The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

"Good morning! Everyone, let's enjoy sightseeing energetically today too!"

"Yeah!"

The next morning.

After finishing breakfast at the inn's restaurant, we met up with Gatlin, who had come to pick us up.

Saaya was the one who gave an energetic reply to the energetic Gatlin. Next to her, Lilith was also raising her fist modestly. Is she an angel?

The rest of the crew were yawning.

"It's rare to see Ruruk looking sleepy. Was the pillow not comfortable?"

"No, I just had something on my mind."

In the end, after that, I had been tracking Mirenia's movements with "Mystic Eye" until dawn.

Mirenia is experienced both as a royal existence and as an adventurer. At first glance, she seems to behave arrogantly and self-centeredly, but that's probably because she was born and raised as royalty. On the other hand, she has a strong determination to protect the citizens as a royal existence.

Given her personality and experience, she's not the type to let her guard down against an opponent.

For someone like her to be clearly badly injured is no ordinary matter. I was rejected when I offered help, but I thought I could at least provide hidden support—but.

For better or worse, my concerns were unfounded.

Mirenia had flown in a great hurry to the foot of the Selen Mountains, but there was only a peaceful lakeside there. Many Nogana national army soldiers had also rushed there, but there were no golem armies or Restamia soldiers.

They only found an empty underground passage.

That underground passage just extended straight towards Restamia, with no traps or anything. The national army seemed to have gone out to investigate, but Mirenia was scratching her head.

In the end, the rumors about the underground passage turned out to be true, but there was no invasion from Restamia.

After that, Mirenia was investigating the surrounding forest just in case. Even when I looked, there didn't seem to be any groups that could pose a threat, so after taking a short nap, it quickly became morning.

As a result, I'm short on sleep. It was a rather meaningless surveillance.

Well, such useless talk, or rather, useless effort talk, doesn't matter.

"Then today we're going to the Mystic Arts Research Society!"

"Yes, please."

That's right, today was the long-awaited visit to the Mystic Arts Research Society.

During the time I was active as Roze's disciple, I never had any contact with these comrades. Apparently, Saaya's home tutor was a member of the Mystic Arts Research Society, but there are only a few people in Mataisa's royal capital.

Half of the researchers are apparently in this academic city. Since we're visiting anyway, I hope there are some formulas that I don't know about.

"Master looks excited."

"Well, it's like an offline meeting with people who share my hobby."

"Offline meeting... Hah, a heroic sound welling up from the depths of my soul... This is my offline meeting...!"

It seems the sound of the words appealed to her.

"Off! Kai! Ah~ My offline meeting!" Seori was humming with a unique rhythm.

Matching Seori's rhythm, Gatlin also walked while interjecting "Off! Kai! Off! Kai!" Furthermore, Punisuke also started singing along.

The offline meeting song is complete... All three of them seem to be having a lot of fun.

"Seori would fit right in at an offline meeting."

"She's heading straight for chuunibyou, after all."

"What kind of gathering is an offline meeting?"

Ruruk and Saaya looked at each other as Lilith tilted her head.

In a world without the internet, we don't know how to explain it.

"Well... let's say there's another virtual space separate from the real world, where you can freely set your name and face, and an offline meeting is when you meet in the real world with friends you met there... do you understand?"

"...Um, was there technology to create a separate space as a matter of course in your world, Brother?"

"No, actually it's a pseudo-space composed only of electricity..."

"A fantasy space with just lightning elements? Please tell me more about that!"

She's getting closer and closer. Too close.

But even though we used the internet as a matter of course, I'm completely lost when it comes to the technical principles. I don't think I can explain it, so it's time for the pass-the-buck strategy!

"Ask Saaya for details."

"Saaya-san!"

"Hmm... Nagi, do you understand?"

"Nagi-san!"

"Ask Ruruk."

"Brother!"

"Ask Saaya—"

"Everyone!!!"

"Calm down," we all said in unison.

Yes, it took five minutes to calm down the max-tension Lilith.

As we walked while chatting like this, Gatlin, a member of the choir, pointed to an old mansion-like building ahead.

"That's the Mystic Arts Research Society!"

"Wow... isn't that house tilted?"

"Yeah. How old is it?"

It was an obviously old-fashioned house with a slope that looked like it could collapse at any moment.

It clearly stood out compared to the surrounding houses.

"Is it really there?"

"That's right! It's definitely the headquarters of the Mystic Arts Research Society!"

"I see. Thanks for guiding us."

Saaya unhesitatingly used the door knocker, tapping it gently.

"Excuse me~ We'd like to talk to someone..."

Silence.

"Excuse me~"

Silence.

"Hello~"

Silence.

Saaya tilted her head and said,

"I thought I sensed someone inside, but was it just my imagination?"

"It's not your imagination. They're pretending not to be home."

Nagi, who was sensitive to presences, stated firmly.

Indeed, Nagi was right.

There were about ten people inside the building, all quietly staying in one room. As if waiting for a storm to pass.

"...Brother, there's no sign of them coming out."

"Seems that way."

They're clearly pretending not to be home. In other words, we're being avoided.

The reason isn't clear, but considering there's been no contact with us until now, it's certain we're being avoided.

Is it because we were Roze's disciples, or is there another reason?

Either way.

"So I was really being excluded..."

"Don't cry. There, there."

I was hanging my head with both hands on the ground.

Seeing this, Nagi raised one eyebrow and slowly put her hand on her sword. While leaking killing intent.

"...Shall I break in? Such a door is no different from paper to Nagi."

"Nagi, you can't be violent."

"Ignoring Brother is outrageous. Let me just—"

"Lilith-san, you stop too."

"I shall bring down my divine punishment on these foolish races that show no respect to the master!"

"Seori, stop."

I feel like Saaya is running out of hands.

I guess I have no choice but to revive.

"Well, there must be some reason. Can't be helped, let's give up on the Mystic Arts Research Society."

"That's right. We don't need to force ourselves to get involved."

If that's decided, we have no business here.

I felt a loneliness like coming to an offline meeting and finding no one there, but we're visiting without an appointment, so we can't complain.

"Gatlin-san, I'm sorry you brought us all this way for nothing."

"It's fine! These things happen!"

"Thank you. But Ruruk, where should we go next?"

"Well..."

Our entire morning schedule has been blown away.

I was thinking about moving up our afternoon plans when—

"Um, excuse me..."

We heard a hesitant voice.

When we turned around, a woman in her thirties was peeking her face out from the shadow of the house next to the Mystic Arts Research Society.

Who could she be?

"Beautiful madam over there, do you have some business with us?"

"Y-Yes. I'm sorry, but if you could come this way..."

The madam lowered her voice.

It seems she doesn't want to be noticed by the surroundings.

We followed her beckoning into the alley. The madam turned her back to us and walked a little, then stood in front of a nearby door and said apologetically,

"I'm sorry. We're actually forbidden from interacting with you all, but I just couldn't accept it..."

"Are you perhaps from the Mystic Arts Research Society?"

"Yes. My name is Sesuna."

The madam—or rather, Sesuna—said this while opening a nearby door.

Inside was a small cafe. It's like a hidden shop.

"Would it be alright if I talked with you for a bit? I'll at least cover your tea..."

Could this be the pattern where you think no one came to the offline meeting gathering place, but one person actually showed up!

If that's the case, there's no reason to refuse.

I put my hand on my chest and gave a light bow.

"If it's an invitation from a lady, this humble Ruruk would be delighted. Sesuna-ojousama, if you please, your hand."

"Y-Yes..."

I took Sesuna's hand and escorted her into the cafe I'd never been to before, trying to look cool.

My companions were exasperated behind me.

Sesuna, a general researcher of the Mystic Arts Research Society.

Her research specialty is [Summoning], and she's researching the summoning of living beings other than animals.

She's originally from the Holy Nation of Holywood, and moved to this academic city about ten years ago. Apparently, mystic arts practitioners are looked down upon in the Holy Nation, so she really enjoys being able to research freely in this country.

By the way, her main job is a bookstore clerk. We might get along well.

"So, why are we forbidden from contacting you?"

Once we'd finished introducing ourselves to some extent, Saaya immediately asked a question.

Sesuna made a slightly troubled expression and said,

"It seems to be on the instructions of the Mystic King. About 500 years ago, she reportedly told the chairman of the Mystic Arts Research Society at the time, 'Don't get involved with me.' So we also don't call out to the Mystic King's disciples. Even if you visit, we're instructed to never answer..."

I see.

Knowing Roze, even if they were fellow mystic arts practitioners, her communication disorder would activate, so she probably said it in a tsundere-like way. It seems that became a strict order and a rule of the Mystic Arts Research Society.

...What are you doing, Master.

"Then why did you call out to us, Sesuna-san?"

"The Mystic King has already passed away, and I thought it would be more rude to ignore you when you came to visit. Also, I've always had doubts about continuing this custom."

"I see. It's certainly strict in a way, but there's no reason to keep following it after Roze-san is gone, right?"

"Yes. But the longer-serving members are adamant about maintaining this custom..."

That's typical of groups.

Anyway, it seems my loner problem has been solved. Well, strictly speaking, it hasn't been solved, but the mystery has been cleared up, so let's consider it good.

More importantly,

"Sesuna-san, was there something you wanted to talk to us about?"

"Yes. I wanted to ask something of you, the last disciples of the Mystic King."

"What is it? We'll answer within the range of what we can."

Then Sesuna paused for a moment, and as if having made up her mind, said,

"Do you know about 'Yggdoll'?"

"...Could it be,"

"Sesuna-san, where did you hear that word?"

Saaya was about to say something, but I interrupted her.

It was the word Mirenia had used to test us. It's probably something of considerable importance. The fact that it came from the mouth of a general researcher of the Mystic Arts Research Society means we can't be too careful.

However, Sesuna didn't show any signs of hiding anything.

"Actually, about eight years ago, Chairman Millennium of the Adventurers' Guild visited the Mystic Arts Research Society, and apparently asked our chairman at that time. It was about 'information on Yggdoll'."

"I see... So, does the Mystic Arts Research Society have that information?"

"Not at all. At that time, it was a word no one had ever heard before. But after that, our chairman thoroughly investigated literature related to mystic arts, and found it. Yggdoll. Also known as [The Door of the World Tree]... This is all the information we were able to obtain."

Sesuna looked at us with somewhat expectant eyes.

"If Ruruk-san and the others have heard information about Yggdoll from the Mystic King, we'd like you to tell us too. I've heard that if we can provide useful information to Millennium-sama, he might support us..."

I see.

Yggdoll is probably an essential item for reaching the World Tree. And Mirenia is seeking it.

...The World Tree, huh.

Even though I'm connected, I don't know its location. If I could use the Idea Method more skillfully, I might be able to grasp even the location of the World Tree. I wonder if I could extract information about the World Tree itself when connecting. It seems quite difficult, but... it might be worth trying next time.

Oops, I got sidetracked. Let's return to the conversation.

"Unfortunately, we haven't heard much about it either."

"I see... We were hoping to at least rebuild our headquarters..."

Sesuna's shoulders drooped.

Indeed, researching in that dilapidated mansion must be quite worrying.

However, to begin with, it's said that there are less than a hundred mystic arts practitioners in the world, excluding elves. No matter how much research is done, there's no demand, so it doesn't make money. Or rather, it's already in the realm of a hobby.

"Are you struggling with research funds?"

"Oh, very much so... All the members who aren't nobility are researching at their own expense in between their jobs."

"Hey Sesuna-san, have you tried opening a mystic arts class? I heard that thanks to someone, the potential value of mystic arts has been rising recently."

"We've been doing that for decades. But it takes an average of two years just to be able to perceive magical elements... Even if the number of applicants increases, most of them quit within a month, and that hasn't changed."

"Then how about a fortune-telling class?"

"We do that too."

"What about finding missing people?"

"We do that as well. But we hardly get any customers for either..."

They've tried various ways to make money, huh.

Fortune-telling is done by amateurs even at street stalls, so unless you're a very famous fortune-teller, there are few people who believe in it to begin with. And astrology-based people finding isn't very accurate either.

To begin with, it's an era where mystic arts technology itself is treated as a thing of the past. Even if it becomes popular, it would probably be temporary.

As we were groaning trying to come up with ideas, Sesuna shrank back.

"I'm sorry, I've been going on about my own problems."

"It's alright."

We were able to learn at least what Yggdoll is, after all.

Of course, just knowing the meaning of the word probably still makes us "kids" to Mirenia.

"Then may I ask a question?"

"Yes, anything."

"In Sesuna-san's research, do you use summoning methods for living beings other than familiars?"

"Y-Yes. My specialty is researching the rules for summoning animals and plants that aren't familiars."

"May I ask what kind of formula you use?"

"Of course. In my case, I use a technique called 'Specified Summoning', which allows me to summon specific targets by composing formulas based on the characteristics of animals and plants. Currently established composition formulas are mostly for medium-sized animals, and we haven't yet discovered the laws for plants in particular... My goal is to someday be able to summon a flower field."

That's interesting.

I remember the Master had amazing techniques like "Thunder Cloud Summoning" and "Meteor Summoning" that summoned natural phenomena, but I've certainly never heard of plant summoning.

"That's amazing. I hope you succeed."

"Thank you very much! To what extent does Ruruk-san use summoning methods?"

"Actually, summoning is my weakest area. I can only summon spirits and familiars at best... And I recently learned the bestowal formula using elven summoning techniques."

"I see. But I think animal summoning should be easy for Ruruk-san. Although you can't specify individuals, so I'm not sure how useful it would be to just be able to call wild animals..."

"Oh ho. By the way, what kind of animals are easy to summon?"

"Animals that are numerous are easy. Mice and sparrows are beginner-level formulas. Conversely, legendary animals that are few in number seem to require quite limited talents. For example, 'Sacred Beast Summoning' is a legendary-level summoning technique. The rumored noble yet adorable sacred beast... Ah, I wish I could see it just once."

Sesuna put her hand to her cheek dreamily.

The person who can use that Sacred Beast Summoning skill from the start is right next to us, but I'll keep quiet about that.

By the way, it seems Saaya can use it in terms of proficiency, but since it's not a familiar, there's a danger of being killed as soon as it's summoned, so she's being cautious.

Saaya, as if suddenly thinking of something, asked a question.

"Hey Sesuna-san, are you familiar with position correction in summoning methods?"

"To some extent... Do you have any troubles?"

"I want to get better at position correction in summoning methods. I can only summon spirits within arm's reach."

"If that's the case, try referring to the magic theory of the previous Demon Lord. Part of the previous Demon Lord's 'In-Formula Technique' construction theory includes a formula that specifies and fixes particular coordinates. It's rarely used as is because magic has few formulas that fix the position of influence, but it works well with summoning methods because they use a fixed basic position. Thanks to the previous Demon Lord, modern summoning methods have become much more flexible."

"Wow! I hadn't thought of that! Thank you."

Despite being a general researcher, Sesuna was quite knowledgeable about summoning methods.

As we listened, it seemed that because Ruruk and Saaya's master had lived for over a thousand years, they had been studying without knowing recent trends and mainstream methods at all. Certainly, if you can freely set the summoning position, it could be useful in various dangerous situations.

I still have a lot to learn too.

No wonder Mirenia calls us kids.

Ruruk and Saaya seized the opportunity to ask Sesuna more questions.

Sesuna answered very happily. She even treated us to tea. She really was a nice madam.