Chapter 64

"Land of the Dead...?"

"I've already died once."

Ravia's eyes widened.

Hikaru began to tell her that he was originally born and raised in a country called "Japan."

A country where people with black hair and black eyes live, a place without magic but with advanced science and technology—

And then, he talked about how he died once and was "recruited" by Roland N. Zarasha, which brought him to this world.

"The condition was to kill the Count Morgstadt."

"…That’s why. It was strange. I wondered why Hikaru killed him."

"Roland was also nearing the end of his life."

"Yes… He must have wanted revenge on him."

"Hey, Ravia. I know my story sounds pretty unbelievable, but— you don’t seem very surprised."

"…I’ve heard of methods to travel to other worlds— magical ones. Of course, only from books."

"I see. So it’s not that unusual?"

"It’s not usual at all! Just because I’ve heard of it— it’s like a fairy tale world. The fact that Roland N. Zarasha not only researched it but also succeeded… that’s shocking."

"Only the afterlife can be reached, though."

"If you could return to your original world completely… would you want to, Hikaru?"

"…I don’t know."

He had never thought about it.

He believed it was impossible. Even Roland’s method could only reach the afterlife.

And if it were possible, he wasn’t sure if he would want to return.

This world, though inconvenient in many ways, was becoming familiar to him.

"Because you’re here… maybe I could return if we go together."

"———"

Her words seemed unexpected.

Ravia blinked a few times before saying,

"Don’t say things like that suddenly."

She blushed and looked away, continuing,

"…But I’m glad. When you suddenly started talking about this, I thought— you had found a way to return to your original world."

"Huh?"

"Maybe you were going to leave and tell me everything…"

"No, I’m sorry for the misunderstanding. —And there’s one more thing I need to tell you. About my— power."

Ravia nodded solemnly.

"Right. This is the main part, isn’t it? There’s still more to be surprised about."

"You don’t seem surprised, though."

"Of course, I’m excited inside."

"Are you ready, Miss?"

"Wait a moment."

Ravia took a deep breath and said,

"Yes, I’m ready."

Hikaru nodded and began.

"I have a special ability to intentionally enhance human capabilities. That’s why I, a novice in combat, can become an expert in stealth."

"Enhance human capabilities…? Is that really possible—"

"Isn’t the ‘occupation’ on the guild card the same?"

"But that’s a blessing from the gods."

"I think this ability is connected to that ‘blessing.’ Someone must have developed the guild card, right? At first, no one believed it. I think you’ll believe me once you experience it, Ravia."

"Hikaru, can you— enhance other people’s abilities too?"

"Yes. I want to enhance your abilities a bit."

Hikaru called up Ravia’s Soul Board and explained that "Soul Rank" and "age" are closely related.

"So, that’s why you sometimes run your fingers through the air…"

"What did you think I was doing?"

"Maybe it was a habit when you were thinking."

She understood.

If asked what he was doing in the future, Hikaru decided to answer that way.

"Ravia, I think you’ll need this in the future— I want to give you the basics of stealth. Is that okay?"

"……"

"Is it a no?"

Ravia’s silence.

Her reaction was unexpected, and Hikaru was surprised.

Why— perhaps she felt averse to the idea of having her abilities manipulated without her consent—

"…Hikaru, if I touch you, will your ‘stealth’ ability infect me?"

"Oh, you mean ‘Group Concealment.’ Yes."

"If you give me that— will the time we hold hands decrease?"

"Huh?"

Ravia didn’t want to enhance her ‘stealth’ ability because it would mean less time holding hands?

"……"

"H-Hikaru! Don’t look at me with that puzzled face! It’s important to me! Hikaru, you only hold my hand when it’s necessary!"

Ravia’s face turned red as she got angry.

"Sorry. From now on— I’ll hold your hand more often."

"Then… it’s okay…"

Hikaru adjusted Ravia’s Soul Board.

【Soul Board】Ravia

Age 14, Rank 29

15

【Vitality】

【Stamina】1

【Magic】

【Magic Power】11

【Magic Reasoning】2

【Elemental Affinity】

【Fire】6

【Magic Creation】1

【Agility】

【Stealth】

【Life Concealment】1

【Magic Concealment】1

【Perception Concealment】1

"Stealth— it’s about pushing your existence inward. Can you try it?"

"Y-Yes…"

Ravia thought about it, half-believing, half-doubting—

"Wow… Even though Ravia is there, her presence feels faint. If I look away and then back, I can hardly tell she’s there unless I focus."

"Really?"

"Watch this."

Hikaru activated his ‘stealth’ ability.

"…Amazing. I’ve never seen it objectively before. This is how you look to others. Even though Hikaru is there— it feels like he disappears the moment I blink."

"Having this can avoid most troublesome situations. However, people with ‘intuition’— those with such abilities— can still notice."

"This power… can the Soul Board enhance so many abilities?"

"Yes. —Do you want to hear more about what it can do?"

Ravia quietly shook her head.

"I’ve heard enough. More than enough. …Hikaru, if necessary, you can adjust my abilities without asking."

"Is that—"

"It’s okay. Really— as I said before, you saved my life. And I haven’t been able to repay you. I don’t know if I can repay you in the future. So, if it can help you… use me as you see fit."

"Ravia…"

Hikaru felt deeply, from the bottom of his heart, that she trusted him.

(It was good to talk about it.)

There was no trace of any ulterior motives or attempts to exploit him in Ravia’s reaction. No trace of any ill intentions.

(I am trusted. I am loved. So I can… trust and love her too.)

It was a warm, tingling feeling.

(Maybe, as you said, I’ve found someone I can trust. Hachimitsu-senpai)

Hikaru thought to himself.

He wondered what Hachimitsu-senpai would say if she heard these words.

Next time, from Ravia’s perspective, who seemed calm on the surface but was actually very excited inside.