As we evacuated while Lilia-san was talking (physically) with Lunamaria-san, only us three people of the same homeworld unintentionally walked around the mansion.
Come to think of it, I haven’t really talked to Kusonoki-san or Yuzuki-san. Kusonoki-san and I talked for a bit last night, but our conversation didn’t really mesh well. I guess I should apologize for that first.
[Ahh~ Errr, Kusonoki-san. Yesterday—[I’m sorry.]—Arehh?]
I wanted to apologize for the way I had unintentionally made her feel uneasy, but for some reason she apologized first.
[It was Miyama-san who had a hard time because I suddenly asked a strange question last night…]
[Ah, no, I should be the one apologizing instead. I don’t know why I said that. I may look calm for Kusonoki-san and the others even though I’m pretty confused myself…I wasn’t able to explain what I thought that well.]
[No, I don’t think what you said is unreasonable.]
[…Like, I’m being left behind here. Aoi-senpai, Miyama-senpai, when did you talk with each other?]
The atmosphere that had become a little stiff because of last night’s conversation somehow seemed to ease up a little after we apologized to each other. Yuzuki-san, who didn’t know about the situation, asked us with a curious look on her face, but there was another thing that was bothering me. Or rather, I’ve been wondering about it since yesterday.
[We just ran into each other in the hallway last night and talked for a bit. Rather than that, I’ve been wondering…Why are you calling me senpai, Yunoki-san?]
[Eh? I mean, Miyama-senpai is an alumni from our High School, right?]
[Huh?]
[Eh? Yuzuki-chan, is that true!?]
[Ah, yes. I think…]
I was honestly surprised by Yuzuki-san’s words, who she told me like it was obvious. It’s true that I’m a graduate from the same high school they’re going to, but I graduated three years ago, and I didn’t think two of the current students would know about it.
[It’s certainly true I went to the same high school as the two of you, but I graduated three years ago…]
[Well, I wasn’t really sure at first, but I thought it was because you matched the characteristics I’d heard about from my brother.]
[Your brother?]
Another strange word suddenly came out. I’m not proud of it, but I should have been a student without any particular characteristics back in high school. I didn’t take part in any club activities, my grades were going back and forth, there weren’t any big episodes that happened in my life and I’m sad to say it myself, but I was lonely and didn’t have a lot of friends.
In fact, I’m still desperately searching my memory, trying to remember the person who could possibly be Yuzuki-san’s brother, but I honestly can’t think of anyone.
[Yes. I heard that someone had a big scar from the right ear to his neck, so I thought it was you.]
[…That certainly is a recognizable trait, but I still don’t have any idea who Yuzuki-san’s brother is…]
It’s true that I had an accident long ago that left a prominent scar running from my right ear to my neck. It’s understandable that she might recognize me based on appearance, but for her to have heard enough about it to remember…Yuzuki’s brother must have been talking about me a lot. As someone who thinks splitting the class into groups is just another form of bullying, I honestly have no clue who he even is.
[He used to complain that you’re always falling asleep in class and no matter how many times he warned you, you never stopped…]
[…Ah, I see. President huh…]
Back in my second year of high school, I was completely hooked on MMOs, online games, to be exact, and ended up living a life where my nights and days were almost completely reversed. I’d stay up all night gaming and then sleep through school. Looking back, I was probably incredibly irresponsible, caught up in what people might call the “rebellious phase.” Even the teachers eventually gave up on me, they stopped saying anything when I dozed off, no matter how many times they’d tried warning me before.
However, there are always serious people in the world. The Class President, for instance, never stopped warning me every single day. At the time, it just irritated me, but now that I’ve mellowed out, I can’t help but feel sorry for him. Looking back, I’m pretty sure his surname was Yuzuki. I only ever called him “Chairman” and hardly had any conversations with him outside of that, so I’d completely forgotten.
[Miyama-san…What are you going to school for…]
[No, well, I had lots of things back then…Yuzuki-san, please tell him my apologies when we come back to our world a year later.]
[Roger!]
Kusonoki-san, who probably has a serious character, was staring at me while Yuzuki-san bitterly smiled and returned an exaggerated salute.
I’m afraid I won’t be able to take the position of the dependable senpai, but thanks to my conversation with the two of them, I felt that the distance between us has shortened for a little bit.
When we returned to that room earlier after briefly strolling around the mansion, Lilia-san greeted us with a gentle smile on her face. It’s a smile that really shows her elegance and the sweetness of a noble…Let’s just pretend we didn’t see something lying around in the corner of the room like a worn-out rag.
As soon as the three of us were seated, Lilia-san nodded once and spoke.
[Today, as I’m sure everyone’s probably wondering about…It’s about Magic.]
[Ah…]
As expected, hearing those words made my tension rise. I mean, even though I’d only spent half a day in this mansion, I’d already seen magic-like techniques everywhere, and even used some myself. The bathroom jewels that started the shower with a touch, and the floating lights in the hallways. The worn-out rag, Lunamaria-san explained that all we have to do is touch it, but I’m pretty sure those things were related to magic.
Kusonoki-san and Yuzuki-san seem like they’re also interested in the typical quality of the other world, Magic, as they looked at Lilia-san with an expectant look in their eyes.
[The first thing everyone probably wonders is whether or not they can use magic themselves. As for the magical power that serves as the source of Magic, otherworlders possess it without exception. Therefore, everyone should theoretically be capable of using Magic. However, actually being able to wield it depends on individual talent…I can’t say for certain if someone can use it just by looking at them.]
As soon as she said that, Lunamaria-san, who had been revived before I knew it, placed a book in front of us one by one. Ah, I just saw a glimpse filled with resentment just now. No, you got what you deserved for earlier…
[I’ve heard the Heroes usually summoned were able to understand the language of our world. It seems all of you were able to understand what we’re saying, so I’m sure there shouldn;t be any problem, but let’s check it out just in case.]
This is a staple among staples, but this is very important for us to verify. I had a bad grade in English, and without some kind of language comprehension ability, the whole year might quickly pass by just memorizing the letters of this world.
As I thought about this, I looked at the book in my hand and understood that it was called “Introduction to Magic.” Oh, I can read it properly.
[…It doesn’t seem like there’s any issue. Now then, regarding the actual magic practice…To be honest, it’s quite challenging. While it varies significantly from person to person, learning Magic generally takes a fair amount of time.]
[There aren’t many people who can use Magic proficiently enough to make a living as a mage.]
I immediately understood the meaning of Lilia-san’s explanation and Lunamaria-san’s additional words. I’m flipping through the book while listening to what she’s saying, but it would certainly be difficult according to the theory written here.
[This is going to be difficult.]
[Ueehhh, I give up too.]
Kusonoki-san and Yuzuki-san seemed to share the same sentiment, their faces clouded with difficulty as they looked at the introductory book. This certainly isn’t something that can be mastered in a day or two. Heck, I think it might even be impossible for now.
[Fufufu, it took me three months to be able to cast a simple spell as well.]
[My Lady is considered fast among your group. The average would have been about a year.]
[…That’s going to be difficult.]
To be honest, I’m a bit…no, I’m quite shocked. It’s not that I want to use magic to fight monsters, but I’ve always wanted to use it.
[…However, that’s only the case of “casting your own magic”.]
[ [ [ Eh? ] ] ]
[After the Treaty of Friendship, one of the most groundbreaking technologies introduced from the Demon Realm was the ability to embed magic formulas into what are known as “Magic Tools.” These tools use magic crystals, gemstones capable of storing both magic power and magic formulas. By preloading the crystals with magic formulas, anyone can activate the stored Magic simply by touching them.]
[By any chance…Is that blue jewel in the bathroom something like that?]
[Yes, that’s correct. It’s similar to something in your world, I think it’s called a “battery”? In the same way, if magic power is stored in a magic crystal beforehand, the user only needs a small amount of magic power to activate the stored Magic. Nowadays, the use of these magic crystals has become mainstream, and the technicians who craft these tools are even referred to as mages.]
[Just additional information, one would need to get permission to use powerful offensive Magic Tools, and it should be obvious that it’s forbidden to use them in the city. Well, there’s a restriction for the purchase of such items in the first place.]
Fumu, in short, maybe it’s better to think of the Magic Tools as something like a flashlight or a lighter from our world. In fact, we could use it in the bathroom or in our room just by touching it, and we don’t need to study any difficult theories.
[Therefore, you could even go as far as to say that…Unless you want to be a mage, you don’t need to study magic…As I said earlier, the speed with which one learns Magic varies greatly from person to person, it would be convenient if you’re able to activate it yourself, and it might be good to study it for some time.]
While saying this, some kind of magic circle floated on Lilia-san’s hand ,and a gentle breeze blew in the room.
[There are 8 types of Magic: fire, water, wind, earth, lightning, light, dark and non-attribute magic. Each attribute of Magic has its own strengths and weaknesses. Incidentally, my strongest attribute is wind while Luna’s strongest attribute is water.]
[It’s kind of impressive to see it in person.]
While Yuzuki-san seemed impressed by the Magic Lilia-san demonstrated, my thoughts drifted to the Magic Kuro had used. That all-purpose coat of hers must be tied to Magic, but what kind of attributes does it have? Given that she’s a Demon, it’s probably a dark attribute, right? Her coat is black…but weren’t the tatami mats she rolled out green? I’ll have to ask her about it next time.
[I’ll be giving all of you those books and you can read them when you have the time.]
Then, after a pause, we were dismissed after an hour of theoretical explanations about Magic.
The second day in the other world passed uneventfully, and that night, I found myself reading the introductory book on magic that had been given to me. But honestly, it all just looked like gibberish.
Each magic attribute has its own complex theory, and the foundations of their techniques are difficult to grasp. It’s said that if people in this world want to learn Magic, they usually attend a magic school. In fact, Lilia-san mentioned she learned it in the Knight Corps, while Lunamaria-san learned it at a magic school. Learning on your own is tough, and it seems that having an expert instructor is crucial.
Lilia-san said she would arrange for an instructor if we were interested, but I felt awkward about receiving that much assistance from her, so I refused.
And in a way, I’d say it’s exactly as I imagined. Demons are generally much more skilled at Magic than humans. While the level of training varies, most demons can use some form of Magic. However, it seems that most demons rely on intuition when using Magic. As for teaching others, only High-ranking demons with advanced knowledge are capable of doing so, and there are very few Demon instructors available.
A demon of that level can activate magic even without any chanting or a magic circle. Wait a sec? Haven’t I seen someone do something like that? I mean, didn’t Kuro do that? In that case, I can ask Kuro…No, I don’t even know when she’ll show up and—
[I felt like I’m being summoned!]
[Pfft!?]
Just as I was thinking about her, a young demon girl, gallantly appeared and trespassed into my room. With her black coat fluttering behind her back, I could see her white legs through the gaps in her coat. Her coat was so big that I couldn’t see it until now, but she was wearing shorts underneath, huh…No, that’s not it! Hueeehh!? Why did you appear just when I’m thinking of you!? As I thought, you’re an esper, right!?
[It’s another good night, isn’t it~?]
[…Ah, yeah…not that, since when are you here!?]
[Now now, don’t mind the trivial details. Here, baby castella. I put jam in it today!]
Isn’t that a mini jam bread, not a baby castella anymore? What’s the point of making it in the shape of a baby castella?
As I popped the baby castella she offered into my mouth, Kuro casually sat down on a chair she seemed to have summoned out of nowhere and placed a cup of coffee on the table.
She had the same innocent smile she wore yesterday, and while I was probably just so used to it by now that I couldn’t muster the energy to comment, I simply accepted the coffee she gave me. Then, something suddenly came to mind.
[Arehh? Come to think of it…I thought demons don’t eat anything other than what’s designated for them today?]
[That’s right. But it’s alright since these are designated for me.]
[I-Is that so.]
Recalling what I had heard this morning about how demons celebrate their New Year, I decided to ask her. However, it turns out the baby castella and coffee were meant for her. Who, among the Six Kings, would choose baby castella and coffee? Wait, maybe this combination is popular in the Demon Realm.
Thereupon, Kuro notices the book I have in hand and exaggeratedly tilted her head as she spoke.
[Unnn? What’s that book about?]
[Ah, it’s an introduction to Magic.]
[Heeehhh~ You’re trying to learn Magic huh. Ah, is that why you wanted to meet me?]
[Ah, wel, Something like that? I’ve been reading a bit, but there seems to be eight different types of magic and I don’t know which one to start with…]
[Eight types? Even though there are only two types of magic?]
[…Huh?]
I was about to explain how troubled I was by the different theories for each of the magic attributes, but I froze when Kuro casually replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Only two types? It’s supposed to be eight—fire, water, wind, earth, lightning, light, dark, and the non-attribute type…
[There are only two types?]
[Unn, that’s right. There are only two types of magic: “Non-Transmutation Magic”, which uses magic power as it is, and “Transmutation Magic”, which changes magic power into something else like fire or water.]
[…Err…Kuro, there’s something I’d like to ask…How long does it usually take for a person to be able to cast a simple spell?]
[Hmmmm. It will vary depending on your qualities, but it can be “as early as a day or as long as a month”?]
[…..Huh?]
Dear Mother, Father—I have begun to learn about magic. But the Demon Race and the Human Race—They were saying different things.