In regards to the magic representing the different world, what Lilia-san
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 long as a month
to learn, if you're a fast learner. On the other hand, Kuro said it could be
learned in just a few days. It didn't seem like either of them was lying
but…
[Kaito-kun, do you mind if I look through that book for a minute?]
[Eh? Yeah.]
I'm not sure if Kuro had similar doubts, but she wanted to see the
introductory book I had. I didn't have any particular reason to refuse, so
I handed her the book, and Kuro flipped through it.
[Ah, I see~ This is how we used to teach the Humans magic… With this
method, it would definitely take some time to learn magic.]
[Does that mean that the method that the Humans are using to study
magic is wrong?]
[Unnn? No, I think it's very well done. It's just this is the method to raise
someone into a "magician who can make magic tools" or something like
that? It's like, you also have to study the theories accompanied by
magic, so I think 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. Thereupon, Kuro closes the book and gives me a charming
smile before explaining.
[If all you have to do is invoke magic, all you have to is understand the
feeling of moving magic power… For example—–]
[Whoa… The book is floating.]
[Unnn. I just used magic to make it float, but for this level of magic,
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 need to know the method to specify
a target, the method to levitate the target, the method to adjust the
height, and the method to switch between activation and deactivation
—– I guess it will 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 by 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 a professional in their profession for a
human. But for the demons, it's already a give 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 a 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 just study the theoretical stuff from stuff like that book 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, that's a very appreciated offer, but there's a part of me
that feels fearful at the same time. Kuro is probably… no, I'm pretty sure
that Kuro is someone who knows a great deal about magic. Or at least,
she's one of the most outstanding among the people I know in this
other world. Taking various things out of her coat, she could create
something like that magic tool that searches for people you're thinking
about, even soaring in the sky, she seems like she's at a level where
there's nothing she can't do.
[It's alright~ I like you, Kaito-kun, and if there's something I can teach
you, I'll teach you.]
(T/N: the like used here is the like for "pleased", kinitteru. not "suki".)
[T- Thank you.]
A smile that's filled with straightforward goodwill, without hiding
anything. I don't know what it is about me that made her like me so
much, but she's treating me really well. Of course, I felt like I'm being
pushed around most of the time, but there's a part of me that feels
strangely feels at ease while talking with Kuro.
Well, how should I say this, I'm also a guy… Although her actual age is
much older than her looks, I still get embarrassed when a lovely beauty
directs such straightforward goodwill to me.
But at the same time, I began to question myself. Am I actually a
lolicon? Then, a strange fear emerged. N- No, that's not it! I'm not a
lolicon, you know!? I'm just confused because I've always been alone
and never experienced having someone emotionally attached like this
to me before!!
Kuro, unaware of my emotional turmoil, begins to instruct me with the
usual smile on her face.
[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, Kaitokun?]
[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 the magic power that I made visible
but… 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 watching 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 the Symphonia
Kingdom.]
[Unnn? Invitation… for what?]
Throwing a baby castella into her mouth, Kuromueina looked back with
a 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 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, and so, she basically spends her New Year in
the same format as the Demon Realm. As a result, she has never
participated in any of the parties that the humans hold on the fourth
day of the New Year in various countries, and even the Human Realm
understands that they have never sent an invitation.
However, this year, they have unusually sent an invitation, and the
masked demon said that the reason was probably due to her visit to the
castle the other day 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.]
Thereupon, sending just a glance at the extravagant invitation stamped
with the seal of the King of Symphonia that they sent once again,
Kuromueina simply stated that she isn't interested. It seems that the
masked demon knew that this would be her reply that he just nodded
without any questions asked.
[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 just at
first sight~ I feel like it's fate!]
The expression of disinterest on her face just now has changed,
Kuromueina now have a big smile on her face. As if he likes the person
in front of him so much, The masked demon happily looked at
Kuromueina, who's clearly in a good mood.
[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?]
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. She's such an existence that she especially
calls with a nickname, but for the masked demon, she's at least an
existence higher than the clouds.
[Just keep it simple~ If it's Shiro, I think she'd understand even if you
just say "Please give Kaito-kun your blessings~".]
[…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
glow 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 blessings…]
[Shallow Vernal-sama's blessings!? 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, as soon as Kuromu-sama likes you have also decided your fate
of being pushed around by her… That's "also what happened to me",
after all…]
Unbeknownst to the person himself, his outer moat is already being
tremendously filled up, while the masked demon and Neun could let
out a sigh of sympathy for the favored human… He will be pushed
around by their "lord" who has been wearing the words "unrestrained
freedom", and they could only imagine what his future may be…