Chapter 6

Here, I would like to touch on the ☆ mark used in the story.

Basically, this mark, which appears between sentences, signifies a scene transition.

However, as in the third episode, there are times when a ★ mark is used.

This is used when the narrative is not from Seiya's perspective.

When the ☆ mark reappears, it indicates that the perspective has returned.

That's the general idea, so I hope you can keep it in mind from now on.

Suddenly, I would like to take this opportunity to restate something.

I, Seiya Nakajo, cannot chant spells.

Magic is an unknown force that cannot be proven by modern science. Some can set objects on fire, some can make objects float, and some can make objects disappear. It is a general term for powers that cannot be explained by the mechanisms of modern science.

How much time has passed since magicians rose to the forefront of the stage? If you watch old TV anime, you will see many magical girls and the like using familiars and casting spells with magic wands, eliminating evil with their ultimate techniques. However, in reality, such whimsical things are not used.

Magic conductor. Commonly known as a Magic Conductor.

It is sometimes abbreviated as MC, but that is fine. In any case, this machine serves as a replacement for a magic wand.

The usage is simple. You just need to set it on your arm or leg. You just need to wrap a belt around it. It may not look as good as a wand, but such things are not necessary in actual combat.

However, if you are asked whether anyone can use magic with just this MC, the answer is No. Magic is influenced by innate talent. Without magical energy, a person cannot survive. In other words, a person with zero magical power cannot exist. However, while everyone has magical power, the capacity varies. Some have such a small amount that they cannot materialize magic, while others have an overwhelming amount of magical power.

Just because you have an MC does not mean that everyone can become an equal magician.

Magic is generally activated by chanting spells.

This is because the magic power dormant within one's body is guided and refined into magic through sound. There are two main types of spell chanting: "Activation Key" and "Release Key."

The "Activation Key" is, as the name suggests, a key used to activate magic power. Any sound can be used. It is only for the purpose of circulating and activating the magic power dormant within one's body and is not directly related to the manifestation of magic. In other words, it can be constructed with a sequence of sounds of one's choice.

The other "Release Key" is, as the name implies, a key that transforms and releases the activated and circulated magic power into the form of magic. Unlike the Activation Key, not any sound can be used.

This is only natural. After all, this sound is the source of magic. It serves as the core that forms magic. There are two types of Release Keys: an original key created by oneself and an official key recognized by the World Magic Council.

The World Magic Council is an organization for magicians, by magicians, and for magicians... not exactly, but it is a global institution composed of magicians. It holds all the authority related to magic and conducts magic qualification exams, laws, and the designation of forbidden spells.

Basically, the latter is used. It is not something that can be done to manifest magic with an original spell. If, by some chance, it can be done, an application must be made to the Magic Council. If it is proven that it can be used not only by the individual but also by others (here, "others" refers only to those who can use magic), it will officially become an official key, and the developer will be able to leave their name in the "Comprehensive Spell Book," an officially recognized spell book.

This is the mechanism of what is called spell chanting. Magicians follow this style to chant spells and activate magic.

In short, the MC is, as its name suggests, merely an auxiliary tool for conducting magic power from the inside to the outside. While it is indeed a tool that facilitates the process of manifesting magic, its absence does not mean that all magic is unusable (of course, if one is inexperienced, relying on the MC and having magic go out of control without it is possible).

The same goes for chanting. As one becomes accustomed to magic, it becomes possible to manifest magic without relying on the power of sound. The Release Key, which forms the core of magic, is merely a sound that stimulates the transformation of magic into a certain form and is not a physical core. A highly skilled magician can stimulate the magic power dormant within their body and manifest magic as they please without using sound. This is generally referred to as "Chanting Abandonment" or "Non-Chanting" in the world.

☆

It was a good decision to contact Mr. Taisaku in advance. The fabricated story that "I came to this school to overcome my inability to chant spells" was apparently explained by Mr. Shiraishi while I and Mai were away.

Therefore, the voices from my classmates were mostly cheers like "Good luck" and "I'll support you," which made me feel a flood of guilt.

"What were you doing over there?"

"The same as here. I just flew over there due to family circumstances, not for any grand purpose. I was a regular student and came back as a regular student."

"It's amazing that you can sum it up so simply. Didn't you have a language barrier?"

"Hehe. I realized that with determination, anything is possible over there."

I dodged the questions with non-committal answers. With each word, the facts were being rewritten into fiction. It was inevitable, though.

"Did you go to a magic school over there?"

"Yeah. In reality, I can hardly use offensive or defensive magic. I struggled a lot in practical classes."

"But, you have more than enough magical power to make up for it, right?"

"It's a waste of a good thing."

"Is it something to envy or a complicated matter?"

"Human beings desire what they don't have. Just as you may envy me, I envy you. The difference between being able to chant or not is significant."

"...You sound mature."

"I don't think so..."

I couldn't help but smile wryly at that comment. Thanks to my master, I have reached a certain level of enlightenment.

"...And, I think this is a question that everyone here wants to ask."

A female student suddenly made a suggestive prelude.

"...?"

"What is your relationship with Hanazono?"

I couldn't help but laugh inwardly. For a moment, I glanced at Mai, who was not part of this circle, but she had her back turned, and I couldn't tell her reaction.

Just as I was wondering how to answer, the bell rang, saving me.

☆

Lunch break.

As soon as the bell rang, two female students stood up. They were Hanazono Mai and Himeyuri Karen. They left the classroom hurriedly. Since they both took the same action, I thought they were going to eat together, but I quickly changed my mind. Mai had said they didn't get along. Probably, they would eat alone. No, Himeyuri has a younger sister, so she would probably eat with her.

...Still.

"Making such a wall, you won't be able to make friends..."

"What do you mean by 'wall'?"

"Whoa!?"

I was startled by a sudden voice from the side. There stood the usual trio of Shou, Toru, and Shuhei.

"Let's go to the cafeteria."

"It's not a bento, right?"

"Yeah, let's do that."

I gratefully accepted their invitation and stood up, glancing at the empty desk next to mine.

...I don't think she's the kind of person who should be avoided.

I remembered how she secretly helped me with the answers during the first period. Her reaction when I thanked her didn't seem snobbish, and I even thought she seemed easy to get along with...

"Hey, let's go."

"Ah, yeah. I'm coming."

I seemed to have kept them waiting outside the classroom. I cut off my thoughts and left the classroom.

☆

The cafeteria was quite spacious.

I had expected it to be spacious since Shou and the others didn't run to get seats, but I didn't expect it to be this big. Indeed, with this size, there would be no need to rush. Like the dormitory cafeteria, takeout is also available, so there's no need to hurry.

"Let's go buy tickets."

I joined the line in front of the ticket machine and stood in front of the machine in a few minutes. I took out my coin purse from my pocket and checked the contents. 150 yen remaining. Last night's dinner was a ginger pork bowl that Shou and the others brought back, which cost 350 yen. The low price is a feature of a cafeteria for students, but it's not the case for me. What should I do about meals from now on?

Rather, what about today's lunch...

I looked at the colorful menu and reluctantly pressed the cheapest option.

☆

"Still, you're quite popular, aren't you?"

"Huh? Really?"

I was surprised by Shou's unexpected comment while slurping plain udon in the cafeteria.

"Is it true that good looks are justice? Even with a slightly evil look, it's manageable."

I haven't heard "good-looking" in a while.

"I can clearly tell that your words are filled with nothing but malice."

I resumed slurping the udon.

"You guys aren't bad either, you know."

Shou gives a somewhat silly impression but isn't bad, and Toru's long bangs give a gender-neutral impression, which I think highlights his well-defined face. As for Shuhei, he is a flawless good-looking guy. Damn, I'm starting to feel like I'm losing.

Well, I might be losing to these two, but not to Shou.

"But, Seiya's hair is quite impressive, isn't it?"

"Huh? Oh, this?"

I pinched my bangs. There was the familiar white hair.

"That white hair is quite impactful, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is. But, I didn't choose to have it this way."

"Sure. The story about the pigment loss due to the side effects of enormous magical power is hard to believe at first."

Shuhei muttered this while looking at my hair. We had already talked about my hair yesterday, so there was no need to explain it again.

"I don't think it's hard to believe. Mai's red hair is also due to the genetics of a family with enormous magical power, and Himeyuri Karen's... oh, she had black hair, didn't she?"

"That's it, Seiya."

"What's it?"

I tilted my head at Toru's incomprehensible comment.

"The way you call the two young ladies. Why do you call Himeyuri by her full name, but call Hanazono by her first name? Do you know her well?"

"Oh, I see."

I understood what he was wondering about. Well, there's no need to hide this.

"We're childhood friends. We used to play together. But we drifted apart after I went to America."

"Childhood friends!?"

Shou suddenly roared and stood up.

"...Yeah?"

"Y-You..."

"What?"

"Blue-blooded brat!"

"Whoa, sorry. I couldn't help it."

I instinctively put my knee out as Shou lunged at me. My knee, which hit his stomach in a counter-like move, seemed to have caused significant damage. He groaned and crouched on the spot.

"I don't think Seiya is to blame."

"Yeah, the one who acted recklessly and got hit is to blame."

Toru and Shuhei said this without a hint of sympathy.

"But, is Seiya doing something?"

"What do you mean?"

I tilted my head again at Toru's question.

"Your movements. They don't look like those of an amateur. They are quick and precise."

"Oh, I see."

I understood the meaning of the question with Shuhei's additional words.

"I have some martial arts skills. Since I can't use magic, I often rely on physical combat in practical classes."

"I see. From what I saw yesterday, you seem to have strength and stamina. I think it's a good choice. Even without chanting, you can use a certain level of magic, right?"

"...I'm surprised. You're right."

I didn't expect that from the fragmented information so far, he would understand my fundamental magic style. I need to raise my evaluation of Shuhei even further.

"What I'm good at is close combat using body enhancement magic. In other words, it's a fist fight."

Being a magician or not is irrelevant. I use magic, but...

"I'm the same!!"

"Whoa!?"

Shou suddenly raised his head and shouted, making me flinch a bit.

"I'm also into close combat, physical battles!! Men should speak with their fists!!"

"...No, I don't think I'm fighting for the dignity of men."

"Ahaha. Then, a battle between Seiya and Shou might be interesting."

"Indeed. There aren't many in our class who can keep up with Shou's close combat skills."

"So, there is someone?"

"There is someone, I guess."

Toru gave an ambiguous answer.

"Our two proud young ladies have never revealed their skills in this area."

"The young ladies generally don't show their strength in practical classes. They only do so when they are designated as opponents for a one-on-one match. When that happens, it's like a war with powerful magic flying around."

"That sounds scary."

I gave an honest reaction to Shuhei's explanation.

"It's not just scary. The teachers who saw it never designated them as opponents again. So, the magic war has only been recreated twice so far."

...So, once in the first year and once in the second year. If it happens during our time, it would be in the third year. Well, even if a new teacher takes over, they would learn from the tragedy that happened twice.

"Well, that's why the young ladies' close combat skills remain a mystery."

"I think it's better if they remain a mystery forever."

If I ever encounter such a terrifying scene, I'll use a transfer magic and run away with all my might, regardless of any secrets.

"Next is the magic practical class. It's not an exaggeration to say I came to school today for this."

No, that is an exaggeration.

"Shou, do you like practical classes that much?"

"Of course! Studying by burying my face in a book doesn't suit me at all."

Well, that's true. If you were a bookworm, I'd go to the eye doctor for a thorough check-up.

"So, if today's class is practical, let's have a match!!"

"I don't know what you mean, but I'll decline. Hmm. Maybe I'll skip the afternoon classes."

"What? Why? It's a magic practical class!!"

"Well, I can't use magic properly, so the practical class is painful."

"Ugh... I see... Sorry."

"No, no. I didn't mean it that way. I'm sorry. It was a bit of a mean comeback."

Actually, I didn't mean it that way. I just said it because I was bothered, and it felt bad to be apologized to like that.

Shuhei and Toru are also... how should I put it...

Yes. They know when to back off.

No matter how silly the conversation gets, they never touch on things you don't want to be touched or delve into things you don't want to be delved into. The fact that these three were the first friends I made after returning to Japan and are such considerate people is undoubtedly a stroke of luck for me.

...So, from now on, I need to be more careful too.

"Can't be helped, I guess..."

He scratched his head and muttered. I caught Shuhei and Toru looking at me with "What's going on?" expressions out of the corner of my eye. I faced Shou directly.

"If the next class is a practical mock battle... I'll fight you."

"Really!?"

Shou shouted happily. I wanted to keep my abilities hidden until the mission was completed, but to some extent, it can't be helped.

Thinking that, I nodded firmly to Shou.