Published: September 10, 2025
May 18, 2016: Typo corrections made.
August 11, 2015: Some revisions made.
This story takes place immediately after “13-27. Auction Day Three (2).”
This is Satou. Everyone makes mistakes in their youth. We use those experiences as a springboard to soar into the future. However, it seems some lessons are just too painful.
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“■■■ Gentle Breeze”
A violent wind swept through the narrow back alleys, sweeping away the phantom thief’s henchmen who had collapsed on the ground along with the street trash to the roadside.
Heh heh heh, I couldn’t contain the joy welling up from inside me.
I carefully stored the “Chanting Orb: Used” — now lost its transparency — into my storage.
I wanted to try out all sorts of developed spells right away, but if I did that in the Royal Capital, it would surely cause a huge disaster, so I restrained myself.
To chant freely without worry, I first took care of some business and returned to the auction hall via unit deployment.
“Welcome back, Lord Kuro. How did it go—no, I shouldn’t pry.”
The manager must have guessed the outcome from my demeanor.
Ignoring the surprised crowd at the auction hall behind the manager who whispered “Teleportation Magic?” I returned the stolen orb to the man who had been holding it.
“Th-this is an orb!”
“It was taken back from the phantom thief. The orb I won at auction has already been removed.”
When those who won the bids and the auction staff offered thanks, I just said, “No need,” and took the manager back to the Echigoya Trading Company.
I forgot about Executive Lady A, but she probably took the carriage back alone.
“Lord Kuro, tonight is a celebration, isn’t it?”
“The preparations for the celebration are complete.”
The manager’s cheerful voice was followed by Tifaliza’s words.
“I have some business to attend to now. If I’m late returning, start the celebration party without me.”
I said that and used unit deployment to move to the desert west of Selbira.
Oh, before I lose myself in experiments, I should at least contact Arisa and Liza.
“■■■ ■ ■■ ■ Short Message”
Unlike the “Telephone” I usually use, this is a one-way short text spatial magic spell.
It can send up to 128 characters, so nuances like intonation don’t get through. It’s similar to texting on a cell phone.
The message I sent was a typical one: “Successfully won the Chanting Orb bid. I will be conducting magic experiments, so I’ll be late returning. Please eat dinner first.” Yet, strangely, Arisa replied, “You’re overexcited (lol).”
Did she use too many emoticons?
I can’t understand it—
Well, whatever. Now I have free time until sunset!
◇
I chose the vast desert west of the Labyrinth City as the experiment site.
Even during a full-on battle with the dog-headed beast, no direct damage occurred to neighboring countries, so it should be safe to use advanced magic here.
—Although the Royal Capital residents panicked when they saw the meteor shower from afar.
I selected the optimal magic from my spellbook.
Using the forbidden spatial magic “Otherworld,” I created a subspace that replicated the desert.
Its size depends on magic power, so I made the subspace about ten city-sized areas for the experiment. Using the Forged Holy Sword as a battery and pushing it to the maximum scale, I could expand it to the size of one desert.
Since it’s a subspace, I don’t have to worry about causing damage or witnesses.
Entering the gate, the place looked exactly like the desert I’d just left, making me wonder if I’d made a mistake with the magic.
Even the sun was visible in the sky.
According to the AR display, that sun is just an image.
Checking the map, it showed “Satou’s Subspace: Desert.” So it’s not a “space without a map.”
The 3D display confirmed the subspace was roughly spherical.
Alright, with a place secured, it’s time to start the experiment.
Sand kept swirling and getting in the way, so I’d save offensive magic for last.
I’d start with creation magic—