What kind of magic would he awaken, anyway? Xien couldn't help grinning to himself. This kind of sudden windfall really did feel different from grinding points and exchanging them—so much better. His anticipation shot through the roof.
By the time they returned to the Familia home, it was already close to noon. Since he was cooking today—and everyone was around—he headed straight for the kitchen.
To his surprise, an unexpected figure was already there.
"Miss Kaguya? Do you need something?"
That's right: a kimono, black hair, a delicate, lovely face—the Far Eastern woman herself, Gojo-no Kaguya.
"Ah, Xien… it's just…" The girl looked shy, like she was struggling to speak. If Xien hadn't been teased by her before, he might've believed the act. Still, they were comrades in the same Familia, so he didn't call her out and simply said, "Go ahead."
"I… can I help you while you cook? I'm interested in your cooking, and I want to learn. You don't mind, right?"
Truthfully, after she'd lectured him before with that flimsy excuse—only to get "slapped in the face" by the food he made afterward—she'd felt embarrassed. This time, asking to learn was also her way of apologizing.
"Of course." Xien smiled. "Miss Kaguya—or rather, I'd be happy if you did."
He genuinely liked requests like this. When someone recognized his skill and wanted to learn, he'd never reject them. And seeing food from his world become known and loved here? That made him proud.
Whether she had other motives… didn't matter. He didn't care.
So he began teaching her hands-on. Kaguya already had a foundation in cooking—her methods were different, but she learned quickly.
Before long, lunch was ready. Since he wasn't sure how many people would show up, he made simple home-style dishes.
But he once again underestimated the destructive power of his food.
On a rest day like this, Familia members usually skipped lunch to do whatever hobbies they liked. Normally, whoever was assigned cooking duty loved these days—less work, no pressure.
Today was the exception.
When Xien and Kaguya carried the dishes out into the dining hall, the sight waiting for them was… everyone.
They were seated neatly, like they'd been arranged. The moment they saw the food, their eyes lit up. Some were practically drooling already.
Honestly, Xien had never seen the group so perfectly assembled outside of a party or meeting.
Why did it feel like he was about to feed a bunch of adorable small animals?
He didn't dare let that thought show on his face—Lady Astraea was right there. If she somehow "knew" what he was thinking… she'd probably be hurt.
He placed the dishes on the table in order. Everyone stared at him with hungry desperation.
Kaguya lightly jabbed him in the side, snapping him back to reality.
"Everyone—please, dig in."
"Yesss! xN!"
The moment the chef gave permission, the room erupted. Everyone started eating like their lives depended on it—though with their goddess present, they restrained themselves… mostly. Otherwise, a few special individuals would've had truly wild table manners.
Watching their faces bloom with conquered-by-food happiness, Xien couldn't help smiling too.
This kind of happiness… he wanted it to last forever.
Only one thing stood out:
Ryuu, who was also present, kept glancing at Kaguya standing beside Xien, her expression faintly puzzled.
After lunch, with time available, Xien had to clean up again. His improved physique helped, and Kaguya assisted—otherwise, washing dishes for more than a dozen people would've taken forever.
Still…
The way Kaguya looked at him felt… off. Like she wanted to say something, but couldn't. It was unsettling.
Once the cleanup was done and he confirmed the afternoon training time with Ryuu, Xien finally returned to his room. Immediately, he took out the grimoire.
"Even a Slime Can Understand Magic Techniques"?
He stared at the title—translated into Chinese—and nearly choked.
Who named this thing? Could you at least pretend to be serious?
A grimoire with that title—how is anyone supposed to open it? Most people would first suspect the author's IQ.
Then again… maybe that was the point. If someone didn't know it was a grimoire, the stupid title might stop them from using it.
Wait… was this actually genius?
Xien rubbed his chin, feeling like he'd discovered something profound—then immediately tossed the thought aside. He opened the book with eager anticipation.
"Alright, let's see… magic is divided into two categories. One is innate, born from racial traits. The other is acquired—awakened by the blessing of the gods…"
"Acquired magic… simply put, is self-realization: interest, conviction, hatred, longing, desire…"
"The trigger always exists within the self…"
Slowly, Xien sank into a special, unconscious state.
A questioning of the soul began.
So then—what is "magic"… to me?
"Miracles that don't exist… a reality the heart craves… hope that can turn the tide…"
What does magic look like to me?
"World-shattering power is only the surface. The core is understanding and applying the rules of the world…"
What do I seek in magic?
"Like having administrator privileges… I want the right to flip the table."
Ambitious.
"Yes. Because I'm sick of being toyed with by forces beyond my control… This time, I want the power to tell the world 'no.'"
That's right—this is me.
Detected: Host has awakened a standard magic. Displaying magic attribute.
A sharp alarm sound rang in his ear.
Xien jolted up, dazed—then after a few seconds, he understood his situation and bolted out of the room, sprinting to the training grounds.
While running, he activated his status panel.
Host: Xien
Class: Abundance Apothecary (Apprentice)
Condition: Healthy
MP: 50
Skills:
Tough Body (Passive)
Pharmacology Mastery
Flow State (Beginner)
Adventurer Swordsmanship (Intermediate)
Archery (Intermediate)
Magic:
Breath of Abundance
One Thought, God or Demon — Consumes MP. Based on the user's will, strengthens the next skill/attack, producing a special effect aligned with the intent. (Effect strength depends on MP consumed and clarity of consciousness/intent.)
"???" Xien blinked hard. "Ohhh—so this is my new magic? That name is badass. But what does it actually do?"
He had a vague idea, but it wasn't complete.
And in moments like this…
The all-knowing cat had to show up.
"It means you awakened something incredible, nya. As expected of the genius I chose."
"Haha, thanks—but can you explain it?"
"Of course. It's an intent technique, nya."
"An intent technique?"
"Exactly. You skip the process, spend energy, and directly achieve the effect. It's basically a low-spec wish magic, nya."
"To give an example: if there's a high-level magic barrier that you can't break without special methods, you can think, 'Let my next attack have anti-magic properties,' or 'let it unseal,' and then activate this spell. Your next strike will actually gain an anti-magic effect and can break the barrier. It's a universal-type spell, nya."
Xien's eyes went wide.
"Holy—so it's that strong? Am I actually a genius?"
"No doubt, nya. But it's limited by your MP and your understanding. Use it carefully."
"The clearer your will and the more precise your understanding, the less MP it costs and the better the effect. The vaguer your intent and the shallower your comprehension, the more MP it burns—there's even a risk of draining yourself dry and failing."
"Uh… like what?"
"If you want to break a barrier, thinking 'break the barrier' costs more MP than 'add anti-magic to my next attack,' nya."
"And even for the same anti-magic property, if you truly understand what 'anti-magic' is, you'll spend far less MP than if you don't, nya."
"I get it… feels both super useful and kinda awkward."
He understood now: it was powerful, but it sat in that dangerous middle—too dependent on conditions.
"No." The cat's voice sharpened. "It's a divine-tier spell. The key is using raw MP to force an over-tier elevation, nya."
"For example, if you combine it with Breath of Abundance, you might be able—with your current MP—to reach effects close to the next stage, nya."
"Not only for practical use, but also to help you familiarize yourself with what the next stage feels like."
Xien's excitement ignited.
"Damn. That instantly raises the whole 'power level' of it."
Brimming with energy, he sprinted toward the training grounds.
Soon, he spotted the familiar blonde figure.
"Instructor Ryuu. Sorry to keep you waiting."
"It's fine. I just arrived too. Let's begin."
"Yes."
Facing Ryuu, Xien decided to give her a "surprise."
He was going to use the Sun Breathing technique he'd just acquired last night.
The memories were carved into his mind. His body moved according to that combat imprint—like he'd practiced it a thousand times. His breathing rhythm changed.
Ryuu felt it immediately.
It was too obvious—there was even a faintly harsh sound, like the air itself was being torn.
It didn't even feel like a normal breath.
And that faint threat in the air made her raise her guard.
She didn't understand why he suddenly used such a strange technique, but she treated it seriously.
Xien planted his feet—then exploded forward.
The breathing technique fully awakened his body; his physical state gained nearly fifty percent compared to yesterday. His speed had already exceeded a normal person's limit.
Under Ryuu's slightly startled gaze, he swung his wooden sword in a wide slash.
"Sun Breathing — First Form: Circular Dance!"
A phenomenon that shouldn't have happened… happened.
Flames clung to the blade.
Not an illusion.
Real fire.
A crimson arc of flame—hot as a miniature sun—appeared for the first time.
Ryuu dodged immediately, having sensed danger from the start, but she misjudged the fire's reach and heat. A strip of her outfit was scorched away.
Xien stared.
"…What the hell?"
Wasn't this supposed to be special-effects fire?
Why was it physical?!
Had he misunderstood?
But according to the original work, it was just visual flair—
"It's not, nya," the cat cut in instantly. "It happened because you unconsciously drove your MP along with the breathing technique. Those flames are your magic power manifesting according to your intent, nya."
Xien's eyes lit up.
"No way… That's so damn cool."
His strike had instantly become physical + fire-element damage.
Then the next thought hit him.
Wait—why is the sword still on fire even after I stopped the form?
"…Because it's a wooden sword, nya."
"…Crap!"
He flailed his arm violently, extinguishing the flames. When the fire died, the tip of the wooden blade had already turned to charcoal.
Half-ruined.
"Ah… sorry, buddy." Xien stared at the damaged training sword with genuine regret. "I really didn't expect that."
He'd assumed it would last him through the whole training period.
Then Ryuu approached, studying his expression—he genuinely seemed as confused as anyone.
"What that just now… was it an accident?"
"More or less." Xien scratched his head, glancing at the scorched edge of her clothing with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Instructor Ryuu. I think it was my newly awakened magic—my MP automatically synchronized with the technique and created a special effect. I honestly didn't expect it."
"I see." Ryuu nodded. "That makes sense… But you said 'awakened magic.' Is that related to Lady Astraea taking you out this morning?"
"Yeah. It's a long story…"
He explained—how he'd healed someone, gained a mage instructor, received a grimoire, and awakened new magic through it.
Ryuu listened, nodding, showing no jealousy or negativity at all.
"So you awakened magic and simultaneously activated your MP… That's an extremely valuable gain. Congratulations."
"For most people, activating MP requires meeting certain conditions, and then having a professional instructor guide them through a special ritual. Otherwise, even if you have MP, you might never learn to use it in your entire life."
Then her tone shifted into "teacher mode," calm but firm.
"However, as your instructor—though the timing is awkward—I still have to say this: something as critical to your strength must be discussed with caution. You can't let outsiders know."
"I know," Xien said softly. "But Ryuu… you're not an outsider. I thought it was okay to tell you."
Warmth rose in his chest as he said it.
Because in his mind, that part was simply true.
-------
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