In regards to the Magic representing the different world, what Lilia-san had said and what Kuro just said doesn’t mesh with each other. Lilia-san said that Magic was difficult to learn and would take as early as a month to learn. On the other hand, Kuro said it could be learned in just a few days. It doesn’t seem like either of them were lying but…
[Kaito-kun, do you mind if I look through that book for a minute?]
[Eh? Sure.]
I’m not sure if Kuro had similar doubts, but she wanted to see the introductory book I had. I don’t have any particular reason to refuse, so I handed her the book, and Kuro flipped through it.
[Ah, I see, so that’s how Humans are taught Magic…It would definitely take some time to learn.]
[Does that mean the way Humans study Magic is wrong?]
[Unnn? No, I think it’s very well done. But this is the method used to raise someone into a “mage who can make Magic Tools,” or something like that? It’s like, you also have to study the theories accompanied with magic, so you’d surely take a long time to learn with that.]
[Unnn? Wait, I don’t understand what you mean by that…]
Kuro seems to be convinced of something, but I honestly didn’t understand. Then, Kuro closes the book and gives me a charming smile before explaining.
[If you just want to activate Magic, then you just need to get a feel for how to move magical power…for example—]
[Whoa…The book is floating.]
[Unnn. I just used magic power to make it float, but for this level, regardless of whether you’re a Human or a Demon, if you can make your magic power move, you can do it just by imagining it. But if you want to make a Magic Tool that can do the same thing, it would get a little more complicated.]
[Fumu fumu.]
[A Magic Tool is a magic formula that’s written on the magic crystal, so if you try to do the same thing…You’d need a formula to specify a target, the formula to levitate the target, the formula to adjust height, and the formula to switch between activation and deactivation, I guess it would look something like this?]
With Kuro’s explanation, many lines of glowing letters appeared in the air and formed into a magic circle. Seeing that happen, it somehow looks magical.
[That’s the difference between using Magic based on intuition and using Magic based on theories. Look, even Kaito-kun thinks that moving your hands is easy, right? However, don’t you think it would be hard to write down those principles into a theory?]
[…I see, it’s certainly as you say…]
[For us Demons, being able to use basic Magic is normal, and someone would only feel like studying it when you want to become a Magic Tool creator, or use more complicated and powerful Magic…I’m guessing that for the Human race, they felt that a child who could use Magic should be equal to someone who can make Magic Tools. And that’s why they’re making you study the theories accompanied with magic. That seriousness really is like the Human race.]
I see, Kuro’s explanation is easy to understand. I think it’s also clear that humans have a complicated way of thinking.
In that case, I guess it’s not a question of which is the right answer as it’s a cultural difference. As Lilia-san said earlier, for the Human race, being able to use Magic would be an occupation and profession. But for the Demons, it’s already a given that they can use Magic and only those researcher types who study it in depth feel like professionals.
[Well, studying this isn’t a waste of time. You will need solid theoretical knowledge if you want to use higher-level Magic. You’re also part of the Human race, the people who are good at making detailed theories, and by memorizing this, I think you’ll be able to make magic tools.]
[Hmmm. However, there’s a part of me that can’t wait to try my hand at Magic.]
[Then, do you want me to teach you?]
[Eh?]
I know that the theory is important, but I’m in a different world and I have a strong desire to use Magic. Unless I’m thinking of making a Magic Tool, when I heard that I would be able to use simple Magic in just a short time, I can’t help but be inclined towards it.
As I was thinking about this, Kuro suggested with a smile on his face.
[You can study the theoretical stuff from books and such while I teach you about the intuitive stuff. Even though I may not seem like it, I think I can use Magic quite well.]
[…Is that alright?]
To be honest, I really appreciate the offer, but there’s also a part of me that’s fearful. Kuro is probably, no, I’m certain, someone who knows a great deal about Magic. Or at least, she’s one of the most skilled individuals I’ve encountered in this world. With the way she pulls all sorts of things out of her coat, like that Magic Tool that tracks people you’re thinking about, and soaring through the sky, she seems to be at a level where nothing is beyond her abilities.
[It’s alright~ I like you, Kaito-kun, and if there’s something I can teach you, I’ll teach you.]
[T-Thank you.]
A smile full of genuine goodwill, completely open and unguarded. I’m not sure what it is about me that made her like me so much, but she treats me with such kindness. Of course, there are times when I feel like I’m being pushed around, but despite that, there’s something oddly comforting about talking to Kuro.
How should I put this…I’m a guy, after all. Even though Kuro’s true age is far older than her appearance suggests, I still get embarrassed when a beautiful woman shows me such straightforward goodwill.
At the same time, though, I couldn’t help but question myself. Am I actually a lolicon? A strange fear started to creep in. N-No, that’s not it! I’m not a lolicon! I’m just confused because I’ve always been alone and never had anyone show this kind of emotional attachment toward me before!
Kuro, completely unaware of my inner turmoil, continues to give me instructions with her usual, cheerful smile.
[Now then, the first step would be the basics of the basics. It’s how to handle magic power. Do you know what magic power feels like, Kaito-kun?]
[No, I don’t know.]
[Unn, well, you’ve lived in a world that has never had anything to do with Magic before, so it’s not strange. Then, here—]
[!?]
With her exclamation, Kuro spun her finger in front of me. My body suddenly got enveloped in a faint light and I felt a gentle warmth around my body.
[I wrapped Kaito-kun’s body with my magic power that I made visible…How does it feel?]
[Hmmm. It feels like soaking in lukewarm water…It feels warm?]
[Unnn. That feeling is important. That’s the basic state of using Magic. Today, let’s just feel around it a little and try to remember exactly what magic power feels like!]
Dear Mother, Father—I have a magic teacher in a different world. However—I’m not a lolicon.
Let’s go back in time for a bit, to a certain building in the Demon Realm.
While Kuromueina leisurely watched the Demons celebrating the New Year, a Demon wearing a ceremonial mask made of bones and feathers approached her.
[Kuromu-sama, you have received an invitation from Symphonia Kingdom.]
[Unnn? Invitation…for what?]
Throwing a baby castella into her mouth, Kuromueina looked back with heartfelt curiosity.
[It seems to be an invitation for a party celebrating the New Year. Perhaps, it also serves as an introduction to the person who holds the role of Hero this year…]
[New Year? Why did they just send it to me this year? When was the last time I went out again?]
[No, I don’t think that’s it. It’s probably because Kuromu-sama visited the King not long ago?]
Kuromueina is a Demon, so she usually spends her New Year following the traditions of the Demon Realm. As a result, she’s never participated in any of the human celebrations held on the fourth day of the New Year in various countries, and the Human Realm is well aware that they’ve never extended an invitation to her.
However, this year, they unexpectedly sent one. The masked Demon explained that the reason for the invitation was likely due to her recent visit to the castle at the request of the King of Symphonia.
[…I only went there because I happened to be in the neighborhood.]
[Ah, by the way, you went to buy some jam, didn’t you? Did you get a good one?]
[Unn, it’s very sweet and goes well with baby castellas.]
[Hohou…That’s good to hear.]
Hearing the happiness from Kuromueina’s words, the masked demon repeatedly nodded as if he was pleased himself.
[…And so, how should we reply?]
[I’m not interested, so tell them we’re not coming.]
[Hahaha, I should have known.]
Then, glancing at the luxurious invitation, once again bearing the seal of the King of Symphonia, Kuromueina declared her disinterest. The masked Demon seemed to understand her response, nodding without any questions.
[However, just in case, couldn’t you see the person acting the role of the Hero this year?]
[I don’t think I’d be interested in the one acting the role of the Hero this year~ I’ve also found my “favorite” child…]
[Oya oya, my my…It seems that Kuromu-sama’s extremely lucky to have found this person.]
[Yeah, that’s right! It has truly been a long time! I felt that spark at first sight~ I feel like it’s fate!]
The expression of disinterest on Kuromueina’s face quickly shifted, and now she wore a broad smile. The masked Demon observed her with a grin, clearly noticing her upbeat mood, likely because she truly liked the person in question.
[Well then, I’ll reply that Kuromu-sama isn’t attending.]
[Unnn, yeah. I’m just really engrossed with this child right now, so I’m not interested in anything else.]
[As Kuromu-sama wishes…]
[Ah, also…Can you write a letter to “Shiro”?]
[To “Shallow Vernal”-sama, is it? I respectfully obey, what would you like me to write?]
(T/N: シャローヴァナル / sharowvuanaru)
Hearing the name that Kuromueina had mentioned, the masked Demon looked a little surprised. There was only one person that Kuromueina would call by that nickname. For the masked Demon, she’s an existence higher than the clouds and must address her with -sama.
[Just keep it simple~ If it’s Shiro, I think she’d understand even if you just say “Please give Kaito-kun your blessing~”.]
[…I respectfully obey.]
The masked Demon nodded his head, but he’s inwardly surprised at the contents of what Kuromueina just said.
At the same time, Kuromueina, who was lying on a luxurious sofa, vigorously sprung up.
[Hah!? I feel like Kaito-kun is calling me! I’m going out for a bit.]
[Eh? Ah, yes. Have a good day…]
Quickly saying her goodbyes, Kuromueina was engulfed in a deep-black light and disappeared, leaving the masked Demon who’s somewhat confused in that place.
A little while later, a knight wearing jet-black armor approaches the masked Demon.
[Oya? Where’s Kuromu-sama?]
[Oh, “Neun”-dono…I was told that she felt Kaito-kun calling her…]
[Kaito-kun? Ah, the otherworlder who has become Kuromu-sama’s favorite.]
Hearing the words of the dumbfounded masked Demon, the knight in jet-black armor called Neun nodded in agreement.
[Good gracious, she really seems to like him…She’s even requesting for Shallow Vernal-sama’s blessing…]
[Shallow Vernal-sama’s blessing!? That’s another terrific person for her to ask for requests. I don’t know if I should say that it’s to be expected from Kuromu-sama…]
[It would also become extremely difficult for the otherworlder…]
[…Well, once Kuromu-sama takes a liking to you, you’ve pretty much sealed your fate of being pushed around by her…That’s what happened to me, after all…]
Unaware of it himself, the man’s outer moat was already being gradually filled, while the masked Demon and Neun could only sigh in sympathy for the favored human. He was about to be pushed around by their “lord,” who embodied “unrestrained freedom.” All they could do was imagine what his future would hold.