Yamada , a 35-year-old single man, wants to build his ideal second home in the village of another world. A life that combines the best of both the other world and reality - Episode 2
“Sorry… I really don’t understand what’s going on. I came to Grandpa’s house today.”
“That’s right. In fact, I was ordered by Tadashi-sama to explain everything to you, Tatsuya-sama.”
Ordered?
By Grandpa?
To this cute girl?
Huh? Is that okay?
“Um, I heard Grandpa passed away and left me his house…”
“Yes, I’m aware.”
The girl nodded.
“What’s going on? Sorry, but I’m totally lost.”
“Understood. I’ll explain everything. Assisting you is part of my job.”
She keeps saying “assist,” but what does that mean?
Well, for now, I should just listen.
“Please.”
“Before that, standing around must be tiring. Please have a seat. I’ll make some tea.”
“Huh? Oh, okay…”
I sat at the table in the center of the room as she suggested.
While seated, I watched her back as she reached into a bag labeled “bancha” on the workbench, grabbing some tea leaves.
She placed the leaves into a teapot and poured hot water from a kettle.
Oh, that kind of tea…
For some reason, I expected black tea.
She brought over a tray with the teapot and teacups, placed a cup in front of me, and poured the tea.
Also, a black cat had curled up on the table at some point.
Cute.
“Thanks…”
“No need to thank me. It’s part of my job. I’m quite good at it.”
I see…
It’s really strong…
Maybe Grandpa liked it that way?
“Yeah, it’s good.”
When I said that, the girl’s previously expressionless face softened slightly.
Now I can’t say, “Maybe a bit lighter next time…”
“Then, let me explain. You probably haven’t heard anything, so I’ll start from the beginning.”
She returned to her blank expression.
“Please.”
“Yes. Once, Tadashi-sama, your grandfather, was granted magical powers by a god.”
Let’s hear it…
At least until the end.
“That’s amazing.”
“Indeed. With that power, Tadashi-sama devoted himself to magical research. Eventually, he opened a portal to another world.”
“Another world?”
“This place, actually.”
Here?
This is another world?
“Seriously?”
“Seriously. Please look outside.”
She pointed to the window, so I stood up and looked out.
It looked like a forest—just trees everywhere.
“Huh? What is this? A forest?”
“Yes. Though it’s connected to the house in your world, this house itself is located in a forest.”
Another world…
That word echoed in my mind.
Obviously, Grandpa’s house was in a residential area, so there was no forest nearby.
This definitely isn’t Tokyo.
“I see…”
“Let’s continue.”
Prompted, I returned to my seat.
“Go ahead…”
I sipped the strong tea.
It’s starting to taste good.
At least, it suits me right now.
“Yes. Tadashi-sama continued his magical studies in this world. But as he aged, it became difficult for him.”
Well, he was 90.
Last time I saw him, he said his body was falling apart.
“That’s understandable.”
“Yes. But Tadashi-sama said he hadn’t completed his work and wanted to entrust it to a successor.”
A successor…
“He didn’t have any disciples?”
“No.”
Figures.
Grandpa was famously eccentric.
“So I’m the successor?”
“Yes. Unfortunately, Tadashi-sama’s children lacked magical talent.”
My dad and aunt, huh…
“Wait, I have it?”
I can’t use magic.
Obviously.
“Yes. Tadashi-sama believed so. And I can see the potential in you as well.”
Seriously?
“Really?”
What even is magic?
Like in games?
“It exists, right?”
The girl looked at the curled-up black cat.
“It does, nya.”
Wait, did the cat just talk…?
No way…
“Nya?”
“Nya.”
Nyaa…
“What’s your name?”
“Miriam, nya.”
Huh…
“That’s a cute name… Wait, the cat talked!?”
No way!
“Oh, Miriam is a familiar. Technically, not a cat but a demon.”
A demon!?
“A demon…”
“Hehe, you’re confused, nya.”
Nya…
“Why do you end your sentences with ‘nya’?”
“That’s what you’re curious about? I thought it was a cute character trait…”
Miriam spoke normally.
“Actually, it suits you and it’s cute.”
“Right? That’s the idea, nya.”
Yeah, cute.
I petted Miriam.
She looked pleased.
Definitely a cat.
I’ve always wanted one.
“So, you have magical talent.”
The girl brought the conversation back.
“You do, nya.”
I do…?
“What do I have to do as a successor?”
“Hmm… What should we do?”
She asked Miriam.
Wait, you don’t know?
“You’ll probably need to continue his research, but first, you should learn the basics, nya.”
Old man…
Well, I am one, but hearing it directly stings…
“Alright… Let’s start there…”
She looked thoughtful.
“Um, can I ask something?”
“What is it?”
Ruri looked directly at me.
“Uh, Ruri-chan, right?”
“Please call me Ruri.”
“Huh? But…”
I’ve never called a girl by just her name.
“Please call me Ruri.”
That’s… intense.
“What exactly are you? You mentioned being a homunculus earlier…”
Artificial human, right?
No version numbers, I hope?
“A homunculus is an artificial lifeform created by human hands.”
“How…?”
Wait!
Asking how she was made is basically harassment!
Social suicide!
“Sorry. So, about magic?”
“?? Oh, magic is like this.”
Ruri held her palm upward, and flames appeared.
“I see… That’s definitely magic.”
No doubt about it.
Or maybe pyrokinesis.
“I can do that too?”
“Yes. You seem to have strong potential. You’ll be able to do it soon.”
So I mimicked her and held my palm upward.
“Mega-zoma! Firaga! Mahara-dyne! …Nothing’s happening?”
Weird…
“Such an old man, nya…”
I am an old man.
I don’t know modern games.
“You’re not channeling your magic. Let me help.”
Ruri moved behind me and gently touched the back of my hand.
A small girl’s hand.
“His heart rate just spiked, nya.”
Shut up!
“I just got a little nervous.”
“Nervous? I don’t quite understand, but I’ll try channeling my magic into you.”
Ruri said calmly, and I felt something warm flowing through me.
“What is this?”
“That’s magic. Focus it into your hand.”
“Focus…”
I tried to control the warmth inside me and direct it to my hand.
My palm grew warmer and warmer.
“—! Ruri, stop him, nya!”
“Huh?”
Suddenly, flames—no, a pillar of fire—erupted from my hand.
“Whoa…”
I stared at it in shock.
“Dispel!”
Miriam shouted, and the fire vanished instantly.
But the ceiling had a hole, revealing the blue sky.
“What? What is this?”
Magic?
“Such powerful magic…”
“This old man has insane magical power, nya…”
Is that good?
Also, the ceiling…
Sorry, Grandpa.
“Uh… Sorry. What do I do?”
I looked up at the scorched, gaping hole.
“You’re a beginner, so it’s understandable, nya. I can fix this, nya.”
Miriam pointed her tail at the hole.
It closed up as if time reversed, restoring the ceiling.
“Whoa!”
“That’s magic, nya.”
Miriam looked smug.
“That’s amazing…”
Honestly, that felt more magical than the fire.
Fire can be made with a lighter or flamethrower.
But restoring something burned? That’s impossible with current tech.
“You’ll learn things like this, nya.”
“I can?”
“You can, nya. You have strong magic and talent. Ruri and I will teach you, nya.”
I can…
Even as a lowly section chief…
Then I want to try.
I’ve never been good at studying or sports.
Just an ordinary guy with no talent.
But I want to try.
It’s Grandpa’s wish, and I’m genuinely curious.
Magic is just that mysterious.
“Alright. I’ll give it a shot.”
“Then let’s start with controlling your magic, nya. Ruri, please.”
“Okay. Got it.”
Miriam asked, and Ruri nodded.
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