After Kuro hugged me for a while, I finally started practicing the Magic I had learned, though I was still feeling embarrassed.
That said, I still hadn’t been able to feel my own magic power, so I was stuck at the stage of trying to sense it. I moved around, surrounded by Kuro’s magic power, which she had adjusted so that I could see it.
[…Hmmm. At this pace, I think it’ll take you about three more days before you can produce your own magic power, Kaito-kun.]
[Ohh…Wait, didn’t you say that if you’re talented, you’d be able to do it in a day?]
I’m not sure what exactly changed, but according to Kuro’s estimation, I should be able to use my own magic power in about three days.
If I remember correctly, Kuro mentioned that, with talent, it could take as little as a day, and at worst, a month. I’ve been practicing Magic with Kuro since the night after I arrived in this world, so this should be the fifth day of my training.
So, if I can use it in three days, that’ll make it eight days in total… I guess that’s pretty average, huh? Actually, considering I had an amazing instructor like Kuro, maybe I’m a little slow if it’s still taking me this long.
[No, I was talking about the situation where someone practices for a whole day. Kaito-kun only practices for about an hour a day, so I think your pace is pretty fast.]
[Ohh, if Kuro says so, that gives me confidence then.]
[Ahaha, well, anyway, Kaito-kun will be able to use your magic power soon… And with that, I brought a present for you today, Kaito-kun!]
[A present?]
[Unnn! You see, we had barbecue together yesterday, so the “Afexion” meter should’ve gone up, and that “event” just happened, that’s why I brought this present!]
[…What?]D
Whoa there, I must’ve been a little careless because now she’s saying strange things again.
Noticing my confused expression, Kuro looked confident, her smile never fading as she continued.
[Fufufu, I know all about it, you know? I’ve heard about that culture from your world, where you befriend people from other worlds called “tsudi,” and as you talk with them, afexion increases. When you build up enough afexion, like by sharing a meal or something, you get a reward—like a weapon or some super handy item!]
[………]
…Where the heck should I even start with my tsukkomi!? Why is Kuro’s knowledge of the other world so strangely fixated on one thing? Or rather, what kind of path did she walk down that her knowledge ended up being so half-baked!?
I mean, there were probably a few things mixed in with the things she learned… But seriously, who the heck taught you all this?
If she’s talking about 2-D and Affection, does that mean she’s familiar with Romance Games? No, but she said you get a reward after accumulating Affection, so it could also be an RPG game.
Or maybe her knowledge is just a weird mishmash of all sorts of games she’s picked up. Wait, she mentioned that it’s another world of 2-D… They recognize that the worlds have different sections like the Demon Realm and the God Realm, so maybe it’s easier for her to explain it like that.
If she had asked someone from the Hero group back then, I wonder how they would’ve explained it, considering they only had half-baked knowledge of our world?
After explaining all this half-baked stuff with a smug smile on her face, she looked kind of cute… but it’s still somehow annoying.
As I was still trying to process Kuro’s bizarre knowledge of other worlds, she casually pulled a book from her coat and placed it in front of me.
[…A book?]
[Unnn. Remember that book Kaito-kun was reading the other day, Introduction to Magic? After I saw Kaito-kun reading that, I thought I’d make my own version.]
[W-Whoa… This is really amazing…]
[Fufufu, I think it’s quite well-written!]
The present Kuro prepared for me is the Introduction to Magic that Lilia-san gave me… that incredibly difficult book. And Kuro, being well-versed in Magic, seems to have rewritten it, considering my reactions to the book over the past few days and the differences between Human and Demon magical cultures.
I picked it up and flipped through a few pages, and it was definitely much easier for me to understand now.
If you compare Lilia-san’s Introduction to Magic to a reference book used for exams, then Kuro’s version is more like a school textbook. It carefully explains the basics in a way that even a beginner like me can follow along.
I mean, Kuro’s a High-ranking Demon, so her knowledge of Magic is on a whole different level compared to a human’s. Honestly, it’s so well done that I think this could even be used as a reference book in a magic school.
To be honest, after flipping through this, the Introduction to Magic I’ve been reading before feels like it’s intentionally written to be difficult to understand.
I’m really grateful for this new version. I’m sure I’ll make progress in my studies just by reading it in my spare time.
[Thank you very much, Kuro. But, um, there’s one thing I need to discuss with you…]
[Unnn?]
[This book… Can I show it to Kusunoki-san and Yuzuki-san… Err, the other children who came with me from another world? Is it okay?]
Starting with my thanks to her, I carefully chose my words as I continued.
This book is so easy to understand. That’s why I thought of Kusunoki-san and Yuzuki-san.
I’m truly blessed, to say the least. I’ve had the guidance of Kuro, which is far beyond anything that could be considered normal, so there’s a huge difference in our circumstances.
I think the two of them would want to use magic, but the traditional method of teaching magic to humans takes months, even for someone talented. On average, it would take about a year for a person to start using Magic.
But in this book, Kuro taught me just two types of Magic, and it explains in detail the differences between Demon and Human magic cultures, even covering how to handle magical power itself. So, I believe that if they use this book, they’ll be able to learn Magic quickly as well.
However, if I were to show this book to the two of them, I think it would only be polite to also tell Lilia-san, who is currently teaching us Magic.
But in that case, I’d also have to explain that Kuro is the one teaching me Magic—and I’d have to explain how she comes to this residence every night. That’s the reason I’m hesitating.
According to Lilia-san and Lunamaria-san, Kuro has been using Information Concealment Magic on herself, and she usually only shows up when I’m alone. Even when she invited me to a barbecue, she used the name of someone she knows to do so.
That means Kuro is hiding her identity, which is why I’ve never asked her about her background or explained to Lilia-san and the others that I’ve been meeting with her in secret.
That’s why I was trying to indirectly ask her if it’s okay to tell Lilia-san and the others about Kuro, so to speak, and I was losing my bearings trying to figure out how to ask her about it.
I owe Lilia-san a great debt of gratitude in this world… But even so… If I had to choose between the two of them right now, in this situation… I would prioritize Kuro. Although it’s only been a short time since we met, Kuro has already become such an important part of my life, and I don’t want to do anything that might feel like I’m betraying her.
That’s why this isn’t a suggestion or a request, but more of a discussion instead… If Kuro shows any signs of being uncomfortable with it…
[I know you’re hiding your background, Kuro, but if possible—]
[……..Eh?]
[……..Eh?]
In the midst of my nervousness, I turned to Kuro to share my thoughts… but I stopped when I saw the strange look on her face as she pulled out “several books that look the same as the one I had.”
Arehh? Her response is completely different from what I expected.
[…Errr, Kuro? What’s that?]
[Eh? No, it’s just that I thought, if it’s Kaito-kun, you’d probably say something like that, so I also prepared several copies of the same book.]
[…Errr, there’s one thing I want to confirm, though…]
[Unnn?]
[Are you hiding your background from the people around you, Kuro?]
[Eh? No, it’s not like I’m trying to hide it, though.]
[…What?]
Arehh? What’s going on? For some reason, I feel like there’s a misunderstanding right from the start about the whole situation.
I thought Kuro was using Information Concealment Magic to hide her identity because she didn’t want anyone to know who she really was, and that’s why she was sneaking around here… But wait, am I mistaken?
[…Kuro, why are you using Information Concealment Magic?]
[Unnn? My hobby is eating out, and since I was quite famous in the Human Realm, I use it so I don’t cause a scene.]
[…Why do you always slip through the Detection Barrier to enter this residence?]
[Eh? It’s not that I didn’t think about just giving my name to enter normally, but writing a letter just to visit a Duchy is troublesome…]
[…Then why did you send that invitation for the barbecue under a different name?]
[Sending it under the name of a child from the Human Realm makes the conversation smoother, right?]
[……..]
Umu, what she means is… To sum it up, she’s a bit famous in the Human Realm, and since making a scene is bothersome, she always uses Information Concealment Magic. But it’s not like she’s actively trying to hide her identity—she’s totally fine handing out books to other kids and telling Lilia-san about it…
Then what was all my concern and determination to consult her for!?
[Ahh~ Errr, Kaito-kun? If you’d like, I can visit them under my name and explain everything to them.]
[…Unn. If you do that, it’d be a huge help. Though, I really wish you’d done it from the start…]
[Ah, Ahaha, sorry, sorry. I wasn’t really interested in anyone here except you, Kaito-kun, and I’ve been thinking about it… But I decided to wait until you asked me about it~]
In the end, my shoulders slumped after getting worked up for nothing. After giving me a wry smile and an apology, Kuro took out a small message card from her coat, wrote something on it, slipped it into an envelope, and handed it to me.
[Well then, I have a few things to take care of tomorrow… So I’ll come the day after tomorrow. Can you give this letter to the homeowner?]
[Yeah, roger that.]
I took the envelope from Kuro, which apparently contained a letter requesting a quick visit.
How should I put it? I’m kind of tired, but at least now I can tell Lilia-san about Kuro.
It felt awkward keeping things from Lilia-san, especially since she’s such a big help to me. If I’d known she would agree so easily, I should’ve brought it up earlier.
After the night passed, I quickly explained the situation to Lilia-san while we were having breakfast.
I’m not sure how much of an effect the Information Concealment Magic had, but at least it seems like she got the gist of it—that I’ve been meeting with a Demon every night, and that the Demon wants to officially pay a visit. Lilia-san nodded as if she were somewhat convinced.
[I see. It’s true that a High-ranking Demon would be able to slip through the Detection Barriers, so it’s not surprising that they have a connection with the Seditch Magic Tool Company.]
[It’s a company with a parent organization that came from the Demon Realm, after all. But honestly, the fact that you’ve become so close to a High-ranking Demon, one that doesn’t normally interact with humans… I guess you could say it’s to be expected from Miyama-sama.]
Lilia-san and Lunamaria-san’s reactions weren’t as bad as I expected, and in fact, it was a relief to see that they reacted favorably.
It seems that from the start, the two of them had suspected the Demon I encountered when I got lost might be a High-ranking Demon, and they didn’t want to end up in a situation where they were met with hostility.
After hearing what I said, Lilia-san seemed relieved to learn that Kuro favors me and doesn’t intend to antagonize her or the others.
That also goes to show just how outrageous the power of a High-ranking Demon must be.
[However, with that High-ranking Demon added to the list, it really shows just how impressive Kaito-san’s ability to form connections is. If it’s someone who often visits the Human Realm, I’ve probably spoken to them before.]
[Yeah, she did say she was quite famous.]
[Fufufu, that kind of makes me nervous. Well, considering what happened with the Goddess of Time, I doubt anything could…]
Rather than saying that she’s calm about the situation, I’d say it’s more accurate to describe how Lilia-san received the envelope from me with a somewhat resigned smile. She opened it while speaking about the big event coming up for her, her expression distant—as if she were trying to escape from reality. She took out the folded message card inside, unfolded it… and then quickly closed it again.
[……..]
[My Lady?]
[…I must have seen it wrong… Just now… I must have… I must have seen it wrong…]
[My Lady… What exactly is happening…]
After closing the message card once again, just as she had opened it, Lilia-san began mumbling to herself. Lunamaria-san and I could only tilt our heads, confused by her behavior.
Then, after taking a deep breath, Lilia-san opened the message card again—only to immediately slam her face onto the desk.
[My Lady!?]
Lunamaria-san quickly rushed over to her, but Lilia-san didn’t react as she lay on the desk. After a few moments, she lifted her head, holding it in her hands. For some reason, her face was a pale shade of blue.
[…I can’t take it anymore… Kaito-kun’s friendly connections… they’re scary…]
[Errr? My Lady? What exactly happened?]
With trembling eyes filled with fear, Lilia-san glanced at me before extending a folded message card with her shaking hand toward Lunamaria-san, who wore a concerned expression.
[Alright, Luna. Please take a deep breath… After you steady your heart, then open it.]
[H-Hahh… I respectfully obey.]
Seeing Lilia-san, pale and trembling in her seat—quite unusual for her—Lunamaria-san took a deep breath as instructed. With a serious expression, she opened the message card… and just a few seconds later, she collapsed to her knees.
[Luna!? Luna! Please, get a hold of yourself!]
[……..]
Lilia-san hurriedly called out to her, but Lunamaria-san just sat there, stiff and dumbfounded, her eyes wide open.
Seeing Lunamaria-san kneeling there, looking like she might faint, Lilia-san quickly realized there wouldn’t be a response from her and gave instructions to another servant.
Moments later, a flurry of servants rushed into the dining room, one after another. If I’m not mistaken, those in charge of various departments had gathered, and in front of me—still struggling to catch up with the situation—the pale Lilia-san finally spoke.
[Tell everyone at once! Tomorrow at noon, we’ll be receiving a very important guest!! Any kind of disrespect in her presence is absolutely forbidden!! Prepare the best hospitality we can offer. Also, “immediately send a fast horse” to deliver my message! Spare no cost on the ingredients… No, tell the King to send the royal palace’s ingredients, along with the chefs!]
[Huh? M-My Lady… What’s happening…?]
I can totally understand why they’re acting like this, just from hearing all these absurd instructions she’s giving them. The servants also seem just as confused, like they have no idea what’s going on.
And when one of the servants timidly asks, Lilia-san freezes… then, with tears in her eyes, she speaks.
[…coming…tomorrow…]
[…Eh?]
[Like I said! Tomorrow noon!! “Underworld King-sama” is coming here tomorrow!!!]
[ [ [ ! ? ! ? ! ? ] ] ]
Lilia-san’s voice, which had sounded like a scream, echoed through the area before fading away.
Dear Mom, Dad—I became friends with a Demon named Kuro when I came to this world. However, she turned out to be a being—more outrageous than I ever imagined.