Chương 217: Chapter 4: “Yu Measures His Magic Power”

Thanks to the delicious meals Alice's aunt cooked for me every day, I made a full recovery in just a few days. Even though I said I was fine, the two of them continued to let me stay. Not only that, but saying I had no change of clothes, they even bought me several outfits. Their kindness really knows no bounds. After living here for a while, I realized something. As expected, this world isn't completely devoid of commonalities with Earth.

Although the civilization level is somewhat inferior on average compared to Earth, there are quite a few counterparts to things that exist there. Light lamps using light magic, cooking utensils using fire magic, water facilities utilizing water magic, and so on. Since a considerable part is supplemented by magic, it wasn't that inconvenient. Furthermore, this town has a station, and railways powered by magic exist. They connect towns in various regions, and trade is actively carried out.

From an Earth perspective, some parts are already modernized. On the other hand, there are parts that remain archaic. The residents of this town are largely divided into commoners and nobles. And nobles possess various privileges. Such as suffrage, which only they possess, and exclusive rights to specific businesses. Living areas are also divided into the Commoner District and the Noble District, and it seems generally forbidden for ordinary people to enter the Noble District without special business.

By the way, Alice and her aunt are commoners. There was also something that surprised me a little. For some reason, I can even read and write the characters of this world. When I want to read, they are automatically translated into Japanese and enter my head. When I want to write, if I think in Japanese first, the characters of this world naturally come to mind and I can write them. I don't know the mechanism, but I thought it was an overly convenient ability.

Now, one day when Alice's enrollment was just around the corner. I decided to measure my magic power. According to Alice, there is a magic power measuring device at the government office. She tried to come along, but I flatly refused. I originally don't like flocking with people without much meaning. Especially if it's a woman close to my age.... Above all, it's troubling. Having such a picture-perfect good-natured person barging into my life with muddy shoes. I don't know how to deal with it.

I arrived at the government office shortly. I was told that the magic power measuring machine is available at the Magic Department. When I went there, a young woman attended to me. She gave a rather friendly impression for government work.

"Please fill in your name and other information on this form. It will also be used for issuing certificates, so please fill it in accurately." I wrote down the required items on the handed paper in order. I was already used to characters I shouldn't know at all flowing out smoothly. When I finished writing everything and handed it to the woman, she confirmed my name.

"Mr. Yu Hoshimi, is that correct?"

"Yeah."

"Then, this is the measuring machine. There will be instructions from the mechanical voice, so please follow them. If there is anything you don't understand, please don't hesitate to ask me."

"Understood." I followed the instructions of the mechanical voice, but since the method was exactly like a blood pressure monitor, I had no trouble. The difference was that my arm wasn't compressed since it wasn't measuring blood pressure. However, I put my arm out, but... This measuring machine hasn't displayed any numbers for a while now. Is it broken? While I was wondering, as expected, a loud beep indicating an error sounded. The display read"10E."

Then, the receptionist woman who had been watching the results from the side suddenly turned pale. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Her mouth was opening and closing like a goldfish being fed. The words she finally squeezed out were these.

"Me-Measurement... impossible..."

"So what?"

"At the very least... over one hundred thousand..." Over one hundred thousand. Hearing that, even I was surprised. If I recall correctly, ordinary mages have several hundred to over a thousand, and Alice, who seems talented, has 4, 500. That means—I'm a complete monster, aren't I? Looking at her, the receptionist was trembling. Just when I wondered what was wrong, she suddenly shouted with an excited face.

"Oh my goodness! I'm witnessing a historical mom—Mmph!" Not knowing what she might say if left alone, I instinctively covered her mouth. And to avoid suspicion from around us, I immediately let go. The gazes of those around us gathered for a split second, but soon turned away. Then, to her who was still blank-faced from having her mouth suddenly covered, I whispered in her ear with as much intimidation as possible.

"Keep quiet for a bit." It's not something I want to get used to, but I am used to this kind of method. The woman became teary-eyed and nodded vigorously. Continuing in a threatening tone, I spoke so only she could hear.

"Listen. Right now, no one knows this except you and me. Never speak of it to anyone. If you think a little, you'll understand that if word gets out, it will become troublesome." If a magic value of over 100, 000 is a fact. In other words, I'm a walking human weapon. I don't know where I might be viewed as dangerous, or who might try to use me. I want to avoid carrying such risks unnecessarily.

"If you let it slip to anyone—if it's confirmed that this fact has spread, consider your life forfeit." I don't seriously intend to kill her, but I say this for deterrence. She nodded obediently again with a completely pale face. I thought threatening her with my abnormally high magic power as a card would work, and it seems to be going smoothly. Incidentally, I gathered Mana in my hand and placed it against her stomach.

"I've targeted you. If I feel like it, I can erase you anytime. Don't forget that." Putting a target on someone. Of course, I don't know such a method, but if someone who looks the part bluffs in a tone that fits, most people will misunderstand on their own. She twitched her face in terror without a single doubt.

"If you understand, go back to your usual work quietly. Don't worry. If you don't say anything, I won't do anything. Got it?" Finally, I patted her shoulder gently and sent her off. She retreated to the desk in the back with unsteady steps. Since she suddenly raised her voice like that, I couldn't choose my means... but I feel a bit bad. More importantly, I was supposed to get an official document called a Magic Power Certificate issued, but it became impossible due to the unexpected event.

Without this, I surely won't pass the screening for Sacris Magic Academy, so I have no choice but to decline Alice's proposal. Well, there must be other ways to learn magic. Anyway, my business is done. Let's go back to her aunt's house. When I returned to the house, Alice was the first to greet me.

"I'm back."

"Welcome back. How was it?" To her staring at me with great interest, I pondered how to answer empty-handed. She already knows my magic power is considerably high. I'll have to give a plausible number. Well, this much should be appropriate.

"They said it was ten thousand."

"I see, ten thousand is... wait, Eeeeeeeeeeeehhhhh!?" She gave an interesting reaction as expected. Furthermore, she flew over to the point where she almost touched me.

"Yu, that's amazing! That's more than double mine, and I was told I have considerable aptitude!" She's rejoicing as if it were her own matter. What is with this girl? Seriously.

"That's right. At that level— Argus Ozbein. That guy, who is said to be the genius student since the founding of Sacris Magic Academy, supposedly has a magic value of 15, 000."

"Heh. So there is a guy like that." If such a genius has 15, 000, it seems my magic value is truly off the charts. Knowing this, if I train my magic, I'll more than sufficiently acquire the power to survive in another world, so I was relieved in a sense. But it seems better to keep thoroughly silent about my magic value.

"Still, that's plenty amazing. Among boys of the same age, you might be next after him."

"Is that so. Well then, I'll go back to my room now." When I tried to leave, my shoulder was grabbed firmly just like before.

"Wait!"

"What?" Turning back feeling annoyed, she seemed strangely enthusiastic.

"Umm, you see. Normally, there are academic exams and various things besides just looking at magic power. But with that magic value, I think the school will accept you immediately. So, you really should enroll! Yu!" Why does she insist so much? It shouldn't matter to her what happens to me.

"Even if you say that, I didn't get a certificate issued."

"You can just go get it again now! Come on, let's go!"

"In the first place, I have no intention of enrolling—""Come on, come on!"

"Listen."

"Hey!" Because she was pulling me so forcefully, I ended up snapping. Before I knew it, I was shouting loudly.

"You're persistent! Don't you understand I'm saying you're in the way!" After saying it, I thought, crap. She was looking at me with a surprised face. I can see fear in her eyes. The "usual" eyes I'm used to seeing.

"... My bad. Sorry." However, I couldn't help but think.

"But why do you care about me so much? We're not even related." We literally lived in different worlds. And we surely won't intersect in the future either. It's better not to get too involved. And yet.

"There's no benefit for you, is there?" Then, her expression changed completely from before to a solemn one. She said somewhat hesitantly.

"Somehow, looking at you, I just can't leave you alone. You look like you'd go somewhere far away if I took my eyes off you. Is that reason... not good enough?" This woman... Enrollment and such were excuses, and the truth is she just didn't want me to be alone. Just for that reason. Becoming so supportive. —It's as if she sees right through my lonely heart.

"... I see. Thank you."

"Eh?" Was it unexpected? She asked back blankly. Looking straight into her eyes, I said it again.

"I said thank you. Am I not allowed to say it?" Then she opened her eyes wide, and in the next moment, she had a somewhat annoying grin on her face.

"Nope. What's this? Even Yu-kun has a cute side."

"What's with 'Yu-kun'?"

"But with that scary look in your eyes, you're definitely losing out. Your eyes look like they've been painted over with darkness."

"This... can't be helped."

"Come on~. Maybe a smile will change things a bit."

"It's fine. Just as I am." I replied curtly to Alice who made a beaming smile, but she was smiling without seeming to mind at all. I feel like she's controlling the pace.

"Well, forget about school. But at least stay nearby for a while longer."

"Alright. But I'm moving out of this house soon."

"Ehh!? Whyyyy?" To her raising her voice like a spoiled child, I said something perfectly natural.

"I have to become independent already. It's not cool to act like a freeloader forever."

"Ah. I see. That's true too. Good luck!" Convinced, she finally let out a sigh of relief and walked away with light steps. Good grief. She's really a partner who throws off my rhythm. But well, it didn't feel bad. However, maybe it's just for now. I couldn't wipe away the feeling that eventually, she too would leave.