types for magic users. I’ll explain them to you now.”
“Please do!!!!”
Ikezawa-san responded loudly, taking notes as she listened to Daigo-san’s explanation.
“First, there’s the weapon that focuses purely on attack power. This is similar to physical-type weapons. Magic users, when they first enter the dungeon, can’t absorb the dungeon’s magical energy, so they can’t use magic yet. You understand that, right?”
“Yeah. That’s a bit of a hurdle… I’m really grateful to Shiba-san and Koya-kun for protecting me.”
“Right. Even for magic users, at the beginning of the dungeon, you have to fight with physical strength. So, magic users also need to have a strong weapon to some extent.”
If you only heard this part, it might seem like magic users are a bit difficult to handle.
“The staff I use is light and easy to handle at the grip, but I’ve added a heavy material at the tip so it can deal more damage than it looks.”
“Ah, I see.”
“I’ve been working solo as a dungeon streamer for a long time, so I’ve made sure I can fight from the beginning.”
Indeed, Daigo-san sometimes participates in physical attacks alongside Shiba-san and Koya.
Magic users are typically weak against damage, so they stay in the backlines, but they sometimes step up to the frontlines when there’s an opening.
Is it something he’s learned through years of experience?
“Next, we have weapons that focus on magical power. Magic can be cast through weapons as well. For example, I can cast spells through my staff, right? This boosts the power of my magic.”
“Shiba-san casts magic from his hands, but Daigo-san casts it from his staff, right?”
“That’s right, Eito -kun. Good observation. Shiba-kun’s spear isn’t designed to cast magic. But for me, magic is my lifeline, so my staff is designed to enhance the power of my magic.”
Though Shiba-san can use magic decently, Daigo-san’s expertise in magic means his spells have higher power.
“Finally, the last type: MP-focused weapons. There are weapons that allow the user to absorb the magical energy of monsters when attacking them.”
“There are weapons like that? That’s really interesting.”
Ikezawa-san was especially diligent about taking notes here; this was new information for her.
“My staff doesn’t have that function, but there are dungeon streamers who use weapons with absorption abilities. These are the three types of weapons for magic users.”
Physical-type warriors should simply use attack power-focused weapons. Koya and Shiba-san are examples of this.
Well, frontliners also need to think about factors like reach, weight, and durability, but once you consider all that, it becomes more complex.
“As for me, I use a hybrid weapon that focuses on both attack power and magic. It doesn’t stand out as much as specialized weapons, but for me, it’s more useful overall.”
“I see. Then, I’ll try that type too!”
Ikezawa-san seems to have decided easily. Is it okay to choose a weapon just because that’s the one someone else used?
“No, Eito -kun… I think you should avoid the magic-focused type.”
“Eh? Why?”
“Basically, this is up to personal preference and feeling, so there’s no right answer, but you’re an exception because you use magic through your vocal cords.”
“Ah… I see. If I use a magic-focused weapon, my specialty would be lost, right?”
“Exactly. With a magic-focused weapon, the magic power is enhanced when you cast through the weapon, but for you, if you cast magic through your hands, the power won’t be boosted.”
For other magic users, the magic-focused type wouldn’t have many downsides, but for Ikezawa-san, it’s a bad match.
“So, if you’re going to choose, it’ll probably be between attack power-focused, absorption-focused, or hybrid.”
“Hmmm… What do you think, Daigo-san?”
“Personally, I’d recommend the absorption-focused one. The ability to absorb the monster’s magical energy is very convenient. It speeds up your initial attacks and boosts your endurance.”
“Hmm… Absorption-focused, huh?”
“Just remember that your attack power will be sacrificed. Since we’re making the weapon with limited materials, you can’t get all the benefits at once.”
Ikezawa-san is carefully considering Daigo-san’s advice.
Even though she’s accepted her role as a buffer, she still seems to want to fight on the frontlines.
I’m also curious about something, so I’ll ask a question.
“Daigo-san, can I ask something?”
“Go ahead, Kage-no-san.”
“For example, what’s the difference in attack power and absorption efficiency between the absorption-focused and hybrid types?”
“Well… I can’t say for sure without comparing the actual weapons, but absorption-focused weapons are really useful for people who are worried about running out of magic. With one hit on a monster, you won’t run out of energy unless you use very high-cost spells.”
I see. It sounds appealing for people who want to cast magic endlessly.
“However, you’ll have to give up on defeating monsters with the weapon itself. In fact, it might be better to use bare hands if you want to deal damage. Well, that’s excluding exceptions like Jin-san.”
Jin-san is an exception, almost like a bug in the system.
“Hybrid types help reduce the risk of running out of magic, and they’re effective against smaller monsters. But for large enemies, they might not be enough. If you want to focus completely on attack power, you’ll need to be careful with how you use magic, or you’ll run out of energy quickly. You also need to train your physical abilities, or you’ll be at a disadvantage in battles.”
Daigo-san is skilled in both physical combat and strategy, which is why he can manage without using an absorption-focused weapon.
“Hmmm… Daigo-san, I’ve been thinking, but I don’t have that many types of magic yet.”
“That’s true. But as a beginner, you don’t need to worry about that too much. In fact, you’re doing pretty well for a beginner.”
“Since I’m not often in situations where I need to cast buff magic repeatedly, I think it’s better for me to be able to deal some damage too.”
“I see. That’s not a wrong way of thinking. So, shall we go with the hybrid type?”
“Yes. I’ve decided to go with that direction.”
So, Ikezawa-san’s weapon will be one that balances attack power while allowing her to absorb the opponent’s MP.
With that direction set, we’ll refine the specifics of the weapon type and place an order for a weapon suitable for Ikezawa-san with a blacksmith.
Once the weapon arrives, Shadow Stars’ combat strength will definitely improve.
I’m glad I consulted with Daigo-san. After all, the veterans with abundant knowledge are the most reliable.
I’ve been greatly helped by Daigo-san during the planning stage.
