After finishing his training, Makoto walked back toward Erin. As he walked, he noticed Tomoe and Mio staring at him with expressions of shock, confusion, and speechlessness. When he reached them, Makoto asked,
"What's with those shocked expressions? What surprised you that much?"
"Waka, what were you doing just now?!" Tomoe asked in disbelief.
"I was just conducting a magical energy experiment," Makoto replied casually.
"An experiment with magic?! That impossible thing just now was only a magic experiment?!" Tomoe shouted.
"Tomoe, why do you look so shocked?" Makoto asked.
"I'm not just shocked, Waka. Do you even realize what you just did?" Tomoe said after letting out a deep sigh.
"I was trying to turn my magical energy into a liquid form," Makoto explained.
"Waka-sama, materializing magical energy into a liquid form requires an enormous amount of magical power—it's considered impossible," Mio said seriously.
"And yet you did that impossible thing. How could I not be shocked?" Tomoe added.
"Has no one ever tried it before?" Makoto asked, puzzled.
"It's not that no one tried. Everyone who did simply failed because they didn't have enough magical energy to materialize it," Tomoe explained.
"Onii-chan, you really are amazing," Erin said admiringly.
"Don't you get bored being here alone, Erin?" Makoto asked.
"No, onii-chan. I like it here. If I get bored, I can talk to you or feel everything that's happening in this world," Erin replied cheerfully.
They then chatted about simple things—food, Makoto's daily life, and the journey they were about to take. Without realizing it, time passed quickly, and the sun had nearly set.
"I didn't realize we'd been talking for so long," Makoto said while looking at the sunset.
"I'll head back for now, Erin. See you tomorrow," he said.
"Yes, onii-chan. See you tomorrow," Erin replied. Though she felt a little sad about Makoto leaving, knowing he would come back made her happy.
After they returned home, Mio immediately began preparing dinner, while Tomoe continued watching a historical drama. With some free time, Makoto focused on sensing what was happening in the world. When he closed his eyes and concentrated his consciousness, it felt as though he was projecting himself into the sky, able to perceive events throughout the new world.
At the same time, Makoto sensed a familiar presence beside him. When he turned his head, he saw a very cute little girl, about five or six years old, wearing a green dress with golden patterns.
"Onii-chan! We meet again!" Erin said cheerfully, jumping toward Makoto.
"Eh? Erin? So you can project your consciousness?" Makoto asked as he caught her and gently set her down.
"Of course, onii-chan. I'm the World Tree—projecting my consciousness is easy for me," Erin said proudly, puffing out her chest.
"But I still can't project myself into the real world yet. I can only do it in this spiritual world," she added softly.
"Someday, Erin will surely be able to project herself into the real world. You've just grown, after all—you still have plenty of time," Makoto said gently as he patted her head.
"I understand, onii-chan," Erin replied.
"By the way, why are you here, onii-chan? I came right away when I sensed your consciousness," Erin asked curiously.
"I had some free time while waiting for Mio to finish cooking, so I used my consciousness to observe the world," Makoto answered casually.
"Mio-onee-chan's cooking? I want to try it too," Erin said enviously.
"Maybe when you grow bigger, you'll be able to eat Mio's food," Makoto said softly.
"But growing bigger takes a really long time," Erin said sadly.
"Don't worry. I'll look for other ways to help you too," Makoto replied.
"I believe in you, onii-chan," Erin said sincerely.
After chatting for a while, Makoto sensed someone calling him from the real world.
"Looks like Mio's finished cooking. See you again, Erin," Makoto said.
"See you again, onii-chan," Erin replied, waving her hand.
When Makoto regained consciousness, he saw Mio shaking his shoulder to wake him.
"It's rare to see Waka sleeping at this hour," Tomoe remarked.
"I was using my consciousness to observe the world, but I didn't expect to meet Erin in the spiritual realm," Makoto explained.
"You got to meet Erin, Waka-sama? So what does she look like? Is she as cute as her voice?" Mio asked excitedly.
"She looks like a very cute little girl, around five or six years old," Makoto replied.
"Is dinner ready?" Makoto asked.
"Yes, it's ready, Waka-sama," Mio answered.
"Then let's eat," Makoto said.
Several days passed, and the day finally came when Makoto, Tomoe, and Mio would set off on their adventure in the Goddess's world. Makoto felt his heart pounding—his dream from his previous life was about to begin.
After making preparations and informing Ema of their departure, Makoto passed through the mist gate he had opened together with Tomoe and Mio. When Makoto stepped out of the gate, he felt the hot, dry air of the barren land before him. After determining their direction, they headed toward the city of Zetsuya.
By midday, they could see the city gates in the distance. Soon after answering the gate guards' questions about the cargo in their carriage, they entered the city without issue.
Inside the city, Makoto followed the roads toward the Adventurers' Guild. Although he already knew that the Goddess's world placed extreme importance on beauty, seeing it with his own eyes made him think that if he randomly pointed at someone on the street, they could easily become an artist or model based on their looks alone.
When Makoto entered the guild with Tomoe and Mio, he wasn't wearing a mask. Everyone inside glanced at his face and whispered among themselves about how ugly he was. Makoto ignored them, but Tomoe and Mio were on the verge of attacking the people around them if Makoto hadn't restrained them.
After the commotion, Makoto stood before the receptionist.
"Welcome to the Zetsuya Adventurers' Guild," the receptionist said with a professional smile—but when she saw Makoto's face, her smile stiffened.
"Are you here to register?" she asked.
"Yes, we'd like to register," Makoto replied, using magic to write.
After the receptionist explained the jobs and ranks of adventurers, Makoto agreed to register.
"Now we'll conduct a test to determine your level," the receptionist said, taking out a scroll used for level assessment.
Since Makoto knew he was only level one, he didn't expect much. But just as he was about to touch the scroll, an idea crossed his mind.
Makoto used Sakai to detect the strongest adventurer's power inside the guild. After finding the strongest aura, he used camouflage to match his own strength to it. When Makoto touched the scroll, it turned red—but not completely.
"Makoto-sama, level 390," the receptionist announced in shock.
"Isn't the strongest adventurer here level 444?" Makoto thought to himself. Even knowing that the strongest adventurer in the city had falsified their level, 390 still seemed too low—not even reaching level 400.
Then it was Tomoe's and Mio's turn. Just like in the anime, Tomoe was level 1320, and Mio was level 1500. After the chaos in the guild, Makoto, Tomoe, and Mio went to find the best hotel in the city. Makoto immediately showed his adventurer card to the hotel manager to avoid being cheated.
When night fell, they went out to find a restaurant for dinner. Since Makoto had only brought drinking water in the carriage, he didn't ask Tomoe to guard it—he didn't care even if it got stolen.
After dinner, they walked back to the hotel.
"What did you think of tonight's dinner, Mio?" Makoto asked.
"I found it rather unsatisfying, Waka-sama. Even though it was my first time tasting it, I think I could make it much better," Mio replied calmly.
"True, Waka. It wasn't bad, but I don't think it pairs well with sake," Tomoe said, nodding.
Makoto was left speechless. He had learned many things, including how to make fermented foods and drinks like sake, soy sauce, and cheese—knowledge that had now made Tomoe obsessed with sake.
As they walked, a young girl suddenly appeared, looking confused.
"U-um, excuse me," the girl said.
"Do you need something?" Makoto asked, writing with magic.
"I… I want to ask for help," the girl said, on the verge of tears.
Realizing what was going on, Makoto sighed. "If you don't mind, would you like to come with us?" he asked.
The girl suddenly burst into tears and hugged Makoto. Makoto, Tomoe, and Mio exchanged glances before bringing the girl back to the hotel.
Back at the hotel, Makoto asked Tomoe to order food for the girl.
"So, what can I help you with?" Makoto asked.
"M-my name is Rinon. My older sister and I were traveling together and decided to stay in this city for a while," Rinon said haltingly.
"Take your time," Makoto wrote gently.
Rinon nodded. "My sister went out to look for work and never came back," she said.
"When was the last time you saw her?" Makoto asked.
"About a month ago," Rinon replied. "I was also kicked out of the house we rented."
After saying that, Rinon began to cry again.
When Tomoe returned, she brought someone dressed entirely in black with her. When Makoto saw this, he sighed.
"So they're still sending people to steal our belongings," Makoto thought.
"So only one survived?" Makoto asked.
"How did you know, Waka?" Tomoe asked in surprise.
"Mio, could you take care of Tomoe's situation?" Makoto said calmly.
"Understood, Waka-sama," Mio replied.
"Rinon, you can take a bath and rest in the next room. I've also ordered food for you, so don't forget to eat," Makoto said.
"Thank you very much, onii-ch—no, onii-san," Rinon said.
"You can call me whatever you find easiest," Makoto wrote.
"Then, onii-chan. Oh—this is a sketch of my sister that I just drew," Rinon said.
Makoto took the sketch and looked at it. The drawing closely resembled Hasegawa.
"Go ahead and rest now, Rinon," Makoto said, gently patting her head.
Not long after, Mio returned. Makoto had already read the memories of the person Tomoe had brought. During the interrogation, Makoto hadn't said a word.
Seeing Mio arrive, Makoto let out a sigh.
"Tomoe, Mio—tomorrow I'll leave it to you to rescue Rinon's sister," Makoto said.
"Tomoe, since you've seen my memories, I won't say much. I just want you to save Rinon's sister—don't go on a rampage and destroy the city," Makoto warned them.
"It looks like tomorrow's going to be a busy day," Makoto thought to himself.