Volume 1 Chapter 7 A Morning Without Memories
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Kian felt a bright light on his eyelids.
He sensed his consciousness waking up.
There was a need to pee in his lower abdomen.
His body felt a bit chilly.
”Ugh…”
Somewhere outside, birds were chirping.
He let out a small groan and opened his eyes.
(Where is this…?)
What spread out before him was the familiar ceiling of a cheap inn.
Kian rubbed his forehead and sat up halfway.
(What’s going on? It feels like I was dreaming for a long time… My thoughts are all fuzzy.)
The deer-hide shoulder bag hanging on his chest slipped off.
(Yesterday, I bought some strange glasses, and then…)
What happened after that?
Kian slowly looked around the room.
It was an empty room.
A musty smell hit his nose.
In the morning sunlight, countless specks of dust floated around.
”I can’t remember anything.”
No, that’s a lie.
A little──something vaguely came to mind, but it was too fragmented.
A tavern? A girl?
It was like trying to recall the details of a dream; grasping the full picture of his memories was tough.
It was just yesterday.
(Am I finally losing it from fatigue and hunger? I definitely bought those glasses from a shady stall, I think…)
’So, you have finally awoken. How fares your chi (energy)?’
”──────!? This isn’t a dream!?”
Kian turned to look at the silver glasses on his bedside and shouted.
They were the glasses.
No doubt about it, the ones he bought at the stall yesterday were neatly folded and placed there.
By the way, next to them were a black shirt, some pants, and a brand-new pair of leather shoes all neatly arranged.
”What… is this?”
Picking up the shiny shoes, Kian furrowed his brow.
Something felt off.
Something was seriously not adding up.
’You don’t remember anything at all?’
”────!? What happened? Please tell me!”
In his anxiety, he raised his voice at the glasses.
His heart was pounding like it was someone else’s business, thumping against his ribs.
After a brief silence, the glasses slowly began to weave their words.
’――Calm yourself. It is likely that the influence of this one has caused a slight confusion in your memories. This is a phenomenon often seen in those who wear it. With time, you shall soon be able to share your memories without issue, so there is nothing to worry about.’
”You’re not answering my question! What did I do yesterday!?”
He shouted while holding his glasses up in front of his face.
After a moment, she replied.
’――Nothing.’
”What do you mean?”
’Like I said, you didn’t do anything special. You ate, took a dump, and went to sleep.’
”…”
”Would you like me to explain that in more detail?”
”Forget it!”
He threw the glasses aside and put his hand on his forehead.
It felt like he had done something really unforgivable yesterday.
No, it was fine that he had done something bad.
The fact that he had no memory of it was the real problem.
As Kian desperately tried to trace the threads of his memory, the glasses spoke gently to him.
’There’s no need to panic; your memories will soon be shared. I understand your anxiety, but time will resolve all. Would you like to try wearing me again? Perhaps you shall become accustomed to it this time and remember.’
”Forget it! How does getting used to it mean I’ll remember? That makes no sense…”
Kian sighed.
Then he shifted his gaze to the folded black shirt.
(This shirt and shoes aren’t mine. Did I buy them during the blank spot in my memory? …No, my wallet hasn’t changed. Just a copper coin and 6 iron coins. That matches the amount I remember. But then, how did I get this shirt?)
”Could it be that I stole something?”
’More importantly, Kian, has anything changed since you bought me?’
”Changed? Unfortunately, buying you hasn’t changed my poor situation at all. Plus, my memory is all over the place; it’s a mess.”
’How about your magic power?’
”Magic power? …Huh?”
’Did it increase?’
The voice of the glasses was laced with laughter.
Kian, surprised, stared at his palm.
(What is this?)
The amount of magic power──was clearly up.
Usually, he could only gather enough for a cup, but──.
It was like he had 5 buckets worth stored inside.
(How did I get this much magic power…? With my tachyonian cells, it would take 3 months to produce even a fraction of this.)
’Hehe, that dinner from yesterday must have been truly delicious.’
”What did I eat to gather this much magic power…?”
’Do you not need to use the magic power you have gained?’
”Huh…?”
For a moment, he didn’t understand.
He froze, stunned by the words from the glasses.
(Use it? This magic power…?)
It clicked for the first time.
That’s right, magic power.
There was magic power!
This overwhelming feeling of power, this incredible energy.
So much magic power he had only dreamed of!
For some unknown reason, since it was there, he had to use it──.
If left alone, it would naturally dissipate and disappear.
”R-right. Now that you mention it, I have to use it since it’s here…”
(But what do I use it for…?)
He had only ever had a tiny bit of magic power before, so he had no idea how to feel about this.
How should he use the magic power inside them?
He had no clue. His head was spinning in confusion.
Without waiting for Kian’s next words, the glasses continued.
’That magic power is already yours. You may use it, squander it, or give it away as you please. But a wise person seizes such an opportunity and puts it to good use, especially since it is power that has come to you so easily. It may not come again.’
”──────.”
’Perhaps I spoke too hastily, saying it might not come again. What I mean is, idling in this humble room is no way to proceed. You are wasting precious time.’
”──────! I’m going to the guild’s training ground! I’ll practice ‘Azrael’s Dance Swordsmanship’ using my magic power!”
Kian jumped up as if propelled, grabbing the tattered armor that was nearby.
’Huh? Is it truly wise to use your precious magic power solely for training? For instance… what about taking on a request to hunt down some undead? The rewards might not be great in a party, but if you do it solo, you could earn a decent sum. Plus, yours’d gain contribution points for the guild.’
”S-Solo hunting undead (ghouls)? That’s crazy. If ghouls are in a pack, their danger level is about Rank 9 for a party of 3 or more, but solo, it jumps to Rank 7. It’s way too dangerous for me, a Rank 9 adventurer, to go alone.”
’Ha! You won’t lose to those scavengers who only pick over the remains of the dead. With this me blessing, you are the ruler of all. Even the mighty griffin shall not be feared.’
”Do you have any idea how many adventurers have died because of that ridiculous arrogance? Just last month, a Rank 8 adventurer party thought they could handle some goblins and ended up wiped out.”
’Softies, aren’t they?’
”This is the first time I’ve handled this much magic power. I’ve only done simple stuff like ‘Azrael’s Dance Swordsmanship’ or healing magic, which is easy enough to do with just a cup full… Next time──if I get the chance to have this much magic power again, I’ll definitely practice now so I can take on tougher requests.”
’Hmm… Well, it’s your choice. Do as you see fit.’
”And…”
Kian finished putting on his armor and grabbed the wooden sword and club that were leaning against the wall.
He could feel his heart racing with excitement.
It was finally sinking in.
Magic power! He could use magic power! He felt his lips naturally curl into a smile.
He could feel the energy surging through his body.
Was this not the springtime of his life? Kian laughed, as if he had turned back into a boy.
”I’ve always dreamed of training in ‘Azrael’s Dance Swordsmanship’ using magic power. Watching Sarah and the others practice their basic techniques with chi, I thought, ‘I wish I could do that too’.”
’――I see. Before me, your distant past unfolds. As your friends grew and advanced, it must have been a most painful experience to remain stagnant, left behind. I understand now. If that is the case, then I shall not stop you. Throw yourself fully into your sword training. Even if a limb or two were to break, I, this one, shall ensure you are alright. In any case, swing that sword with all your might!’
”Well, I won’t go that far and tear my limbs off.”
Kian said with a wry smile.
But right now, he wanted to practice his dance swordsmanship.
Until now, he had been using a fake sword technique without any magic power.
But now, his strength and reach would be dramatically different.
He wanted to train until he was too tired to move!.
”Alright, let’s go!”
Kian slung his backpack over his shoulder.
’Do not leave me behind. Allow me to join your adventure.’
”Oh, right. Sorry about that.”
He picked up his glasses and placed them on top of the white cloth wrapped around his head.
He tucked the ear pieces between the fabric, so it should be fine while moving.
”Now, let’s do this properly.”
’Hurry up. This musty room is suffocating.’
(Suffocating? You’re an inanimate object, though…)
Kian thought of a retort but kept it to himself as he burst out through the rotting door.
Beyond the narrow shared space, a bright blue sky spread out before him.
It felt like the sky was blessing Kian’s future, and his mood lifted even more.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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