Magical Explorer
CHAPTER-26: Gift Magic 2
"It sure is raining cats and dogs, huh?"
The raindrops pelted against the roof, creating a steady rhythm. While this weather might be a blessing for plants, it was quite the opposite for me. I couldn't go outside to run, couldn't see Sempai's face, hear her voice, or breathe in the tranquility she exuded. Above all, I couldn't witness her alluring figure when we sat together under the waterfall, both of us drenched.
"Kousuke."
Someone called my name, and I turned to see Hatsumi-neesan, wand in hand, with a tired-looking Ludi trailing behind her. They must have just finished their Chant Shortening lesson. I had heard that Hatsumi-neesan was strict and showed no mercy to Ludi during training. But given the threat of the hostile organization Ludi faced, she had the motivation to endure it. Though, training until her magical power was depleted seemed exceptionally grueling, leaving her fatigued.
I knew Ludi's training was harsh, but I was in favor of Nee-san's approach. Through my experiments, I had found that the more one used magic, the easier it became to control.
"Are you ready for school, Kousuke?"
I furrowed my brow, not quite understanding her question.
"School starts the day after tomorrow, right?"
Ah, I nodded in realization.
Indeed, the entrance ceremony was only two days away. I had already made all the necessary preparations.
"I'm fine, there isn't much for me to worry about in the first place."
My response seemed to cause Hatsumi-neesan's eyebrows to raise slightly, and I couldn't help but notice the hint of a smile on her lips. She then made an "okay" gesture with her hand.
"For your information..."
"Alright, just make sure not to forget anything."
Hatsumi-neesan walked towards the stairs, and I turned my attention to Ludi, who had settled on the sofa as if her soul had already left her body.
"Are you still alive?"
Ludi let out a weary sigh.
"...It's hopeless. I want to eat ra... no, ice cream would be even better."
She muttered, reaching out as if trying to grasp something.
I couldn't help but chuckle at her request.
"Alright then."
I opened the freezer, and, as usual, the house was stocked with high-quality cup ice cream. I grabbed two Choco Strawberry cups, Ludi's favorite, and brought them over to her.
"Thanks..."
I handed one to her and began to open the other one. I had noticed that recently, I didn't feel the need to be overly formal with Ludi. We had grown comfortable around each other, and it was much better than the initial awkwardness we experienced.
Come to think of it, Ludi's true personality should only be known to the protagonist. Was it alright for her to show this side of herself to me?
"By the way, did I ever tell you my favorite flavor?"
I tilted my head, trying to recall if she had ever mentioned it.
"Didn't you tell me when we were with Sempai?"
At times like this, it was better to respond confidently. Most people would be convinced by such an answer.
"Was that so?"
She replied with a lack of enthusiasm, continuing to scoop up her ice cream. Perhaps it was due to her magical training, but her movements seemed sluggish.
"I'm... going to have a spoon of yours."
I glanced at her, and she reluctantly scooped up some of my ice cream with her spoon, her mouth still full.
"Hey, Ludi, would you help me with an experiment?"
"Hm? What are you talking about?"
I decided to go straight to the point.
"Well, Claris-san just taught me Gift magic, and I haven't had a chance to try it on someone yet. Would you be willing to be my test subject?"
Ludi nodded in response.
"Sure, I'll leave it to you."
With Ludi's approval, I extended my hand towards her. However, she tilted her head in confusion.
"What are you doing?"
"Sorry, I have to touch the person I'm transferring magic to because of my constitution."
Ludi nodded in understanding.
"That's right..."
She wiped her hand with a handkerchief, and I approached her slowly, touching her hand.
"Don't be so nervous."
"I'm not."
Even though she had just wiped her hand, I could feel a slight dampness.
"Ludi's hand is so warm."
"Don't say weird things. Just do it already, idiot."
I didn't remember saying anything strange, but I proceeded with the experiment.
"Mm... it's flowing into me..."
I felt Ludi's magic power and gradually began to send my own magic power to her.
"How is it? If you've received the magic properly, I want to gradually increase the output. Can I?"
Ludi confirmed that she had received the magic and nodded.
"Yeah, I got it. Go ahead... slowly."
As I increased the magic output, I noticed that the more contact there was between our skin, the more efficiently I could transfer my magic power.
"H-hey, wait a minute!"
"Eh, what's wrong?"
Ludi's face turned slightly red, and she seemed flustered.
"I'm... I'm fine. It just tickles a bit."
I chuckled at her reaction.
"Aah, you're definitely not fine. Claris-san blushed when I used it on her too."
I recalled a similar reaction from Claris-san when I transferred my magic power to her. She had muttered something like, "I won't lose...," but I didn't quite understand it. In any case, I decided to continue increasing the output.
"Uuuhhh, ahhh..."
Ludi's strange noises caught me off guard.
"H-hey, stop making weird sounds."
However, as I increased the output, my magic began to leak uncontrollably.
"Nnn... nn. Wait...!"
"Eh, what's wrong?"
I tried to reduce the output, but it was difficult to do so immediately.
"Nn... nn. Wai-wait..."
"Sorry, I haven't trained this skill enough, so I can't lower the output quickly..."
I couldn't help but compare it to turning off an old faucet – the water would continue to flow for a bit before stopping completely.
"Y-you idiot!"
Ludi's grip on my hand tightened, and she wouldn't let go. Honestly, I didn't want to let go either, but the situation was becoming increasingly precarious. I couldn't let go, even if I wanted to, which, at the moment, I didn't.
In the end, we remained in that position until the Gift magic was over.
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