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“I have nothing to teach you.”

Those were the very first words Giuseppe, the instructor, spoke during the classroom session for aspiring exorcists.

The only person listening to the lecture was Tatsumi. He was in the unique position of receiving one-on-one instruction from Giuseppe, the Supreme Pontiff, on the knowledge necessary to become an exorcist.

No, it wasn’t that he was “being taught”; it would be more accurate to say he was “about to be taught.” After all, the lecture was just about to begin.

And yet.

The words that came out of Giuseppe’s mouth were, “I have nothing to teach you.”

Hearing this, even Tatsumi who had mentally prepared himself for anything would have been left gaping in astonishment, a look of utter bewilderment plastered on his face. Even someone other than Tatsumi would have reacted the same way.

.

“To be more precise, it should be, ‘I have nothing to teach you regarding magic.’ To tell you the truth, my son, your magic is simply too far outside the norm.”

He was the second person in history to possess the Heaven lineage of mana, and an External Element Wielder who manipulated the mana within the world. Even this alone was more than enough to be considered far outside the norm, yet Tatsumi possessed something else that went beyond the scope of conventional magic.

“To be even more precise, you are not a Mage but rather a Mana user.”
“A… Mana user…?”
“Quite so. From what I’ve heard from you and Calcie, what you used wasn’t magic. It was something else very similar to magic.”

Tatsumi couldn’t understand at all how a “Mana User” differed from a “Mage.” But if Giuseppe said they were different, then there must be some difference.

“I believe I explained this before, but magic requires two things to function: mana and the recitation of a spell. Do you recall that?”
“Yes. I’m sure… I heard that from you and Chiiko on the very first day I arrived in this world.”

There’s no way he could have forgotten. On the very day he was summoned to this world by Calcedonia, he did hear a little about magic from Giuseppe and Calcedonia. And he clearly remembers how deeply depressed he felt when they told him he had absolutely no mana.

“However… according to Calcedonia, you weren’t chanting any spells, were you? Or rather, you don’t know any spells at all, do you?”
“W-well, now that you mention it…”

Tatsumi had never memorized any incantation—the kind required to use magic. Or rather, he had never even seen a spell written down in a book or anything like that. Of course, he had only just begun studying the writing system of this world, so even if he were shown one, he wouldn’t be able to read it yet.

In other words, even if Tatsumi wanted to cast a spell, he didn’t know the spell itself.

“However, you certainly did use magic. Or rather, I should say you used mana directly to cause a phenomenon very similar to magic. And those who use mana directly, like you, are called mana users, not mage.”

Let’s compare mana to gasoline and incantation to an engine. Just as a car only runs when gasoline is poured into the engine and ignited, the car called “Magic” can finally run when the gasoline of mana is poured into the engine of a spell.

In other words, Tatsumi is essentially pouring gasoline into a car that doesn’t have an engine. Under normal circumstances, a car wouldn’t run like that.

And yet, Tatsumi actually managed to make the car run. You can surely understand just how extraordinary this is.

“There were a few who, like you, were called mana users in the past. No, they still do exist, though small in number. In a manner of speaking, while mana users are indeed rare, that is only true amongst us humans and demi-humans. There are actually quite a few living beings who wield mana directly.”

Giuseppe said this with a smile.

.

After seeing Tatsumi off as he headed to the temple for his morning lectures, Calcedonia began tidying up their new home.

She herself had no duties at the temple today. Therefore, she planned to spend the entire day tidying up the house.

They had moved into this new house just yesterday. After the move, they had celebrated with a small gathering of close friends—such as Bogard and Barse, who had helped with the move—featuring a modest feast of Calcedonia’s home-cooked meals.

After the celebration ended, Bogard and Barse returned to their homes or the temple quarters—at which point Barse gave Tatsumi a meaningful smile and a thumbs-up—but perhaps due to the exhaustion from the move and the alcohol served at the party, Tatsumi fell asleep earlier than expected.

It seemed Tatsumi wasn’t very used to drinking. On top of that, he had only just recovered from his recent injury.

Calcedonia felt a little lonely because Tatsumi had fallen asleep so unexpectedly early, but she couldn’t ask him to push himself while he was still recovering.

Gazing at Tatsumi’s sleeping face with a smirk, Calcedonia also went to bed early that night.

And now, the next day. Calcedonia was quietly burning with desire. In truth, she had a long-cherished ambition.

“Master went to sleep early last night… but today… today, I’ll finally… today, with Master, we’ll finally…”

With that long-held dream floating in her mind, Calcedonia’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink.

Humming cheerfully to herself, Calcedonia finished tidying up most of the house. Deciding to give the front yard a quick sweep as well, she stepped outside through the front door, broom in hand.

“Oh…?”

Just then, beyond the gate visible from the entrance, several women—who appeared to be housewives from the neighborhood—were whispering to one another while glancing furtively toward the house.

Presumably, with the famous Holy Maiden had moved in, the neighborhood housewives had gathered to gossip about it.

One of the women noticed Calcedonia stepping outside and let out a gasp. That triggered the others to notice the Holy Maiden as well.

*—Come to think of it, I haven’t gone around to introduce myself to the neighbors yet.*

Realizing this, Calcedonia smiled and walked over to the women.

“Hello. I’m Calcedonia Chrysos… no, Calcedonia Yamagata, and I’ve just moved into this house. Master and I look forward to getting to know you all.”

With that, Calcedonia bowed to the women.

A highly significant manipulation of information had just taken place, but naturally, no one had noticed it.

.

“Take mabeasts, for example. Some of them certainly cause phenomena similar to magic—breathing fire or unleashing blizzards, for instance. But, of course, they can’t recite spells. In other words, the magic, or rather, the magic-like phenomenon that you used operates on the same principle as those beasts.”
“I see. Now that you mention it, that might be true.”

Tatsumi had never seen a real mabeast, but he couldn’t imagine one speaking human language. Perhaps there were some that could speak, but even if there were, they would surely be quite rare.

“So, does that mean I’ll have to start learning spells from now on?”

In addition to studying the writing system of this world, he would have to learn magic spells as well. Tatsumi couldn’t help but feel anxious about just how far he could actually go.

But he had to do it. He had made up his mind. For the sake of his beloved family, he would definitely become stronger. And for that, he would spare no effort.

Though Tatsumi renewed his resolve inwardly, those feelings vanished instantly upon hearing Giuseppe’s next words.

“Well, you see… regarding your branch of magic, Heaven… I did tell you that there was only one user in the past, didn’t I? And that was quite a long time ago. While oral traditions describing the magic of the Heaven branch have been preserved, the crucial spells themselves… well, they haven’t actually been passed down to the present day at all.”

If one were to search through old texts, they might find them, but it would require an enormous amount of time and effort to track them down. In fact, even the ritual magic that Calcedonia discovered to summon Tatsumi took quite a long time to uncover.

“Eh…? B-but then…”
“Aye. Because you are a mana user instead of a mage, you’ll have no choice but to forge your own path. That is why I told you: I have nothing to teach you.”

.

“Still, it’s reassuring to have the Holy Maiden from the Temple of Savaiv moving into the neighborhood.”
“That’s true. If anyone falls ill suddenly, we’ll be counting on you.”
“Yes. I’ll do my best to help. But if I go around using recovery magic on my own, it’ll cut into the temple’s income… so please make sure to send some requests to the temple every now and then, okay?”

With a warm smile, Calcedonia said this half-jokingly, and the gathered women burst into laughter.

“Well, I must say. Granted your epithet, I’d assumed you’d be a much more stiff and formal person… but now that we’re talking face to face, I see you’re just another young girl.”
“Um… I’ve lived at the temple my whole life, so this is my first time interacting with neighbors like this… To be honest, I’m a little flustered. But if I don’t get along well with everyone in the neighborhood, I’ll be bringing shame upon Master.”

Saying this, Calcedonia placed a hand on her cheek and smiled gently, looking quite happy.

In truth, she wasn’t very good at socializing.

Back in her hometown, her parents and the villagers had always looked at her coldly, thinking she was a bit off her rocker. Even after coming to the Temple of Savaiv in this town, people treated her with an odd reserve because she had become Giuseppe’s adopted daughter, and very few people ever spoke to her on a friendly basis.

But as long as she lives in this house, she must get along well with the neighbors. If she were to become isolated from the neighborhood because of her own actions, it would make Tatsumi feel uncomfortable as well.

Just as Tatsumi had resolved to do his best for Calcedonia, she, too, intended to make an effort for him.

.

“That said, it’s not as if I can’t offer any advice at all,”

Giuseppe told Tatsumi, who was clearly looking disheartened, with a smile like a child who had pulled off a prank.

“First, you should aim to be able to manipulate the External Elements at will. Right now, you can’t even consciously gather them, can you?”
“I guess no… You’re right.”

Up until now, Tatsumi had only unleashed the Heaven mana once—and even then, it was half-unconsciously. He had used a small amount of mana on a few occasions, but even then, he hadn’t consciously manipulated it.

Learning to consciously control mana. That would be Tatsumi’s first challenge.

“There are likely many differences between us and you, but for your reference, let me explain how we use magic. First—”

*There’s no need to rush. U just need to slowly and steadily master the necessary techniques.*

Repeating this to himself, Tatsumi listened intently to Giuseppe’s lecture.

.

“I’m home.”

Well past the seventh hour—around six in the evening—when the surroundings had grown completely dark, Tatsumi finally returned to the house that had become his new home.

“Welcome home, Master.”

After unlocking with a magical key enchanted by Calcedonia that opened with a password—and stepping inside, Tatsumi was greeted by Calcedonia, who came running out from inside the house.

“You must be tired. How was your first day of study?”
“Well, how should I put it… it feels like I’ve got a rough road ahead of me…”

It wasn’t going to be easy to suddenly become aware of the mana filling the air around him—something he’d never even noticed before. All day long, under Giuseppe’s guidance, Tatsumi had been training to sense the mana surrounding him.

However, the day passed without him being able to sense any mana at all.

“No one can sense mana right away, you know? I struggled quite a bit at first before I could sense it myself.”
“I see… You’re right. It’s not like it’s going to go smoothly from the start.”

Giuseppe had once described Calcedonia as a genius. If even Calcedonia struggled at first, then it was only natural that he would too.

Tatsumi had been feeling a little down, wondering if perhaps he lacked talent, but Calcedonia’s encouragement helped him regain his motivation.

Don’t call him simple-minded. After all, for a man, encouragement from a beautiful woman is more effective than any healing potion.

“I’m preparing dinner right now, so please go take a bath first, Master. The water is already heated.”

Thanks to the skilled mage Calcedonia, filling the bath with water or heating it is a simple task.

What’s more, while ordinary households rely on the dim light of candles at night, thanks to Calcedonia’s Light magic, every corner of the house is as bright as day.

“Thank you, Chiiko. It really helps having you here.”
“N-no… As long as I can be of service to you, Master, that’s all that matters…”
“But I can’t just leave all the housework to you, Chiiko. If there’s anything I can do, just let me know, okay? I’ll do anything—even chopping firewood.”

As Tatsumi said this, slapping his bicep with a “thump,” Calcedonia suddenly blushed and began to fidget.

“In that case… in that case, I have a favor to ask of you, Master…”
“Me? Yeah, if there’s anything I can do, just tell me.”
“W-well… then… may I sleep in the same bed with you tonight…?”

*Snap.*

Tatsumi’s body stiffened with an audible crack.