Faced with Megumin's earnest request, Izumi paused for a moment—then nodded.
"Sure," he said lightly.
"I can teach you. And not just that—I can teach you other things as well."
Megumin's eyes widened.
"But," Izumi added calmly,
"does that mean you're giving up Explosion Magic?"
A new thought had taken root in his mind.
Megumin was a rare talent.
If not for her single-minded obsession with Explosion, she could have grown into an exceptional mage.
She was only fourteen years old.
There was still time to correct her course.
If properly trained, she might one day become a truly terrifying spellcaster.
With that decision made, Izumi spoke decisively.
"I'll have someone teach you first."
"She's my teammate. Once you've mastered her magic, I'll teach you personally."
"But I'll say this upfront—my magic can't be learned by simply spending skill points."
"You'll have to start from scratch."
"Are you still willing?"
In this world, learning skills was both convenient and cruel.
Anyone who wanted to learn magic from another world had no shortcuts—they had to begin at the very foundation.
Megumin didn't hesitate for even a second.
"I'll do it!"
No matter how difficult it was, she would learn.
That kind of magic was simply too cool.
As for Explosion Magic?
…Sorry.
From today onward, Megumin was changing careers.
Seeing her resolve, Izumi wasted no time.
He grabbed her shoulder and activated spatial transfer.
In the blink of an eye, they vanished—reappearing deep within a forest, where Le Fay Pendragon and the others had just finished a battle.
Yukinoshita Yukino, watching Izumi disappear with the strange girl, could only stare blankly.
"He left… just like that?"
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The timing was perfect.
As Izumi arrived, the fighting had just ended.
Seeing Megumin beside him, everyone looked over with curiosity.
"Izumi-sama," Le Fay asked, tilting her head,
"who is this?"
A young girl in an Arch Wizard's outfit.
…The legendary One-Shot Mage?
Izumi pushed Megumin gently forward.
"Le Fay, teach her magic."
"From today on, she's your disciple."
Le Fay froze.
Megumin stared at Le Fay with wide, curious eyes.
Can this person really teach me?
Izumi offered no explanation.
Whether Le Fay was qualified or not—Megumin would find out soon enough.
He placed a hand on Megumin's shoulder and said meaningfully,
"If you manage to master Le Fay's magic—
I can make your mana output dozens of times stronger."
Megumin's eyes exploded with excitement.
"R-Really?!"
"You're not lying?!"
If that was true, then—
Couldn't she just blow up everything she wanted?!
Izumi nodded.
After entrusting Megumin to Le Fay, he turned to her again.
"Le Fay, stay here and train her."
"Also, protect Eriri and the others."
"Kanon and I will head to the next world."
"When the timing's right, bring everyone over."
No one objected.
Originally, Izumi had planned to bring Le Fay and Kanon straight into the Dungeon.
But Megumin's appearance forced a change of plans.
Leaving Le Fay behind to train Megumin—and to safeguard the others—was the better option.
Besides, Le Fay had already learned all the skills Izumi possessed.
She could teach them to others as well.
Once everyone leveled up and mastered their skills, they could reunite.
With matters settled, Izumi and Kanon tapped their bracelets.
In a flash, the two vanished.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Left behind, Le Fay turned her attention to Megumin.
"Show me your magic," she said calmly.
Megumin lit up.
Even if she had decided to pursue Astrological Magic, she would never abandon Explosion.
Without hesitation, she began chanting.
"O roaring flames clad in darkness!
By the name of the Crimson Demon Clan, reveal primordial destruction—
Explosion!"
A massive magic circle formed within the forest.
The next moment—
A torrent of flame erupted like a volcanic blast.
BOOM!
A towering mushroom cloud rose before everyone's eyes.
Silence followed.
Le Fay and the others stared in disbelief.
Eriri broke the silence with a dry comment.
"…Now I get why Izumi brought her here."
"They're both explosion maniacs."
"That's why they get along."
The others stared at Megumin—now lying flat on the ground, completely drained—and twitched.
Confirmed.
Two explosion addicts.
That was the only explanation.
Hearing this, Megumin's eyes sparkled despite her exhaustion.
"Eh?"
"Izumi likes explosions too?"
"Ohohoho! I am not alone on this path!"
No one had the strength to respond.
There was definitely something wrong with her.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Izumi, of course, had no idea what was happening behind him.
He and Kanon had already returned to the strange interdimensional space where they first entered the other worlds.
As they appeared, a silver-haired demon woman opened her eyes.
Seeing Izumi, she immediately bowed.
"Izumi-sama."
Kanon froze.
Izumi-senpai… knows Grayfia Lucifuge?
And she was showing him that much respect?!
Her curiosity spiked instantly.
Just what kind of relationship did those two have?
Izumi smiled.
"Thanks for your hard work."
"Grayfia—send us to the second world."
Without question, Grayfia bowed again and opened a passage.
Beyond it lay the entrance to another world—
Orario, the city of labyrinths.
Izumi took Kanon's hand and stepped through.
Watching them disappear, Grayfia slowly closed her eyes once more.
She still had to remain here for a while longer.
If she could leave, she would have followed Izumi without hesitation.
Izumi knew that—which was why he simply greeted her before departing.
Crossing the rift, Izumi and Kanon emerged into a wide plaza.
People were everywhere.
Adventurers, civilians, gods, demi-humans—
Despite their sudden appearance, no one made a fuss.
Too many outsiders had arrived recently.
This place—Orario—was completely different from Axel.
Livelier. Denser.
Cat-people, elves, dwarves—every race imaginable walked the streets.
As Izumi was about to move—
A small figure suddenly stepped in front of them.
A tiny girl blocked their path.
And just like that—
Their journey into the Dungeon City began.