Chapter 53 – Let's Ask the Yatagarasu

“If уou’re gоing tо рrасtice flamе mаgic, wouldn’t thе Otherwоrld bе just реrfесt?”

“Now that уou mentiоn it, I suрpоsе уоu’rе right.”

And sо it was dеcided thаt wе wоuld рractiсe mаgic and such in thе Оtherworld.

The surfасe world is just too cоnsрicuous.

If Spice’s ехistencе draws аttеntiоn, it’ll сause trouble lаter on.

…Wеll, nоt thаt I haven’t аlrеаdy beеn strutting around mу original town in Spiсе’s form, going shорping, рlaying with thе little girl, and all thаt.

I guess I wаs just riding thе high of being in Spice’s fоrm baсk thеn.

“Аlright then, I’ll bе your оррonent. Сomе fоrth, Guаrdiаn Dеmon.”

Shinо rеlеasеd sоmething like a talisman, and it transformed into a guard-like figure holding a human-sized shield.

“As expected, it’s easy to use Arts in the Otherworld. I wonder what it is. I’ve sent several samples to the workplace, though.”

“I don’t think Spice’s magic changes that much.”

“Is that because Ms. Spice has a natural talent for using magic, like some kind of genius or something?”

“Nah, nah, it’s nothing that grand. I’m just the legitimate successor of the Witch, that’s all.”

“That’s it! I wish you’d have some self-awareness about it!”

‘Enough chit-chat! Let’s go! Our goal is to reach Fireball! But trying to use it right away is tough! We’ll start by practicing with the Torch magic!’

Torch.

It’s a magic that involves holding a tube in your hand and spewing flames from it.

Apparently, it can be used for illumination and even wielded like a flame sword.

“Sounds cool just hearing the concept. Let’s see…?”

‘Master! What’s that paper tube in your hand?’

“Ah, that’s a toilet paper core.”

“Yeah, ever since the residents became just Spice and Ms. Shino, consumption has sped up.”

‘Using magic with a toilet paper core!? Well, I suppose it’ll work! If the Witch uses it, even if there’s a difference in catalyst efficiency, there’s no distinction between noble and common. Go for it!’

“Alright, alright. Um, rise up! Torch!”

‘The page is turning!’

Ignite’s page is trembling.

While emitting an orange glow, it just turned a little…!

A tiny flicker of flame came out of the tube in my hand.

“Ah, just a little came out.”

The Guardian Demon dutifully stepped forward and blocked this flame with its shield.

“How is it?”

The Guardian Demon tilted its head.

“No good.”

“No good, huh.”

‘Repetition practice! Generally, if you use it about ten times, you’ll be able to use it normally.’

“It’s that easy to use!?”

‘Master is a legitimate Witch, after all. With fundamentals like these, as long as you can properly visualize them, you can start using them quickly. Now, repeat, repeat!’

“Alright, alright.”

I used Torch as told, about ten times.

And then…

Sure enough, by the tenth time, the size of the flame spewing from the tube had multiplied several times.

Ah, this is about the length of a bamboo sword, and it looks like it could be used as a flame sword!

“Whoa! You did well! Now then, let’s have the Guardian Demon block this…”

“Hyah!”

The Torch I swung, upon hitting the Guardian Demon’s shield…

Bent limply.

“Ah.”

‘The flame has no core, you see. Only the highest-tier users can wield the flame itself as a weapon. Like Freya, for instance. So, if you want to use it as a weapon too, it’s good to prepare a core for the flame.’

“I see. So it’s best to wrap a tool that hurts when you hit someone with a toilet paper core.”

So you can aim for double damage from both impact and flame.

Okay, okay.

“So, are you going to learn swordsmanship?”

“Just a little.”

“I happen to know someone who’d be just perfect for that.”

“Eh, really!? Will they help me?”

“I think they will. That young master loves interesting things.”

Young master…?

“Originally, as a direct descendant of the grand shrine, he should be in the land where gods reside, but he’s a bit of a wanderer, so he plays around as a streamer and such.”

“Haha, I think I’m starting to get an idea of who it might be. From the streamer name and personality… It’s Yatagarasu, right?”

“Correct! He’s from the highest-tier bloodline among us Art users. His brother inherited the talent for Arts and will become the next head priest, but the young master… Well, when it comes to swords, it’s the young master.”

“Eh!? Unexpected! Yatagarasu fights with a sponge life rifle LARF style, right? I mean, I was wondering why Spice deliberately uses such an inconvenient weapon too. No rapid fire, and the bullets are bulky.”

“He’s holding back.”

“Holding back!? Against a Dungeon!?”

“The young master says if he uses a sword, the Dungeon becomes too fleeting. Well, what he does is beyond the realm of swords and such.”

“And he ends up being a top-class streamer. Abnormally strong. That Yatagarasu is going to accompany Spice’s practice!?”

“Yes. Shall I try contacting him? Hello? You… I mean, Young Master Yatagarasu~”

She did.

Since it was just past noon, we managed to get through to a just-awakened Yatagarasu.

‘Oh, Little Spice is going to practice magic? Sure, sure. I’ll keep you company. Can I stream the scene?’

“Sure!”

‘Yay, I got material for my stream! Ah, is Shino there with you now? I see, I see. Well, it might be nice to drop by and see your face for once.’

After saying just that in a somewhat sleepy voice, the call ended.

What a go-at-your-own-pace person.

“For swords, learning from the young master would be best. And, as a bonus, you can also try practical combat using flames. …And so, as for the reward for me introducing all this.”

“You’re thorough! Well then, maybe I’ll order some good udon.”

“Even Kanto-style broth, after ten years here, I’ve gotten used to it. That’ll be fine. Please put two pieces of fried tofu on it.”

And so we were returning from practice.

Then, having returned to my original form and Mr. Murakami’s form, as the two of us were slurping hot udon, there was a knock and then the door to our home clicked open.

“Hyahha! Came to play!! ‘Cause if Yatagarasu comes alone, he’ll get lost…”

“I got brought along. Hello! I’m Yatagarasu!”

“Ah, h-hello.”

Even Charaway showed up!

You really do take care of all sorts of people…

And Yatagarasu in his true face, meeting him for the first time, was a gentle-smiling, refined-feeling older boy.