GalaxyTL
Goosebumps appeared as soon as I opened the door, as if I could sense the air. It’s not an unpleasant feeling, or rather, it’s strange, like touching something sacred.
“I’ll be waiting here.”
“Eh? You’re not coming inside, Gil-san?”
I tilted my head when Gil-san said that before the door, and he smiled softly.
“Try searching for it, with your magic power. You can do it, Meg.”
“Search?”
Apparently, he’s telling me to investigate the magic power I can feel from this archives, using my own. Can I do that?
“You have enough magic power. And besides, you’re smart. I’m sure you’ll sense a lot of things.”
Sm-Smart! It’s embarrassing. I held back the urge to smile goofily, and decided to do as I was told. It’s important to try new things. And besides, using my magic power might also prevent it from going out of control. It’s not much, but it’s better than doing nothing.
I closed my eyes and focused on the archives. I gathered magic power, wrapping it around my whole body, and then slowly released it, towards the archives. It’s like, at the same time, taking in the magic power from the archives. Fusing it with my own. I don’t know why I understand how to do it… maybe it’s because I’ve seen Gil-san and the others use these kinds of magic.
And then I started to sense information. It’s different from having it flow into my mind, I’m feeling it. It’s a strange sensation. It’s not like words, so it’s like I have to translate it myself. So what is it? Repel, people, magic, one… ah, so this archives is!
“Only one person can enter? And… you can’t use magic inside?”
“That’s right.”
Gil-san patted me on the head when I said that. Yes! He then told me even more. That even spirits aren’t allowed inside, but that certain types of spirits live inside, protecting this place. And about the system, how it works, which he’d already explained. There are other things too, but that’s all that matters, he said. A-Amazing, he was able to understand that much?
“It’s just practice. If you ever feel curious about something, or a sense of incongruity, then try it, just like you did now. You’ll gradually become able to understand more.”
“Woah, okay!”
I’m happy that I can do even more now! I’ve seen everyone use their magic power to get information as if it were natural, but this is my first time doing it myself. Because they always tell me everything beforehand. …Huh? So why did he teach me now?
“But only do it when someone’s with you. Depending on what it is, you might get overwhelmed with information, and end up with a headache. And because you have so much magic power, all that information will flow into you if you’re not able to properly control it.”
Heh~, so it’s dangerous! I see, so that’s why he hasn’t let me do it until now. “But it’s still unstable right now, isn’t it?” Apparently, Gil-san was helping me. I-I didn’t even notice. He’s incredible.
But I see, so I can’t do it when I’m alone. That he taught me even though it’s dangerous, means that… he believes that I’ll keep my promise. I have to live up to his expectations!
“I’ll be working nearby, so call out when you’re done.”
He can apparently sense it if I call out his name. He’s too good! Well, it’s not like this is a recent development. And so, after seeing Gil-san off, I finally entered the archives.
The door closed automatically as soon as I entered. No more horror gimmicks, please. But there were purple spirits, floating around, welcoming me, so I wasn’t scared. Maybe they’re text or book spirits? The contract spirit of Monica-san, the librarian at Ortus, is a text spirit, and it’s purple, so I’m probably right.
I wanted to talk to them, but I can’t forget my objective. Alright, time to investigate.
First, I quickly looked around. The room was filled with wooden bookshelves, all packed with books. I’m calling them books, but they’re all simple bundles of paper. They don’t have spines, so there’s no way to know what they’re about. I tried to take one out, but I couldn’t. It’s probably because it’s not a book I need right now. I see.
Huh? But how do I search? All the books look the same. …No, no, calm down, Meg. If I remember correctly, I have to know what I’m looking for. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and strongly focused on what I needed.
I want information on my special ability. Anything, even the smallest detail, about Dream Walking, about those who had the same ability in the past…!
Okay, I opened my eyes, and an unexpected sight spread out before me.
“Hyoehh…”
I couldn’t help but to make a strange noise. Because there were dozens of books floating around me! Like poltergeists? It turned out they were just being carried by spirits. Phew. But no more horror gimmicks, please. Though I’m sure they’re not doing it intentionally!
“Thank you. But I might not be able to read them all at once…”
I thanked the spirits, but I can’t read this many at once, and I probably can’t even carry them. I’m not very strong because I can’t use magic. Sorry for being so weak.
Maybe they sensed that, because the other spirits started to gather in one area. I looked, and… I saw a desk. I see, so I should read them there? But it wasn’t there before, right? It’s a mystery, but it’s probably some kind of magic. It’s probably one of those things Gil-san investigated earlier.
Just as I was thinking that, all the books that had been floating flew to the desk, neatly stacking themselves. The spirits carried them over. They’re so kind!
I’ll read them there. I thanked the spirits again, then sat at the desk and started to read.
Knock, knock, knock, I was startled by that sound and looked up. I’d gotten completely immersed in reading. I hurriedly closed the book I’d been reading and looked towards the sound, and then I heard a voice.
“Meg, it’s time to go back.”
It was Gil-san. Huh? Has it been that long? But I’m still only halfway through the second book. I’m a slow reader.
But it’s fine. I wasn’t expecting to be able to read them all at once, and we can come back tomorrow. So I answered, “Okay,” and headed for the door.
“Um, how do I put these books away?”
I can’t just leave them like this. Just as I was muttering that, the books on the desk floated up, flew around, and then returned to the bookshelves. Oh, amazing. The spirits here are also incredibly capable!
“Thank you. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
I said that to the hardworking spirits, put my hand on the door, and the purple lights gently flickered as if in response. So cute. Maybe I should do that name-giving ritual. I want to see what they look like. I’ve decided to ask Wiz-san about it later, and then I left the archives.
“You seem to have been very focused.”
Gil-san said this as we were walking, hand in hand. Wiz-san was still working, even after finishing his task, so we’d had him go back first. That’s right, it’s not good to keep him waiting.
“Gil-san, sorry for making you wait…”
“Don’t worry. I was also able to get some work done.”
“Thank you,” I corrected myself when he told me not to apologize. He narrowed his eyes, saying, “That’s better.” Ehehe.
“Right, I got a message. They’ve decided on the tournament dates.”
“Eh, really!?”
That’s good news. They were just saying that it’ll probably be held around this time of year. When I asked, he told me it’ll be on the day of the full moon, six cycles from now. In other words, half a year. It’s surprisingly soon. It really shows how capable everyone is!
Okay, in that case, I also have to train hard during these next six months. I can’t make a fool of myself, now that I’m participating. I want to show off my cool side to Asuka, Rune, Goot, and even Urbano, who’s coming to cheer for us! That I’m actually incredible, even though I look like this… I know that I don’t look reliable. And that’s exactly why I need to do this.
It’s going to be quite busy, because I also have to learn how to control my magic power and study Dream Walking. But having things to do, having a goal, motivates me.
I was full of anxieties before coming here, but now I can actually feel myself moving forward. It’ll be fine, I can overcome this. Just as I clenched my fists with renewed determination, Gil-san, noticing, turned to face me.
“I’ll do my best. So… please tell me, if I’m pushing myself too hard.”
When I get absorbed in something, I tend to not notice what’s happening around me… or rather, I end up thinking “I can do a little bit more.” And I learned the hard way, when I was Megu. But I’ve accepted that it’s just how I am. So I’m asking you! It’s a huge improvement, isn’t it?
“Yeah, leave it to me. I’ll spoil you rotten, if you’re pushing yourself too hard.”
“Ugh… that doesn’t sound like a punishment… !?”
Spoil me rotten, huh? I’m curious and I want to experience it, but, well, it’s going to make me a useless person, I know. That’s terrifying in itself. Maybe it’s the right punishment for me. But that kind of choice is so like him, I couldn’t help but chuckle. And he started to laugh too.
…Ah, I’m happy. I want to protect this happiness, forever.
At that time, for the first time, I felt it deep in my heart. That burning “something” that welled up from within. It would be much, much later that I realize what it is.