The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

"Well then, let's begin the test. You can't equip anything other than that weapon, right? I'll put a blade cover on it just in case, but please try to use the blunt side if possible."

"Understood."

A week after the audience with the Dragon King.

We had returned to the dragon capital Foosu and were now in the guild's underground training area.

As Camlock had said, the purpose was for Nagi's test.

She had already completed her adventurer registration. As a special case, the race field on her card was rewritten from "Demon" to "Human". Apparently, the Guild Master has enough authority for that.

A cover was wrapped around Nagi's sword, which I think reduced its lethality somewhat. Still, it's a mythical-class weapon. I've prepared high potions just in case, so there shouldn't be a problem.

...There shouldn't be, right?

Camlock is SS-rank, even if he's a scout. If he seriously clashes with Nagi, who can annihilate a horde of mid-rank demons with a single sword, there's a possibility of accidents on both sides. I should keep in mind the option of protecting them with my skills if necessary.

The preparations seemed to be complete, and Camlock and Nagi were facing each other on the stage.

Since this is a special test, there's no one here except for the judge and the medical team. It was a quiet training area.

We were also watching from the wings.

"Then, begin!"

"[Wind Boost]"

With the signal, Camlock applied a buff and ran straight ahead.

He's simply fast. His stats are about five times Nagi's agility. Normally, Nagi shouldn't stand a chance.

Just before entering Nagi's range, Camlock feinted and swerved to the left. Nagi's sword has a long reach but is slow to maneuver.

He probably judged so — but.

"Huh?"

The next moment, Camlock was lying on his back.

He probably couldn't understand what had happened. He looked dumbfounded.

The judge hurriedly raised his hand.

"T-That's it!"

"...What happened? Did you use a skill?"

Camlock tilted his head as he got up. Nagi denied it.

"Nagi doesn't have any skills other than 'Poison Nullification'. It's technique."

"No, no, that's impossible. How did you trip an opponent outside your range?"

"It wasn't outside the range."

"Did I misjudge? Have I gotten dull...?"

Camlock didn't seem to be able to accept it.

Of course, the test isn't just about winning. It's to assess Nagi's capabilities.

They seemed to be starting another round.

"Begin!"

With the signal, Camlock approached again.

This time, while carefully observing, he changed his course to the right, just outside the sword's range.

— However.

"Whoa!"

Nagi's sweeping sword had scooped up Camlock's feet.

Camlock spun around but regained his balance in mid-air and landed. His physical correction ability is incredibly high.

"No way. Did the sword extend?"

"It didn't extend. It's technique."

It was just as Nagi said.

The secret was in Nagi's footwork. Without moving her lower body much, she stepped forward at the moment Camlock stepped to the side. It was like the sliding step in kendo.

It's different from the swordsmanship I know, but perhaps it was common in that village where Nagi was born. At least, it's a range management method that doesn't exist in the knight swordsmanship I learned from Verugana.

"..."

Next to me, Saaya was pondering something with a puzzled look.

"Alright, one more time."

"Yes. But this time I'll use a different method."

"Begin!"

Camlock ran with the signal. This time, he approached slightly diagonally instead of head-on, and suddenly jumped with his lower body while definitely outside the range.

It's Camlock's fighting style to bring it to close combat while defending with a short sword raised in front of his face. He probably intends to turn it into a fist fight.

Of course, Nagi with her sword should be terribly weak against this strategy — or so it should have been.

But Nagi didn't swing her sword, instead placing one hand on Camlock's outstretched fist.

"Oni Imaginary Style — 'Walnut Picking'"

"What!"

Camlock was slammed onto the floor on his back.

I don't really understand the principle, but it was something like aikido. A throwing technique using Camlock's own power. A martial art that works regardless of the difference in stats.

After being made to taste the floor three times, Camlock let out a sigh while lying down.

"Geez~ you're making me lose confidence here. Miss, are you a martial arts master?"

"Nagi killed many mid-rank demons with just this. In close combat, I won't lose to anyone."

"I see. That's right, huh."

Camlock stood up using just the spring in his body.

"I understand now. You can dominate against humanoid opponents. Seems like you can easily neutralize other adventurers if they mess with you."

"Do I pass?"

"You're too hasty. The real test starts now... Adventurers mainly deal with monsters, you know."

Camlock stepped off the stage once and picked up a club that was placed nearby. It looked quite heavy, but he was swinging it around easily due to his high stats.

"Next, I'll move like a power-type. Try to deal with it well."

"Can you do it?"

"I'm not the Guild Master for nothing, you know."

Saying that, he got back on the stage and with the signal, Camlock made a big jump.

He swung down the club in both hands, aiming at Nagi.

"Oni Imaginary Style — 'Wild Poppy Exorcism'"

Nagi met the attack head-on with her sword without avoiding it.

Camlock's power is overwhelmingly higher, and gravity is on his side too. Yet somehow, it was Camlock who dropped his weapon.

Nagi's sword was placed on Camlock's shoulder as he landed.

Camlock held his head.

"Hah... How did you do it this time? I felt like it just slipped out."

"I used the reflex action. The muscle signals follow the same rules for all animals."

"...Does the strength not matter?"

"Not unless you're as strong as the Dragon King."

"Is that so."

It was like a master teaching a disciple.

After that, Nagi continued to pass all of Camlock's tests. In close combat, she's practically invincible. A demon who dominates with just swordsmanship and martial arts even without being able to use magic... It could be the title of a light novel.

Camlock smiled wryly and waved his hand.

"I give up, I give up. You're certainly worthy of Ruruk's recommendation, miss."

"So, do I pass?"

"I told you, you're too hasty. Next, we'll test your aptitude against magic users. I'm counting on you, Miss Elenora."

"Mm."

Huh?

Elen got up on the stage from beside me as if it was a matter of course.

When did this arrangement happen?

"Well, there's no magic user stronger than her, you know."

"But Elen is a member of our party."

"Do you think she'd cheat and go easy on her? That's impossible."

"...Well, I suppose you're right."

Rather, she seems likely to go all out with glee.

When Elen faced off on the stage, even Nagi tensed up. Although we haven't seen her fighting directly, we've heard about Elen's rampages... ahem, heroic deeds many times.

"Listen, miss. Just using your opponent's power won't work against magic users. How you press the attack is also important... but this time, your opponent is who she is. First, focus on avoiding attacks for as long as you can."

It seems Camlock will be the judge this time.

"Now then, begin!"

"[Flare Purge]"

The first move was an immediate fire power attack.

Although Elen unleashed her magic without mercy, Nagi quickly ran her sword above her head.

The pillar of flame disappeared as if it had burst.

Nagi smiled fearlessly.

"Against magic users is actually Nagi's forte."

"[Lightning Arrow]"

"It won't work."

The lightning arrow also vanished with one swing.

Elen continued to unleash magic in quick succession.

"[Ice Storm]"

"Useless."

"[Gravity Rain]"

"Meaningless."

"[Solar Bullet]"

"Easy."

"[Earth Wave]"

"Irrelevant."

"[Sleep Light]"

"Ineffective."

No matter how much Elen attacked, Nagi slashed through all of it. Debuffs and status effects were equally ineffective.

Nagi's weapon is the god-slaying sword that nullifies all magical formulas and skills. Indeed, it's too compatible against magic users.

Of course, for an adventurer, weapon performance is part of one's ability, so Camlock didn't seem to intend to complain, but he didn't seem to be able to accept it either. She overwhelms even SS-rank in close combat, and can nullify magic users.

Having such a novice adventurer right in front of him, he seemed too amazed to speak.

In the span of a few minutes, Elen had unleashed over a hundred spells.

This might be the first time anyone has stood in front of Elen for this long.

But that time ended abruptly.

"[Air's Lock]"

"Eh, I can't move!"

Elen had been carefully observing. Nagi's movements, her ability to read the air, her range of motion, her reaction speed.

Nagi had been cutting down everything with her technique of sensing changes even for invisible attacks, but Elen saw through the fact that she needed to hit them with her sword to counter.

What Elen did was the feat of completely solidifying the air just a few millimeters above Nagi's skin. This prevented Nagi from moving even a finger to swing her sword.

And then —

"[Sound Snipe]"

"Ah"

A sonic sniper shot pierced Nagi's ears.

Nagi lost consciousness as her eardrums ruptured.

"H-Hey! Medical team, quick—"

"Are you okay, Nagi?"

Before Camlock could call the medical team, I had transferred and was holding Nagi. I immediately applied a high potion.

Her wounds healed instantly, and Nagi opened her eyes.

"...Did Nagi lose?"

"Well, yeah. I guess even you were outmatched against Elen."

"Mm. You did well."

Elen also walked over and, unusually, praised her.

Camlock ran over too, peering worriedly at Nagi who had collapsed in my arms.

"Phew, seems she's alright... Miss Elenora, wasn't that a bit too much?"

"Why?"

"Why, you ask... This is just a test after all—"

"Becoming comrade. Want to know real ability."

Elen's words made sense.

If I were the examiner, I would have done the same thing as Elen. It's a test, so you hold back, but that doesn't mean you protect them completely. Especially if they're going to be your comrade.

"Thank you. Nagi still has a long way to go."

"Mm. Rely too much on weapon."

"I understand. I'll work hard."

Nagi took Elen's words to heart.

"Mm. But it's time to get up. Too spoiled."

"...I-It's not like I wanted to cling to Ruruk or anything!"

Nagi hurriedly got up from my arms.

Pretending not to notice Elen's stern gaze, she changed the subject.

"So, Guild Master. Does Nagi pass?"

"...Well, yes. You're top-notch as an adventurer. You might lack knowledge and such, but Ruruk and the others can cover for that."

"Understood."

"Then the test is over. I'll go rewrite your guild card and notify other areas, so wait here."

Saying that, Camlock left the training area.

Only we party members were left.

Seori, who didn't seem interested in the test itself, had been playing with Punisuke the whole time. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say she was being played with.

But what concerned me was Saaya. She had been silently staring at Nagi since the test began.

The reason became clear immediately.

"...Hey Ruruk, Nagi, can I talk to just the two of you for a moment?"

"What is it?"

"What is it?"

Saaya took me and Nagi to a corner of the training area.

When we reached a place where the other members couldn't hear, she slowly opened her mouth.

"'Could you possibly be Tsurugi?'"

It was Japanese.

The moment she heard those words, Nagi's eyes widened.

Nodding frantically, Nagi replied in Japanese.

"'Y-Yes, I'm Tsurugi!' Saaya, how did you—"

"I've wanted to meet you!"

Saaya hugged Nagi.

With tears in the corners of her eyes, she squeezed tightly.

"I'm Azusa. Ichinomiya Azusa. It's been many years, but do you still remember me?"

"Is it really you!? Of course I wouldn't forget. You're an important friend!"

"I'm so glad! To be honest, I thought I might never see you again... We met even after being reborn, hehe, I'm so happy!"

Saaya took Nagi's hands and shook them vigorously.

Nagi still seemed confused, so I added some information. In Japanese, of course.

"'By the way, I'm also a former classmate. Nanairo Gaku.'"

"Nanairo... who?"

"Yeah, figures."

As I thought, she didn't recognize me.

Saaya covered for me.

"It's Nanairo-kun, you know? Remember, he was always reading old books in the classroom. And he often hung out with that girl who ran a fortune-telling booth in the library."

"...Ah. Could it be, Azusa's first crush, that plain guy?"

"H-Hey, that's a secret!"

Saaya's face turned red.

Nagi seemed confused by this sudden revelation but was trying desperately to take it in.

"But, I see... So Saaya was Azusa, and Ruruk was that plain guy..."

"Don't call me plain guy."

"...Is that so... We were in the same world all along. Nagi wasn't alone..."

"Don't cry! I'm holding back too, you know!"

"I-I'm not crying. Just a bit of sweat from my eyes."

The two of them hugged again, tears falling.

I was just a classmate, so I didn't have any particular attachment to Onitsuka, but I was surprised that Nagi turned out to be her.

Moreover, Onitsuka was one of Saaya's best friends. She must have wanted to meet her all this time.

This is clearly a reunion between close friends. They must have a lot to talk about, and I shouldn't be here.

As I tried to quietly fade away, Saaya stopped me.

"Ruruk, stay here."

"Huh? But you two..."

"Stay here. Please."

Saaya let go of one hand that was hugging Nagi and grasped my hand.

"...You know, I was always alone. When I came to this world, I was confined at home, couldn't make friends, and was always alone. Then I met Ruruk and Elenora, and almost got killed by my father... It was Ruruk who saved me."

"Is that so? What a incredible coincidence."

"But it's the same for you, Nagi. Ruruk saved you too, right? Not as Tsurugi, but as Nagi."

"...Yes."

"I think, you know. Regardless of our past lives, now I'm Saaya, Nanairo-kun is Ruruk, and Tsurugi is Nagi. We have memories of our past lives, but that's all they are. What's important isn't the past life, but the present. So I'll say it again, Nagi."

Saaya separated from Nagi, took her hand and placed it on top of mine, with her own hand.

With our three hands stacked, Saaya smiled with tears in the corners of her eyes.

"From now on, we're going to be comrades. All three of us have memories of Japan, and we might meet more classmates in the future... But I want you to remember this. Ruruk and Nagi, I want you to cherish what you've encountered in this life more than your past life. Especially Nagi, you've gone through a lot of hardships and probably harbored a lot of resentment towards others... But still, I want you to come to like this world where you met us, as yourself. Not as Tsurugi, but as Nagi who was born as a demon... Okay?"

That was Saaya's way of encouragement.

Nagi, who was born as a demon lacking magic essence, was oppressed, lost her only brother she relied on, and bore the sin of killing her own kind as a demon of revenge. Saaya must have been surprised that her comrade who had walked such a path of carnage was her friend.

But without averting her eyes from that sin, without denying it, she accepted it along with the sin — that's what Saaya was saying.

"...Saaya, you don't despise Nagi?"

"I don't."

"Really? Nagi can't go back to being Tsurugi anymore. I've killed so much, killed so much that I dream of those I've killed. I'll never be forgiven until I die."

"Maybe so."

"My personality has become bad too. I end up hitting when I get annoyed. I've become a violent murderer..."

"I see."

"I-I should probably go somewhere. If Nagi stays, I'll surely just cause trouble for Saaya and Ruruk. Wanting to stay together is just Nagi being selfish."

"Maybe so."

Tears welled up in the corners of Nagi's eyes again.

But this time, they were tears of self-loathing.

Although all three of us have memories of our past lives, only she had become a murderer — that's what she realized.

She couldn't complain even if she was rejected.

With such thoughts, Nagi squeezed out trembling words.

"B-But, Nagi wants to be with everyone. I finally met my friend, I know I'm not alone anymore. So, please... please allow Nagi to stay by your side..."

Nagi bowed her head desperately while sobbing.

Saaya looked at me and smiled. What Nagi was waiting for were words to support her position as she lived as an adventurer from now on.

I patted Nagi's head and nodded.

"There's nothing to allow, it's what we want. Looking forward to working with you, Nagi."

"Thank you... Thank you so much!"

Me and Saaya stayed by Nagi's side until her tears stopped.

And so, Nagi the swordsman demon who can't use magic — formerly Onitsuka Tsurugi — officially joined our group.

< Clash Arc → END

 NEXT → Teacher Arc >

------------------------

Author Notes:

  This concludes Act II.

  The daily updates will also come to an end for now. Going forward, I plan to update twice a week.

  If you'd like, please support me with bookmarks, ratings, impressions, reviews, etc.

------------------------