In the end, Kazuki accepted the king’s mission.
Kazuki was originally going to refuse, but he reluctantly accepted when he heard of the terrible conditions that were brought on by the Demon Lord’s resurrection. Inukami didn’t particularly object to his decision either. Actually, it felt like she was more than ready to go . . . though I had no idea why. As for me? I said that I’d let Kazuki decide—partly because this was entertaining, and partly because they were the only reason I was here in the first place.
A kingdom mage named Welcie had led us out of the grand hall into an old, musty room.
“Now then, Kazuki-sama, Suzune-sama, Usato-sama,” said Welcie, “we would like to measure your magical aptitude with this crystal ball.”
According to Welcie, simply touching the crystal ball enshrined at the center of the room would show us our “aptitude.” In other words, it would tell us what type of magic we’d wield. Apparently, there were many types of magic, with the most traditional being fire, water, lightning, and the like. But there were many other types too, such as teleportation and illusion magic, which only certain races had the ability to use.
I had a hard time believing all this was real. However, I thought that if I could really use magic, I’d want magic that would help me support Inukami and Kazuki. I tested my luck and asked if Welcie could measure my aptitude, too. Even though she instantly approved my request, I knew I’d be super nervous to see what would happen.
“All right, Kazuki-sama, please touch the crystal ball,” said Welcie.
I was daydreaming, wondering what ability I’d get as I waited in line, when suddenly I heard Welcie yelp in excitement. I quickly glanced at the crystal ball. It was giving off a white glow under Kazuki’s hand.
“Well, if it isn’t a true sign of a hero!” Welcie said joyfully.
All this hero stuff makes me feel so left out! Every time I hear the word “hero” my brain feels like a wet tissue that’s about to be ripped. Wait, what’s this? Kazuki doesn’t seem too thrilled.
“What’s wrong, Kazuki?” I asked.
“I mean, light? What’s so good about that? Do I fight enemies by shining a light in their eyes? What’s the point?” he lamented.
“Just shoot ’em with your laser beam, Kazuki-kun!” Inukami exclaimed. “Or use a lightsaber to—”
“Senpai, you shouldn’t joke around like that,” I said.
This girl is nuts. Bring her to another world and she becomes a total weirdo.
“You’re so mean, Usato-kun! But ya know . . . I kinda like it,” Inukami said.
Okay, that’s just plain creepy. Whoever said she’s the prettiest girl in school must be crazy! Oh, wait. That was me.
“No, no, no, you don’t understand! Light magic is incredible!” said Welcie. “A truly rare affinity that can only be used by very few people. It boasts unrivaled power in demon battles—the greatest attribute of all!”
“O-Oh, I see,” said Kazuki, feeling slightly weirded out by Welcie’s enthusiastic explanation. Unable to watch Kazuki any longer, Inukami butted in.
“Can you check what kind of magic I can use next, Welcie?”
“Oh, yes. Certainly. Now then. Please touch the crystal ball like Kazuki-sama did.”
Inukami placed her hand on the crystal ball just as Welcie had said.
“Suzune-sama is yellow, meaning that you have an aptitude for lightning magic! You can store just as much magic power as Kazuki-sama!”
“Lightning, huh? Heh heh heh . . .”
So long as senpai’s happy, that’s all that counts. But even so, lightning? What an affinity. One that every boy admires at least once in their life.
Then the time came—I was up next. I felt a little excited as I drew near the crystal ball, wondering what kind of magic I could possibly use.
“All right, Usato-sama. Please hold out your hand,” Welcie said.
“Okay.”
I nervously placed my hand on the crystal ball and waited to see what would happen. After a few seconds, the crystal ball turned a slightly transparent shade of green. It was certainly clearer than Kazuki and Inukami’s, but the color looked nothing like theirs. It was a color that was easy on the eyes.
Welcie suddenly let out another yelp.
“Um, Welcie?” I stuttered.
Why is she examining the crystal ball up close?
Inukami and Kazuki were also staring at the crystal ball.
“What a beautiful color. It’s almost like an emerald green,” remarked Inukami.
“Yeah. Mine didn’t even have a color—just a flash of light and that’s it,” added Kazuki.
Welcie had told us that the clearness represents the depth of one’s magic power and that the color represents their affinity.
It’s kinda clear, so I think it’s pretty good? Maybe?
“Does it mean that you control plants? Hey, wait. Is something wrong, Welcie? You’re white as a ghost.”
“M-Must . . . tell them . . .”
“Pardon?”
Why did Welcie grab my hand?!
“I must tell themmmmm!!!”
She ran out of the room, keeping an iron grip on my hand.
Uh, why? What happened? Did I do something wrong?
We ran back to the great hall where the king was seated. Welcie dragged me before him as I struggled to catch my breath. I hadn’t held hands with a girl since the first grade, but this felt somewhat different. If I’m not mistaken, holding hands isn’t supposed to involve running full speed out of fear.
“Your Majesty!”
“What is the matter, Welcie? Have you learned their aptitudes? My word, is that Usato? Where are the others?”
“Kazuki-sama and Suzune-sama have incredible potential. It’s just that . . .”
“So? Just because Usato was sent here by accident does not mean we shall ignore his wishes.”
This guy’s too nice to be king.
“It’s not that, your majesty! I am fully aware of that. It’s his aptitude. It’s . . .”
“Whatever could it be? Don’t tell me he has the power to control darkness, now does he? Yeah right!” bellowed the king. The king and his men broke out in laughter, but Welcie didn’t smile at all. The serious look on her face made me even more nervous.
“The boy . . . is a healer.”
“What?! What did you say?”
The laughter suddenly stopped.
“The crystal ball turned green, meaning that he is capable of using healing magic.”
Healing . . . magic? What, so I can cure people? That’s it?
Silence filled the room.