Souma and Elena had returned to the city. They had finished defeating the twenty Leafmen and had just completed their report at the guild.
(I'm getting stronger and stronger. What a huge difference from Earth.)
Souma smiled as he looked at his own status.
---
[Job]Swordsman
[Level]8
[Overall Power]1682
---
His overall power was growing in a way that was unthinkable on Earth.
(The product of level and overall power is about 13,500. If I were up against someone who isn't an adventurer, I could probably take a knife stab without getting hurt.)
The increase in overall power was also clear from his physical sensations. He felt as if an aura was surging from his entire body.
"Souma-san, you look very happy!"
Elena, walking beside him, spoke to him. Her level had also risen to 8.
"Well, of course. I reached level 8."
"It certainly went up a lot, but is it really that happy a thing? They say that under normal circumstances, your level would naturally become around 40."
"That might be true in the other world of Mistoria."
"In Mistoria...?"
Elena couldn't understand.
"More importantly, what should we do now? We've earned money from the quest reward. Should we go to a tavern and party!?"
"Not a bad idea. But before that, can we stop by there?"
Souma pointed to a shop that had just come into view. On its signboard, along with an illustration of a staff, was written "Magic Shop."
"Oh! Souma-san, are you going to learn magic?"
"No, I'm a swordsman, so I can't learn it. I just thought if they have grimoires like the ones in Japan, I'd like to browse a little."
"Hweh?"
Elena tilted her head as if to say, "What are you talking about?"
"Sorry, Japan is..."
"I'm curious about that too, but what do you mean a swordsman can't learn magic?"
"Huh?"
This time it was Souma who tilted his head.
"You can learn magic even as a swordsman by using a grimoire, you know?"
"Really!?"
"Isn't that obvious?"
Souma was astonished.
(On Earth, the magic you can learn is fixed by job. As a swordsman, the common knowledge is that I can't use even simple magic.)
"That's right! Maybe I'll learn a new magic too, since it's a good opportunity! If I learn an attack spell, I'll be safe even if Vine Lasses attack me, right?"
Elena looked at Souma with a grin.
(I can use magic...! Me...!)
But Souma hadn't heard Elena's words. The fact that he could learn magic was that shocking.
"Geez! Respond to me!"
With that, Elena grabbed Souma's hand and pulled him into the magic shop.
◇
The interior of the magic shop was far from what Souma had imagined. He had pictured something like a small bookstore in a shopping district. He thought grimoires would be lined up on bookshelves.
But in the actual store, there wasn't a single grimoire. There was one wooden table where an elderly couple was chatting. Right next to it was a reception counter, where the old woman owner looked bored.
"Hello! We've come to buy grimoires!"
Elena greeted cheerfully.
"Go ahead, pick whatever you like."
The old woman pointed with her right index finger toward Souma and the others. Then, a shop window appeared in their field of vision. The window displayed a list of items.
"Souma-san, which one will you choose?"
Elena scrolled through the window with her finger.
"So you can buy cheap grimoires with normal money."
Souma was impressed by the prices of the items.
(In Japan, a grimoire that would cost several hundred thousand yen costs only 10,000 gold here. 10,000 gold is just a few days' living expenses. That's so cheap.)
Still, Souma only had 20,000 gold on him. Considering food and lodging, he could only afford one.
"I'll go with Lightning."
"Oh! Lightning! You look like you'd suit water attribute more, Souma-san!"
"What do you mean I'd suit water attribute?"
Elena laughed it off with an "Ahaha."
"By the way, why Lightning? Around Grandelle, there are many monsters weak to fire, so Fireball seems better!"
"I thought Lightning was more versatile overall. Unlike Fireball, it can't hit surrounding enemies, but it's fast, so it's easier to land a hit, right?"
"Heh, you've got pretty good taste, don't you?"
The old woman owner joined the conversation.
"Then, could you make it a little cheaper in recognition of that good taste?"
Souma casually tried to haggle. Having grown up in a poor household, he was good at negotiating prices. But this time, he picked the wrong opponent.
"Sure, I'll give it to you for free."
"Really!?"
Souma got excited. The old woman smiled.
"But instead, you'll pay with your body. You see, despite how I look, I have strong urges. Ever since my husband passed away, I've been starved for men."
"......"
Souma silently paid the 10,000 gold.
◇
"The grimoire looks exactly the same as in Japan."
Souma walked down the street, holding his newly purchased grimoire with both hands. His face looked as happy as a child who had just received a birthday present.
"Souma-san, why don't you use it right away? If you're not going to use it, there's no point in buying it."
"You wouldn't understand, Elena, since you can stay in this world forever. But well, I guess I'll try using it soon."
Even as he said this, Souma thought.
(The expression "use it" also feels strange.)
In Japan, to learn magic, you need to read grimoires thoroughly. You have to desperately read through a thick book like a law book before you can finally master the magic.
In Mistoria, it was completely different.
"I just need to concentrate, right?"
"Yes! Just concentrate strongly like I did earlier!"
"Okay."
Souma held the grimoire in his right hand, closed his eyes, and concentrated. Then, the grimoire transformed into lines of light and entered Souma's body.
"Learned Lightning."
The log updated.
"Amazing, I really learned magic...!"
Not only had he learned it, but he could also activate it. Souma decided to try it out. He raised his right hand to the sky.
"Take this! Lightning!"
A bolt of lightning shot from his palm.
"Kyah!"
"Whoa!"
Nearby passersby were startled.
"Hey! Souma-san! You're not supposed to use magic inside the city!"
Elena hurriedly warned him.
"Really?"
"Isn't that obvious! It's dangerous!"
"I thought it would be fine if I shot it into the sky."
"That's not true at all!"
"I'll be careful."
Elena puffed out her cheeks and said, "Please do!"
"Still, to think the day would come when I could use magic..."
Souma looked at the palm of his right hand.
(Will the magic I learned be reflected on Earth too, not just my status? If so, I'll be the only swordsman on Earth who can use magic!)
He was already looking forward to returning to Japan.