--- Akira ---
Magic is, in essence, rewriting reality in the user's desired way.
To go through this, the user needs to first visualize the change properly in their mind, stimulate the Mana, called Eidos in this world, in the surrounding atmosphere to make it happen.
The factors Mages should focus on are basically two, on average.
The spell activation speed, and the strength of the target information rewriting.
The first is but the total time you took to use Magic, while the second is just a scale comparison.
Taking a seed out of an apple is much easier than extracting an ore from the ground, right?
Those two events are not comparable in difficulty, because the latter far outweighs the former.
Either way, those are just examples.
For this Entrance Exam, I don't really need to do much. I can just use some basic Magic I've understood from this book.
While my Magic System is not stable, it's a bad idea to try pushing it too much.
[The Authority of Adaptability is working...]
[Magic System Compatibility: 23%]
[The Authority of Mana is adapting to the way [Mana] has formed in this World]
[The Authority of Balance is adapting your Body to be able to interact with all forms of [Mana] given your Authority over it]
[The Authority of Limits has removed the limiter on the Eidos imposed by the World, in accordance to the Authority of Balance and Mana's ideologies]
[Your Inner Mana is being elevated to the standard of this World]
.
.
.
At this rate, I won't have to worry in the entrance exam.
But of course, things couldn't have remained peaceful for too long.
"How was it, did reading it for the seventh time do the trick?" Her voice was laced with sarcasm, but her eyes held a glint of concern. She was leaning against the car door, her arms crossed, as she watched me poring over the same book again.
I knew she meant well in her own twisted way, but it was still annoying.
The intentions are good, but the execution... oh god. You clearly have no idea how to have a decent conversation with a fellow human being.
That's really bad, girl. How do you expect to make friends in school?
Despite the original identity's memories and feelings imbued in my mind, I couldn't fully grasp what he was thinking deep down, seeing his little sister act this way.
She wasn't the villain, but she was like a silent reminder of his constant failures. She had taken on so much, trying to support him, to carry the world for him as well.
It was never explicitly said, probably never even consciously thought, but all her actions made it seem like she was constantly shouldering that burden.
But he never managed to tell her he didn't want this. Probably because he was afraid the only person who 'loved' him, would abandon him as well.
Then, he would be alone.
And that's what scared the original the most.
I'm not him, though.
I looked up from the book, meeting her gaze. "Yes, it did do the trick," I said, matching her sarcasm with a smile.
She raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in her expression. "Really? Because I've seen you with that book a dozen times, and—"
I cut her off gently, "You should stop doing this. I don't need you carrying any burden of mine. Just focus on yourself and your own test results. My results will speak for themselves."
She opened her mouth, ready to argue, but then sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. She looked out the window, watching the trees and houses pass by. "Fine," she murmured, a soft smile playing on her lips. "I just... I worry about you, you know?"
"I know," I replied, my voice softer this time. "But worrying won't change the outcome. Just enjoy the ride. It's not supposed to be a long one to school anyway, so there's no need to make it worse than it already is."
Imagine having this conversation in front of the butler of your family, as both of us aren't old enough to drive.
Geez.
She nodded, turning her gaze back to the window. The sunlight caught her eyes, making them sparkle with unshed tears.
Well, you do you, girl.
I don't have the luxury to comfort you, right now.
Finally, some peace.
The car continued down the road, the hum of the engine the only thing filling the silence.
I sighed.
["Whatever you choose to do, I'll give you my full support,"] Yui said, her voice steady and serious. ["Just remember, the way she shows her care is twisted. No one ever taught her a healthy way to do so. I want you to keep that in mind so you won't end up regretting anything."]
I sighed, leaning back in my seat.
'You're right. In fact, I'm not angry at her. I just needed her to stop bothering me right now. I can't focus on understanding the complex relationship between my body, the new magic system, and my authorities while also entertaining her.'
Yui chuckled softly, ["Well, then I guess it's time to get back to understanding that book properly before the Entrance Exam! It's the famous cramming before exams all university students do, after all!"]
I rolled my eyes, a subtle smirk playing on my lips. 'You've seen too many of my memories. I'm afraid you are now tainted beyond repair. Your jokes are also hitting too close to home now.'
["Hey, I'll have you know I've at least avoided all the NSFW parts.... you really did it way too much with your wife. And even alone, too!"] Yui retorted, her voice filled with amusement as she whispered the last part, like I wasn't supposed to hear it.
Too bad she was literally transmitting her thoughts through our connection, so even if she didn't use her mouth to speak, I could still hear her.
'You just said you didn't look at them. Do you even have a sense of shame left in there, somewhere?' I replied, sighing.
'I didn't believe the saying like father, like daughter, but now I'm really forced to recognize it. You're just as shameless as me'
Expecting some form of reply, I waited for a few moments, but since there was no reply, I decided to return to business.
'Anyway. If I don't end up killing this identity as well, I'd like to leave him in a better relationship with his sister'
It's one of my selfish goals.
It may only stem from the fact she's like a carbon copy of my sister, but I don't care. I just don't like leaving the pair of brother and sister in such a sour relationship full of misunderstandings and distance.
Yui snorted, ["W-Well, you've killed all of them so far, so I would be surprised if you really manage to do that."]
I sensed some sort of instability in her voice, but didn't think much of it.
"I'd be surprised as well," I admitted, laughing softly. "But hey, there's a first time for everything, right?"
["Right,"] Yui agreed, her voice warm with humor.
My smile faded slightly as I thought about the past. 'For the cases of the 1st and 2nd Trials, to be honest, they deserved it. But poor Haruto... I really didn't want to kill him.'
At least I made you famous, bro...
Yui's voice softened, ["I know. But it's in the past now. You can't change what happened."]
'I won't apologize for it,' I said, my voice firm. 'But know that I'll remember you and your noble sacrifice, buddy.'
Yui was silent for a moment before she spoke again, her voice filled with determination. ["Now, let's get back to that book. We've got an exam to ace."]
Right.
---
Author's Note:
Yui's reservations about their relationship are slowly crumbling, as Akira is, without even realizing it, crushing them!
You may have noticed I'm still 'hiding' the Trial Quest.
Just know it's intentional, so yes, you can curse me!
Also, some of you had many doubts in last chapter. Had Akira gone mad, did his character change. Maybe it was not clear enough. I hope with this chapter(which is separated in 2 for WN guys), to clear everything up!