Chapter 32: Bad Feeling

I gathered the injured Self-Defense Force members and cast Healing Magic over a wide area. The accuracy and power of the Healing Magic had improved drastically—so much so that even the severely wounded were healed without issue.

For those who’d lost limbs, I applied the magic individually. Light flooded out, and their limbs regrew—voices of awe rose from the troops.

"Unbelievable... this is magic...?"

"Look! My wounds healed in an instant!"

It took a good while to treat everyone, but we managed. The gratitude from so many Self-Defense Force members—this was the first time I’d ever felt this kind of joy.

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Something’s off... When I first “Identified” him, his profession was “Great Mage.” But now, when I “Identify” him, it says “Monk, Level 99.”

I didn’t make a mistake... It’s clearly changed.

Sakuragi, after endless hesitation, finally steeled himself and decided to ask him directly.

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"Ah, um, Gojo-san... Do you mind if I ask you something?"

"Eh? Ah, yeah...?"

Wasn’t this kid the one standing next to Sakuragi-san...?

"I’m Sakuragi. I use a special ability called ‘Identification’ to look into people with unique talents... But I’ve never seen anyone as strong as you! I mean, it’s not even the same level—completely different dimension, really... How did you get this strong!? Please tell me! I beg you!"

"Eh... um... well..."

Staring straight at me, pure and innocent... what the hell do I do... I can't possibly say I got this strong from suddenly throwing my salary into some random gacha, can I? They'd think I'm nuts... ugh...

"It's like... uh... you know, kind of... fate-ish... like, I just... happened to get stronger... I guess..."

Oh crap... I'm spouting nonsense again.

"Fate..."

"Hey! Gojo! Over here! There's a high-up from the Self-Defense Force here from Osaka—says they really wanna meet you. I'll show you the way."

"Oh, right, yes! Uh, I'm being called—gotta go."

Phew... I don’t have the vocabulary to answer seriously like that... Sakuragi looked like she wanted to say something, but I just bolted.

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The one who came to see Gojo was the Joint Staff Chief, Hayata.

"Nice to meet you. You must be Lieutenant General Gojo Masamune. We're deeply grateful for your tremendous assistance to the Self-Defense Force. The Prime Minister himself, currently in Osaka, sent his thanks."

"Helping people is just what you do. Please don't worry about it."

"Being told that... it really helps..."

Hayata was offered a seat, and sat across from me and Shimizu. Next to him, a man introduced himself as Yamamoto, the commander from Gifu Base.

"So this 'magic' of yours... there's no doubt it saved us. But right now, we're in a very difficult situation... uh... well..."

"What do you mean?"

"Up until now, using magic—what we might call a kind of force—was considered an unavoidable act during emergencies, so no issue there. But going forward, using magic could bring legal complications."

I didn’t really get what "legal complications" meant, but Hayata kept talking.

"We’d hate to trouble Gojo-san, so if possible, we’d appreciate it if you could refrain from using magic until the government reaches a decision... um..."

"Is that so... I understand. Can’t have everyone else inconvenienced, can we?"

"Thank you for understanding. You must be exhausted. We’ve prepared a place to rest at the base facility—please, do come on over!"

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"Gojo-san! Don’t you get angry? Aren’t those guys trying to play you like some kind of puppet?! You should be furious!"

I was honestly seething. There was no doubt Gojo-san had saved us from this mess. And now they’re telling him not to use magic? Do they really think their pride’s been shattered or something?

"Doesn’t matter... I don’t want to get into a fight with Self-Defense Force personnel."

Gojo said that, but I couldn’t shake the worry that things were heading downhill from here.

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"What are you saying?! Are you locking me up like this?!"

"Exactly. Try not to let him notice, as much as possible."

Sakagi couldn’t believe what Yamamoto had just said... turning on the very person who’d saved Japan, after their own forces had been on the brink of collapse.

"Why? Why on earth do we need to do this?!"

Think this through, Sakagi! If that kind of power goes wild, no one can stop it!! The government’s plan is for us, the Self-Defense Force, to manage and control it!

"Control?"

"An emergency session of the Diet will soon be held in Osaka, and there’s a strong chance a law about 'magic' will be passed. After that, using magic itself will be illegal. You won’t be able to use it without our permission."

"What kind of world is this, where laws even matter?"

"If he goes berserk, Sakagi! You’re the one who’ll handle it. Use this… this…"

Yamamoto pulled out a bullet sealed in a wooden box.

"A bullet made of magical steel. We’ve already given some to a few of our officers. In the worst case, use this. After all, we’re still human—no one survives a direct hit at close range."

Sakagi froze. Speechless. Stuck in place.