"A flash of lightning from the sky, dark clouds that mark the beginning—Second-tier magic, Lightning Spear!" (Yuu-chan)
Countless spears of lightning (depending on the caster's MP capacity), a second-tier skill that's perfect for beginners—that is Lightning Spear. (Narrator)
But… (Narrator)
"WHY CAN'T I DO IT!?" (Me)
"Oi, Yuu-chan! You said I just had to repeat the incantation you chanted and I'd be able to cast it, right!?" (Me)
"So why can't I do it at all!?" (Me)
Yukito tried over and over with both water-element and lightning-element magic. There was nothing wrong with his chanting or pronunciation. (N)
The real problem was his magic power, his MP—still stuck at a measly value of 1. (N)
"Yukito-sama, let's take a break… You're sweating all over, too…" (said Yuu-chan)
And she was right… I hadn't rested even once since this morning, training nonstop.
If I can't use magic forever… I won't be able to protect my companions.
Lies. (N)
This young man just wanted to master magic and show off in order to chase his isekai dream—a HAREM. (N)
Suddenly, a small hand tugged on the sleeve of my shirt—
It was Anna-chan.
"Onii-san, I'm hungry…" (Anna)
Her eyes glistened a little, her spoiled expression making it clear she truly wanted something.
"See, look! Anna-chan's hungry too." (Yuu-chan)
Yukito could only sigh. (N)
"Yeah, yeah… then let's eat first." (Me)
"YAAAY!!" (shouted Yuu-chan and Anna-chan together)
In short, Yuu-chan invited me and Anna-chan to go into the city.
The city we were headed for was across a great river, not far from the village's entrance gate. (By the way, not the river we bathed in before!)
There, a dock was packed with ships constantly coming and going.
The bustling noise of the crowd made it hard for my ears to focus.
"Yuu-chan, why don't we just look for food here?" (Me)
Just before the dock, there was a small market that seemed to sell plenty of food ingredients.
"I've shopped here before, but they don't sell the things I'm looking for." (Yuu-chan)
"The villagers said those things are only sold in the city—the distribution hasn't reached here yet." (Yuu-chan)
Hmm… so basically, what she wants isn't sold here and only in the city… how troublesome!
As Yuu-chan held Anna-chan's hand, Anna suddenly almost bumped into a street vendor—
BRAK!
"S-s-sorry…" (Anna, almost crying)
But the vendor only smiled at Anna-chan. He probably didn't think the little girl had bumped him on purpose.
He gently patted Anna-chan's head.
"Next time, walk more carefully, okay?" (the vendor said)
The vendor left, and Yuu-chan immediately looked at Anna-chan's face.
"Anna-chan, don't worry about it." (Yuu-chan)
The perfect words, spoken at the perfect time. (N)
Simple words, but if spoken so sincerely at just the right moment, they can become something close to a miracle. (N)
Anna-chan smiled sweetly at Yuu-chan.
"Okay, Yuu-nee."
Yuu-chan's face flushed a little red—she was truly happy to see Anna's smile.
A little while later, Yukito, Anna, and Yuu boarded a small boat bound for the city. (N)
The boat was so small, it carried only the three of them plus the two boatmen. (N)
As the boat set off, the boatman said,
"The three of you… are you a newlywed couple? Your daughter's so cute."
Yuu-chan's face immediately turned bright red.
I looked at her blushing face, and I couldn't help myself—
"OUR RELATIONSHIP ISN'T LIKE THAT!!" (Me)
The boatman looked a bit disappointed, somewhat puzzled.
"Eh… I thought you two were husband and wife with a child. You just seemed so well-matched."
The boat sailed down a river at least fifty times bigger than the one Yuu and Yukito had used to bathe in. (N)
"By the way, Yuu-chan—" (Me)
BRAASSHHH
The boat suddenly rocked violently.
"Tch, why now!?" (Boatman)
I, Yuu-chan, and Anna-chan grabbed each other's hands to avoid falling into the river.
"You three, get inside!" (Boatman)
We all ducked into the small cabin where the boatman and his crew usually sat.
"Oi, why's the boat suddenly shaking like this!?" (Me)
And if there was some danger or bad river conditions, shouldn't we have been warned—or canceled the trip!?
"The true monster of this river… has appeared." (crewman, his face pale with fear)
"Yornies. A massive serpent-like creature that inhabits this river." (Crew)
The boatman stared at his crew, confused.
"This month it should still be hibernating, right!?" (Boatman)
The crew replied,
"Maybe it's rampaging for some reason… In any case, we have to reach the city's dock quickly."
Moments later, the boat calmed again. The five of them stepped back out onto the deck. (N)
The boatman turned away from the bow, facing the group. (N)
"We're safe—"
But at that very moment, Yornies reared half its massive body out of the water, staring straight at their small boat. (N)
"Yukito-sama, what should we do…?" (Yuu-chan, panicking)
Sweat poured from me—I just wanted to eat, and now my life's on the line!?
Even the boatman collapsed onto the floor.
"Don't come closer, don't come closer…" (he pleaded)
"I-I'm gonna die…" (the crewman, in despair)
Unnoticed by Yukito and Yuu, Anna slipped from Yuu's grasp.
"Yuu-chan, where's Anna!?" (Me)
Yuu-chan suddenly realized—panic on her face.
But then, the crew pointed to the roof of the cabin.
"Isn't that the girl you're looking for!?"
Yuu and Yukito saw Anna standing on the roof, her gaze locked with Yornies.
"Anna-chan, it's dangerous!!" (Yuu-chan)
Anna stretched her hand forward—just like someone about to cast magic.
"She's…?" (Me)
"Darkness that covers the earth… Ancient seal that binds all… Light that is falsehood… Radiance that is despair… nox radiata." (Anna)
SLASH!
A mass of black light gathered—then a deafening blast.
A single attack pierced Yornies' body, creating a hole that sent the beast plunging beneath the waves.
"TURN RIGHT!!!" (shouted the boatman)
The crew spun the wheel, steering hard to avoid the massive splash from Yornies' fall.
The four of them could hardly believe what just happened. But Anna tugged on Yuu's clothes from behind, drawing Yuu, the boatman, and the crew around her at once. (N)
"Kid, you're a talented mage, huh?" (Boatman)
"We're alive thanks to you!" (Crew)
Meanwhile, Yuu-chan hugged Anna tightly, holding back tears.
"Anna-chan, thank goodness you're safe." (Yuu-chan)
But instead of joining the praise, Yukito stared at Anna with a look of curiosity—and unease. (N)
"Why do I feel so uneasy…?" (Yukito)
After passing the danger of Yornies, they finally reached the large dock of the city.
The boat stopped, and the three carefully disembarked.
"Little one, what you did back there was amazing! Even I was shocked." (Boatman)
Both his and the crew's faces were full of relief and joy.
"This is the best day of my life." (Crew)
Anna-chan gave them a small smile and waved in farewell.
Then the three walked from the dock toward the city's central market—the largest in the area.
"Yuu-chan, what exactly are you trying to buy that we had to come all this way?" (Me)
Was there really something not sold at the dock near the village? Could it be that what Yuu-chan was after was a rare good?
"Yukito-sama, yesterday I heard a rumor about something called Chizu. They say it's delicious." (Yuu-chan)
Wait—why does that name sound familiar?
"So… what kind of thing is Chizu?" (Me)
"They say it's made from cow's milk, hardened into a solid form." (Yuu-chan)
"Milk…?" (Anna)
"Anna-chan, are you excited to try Chizu?" (Yuu-chan)
Anna's eyes sparkled.
"I want it! Anna wants to eat Chizu!" (Anna)
Before long, the three arrived at a small but fairly crowded shop, with many customers seated inside. (N)
"This is the place." (Yuu-chan)
Yuu-chan ordered three bowls of Chizu soup—for the three of us, obviously.
After a short wait, the soup arrived.
Its broth was a creamy white, tinged slightly yellow, with a thick texture, filled with chunks of meat and potatoes.
"Itadakimasu." (Me)
SRUUPP
I tried the broth first… it was rich, sweet yet savory… unmistakably cheese.
"So that's what you meant, huh Yuu-chan? You were talking about cheese all along." (Me)
Yuu-chan tilted her head, confused.
"Cheese?" (Yuu-chan)
"Ah, in my original world, this ingredient is called cheese." (Me)
"Hmm…" (Yuu-chan)
About ten minutes later, the three had finished eating and were ready to go home.
"Yukito-sama, let's buy some Chizu to take home." (Yuu-chan)
I didn't have anything important to do, so… why not stroll around a bit? Who knows, maybe I'll bump into a sexy lady—
Yukito, your intentions are showing. (N)
"Come on, Anna-chan." (I held her little hand so she wouldn't get lost.)
———
"Yukito-sama, I got it. Let's go home." (Yuu-chan)
"Alright, let's head back." (Me)
BRAK!
I bumped into someone in front of me.
"Ouch… sorry—" (Me)
W-what is this!?!? Something soft touched my hand… T-this is—!!
As Yukito walked, he accidentally collided with someone in front of him.
He ended up on top of the person he bumped into. (Not that kind of on top, okay!)
Basically, when Yukito fell, his hand landed on the person's chest.
"This feeling… so soft—" (Me)
The girl pushed me off her body, and when I looked at her face—
"H-Hime!?" (Me)
Yep, it was Hime.
"Y-Yukito-san, have you turned into a pervert now?" (she said, blushing)
Behind me, Yuu-chan looked at me with eyes full of disdain.
"Yukito-sama, you just committed harassment~" (Yuu-chan)
But Hime's gaze turned toward Anna, who was still holding Yuu-chan's hand.
"Yuu-chan, w-who are you holding hands with?" (Hime)
"Hmm… so you still recognize Yuu-chan's voice after all." (Me)
"I don't care that she turned human now… But who's this super cute little girl with you, huh!?" (Hime)
Yuu-chan grinned mischievously.
"This is my child with Yukito-sama." (Yuu-chan)
This is gonna be bad… (N)
Hime froze like a statue.
"Well, Yukito-sama's just too passionate, so she was born quick… And by the way, Yukito-sama said he wants more~" (Yuu-chan)
Hime turned to me with terrifying eyes—chills ran down my spine. Somebody save me!!!
"Yukito-san~" (Hime)
"I-I didn't do anything!!!" (Me)