"I see, so magical aptitude really is largely dependent on innate talent."
"That's right. I had an aptitude for offensive magic, so I have focused on developing those abilities. Those born into a family of mages often possess their own unique magic and techniques, which can be inscribed onto their heart and body as a crest."
Ever since I returned to Japan from the "Gray Magician" headquarters, it had become my daily routine to receive about an hour of magical correspondence education from Lavinia every night. I would study from the books she lent me and then practice casting the magic during these sessions. The memory of successfully lighting a fire at the tip of the stick Mephisto had given me as a souvenir was quite moving.
The demonic energy used by devils is a power of imagination and creation. Magic, in contrast, is a power that requires the knowledge to handle formulas, mental agility, and calculation skills. For now, Lavinia had taught me several simple, uncomplicated spells: magic to boil water, to see things from a distance, to divert attention, to soothe pain, and various others. They were all useful, so I was grateful.
Apparently, the standard style for those from a magician family is to master their family's magic. However, there are some who are not compatible with their family's magic and choose a different path. I believe Rossweisse, the Valkyrie from Northern Europe, was one such case. I seem to recall her saying that in a family that specialized in things like necromancy and runes, she alone showed an aptitude for only offensive magic.
"Of course, there is a natural gap in formulas and magical power between a family of mages who have honed their skills for many years and an ordinary person. However, depending on the magic used, that gap can be closed. How one encounters magic that suits them and how they polish it—magic also has an element of luck like that."
"Encountering it, huh… Is there any way to determine something like that?"
"Let's see… Most people start by practicing basic magic and get the hang of it from there. Some also go through all the existing magical formulas and choose the one that resonates with them."
"Wow… that sounds like a lot of work."
I couldn't help but let out a sigh at Lavinia's words. She giggled, and I scratched my cheek in embarrassment.
"Hehe. Another way is to choose based on one's own knowledge."
"From my own knowledge?"
"Yes. Just as important as aptitude is one's knowledge and understanding of magic. For example, someone well-versed in mythology will learn magic related to that field much faster. A colleague of mine became friends with water spirits through her interest in muscular beauty and became able to use water spirit magic."
"...I-I see."
Muscles and water spirits. Could she be talking about those Muscle Expo people, the ones called Undines? If you become an expert on muscles, you can use water spirit magic? Is that all it takes for magical knowledge? Is that what "understanding" means?
Apparently, there are bloodlines that are skilled in magic, and there is a clear hierarchy of magical power. But magic was originally a technique born from the wishes of powerless humans. I think the amazing thing about magic is that anyone has the potential for it. When Sona and the others were teaching magic to devil children at the school they were trying to build, even they were able to cast simple spells. I have to work hard too.
"Hmm, magic I could use based on my knowledge… I'm confident when it comes to games, manga, and anime, but I doubt I can use that for magic."
***
"Let's see… First, let's find a field that interests you, Kana. It's important to learn magic with efficiency in mind, but I would also like you to come to love magic. As a teacher, it makes me happy to see you enjoy learning it."
"I see. 'What one likes, one will do well,' as they say."
"Ah, that's a Japanese proverb, isn't it? Let's see, the meaning was…"
After our magic lessons, we would often get excited talking about trivial things like this. Talking about Japan, about the association, a mix of the surface and the underworld—I genuinely enjoyed it. The main topic of conversation recently had been Azazel, who had started collecting robot merchandise under the influence of our Sacred Gear Unison. It would be fine if it were just his collector's spirit, but the more lively he gets, the more trouble he tends to cause for those around him. The Fallen Angel faction's technological prowess is a cut above the other two of the Three Factions, after all.
Also, I was realizing just how important Lavinia's presence was to me. Having a friend my age I could talk to without reservation is truly precious. As Azazel and Lavinia said, I should probably take my time and explore magic without rushing.
Honestly, I still can't imagine a field that would interest me. Maybe I could find something through games based on mythology, or manga that use old legends as motifs. Though, I feel like a real, dedicated magician would probably get angry at that way of thinking.
And so, my chaotic summer vacation came to an end, and my new everyday life began once more.
"Let's see, is that everyone for souvenirs?"
I counted on my fingers as I checked the souvenirs I had bought in Japan for the association. I had already given gifts to my family and neighbors, and to my classmates and teachers on the first day of school. I tried to think if there was anyone else, but this was probably everyone I needed to give something to.
Among my classmates, some had shot up in height, while others were tanned, having clearly enjoyed their summer. It was clear everyone had spent their summer vacation in their own way. By the way, I had finished my summer homework while at the association, so that wasn't a problem. I think I did a good job, especially while having spears thrown at me by Azazel. I now understand just how grateful I am for Mephisto's existence. He had made sure to secure study time for me, saying, "Studying is what's important for a student"... The second half of the vacation, which was all dragons all the time, was just awful compared to the first.
The hardest part for me was writing my summer vacation essay. Mainly, figuring out how to describe everything without the fantasy parts. My summer vacation was so packed with fantasy elements, I lost count of how many times my hand stopped. It was just as hard explaining it to everyone. I think I ended up telling them with a wry smile that in the second half, I made friends with a childcare group in the middle of nature and played tag with the kids. I wasn't lying.
"Alright then, I guess I'll go pick up another souvenir while I'm confirming the original story's timeline."
I looked at the paper I had printed from my computer. I had finished giving souvenirs to the people on the "surface," but I still hadn't finished giving them to the people on the "other side." I had managed to give my master a set of magical tools the other day through his workplace, but there were two other people who had helped me out. The Milky Magicians, who had teleported me to the "Gray Magician" headquarters and protected my family.
The problem was, it was hard to choose a souvenir for them. The Milky Magicians are from the association, so giving them something I bought there felt a little strange. More importantly, I knew exactly what kind of gift would make them happy. They're a bit quirky, but they're good people, and it's a fact that they've helped me a lot. I'll probably be asking them for a lot more favors in the future, so I wanted to give them a souvenir they would genuinely enjoy.
"Yeah, if it's something that would make those two happy, it has to be this."
The paper I was holding was an advertisement for the "Magical Girl Milky" show. It listed the special merchandise that was only given to people who saw the show. If I could get my hands on two of them, I was planning on negotiating—that is, talking—with a child or parent who had received one. I judged that this souvenir would be better for them than any foreign gift. And most importantly, the venue for this show was key.
"The location is a shopping mall in Kuoh Town. I think it's the department store near Kuoh Academy, the one that was the stage for the Rating Game with Sona Sitri."
Relying on my faint memory, I tried to recall the details of the original story. From what I'd found online, it was probably the same department store used as the stage for the game. The information online said it was a long, two-story building with an atrium with an open ceiling. The Milky show was apparently going to be held on a special stage on the second floor there.
I figured it would be a bad idea to go to a town that might have devils in it without a reason. If I was found by a devil, I could just prove I was a member of the "Gray Magician" and show them Mephisto's crest, and it would probably be fine. But then I would need a reason for why I went to Kuoh Town when Mephisto asked. So, I searched online for any events happening in Kuoh Town and managed to find a plausible excuse.
I could get a souvenir for the Milky Magicians and have a reason to go to Kuoh Town at the same time. It might seem a little strange, but I think it's within the realm of coincidence. I know from my past life's knowledge that Kuoh Town is treated as devil territory, but Kanata Kuramoto doesn't know that yet. I happened to go to Kuoh Town to get a souvenir and was surprised to find devils there. I think I can pass it off as a coincidence. And when I'm looking for the Hyoudou residence, I can just say I wanted to wander around a bit since it's my first time in the town. That should probably be fine.
I am a genuine eleven-year-old child. If I say I went out of childish curiosity, I might get scolded for being reckless, but I think they would understand. I might get a lecture or a disappointed look, but that's better than being suspected of something. The best-case scenario is that nothing happens at all. If I can accomplish my goal without being found by any devils or anyone from the underworld, that would be a huge success. At the very least, I think I can handle any run-of-the-mill devil or Fallen Angel by dropping Mephisto's and Azazel's names. It's pathetic, like a fox borrowing a tiger's might, but nothing is more important than my life.
"Okay, so first I'll go to the department store and watch the show. I'll get the first souvenir there, then I'll ask someone who looks like they might be willing to part with theirs and get the second one. There should be adults with their kids watching, so if I say I want one, they'll probably give it to me. After that, I'll explore the town."
The thought of a boy like me watching a Milky show is a little embarrassing, but I don't know anyone in Kuoh Town. It's far from where I live, so there's no chance of anyone I know seeing me. I'll probably stand out a bit among all the little girls, but I was prepared for that. If it got too heart-wrenching, I was thinking of using my Sacred Gear to thin my presence a little, but it seems there was a hero even braver than me, so my own presence naturally faded.
Behind me, there was a figure standing with a majestic presence. The rest of the audience seemed to be trying their best to focus on the show and pretend the person behind them didn't exist. I cautiously looked back and saw an overwhelming giant of a man. The well-honed muscles belonged to either a famous professional wrestler or a god of destruction. His sharp, straight gaze was fixed on Magical Girl Milky.
"Is that... Mill-tan?" I whispered fearfully.
On second thought, this is Kuoh Town, and it's a Milky-related event, so it might not be strange for Mill-tan to be here. But the reason I couldn't be sure was that the muscular man wasn't wearing a magical girl outfit. He was just in a normal T-shirt and jeans.
That's strange. If it were Mill-tan, he would absolutely be wearing a frilly outfit, no matter the place. A hulking, muscular, gothic-lolita, cat-eared man-girl not in costume? That's impossible. That should be his normal, correct appearance, but at this point, I feel like my own way of thinking is the strange part.
I can't be sure. What's going on? Is this the era where Mill-tan is interested in magical girls but hasn't yet decided to become one himself? Or is he someone else? Damn it, I can't focus on the show at all with the giant man behind me. I had to respect the magical girl playing Milky for being able to perform as usual in this atmosphere. The person playing the villain was clearly startled by the sight of the giant. You're amazing, Milky. Keep it up, Milky.
And so, the chaotic Milky show ended with a huge round of applause after Milky successfully defeated the villain and saw it through to the end. I feel like it was a different kind of battle, but all's well that ends well, right? The presence behind me was so overwhelming that I couldn't stop my own cold sweat.
"Here you go. A keychain to commemorate the Milky show."
"Ah, thank you."
Since I was in the audience, a woman who seemed to be a staff member gave me a souvenir keychain modeled after Milky's transformation scene. There were a few unexpected things, but I guess I had accomplished my goal. I was about to put the keychain in my backpack so I wouldn't lose it when—
Tch!!
I thought it was killing intent... No, there was no malice, but I was being watched very intently. I slowly looked back again, and there he was, the incarnation of muscle. The only difference from before was that his gaze was now fixed on me like a dagger. …Did I do something to anger this god of destruction? A nervous sweat ran down my back. Ah, wait, miss staff member. Don't just leave a locked-on elementary school student here with a plastered smile on your face and scurry away.
What am I supposed to do, being stared at by this giant? I glanced at him again and noticed something. It seemed his gaze wasn't on me, but on my hand. On a hunch, I tried moving the Milky keychain I had just received to the side, and the piercing gaze moved with it. Does this mean what I think it means?
None of the staff members distributing the keychains were trying to talk to the muscle-man who looked like he could have single-handedly taken down a dozen dojos. He would look at my keychain, then glance at a nearby staff member, but none of them would meet his gaze. It was understandable in a way, but does this mean that man wants a keychain?
If it were Mill-tan, he would probably have boldly declared, "Mill-tan wants one too, nyo," but the T-shirt-clad man seemed to be shy. Of course, if I was mistaken, he could probably crush me with those tree-trunk-like arms. Hmm, but what should I do? Should I get a keychain for him? If I don't, I feel like no one will be saved—not him, nor the staff members who are receiving his intense gaze.
"...Um, excuse me. If you don't mind, it seems that person over there wants a keychain too, so could you give him one—or would it be okay if I gave it to him?"
When I tried to ask the staff member, she started trembling, so I declared with a strained smile. A Milky keychain was smoothly placed in my hand. So you were concerned too, miss staff member. And you're just going to leave it to an elementary school student. Well, I'm the one who offered, so I'll do it.
"Um, excuse me... This is a keychain, but do you want it? I saw you staring at it, so I thought maybe you did."
With a smile plastered on my face, I resolved to go for it. At my courageous act, time seemed to stop as everyone around me froze. Excuse me, everyone. Don't just watch with bated breath, could you give me some support or something? Even I, who have built up some courage from being chased by dragons, have my legs trembling a little.
As I spoke with the keychain in hand, his gaze, sharp enough to pierce, was fixed on me. The silence continued for a few seconds, and honestly, I didn't feel like I was alive during that time. Then, a hand large enough to lightly crush my head was quietly extended, and I cautiously placed the keychain on it. The feeling was exactly like a first contact with an alien species. You know, like when they touch index fingers.
"...Thank you, nyo."
"Ah, you're welcome."
His voice was, as expected, incredibly deep. Surprisingly husky, maybe. And an incredibly mismatched sentence-ender was tacked on, but for some reason, I felt relieved by it. I began to question my own sanity. For the sake of my peace of mind, I decided not to think about it anymore.
As expected of Kuoh Town. To have such an encounter... A place with deep ties to the original story is no joke. And so, the fourth name on my memorable list of original story encounters was probably Mill-tan (pre-awakening).
***
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