Kays Translations

Chapter 11: Chain of Effort

"...Sensei, I did it."

After saying that, I took a deep breath and sat down in my seat.

Resonance of the Ball and the Apple.

It was already past 12 o'clock when it succeeded, approaching 1 o'clock.

"U-um, shouldn't we have lunch soon?"

"Yes. We're supposed to eat at the cafeteria."

...Feels like a training camp.

After nodding to Sensei, I released the "Guiding Thread Silvite" in my hand.

Then, I stood up.

"The cafeteria is on the first floor, right?"

"Y-yes. Let's go together!"

I followed behind Shirayuki-sensei and left the audiovisual room.

After concentrating for a long time, my throat was dry. I wanted to drink water quickly.

"I-I heard the rumors, but Itsuki-kun, you have a lot of magical power."

"I'm at the 'Seventh Level.'"

"Yes, that's right. Well, under normal circumstances, you wouldn't be able to keep using 'Guiding Thread Silvite' for such a long time."

I hadn't really thought about it until it was pointed out... But it's true.

For three hours in the morning, I kept using "Guiding Thread Silvite" in various ways, in order to challenge it.

That was possible because I have a lot of magical power. And the reason why I have a lot of magical power is because I trained to increase it. It made me realize that effort connects various things.

However, it's not like I couldn't have noticed that when I was an adult in my previous life.

"Sensei, how much magical power do you have?'

"Wha-Wha, me? I'm at the 'Second Level.' It's... normal. Haha..."

Shirayuki-sensei replied with a wry smile.

Well, she's just normal... But that's why there are things that make me curious.

Sensei, why did you decide to use "Resonance"?

"Huh?"

"Well, I was just wondering why you chose to use 'Resonance' instead of just using regular magic like other exorcists. I mean, I was curious about why you decided to go as far as using 'Resonance'."

"Well, um..."

Saying that, Shirayuki-sensei looked straight ahead.

Facing forward, she continued.

"Because... I thought that even an ordinary person like myself might become a little special."

"...?"

I was unsure whether I understood or not, but Shirayuki-sensei continued.

"It's because I thought that maybe I could become a bit extraordinary... That's why."

I see. It felt like I understood, yet I didn't. I tilted my head.

But before I could ask for further clarification, we arrived at the cafeteria.

Unintentionally missing the opportunity to ask, I quickly returned my gaze forward.

The cafeteria had prepared side dishes in advance, and it was a self-service style where you take what you like. However, most of the side dishes were already gone due to the time.

There was not a single exorcist eating in the cafeteria.

The clock in the cafeteria pointed to 12:50.

Looking outside, I saw my father and the other exorcist students lined up on the grounds. It seemed that the group with father had already finished eating.

Well, while I was absent-mindedly looking outside, Shirayuki-sensei handed me a tray.

"Itsuki-kun, here's a tray for you."

"Th-thank you!"

I received the tray and tried to put rice and side dishes on it... but something unexpected happened.

The cafeteria here was designed specifically for middle school students, and the platform on which the food was placed was high. In other words, I couldn't take anything without stretching or reaching.

So, I decided to use "Guiding Thread Silvite" while holding the tray. It's really convenient in situations like this.

I stretched a bit and extended "Guiding Thread Silvite" towards the side dishes and rice I wanted. While adjusting the temperature so that it wouldn't be too hot, I collected the rice and side dishes. "Guiding Thread Silvite" is really handy in situations like this.

After stretching a bit, I realized that the teacher standing next to me was staring at me.

I found it strange and looked back at the teacher, and our eyes met.

"You're quite dexterous, Itsuki-kun."

"R-really?"

"Yes. I can't move it as skillfully as you do."

Even though I had only used about three strands of "Guiding Thread Silvite" at most.

I think it's just a typical number of operations, but... I felt a little happy being praised.

While I was lost in thought, Shirayuki-sensei handed me her bowl.

"Sensei's bowl, please warm it up too!"

"Sure."

I was relieved that I wasn't scolded... and proceeded to warm up Shirayuki-sensei's bowl. It's a simple task.

Shirayuki-sensei, satisfied with the steaming bowl of miso soup, put it back on the tray and then timidly handed me her rice.

"Um... can you warm up my rice too?"

"That's fine."

I took the offered rice in my hand.

After taking it, I realized that I hadn't warmed up my own rice.

In that case, let's try it out. Resonance.

As soon as I thought of it, I let "Guiding Thread Silvite" hang from Shirayuki-sensei's rice and my own rice. And then, resonance. Confirming the tingling sensation, I warmed up my rice.

But it wasn't just my rice that was warming up.

Shirayuki-sensei's rice, resonating with mine, also warmed up.

"Ah, could it be... you're using 'Resonance'!?"

"Yes, since we have the opportunity..."

I handed the fully warmed rice back to Shirayuki-sensei.

Looking at the rice she received from me with wide eyes, Shirayuki-sensei murmured quietly.

"...I-It's amazing. You've already mastered it completely. You can create the basics in just about 10 minutes, and the practical part in 3 hours."

Shirayuki-sensei continued to stare at the bowl she received from me.

"Itsuki-kun... are you a genius?"

"N-No, not at all. It's because of your teaching."

I vehemently denied Sensei's words.

I have no talent.

I've just put in effort because I didn't want to die.

And the reason I was able to do it in three hours was because Shirayuki-sensei devoted herself to teaching me.

It's definitely not my talent.

But Shirayuki-sensei raised her head with a smile and...

"Is that so? Hearing you say that makes it worth staying up all night to prepare the lesson notes..."

Smiling and blushing, she said that.

Ah, those were notes she stayed up all night to make.

Come to think of it, I did make notes all night... It feels a little student-like.

...Hmm?

I looked at Shirayuki-sensei again.

She's short, young, and a cute woman, I think.

If you look at her normally... she could be a high school student... or maybe even mistaken for a middle schooler.

But I wonder, is there a possibility that it's not a misunderstanding?

Could it be that she's really not a middle or high school student...?

Well, considering the conversations I've heard from my father and Renji-san leading up to this training camp, Shirayuki-sensei seems to be an active exorcist.

In that case, she must have already reached adulthood...?

At the very least, she must have graduated from high school...??

...How old is Shirayuki-sensei?

"Huh? Itsuki-kun, aren't you going to eat?"

"I-I will...!"

It would be rude to ask a woman about her age, so I won't.

So, holding the bowl of miso soup, I started eating.

"By the way, Itsuki-kun, after eating for about an hour, I have some business to attend to, so I'll have to do that. Could you... um, study on your own for a while?"

"Study... sure, that's fine. But what kind of business do you have?"

"There's a healing session for a certain exorcist's child."

Upon hearing those words, I nodded.

Ah, right.

That's probably the main purpose of this training camp.

"Is it Aya-chan?"

"Yes, the child of the Shimotsuki family... You knew about it!?"

"Well, she's my friend..."

I replied, and Shirayuki-sensei lowered her eyes for a moment, lost in thought, before speaking up.

"If you know, then... yes, Itsuki-kun, please accompany me as well."

"Huh... Is that okay?"

"Yes. It's an opportunity for you to see how 'Resonance' is used in actual situations. Learn it well and report back, okay?"

Shirayuki-sensei said that with a serious expression.

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