Kays Translations

Chapter 2: Resonate Together

"Summer training camp...?"

I tilted my head involuntarily at the unfamiliar words.

No, I know the term "summer training camp" itself. Isn't it that thing where strong sports clubs or something gather and practice during summer vacation? Well, since I was in the homecoming club in my previous life, I've never experienced a training camp or anything.

"What do you do during a training camp?"

"Well, normally you would do things like practice magic or learn how to move your body... But in Itsuki-kun's case, hmm, it's probably training for 'resonance.'"

"Training for resonance..."

The word "resonance" came out of Renji-san's mouth. I know that word too, at least in terms of vocabulary.

It's the technique I unintentionally used when I helped Hina.

So, to be frank, I don't actually know what it really is.

"Itsuki-kun, you know about 'resonance' too, right?"

"I know the name at least..."

"Well, 'resonance' is a technique that not many exorcists handle. It's definitely a useful technique if you can use it... but it tends to be underestimated. Can't be helped, I guess."

Renji-san said that and drank orange juice.

I followed suit and drank orange juice like Renji-san.

"'Resonance' is a magical technique that saves people. It's not suitable for exorcising like 'Kaijutsu' or 'Shijutsu.' It's more like a magical technique used to help those who have become 'Generate' or to heal injuries... That's the kind of magical technique it is."

Renji-san said that and laughed.

"But honestly, using 'resonance' requires talent in magic. However, exorcists with talent in magic are better off learning how to exorcise rather than learning the technique of 'resonance.' That way, they can save more people."

"In that case, should I learn how to exorcise monsters?"

"But Itsuki-kun, by your age, you've probably already become proficient in most attack magic, right? In that case, it might be good for you to practice resonance. After all, there's Hina-chan to consider too."

As Renji-san said that, I looked at Hina.

Hina, whom I saved from being a 'Generate.'

And I thought to myself.

Indeed, Renji-san's words were correct.

It would be better to learn the technique of 'resonance' in order to help those who have been subjected to the absurdity of monsters. Because you never know when or where a monster will appear and wreak havoc on people.

So if a 'Generate' child were to appear before me, I wouldn't want to be unable to help and leave them to their fate. Moreover, if Hina's 'Generate' were to relapse, I would want to stop it. I want to become capable of stopping it.

Of course, it would be best if it didn't relapse in the first place.

However, I don't want Hina to become a monster, and even if I were told to exorcise her when that happens, I would firmly refuse. We may not be blood-related, but Hina is my little sister. She's family. So in order to protect Hina, I should learn that technique.

"Also, this is something only between us."

Almost as if whispering secretly, Renji-san lowered his voice and spoke near my ear.

"There is something called 'Resonance Magic' related to resonance. Itsuki-kun... are you not interested?"

"Resonance Magic...?"

I tilted my head when a new unfamiliar word came up, and Renji-san laughed with amusement.

"Well, it's just a rumor, you know."

"...So, does that mean it doesn't exist?"

I asked, finding it a bit hard to believe.

The reason being that the magic I had learned up until now was quite systematized.

To elaborate, there was a well-defined roadmap for learning magic, and if you followed it, you could become reasonably proficient in magic to some extent, although talent still played a role... That's how it was designed.

The only exception would be how to increase magical power, but that was more like a bug I stumbled upon because of my reincarnation. I couldn't really blame anyone for not discovering it.

However, precisely because of that, doubts arose.

In such systematized magic, could there really be "rumors"?

But Renji-san didn't pay any attention to my doubts and shrugged.

"Who knows? But I used to think the 'Seventh Rank' was just a legend until you were born."

He shrugged his shoulders in such a way.

And when I was told that, I couldn't say anything in response.

Indeed, in the world of exorcists, the "Seventh Rank" is treated as a genius that appears once every few hundred years. Therefore, I am also treated as such.

No one thinks that I increased my magical power through some secret training that I can't tell anyone about.

Certainly, now that it's mentioned, it's possible that there is a magic called "Resonance Magic."

But putting aside such rumors, I should learn about "resonance" to prepare for the future.

Above all, the sound of "summer training camp" is appealing.

What's good about it is the combination of summer and training camp. Summer is the season for events throughout the year. And the name of the event is "training camp." There is no choice but to attend this event, which embodies the combination of these two. Unlike in my past life, I want to fulfill my life in the present world.

As I firmly resolved to attend the summer training camp from both the reasons I can tell others and the reasons I can't, Aya-chan, who had entrusted Hina to mother, arrived.

"Itsuki-kun, long time no see."

"Yeah, it's been a while, Aya-chan. Are you doing well?"

"Hmm? I guess so? Maybe."

Saying that, Aya-chan smiled.

Seeing that smile after a long time, I also felt a hint of nostalgia.

By the way, it's been a long time since I've seen Aya-chan.

It might have been around two months. Lately, Renji-san has been busy, so I haven't been able to go to the Shimotsuki household often.

"Speaking of which, Aya-chan, have you made any friends?"

"Yeah! I'm already friends with everyone in my class."

"Uh... is that so?"

Feeling defeated in terms of my social skills as a first-grader, I was at a loss for words.

"What about you, Itsuki-kun?"

When asked with innocent eyes, I also struggled to come up with an answer.

It's ironic since I asked the question myself, but I didn't her expect to become friends with everyone in the class before summer vacation, right?

"W-Well, I became friends with the kid next to me! Friends!"

"I see. What about kids from other classes?"

"We say 'good morning' when we meet in the morning."

I wasn't lying.

Nina-chan is a friend who even came to my house to play, and when I encounter kids from other classes in the morning or evening, I at least greet them.

Come to think of it, I wonder what Nina-chan will do during summer vacation?

I wonder if she'll go back to England.

Since Irena-san is in Japan, she probably won't go back, right?

While I had such thoughts in a corner of my mind, I quickly changed my thinking.

Even though I brought up the topic myself, if I continue the conversation about friends, it's me who will be troubled, not anyone else.

So I changed the topic early on.

"By the way, Aya-chan. Have you been practicing magic lately?"

The moment I asked that, Aya-chan's expression stiffened for a moment.

Then she said with a very bitter face.

"Well, Itsuki-kun, actually... I can't use magic anymore."

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