Chapter 55: Field of Flowers

After feeding the kittens, Shichen left the abandoned site with Kanase Kanon. The young girl was still too young to be staying outside after school for too long.

Shichen himself could vouch for his own conduct, but Kanase Kanon's father, Kanase Kensei, wouldn't necessarily trust him. Though that man wasn't quite an upstanding person, he hadn't lost his mind yet and could still take care of Kanon.

Shichen would have loved just taking Kanon away with him, but the little girl wouldn't so easily depend on someone she had just met.

Natsuki Minamiya also hadn't gone off alone; she followed the two of them like an adult supervising two children—although her stature didn't exactly match that image.

Still, nearly everyone on Itogami Island recognized her, either as a teacher or as the "Witch of the Void." Her gothic lolita attire was far too distinctive.

Leaving the hill behind, Shichen and Kanase Kanon parted ways once they reached more populous areas, with Kanon's figure eventually disappearing from sight. Shichen then headed back to the apartment with Natsuki Minamiya.

"Now that we're going home, you can finally teach me spatial manipulation magic, right?" Shichen couldn't help feeling excited at the prospect of getting to learn magic soon.

"Mhm." Natsuki stared straight ahead. "Once we get back, take a shower and brew me some black tea, and I'll teach you."

"Awesome!"

"Hmph, don't celebrate too soon. We'll see if you can actually learn it," Natsuki snorted coldly, glancing at him.

"I trust in my abilities."

"Then do your best."

Once they arrived home, Shichen took a shower, brewed black tea for Natsuki, and began learning spatial manipulation magic.

As for the magic that Flamme once taught him, there was no rush. Most of it was geared toward everyday convenience or small amusements. Spatial manipulation, on the other hand, if mastered, would let him find out whether his own magic would affect him.

If it worked on him, that meant he'd be able to teleport at will—thinking of somewhere and arriving there in the blink of an eye, without walking. It would make work and shopping infinitely more convenient.

Indeed, teleportation was one of man's greatest dreams.

He hadn't really paid much attention to Nina, who had spent half a day at home. A mere little homunculus like her couldn't do much, and as long as she behaved, it was fine.

Nina was actually quite well-behaved. Having her own room now, she busied herself reading up on how the world had changed over the last two centuries. Since she didn't need to eat or anything, she seemed content just poring over information.

…

That evening, Shichen and Natsuki ate dinner facing each other. One was barely able to hide his delight; the other was obviously in a grumpy mood.

Natsuki was the one displeased, frowning as though she had doubts. Conversely, Shichen was in high spirits; he'd prepared a big celebratory meal and even whipped out some of his best dishes.

After all, having encountered something worth celebrating, he wanted to mark the occasion.

A tableful of delicious dishes lay before them, yet Natsuki seemed to have no appetite.

Shichen, on the other hand, ate heartily and occasionally shot a smug look at her.

"What's there to be so cocky about? You just learned things a bit fast." Natsuki glared irritably.

Truth be told, Shichen's aptitude for magic was too exceptional—even she had a hard time believing how quickly he learned. The worst part was that his own magic worked on himself.

Just earlier, he'd tried it out by instantly teleporting to the staff room at Saikai Private Academy. It only took a few seconds.

That was the reason he was so jubilant. Now that he finally had magic power, he could learn spells—he no longer felt so mundane. At last he truly felt like someone who'd crossed into another world.

"Haha, can't help being excited," Shichen said with a broad grin he couldn't hide.

"Tch." Natsuki couldn't help clicking her tongue in annoyance, recognizing the reality of it.

They'd known each other for a while now, and for all his mysterious origins, he was genuinely honest with her—no secrets, it seemed. She wasn't sure how to feel about that.

"All right, don't be upset." Shichen put a piece of braised pork rib into Natsuki's bowl. "Have a taste of my red-braised ribs. They're tender and flavorful—practically fall off the bone as soon as you bite them."

"Hmph, I can serve myself." Natsuki still accepted the rib he'd placed in her bowl, taking a bite.

"So? How is it?"

"Muddled," Natsuki said, face expressionless as she chewed.

"Aw, come on, Natsuki-chan, can't you be honest?"

"Shut up and eat your dinner!"

"Yes, ma'am."

…

After dinner, Shichen went back to his room, continuing his magic studies. Finally able to learn magic, his enthusiasm soared—he spent the entire night without sleep, poring over Flamme's lessons.

Though he didn't need them urgently, they were fun, everyday spells that made life more convenient and could also be shared with others.

He was especially taken with the spell to conjure a Field of Flowers—Flamme's favorite. He wanted to master it perfectly because he recalled how her expression would turn pure and happy whenever she used it, unlike her usual stern teacherly façade.

At that moment, he found himself missing those two once again. Once he left this world, he'd go back and see them for sure. Now that he had magic, he could honor his promise.

He only wondered how much time had passed there—would Frieren be angry that he'd left without a word? But no matter how much he fretted, seeing them in person was the only way to find out.

…

Wednesday noon, Shichen decided to show off this "Field of Flowers" spell during his meeting with Kanase Kanon.

In an instant, that dreary abandoned space became blanketed with vibrant, fragrant flowers in a riot of colors, filling the air with sweet perfume.

Kanase Kanon, overjoyed, exclaimed, "Onii-chan, you're amazing! I love this magic!"

"Right, right?" Shichen folded his arms, proudly beaming.

Sure enough, no little girl would dislike such a spell. Simple as it might be, it created a beauty that soothed and delighted the soul.

Even the kittens reveled in the newly created Field of Flowers, rolling and tumbling among the blooms.

"That was you?" came a voice. Shichen turned to see Natsuki Minamiya's arrival.

"How is it? Impressive, right?" he asked smugly.

"How'd you do it?" she frowned.

"It's a magic my master taught me."

"Your master—she's female, isn't she?"

"How'd you know?"

"Who else would?"

"Ahem… You got me," he said, slightly embarrassed.

Natsuki gave a small sigh. "Your master must be quite something. Conjuring life-forms out of thin air is not your run-of-the-mill spell in this world."

"You think so?"

Well, come to think of it, yes—this was a completely different system of magic that could create organic matter, practically unheard of in this world.

"Why not let me teach you?" Shichen offered.

"No thanks, I wouldn't be able to learn it," Natsuki declined flatly.

"Fine…"

Kanase Kanon, however, seemed interested. She tugged Shichen's sleeve and asked softly, "Onii-chan, can I learn that magic?"

"You want to learn it, Kanon?"

"Mhm…" Kanon nodded, blushing a little.

"All right. I'll teach you, but you might not succeed."

"I see." Kanon's face turned solemn.

"Haha, no need to fret." Unable to resist, Shichen reached over and ruffled her hair. Her hair felt smooth.

"Even if you can't learn it, I'll conjure a Field of Flowers for you every day, okay?"

"Every…day…? Onii-chan, are you sure?" Kanon's wide eyes sparkled.

"I'm sure."

"Thank you, Onii-chan!" she replied with a radiant smile.

"…" On the side, Natsuki gave an exasperated eye-roll.

~~~

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