For one, there already existed those on Fallon who could add elements to their archery. However, such fellows were those who Sparked with such an ability, so they were usually able to use only one element with their archery if that was the case.
It was unlike Reina who could use any of her five elements as long as she figured out how to merge the two. Its power would also not be fixed at a certain level, able to grow as long as her technique grew and her power as a mage developed as well.
Another issue was the fact that Reina needed to attach the elements to the arrow semi-permanently. This was one of the main barriers blocking her from achieving her goal, as spells were created within then executed externally in their completed form.
She would have to create the spell and leave it in a semi-completed state, attach it to the arrow in a way that would follow the projectile after it was fired, then prevent the spell from activating while the arrow was in flight, but only when it struck the target.
When one thought of magical archery, it sounded like a simple thing. Just put your magic on the arrow and fire, how hard could it possibly be?
However, just like with any technique, when it was broken down into steps, its complexity would be on full display. That was why things like Driving required time to learn.
On paper, it was just 'step on the accelerator and go', but there was obviously more to it. It was only through continuous practices, making mistakes, and learning from them that one could achieve the skill to drive competently.
This was what Martin wanted Reina to understand. She was too used to achieving things easily because of Darius' high-quality teaching methods and the extravagant resources they used up until recently.
However, this issue was not something that could be solved by gurgling potions or Lunar Dew.
Reina switched to using single arrows and noticed with surprise that it was far easier to achieve her goal. She had been stuck on the second step all this while, which was getting her spell to attach itself to the arrow without falling off.
The first step had been relatively easy for her to achieve, which was bringing the spell framework out in a semi-complete state. This was even only possible because Darius had forced them to practice their basic spells until they reached full mastery.
She had previously been trying to attach three different versions of one spell onto three arrows at the same time. How on earth would she be able to succeed in a short period of time with such a high hurdle?
However, it also paid off. Just like how a person who tried to learn to drive using a sports car would find attempting to use a normal car easier, she too found that after trying to place it on three arrows at once, only doing so for one arrow was much easier.
By the time she reached wave 5, Reina was able to stably achieve this with a success rate of 50%! The fact that she had come this far alone showed how great her promise was, and she didn't stop there.
Heartened by her progress, the lass went all out in the second battle room against wave 6. Instead of jumping to step three, she continued practicing step 2 until she was sure she had reached a stable 100% success rate.
By this time, she was already battling wave 9, so she moved onto stage 3, which was getting the spell to stay on the arrow during flight. This forced her to go back to stage 1 and add some effects to the framework that would keep it engraved on the tip of the arrow.
After Reina managed to pass stage 3, she was now fighting against wave number 13, and the pressure on her was quite high. She now had to achieve the final step, which was setting the spell to activate on contact with the foe, which was actually quite tough.
Martin nodded with appreciation at her progress so far, but he doubted that she would achieve her goal today. After all, how long had she even been working on this? She had difficulties with step 2 and 3 because she was using more than one arrow at once, so now that she reduced them, of course it would become easier.
However, the final step had no relation to how many arrows she used. Martin was confident that she would be able to get there eventually, but the AI's calculations were ruined when he watched Reina fire an arrow that seemed to fly at the speed of light before striking its foe.
Once it did, the foe was not only pierced, but cut in half as a single wind blade emerged from the tip of the arrow that flashed through the waist area of the monster.
Reina's main element was Spirit, but her secondary was Wind. Since using the Spirit element on a material item would make her task harder, she opted to use Wind all this time.
And finally, it succeeded. Even though more monsters were rushing at her, the lass broke into a little happy dance as she squealed with delight. She then put away her weapons and unrestrainedly began using her magic directly in order to clear this stage so she could enter the rest station and meditate on what she learned.
Martin could only look on solemnly and make some revisions to the character sheet of Reina stored in the cloud.
[Name: Reina McNickles
Race: Human
Class: Mage
Subclass: Multi-Elementalist
HP: 1,152/1,152 (18)
MP: 1,100/1,100 (12)
STA: 720/720 (3)
Level: 20
Strength: 34 (32)
Agility: 37 (33)
Endurance: 37 (36)
Intellect: 59 (55)
Charisma: 37 (32)
Luck: 32
P-Status: Healthy
M-Status: Jubilant
Affection: Worship lvl 3
Notes: Target has just comprehended unranked ability 'Magical Archery', a practically impossible feat. Increasing Talent and Potential grades to SS.]
