I bought it. It's been a long time since I've been shopping. ...... But if you've come this far, I'd like to complete the Allied magic stones. It's a shame that there are some holes in it.
'Should we go around to smaller stores as well ......?　In search of rare magic stones.

　After coming out of the big store in Valt, Titi and I were in the middle of walking around the city, looking at the list of magic stones we had obtained.

''Don't you want to look for a little more?　Just a few houses.
I'll do it. Well, that's a start.

　There's still time left to hit the magic enhancement.
　Putting all my strength into 《Dimension》, I search for a shop that seems to have a bargain. Along the way, I found a magic shop I've seen before. It's a magic shop that Maria and I visited in the past.
　It's like a hole-in-the-wall used bookstore in the corner of town, not too big or too small.

'Titi, I found a nice place. It's a good place I've been to at least once. Let's go there.
La La!

　We walked over to the store and entered without hesitation.
　And then we hear the voice of an elf-eared sister from sometime ago.

'Welcome!'

　The same greeting as before, the same used bookstore inside as before. I slowly walk to the counter, feeling a little nostalgic.

''Hmm, I've seen this ...... somewhere?''

　The shopkeeper seemed to be feeling the same nostalgia.
　He looked at my face, groaned, trying to dredge up the memory, and after a few seconds, he spoke up.

'Oh, the rich guy from that time?　Wow, it's been about a year since I've been here?
'You remember it well. Sure, I was here once before.

　She didn't call me by the name of 'Aika Wakanami Christ Eurasian Waldhusiers von Walker', she called me 'The Rich Man'. My former companion, Maria, only called me 'Master', so she didn't seem to know anything about my identity here.

'I try to remember my customers' faces as much as I can. It's the basis of the customer's business.
Sure, that's the basics.

　I approached the receptionist, having a good impression of the clerk who shared my thoughts.

'Huh?　You're not here today, young lady?
...... I'm sorry, but I'm not here today.
Oh, I see.

　I remember that this clerk liked Maria better than me. He didn't hide it, but regretted that he didn't have Maria to accompany him.
　When I come back to join Maria on the mainland, I'll give her a look here at least once. It's a bit of a prank, but I want to show her that Maria is much stronger than she was before.

'So how much will you buy me today?'

　The clerk deftly takes out a thick catalog from under the counter, just like before.

''There's a magic stone I'm looking for. I'll take a look at it.

　I take it, look for something I didn't get today, and immediately order it.
　The shopkeeper who received that order makes an unusual face.

"--Heh, you want a rare magic stone. Let's see, there's one that's just in the store. I'll go get it right away.
Are you sure?　Give us two each if you can.
Okay, okay. I'll bring what I have. Please wait a minute.

　I asked the shopkeeper for something I couldn't find easily, and I was a little disappointed to find out that I could get it. It was so smooth that even the usually noisy Titi didn't have time to interrupt me.

　We're left with nothing to do while the clerk gets the magic stone from the back of the store.
　And just as Titi was stopping her unreserved attempt to raid the store's bookshelves, a new visitor entered the store.

'--Ha. Emily, how many times have I broken a target in this? I'm the one who apologizes, so you should cut me some slack.
Sorry, Al: "Sorry, Al: ......

　It was the explorer's boy and girl.
　A face we had seen only recently. The boy who came in was also surprised to see our faces.

"Eh, senpai?

　There is only one person who calls me a senior.
　Just a few days ago, it was Al and Emily, the searchers who were on their way to the surface from underground.

Hmmm, so it's Al and Emily. What a coincidence!

　Titi, who had been rummaging through the bookshelves without permission, flew a lighthearted greeting.
　Then the other side hurriedly and politely bowed their heads.

''It's good to see you again. I've just used the money I received before to enhance my magic ....... Emily broke the doll in the garden .......

　At the same time as the greeting, the clerk comes out from the back of the store. She's as nimble and fast working as ever.

'The two of you are regulars! Unlike your brother, they come back again and again. That's why I make sure they can use the magic practice area in the garden whenever they want. The target dolls are destined to break, so don't worry so much about it, you two!

　It sounds like a story about a practice range I was allowed to use when Maria and I were here before.

'Oh, that was for the regulars, wasn't it?
''Your rich brother also bought some magic stones today, so you can use them.

　Then he points to the shop yard.
　Titty spots a doll outside in the shop window and is about to jump out of the shop window with a twinkle in her eye.

'Mm, just in time!　Well, I'll take the liberty of using it.　Let's go, Kanamin!
Wait a minute, Titty!　Oh, here's the money.

　Immediately I exchange the money for the magic stone and follow its back.

　I open the door of the shop and walk out into the garden.
　There were not only us and Al-kun and the others in the garden, but also two more parties that seemed to be explorers. When we first arrived, it was just me and Maria, but in the past year, the shop seems to be thriving more than before.

　And I notice that the two sets of explorers are strangely young in age.
　Even Al and his friends thought they were young, but there was one child who was smaller than that. But it wasn't so much that they were at a lower level.
　It's a good sight to see the lower age stratification of this Confederacy and the overall level of the population.

　Perhaps, but it's all due to Id.
　I frown, but Titi, who can't compare because she doesn't know the situation a year ago, doesn't care, and after announcing in the middle of the garden, "Let's get the children mixed up too!", she heads to the garden dolls and starts to try her magic.

'YUKE!　The child has a new magic, the wind crocus.

　Titi's magic power expanded and one small wind flower bloomed in front of her.
　I was a little worried that Titi might be too much with the vast magical power of the "Stealing the Reason of the Wind", but Titi's ability to control magic was godlike even with the new magic.
　I'm not going to be able to get my hands on any of the magic that I got from the magic stone and try it out one after the other as if it was the magic I was using from the beginning, without causing any trouble to the people around me.

　In the background, I also begin to prepare for the new magic.

I think you can leave Titi alone. Maybe I should try a few myself.

　Al-kun and Emily-chan were following further behind me.
　They are probably thinking that watching our magic might help them in their future search for the labyrinth. As usual, they are still enthralled with us as seniors for nothing.
　A little far away, the two of them are also glancing at us while testing their own magic.

　Since I just gave up hiding my identity just now, I'll go ahead and build my magic without reservation.
　Today, I found four dimensional magic stones. Let's try them first.

''-- Magic [Lug].

　With the materials I received from the other magic shop in hand, I activated my magic.

　At the same time, a mirage-like haze arose in front of me.
　According to the explanation of the material, it says that it delays and activates a specific phenomenon.
　In the case of my 'display'--.


[Rag]
　MP1 consumption
　The foundation of dimensional magic. Delays the time of all phenomena according to the power of the sorcerer.


　--and it is.
　It's an effect I've heard of somewhere.
　To put it bluntly, it's similar to the self-timed time-activation--magic "Dimensional Snow" that I was doing with the Form.
　With a nod of my head, I swallow the magic stone I just bought and then try the next magic.

''Hmm, next. --Magic 《Shift》.

　The landscape in front of me shifted as if the painting had been cut and shifted.
　Apparently, it's like magic that creates a line that shifts certain things.

'Hmmm?　Next. --Magic, Time Shift.

　This one was a magic that seemed to manipulate the surgeon's sense of time, and the world seemed to move a little slower.

''Hey, could this be ......?''

　Even if it wasn't possible, all of them were already very similar to the magic I had.
　Although I wouldn't say they are exactly the same, Shift is similar to Di Flamberge, and Time Shift is similar to Dimension Decisive Computation (Gradient).

''I feel like I'm losing something ....... The number of magic stones in dimensional magic is extremely low, so the only thing left to swallow is the magic stone "default". No, I can use this already, but just in case... 《Default》

　Naturally, the same effect as the 《Default》 I was using appears.
　I moved half a foot in front of him and sighed as I lamented the unfortunate state of dimensional magic in the Confederation.

''The manual says that 《Default》 is the highest level of dimensional magic. In other words, the dimensional magic that can be obtained with magic stones in the United Kingdom is up to ......?

　I had heard that the dimensional attributes were minor and didn't even appear in the academy's classes, but I didn't expect them to have been studied to this extent.

''Haha, it can't be helped. Let's stop here for dimensional magic and try out the other attributes as well. Maybe we won't be able to use them, but it might be different from before. Let's go all at once--[Light]! Dark!　Shock!　Blood!　Flame!　Heat!　Water!　Ice!　WIND!　Earth!　Wood!　Cure Fool!　Growth!

　Recalling the magic stone I just swallowed, I shouted from the basic magic that seemed easy to activate in order.
　Naturally, none of the magic can be activated.
　The magic power of my body only swells, and nothing comes out of the palm of my hand that I held up.

　However, that didn't mean that it was completely impossible to build. Strictly speaking, I know how to construct magic thanks to drinking the magic stone, but I can't complete it well because the attributes of the magic power I'm using don't match.

　And among those failed magic groups, there was one that had a different response.

...... Hmm?　Once more-- freezing magic, ice.

　A small icicle fell from the palm of my hand.
　It was a nostalgic scene.
　As I recall, it was like this when I used the Ice for the first time in the labyrinth when I was level 1.

　Only the Freeze Magic wasn't hopeless, unlike the others. Depending on how I do it, I feel like I can handle it the same way as before.

　Soon I will be repeating the test shots of the Ice.
　For a while, I was able to create all kinds of ice-work, but because Yangtaki's magic stone is missing, I can only create small, distorted ice.

　However, as I mass-produced a wide variety of failed ice-work in the garden training area, I gradually understood why I couldn't use magic other than the dimensional attribute.

　Perhaps it's because the ice-cold magical power is required for the ice-cold magic "ice", but I can only produce a strange magical power that can be called the "misaligned magical power" of the dimensional attribute. This is the reason why the two types of magic stones in the body are able to produce cold magic power even if they are out of alignment, which is why they are able to use both freeze and dimensional magic.

　It's a rough idea, but it's not wrong in the grand scheme of things.

　Then what is the solution I should do?

　First of all, I'm going to focus on the 'blood'. I don't rely on the self-styled, image-reliant self-reliance, I rely on the magic formula carved into it. That's the first step in building magic. And--

The dimensions of the gladiatorial operation.

　I use the object of my familiar magic to focus on 'me'. Now I can understand myself better.

''-- 《Distance Mute》''

　Next, like a doctor in surgery, he inserts his arm into his own chest and makes a 'connection' to his magic stone (tamashii) that is coming out of his magic power.

''-- 《Shift》''

　Next, he displaces all the "magic power" that overflows from his magical stone (・・・・・・).
　The "misaligned magic power" of the two-dimensional attribute is further displaced, and is converted into magic power of a completely different attribute. What I'm imagining is the 'cold magic' I used to use.

...... Okay, will this work?　--Ice Arrow!

　I perform extremely forceful magic generation - but the magic construction is extremely textbook - and try to activate the freezing magic.
　As a result, something I dreamed of in the past is shot from my held palm.

　With a sound as if it was released from a bow, ice composed of magic power flies across the practice yard.

　It's not the unseen block of ice from earlier.
　The ice in the shape of an arrow was released like magic in an RPG game. The icy arrow pierced the torso of the wooden puppet that matched the front, and after a few beats, it turned into vapor and disappeared.

'Oh, oh ....... It's done .......

　It's not a dream.
　The doll, pierced by an arrow, is there in reality.
　This was the moment when I was finally able to use a game like magic. It's an emotional experience unlike any other magic.

It's done, but it's too much magic to spend.

　The documentation and "Instructions" say that Ice Arrow consumes 3 MP.
　But now I used Dimension Decisive Operation, Distance Mute and Shift to activate it, so it consumed more than 10 times that amount of magic.

'But it's better than not being able to do it. Let's practice the other ones, just in case.

　Even if it consumed a tremendous amount of magic power, I could still use 《Ice Arrow》, which I had previously replicated by creating an ice arrow and then throwing it with my bare hands. I loosened my mouth a bit and used the new magic power generation method to try out one magic after another.

　First, the ice-cold magic "Ice", "Freeze", and "Ice Battling Ram".
　This area was easy to do.
　The magic I've used before is easy to activate. Also, it seems that magic I've seen before is also easy to activate.

　The next thing I tried was Sera's Sacred Magic, Growth, Ryner's Wind Magic, Ix Wind, and Volus and his son's Flame Axel, a combination of fire and earth magic.

　All of them succeeded just in the nick of time.
　It was a success ...... but the result was too undeserved.
　Compared to the magic of the original sorcerers, its effect was too poor.

　While Rastiara's Ice Battling Ram was able to create a giant hammer in the air, mine is so small that you can grip it with your hand.
　The same is true for auxiliary magic. It's a good idea to be able to use it in a way that makes you feel a little lighter, while everyone else's was a strengthening spell that accelerated many times over. I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world, and I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world.

　What's more, the construction of magic is slower than everyone else's and the magic power consumption is higher.
　I can't shake the feeling that I'm forcing myself to recreate it using only my talent.

　Naturally, we still can't use Dimensional Winter, which is a composite magic of Freeze and Dimension. I was able to build something similar, but from my perspective as the developer of that magic, it's hard to say what the practical level is.

''-- Not at all. But it's great to see a way to use the other attributes.

　I can see that my application and response skills have improved dramatically.

　And even if it's hopeless right now, there are still things that could be taken to a practical level if you practice over and over again.
　For example, if I simply get another level of strength or ...... or something to assist me, I might be able to use the magic I just tried.

''Right now, I'm in no hurry to use dimensional magic ......

　The other attributes will be in operation in a little while.
　What I got this time was a broader range of dimensional magic and a better understanding of all the magic in the Confederation. I have a deeper understanding of magic itself, and the value of the skill 'magical combat' has also increased.
　With this, the magic that was previously unsuccessful in using it will change.

''-- Magic [Form Writshobu (Torsion)]

　I try to build dimensional magic that could not be recreated in underground life.

　A dimensional distortion in the shape of a flower is created, and it flies into a doll with a hole in it. Not long ago, this was something that could only be used against magical creatures, but now that he had a firm understanding of the 《Shift》 technique, the 《Form, Torsion Shobu (Torsion)》 was one step stronger.

　At the same time as the Flower of Distortion collided, the wooden doll twisted like clay.
　It wasn't clear if it would still work against the monsters in the depths, but there was no doubt that it had sublimated into a magic with physical power.

''Good. Also, maybe we can increase the variation of Dimension.

　If it was me now, I was confident that I would be able to have an unusual effect.
　However, that's a magic that can't be used against a doll. So, I'm going to approach Titi, who is using wind magic nearby. It seems that she is the same as me and has just finished trying out various spells.

'Mukka!　As I thought, anything other than the wind attribute is no good!　I wish I could show you the flames and stuff.　And even though there are more types of wind magic, they were originally used as an application of Children's Wand!　Mmmm!

　A pudgy and angry Titty had created a small castle and a field of flowers with the wind in a small garden. It's a terrifying wind magic precision. The other explorers staring from afar were amazed.
　But it must have been made from the beginning.
　As I thought, just as I, the 'one who steals the reason for dimensionality', possessed most of the dimensional magic, it seems that it was impossible for the 'one who steals the reason for wind' to strengthen her wind magic with magic stones.

''I guess it's no good, Titty. This one was all useful to begin with, too. But we've made some progress. It sounds like something interesting to do, so why don't you lightly shoot some magic at me?　If possible, please use the magic from the magic stone you just drank.
Mm, is that from the bottle you just drank?　Good. Well, now...
Dimension-counting.

　To match Titi's magic, he used a new variation of the 《Dimension》.
　And as soon as that new 《Dimension》 unfolded, the wind blade that Titty ejected dissipated in an instant.

　The seed of that magic trick was simple, it just shifted the opponent's magic construction.
　No longer would the magic that was being sold in stores work against me. It's because I know the weakest point of those magic constructs, having swallowed a large amount of magic stones earlier. Another factor is that I fully understand Shift, which is a shifting (...) magic. This finally allowed me to do what I originally did with "Dimensional Winter (Di Winter)", using only the magic power of the dimensional attribute.

　Looking at that beautiful 'Magic Offsetting (Counter Magic)', Titty was surprised.

''How!''
It's much easier to shift it since Titi and I got serious about it once.
''Mmmm ....... So does that mean that magic doesn't work on Kanamin anymore ......?
'As long as we're rolling this out, yeah. However, I think it's weak in close combat when you're doing this. If Dimension Decisive Arithmetic is specialized in sword fights, then Dimension Countering is specialized in magic fights. It seems to have one advantage and one disadvantage.
I see. It's true that if you feel it well, it's a slightly different dimensional magic than the usual. In other words, if you sense the difference and switch tactics, you can capture Kanamin.
I see.

　Of course, I'm not going to make it so easy to attack.
　Right now, it will only be able to dissipate basic magic, but I believe that Dimensional Offsetting (Counting) should still be a magic that can grow.
　Someday, if I can shift my opponent's magic attribute with the Shift, not just at the moment of activation, I will theoretically be able to disable their magic.

　And that's not the end of Dimension yet.
　The end point is "Dimension Multiple", "Dimension Decisive Operation (Graduation)", "Dimension Offsetting (Counting)", "Dimension Transformation", and "Dimension Graduation Prequel", "Dimension Decisive Operation (Dimension Graduation)". The integration of all the variants of "Recall" and "Dimension Graduate "Realize" - if we can reach that point, there should be absolutely no defeat in battle.

　Of course, that would be an ideal magic that would not be easy to reach. However, it's good that I've come to see the style of combat I should aim for, which had been vague for a long time.

　It's the difference between having a goal and not having a goal in mind when practicing.
　I was satisfied with the fact that I had set a proper goal, and then I looked around.
　It was then that I sensed a sharp look.

"I knew it (・・・・)

　Emily was staring at me.
　Then she looked at my magic and muttered a word.

　Maybe she noticed that I was the rumored 'Aikawakanami Christ Eurasian Waldhusiers von Walker'. But I don't want to hide my identity anymore, so I approach her to tell her my name honestly from me.
　But before I can, my partner, Al-kun, interrupted me.

'What's up, Emily? I know it's great over there, but it's too much of a realm for us to understand anymore. We'll just have to make do on our own.
'Oh, yeah, sorry ....... I'll practice this one as well. ......

　Al-kun called out to Emily, who was in a daze, and immediately began to build magic.

''--'Cut-off Flame,'' ''Dreaming Staggering and Cilia No Zu ni''--''

　But it was just the tingling 'chanting' of the burn scars on his back.

'That chant--!　--Dimensions, Thousand Counting!

　Quickly I interrupted her magic construction.

　Emily looks at me with a strange face. Then, looking a little frightened, she asks me why.

''Is this 'Magic Offsetting (Counter Magic)' ......?　Um, brother ....... Why are you stopping me, ......?
'Why? ....... That's obvious. Rather, why would you ...... that 'chanting'?
What?　Let's see, I'm a failed work with no 'chanting' written in my blood: ....... I really need to pronounce it. So I'm reciting it out loud: ......
'No, I'm not, I'm just asking how you know about that 'chant'.
'Knowing or not, over the past year the 'chanting' of The Substitute has become commonplace worldwide. I'm sure most people who work with magic know about it anymore: ......

　Apparently, I was the one with no common sense.
　That's the id. What a way to spread the word.
　I had a hunch after the incident at the cathedral, but seeing them use it on a girl I knew, even a girl I knew, is annoying.
　Do you want to intensify the world's war to that point?

'...... Okay, I get it. I just don't think you should use that 'chanting' just for practice. It's pretty dangerous.
Is it dangerous?　You know, the kind that just erases memories and memories?
Only: ......

　I'm baffled by Emily's matter-of-fact answer.
　Al-kun, who can't bear to see that, intervenes and explains it for me.

You know," he says. The power of the moment is more important to searchers like us than memory. It's more important to get the power and the money. That's why we will use it in practice without hesitation. We don't want to fail on the show.
'No, I understand that money is important to you. But with your talent and level of talent, I'm sure you guys could live without any inconvenience without relying on your current 'chanting': ......
''It's true that the two of us will have more talent than your average explorer. But the amount of money we have to treat the 'cost' of our talents is greater than the benefit of those talents.
The 'price' of talent: "The 'price' of talent: ......?

　I've never heard of it.
　I don't understand the meaning of the term 'compensatory' treatment.
　I don't know if Al-kun understood this, but he continues to talk to me.

I'm going to say it because we think your brothers are really good people. ...... No, to tell you the truth, we're trying to get your sympathy. With that in mind, please listen to me.

　After a careful preamble, Al-kun begins to explain briefly.

''First of all, I have a serious illness that I contracted during my time as a slave. And on Emily's side, she needs medication to maintain her special body called 'Magic Stone Human (Jewelcrus)'. ...... We have to go to the big hospital regularly and pay a lot of money for it. So we have to do a lot of crazy things.

　Listening to the story, I was at a loss for words to return.
　I knew that Al-kun was a former slave. I also knew that Emily-chan was a 'Jewelcrus' (Jewel Stone Human).
　However, I may not have understood the true meaning of this.

　The reality of the discarded "Jewelcrus".
　The problems caused by the increase in the total number of slaves.
　The distortion of the culture that has been forcibly advanced over the past year - I feel like I'm not only seeing and hearing about it, but also experiencing it now.

We need to make a lot of money, even if it means using 'chanting'. We've used 'chanting' to explore the labyrinth with 'compensation' and now we're just barely scraping by.
Yes, what is it: ......
Above all, I'm grateful that the 'chanting' erases old memories. I even dare to use it on a regular basis. Unlike the curses in the old tales, the chanting is very useful because it can be adjusted and applied in a way that is very useful. Without a doubt, 'chanting' is a wonderful technique. --I've been using it for a long time now.

　As if to prove that he is fine, Al-kun also laughs and recites the same 'chanting' as Emily-chan.
　Apparently, the two of them have the same magic attribute. And it's not just the attributes that are the same. It's because we are similar in circumstances that we trust each other and have been searchers with just the two children.

　The number of such searchers is increasing in the United Kingdom. There is a party of young searchers in the garden of this magic shop who seem to be in a similar situation.

　In the face of this lightly unpalatable situation, I had no choice but to keep my mouth shut.
　Taking care of me, Al-kun bowed to me and then began to prepare to leave.

The first thing that comes to mind is that it's time for us to go, Emily. We've already done our business, and it's getting dark. Thank you for your time today, senior. It was very helpful to see your magic up close and personal, and it was very helpful in many ways. ...... So I'll see you somewhere else.
I'll see you later. Brother, sister.

　Then they turned to leave the magic shop.
　He was right, and before long, the sky was beginning to dim.

'See you at ....... Both of you.

　I couldn't say anything other than goodbye and walked away from them.

　Soon the two of them disappeared into the city of Valt, which was beginning to get dark. After confirming this, Titi, who had been silent for a long time, begins to speak.

'Mm-hmm. It was not so much a matter of personal interest to me. ......
Yeah.

　The reunion with Al and Emily was enough to take the heat out of our buoyant and scattered spending.
　I could see the sky, which had been so bright, being eroded by night.
　Me and Titi look at that sky and feel a little gloomy.

'It's almost the end of the day: ......

　People have their own lives and circumstances.
　I'm sure there are many children like those two in the world.

　But we can't afford to help them.
　We have to put our own situation before Al and Emily's.
　It's all right. I'm aware of that.
　We can't afford it.

　--No, but...
　Someday, if I could, I'd like to go to ...... and...

　Suddenly, I think a little bit about what to do after I save both my sister and my friends.

　What should I do after all the battles are over, when I have more time?
　What should I aim for with this power and body?
　Today, I had to think about that for a bit.

　But my thoughts are cut short by Titi's words.

I don't want to waste my time thinking about it. The next time you see them, you can do everything you can to keep the extra money secretly in their pockets. Because the good you don't do is better than the hypocrisy you do.
...... Ah, that's it for now. ...... haha, I'm a bit tired. Is that enough magic for you?
Hmm. So much for magic, let's move on. Because the best thing to do is to stop worrying about it.

　Titi and I correct our sideways thoughts and return to our original goal.

　Rather than a goal that's too far away, it's now a goal that Ryner has prepared for us. We reaffirm Reiner's note in "belongings" and confirm what we should do next.

　The next place we should head to is...