Chapter 10 The World and the Soul
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
(So, how am I going to sneak out tonight…?)
This morning, Kazumi and Rena woke me up, and the 3 of us went to school together. I was training in the garden late last night, so I’m really sleepy.
As we entered the classroom, Jan came up to us and said one thing.
”Don’t run away, okay?”
He said that with a happy look and walked away, but I feel like he’s up to something.
* * *
During math class, I was thinking about how to sneak out of the house.
”Hiroya! Hiroya O’Brien! Are you paying attention?”
Oops, Miss Maria caught me not focusing on the lesson.
”I’m listening. It’s fine.”
If it were history or geography, I’d pay attention, but it’s just 2-digit multiplication. I can’t take this class seriously. I end up zoning out.
”Then come up and solve this problem.”
I thought, “Oh no,” but I went up to the board and wrote the answer.
”Yep. Correct. Go back to your seat.”
”Tch…”
I heard Jan click his tongue from the front row. Sorry, man. I’m actually 23 and have gone through college.
”What’s wrong? You seemed lost in thought.”
Kazumi whispered to me when I got back to my seat.
”I’ll tell you during break.”
I replied quietly and sat down.
* * *
”By the way, how are Kazumi and Rena planning to sneak out at night?”
During break, while getting ready for the next class, I asked.
”About that, Rena said she’ll figure it out.”
Kazumi said that and looked over at Rena.
”Yeah. Leave it to this Rena. I’ll go pick up Kazumi first, then I’ll head to your place, Hiroya, so wait in the room, okay?”
If Rena says that, I guess I can trust her. I was thinking about preparing ropes and stuff.
”Anyway, I’m so excited! I can’t wait for night to come.”
”Right? I’m super excited too, Rena!”
…My childhood friends are way too curious.
* * *
In geography class, we talked about our village, ‘Razia.’ So, I took the class seriously.
It’s about a week’s journey by carriage northeast from the royal capital ‘Beluga’ of the Lomuna Kingdom. After passing through 2 inns along the way, people will reach this rural village, Razia.
From here, it takes about 5 days east to reach the fortified city ‘Mundo.’ This Mundo is located on the border with the Welnia Empire and has been an important base since ancient times.
Since it’s a village between the royal capital and the fortified city, it seems like it should be more economically developed, but because of the ‘Goblin Forest’ surrounding the village and the steep mountains to the east, it’s off the trade route. The mountains are said to be dormant volcanoes, and there are some hot springs bubbling up.
”It’s a shame that there’s no custom of soaking in hot springs in this world…”
Kazumi whispers to me from the next seat.
Yeah. Most households only use ‘Clean’ magic and maybe take a quick wash or wipe down.
”It’s such a waste to have hot springs.”
I reply quietly.
”Hot springs, huh… That might be good for revitalizing the village…”
Kazumi’s expression reminded me of her previous boss self, who was all about work.
* * *
After school, just like yesterday, I practiced at Kazumi’s house after lunch.
Today, I received a wooden sword from my master.
”I tried to imitate the ‘katana’ from the East that I saw before. I thought this would suit you better.”
It was a Bokken about 70 to 80cm (27.5 to 31.5in) long. I was really happy about it.
”Thank you very much!”
I quickly started practicing with it. Yeah, it feels just right.
”You should take it home and keep practicing. Hmm… once you can take one from me, I’ll look for that ‘Katana’ and give it to you as a gift.”
”Really?!”
”Yeah. But who knows when that will be? I’m not underestimating you as ‘just a kid’ anymore, and I’m studying your swordsmanship while watching you practice.”
The master said this and went back to work with a smile.
* * *
”Hiroya! Hiroya! Kazumi is amazing! Kazumi is incredible!”
I heard Rena’s panicked voice from the backyard.
I stopped practicing and went to check it out.
There were Rena, her eyes sparkling, and Kazumi, who seemed a bit restless.
And in Kazumi’s outstretched hands, as if scooping water…
”A ball of light…”
”That’s right! I can’t believe Kazumi can create a ‘Wisp’ just a day after learning! Rena was so surprised!”
”Yes, Hiroya, I really… did it…”
Kazumi’s body was shaking, either from surprise or excitement.
”I guess it’s because of that. Since Rena give Kazumi the ‘Goddess’s Blessing’… When I first faced the master, I was able to move pretty well too.”
”No… I didn’t raise your stats that much. Well, compared to other 8-year-olds, you probably have the best ability, but it should still be lower than the higher stats of 10 or 11-year-olds.”
”──Huh? Is that really how it is?”
With Kazumi’s surprise, the ‘Wisp’ disappeared.
”Hmm… it’s not just because of ‘having talent’…”
Rena tilted her head.
* * *
”That’s probably because the ‘quality of the soul’ is different from what it normally is in this world, right?”
After that we visit Rena’s house. After finishing the treatment for the injured beginner adventurer, Rena’s father, Mr. Rudolf, took a breath and said.
”In my world, there was a trend of using a technique called ‘summoning from another world’ to bring in talented people with great abilities.”
Mr. Rudolf sat down in his chair with a “well then.”
”It happened in my world too. Bringing people from another world without permission is cruel, so we made it a forbidden technique in our world.”
Ms. Giselle handed Mr. Rudolf a mug from the tray, then passed one to us as well.
”Thank you very much.”
When I took a sip, it was cold and refreshing. And sweet. Honey lemon?
”Delicious! Is this honey lemon? It tastes so familiar…”
Kazumi also took a sip and seemed to remember the flavor.
”Bingo~♪ I made it my own way, so I’m glad you like it.”
Ms. Giselle smiled happily.
”So, so! Does the ‘quality of the soul’ make someone stronger or weaker?”
Rena urged Mr. Rudolf to continue.
”That’s right. It can go the other way too. Sometimes, coming to another world can make you weaker. It’s about the ‘compatibility of the world and the soul’.”
Mr. Rudolf gulped down his honey lemon drink.
”The soul is optimized for the world it originally belongs to. So, when moving between worlds, it can become stronger or weaker depending on the compatibility with that world. Maybe that’s why Kazumi’s magic talent blossomed. The souls from Hiroya and Kazumi’s world probably matched well with this world.”
Mr. Rudolf continued speaking.
”Does that mean we can get stronger physically too?”
Unable to wait, I asked.
”No, I don’t think so. Since it’s about the soul, any changes would probably be mental.”
”So, the reason I could move like that was…”
”Hiroya, don’t you have any ideas? Rena’s blessing only gives a slight ability boost.”
”Now that you mention it…”
””What is it?””
Rena and Kazumi urged me on at the same time.
”In Kazumi’s and my previous world, martial arts really value ‘mental focus.’ Especially my ‘Ancient Iai,’ which enhances a single strike into a powerful blow through concentration.”
”That means…”
Rena looked at Mr. Rudolf.
”Yeah. It’s similar to the magic ‘Physical Boost.’ You probably got used to instant physical enhancement because of your martial arts training.”
””So, learning Rena’s world’s ‘Physical Boost’ would be…””
Rena and Kazumi looked at me at the same time.
”Probably ‘easy.’ The compatibility between the world and the soul is good.”
Mr. Rudolf winked at me.
* * *
”Well, Rena will come to pick you up tonight. Don’t fall asleep, okay?”
After Rena reminded me, we parted at the clinic’s entrance and headed home together with Kazumi.
”Even without the god’s cheat, it seems like we can get pretty strong.”
Kazumi smiled while swinging my hand back and forth.
”Just coming to another world is a cheat in itself for us.”
”Right. In a way, Rena gave us a little cheat.”
”Yeah.”
* * *
”See you tonight then.”
”It might get cold tonight, so don’t forget your jacket, okay, Hiroya?”
”Yeah. You too, Kazumi.”
I said goodbye in front of Kazumi’s house and ran home.
I held the Bokken that my master gave me tightly.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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