Another world, something that is viewed as a kind of fantasy.
For the magicians who could not pierce through dimensions properly, the number of records about other worlds is exceedingly low, or at least that's how the books that I have read related to the conceptual void tells it. However, some view it as a "paradise" simply because the ones in power monopolize the resources in this world. If I did not have the wealth to intrude into the magicians' industry secretly, my experiments would be for naught.
I would be caught in a dilemma of facing several problems that can't be solved without the actual materials. What's more, some even say that the mana density in other worlds could be higher than ours, making it the perfect place to gain experiences as a magician.
I believed in their existence sometime now, but confirming that possibility is something else. After all, I haven't encountered otherworlders except for my good friend who will become one in the future.
"Another world? Are there dragons there?" I curiously asked.
I saw the two of them jolt upon hearing my words, making me feel more interested in it.
"There are. In fact, we had an encounter with one." The man, Saito, said.
"I see… Oh, if you are worried about them, fret not. Those guys should be slumbering as of now."
This information came from my decades' worth of combat experience. Near the end of it, I faced a dragon before being killed by it. Of course, it is arrogant enough to divulge secrets that otherwise would be kept guarded while facing a stronger opponent.
"Slumbering? Why would those prideful creatures do it?"
"Because of science, ojou-san." I replied to the pink-haired girl. "Now, they could be handled by normal humans by using technology. Even, the number of magicians and supernaturals among humans rose sharply, too. That's why I recommend you two to be low-key in this world."
"I see… Just like what Saito brought…"
Hm… Brought? They might have faced a dragon using superior technology, then. I do wonder what they have used to do it. Although, technology could sometimes be inefficient in the face of those mobile disasters.
"Does it mean that there are cases of dragon slaying with it?" Saito asked.
"You're quite sharp. There is. Why would they be on guard with it if they had not experienced it?"
Based on that dragon's words, a total of twenty-five fighter jets were deployed to kill a hundred-year-old dragon. Even with its solid scales and "dragon magic", it could not resist the surprise cluster bombing five times straight. The ones used are the technology developed back in the 70s. One could only wonder how strong the ones that could reach the speed of Mach 2 and above work.
However, the cost-effectiveness of such actions is not viable. A country has to spend the majority of its funds on its military just so that it can slay a "young" dragon. They are simply burning money to acquire useless materials as the dragon's body would most likely be damaged. Plus, they also have to keep it top-secret.
This left the option of selling it to the supernatural side of the world. This relationship is the cause behind the governments' acquiescence towards the magicians. Only the unlawful ones will get caught while the rest are free to do as they wish as long as they are "lawful".
I got the opportunity to correct my thinking after going through those "years", which is why the rumors that the world government is against the mages exist. Only the official members in the magicians' association would not panic about this. Moreover, our existence being hidden helps keep something else at bay.
"Hm."
My senses caught onto a strong malintent. My mind started to work swiftly as I went through the calculations.
"You want to see the specialty of this world, right?" I said. "Well, Watch."
"Pondus Gravitas Reductio." (Gravity Reduction, Decrease Weight)
I felt my weight become lighter before I made a single leap. Though, this leap sent me more than 15 meters above the ground.
Fwooosh-!
A black blur went through my former position. It is too fast to be seen properly, but its afterimages subsided once it halted its steps.
This fucking bastard…
I knew that what was aimed at me was most likely a "demon", but never did I expect to encounter the same guy four years ago. The same guy who almost killed me in a single attack. Those events haunted me until I received my combat experience. When you see something scarier than that, it's natural to overcome something like this. Still…
Snap-!
Upon snapping my fingers, three rounds of impact blasted through the demon wolf's body. It did not do effective damage as it is a type of Ceremonial Spell, an instant-cast spell. It does not require any computations like the regular ones, which is why it sacrifices power over speed.
The three impacts sent the demon flying mid-air. Taking advantage of its confusion, I activated another spell.
"Secundum Ordinatio. Excauere Vade." (Second Order: Blue Slash)
A magic circle lit up in the middle of the blue blade. It glowed crimson red before mana started to gather in my blade. It was continuously converged by the magic circle, amplifying its destructive power in mere milliseconds. In no less than a second after my chant, a bright blue wave separated from the tip of my blade before descending upon the demon wolf.
Bam-!
A small crater was made as a result of my attack. The usual playground that the kids play in as well as the bench where we usually sit were destroyed to bits. Dust rose from the crater, making it hard for the spectators to see if that thing was dead.
Well, it is.
"There's no more malintent. It's dead." I muttered.
My words were proven right after the dust cleared up. Not a single remains of the wolf can be seen. All that's left are the destruction that my attack had single-handedly cost.
"Renovatio Redivivus." (Restoration and Reconstitution)
The necessary calculations went through my mind before casting a spell. As a result of it, everything was seemingly rewound as the previously destroyed playground was restored in a blink of an eye. All thanks to the restoration magic that can restore superficial things by overlaying the past imagery of it into reality.
Tap-!
I landed back on the ground almost soundlessly. Then, I deactivated the gravity reduction spell, turning the pull of Earth's core back to normal.
"Is that a magic sword?"
I heard Saito ask me politely.
"Yes."
As I progressed through the technological tree, I naturally gained the right knowledge to improve the creation of magic tools.
"Though, I'm fairly sure that the guy strapped behind you is better than it."
"?!"
Saito has a visible look of shock on his face.
"Your 'ego sword' is not properly concealed. Even if I don't use an analysis spell, just its feeling alone gives it away. Kind of like a possessed item by a youkai."
Clank-!
The sword in his back partially came out of its sheath, revealing a "mouth".
"It's no use in being shocked, partner." The voice of a middle-aged man rang. "But man! Your world sure is terrifying!"
I could not agree more with his words. I gave a seal of approval to his sword who could already sense the danger hidden in this seemingly-normal world.
"Magician. What would it take to help these two adapt in this world?" The ego sword spoke.
"What do I want?"
Smart. This guy already wanted to lay down the road for this young couple. I could deduce that he experienced a lot of things.
"Your world's magic. In exchange for helping you two, I want to learn it, especially that void-attributed spell."
"Void-attributed spell..? You mean, the interdimensional gate?" Louise asked.
"Interdimensional gate… That's right."
Hearing my words, she replied, "You need to have the Void Affinity to use it."
"Alri–huh?"
Affinity?
Hearing this familiar yet unfamiliar word, I was caught off guard.
"You need to be a 'Void' to use that spell." She added.
"A void?" I wondered if it is a special constitution of some sort but quickly denied it. "Affinity… That thing does not exist here."
"Ah..?"
It was Louise's turn to be dumbfounded.
"When the ancient Kaballah magic was created, it removed the need for affinities. Certain talents and dispositions do exist here, but anyone can learn any spell as long as they work hard for it."
In this world, there are no affinities. Every attribute-spells can be cast through Kaballah's numerology and the modern magic theory that mixes science with magic. There are no affinity bonuses unlike in games, too. Only talent sets the threshold in this world apart as some magicians can learn something in half a day while others need three.
Louise's looked very shocked at that statement. She then asked dumbfoundedly:
"So you're saying, everyone can learn spells with differing attributes?"
"That's right. While there are specializations here, magicians generally know a spell from each attribute."
"Interesting. It seems that the magic of this world is far more advanced." The ego sword added.
"But yours have some interesting uniqueness as well. Though, just how long did you finish your calculations for the dimensional gate? Even with the current findings of dimensions, It's still a huge feat."
"Calculations..? What do you mean?"
She looked very confused at those words.
Hey, hey… Wait a damn minute. Don't tell me…
"You don't use calculations in your spells?"
"Why would we use arithmetics? What matters the most is the visualization." She answered in a matter-of-fact tone.
My word… The magic of another world is far too behind..!
*****
"Phew… Jii-san, she should be arriving soon?" I asked the tall man beside me.
He is none other than Bocchi's father, Gotou Naoki. He used to be in a rock band back in his college days. Meanwhile, I have my modified guitar sitting beside the wall. I made these from what remained when I made hers. Coincidentally, I only lacked a set of strings which I easily found in my room. While it is not as good as the first les paul that tou-san gifted to me. I modified it as my "best" guitar.
What's more interesting is that it has concealed magic circles engraved into it to increase its durability and quality. If I bash it to the floor… the floor would get destroyed.
A dream guitar for reckless lead guitarists caught in the vibe!
"She is arriving soon."
"How did you know?"
"She does not have any friends. She can't even spend time outside school." He brutally added.
Yikes. Why is it that Bocchi's family is brutal? The apple does not fall far from the tree, I guess. I can see why Bocchi can make those brutal jokes without her realizing it.
These never fail to catch me off guard. EVERY. TIME.
I passed the notebook in which I compose my riffs and phrases during my free time. It's like a tab sheet at this point.
"Oh..! This is good, Nobu-kun."
"Thank you."
What I presented to jii-san are the phrases that I would play during this surprise. Its main structure came from "Happy Birthday", but I modified it to be more upbeat and hype. There's also a guitar solo at the end, too.
"I am wondering, why you aren't in a band yet?" He asked.
"I don't like it… for now. I would like to perform in front of others after doing more practice."
"I see. Good luck!"
Click-!
Our conversation was halted by the sound of the door opening. Even Michiyo-san who is currently holding onto a party popper froze.
"Wha–"
Amidst the new arrival's shocked expression, the "surprise" starts now.