After spending the whole day gathering information at the Great Lelore Library, I returned home.
"I'm back."
I took off my shoes and walked into the lounge, where I saw Violet sitting on the sofa, reading a book.
"Welcome back," she said, setting down her book, she greeting me.
Looking around, I didn't see Alysha. Was she in her room?
"Where's Alysha?"
"If you're looking for Sis Alysha, she's in her room. I think she's working on assignments."
Homework, huh? Well, I already finished mine yesterday before coming home, so I'm fine with relaxing.
"I see. Oh, right, there's something I wanted to ask you. Do you have time?"
"Of course. I'm just enjoying reading a regular book."
"Perfect timing. I wanted to test some information I just learned earlier."
I take out a paper and a pencil from the nearby drawer and then sit down on the sofa beside her.
First, I asked her about magic circles—or more precisely, the basic form of magic. I wanted to compare my understanding of how to draw them with what's commonly used outside. The last time I did this was with Evan, and because of his ability, the form of the circle he taught me was a bit different from standard ones.
"Would you say this is standard?"
I drew something slightly different from the usual. The typical base of a magic circle is a pentagram or five-pointed star, but I drew a hexagram or six-pointed one.
This was based on an old book from the magic section, so I wanted to confirm if this kind of circle had become standard.
"I think this framework is standard, though for some people, it's a bit hard to do since it means rebuilding from scratch."
According to previous info, the pentagram was the foundational model for the first generation of magic users when magic was discovered. Since then, they've developed it further.
I had never studied hexagram magic before, so I didn't understand it well. The experiments done in the lab at the time were focused on compatibility between Magician's Magic and Esper's powers, so we didn't get any of the advanced information. Though I had seen it in books at the lab.
"Can you teach me about the six-pointed one? I mostly understand the pentagram, but I barely have any grasp on the hexagram."
Violet suddenly seemed to remember something.
"That's correct. Senior Naozumi managed to read my magic circle in the Student Council room, even while I was employing a special spell at that moment."
She seemed impressed by what I had done. Thanks to Evan for teaching me everything he knew about magic. Since Evan and Violet studied their early magic together, their circles had some similarities.
"Well, that was just your basic spell. I'm not sure I could do it again with your high-level magic."
"Senior Naozumi even knows that?"
She seemed surprised by my comment.
Normally, special magic has only one form and doesn't change. But Violet's is a little different. Her special magic affects normal magic—so you could say it's a kind of enhancement magic.
"How about we try it!?"
Violet's words sounded like a challenge. She stood up and pulled out a sketchbook from the corner cabinet.
She sat down and began drawing a pentagram-based magic circle. Just like the one she drew in the Student Council room, but this one was larger. Definitely mid-tier class, or could this be high tier?
It didn't take long before she finished, revealing a fairly complex circle.
Reading a magic circle starts with analyzing the patterns on each side, so the larger and more details the magic circle is, the harder it becomes to identify those patterns.
I observed the circle she had just drawn, trying to find signs of her special magic.
There were a few angles that resembled her signature pattern. I compared her pattern with several normal mid-tier spells, but none of them matched. Even with a high tier is not one of the matches.
Could this be spells that I don't know?
More focus on comprehending it, then something important hit me. This pattern had never appeared in any basic magic reference. And this is some pattern that is important to her.
"Is this the foundation of your special magic?" I said seriously, lowering my voice.
The result she drew resembled the core used in the fireball magic she cast in the Student Council room yesterday—but this one was more detailed and expanded. It was the core of her magic.
She was pushing herself too far. I didn't want her exposing her secrets too openly—even if I appreciated her openness. If I weren't a good person, this would be the same as destroying her ability against other magicians by revealing the core of her magic.
"As expected of Naozumi."
Her face was clearly filled with awe.
"Vio, I've told you to be careful with your secrets."
"But you always protect me. I figured the least I could do is fully trust you."
Violet smiled, her tone without a hint of hesitation. In fact, she seemed happy.
I didn't know what was on her mind, but I could guess something.
"Do you want me to trust you back?"
She flinched, scratching the back of her head, clearly flustered.
After a moment, she looked at me, hesitant, then finally sad.
"Senior Naozumi always tries to protect me, but it feels like you won't open up to me."
Her words hit me hard—and filled me with guilt. It's not that I didn't trust her. I just didn't want Vio to be burdened by me.
"I trust you the same way you trust me," I said hopefully.
I really did want her to trust me. I know it's hard to believe that from someone clearly hiding something—but deep inside, I truly wanted her trust.
"But..."
She still seemed unsure. After all, what I said was just words—no proof. Did she want me to prove it in some way?
"What would make you trust me?"
She was caught off guard, clearly unprepared for that question. She didn't want me to put a burden on myself, which made her hesitant. She thought about it, trying to speak but hesitating.
After a while, Violet finally mustered the courage.
"Then, can you tell me about your mana?"
I wasn't ready to explain everything, but I thought it was fine as long as I didn't bring up Evan. She knew so little about me—so this time, I had to tell her something.
"Well, it's really just me trying to stay out of trouble, but if that's what you want, fine. Lend me the sketch book."
Violet grabbed the sketch book from the table and handed it to me.
I started drawing a magic circle.
I intend to show her my magic. Because I cannot truly tell the story to her, this is the least that I can think of.
This was my first time drawing a magic circle in a normal way, and even more so one tailored to me. I was just aligning it with my theory—I'd never tested it on myself.
Violet also looked tense as she watched me draw.
By the way, I also included Violet's unique magic in the design. I couldn't use magic without it—my mana was too low. So, whether I want it or not, it is a must.
"Okay, I think this is it. What do you think?" I show it to her, a drawing of a pentagonal magic circle.
"I don't think I can say anything anymore. You even copied my special magic that easily. Other people wouldn't even understand the foundation of it," she said, half in awe and half deflated.
Copying someone's special magic is extremely difficult—almost impossible unless the user reveals it. But because I understand hers, and also after she showed it to me herself, it is doable.
Violet was amazed and a little disheartened that someone else could use her magic so easily.
For now, I'm tearing paper from my sketch book that the magic circle I had drawn.
I tried channeling mana into it, like I had with the Crystal Mana before. It is more difficult than I thought. It also feels different than what I feel when I do it with Magic Crystal compared to using it directly.
Slowly, the lines of the magic circle lit up. A small flame appeared above the paper.
Success! The spell I created for the first time had worked. This excitement in my chest—it was joy. For the first time, I had used magic on my own.
"Haha~!! I did it! I really did it!"
I shouted proudly at what I had just made. I couldn't stop smiling and giggling. It truly felt like a discovery. Just like an inventor takes pride in their first creation, that was exactly how I felt.
Violet clapped and smiled happily beside me.
Then, I noticed someone at the door. I figured it was Alysha, so I called out.
"Alysha~? Come on, don't be like that. Why are you hiding?"
Alysha stepped out from behind the door. She walked over and sat on the sofa.
"You two looked like you were having fun, so I didn't want to interrupt."
"Look, Sister Alysha! Senior Naozumi can use magic!" Violet said excitedly, pointing at the flame. She seemed to be celebrating with me.
"Heh~ congratulations, then."
Strangely, Alysha didn't seem surprised. She looked calm rather than shocked, though it was clear she was happy for me.
For someone who could use both Magic and Skills, this was a first. Normally, people would be amazed or stunned—but Alysha remained composed, just like always.
"You're not surprised, Alysha?"
"Ah~ well, not really. You're always finding weird stuff, anyway," she said nonchalantly, watching the flame on the paper.
Was that a compliment? The way she said it made me feel like some kind of oddball.
Slowly, the magic flame faded. And then suddenly—
My body felt weak. A sharp pain tightened in my chest.
I hunched over, clutching my chest. Alysha and Vio looked panicked.
"W-what... is... happening? My body… hurts… and I feel weak..."
I struggled to speak.
From what I could tell, it felt like the fatigue I get after using my ability. The feeling was different, but thankfully not as bad as the pain from using my second ability.
Violet and Alysha moved closer, grabbing my shoulders.
"Senior probably ran out of mana. When someone runs out of mana, it causes pain," Violet said.
I ran out of mana? Right… I kept the flame going too long.
For a normal magician, it is probably fine with just that amount of mana, but for someone like me, it is already an achievement.
While trying to find a way to deal with the pain, I thought about how to shorten the effect.
That's right. I could use Crystal Mana to restore mine.
I quickly reached into my pocket—but Violet grabbed my hand, stopping me.
"Senior Naozumi can't use Crystal Mana right now. When mana is already empty, drawing from the Crystal Mana still requires some mana. That'll only make it worse."
Why didn't I remember that? The pain clouded my thinking. It wasn't going away—in fact, it was getting worse. If we just let it be, it probably will take a long time to recover, since I cannot generate mana of my own in a normal way.
Alysha and Violet were panicking. They couldn't do anything. Their abilities weren't suited to this kind of emergency.
Then I remembered something from earlier today.
"Vio, can I ask for your mana?" I placed a hand on her shoulder and weakly asked.
I had read that recently, people had found a way to link mana between users, and that it was possible to transfer mana to someone else.
"!!?? But that requires preparation! If it's not compatible, it'll only hurt more!" she raised her voice. For the first time, I saw her angry.
She meant compatibility between users. If mana rejected the connection, it could be dangerous. Very few people could do it safely, usually only in special conditions.
"It's okay… trust me," I smiled, trying to reassure her.
I knew our mana should be compatible. My mana came from Evan, and as his sister, hers should connect without rejection. I knew this might not work—but that was a problem for later.
Vio hesitated, then nodded.
"Then please, give me your hands."
I gave her both of my hands.
"Please..."
I kept smiling, trying to calm her thoughts. The pain was peaking—my chest was tight.
Violet held my hands, preparing the transfer. A warm sensation began flowing from her hands into my body. Slowly, I relaxed. The pain and tightness faded.
Was this Violet's mana? It felt warm… and calming.
I leaned back into Alysha, who supported me from behind. I let my body relax as much as I could. She hugged me gently, her face worried.
How many more times would I do this? The people close to me were always so concerned. I'd promised myself I wouldn't cause them worry—but here I was again.
Sweat dripped from Violet's forehead. She looked exhausted—her breathing heavy and labored.
"I think that's enough, Vio."
I asked her to stop the transfer. Performing it surely cost her mana, too. Violet had less mana than the average mage, and if this continued, she'd run out. And the efficiency for transferring like this is terrible.
"But Senior are still not—"
Her face was still full of concern. Her grip tightened.
"It's okay. I'll handle the rest. Besides, I'm used to the pain."
I squeezed her hands back, smiling to reassure her. Even though I said that, my body was still weak. I was sweating and probably had a fever.
Violet understood and stopped the transfer. She slumped against the sofa.
I wanted to do the same, but my body was too heavy to move. Thankfully, Alysha helped adjust my position.