I’m Back in the Other World? Chapter 21

The Nostalgic Room

「This room here.」

Len-san stops in front of one of the doors.

The 20 people who were lined up following behind the King stops as well.

As usual, I had to jog over, my surroundings were nothing but giants who were encircling me so I couldn’t see a thing.

Well, since I was looking through my past knowledge, I could guess where I was so it wasn’t a problem but…

Hearing the door opening, I see Len-san and the King, the Prince and Squad Captain head into the room.

I subsequently enter.

Entering next was the n.o.ble-like uncle who was with us when we got off the carriage, it seems he’s the current Prime Minister. In addition, several n.o.bles follow… could they be the Cabinet Ministers?

From what I can see, the other people and the knights stood by outside the room.

Looking around, the room isn’t too different compared to my past memory. Although there’s several things which I don’t remember, the foundation hasn’t changed much.

「Not too much has changed from the time Master Lyle occupied this room. Although a few new additions were added…」

Len-san apologetically speaks.

Len-san, how come you’re shrinking so much?

A question about his appearance gushed out, I couldn’t help but carelessly ask.

「Err, uhm, I thought Master would be angry since I replaced some things in the room on my own accord…」

What, it’s that?

「To begin with, I certainly know things regarding Lyle Dist, since the time I had his knowledge*. But I’m not Lyle Dist. Fujino Sakura is a different individual. Besides, Lyle Dist wouldn’t be angry at something of that degree.」*[r1]

While being slightly sullen, I explain our important difference.

「I-Is that so. Pardon me.」

What is it? Len-san seems to act reserved towards me, how should I put it, I feel like he’s frightened. Did I do anything?

At this rare this uncomfortable feeling will continue, I need to hear him out promptly.

Len-san, I, did I do something to you? Feels like you’re avoiding, or frightened of me*. Though I can’t explain it well, that’s what it feels like. *[r2]

I looked up at Len-san while asking.

By the way Len-san is taller than the Prince. Around 190cm?

He had such an adorable atmosphere when he was still a small child…

That’s right, looking up with his eyes when he was still below knee level might’ve been the cause.[r3]

While thinking of such things, I looked over.

「N-No, it’s nothing! I am sorry!」

He’s even more frightened. What is this…

「For now! That behaviour bothers me! Please act normal! There’s no reason to be afraid of me!」

Good grief.

「HII-! I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I’ll do my best so, anything but the punishment!」

He became even more frightened.

What’s this punishment? Does it look like I’ll do something like that?

Suddenly, a connection to the phrase「Punishment」was felt in my memory.

I wonder why?

I began to search within my memory.

…

So it’s that…

Whenever Lyle Dist’s pupil made a large mistake, he would use Ma
gic on him under the pretence of「Punishment」.

For example, with Protection Magic and Binding Magic used on Len-san, he’d be hung on a tree to lure out Magic Beasts.

Those Magic Beasts would playfully interact with Len-san, but from another point of view, he was being knocked around.

For example, with Protection Magic applied, he’d be launched with Flight Magic like a human cannon under the pretence of new Magic experiment.

It was possible to fly but controlling it was unstable, and so he smashed into a tree at high speed.

For example, under the pretence of special training, with Protection Magic applied, Len-san would be targeted and showered with Magic.

His body was protected by Magic, but he would be in tatters from the aftershock of the blasts.

Of course, he wasn’t in any danger of being killed, and Healing Magic was applied on all injuries.

Certainly, it can’t be helped if that may have possibly became his trauma.

At any rate, I received him as a pupil when he was 5 years old…

Well, aside from Lyle Dist, I don’t have that kind of intention.

In the first place, my body cannot use Magic.

「Please calm down. though I said it a short time ago, because I’m not Lyle Dist, I don’t plan on doing anything like punishment. To begin with, I cannot use Magic. Such a thing can’t be helped*.」*[r4]

With this, the problem of me = Lyle Dist has been handled.

As for my personality I’m a completely different person, I have a feeling they’ll disregard me as a person, I need to clearly reject it.

「Eh? I won’t be punished? Really?」

What’s this grown man, who’s over 40 years old, talking about?

「Right, I won’t. Besides, didn’t I say this before?」

「Eh? But didn’t you use Body Strengthening Magic a little while ago? There’s no way you can’t use Magic. I felt the Mana.」

This sure is a pain.

Though I understand what he’s saying.

What I used earlier was a technique called Qigong. It’s a skill from my world.

Although it looks like Magic, it’s a skill*.」*[r5]

Right, the fundamental parts of Qigong’s doesn’t differ from Magic.

Magic is energy within the body which transforms into power, in addition, a mental image must be provided before it can be invoked.

In contrast to Qigong, although the energy inside the body can be used the same way, with that knowledge, you surround the interior of your body and transform it into「Ki」, which your body can wear, is how the technique works.

The origin of the energy is the same but, the method to manage and transform it is different.

The energy consumption of Qigong is incredibly bad by the way.

If you clad your entire body with Ki and fight, you’ll tire yourself then collapse in a blink of an eye.

At the times I fight, I’ll only wear「Ki」when it’s absolutely essential.

Understanding the explanation, for Magic and Qigong you must recognise the energy within your body, although they’re both used the same way, I for some reason, can’t change that energy into Mana.

What Len-san said「Feeling of Mana」was because, I was able to manipulate the energy within my body, was what it meant.

When manipulating the energy within your body, the overflowing「Mana」can be sensed from the outside.[r6]

The degree will vary but, a person who can manipulate「Mana」will be able to sense another person’s「Mana」.

I’ve tested in both my world and this world, but I couldn’t use Magic.

Both Magic and Qigong began from the same origin. Only the way you use it is different.

The reason why you felt Mana, was because I used Qigong which came from the same origin as Magic.

Though I think it’s troublesome, I gave an explanation.

It’ll be a problem if they expect me to use Magic.

While speaking to Len-san, the King interrupts.

「Well, Sakura is still a child right? The earliest you can use Magic is 5 years old, I’ve heard it’s only too late once you reach 20. Although you can’t use it right now, it’s possible you’ll be able to once you grow older. You’re still small, there’s no need to be impatient.」

What was that?

Is he comforting me because I can’t use Magic?

However, aren’t you treating me like a child here?

「Everyone, although you keep calling me a child, I’m 15 years old. I’m an adult in this world. Besides, I don’t feel particularly troubled that I can’t use Magic. I have a small appearance because of a trait my family has and my growth period is a little late that’s all. I’ve only begun to grow.」

I wonder how many times I’ve had to explain this since I arrived at this world. Was this the 3rd time?

Because so many people I’ve come across has treated me as a child, it feels troublesome to explain.

「Nononono^! Isn’t there a limit on how much your growth period can be delayed!? No matter how I look you appear to be 5 ~ 6 years old, maybe 8 years old at best? 10 years old at best even if you were a Dwarf you know?* Ahh, you came from a different world right! The flow of time might be different in your world, it should be that, it must be that!」
^[n1] *[r7]

The King rattles on with his eyes wide open.

How disrespectful.

The Prince and the Squad Captain faced my direction while smirking.

Shall I pick on them later?[r8]

The other people wore a surprised expression.

「I’m a fully fledged 15 year old. There’s no difference between the flow of time of my world and this world. 1 day has 12 koku, 1 year has 365 days with 24 hours per day. The way we calculate a year is identical. The average height of a woman in my family is 160cm and lifespan is 85 years. You don’t have to go as far as to say I’m not Human.」

「Eeh-? No, however, no matter how you say it… It’s hard to believe…」

Good grief…

「Prince and Squad Captain too, please you say something about this.」

I decide to call out for reinforcements.

「Even if you say that. After hearing about it yesterday, to be honest, I’m having a hard time believing in it too.」

Far from being reinforcements, a spy has revealed himself.

「Is height such an important thing? Aah, if that’s the case everyone’s height should just be shortened. That’s right, cutting off everything below the knee should be good don’t you think? That should be about right. Let’s do that.」

I search for something that can cut while saying those words,

How about the sword the Prince or the Squad Captain is carrying?

It’s a little large but it should be okay.

「W-W-Wait, calm down. Aah, Sakura an adult woman. Even though she appears small, she’s 15 years old. Un, a splendid adult.」

Noticing of the turbulent atmosphere, the Prince becomes fl.u.s.tered.

The King, Len-san and Squad Captain, the others as well, all nod.

Somehow, I have a feeling they don’t believe that, is it just my imagination?[r9]