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“Akandis… Is that the name of the organization?”

“Yeah, it’s been making quite an impact across the continent lately.”

The old man, who introduced himself as Rockpelikan, offered me tea claiming it would help treat my injuries while telling me about the organization that had kidnapped me.

Akandis had grown into a colossal organization controlling the underworld, increasing its membership to over 300 in less than two years since its emergence.

They say they don’t hesitate over contract killings, drug trafficking, and human trafficking.

As I listened, I couldn’t help but feel disgusted by the organization.

Could it be that these guys are ‘the evil of this world’?

“…Why did such an organization target us?”

“To be precise, they targeted ‘you,’ not just ‘your group.'”

“….”

“Honestly, it was hard for me to believe it until I saw it for myself.

At your age, mastering wind element magic is definitely a talent they would covet.”

In my past life, I had also been an Archmage, so controlling wind… was just child’s play.

Noticing my lukewarm reaction, my grandfather took a sip of tea and continued.

“Judging by your expression, you must think it’s nothing special.

To use magic, one must receive a mana circuit from others, right?”

Is that how it works? I thought it just happened naturally.

“It’s practically impossible to create one on your own.

Did someone ever teach you magic?”

“..No, it just happened naturally.”

“That means you awakened your mana on your own.”

The old man stared at me for a moment as if in disbelief before speaking again.

“So, were your eyes originally purple?

They looked blue when I first saw you.”

Blue? My eyes are purple.

Oh, now that I think about it, when I used that strange power before, Nova mentioned my eyes turned blue.

“They’re purple, but they sometimes change to blue.”

“…!! I can’t believe you possess a Unique Ability.”

My grandfather jumped up, showing quite a surprising reaction.

“If that guy knew, he would have tried to take you even at the cost of his life.”

Mumbling that, he pointed at Nova who was lying next to him.

“Then does this child also know how to use magic?”

…Nova has never used magic, but for a kid, she’s not lacking in judgment, is good with her hands, and… she’s quite pretty.

Although it annoys me when she treats me like a fool.

“I doubt she can use magic.”

“Then she barged in here all alone, just like that?”

Wait, did he say alone?

“Wasn’t she captured along with me?!”

“Among those captured, this child wasn’t there. She probably came later.”

“Why…? What was she thinking to go into such a dangerous place alone?”

What an idiot!

I jumped up and shook Nova’s sleeping body back and forth.

“Hey! Aren’t you getting up soon?!

Do you really want to die?

Do you have multiple lives? Get up quickly… Ugh!!”

As I cradled my suddenly aching forehead, grandfather looked at me with a pitiful expression while raising his staff.

“She risked her life to save you, so don’t be too harsh on her.

Even if she doesn’t seem hurt, she’s actually pretty wounded.

And multiple lives? Is that something you should say?”

He’d been nagging me a lot earlier, and now it’s starting again.

“Ahaha… If it weren’t for that, she might really have died…”

Mastering Innate True Qi at this body was truly a huge gamble.

Without a dantian to hold my inner power, it was spilling out endlessly from different parts of my body.

It felt like being a baseball with a huge hole at the bottom, filled with water.

“But how did you heal my body?”

“Ha… I didn’t fix it, just bought some time.”

My grandfather sighed and continued.

“The broken mana gate cannot recover on its own without a potion.

Fortunately, your mana circuit was sealed within a binding spell, so it hasn’t been damaged.”

I have no idea what he’s talking about.

Mana circuit? Is he speaking about meridians?

“What’s a mana circuit?”

“You used magic without knowing what that is?”

Martial artists circulate Qi (mana) throughout their entire body via meridians to exert their power.

According to the old man, wizards in this world change Qi into magic power and use magic through a unique system known as a ‘mana circuit,’ which is separate from meridians.

So, even if I can’t use magic, I could still strengthen my body with Qi?

Since the operation methods are entirely different.

“Continuing from what I was saying, if you try to forcefully extract mana right now, the broken gate will also disrupt the circuits.”

“Ah~ I see.”

Wait? Does that mean I’m in big trouble now?

I can’t use both martial arts and magic anymore?

How am I supposed to save the world? Is it all over?

“Looks like you’ve finally realized the severity of the situation.”

Seeing my face turn pale, the old man shook his head.

“But it’s still okay; it’s not broken yet, so take this.”

He handed me something, and as I accepted it, I found it to be a necklace—wait, it’s a rather lavish platinum pendant.

“Uh… What is this?”

“It’s an artifact.

Originally meant for mana conservation, it will aid you in using your mana instead of your damaged gate.”

“You’re giving me something this valuable?”

It looked like an expensive item at first glance.

“But there’s a condition.”

…Of course, it wouldn’t just be given out that easily.

I couldn’t reject it given the circumstances, so I swallowed hard as I waited for the words to follow.

“Are you willing to become my disciple?”

“….What?”

“So… are you ready?”

Once we arrived home and laid Nova on the bed, my grandfather—no, should I now call him Master?—asked me.

“…I’ll say my goodbyes for a bit.”

“Okay, I’ll step outside first.”

After he left, I sat on the bed staring at Nova, who was lying there peacefully.

“…I’m sorry, but I might not be able to keep my promise.

I said we would be together…”

Even though she was unconscious, Nova’s hand felt very warm.

“Thank you for coming to save me…

For keeping your promise… you’re a responsible one.”

Even for a little kid, her strangely mature behavior made me wonder if we were both reincarnators.

“…That can’t be true.”

Even without my memories returning, the moments I shared with her briefly became a happy refuge for me.

Escaping from the mission placed upon me, what was nothing but an ordinary mundane life was truly a dreamlike time.

“Just don’t overdo it. I hope you can live happily in your world for a long time.”

I’ll make sure to protect the world you live in.

“Forget about someone like me—just think of it as a dream.

Ah! But if you make new friends right after that, I might be a little sad?”

Before I knew it, I felt my nose prickle.

“I can’t believe I’m feeling all sentimental at this age.

Well, I’ll be going. Take care, Nova.”

Just as I was about to leave, I noticed something familiar on the floor.

“This is…”

It was the broken magic staff.

“…What a waste. It was well-made.”

Of course, I knew it was just a plain stick with no abilities.

Compared to those sold on the market, it lacked any performance, being only slightly helpful for aiming.

But still, the fact that someone made something for me made me genuinely happy. So…

“Can I take this with me? It’s a gift.”

I carefully picked up the broken staff and took it with me.

When I stepped outside, my master was waiting for me.

“Looks like your farewells are done… What’s that staff?”

“This is my exclusive magic staff.”

“Looks like it might be a bit too burdensome to use.

I’ll throw it away and buy you a new one…”

“No.”

I cut him off firmly.

“This one is just fine.”

“….Alright then, I’ll reinforce it later to make it easier to use.”

“Thank you. Now, I’m off.”

Just before I set out, I took a final look at the cozy little cabin.

“I guess I won’t be coming back here again.”

“….I said you could take that child with you if you wanted.”

“No, that’s not necessary. Even if she came with me…”

“…?”

“Nothing… It’s nothing.”

After all, I’m someone leaving this world.

Getting further attached would only make it harder when we have to part.

So this is it… This is the end.

With that, I stepped forward into the tower my master had opened.

*

A week had passed since that incident.

“Nova… You should eat something… or you’ll faint…”

Mom from this world knocked on my door and spoke to me.

“…I’ll eat later.”

“It’s been days since you last ate…

Stella will be worried.”

…I thought for sure that I’d be killed by that guy.

When I opened my eyes, for some reason I was back home.

I jumped up immediately and went back to look for the hideout, but I couldn’t find a single trace of them.

Thinking back on that moment, I was sure I’d either been killed or captured… so why did I return home?

No matter how I thought about it, I couldn’t understand.

“Did I… end up failing to protect her?”

Damn, what’s this? Copying is useless—it’s not the ability that’s the problem; it was me being careless.

I should have anticipated that there could be enemies aiming for Stella’s abilities.

I revealed information way too recklessly.

“Damn!!!”

Bam!

Fueled by anger, I punched the wall, but I didn’t feel any pain.

Was my rage directed at not protecting my Stella or at that bastard? I couldn’t think straight.

“I don’t have time to waste like this.”

I’ll definitely rescue her.

I made that promise.

A few days later, I left home and set out to become an adventurer.

My parents opposed fiercely, worried about my younger sister Stella disappearing as well, but they couldn’t break my solid resolve.

I had two goals.

One was to save Stella.

However, I had no idea where to start looking.

The bastard showed an unusual level of fixation on me.

To grab his attention, I first need to earn some fame.

And I also need to gain strength to never be caught again.

The second goal is…

“I’ll definitely kill that eye-patched bastard…”

Thus, I embarked on the path of an adventurer at a young age.

Seven years passed.

 

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