James Keller had quite a long list of items he wanted.
Yet he wasn't entirely sure if he could successfully transmit any of them—or how many would make it through. In the end, he settled on just two, employing the methodical logic of an engineer.
One was a battery-powered mining drill.
The other, a compact yet powerful handgun.
The first would help him escape tight spots; the second would keep him safe.
Though this was a world of magic, James Keller's experience since crossing over told him that when it came to ordinary magic apprentices…
Well, one bullet should be enough to send them to meet their maker.
If one bullet doesn't suffice, then two.
And if two aren't enough…
Well, there's always rapid fire.
After hearing James Keller's request, there was a brief silence on the other side of the ring.
In less than five minutes, the voice came through again.
"Mr. James Keller, we have prepared what you asked for."
"The supplies have been placed directly in front of the ring."
"The handgun comes with three extra magazines—twenty-eight rounds in total."
The President's voice traveled through the ring and reached James Keller's ears,
bolstering his spirits instantly. He responded quickly,
"Good… I'll try to increase my magical output next."
"If we succeed in transferring the items—thank you, my country."
"No need for thanks. You are a citizen of this nation, and even in another world, you deserve our protection."
Warmth spread through James Keller's heart.
Because of those words, he made a decision—for Earth, for his homeland on Earth,
he would survive and thrive in this world of magic.
He would not bring shame to his country.
He would not let Earth down.
Hhh…
James Keller took a deep breath, his left hand gripping the ring.
With his right hand, he picked up the magical crystal, no larger than a fist.
Almost instinctively, he channeled the basic spell taught by the Shadow Council.
Hum~!
The moment the magic activated,
he strained to draw out thin strands of mana, coating the crystal.
In the next instant,
the incredibly hard crystal began to flicker and waver.
Streams of rich, concentrated mana surged forth from within.
Under James Keller's deliberate control, the mana rushed toward the ring in his left palm—!
Hum~!
Swish!
The moment the mana flowed into the ring,
its faint glow suddenly flared intensely.
A dazzling light burst from it, revealing a glowing portal no larger than his palm.
"It… It actually works!"
The miraculous sight left James Keller staring in stunned awe.
Worried the brilliant light might be seen, he quickly crouched lower and reached his free hand toward the luminous portal.
Hum~!
After a strange, resonant tremor—like pushing through a membrane of warm water—
James Keller's fingertips brushed against something cool. His hand closed around a solid object.
With a slight pull, a pistol came free into his grip.
His eyes locked onto this sudden artifact of another world, James Keller's heart hammered against his ribs.
He could barely believe he had actually retrieved it.
Wasting no time, he tucked the pistol into his waistband,
clenched the magic crystal in his right hand,
and channeled mana once more.
Hum~!
With a soft hum, the impact drill-half the length of his arm-was pulled through into his waiting grasp.
[Earth]
"It worked! It actually worked!"
"The ring can transfer physical objects!"
In the command center, as they watched the Desert Eagle disappear into the shimmering light, the researchers erupted in cheers, each one utterly awestruck.
Even the President was deeply moved by the sight. To witness such a miracle firsthand, despite some mental preparation, left him profoundly shaken.
"It's true! Everything Mr. James Keller said is true!"
"A world of magic does exist!"
The President's voice trembled as he hurriedly spoke into the ring.
"Mr. James Keller, can you hear me?"
"Did you receive the items?"
[World of Magic]
"I got them!"
James Keller's voice was charged with excitement, though it was noticeably quieter than before. It crackled and broke up, like a signal fading out.
"Mr. President, my mana is running low... the link is failing..."
"I... will contact you... later..."
James Keller's voice faded into silence.
[Earth]
The President knew this was no time to waste words. Leaning closer to the ring, he urged quickly,
"Don't panic, Mr. Keller! Once the connection breaks, your safety comes first.
Regain your strength and gather all the intelligence you can. The organization—and your country—will be waiting for you!"
"When the time is right, reach out to us again."
Hum~!
A soft thud followed.
As the last word left his lips, the ring's light winked out. It lay inert on the table,
indistinguishable from any ordinary piece of jewelry,
stripped of all its earlier radiance.
It was as though the entire event had been nothing but a shared dream.
Yet the hushed silence in the room was proof enough. Every researcher present—and every camera that had been rolling-had captured it all.
A silent understanding passed through the command center: a new era was dawning.
"This changes everything-it concerns the very fate of Earth. I must contact the leaders of the other nations."
"If we can, through James Keller, truly guide Earth into an age of magic… the implications for our global economy, our future, they're boundless."
"This global transformation will be led by us. Our nation will secure a position of unquestionable leadership."
[World of Magic]
Shadow Council Mine
James Keller looked at the now-dim ring and exhaled slowly.
Yet his eyes gleamed as they fell upon the two items in his hands.
"A handgun has enough punch to drop a bear with one shot.
A mining top-of-the-line… There's no way it can't handle this magic-infused ore."
The Shadow Council's rule was brutally clear: every mine laborer had to excavate four pieces of magic-infused ore per shift.
Fall short, and you pay the price with your life.
James Keller had believed his time was nearly up.
But now… The rules had changed!
Hard as the ore was, it wasn't unbreakable.
Even a common pickaxe could, with a full day's brutal labor, chip off a single piece.
This drill from Earth, year 3026, was in another league entirely.
Hum~!
Without a second thought, James Keller activated the drill.
With little more than a whisper, he pressed it to the mine wall—and the bit sank into the stone with ease.
One solid push, and a fist-sized chunk of ore sheared away and clattered to the ground.
Outstanding.
At this rate, he wouldn't just meet the quota by tomorrow evening—he could realistically amass a personal cache of crystals.
Once he cleared this immediate hurdle… contacting Earth again would be within reach.
The thought brightened James Keller's eyes with fierce resolve. Gripping the drill, he bent back to work as the minutes bled into hours unnoticed.
He had lost track of time when the drill's battery indicator finally pulsed a warning red.
And then it came. A voice, cold as the deep rock and thick with oppressive magical force, rang out abruptly through the caverns:
"All laborers… submit your yield."