There are broadly two types of magic in this world.
One is the magic used by back-line mages, the type that fits the common image from my previous life.
There are four elements: Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind. Each is ranked into Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Extreme. Individual spells don’t have proper names.
That’s because there’s no magic incantation; if the amount of magical power used, the user’s elemental affinity, and their concentration are all in balance, the magic is activated as imagined. Apparently, they stopped bothering with naming individual spells because of this.
All living things in this world possess magical power, but elemental affinity differs from person to person, and some have no affinity at all.
Those with one elemental affinity are called “Single,” two are “Double,” three are “Triple,” and those who can use all the elements are called “Elemental Masters.”
By the way, I’m a Fire Single, and Gramps has no affinity.
When it became clear that I could only use fire magic, Gramps said to me,
“It fits your appearance perfectly, or rather, you are just as you look.”
It seems the image of red = fire is the same in this world.
It felt like he was calling me simple-minded, which I did not agree with.
And the other type of magic is ‘Aura’, a non-elemental magic primarily used by front-line warriors.
Since there’s only one kind, it has a name.
This magic enhances physical ability and magic resistance and is a basic yet profound technique for those who engage in close-quarters combat.
It can also be used on weapons and armor that are in contact with the body, with the enhancement effect being greater with better materials.
The ranking system is the same as the four elemental magics. Gramps can use Extreme Aura.
I finally managed to use Extreme last year.
The ranking for the four elemental magics is based on the amount of magical power used and the conversion efficiency to the phenomenon, while Aura is based on the amount of magic used and the density of magic around the body.
The evaluation is done using a magical tool similar to a speed gun from my previous life.
There’s a shadow of someone from the same world here too…
…
This is totally irrelevant to the current situation! I ended up reviewing the basics of magic in this world!
My thoughts are lost because of the shock of crying.
Since reincarnating into a female body, my emotional swings feel bigger than in my previous life.
When I was a man in my past life, I should have had a more detached personality.
Anyway, I’ve finally calmed down.
I take a deep breath.
As if to confirm my state, Gramps speaks to me.
“Once we get to the village, we’ll go to Zack’s place first. Alright?”
He doesn’t mention that I cried.
What a gentleman…
I’m grateful, so I decide to go along with the conversation.
“Yes, that’s fine. I need to greet the Village Chief too.”
I also want to see Gramps’ new home.
It’s still early morning, but the village wakes up early so it should be fine.
We continue down the mountain for a while before I notice something unusual.
“…Gramps.”
I can hear the sound of rustling grass and sense something approaching.
Anything that actively approaches humans is usually a monster.
“Hmm, there are two. Judging by the sound, they’re four-legged monsters.”
As we look towards the source of the sound, we can see the bushes shaking.
Midway, the monsters seem to have noticed us and start moving faster in our direction.
I draw my sword.
I hold the nameless black sword (tentative name) that I just received in my right hand and hold the main gauche in reverse grip in my left hand.
Two wild boars with bloodshot eyes, snorting, charge toward us in a line.
Wild boars are boars that have turned into monsters.
Their tusks protrude prominently forward.
In this world, many plants and animals have become monsters.
However, the cause of monster transformation hasn’t been discovered.
It tends to happen more frequently in natural, untouched places.
“Gramps, I’ll take care of it.”
I try to tell Gramps to stand back.
But,
“No, I’ll take one too.”
… He looks like he won’t listen if I refuse.
I have no doubt we’ll win, but I wonder if his back is okay…
I activate ‘Aura.’
– The wild boars charge.
“Yo!”
I deflect the incoming tusk with my Aura-enhanced left-hand main gauche,
“Ha!”
And with my right hand, I slash the base of the wild boar’s neck with my orichalcum black sword!
I feel a light sensation in my hand.
– I missed!?
I look back in a panic and see the head of the wild boar rolling on the ground, gouging a trail.
…It seems that the blade was too sharp.
I am speechless.
However, if I rely on this sword’s power, I’ll quickly lose my edge.
Gramps is–
“…What’s wrong? Aren’t you going to attack?”
The wild boar, who is supposed to be low intelligence, was cowed by Gramps’s intimidation.
He is enveloped by a pure, beautiful aura that’s several levels higher than mine.
After hesitating, the wild boar chose a reckless charge.
“Hmm.”
Gramps moves to the side with a relaxed motion. In passing, he draws his sword from his cane and slices the wild boar’s Achilles tendon.
Gramps’ weapon is what’s called a concealed sword, a thin blade called a sword stick.
He approaches the wild boar that’s writhing in pain and stabs it in the head.
The way he controls monsters with minimal force is impressive.
I call out to Gramps as he sheathes his sword.
“Gramps, are you alright?”
“What? This level of monster–”
“No, not that.”
“Hmm?”
“You’re sweating a lot.”
“…”
…Isn’t your back still hurting?
We gather the defeated wild boars in one place.
I’ll ask the villagers to collect them later.
The meat can be eaten, of course.
Even after they become monsters, they’re safe as they don’t become poisonous.
Their hides are tough but can be used if properly processed.
Unintentionally, we have gifts for the village.
“Gramps, is the pain getting better?”
“Oh… I’m fine now.”
Gramps, who had been holding onto a tree trunk to rub and stretch the affected area, turns to me.
Kaisa Village is very close now.
We finish our descent and come upon an earthen wall.
It’s the village’s defense wall, created by several Earth mages working together.
It’s about three meters high.
The gate is on the main road side, so we have to go around to get there from the mountain side.
As we walk along the wall, we see the gate.
A familiar-faced male villager is on guard at the gate.
He notices us, so I call out to him.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning, Katia. Tim, good morning to you too. Are you here to see the Village Chief?”
Tim is Gramps’ name, his full name being Tim Myers.
Gramps answers.
“Well, something like that. Open the gate for us. And, there are wild boars that fell down a bit on the mountain. Please collect them.”
“Oh, wild boars? Thank you as always, we’ll send someone over right away.”
Saying that, he opens the iron gate and we enter.
The Village Chief’s house is a little further into the village.
We walk through the peaceful farming village, exchanging greetings from time to time.
We reach the Village Chief’s house, knock on the door knocker, and call out.
“Good morning, it’s Tim and Katia. Is Zack here?”
After waiting for a while, we hear sounds from inside, and the door opens.
“Haaaiii”
A woman with a gentle demeanor comes out and greets us.
It’s Zack’s wife, Hanna.
Her age was about 38, I believe.
“Oh, Tim, Katia-chan, welcome. My husband is out for a bit, but he should be back soon, so please wait inside.”
“Kati, let’s take her up on that offer.”
“Yes, then excuse us.”
It seems like Zack is out.
We decide to wait for him inside the house.
