A Danger to Society [1.3]

The Chief frowned, "You don't remember?"

"Not one bit." I responded feeling a bit irritated.

The Chief looked at the Captain, "What did the bystanders at the scene say?"

The Captain spoke, "The people all said that her parents have died. After her mother's death, they hadn't seen or heard from the girl for almost a year. No one knew that she had dug up her mother's body and had been conducting necromancy."

He nodded, "I see…" He turned to me with a smile, "Now, Reika. I know you said you can't remember what happened. But could you try to tell me the last thing you remember?"

I frowned and closed my eyes. I spoke as I recounted my last memory, "I was in the art gallery showing around a school group… Then I… No… That's not right…" I felt the memory disappearing quickly in my head. I knocked my head trying to bring it back. However, I could feel it getting hazier and hazier the more I tried to recall it. I shook my head, "I was at the art gallery. But now… Where am I? What is this place? Why do I look like this?"

He frowned slightly and turned to the Captain behind me, "You said there was evidence of a magic backlash?"

The Captain nodded and filled him in, "Yes. When we arrived, the magic was fluctuating wildly. It all seemed to be occurring near this girl. It was obvious that she was the one who caused it."

He sighed and leaned back in his chair, "It must be then." He turned to me with his smile back. He spoke in a soft voice, "Now Reika. You are suffering from a magic backlash. What you did pushed the boundaries of what you were capable of. Magic must be respected. If you get greedy, it will punish you. It seems that your memory loss is a result."

I rubbed my head and muttered to myself, "Memory loss?... No, I think it's probably because I am in another world."

He looked confused, "Another world?"

I guess it is only natural for someone to think I was mentally unstable after saying I was in another world. Looks like I need to lie my way out of this to avoid ending up in an asylum…. Although… I wonder if an asylum would have art therapy… No. I doubt it would. If they still use the word commoner, I bet they still force people in asylums to take ice baths and get electrocuted. I would rather avoid that.

I gave him a forced smile and lied effortlessly, "This is something my mother always said. I was a weird child so I must be from another world."

He scratched his head, "Oh. I see. I suppose that makes sense. Well, Reika. I need to ask you some more questions. So please bear with me."

I nodded, "Please ask me anything. I will answer truthfully."

He chuckled, "I don't think that will be a problem."

Wait, why not? Does he believe children won't lie? This man is strange.

He looked at me closely as if trying to psychoanalyze me, "Do you consider yourself a danger to society?"

I tilted my head, "A danger to society?"

He nodded, "You committed a treasonous act of Necromancy. If you believe yourself to be a danger, then we won't be able to allow you back into society."

"Back into society?!" The Captain repeated dumbfounded by his suggestion, but the Chief ignored it.

"I'm not a danger to society." I spoke quickly, "To be honest, I don't even know what you all are talking about."

The Chief glanced down at the key and back into my eyes. He let out a sigh of relief, "That's good. I was worried there would be a problem with releasing you. However, you don't recall using necromancy nor do you believe yourself to truly be a danger. In your case, I think the backlash of magic was a blessing in disguise. Thanks to it, you won't have to be imprisoned for the rest of your life."

My mouth dropped, "Imprisoned?!"

Even if the original body used forbidden magic, she was still just a child!! Why was the consequence life imprisonment?! Isn't that a bit too cruel!?

The Captain clicked his tongue in annoyance, "You have to be kidding. She just committed the act of necromancy in front of everyone!"

The Chief gave him a dark look that silenced him immediately. His voice was grave, "Are you some kind of idiot? You can clearly see the Key of Truth in front of her. No one is physically capable of lying when it is used. Not even the Head Magician in the Kingdom. Do you fear this child so much that you believe her to be mightier than the Head Magician?!"

The Captain lowered his head with a frown, "I wouldn't dare think so."

I glanced down at the key. The Key of Truth? What a lame name… Wait. Can it really force you to tell the truth? I'm curious… I spoke aloud, "I really love cooked carrots."

I watched as the light from the key turned from green to red, to green again. Hah. Some Key of Truth. I just told a lie and it didn't stop me at all. It must be a dud. Unless they can see the colors change as well?

The Chief glanced at me, "You like cooked carrots?"

I flinched. I nodded my head quickly, "Very much so. Yes."

He smiled at me gently, "I will remember that."

Well, I guess that means they can't see the colors change.

He changed the subject, "Reika, do you have anyone to stay with in town or nearby?"

In town? Not one bit. I shook my head, "No sir."

"I see… I will have to place you in an orphanage then… We can't have you back on the streets. It isn't safe for a child of your age. Judging by your aptitude, it would be best to place you in an orphanage that specializes in children with excessive mana. It would be bad if you were to suffer from another magic backlash."

I seriously have no idea what this man is even talking about.

He put the papers back into the folder and stood up. He spoke to the Captain, "Bring this paperwork to Secretary Lin to file. I need to find out which orphanage has availabilities."

"But-"

He interrupted the Captain, "Don't make me repeat myself." The Captain frowned and took the papers. I watched as the Captain left with an irritated huff. The Chief turned to me with a smile, "I will be back in a moment. Just relax until then. Would you like anything to drink while you wait?"

I blinked, "No… I'm fine…"

Like I would accept anything from a police officer. Especially one that just tried to throw me in prison.

He nodded, "Alright. I will be back in a moment."

I watched as he slipped the key back into his pocket and left the room. I was left to a silent room filled with reflective glass. I rubbed my forehead, "Is this seriously real?... Could it really be happening, or have I just gone crazy? Ugh… I really wish there were a book for me to read that would explain…"

I suppose I could stealthily ask someone and figure it out… But… Talking to another person?... A stranger?? No thank you. I would rather be confused.

I spent the time alone trying to put my thoughts into order. One: It would seem that I am not dreaming. (Pinching hurts.) Two: This seems like a plot from a novel. Then again, I can't really recall any, so I really have no idea. Three: Magic is real. (Yes, I pinched myself again to make sure.) Four: If I am here in this body then that would mean…. What would it mean? Tsk. I really should have given this genre more attention. I vaguely remember some school children talking about characters going to another world, but I always ignored it… Whatever. No matter what, the important thing is to stay alive and figure out how to move forward.

The Chief later came back with a smile, "Good news. I found an orphanage that will take you in."

Wonderful. Because the one thing a child wants to hear is "I found an orphanage for you." Since I didn't have much of a choice, I stood up and followed the Chief out. As he brought me out, I had to endure the burning stares of the people surrounding us again. The strange animals stepped away from me with submissive postures. It seemed like they were afraid of me. I wanted to reach out to calm them down, but I've been bit by dogs before. I learned not to bother frightened animals after that.

He noticed me staring at the strange animals and spoke, "They are probably only acting like that because you have residual magic on you. It will be gone in a few days. I wouldn't worry too much."

Why do I feel like that isn't it?

I glanced away, "I see."

He brought me outside and took me to a black carriage with two large horses standing in front of it. I blinked in disbelief. This is something that you only see in historical movies… It's kind of cool.

He opened the door, "Come inside."

I grinned, "Don't mind if I do." I sat down inside and the Chief sat down across from me. He spoke to the driver who started at his command. I was overwhelmed by the sights passing by… More importantly, the carriage was even smoother than a car. I commented to myself, "I was expecting it to be bumpier."

He chuckled, "Magic reinforces the wheels, so it won't be bumpy."

I nodded showing him I heard him. I love magic already. I can't even imagine what it would feel like to ride in a carriage without it. The roads are all brick and poorly maintained. It makes me queasy just thinking about it…

"Reika, have you ever had a familiar?"

I turned back to him, "A familiar?"

"Yes. Did you forget this as well?"

I scratched my cheek awkwardly, "No… I know what a familiar is…"

A familiar is… Let's see… For witches, it was always black cats. Although that is a bit stereotypical, that's the only kind of familiar I have heard of.

I added in a low voice, "A cat can be a familiar…"

Ahhh… I like cats so much… Cute little babies with their cute little toe beans…. Although dogs have never liked me, cats sure have… I wonder if there are any strays near the orphanage?

He chuckled, "That's true. Does that mean that you had a cat familiar?"

I shook my head, "No. I have never had one."

"Then what was your familiar?"

I tilted my head in confusion, "I don't have one."

He looked surprised, "You don't? Surely you had one when you were younger…"

"No. I've never had one."

He looked down deep in thought, "Never? Hm… I thought it just died in the explosion. I didn't think that you never had one…"

My face twitched, "Died?"

He nodded, "It was surprising to find you alive. Most people who encounter a magic backlash of that magnitude never live to tell the tale. You were different. We assumed that it meant that your familiar died to protect you."

"Died to protect me?!"

Please tell me this isn't what actually happened!!!

"Yes. The duty of a familiar is to protect and fight on behalf of their owner. Some familiars are even strong enough to take on a human form. Only individuals with strong enough mana can sign a contract with familiars that take on the human form. However, those who do can have their familiar serve them tea and take care of them."

Oh, that's messed up.

I scowled, "Wait. So you just force poor defenseless animals to serve you and fight for you?! That's so cruel!"

His face twitched in surprise, "Well… It is their job…"

I crossed my arms, "Oh? It's their job? That sounds like human entitlement to me."

He narrowed his eyes, "How old are you again?"

I shrugged, "You're the police officer. You tell me."

"Police officer?" He pondered the meaning behind this term before clearing his throat, "Well anyway… I am sure you are just a late bloomer. You will get a familiar in no time. It's important to think optimistically."

I ignored him and looked out the window. Yeah, right. I won't force a poor animal to be my slave. That is terrible. I watched the scenery pass by the window as we continued in silence. I expected to see magic being used everywhere on the street, but I was surprised to see the opposite. The world outside looked perfectly normal. You would think that these people would use magic to make their life simple, but it was the opposite. They still relied on their own hands. I guess that is the difference between my world and this world. If we had magic, we would definitely use it to have an easier life.

I noticed a large castle on a hill in the distance surrounded by a sparkling blue lake on one side and a dense forest on the other. My eyes sparkled in interest, "What's that place?"

He answered, "That's the Academy for the Magically Inclined. Only those considered natural talents can attend. It's extremely hard to get into. Especially for a commoner."

I frowned at this. Of course. This place also discriminates against commoners to the point where even they can't receive a good education. Why am I not surprised?

After a while, the carriage stopped. He spoke, "We are here."

I looked out of the window and saw a large stone building that looked a bit run down. There was a fence surrounding it with trees and bushes scattered throughout. I heard loud chatter and looked towards the sound. My face turned pale as I saw several children playing in the yard shouting and chasing each other.

He opened the door for me, "Come with me. Don't be shy."

I shook my head and grabbed the seat with all my strength, "I'm good."