Chapter 23

Modern fantasy. A blend of science, magic, and school life. It sounds like a game that could be made, but what would actually happen if it were real?

If this were a medieval fantasy, one could show off their knowledge of the periodic table with a smug look, explaining how adding oxygen increases the power of fire. Honestly, I think the laws of physics would be different with magic, but that's the general idea.

But what if you were reincarnated into a modern fantasy world? A magic user with scientific knowledge would create magical machines. Could a reincarnated person make a TV? Could they use their knowledge to dominate? Explaining that blue flames are hotter, something even a child knows, wouldn't impress anyone.

So, what would a reincarnated person do?

It's simple.

A TV can be used by pressing a button on the remote. In my previous life, remotes had so many buttons that I couldn't use them properly.

What I'm trying to say is:

"Looking forward to the 'Floating Board,' Tamamo-chan!"

I'll just play without thinking too much. In this modern fantasy world, the magical technology in the novel surpasses the scientific technology of my previous life. After all, it can transcend the laws of physics.

There are also some interesting toys. Like the toys the protagonist saw in the future while riding the Dendrobium. The car's name, Dendrobium, was a time machine, right?

After school, we walked for a while. Miu walked happily with her gray hair flowing. She was accompanied by Tamamo and three other girls. Yami went home because she had training. She hasn't been hanging out much lately. Children need to play a lot when they're young, or they'll have a backlash when they grow up, so I plan to invite her next time, even if it's forced.

"We're here!"

Tamamo, holding a fox in her arms, said with a smile. In front of us was a huge facility with a sign that read "Shinatsuki Magic Children's Amusement Park."

It's not just a game center, but it's similar.

"Tamamo is the best!"

Tamamo put the fox on her shoulder and entered with a joyful laugh. The other children followed, squealing with delight. Of course, I, who is mentally an adult, watched them with a warm gaze and entered slowly.

"I won't lose! Wait for me!"

I thought that, but my body was dragged along, and Miu, with her gray hair flowing, ran after them.

Inside, the air conditioning was on, and a cool breeze caressed my skin. I had been sweating a little, but it quickly dried. I need to be careful not to catch a cold.

The ceiling was high, and it was a five-story building with an open floor. The grounds were so large that they could fit two soccer fields.

Many children were playing and laughing. They were from nearby schools. There were automatic ticket gates, and the children took out their annual passes from their backpacks and swiped them to enter. The entrance fee is usually 500 yen, but everyone had an annual pass. The annual pass costs 20,000 yen. The children at our school, all from wealthy families, could easily get their parents to buy it. The park is designed for children's play, and it's perfect for physical activities.

My parents in my previous life would never have bought it, thinking it was a waste. But my family is quite wealthy. Yami strongly recommended this school. I actually earn money. Occasionally, the Teisei family asks me to heal their injured, and I use recovery magic.

It's okay to praise me for working at this age. My parents pat my head and praise me. They don't ask how much I earn. They're raising me, so I contribute to the household expenses. Anyway, I'll earn a lot when I become an adventurer at 12.

The reason they bring injured people to me is probably to let me practice recovery magic. I can't say I won't fail because it's a game setting. I only fail when I receive a stun attack or a magic seal.

So, I took out my annual pass from my backpack, swiped it at the automatic ticket gate, and caught up with everyone.

Miu was still mistaken, thinking that recovery mages were common. This was to prevent her from developing a distorted personality by making her feel special from a young age. Her parents didn't want her to know that she had a secret bodyguard. The Teisei family's skilled guards were always protecting her, but knowing this would cause her a lot of stress.

Inside, there were several counters for various games using magical devices. Holograms on the pillars showed the reservation status, available games, and event schedules.

The park targets wealthy children, so there's also a food corner selling light snacks.

"The wealth gap is so obvious."

The children are well-dressed, and some are accompanied by maids or butlers. They must be from noble families. My friends include both nobles and commoners, but they are mostly from the upper class.

"I remember, there's a slum on the other side. There are people who can't even afford their next meal and dangerous groups."

In this world, there are nobles, commoners, and the poor. The author of "Magical Night" probably thought that having a wealth gap would make the story more interesting. Where there is light, there is also darkness.

But there's no point in thinking about it. I'm in third grade. There's nothing I can do. My job is to protect my family and get stronger. Of course, I'll protect Yami and the others.

Tamamo was already at the 'Floating Board' counter, filling out the necessary information on the touch screen.

"Done, Chon-chan!"

Chon-chan, perched on her shoulder, puffed out his chest, and Tamamo proudly announced it.

"Yay, I'm looking forward to it!"

"Okay, I'll beat you today, Tamamo-chan."

"Let's go to the food corner later."

The other children also raised their hands excitedly. They are Nan-chan, Sei-chan, and Hokusan-chan, cute little girls.

"Thanks, Tamamo-chan! Let's go!"

Tamamo handed us our cards with a smile and ran to the changing room.

In the changing room, there was no need to be shy. I've been a girl for nine years, so I'm used to it. I still feel a bit guilty and sinful, though. Since I have a male mind, I get embarrassed around mature women.

Everyone changed into tight, mechanical leotard-like impact-absorbing suits and moved to the 'Floating Board' junior section. The suits are so tight that they're embarrassing, but there's no choice. When I get older, I'll probably have trouble looking at the other girls.

The 'Floating Board' is a game where you ride a floating board. I think you can tell that the technology is far more advanced than in my previous life just by looking at the children's toys.

There's a spacious hall like a gym and race tubes set up in the air. The floor is soft like slime, so you won't get hurt if you fall. The tubes are transparent and called soap tubes. Even if you collide, you'll just feel like you hit a bubble and won't get hurt.

There's a note that it's safe up to 20 km/h.

"I'll take this board that's good for sharp turns."

The 'Floating Board' is like a skateboard without wheels. Tamamo grabbed one and hopped around, heading for the hall.

The board you choose reflects your personality. The other children also picked their boards and headed to the hall, laughing and giggling.

I looked at the boards on the wall, wondering which one to choose. The most popular board, with average acceleration and turning speed, was all gone. Some boards hadn't been chosen at all.

"I'll take this one!"

I picked up a board that hadn't been chosen and ran to join my friends. The other children's boards were thin and colorful, but mine was thick and plain.

"Ah, you're taking the Demon King board again."

Tamamo puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction. The other children were also laughing at my odd choice, so I smiled brightly in response.

"Let's play!"

When I pressed the button on the side of my helmet, a bubble enveloped my face. This ensures complete safety. The 'Floating Board' is a low-altitude flying game, so it's designed to be as safe as possible.

"Okay, let's activate the 'Floating Board 152.'"

Hokusan-chan was the first to activate her 'Floating Board,' which glowed with a mysterious blue light and floated. It's the power of the magical board.

Unlike a skateboard, it floats about a meter above the ground. When you ride it and focus, it moves as if it has an engine.

The junior boards can reach up to 20 km/h, but the hall is for practice, so we move slowly. Once we get used to the 'Floating Board,' we can race in the tubes.

"Here we go!"

Sei-chan immediately got on her board and started moving around the hall. We've played this many times, so we're used to it.

The other children also got on their boards and glided into the hall. Flying and playing in the air is like a fantasy. I quickly fell in love with this game because of my memories from my previous life.

"Me too!"

I activated my 'Floating Board' and tried to enter the hall, but I was the only one moving slowly. This board has extremely poor acceleration.

Sei-chan and the others could activate their 'Floating Boards' without being mages, which is why mages aren't seen as dangerous and aren't rejected.

The 'Floating Board' uses a magic stone as an energy source, which anyone can activate. This is why magic is widespread in this world. Some might say that even non-mages can fight, but when using a magic stone, you can only use the magic power it contains.

For example, it's fixed at a magic power of 10. Mages have much higher magic power. Therefore, mages are much better in combat than using up magic stones. Of course, there are exceptions, like a mobile weapon equipped with high-rank magic stones.

But in daily life, even low-magic stones can do fun things. There are also weight-reducing pallets and floating belts. The former is useful for transportation, and the latter for construction, making them extremely convenient.

So, even without magic, people don't feel hostile towards mages because magic is so common. Of course, there are exceptions, just like in my previous life. It's impossible for everyone to agree on a system.

In short, magic is a part of daily life for the majority of people, and mages are recognized as ordinary members of society because they fight monsters.

I love the magic system because it always excites me.

I slowly glided through the hall. It's not very exhilarating, but it's fun. Some children intentionally fell on the slime floor to enjoy the squishy feeling.

"Pfft, look at that guy. He's moving slower than a baby."

"Is it his first time? He shouldn't have chosen such a slow board."

"He should have picked a different board."

I tried not to fall while moving at an immeasurably slow speed, and the naughty kids started teasing me. Well, it's slow, and I'm a pretty girl, so they want to tease me.

I smiled sweetly at the naughty kids with my ice-blue eyes, and they blushed and looked away. I understand. Miu is a pretty girl.

I was satisfied with the quiet naughty kids and tried to glide slowly again, but Tamamo zoomed up beside me.

"Hey, En-chan, let's have a race!"

The cute fox girl, Tamamo, is quite competitive. She probably wants to show the naughty kids that I'm not to be underestimated. She's a good friend.

Her eyes glinted with a predatory light, and I smiled back.

"Sure, let's have a race."

I love races. I'm in.