It's been a few days since the incident, the one where Paulo accidentally zapped her dad with a burst of lightning. Ever since, she's been desperate to harness that same power, but each time she manages to trigger it, the energy spirals wildly out of control.
Determined to master it, she's retreated to the hidden room where she first discovered the ancient magic books. Day after day, she pores over the same worn pages, chasing answers like a spark searching for a flame.
"Oh, Pauli's really into her reading now," Satsuki teased Daiki, chuckling about the mysterious book their daughter won't put down.
They both knew it was dangerous, but they never stopped her. Still, Paulo keeps it secret, afraid of what others might think. Back in her old world, magic meant persecution: witches burned, spellcasters drowned, all branded heretics.
But this world? Different. Here, magic is real, and teachable. With a functioning magic core and proper mana pathways, anyone can wield it… once they come of age.
Inside the study, where she first unlocked Lightning Enhancement, Paulo focused again, just trying to understand, to control. She expected failure.
Instead, raw electricity surged through her arms, erupting outward with explosive force, tearing a gaping hole straight through the wall.
She froze. Stunned. Speechless. The destruction was undeniable proof she'd done it. And now, there was no hiding it.
"What the...?! What just happened!?" she gasped, staring at the wreckage.
The thunderous crash sent Daiki sprinting inside the room, sword half-drawn. He gaped at the shattered wall, mind racing. A monster? Here?
"Wait, Pauli! Are you okay!? What was that loud bang!?" he blurted, voice tight with worry. His eyes darted around, still braced for an attack that never came.
Then Satsuki arrived, calmer, but wide-eyed. She took in the scorched floor, the jagged hole, the faint crackle lingering in the air. Her gaze snapped to the open textbook. Then to her daughter.
A slow, knowing smile spread across her face.
"You… used magic with a broken core? You impossible genius, you actually did it." She whispered, crouching down and pulling Paulo into a fierce hug.
Daiki stood frozen, sword finally sheathed, realization dawning. Before he could speak, Satsuki exploded with joy.
"Did you hear that, darling?! Our little girl's a prodigy! A revolution! We need a tutor, now! She'll be legendary! The first to wield magic with a damaged core!" She grabbed his hands, bouncing like lightning herself.
Daiki remained stunned, while Satsuki danced in pure euphoria. For her, this wasn't just pride, it was hope. She'd lost the use of her own magic long ago. But Paulo? She'd shattered the impossible.
Meanwhile, Saiko quietly swept up debris, unfazed. Maybe she'd known all along. Or maybe she just enjoyed seeing them so happy.
"Go to the capital tomorrow! Post a job request, we're finding the best teacher alive! This talent? It's going far!" Satsuki declared, already dreaming aloud.
Am I considered a genius for being able to do the impossible?
"Hold on wait, didn't we agree? If it was a girl, she'd become a swordswoman. A boy, and he'd master magic," Daiki chimed in, as if the script had been written long before Paulo even drew her first breath.
From the start, her path felt carved in stone, no say, no choice. The moment she arrived; her role was already cast.
"But the magic she just used, it's not just for spellcasters. It works in battle too. We should find someone at the capital who wields both blade and spell. After what happened with Paulo, we know it's possible." Satsuki shot back, arms crossed, eyes gleaming with quiet insistence.
Her voice carried the weight of a mother's hope; she wanted her daughter to embrace magic. Daiki stiffened. This wasn't what they'd agreed on.
This wasn't the promise he'd made when they chose to bring Paulo into this world.
"A promise is a promise, right?" he mumbled, more to himself than anyone, until he caught Satsuki's glare.
It hit like a thunderclap. To her, it sounded like betrayal, like he was twisting their vows to force Paulo into his ideal mold.
"What promise? You break them whenever things don't go your way, Daiki. Don't act like you've ever kept one " she snapped, scoffing.
And just like that, the spark ignited. A full-blown argument erupted between them. Meanwhile, Saiko moved through the room like a storm untouched by wind, calmly wiping surfaces, unfazed.
"Let her learn magic in the morning. Swordsmanship in the afternoon. Problem solved," she said, voice steady, cutting through the noise.
No debate. No hesitation. Her words landed like a gavel. After minutes of bickering, Saiko set down her cloth, sighed, and delivered her verdict, one that shut the quarrel down for good.
Daiki let out a heavy sigh, no tutor meant facing the wrath of both his wife and the sharp-tongued maid, especially if Paulo's progress stayed stuck in the mud. No way was he risking that lecture. Time to take action.
He leapt onto his horse and tore across the land like a storm on hooves, the fastest ride this world had to offer. Wind ripped past him so fiercely it vaporized the sweat from his brow before it could even drip.
Midway to the capital, chaos erupted ahead, a squad of female mages, cornered by snarling monsters. Without hesitation, Daiki charged in, because what kind of hero doesn't answer a cry for help?
He vaulted off the saddle, blade flashing. As one beast lunged to crush him, he backflipped with lightning reflexes and unleashed a whirlwind of slashes, drawing blood, but not ending the fight.
In one fluid motion, he launched skyward and brought his sword down at a razor-sharp 45-degree angle, cleaving the monster clean in two. Pineapple split. Crisis over.
Grateful thanks followed, but Daiki was already moving. he had a mission. Bursting into the capital, he zeroed in on the massive wooden board plastered with job postings, the beating heart of opportunity.
Scanning the clutter, a grin tugged at his lips.
"Alright, Let's make this count." he muttered, snatching a blank flyer.
With a firm press, he posted his request: "Seeking magic user, broken core, sword experience required."
Mission accomplished. He swung back onto his horse and kicked into the homeward stretch. The ride back? Tedious. Silent. But this time, it didn't matter. They had what they came for, a spark, a lead, a chance. And that changed everything.