Chapter 8

### Previous Summary

Hikaru: "Mekemo! Homuradama! Gurenkainer!"

Arma: "What is he doing?"

*There may be differences from the previous content (ry

...Hello.

Well, I messed up a bit during my training.

I was frustrated because I couldn't properly recreate the magic blade, so I was playing around with a makeshift magic sword to change my mood, and Arma saw me.

She's now demanding an explanation for that.

It's not what you think... It was just a momentary impulse...

"Do you have a few questions to ask?"

"Yes."

I instinctively used formal language. She's not angry, but her serious expression is quite intimidating.

"Even though you can't acquire the skill, you were using magic?"

"Yes. I can't acquire the skill yet, but when I tried to manipulate the magic power directly, it somehow worked."

"Directly manipulate magic power!? It somehow worked!?"

Arma was surprisingly loud and shocked. I hope I'm not breaking character. Is it okay?

"So, about that flaming sword, to be honest, it's just a more advanced version of a daily magic spell. I just wrapped the sword with combustible magic power and ignited it."

"No, it's quite different from the daily magic I know. Rather, it's completely different."

No, it's the same. Really.

"Well, it looks flashy, but it doesn't really increase the attack power much, and it's not practical for real combat."

"Still, I want to learn how to do it. Please, Hikaru."

Uh, those teary, pleading eyes are unfair. I can't say no...

So, I tried to recreate it, but my MP ran out. Oh no.

Arma looked like she was about to cry, and I felt an unprecedented sense of guilt. I'm really sorry!

...I'll treat her to a more luxurious dinner tonight.

### The Next Day

At the usual training ground, I decided to teach her the makeshift magic sword from the morning.

Hmm... I don't think it will be useful to learn, but if it makes her happy, that's fine.

"By the way, can you adjust the power, speed, or shape of fireballs when using attack magic?"

"Not much, but I can weaken the power or control it. However, I can't make it stronger."

Hmm, so the skill isn't completely automatic.

You can adjust the power to some extent.

"Alright, before using that flaming sword... magic sword, you need to do some preparation."

"Preparation? Direct manipulation of magic power?"

"Exactly. I'll teach you that. If you can freely shape attack magic, you can wrap it around a sword, but that seems impossible."

"Right. Even if I could, I wouldn't have thought of it. How did you come up with the idea of a magic sword, Hikaru?"

"Well, since I can't use skills, I spend a lot of time imagining what I could do with magic."

That's a lie. It's from my knowledge of manga and games.

Especially the image of a technique from the early stages of a certain great adventure manga, where the character sends out a slash wrapped in lightning.

Stop looking at me with such innocent admiration. It hurts my heart.

"Let's start by feeling the magic power inside your body."

"Umm, okay."

I'm acting like a know-it-all, but I'm not sure if this is the right way to teach.

But to respond to Arma's desire to use it, I'm trying to teach her seriously.

"Can you try firing an attack magic at nothing?"

"Okay, I understand."

She fired a fireball at the nearby ground. It caused a small explosion and scorched the ground.

Well, the result of the magic being fired doesn't matter. The important thing is the one who fired it.

"Arma, you used 8 magic points to fire the fireball. Could you feel the magic power leaving your body from your palm?"

"Um, sorry, I couldn't really tell."

Well, for people in this world, magic power is something that's just there.

It's like asking if you can feel the movement of blood in your body. Of course, you can't.

"...Wait? How do you know how much magic power I used?"

...Oh no, I slipped.

Well, it's about time I told her.

Arma won't tell others about the menu.

"I didn't explain it before. For some reason, since I woke up in the forest, I can see a screen that shows the status and effects of people and objects, like an appraisal skill."

"...It's better not to tell others about that. I can accept anything from Hikaru, but to normal people, it's clearly strange."

"Right. I understand. That's why I only told you. And I'm not as open to anything as you think."

"...If that's the case, it's fine."

Her reaction was milder than I expected. I thought she would point out that I looked at people's statuses without permission, but she doesn't seem to mind?

"Okay, this time, extend your hand in front of you."

"Um, like this?"

Arma makes a pose like a zombie. It's a bit surreal. One hand is fine, though.

This time, I remotely manipulated my magic power and made it touch Arma's right hand.

"Kyaa!? What is it?"

She let out a small scream, surprised by the sudden touch of magic.

...It feels like harassment even though I'm not touching her directly. It's not a case, though.

"Sorry, I startled you. Did you feel anything just now?"

"Something warm and fluffy touched my right hand..."

"I made my magic power touch your right hand. That warm, fluffy feeling is the magic power needed to use magic and skills."

"That was magic power..."

She murmured, looking curious as the magic power touched her right hand.

It seems she could feel it when it touched her from the outside.

"How about your own magic power? Can you feel it?"

"...I can't."

Well, just being touched by magic power isn't enough to feel it.

I have no choice. If I touch her too much, the ghost in my head might start acting up, but I can't think of any other way.

"Arma, I know it might be uncomfortable, but can I hold your hand?"

"Um, sure. And I don't mind."

Alright, I'll lightly hold her right hand.

...This is necessary for the lesson. It's not a case, I'm telling you!

"I'm going to send my magic power into your hand. Try to push it back with your own magic power and release it from your hand."

"Huh? What?"

She looks confused, but I can't explain it well either! Practice is the only way!

I slowly started to send my magic power into her hand.

"Hmm!? Something is entering my hand...!?"

She seems to be feeling the flowing magic power, despite her confusion.

...However, it's a bit refreshing to see Arma, who is usually expressionless and quiet, react so exaggeratedly.

Okay, okay, it's a case. Say whatever you want.

"Can you feel the magic power inside your palm? Try to push it back. Can you do it?"

"...! Ugh..."

"Imagine it. Move it like you move your fingers, breathe, or open and close your eyes. Move the magic power inside your body as if it's something you can do naturally."

"Suuu... Haaa..."

As I said, she actually started moving her fingers and breathing deeply. No, it's just an analogy...

"When you use magic, you can manipulate the magic power inside your body, even if you rely on skills. You can definitely do it... Oh?"

"Huuuuu..."

She exhaled deeply, and I could feel the magic power being pushed back from her palm.

I see, she's using the image of exhaling to release the magic power from her palm.

She's already got the hang of it. This girl is amazing, she's learning so fast.

"Good job. Can you feel the magic power inside your body?"

"I think I can, kind of."

"At first, just feeling it inside your body is enough. Let's practice moving the magic power freely for a while."

"Okay..."

She closed her eyes and focused on manipulating the magic power.

However, I thought she would struggle more, but she picked it up so quickly. Direct manipulation of magic power is supposed to be extremely difficult, but even without being from another world, she can use it normally.

When I could use magic without skills, I started to think I might be special, but that wasn't the case. Yeah, that's me...

### Afterward

She continued practicing magic power manipulation for about three hours without moving.

Are you okay? Aren't your legs tired? That's some serious concentration.

Is she really that passionate about using that makeshift magic sword? Where does that enthusiasm come from?

...Is she thinking about getting even with those three girls and trying to become a bit stronger?

"Arma, let's take a break. It's almost lunchtime."

"...Okay."

She took a few steps toward me and then collapsed from the knees.

"...Are you okay?"

"...My legs are numb..."

She was too focused. Good job.

During lunch, she kept staring at her palm while chewing the grilled rice ball I made. Take a break.

After lunch, we took a one-hour break, but she kept her eyes closed and remained still.

She looks like she's sleeping, but she's still practicing magic power manipulation. Enough already! Take a break...!

Thank you for reading.