Chapter 11 – Shocking the soul out of the body
ordinary person as well, right? Should I have said that I am a commoner? I sank
into deep thought.
「Az, you are 13 years old right now?」
I raised my head at Keisan’s
voice to face the two of them.
「Un. I’m 13 now. I will be 14 in half a year’s time.」
The two of them had faces of disbelief.
They scrutinised me from top to toe repeatedly.
Are they astonished by how small I am? But, 156 cm tall is normal for a 13 year old,
right? Am I mistaken!? Of course if you compare me to the two of them, I’m tiny.
But, I’m still a kid after all! Even if my mind isn’t that of a child, my body is!!
「My bad. I assumed that you were 8 or 9 years old.」
Awkward… This time around, I’m the one who became dumbfounded.
For you to guess that I’m 8 or 9 years old…eeh??
「Yeah, I thought so too. Judging based on your height.」
Estimating my age to be 8 or 9 based on my height of 156cm? I’m getting a bad
vibe from this. A premonition!!
「Can I ask you guys something? What’s the average height of 13 year olds?」
At my question, the two of them exchanged glances and nodded. Keisan
answered.
「Around…165cm to 170cm? I think it’s around there.」
Keisan
looked towards Anisan
who nodded in response.
I froze on the spot. Around 165cm to 170cm? Isn’t that weird!?
Ah! The unit of length in this world is the same as my previous world’s. It’s a relief
that the measurement of time is roughly the same too.
Thanks, Sanrinsensei!!
(Koihana’s author!)
Yes. I know escaping reality changes nothing. I understand that, but there are times
when I don’t want to face reality. AahI
now understand why everyone treats me so
nicely!
The mystery of Anisan’s
treatment has been debunked too. That wasn’t escorting,
that was babysitting! What’s with my misunderstanding? How shameless!!
Well, if everyone thought I was 8 or 9 years old, they would naturally treat me
nicely. It wasn’t like I went around telling everybody my age after all. If they didn’t
ask, I wouldn’t have said it.
Speaking of which, when the guys from Suzuella Company found out my age, they
were shocked too. Back then, I thought they were shocked because I was wise
beyond my years, but it seems like it was actually due to my outward appearance
not matching my age. Aah…
In the first place, it’s because there’s only adults around me so I had no idea how
kids my age look like and merely assumed I was normal. Is this the downside of
having knowledge of another world!? It might be a little late to say this now, but am I
lacking basic common sense? Nono,
Mookssan
didn’t say anything, and everyone I know didn’t say anything either. If
they’ve noticed something weird, they’d have told me, right? They’d have pointed it
out to me, right!?
Aah…I suddenly feel so uneasy about everything. I need to relearn
everything….what do I need to study for this? Common sense? Does that mean I
lack common sense?
… First things first, I need to drink milk!! Lots of it! Let’s go with at least 3 cups a
day.
「A…Az? You don’t have to feel so down!
You’re just a late bloomer, I’m sure you’ll grow taller. In any case, height isn’t
everything. I think you’re fine no matter how you look!! Don’t worry.
And even if you’re short, your skills and knowledge aren’t what 13 year olds usually
have. That’s what matters.」
Anisan
earnestly tried to lift my depressed mood. Is he really trying to do that? He’s
trying to do that, right? …but it’s not working. Even if you tell me not to worry, how
can I not worry!?
「Yeah. You have skills and knowledge unimaginable for a 13 year old. Just where
in the world did you pick them up?」
Keisan’s
words made Anisan
pull a surprised face as well.
I wanted to change the topic as soon as possible so I went along with it.
「As I said to Anisan
earlier, and I think I’ve mentioned it to Keisan
as well? I was
picked up by the Agency’s chief.
In order to be able to live on my own, I spent time at the agency reading, writing
and learning math. As for swordsmanship and unarmed combat, I learned them
from the martial artists who visited the agency. My magic is more or less selftaught,
though.」
The two of them widened their eyes. Anisan
especially seemed to be at a loss for
words.
「Selftaught?
That magic was selftaught?
Sorcery? Ha. I really can’t believe it.
In the first place, only nobles can learn magic, and it’s not something you can selfstudy.
From what I know, magic on the level that you use is limited to this country’s Magic
Knights Division Commander…or Corps Commanderno
it can even be said to be
on the level of Court Mages.」
Keisan
was surprised by Anisan’s
words.
「Recovery magic is certainly rare, but just having support magic doesn’t mean
he’s on the level of Court Mages or Division Commanders, right?」
「Aniue,
after you lost consciousness, I saw it.
Right after you lost consciousness, he created a barrier to protect us, easily casted
Anisan’s
words put Keisan
into a contemplative mood.
「He possesses at least 2 elements; light and wind. He can also use barrier magic
and support magic. Furthermore, he has enemy detection magic.
Not only that, he can use more than 2 types of magic at the same time and they are
of high rank, possibly even special rank.
Although I wasn’t going to say this initially since I lacked proof, but if he were to
possess offense magic as well, wouldn’t he at least be on the level of Division
Commander?… Considering the fact that he’s still 13, that’s pretty amazing…」
The two of them got up and sandwiched me in between them while they spoke,
dropping me into the listener’s role. It’s probably better if I don’t interject
unnecessarily. I don’t want to stir up more trouble for myself. I don’t mean to boast,
but when it comes to things like this, I will definitely say something unnecessary
and cause more harm than good!!
However, compared to sitting here and listening to what they say before replying,
wouldn’t it be better if I make my escape? No, there’s no point to running away from
my room. But, I still feel like escaping. After all, what was that about Division
Commander, Corps Commander and Court Mage? Me being on the same level as
them? That’s just scary!! I don’t want to hear about such things…
I looked into the distance in an attempt to escape reality.
「Eehwell,
considering the fact that he’s a 13 year old child, it’s rather strange.
This is just based my own judgement, but I think that the magic that Az uses is not
an existing magic. Even if we overlook that, his abilities in the usage of magic is
above high rank. It’s probably more accurate to consider it special rank.」
Keisan
narrowed his eyes….That’s scary, you know? With just that, the air seemed
to change. Is it fine if I run away??
「Not an existing magic? What makes you think so?」
「His barrier. I have seen and used countless barriers so far, but I have never seen
anything like his barrier, much less be able to use it.
Back then, the enemy attacked with their swords instead of magic… That’s right, it
was a physical attack. And yet, Az’s barrier repelled it. The attack came from an
assassin as well, so it wasn’t some halfassed
attack.」
Keisan
was rendered speechless. I’m probably the same? I wasn’t in deep thought
though…
This world’s Barrier Magic can only defend against magicbased
attacks. To defend
against physical attacks, you’d have to use a shield. If you wanted to defend
against them using magic, you would have to use Elemental Constructs instead of
Barrier Magic. You can also call it a protective wall. For example, for earth element
there’s the Earth Wall magic, for wind element there’s the Pressurised Air Wall
magic, and for water element there’s the Pressurised Water Wall magic or the
At least based what I’ve observed, Az did not use any incantations. Typically, even
for chantless magic, the final spell word is necessary. But, he didn’t even use that. I
thought he might have used a spell circle instead, but I couldn’t find one no matter
what method I used.
The spell he previously used in this room was chantless and a spell circle floated
up beneath his feet. That was likely a new magic.」
Hii! You were observing me even in that chaotic situation where you and Keisan
were worn out? You had that much composure at that time? It didn’t seem like the
danger was staged though…eeeeh.
But in any case, incantation! Chantless magic! Spell circle! Uhaa~ fantasy
components banzai!! This is definitely not the right time for this though.
「To selflearn
that much knowledge and skill…That can’t be possible. There are
no textbooks for a commoner to be able to selflearn
magic. At most, there are
introductory books.
In the case where you were to learn from others… most probably, you can only go
find sorcerers. But even if you beg them to teach you, it’s illegal for them to teach
incantations and spells to others without a permit. Similarly, it’s illegal to use spells
and sorcery without a permit. That’s why it’s hard to come into contact with
magic.」
…eh? I understand the first half but the not the second half! I didn’t know that!!
「Does that mean…using magic can get me arrested??」
I asked timidly. It’s important after all. It’d be embarrassing if I used it in the spur of
the moment and got myself arrested.
「Yeah, it’s prohibited by the law. What? Don’t tell me you’ve using magic all this
while without knowing that?」
Anisan
looked somewhat amazed when I nodded vigorously.
In my defense, I didn’t have anyone teaching me magic since I was judged to be
incapable of using magic. Even though I studied various things regarding this world,
I didn’t study anything related to law.
「This country has strict laws when it comes to the usage of magic. Especially
since magic is a great power for us humans.
It can be used to make our lives more convenient, but it can also bring about
calamity.」
Anisan
lightly struck me on my head and explained. Now that I think about it, that
Mookssan
thought I was depressed because the magic probing stone didn’t react,
so he bought it with the intention of making me feel as though I can use magic even
if I couldn’t? I ended up treating it as a good luck charm since the colour
compliments my hair well.
I didn’t expect it to be of use in such a manner! If I didn’t have this, I’d be in trouble
now, wouldn’t I? Even as it is, I have to explain my usage of nonexisting
magic.
It seems like they’ve finished their inspection of the bracelet as they handed it back
to me. The situation is a little delicate now though. If they were to ask me to use
magic right now, it’d be the end for me. Although I possess a magic stone, I can’t
manipulate magic power….what should I do?
「Ano ne, I don’t know about stuff like being on the level of Court Mages, but
physical attacks can be blocked using water and wind elemental magic. Since
magic attacks would be troubling, I also used Barrier Magic. And on the exterior, I
applied an ice wall and strengthened it with pressurised air.
With this, it can withstand 1 or 2 hits.」
I couldn’t stand this situation anymore. After I spoke, Keisan
sighed while Anisan
looked a little doubtful. Why!? I can understand that Anisan
couldn’t quite accept
my explanation from his reaction, but what’s with Keisan’s
sigh?
While I was thinking about it, Keisan
softly murmured.
「You can even use water element? And a high rank version of it too? So you can
use at least 3 elements?」
As I thought, I shouldn’t have spoken!! Aah…
I should have said I used pressurised water instead. But, it’s too late for that now.
I somehow received so many shocks in this short period of time that my soul has
left my body. I urgently need Mookssan
to return home. Please get rid of this
delicate situation!