"Opposite?"
"I support your way of thinking. Well, I can't have you denying my existence, but apart from that, I agree that magic isn't some mystical power."
"Wait, I'm not following..."
"I'm saying you're on the right track. I don't understand this 'scientific' stuff, but if anyone's being unfaithful, it's the masses I'd like to chastise. Even after hundreds of years, they've only looked at the superficial aspects of magic. It's so frustrating."
"Uh..."
I stood there, mouth agape, at the unexpected support from the spirit. The very being I thought would negate my ideas was endorsing them.
What kind of paradox is this?
"I don't think it's a paradox. Just a hunch, but maybe there's a way for your 'science' and me to coexist."
I couldn't immediately grasp what the snake meant by coexistence and furrowed my brow.
The snake began to circle around me merrily.
"So, any questions? I'm in a great mood right now. As long as time permits, ask away. Oh, and if you'd like, I can give you this crystal. If you display it in your room, we'll both be happy—you'll have a nice decoration, and I'll have someone to talk to."
"No, you can't just give away the crystal... If word got out that the count's son took the shrine's crystal home, it'd be scandalous."
"Hmm? Count's son? Oh, are you from the Narazario family?"
"Ah, so you do know the local count's family. I'm Ronnie, the eldest son."
"I've heard of you! You're the infamous Ronnie, the good-for-nothing wastrel! So that's you! Don't you have a talented younger brother?"
"Could you not twist the knife so cheerfully...? Well, you're not wrong."
"Interesting. I heard you were hopeless in studies and beyond saving, but is that really you?"
"...Yes, that's me."
To be precise, that was Ronnie up until two weeks ago.
"Maybe rumors aren't to be trusted. Well, no matter."
"You mentioned questions."
"Yes! Anything is welcome!"
"Even if you say that, I wasn't prepared, so I'm not sure what to ask..."
I scratched my head, pondering.
Whether the floating entity before me was truly a "spirit" or not, I'd set that aside for now.
It might be an unidentified creature, an unknown form of magic, or some advanced trick devised by someone. Perhaps it's an entity beyond the reach of science.
Science isn't absolute; it's a method, not the ultimate truth.
What's important is that this snake exists before me, can communicate, and claims to be a "spirit." Clinging to strange preconceptions and missing out on this valuable opportunity would be foolish.
However, the theories I'd built over the past two weeks were based on knowledge from my previous world, which might not make sense to someone from this world.
It seemed the spirit didn't even understand terms like "gravity," limiting the scope of questions I could ask.
Not written in this world's books.
Something Johan wouldn't know.
A question outside scientific theories.
Is there anything like that? Something only a "spirit" could know—
"—Ah!"
"Oh? What's up?"
"I've got it. There is something..."
"What is it? My measurements? I'm a 6-6-5!"
"Who cares about the measurements of a snake-like creature."
"Then what is it? Hopefully, it's something I can answer."
"If you truly are the being who created magic, a higher existence than humans, then you should know. If you answer this question, I'll formally acknowledge you as a spirit."
"So I haven't been formally recognized yet..."
The small blue snake floated silently before me.
Its translucent scales shimmered in the sunlight filtering in, and the two small white protrusions on its forehead swayed slightly with its movements.
This wasn't a question from the scientist Yoichi Yamada.
It was a question from Ronnie F. Narazario, who had lived in this world for sixteen years.
"Why can't I use magic?"
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