Return Through Magic

Chapter 5: The Deal

 

“By the way, are you okay?” The blonde girl with pointed ears turned around and extended her hand to help Yuki up.

Yuki shook his head, snapping out of the awe he had just experienced. “Hah! Blood!” he screamed, realizing his body and face were covered in it.

“Ha-ha-ha, you’re so funny. Stand over there. I’ll help clean you up. I’m a sorceress.” Aira extended her hand.

“Ah, I’m just a regular swordsman, a complete beginner.” Yuki hesitantly shook Aira’s hand.

“You’re human, right?” Aira smiled sweetly, making Yuki feel a bit awkward.

“Yes, I’m human. You’re human too, right?” Yuki found it odd that Aira called him human, even though she also appeared to be human.

“Get ready, I’ll clean off the blood from your body. It must smell awful.” Aira chuckled, covering her mouth as she saw Yuki’s expression, who seemed about to vomit.

Yuki stood up and followed Aira’s instructions without question, feeling dizzy from the stench of blood on his body.

“Spiral Water!” Aira chanted, pointing her right hand at Yuki. Instantly, water sprang from the ground beneath Yuki, swirling around him and washing away the blood.

“Now I’m soaked.” Yuki, clean but drenched, stood bewildered.

“Are all humans like this? Always complaining and impatient.” Aira pouted, crossing her arms.

“Aira, you’re human too.” Yuki felt annoyed being called human as if they were different species.

“Ehem! I’ll dry you off now, get ready.” Aira extended her hand towards Yuki, ignoring his comment.

“Um.” Yuki nodded, bracing himself.

“Spiral Wind!” Aira focused, and Yuki was enveloped in a warm breeze that dried his clothes and body.

“You’re amazing, Aira.” Yuki was impressed by what Aira had done for him.

Now clean, Yuki bowed repeatedly, thanking Aira for her help. Thanks to her, he was perfectly clean, the smell of blood gone, and even Seira’s sword shone brightly.

“No problem. It’s just everyday magic. Can’t you use magic?” Aira asked, looking at Yuki curiously.

“I can’t,” Yuki replied honestly, shaking his head.

“Really? But your sword requires immense magic energy to use. And you can’t use magic?” Aira pointed to the sword in Yuki’s hand.

“Oh, this? I just swing it randomly and boom! Lightning comes out. Honestly, I don’t even know why it happens.”

“You don’t know even though it’s your sword? How is that possible?” Aira looked incredulous. It made sense for her to be skeptical; usually, a sword master would wield a sword like Seira, not an ordinary person.

“What kind of sword is the one you call Seira? I’m sure it’s not ordinary.” Aira’s friendly gaze turned wary as she looked at Yuki.

“Oh, this.” Yuki held out his sword and said the key phrase, “Seira, human mode.” Instantly, the sword transformed back into the cute figure of Seira.

“Hah!?” Aira stepped back in surprise.

“She’s my traveling companion. Her name is Seira.” Yuki introduced Seira to the still-shocked Aira.

“Hello, pretty sister. I am Master’s sword. My name is Seira.” Seira introduced herself adorably.

“So cute….” Aira, who loved cute things, immediately hugged Seira and repeatedly pinched her cheeks to make sure she was real.

“Is this the silver sword from before?” Aira couldn’t believe it because Seira’s cheeks were soft and squishy.

“Yes.” Yuki scratched the back of his head, unsure how to explain Seira and himself to Aira.

Yuki couldn’t possibly tell her he came from another world on a secret mission from the god of death. He was sure Aira would laugh at him if he told the truth.

Grrr...

While Aira was focused on Seira, Yuki’s stomach growled loudly. He quickly held his grumbling stomach.

Aira chuckled softly at Yuki.

“Alright, let’s eat.” Aira left Seira and walked toward the fallen bull. With deft movements, she cut the bull into smaller pieces for cooking using the knife on her belt.

“Yuki, get me some firewood,” Aira instructed Yuki, still focused on the bull carcass.

Yuki moved to follow Aira’s orders without question.

“Seira, guard the meat, please. I’ll get something.” Aira said, pinching Seira’s cheek before running off in the direction she came from.

“Seira? Where did Aira go?” Yuki returned with firewood, confused about the whereabouts of the person who promised to cook for him.

“I’m here!” Before Seira could answer, Aira returned with a large backpack.

“Yuki, arrange the wood like a campfire,” Aira instructed, and Yuki obeyed.

“Alright! Let’s cook!” Aira pulled a large pot from her bag, surprising Yuki. He wondered how such a big item fit in a small bag.

“Alright, excuse me, Yuki. Let me light the fire.” Aira prepared to cast another spell.

Yuki, growing accustomed to this, stepped back.

“Fireball!” Aira chanted, and a small fireball appeared, igniting the wood and branches Yuki had gathered.

Yuki remained amazed by everything Aira did.

Using her magic, Aira began cooking. Yuki patiently waited for his meal.

“Alright! Here it is!” Aira handed Yuki a bowl of cooked bull meat and a skewer of grilled meat.

“Thank you.” Yuki hesitated to take the food from Aira.

To be honest, Yuki doubted the wild bull meat cooked so simply would taste good.

“Don’t worry, I’m good at cooking. As an adventurer, I need to cook anything I find to survive. So, give it a try.” Aira seemed to understand Yuki’s hesitation.

Finally, Yuki tried the food, not wanting to be rude.

“It’s delicious!” Yuki exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise.

“Told you! It’s good, right?” Aira beamed, proud of her cooking skills.

Yuki ate the bull meat with gusto, even cleaning the bowl.

Aira was surprised Seira didn’t eat, but after Yuki explained that Seira was a sword and didn’t need food, Aira understood.

“Is it true that you can’t use basic magic, Yuki?” Aira still found it hard to believe that the wielder of a divine sword couldn’t use magic at all, not even basic spells.

Yuki simply nodded in response.

“Do you want me to teach you basic magic?” Aira offered.

“Of course I do.” Yuki eagerly accepted the offer.

“But there’s a condition.” Aira looked seriously at Yuki.

“Of course, I’ll help you. Nothing in this world is free. What do you need, Aira?” Yuki replied confidently.

“Help me get into the capital,” Aira said seriously, extending her hand.

“Is it that difficult to enter the capital? Honestly, Aira, I’ve never been to the capital.” Yuki admitted.

“Are you from a remote village? Why have you never been to the capital?” Aira looked disappointed.

“Yes, I’m from a faraway place. I’m looking for something and heading to the adventurer’s guild. So how about we go there together?” Yuki smiled.

“Hmm, do you have an identity card?” Aira looked at Yuki doubtfully, considering his shabby appearance.

“An identity card?” Yuki smiled wryly, unsure of how to answer.

Internally, Yuki cursed the god of death, Shinigami, for sending him here unprepared.

“You don’t have an identity card?” Aira asked again.

Yuki wanted to nod, but his ears suddenly buzzed loudly, and he heard the voice of the god of death he had just cursed.

“Check your pocket! Silly human!” The words echoed in Yuki’s ears.

Yuki quickly checked his pocket and found a piece of paper with his complete identity on it.

“Is this what you mean, Aira?” Yuki handed the paper to Aira.

“Yes, exactly. This is your identity. A human named Yuki Suzuki, 20 years old.” Aira read Yuki’s identity, noting it was basic without any job description.

“So you’re a novice adventurer.” Aira glanced at Yuki, her eyes a mix of disappointment and underestimation.

“Yes. Ha-ha-ha.” Yuki scratched his head.

“Alright then. Take me to the capital. My identity card burned in my house when monsters attacked my village so I couldn’t enter the capital. But with you having a valid ID and vouching for me, I’ll enter safely. But again, this isn’t free. I’ll teach you basic life magic so you won’t struggle while adventuring. Deal?” Aira extended her hand.

“Okay! Deal!” Yuki grabbed Aira’s hand, shaking it.

The agreement between them was sealed.

In truth, Yuki wasn’t sure if he could enter the capital. But his main concern was learning magic.