Luna Village -7

"I see. Something that amplifies magical essence. If we had that, we could absorb the leaking essence and pinpoint its source... Just what we need, actually."

"Wait, did something like that exist?"

Upon hearing this, Coil pulled out a viscous substance in a small bottle from his pack.

"Can't you remember? Liquid crystal. Didn't they say somewhere that this stuff amplifies magical essence?"

Upon hearing the story, I suddenly realized and quickly pulled out the liquid crystal from my pack.

I had no idea how to use it, so I just smeared it onto the magic stone and activated the stone, observing the result. However, nothing changed at all.

"Guess it's not that simple to make everything work just like that?"

Coil spoke with a playful tone and immediately returned to drinking. But I didn't give up. I couldn't give up. I had the feeling that something was about to click...

Remember.

How did I know the stone amplified magical energy? Why were the murals in the ruins painted with liquid magical ore?

There were several places in the murals where the images were disconnected. Yet, magical energy was still flowing through them, spreading throughout the walls. How could that be possible?

I frantically flipped back through my sketches of the murals. Indeed, there were many broken sections—just mysterious patterns drawn without continuity.

I kept flipping back through the same sketch again and again, examining every line from end to end, making sure I hadn’t missed anything—how each line connected to another, the thickness of each stroke, every detail.

Before I knew it, the sun had set and was beginning to rise once more.

It’s strange how understanding comes to you.

Suddenly, without warning, all the lines connected, forming a single river—something I hadn’t even thought of before.

I realized that a common pattern was drawn on the supply ports where magical energy was channeled.

There was a pattern centered around a circle, and this pattern was visible in most places where the lines were broken.

Perhaps this pattern was particularly effective at transmitting magical energy.

There had been the sound of footsteps moving around during the darkest part of dawn, but it had quietly faded away by now.

"Hmm... Ah, I've done it again..."

Coil, drunk and half-asleep, rubbed his bleary eyes and glanced around. There wasn't much change, really—just the usual scene he'd seen often lately.

Except for one part, which was clearly filthy. Scattered across the ground were shards of magic stones and liquid magic, and curled among them, Taro was snoring peacefully.

"Hey, Taro, don't sleep right there. How obsessed are you, sleeping in a worse state than me? Hmm?"

Coil noticed a flat, circular plate embedded with a strange-patterned magic stone that Taro had been holding.

"What's this?"

Coil picked up the plate and examined it closely.

A circular, mysterious pattern was carved into the center of the plate, with material resembling the murals seen in the ruins flowing within it.

As I observed it, Taro suddenly sat up.

"Taro, what's this?"

"Ah, that... it worked out."

I took the plate from Coil, giving a satisfied smirk.

"This... this is a magical artifact capable of sensing magical energy."

"Mana perception!? Is it really possible to create something like that... No way. There's no way one person could develop it when armies from around the world are pouring all their resources into researching it."

It's not a lie. It actually works properly.

Then, why don't you try it out for yourself?

Coil smirked, rummaging through the luggage.

Sure, but how do we test it?

"That's easy, really."

Coil said that, pulling out two gems slightly smaller than the size of his palm. Instantly recognizable as low-grade fire runes.

"Take these two gems and channel magical energy into only one of them—the fire rune. There will be no visible change. Taro, from a distance, try to guess which one you're channeling into using that device."

"Got it. Let's do it."

With that, we each moved to opposite corners of the room.

Coil spread his arms wide to both sides and said, "Good job."

Hold the plate capable of sensing magical essence toward the coil.

I recall last night.

This is based on a crystal of light. If you can sense the spiritual energy properly, it should glow faintly. There's a bit of technique to using it...

This device absorbs magical particles floating in space. To use it effectively, one must be highly skilled in magic and magic stones—so much so that they can clearly perceive another person's magical energy.

However, detecting these floating magical particles requires immense effort. Simply absorbing them once would drain nearly all of one's physical stamina. This makes it practically unusable in reality.

It was a mural found within the ruin. On that mural, there was a section where magical particles could be infused. Upon focusing and observing that section, it became clear that a specific pattern was drawn there. Moreover, the pattern was attached to a magic stone.

When this pattern was carved into a board and liquid magic stone was poured in, astonishingly, the liquid magic stone adhered to the magic stone—harder than even the mural itself.

Though the reasoning is unclear, it seems the circular pattern has the ability to collect magical particles. This allows magical particles scattered throughout space to be gathered into the magic stone.

Thanks to these combined elements, magical particles dispersed in space can be collected into the stone, much like moving them through space. By detecting differences in concentration, the general direction of the magical particles can be determined.

I began absorbing the magical particles, tracing along the extended arms of the coil from my right arm inward. My right arm showed no reaction. When I reached my left arm, the processed magic stone glowed brightly. I showed that light to the coil.

"Is this the correct one?"

The coil grinned and extended his arm.

"Correct."

It was the arm that caused the magic stone to glow.

"Wow, actually making this thing... This is revolutionary!"

"You're exaggerating. But now we might be able to teach magic essence transfer much more efficiently."

"What are you talking about? We've already made it. Let's sell it to the military that'll pay the highest price. That alone would make us rich for life—no more worries about food."

"Hmm. I don't plan to do that. There are reasons... about that."

"Why not? That alone would make you a hero of the world."

"I make things to help people, not to kill them."

"It depends on the person using it, doesn't it? To be honest, your actions are off track."

"Even so, if the creator gives up, that's the end of it."

"Strange guy. Such a great chance, and you're wasting it..."

Coil left the room reluctantly.

I immediately headed to the training ground with the magic item I'd just made.

"Good morning, everyone! Let's give it our all today."

Though my unusually cheerful demeanor seemed strange to them, they quickly resumed training as usual.

The usual girl approached me. She still hadn't mastered moving magic essence effectively.

"Could you try moving the magic essence at full speed, just once?"

"Got it!"

The girl began focusing intently on the magic stone in her hand.

I raise a magical essence detection board in front of the girl, synchronizing with her. Then I begin investigating where exactly in her body the magical energy is generated and flowing from.

The path of the magical energy becomes visible as light through her body.

It appears the energy originates near her heart, travels down her arms, and enters the magic stone.

The flow perfectly matches the image I was taught before. However, it weakens at her shoulders. If I could widen that area, it might change for the better.

"Try to imagine forcefully channeling mana right at your shoulders?"

"Here? Got it."

The girl glanced at her shoulders, then resumed focusing on the mana stone.

Mana began shifting toward the deteriorated stone once again, just as before—but this time, it was moving at a noticeably faster pace. Indeed, having a clear mental image is crucial when working with mana stones.

And finally, all the mana had shifted, revealing a perfectly revived mana stone.

"Look! It's done!"

"Yeah, perfect."

I silently gave myself a thumbs-up while watching the girl happily jumping with joy.

This could work! I might now be able to pinpoint exactly which villagers struggle with their abilities.

Then, I gathered the villagers practicing mana movement and observed the flow of mana in everyone. Differences in where mana originated and how it flowed led to new discoveries.

After repeated trials and errors, I managed to get everyone to successfully perform mana movement at least once. With further practice, they’ll be able to do it anytime—making it practical for real use.

Just a few more days.

In just a few more days, I’ll be able to teach the villagers how to move mana. That way, I can fulfill my promise to the village chief.

After practicing mana movement for several days, every villager managed to master it.

When they demonstrated their ability before the village chief, he immediately invited them to come to his house.

"Amazing. I truly didn't expect everyone to master the technique you taught. I sincerely thank you for sharing it so openly. This will greatly improve our village's situation regarding magical stones."

"So, life for the villagers will become much easier, then?"

"Yes, but I can't include Rilka in the team responsible for securing magical stones."

"!? Why? You just said the village's circumstances have changed."

"That's exactly why. The village's power has greatly increased. That means she can now be given a new role."

That's why stubborn people like you are so hard to change... It really is difficult to shift someone's rigid mindset.

"Then... could I ask you to let her accompany you on your journey?"

"Wha!?"

The village chief looked me straight in the eye as he made his request to join the journey.

"Why?"

"As I mentioned before, a new breeze has swept through the village. The village will undoubtedly change significantly from now on. To ensure the village's continued survival, it's essential to adapt to new insights and values. Above all, our relationships with other towns and villages will also transform. I want you to be someone who can thrive through those changes."

Whether this was the village chief's perspective or a parent's heartfelt wish, I couldn't tell.

"So essentially, you're telling me to look outward and learn from the world beyond? But is that really safe? If you're sending someone like me—an outsider—along on this journey, wouldn't it be riskier for you to have me around? Isn't gathering the village's spirit stones a safer option?"

"Once you leave the village, danger follows no matter where you go. And no matter how weak the opponent, you can be taken down in an instant if caught off guard. So it's far more reassuring to have someone with proven strength—someone capable of conquering dungeons and developing new technologies quickly—by your side."

"Yet, do you think she would want that?"

"Well, how about you? Would you like to travel together?"

The village chief called out from behind the door I had just entered. Rilka, who had been listening nearby, her eyes slightly moist, slowly stepped through the doorway.

"Thank you, Dad. I'll do my best."

She wiped her tears and bowed her head.

After that, I left the chief's house. The family would probably talk things over together now. I returned leisurely to my lodging, taking my time to look around the village.

This village and I... we're saying goodbye now.

It was a village that, despite only being for a few days, had treated me most kindly. The villagers, bright and warm-hearted, welcomed even me, a stranger, with open arms.

Even though magic essence transportation was an incomprehensible ability, they practiced diligently, all for the sake of the village.

A good village indeed. I'm sure this village will endure for a long time.

The day of my next departure was soon decided, and I began preparations for my journey.

Since Rilka was setting off on a journey to learn and grow, the entire village decided to host a celebration to honor her path.

Every villager gathered around the bonfire built in the center of the village, spending time as they pleased.

There was a faint sense of nostalgia, yet I was drawn to the unfamiliar culture as if seeing it for the first time. After chatting briefly with the villagers who had taught me magical travel and shared a drink, I took careful note of the entire scene from a distance, etching it deeply into my memory. In a world without photographs, the only ways to preserve a landscape are by memorizing it or drawing it. I studied it thoroughly, deliberately, so I could recall and sketch it later.

I returned to the rented accommodation after the party ended. Tomorrow I'll be leaving early in the morning.

As I was preparing my bed to go to sleep, I heard a knock on the door. I remembered Coil was still drinking at the plaza, so I opened the door. There stood Rilka supporting Coil, who was leaning on her.

I helped Coil lie down, too drunk to stand.

"Hey, Taro... can we talk for a bit?"

I wanted to draw what I'd remembered, but she seemed eager to say something, so I left the room with her.

Stepping outside, we reached a garden where the sky had opened up. A beautiful night sky was visible.

"It feels like it's been a while since we've talked like this under the night sky."

"Yeah... thank you. For giving me a chance."

"I don't know what you think, but it was because you wanted it that it happened. I didn't do much, really."

"I was still glad about it. Thank you for helping me. That's all I really wanted to say. I didn't want to carry any emotional burdens forward as we travel together from now on..."

"Yeah, I see. We should talk about what we're thinking. That's important."

Riruka turned and walked back to her room.

The next morning, several figures stood at the edge of the village.

"Come on, let's head out toward the next town."

Riruka began walking energetically, with two shadows following closely behind.