Upon arriving at the purification site Ema had mentioned, Makoto realized that the so-called sanctuary was closer to a cave carved out to serve as a dwelling. However, considering that the land was barren and that he had not seen a single plant during his three-day journey, he found it understandable.
Makoto was warmly welcomed after Ema explained that he had saved her from a monster and offered him a place to rest and recover from his exhaustion. He was treated to food and drink, and having eaten nothing but compressed biscuits for three days, Makoto ate heartily.
While eating, Makoto noticed Ema using transportation magic to bring the food. That sight reminded him that he wanted to ask Ema to teach him magic. When Ema placed the food in front of him, Makoto spoke up.
"Ema-san, there's something I'd like to ask you," Makoto said, looking at her seriously.
"What can I help you with? If I am able to assist you, Makoto-sama, I will do so with all my heart," Ema replied, returning his serious gaze.
"Well… I've actually never used magic before. Could you teach me how to use magic?" Makoto asked, sounding slightly embarrassed.
"B-but Makoto-sama is incredibly strong. How could you not be able to use magic?" Ema asked, her expression filled with surprise.
Makoto could only let out a small laugh and scratch his forehead. "A lot of things happened, so I never really had the chance to use magic."
Seeing Makoto's awkward expression, Ema chose not to press further.
"Very well, Makoto-sama. After dinner, I will teach you the basics of magic," she said with a gentle smile.
After dinner, Makoto and Ema moved to a wider area inside the cave.
(Why not practice outside, you ask? Who would want to train magic out in the open and risk attracting monsters?)
Returning to Makoto and Ema—
"First, we'll start with the basics," Ema said as she began chanting.
"Come forth, ember that forms the core of fire—Brid."
A fireball appeared above Ema's palm.
"Woah… amazing!" Makoto exclaimed in awe as he witnessed magic for the first time.
"This chant adds an element and a form to magical power—like a key that activates magic. Although this isn't the orc language, it may be a little difficult to understand," Ema explained.
To Makoto, however, the language Ema used sounded completely natural. He then remembered the language ability the goddess had given him before dropping him from the sky.
"Come forth, ember that forms the core of fire—Brid."
The moment Makoto finished the chant, he felt energy flow into his palm. A fireball even larger than Ema's appeared in his hand.
"I DID IT!" Makoto shouted joyfully, thrilled by the first spell he had ever cast.
Ema could only stare in amazement. Makoto had succeeded on his very first attempt.
"So… what do I do next?" Makoto asked.
"V-visualize the fireball and throw it at a target," Ema replied after snapping out of her shock—whether it was shock from Makoto's immediate success or from the overwhelming mana aura he was emitting, even she wasn't sure.
Makoto imagined a solid sphere, and the fireball in his hand condensed into a perfect orb. When he imagined throwing it, the fireball shot toward the cave wall and exploded.
The explosion was loud, leaving behind a scorched red mark from the intense heat and drawing the attention of other orcs, who gathered to watch.
The loud blast left Ema, standing beside Makoto, completely speechless.
"Did I master it already?" Makoto asked excitedly.
"How can you do this so easily… Makoto-sama, what level are you?" Ema asked, staring at him in disbelief.
Makoto knew he was level 1, but he didn't know how to tell her.
"How about we measure it properly?" Makoto said in a mysterious tone.
Ema soon returned with a scroll used to measure levels and handed it to Makoto. The orcs who had been watching from afar drew closer, curious. Makoto grasped the scroll, and it emitted a pale blue light.
"Level… 1," Ema said in a voice filled with disbelief.
"Makoto-sama is this strong, yet only level 1?" Ema asked in confusion.
"I told you, a lot of things happened," Makoto replied. Though he himself didn't understand why he was only level 1, he felt that levels weren't all that important.
Perhaps it was because Makoto came from another world and wasn't a native of this one. Or perhaps because this was his second life. Whatever the reason, his way of thinking differed from theirs.
When the gathered orcs learned that Makoto was only level 1, they gradually lost interest and dispersed.
"Um… if you'd like, I can write down some other spells for you," Ema offered.
"Yes, thank you, Ema-san," Makoto said sincerely, accepting the scroll containing several magic chants.
When morning came and Ema went to wake Makoto for breakfast, his room was empty. Only a letter remained, informing her that Makoto had gone to negotiate with Shin.
Ema's face turned pale as she read it.
From Ema's perspective, Shin was a superior dragon possessing overwhelming power. In a panic, she hurried after Makoto, determined to stop him from meeting Shin.
However, when Ema arrived at the offering site, she found Makoto standing beside a stunningly beautiful woman. Ignoring the woman for the moment, Ema ran toward Makoto.
"Makoto-sama, you must not meet Shin-sama! Shin-sama is a superior dragon with unimaginable power!" Ema shouted, gasping for breath.
Makoto and Shin exchanged glances.
"Are you talking about me?" Shin said calmly before Ema.
"But Shin-sama is a superior dragon—!" Ema protested.
"I already told you, I am Shin. I take this form because of the contract I made with Makoto-dono," Shin replied, tossing over several dragon scales that had come loose during her battle with Makoto.
Ema caught the scales and felt the overwhelming aura radiating from them. Her vision went white—
—and she fainted from shock.