It's dark outside the window.
　The lights in the room have already been dimmed.

　But there was a faint glow.
　It was the glow of the device's LCD. On the screen, the ninth layer attack video of Fenix-sempai and the others was playing.
　The uncut version, given to him by them.

　The office of the inn........seems to be a place of sorts. It's a bit of a mess here and there, but there's nothing to complain about because there's something I'm looking for.
　Everyone would be sleeping upstairs. Besides raiding, we've been pretty busy.

　By paying for the three or so magic stones needed to activate the device, we got permission to use it at any time during our stay.
　It seems that unless you're in a high-class inn, the terminals won't be deployed in every room.

''Spatial movement........''

　Earth, water, fire, and wind, these are the four major attributes. There are spirits that correspond to each of them, and long ago their magic was reworked for human use, which is attribute magic.
　But of course, this isn't the only magic in the world.

　We humans (normals) are not particularly good at it, instead of having no particular disadvantages, we are not particularly good at it either. As a race, that's how it is.
　The four major spirits were the ones that helped them win the war as a race, so the current mainstream is also based on these four types of magic.

　Even ordinary people, if they work super hard, can use water magic that is enough to wet their palms, or fire magic that is enough to light the tips of their nails. Attribute magic is a jutsu for people who are versatile.
　There's a lot of magic that isn't.
　You'll be able to find a lot of people who are very good at it.

　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. It's not a magic that can be used because you're a demon, it's a magic that can be used because you're Agares, regardless of your bloodline. It's not just a matter of time before you find yourself in the middle of the night.
　Of course, there is no single person in the world with such a magic. I'm not going to be the only one in the world to have that kind of magic. It doesn't matter what parent or race you are. In other words, it's a talent.


　Of course, it's just that it's there.
　Just like the body and other magic. It takes a certain amount of effort to make it work the way you want it to.

''It's ... almost perfect.''

　Agares on the screen is flying where he wants to be, even when his view is blocked. He must have high spatial awareness.
　His timing is also good. I'm not going to be the only one who has been in charge of this, but I'm not going to be the only one who has been in charge of the Four Heavenly Kings in the Demon King's Castle.

　The performance of the horns must be good. When it comes to magic that moves a human-sized object to a different position, the amount of magic power consumed is enormous.
　That's also the reason why recording stones for shifting aren't widely used in general.
　You need a dungeon core to be able to cover the magic power for activation.

''The people under my command are also demons, so it will be hard to do...''

　It is said that the one who corresponds to the 【Brave Man】 is the 【Demon King】, but this is a rough explanation.
　The one that corresponds to the 【Majin】 that does not have a contract with a genie is the 【Majin】 that corresponds to the 【Brave Person】 that does not have a contract with a genie.
　The 【Demon King】 responds to the 【Brave Man】 who has made a contract with a genie.

　This is still closer to the reality. Even with this, I feel like I'm not explaining enough, but it's just an image.
　In other words, 【Majin】 is just born that way, and they are the same race as the 【Brave】 holders, which only a select few of the humans can acquire.

　On top of that, they used to have many demon races under their control.
　No wonder they were able to wage war with people who greatly outnumbered their own army. Because their individual strengths are off the charts.

''Well, it doesn't matter.''

　It doesn't matter who it is.
　It's a brave man to win against any opponent.

　Striving to win is a given.
　Even if talented people work hard every day, if they clash with each other, one side will win.
　I will do whatever I can to be on that side.

　I was about to play the video from my head again, when I heard a noise.

''I'm not impressed with [the brave man] trespassing or anything. That's that one, it's a staff room kind of place?

　I call out to the figure.
　The one who appeared was Yuan.

　【Gale Hero】. Thirteen years old. I think it was said that he was under contract with a wind spirit and graduated from a training institution (school) in the second grade.
　He's a clever-looking guy with leafy hair color, or something like that.

"My husband told me I was in here. He had a magical reaction to it.

Yeah. So, what can I do for you?

　Ewan approached slowly. He glanced at the screen.

''You're studying the ninth layer...?''

Yeah. We've all seen it, but this is half the fun. It's fun.

Yeah, right.

Yeah. See, when you read a book or something, do you ever notice things the second or third time that you didn't notice the first time?　There are quite a few new things you discover when you watch a film repeatedly.

There were times in training when I couldn't do something that I couldn't do before, and then suddenly I was able to skip a step. That's pretty close, isn't it?

I don't know. I don't know. There are times when you can't get it right and then all of a sudden you get it right. There are times when you can learn it, and times when you fail to do it again.

''There's ... When it happens, I struggle to somehow remember what it felt like to be successful.

I have.

　I giggled. Small talk?　is about as good as it gets.

'So, what can I do for you?'

　Ewan was silent for a moment. Then he opened his mouth, as if it was hard to say.

''I'm aware that I haven't been doing a good job either.

'Not really.　It's not like I made any mistakes. It's just that my opponent is strong too.

　Ewan is not weak. On the contrary, he is strong.
　Compared to his age, he's probably a cut above the rest. Maybe.

　The honors students of the training institution (school) have decent skills.
　For example, [Ice Brave] Beulah had so many variations of ice magic that she could mix in with Fenix-sempai's party and be active right away.
　For that reason, there were a few errors of judgement and carelessness, but that would change with experience.

　The same goes for Ewan. It's true that he also left once, and the number of times he's been in a bit of a pinch is slightly higher, but his magic skills are solid.
　Also, in terms of power, he's probably better than me.
　Well, that's a big difference between magic and spirit arts, but it's the power of the person himself, including the spirits.

You'll be able to find out what I told you before we started?

　........I don't remember.
　No, when I think about it for a minute, I think it's like he said something to me.
　Oh, yeah. He said something about not liking me or something like that.
　I could have made a deal with the four great spirits, but I didn't.

"Oh, yeah. But I don't mind it, you know.

　I'd even forgotten about it until now.

'No, I'm the one who cares. After all, once it started, you're doing great, and I think I'm ... dragging my feet.

'Well I'm wondering if that's something you're going to tell me. Or are you going to tell them all?

Nobody can blame me for that.

''That's right, Yuan Senpai's mistakes are due to his inexperience, and it was Uncle Air who included him in the party, right?　If he's bad, he's bad. But we're all new at first. So in the end, it's nobody's fault. Isn't that what this is all about?

But you're...

　It's kind of a pain in the ass, Ewan.
　It's still easier to do than the slightly snarky one before.

"You know, um... Yeah. Ewan-sempai, you started training after you found out [job title (job)], probably.

'Oh. I'm sure there are more people like that.

　Even if you have some sort of aptitude for the job, the basics are not clear until you know the [position (job)].
　That's why the training for each job is usually done after it's known.

I heard I've been using magic since I was four years old, so in terms of experience, it's six years. I've been in contact with magic for longer than a sempai who goes to a training institute (school) for three years. Fran's been with me for a long time like that, and she's also a [destroyer]. There's no need to compare yourself to us.

　It's different because of my upbringing.
　It's not that he's inferior to me, it's just that I lived my life with my eyes on the brave man from the beginning.

'Oh, no. I see. Well, I came to ask you for a favor today.

Please?

'I should have told you sooner. But my silly pride got in the way...

No need for an introduction.

'I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I need you to show me how you do it. How do I get to the point where I can quickly make decisions equal to those of top-notch adventurers?

　Ewan lowered his head.
　He hated it, to the younger, brash [brave man].

　One reason.
　Because he wanted to win.

　--Oh, shit.

　This can't be handled appropriately.
　In the true sense of the word, Ewan-kun is already my friend.

"Of course, it won't happen overnight. Even if it's just a matter of preparation and awareness--

All right, all right. Why don't you go get that chair over there and sit down?

"!　Oh, oh. Thanks....!

My method isn't that hard. It's just a pain in the ass.

What do you mean?

I just watch it and let it sink in. Then I make up a list of all the things the enemy can do, and think about what they might do. I also list all the things the enemy can do and think about what they might do. And how to deal with that.

"...Wha...you see?

For example....

　We lined up and watched the strategy videos.
　I think it was probably a little more fun than doing it alone.
　Maybe I just feel like it.