[Explosive Advantage] Engaging in a Mental Battle with the Strongest Evil Spirit Since Birth, I Exceeded the Measurable Magic Limit – The Humble Conquest of the Cursed Child - Chapter 5

Two years had passed since Kai was reborn.

Then, on a certain night—

(…Huh?)

A whispered conversation drifted through the darkness.

It was his parents.

“What…? Another surveillance shikigami?”

“Yeah… I’ve already destroyed it.”

“Thank you… But how many times has it been now?”

“I’ve lost count.”

“…So they’re still trying to watch Kai.”

“Seems that way… And yet, we submit every required report truthfully and without omission…!”

“Even so, there are still those who refuse to believe us.”

“…Yeah… But I won’t let them have their way. No matter what, I’ll protect Kai, even if it costs me my life.”

“…I feel the same way.”

(…)

Kai had overheard their conversation.

(They’re willing to risk their lives… And in this world, that’s probably not an exaggeration…)

That realization solidified his resolve.

He didn’t want his parents to have to protect him.

(There has to be something I can do… Something I can prepare.)

And after thinking it through—

(…I need to find a way to get stronger myself.)

Being reborn had given him another chance to be with his parents.

He was grateful for that miracle.

And in this life, the natural disasters that once plagued Japan had mysteriously weakened.

That meant there was a chance his parents’ deaths could be avoided this time.

But at the same time, he feared something else.

Something called “the Convergence of Fate.”

In his past life, his parents had died in a disaster when he was six years old—just four years from now.

What if that fate repeated itself, just in a different form?

(If I can change fate, I’ll protect Dad and Mom no matter what…)

That night, Kai made up his mind.

And so, late at night—

(…Alright, Mom’s sound asleep.)

After confirming that his mother was in deep sleep, Kai sneaked out of bed.

By the time he was two years old, sneaking around was child’s play.

His target—his mother’s smartphone.

Just in case, he had memorized her unlock code ahead of time.

(There it is…!)

Kai secured the phone.

(Whoa… Now that I get a good look at it, this phone’s design is kind of ugly…)

After all, it was 2012—the early days of smartphones.

(Sorry, Mom… I promise I’m only using the web browser.)

With that thought, Kai opened the browser.

The first thing he wanted to research—

(Hmm… Let’s try “How to use magic power.”)

He typed in the search.

And then—

(Whoa…)

A flood of search results appeared.

And they weren’t shady occult websites claiming “real magic exists”.

Instead, they had titles like:

• “The Fundamentals of Magic Power”
• “Practical Magic Techniques”
• “Magic for Beginners: A Guide Even a Cat Can Understand!”

It was treated as something completely normal.

【Oi, brat…】

(Hmm?)

【Your mother has been using that glowing rectangle for a while now. What exactly is it?】

(“Oh, Douma, you don’t know? It’s called a smartphone.”)

【Smart… phone? Just giving me the name means nothing. Explain it properly.】

(Ugh… Explaining is such a pain… Let’s keep it simple.)

(“Basically, think of it as a tiny box that holds ten billion books inside.”)

【W-What…!? Ten billion books in that tiny box!? Brat… are you messing with me!? Don’t spout such blatant lies!】**

(Well… it might not be exactly ten billion, but it’s not a lie…)

Tired of explaining, Kai ignored Douma and continued browsing the magic guide.

Soon, he found a video tutorial on how to manifest magic power.

The video featured a young man and a cute little girl, who looked around four or five years old.

“Alright, today we have a special guest—Aomi Akira-chan, known as a genius child!”

“Hello, it’s nice to meet you.”

“Wow, Akira-chan, you’re so well-mannered!”

“Thank you very much.”

The man hosting the video was visibly excited, while the girl, Akira, though slightly bashful, carried herself with an unusually composed demeanor for a child.

“So, Akira-chan, is it true that you’ve recently managed to awaken your magic power?”

“Yes, it is true.”

“What!? No way! That’s amazing! Uh, how old are you again?”

“I just turned four.”

“Whoa! …So that means you first used magic at four years old?”

“Technically, it was at three. I was three years and eleven months, to be exact.”

“Ah, my bad! So three, huh? Wow, that’s incredible. Awakening magic at just three years old is unheard of!”

“I appreciate your kind words.”

“And, uh… your speech is also surprisingly refined… Wow. Anyway! Today, we’re going to have Akira-chan share some tips on how to use magic! Are you okay with that, Akira-chan?”

“Yes… Though, to be honest, I think the process might be different for each person, so I can only share my own experience.”

“That’s totally fine! Please go ahead!”

“First, clear your mind and focus. Then, hold your breath.”

“…T-That’s it?”

“Yes, that is all.”

“I see…! Well, folks, I guess that advice might have been a little too advanced for us, haha… Oh, Akira-chan, sorry about that!”

“……”

“Anyway, everyone, be sure to give it a try!”

(Huh… Holding my breath, huh…)

“……”

(Wait… isn’t that…)

Kai suddenly recalled Douma’s possession attempts.

(“So, some kids can start using magic as early as three…? I’m already two. If I start practicing now, maybe…)

And then—

【Hah! So you’ve been watching a video about how to use magic, huh?】

Douma suddenly cut in.

【Why are you even bothering with that now?】

(“And what do you mean by that…?”)

【Brat… You wound me. Truly, you do.】

Douma sighed in exasperation.

【Did you really think you’ve been suppressing my overwhelming power… without magic?】

(…Wait. According to Douma, I’ve already awakened my magic?)**

Staring blankly at the smartphone, Kai was stunned.

(“Wait… So does that mean I awakened magic the day I was born!?”)

【That’s right. Even I, the great Douma, only awakened my magic at two years old…! I-I’m not jealous or anything, though!】

(…)