[I understand your urgency, but showing your full talent at this point… may not be a good thing.]
A dumb dog locked in a cage is left alone. A smart dog gets chained down.
[We don't know what's going to happen next. We need more time, to observe, to understand.]
[Learning the language is for communication, for survival. But if it's hurting your body, I can't agree with it.]
[Back when we first arrived in this world, I told you, I was scared. Shoko, I need you. If something happens to your body, and I'm the only one left… So please, promise me, don't rush, okay?]
Ryo Nagasaki understood Shoko's twisted sense of duty, and delivered a direct blow aimed at it.
Shoko gripped the bedsheet tightly… then slowly let go.
[Okay. We… Ryo, I'll walk this path with you.]
[Thank you, Shoko. Get some rest. You've worked hard today. There's still plenty of time to think about the future.]
Some words were still hard to find, so, as usual, they both ended with one phrase:
[Sleep.]
Shoko didn't feel the joy of being relied upon. On the contrary, for the first time, her constantly wavering heart found a sense of support.
[I'm… even weaker than Ryo. So weak, I couldn't even say it. But he said it all out loud…]
There was no discomfort from being helped. Ryo had made it clear that their relationship was mutual, equal. That they were helping each other.
Those words warmed her, like an embrace, like fresh water pouring onto parched soil.
The hedgehog began to lower its quills… exposing her soft belly.
Shoko reminded herself: blind effort was dangerous. She had to find the right direction.
She closed her eyes.
Perhaps from exhaustion, her sleep that night was deep and restful.
Meanwhile, Solitar had, once again, collected absolutely no new information.
…
The next morning, they woke feeling refreshed.
Their study pace was adjusted to a more sustainable rhythm.
Shoko curbed her instinct to "grasp everything instantly," choosing instead to absorb information at a normal pace, giving her mind time to breathe and analyze slowly.
She was also starting to understand: sometimes, rushing won't bring results faster.
She could clearly sense that Ms. Ait had relaxed a great deal as well.
Solitar had watched them for a long time… but still hadn't found any cracks.
After the morning lessons, they received a pleasant surprise: Solitar gave them permission to go outside, to the front of the house.
It wasn't clear what season it was, but the sun wasn't too intense. Before them stretched a scene of sapphire sea and white sand. Waves crashed against a coarse, shell-strewn beach. Trees resembling palms and pines swayed gently in the distance.
Walking barefoot on this beach would hurt, but it was beautiful. Tiny broken shells glinted between the pebbles. Small shrimp and crabs occasionally scuttled from between the rocks toward the sea.
It was a textbook tropical setting.
Wearing light, breathable clothes, the group stood in the sea breeze and felt the vastness of the world.
After soaking in the wind for a while, Ryo approached Solitar. Using a few newly learned words and lots of gestures, he began to communicate with the demon girl.
He asked her which kinds of sea creatures were edible, fish, shellfish, seaweed, and more.
Since they were already out here, he figured they might as well find out.
Solitar took a moment to understand him, it was faster than before. Once she realized he was asking about food, she grabbed him by the collar and soared into the sky.
He was supported by some kind of magical force, flying high above the endless ocean.
Though he'd lived in Tokyo, Ryo hadn't actually seen the sea that many times. The salty wind stung his nose a little… but the breathtaking view from this height more than made up for it.
…
Ryo liked vegetables, tea, and sweets. He was okay with fish, tolerated moist-cooked meats, but disliked the texture of organ meat.
His mother used to call him: a rare modern youth with a healthy diet.
He hadn't intended to ask much of Solitar in terms of food. But perhaps she was just feeling playful, because she flew him quite far out, and then summoned a wide, long magical blade from thin air for him to sit on.
Then… she began to churn the sea.
She must've been using the same magic as when she washed clothes or dishes. But this time, the area affected was enormous.
He couldn't see what was happening beneath the surface… but he could feel it. Something was spinning.
His body felt hot. His senses were sharpening.
The sea roared, and moments later, a giant whirlpool formed.
Then, like a miracle, dozens of fish large and small floated belly-up to the surface.
…
[Scatter Magic – Demon]
[Sword Control Magic – Demon]
Two new entries had appeared in the skills shop.
The first description read: A very basic technique that scatters magic power. Hardly qualifies as "magic." Its power depends on the user's magical output.
The second: A spell that forms sword-shaped constructs from magic. Low-cost, hard to detect. Must be refined through repeated use to become stable and compatible with one's magic.
The first cost 100 points, the second 900.
"Ssshhhhh…"
The sound of oil sizzling filled the room.
Ryo flipped the pan-seared fish fillet and kept thinking.
So those were the "spells" Solitar used?
The second was probably the sword that carried him. The first, the vortex.
And those are just basic techniques?
Solitar really was terrifyingly strong.
Also, the skill tags, "Demon", marked her race. She definitely wasn't human.
Back when Lady Aqua had planned to send them to the other world, she said demons were a "corrupted race." Looks like demons in this world weren't exactly noble either.
The distinction must mean their magic works differently from humans'.
Ryo revisited the store's tooltip:
[You can expand the skill list by observing and learning. Skills can be acquired by spending points.]
Maybe… just maybe, I can learn this on my own?
He felt a jolt of excitement.
As expected of Lady Aqua's divine blessing. Even with the mishap, it was still incredibly helpful.
If they hadn't been able to communicate via card system during this time… who knows what might've happened?
He offered a silent prayer of thanks to Lady Aqua, then closed the card interface.
His points were still far too low, and he had no way to earn more at the moment.
But now he had confirmation: magic existed. It was learnable. Solitar was definitely a demon. And most importantly, dinner would be greatly improved.
All of that was enough to make him happy.
"So happy~"
Solitar, as usual, appeared out of nowhere.
Ryo caught the word "happy" and nodded.
"Dinner."
The other side of the fish fillet turned a lovely golden color. Time to plate it. Ryo transferred it to a dish and handed it to Solitar.
The texture and smell reminded him of cod. He'd salted it lightly, pan-fried it, then sprinkled some black pepper. The flavor was subtle, sweet, and smooth, highlighting the natural taste of the fish.
In a world where condiments were lacking, emphasizing freshness was the best he could do.
If he were home, he'd have added a squeeze of lemon.
"Whoa."
Solitar let out a quiet exclamation. She took the plate, sliced off a piece, forked it into her mouth, chewed, and nodded with satisfaction.
"Tastes good."
It was a flavor she'd never had before.
Then again, she hadn't eaten much human cuisine to begin with.
…
Later, the two women also gave the fish glowing reviews.
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