Hirano recounted her challenge experiences.
As a Tarnished, she naturally had a Maiden.
Following her Maiden's recommendation, she came to Raya Lucaria Academy and participated in the challenges with other Tarnished.
Result...
She defeated several mages, one after another.
The Snow-Snow Fruit was a Logia-type; it was powerful. But elementalization...
What? If a fist was coated with enough magic, it could hit a Logia user?
Because of that...
Hirano lost to a mage who specialized in close combat.
He called the technique of coating the body with magic "Magic Armament".
Like a form of super armor, it provided effective defense and increased attack power.
But it was mana-intensive, required precise control, and demanded close combat skills.
It could coat the body or weapons.
Later, when she challenged again, she lost to someone with a magic sword.
So, her ability was strong but not invincible; she had her counters.
The mages were curious about her power. Hearing it was innate, they expressed regret. Some wanted to study her, but others opposed it, calling it heretical.
She was born with it; why study her?
What, did they want to fuse her bloodline to gain that power?
Did they want to emulate Godrick the Grafted of Stormveil Castle?
Wasn't that forbidden by the Academy?
In ancient times, too many mages had pursued such heretical paths for power, only to become hideous, no stronger, and ultimately defeated. How embarrassing!
Thus, Hirano escaped the fate of being researched. Her status as a Tarnished and her considerable strength helped.
She navigated Liurnia Town reasonably well.
Many nobles respected her, allowing her to invest and open this ramen shop.
Her goal was to provide hot, filling food while earning enough to study magic.
As a Tarnished, she couldn't become an official mage; she had to pay.
"Haha, you've worked hard."
After hearing her story, Kaito smiled and finished his tea. Hirano promptly refilled his cup.
She genuinely enjoyed magic; learning it had greatly improved her quality of life, with strength being secondary.
For instance, simple household spells made life in this world much more comfortable.
If she returned to her original world after the event, she could use magic for many things.
Perhaps even become a top politician in Japan!
After all, Hirano had always been ambitious.
"No matter how much magic I learn, I can't surpass you."
Kaito also knew magic; not only that, but he was also very powerful!
He had mastered many potent magical systems in worlds like Campione!.
He couldn't use it now due to choosing the highest difficulty, restricting him to one ability.
If he had all his abilities, he'd probably be at the Royal Capital by now.
Why else would he be taking it slow?
"Well, take your time. You're in the chat group now; your lifespan isn't an issue. You can live as long as you want."
"Yes... Oh, have you had dinner?"
"I have. I rented a nice wooden house nearby; it's a noble's property, just sitting vacant."
"I see. I was going to say you could stay with me if you wanted. I also rented a large house."
"Thanks, but I won't be here long. Basically, after challenging Rennala, I'll head to the next place."
"Rennala... she's very strong. The strongest mage."
Hirano shared stories about Rennala, but Kaito already knew.
Rennala was powerful.
But as the Queen of the Full Moon, she had lost her sanity and cared for little else.
If she could still study magic, she might go even further.
Even though she appeared weak in the game, easily defeated, leading to Ranni's intervention and a stunning cutscene,
It's because Rennala had no will to fight at that time.
Fighting someone who didn't want to fight wasn't fair.
She was also a hero of Caria.
"Madam, it's getting late. I'll head back to rest and come again tomorrow."
After chatting for a while, feeling a bit tired, Kaito stood to leave.
Hirano saw him out, asking where he was staying, saying she'd visit him instead the next day.
…
The next day—
Kaito woke in the embrace of the Fire Keeper and Melina.
His movement stirred the Fire Keeper. Seeing Kaito awake, she quickly got up to attend to him.
They woke Melina and prepared breakfast together.
Kaito sat idly in the living room, drinking tea and browsing books he'd bought in Liurnia Town.
He'd bought them from the only bookstore on his way back last night.
Curious, and since he would eventually rule this world, learning about its culture and customs through books was helpful.
He didn't buy stories or poetry, but books offering perspectives on this world.
After breakfast, Hirano arrived as promised.
She brought gifts and dozens of magic books she had purchased.
She was at ease in the wooden house. After the Fire Keeper served tea, they chatted happily again.
They talked mostly about their experiences in this world.
The conversation lasted through lunch and dinner.
When night came again, Hirano prepared to leave, but Kaito took her hand.
"Madam, I have a contract worth several billion. I wonder if you'd be interested?"