NOVEL NEXT WORLD Wizard.
Magic?
Wow, magic.
“What is magic?”
Is it too basic of a question?
『It’s broad, but what you’ll experience is practical combat magic.』
Oh, such a dreary title.
『It doesn’t take much power to kill someone. Just one fatal wound is enough.』
“True.”
『Fast casting, accurate hitting, and sure lethality.』
The neatly dressed demon moved his hand like he was wielding a cane.
Whoosh, smack!
『The refined magic bullet is as fast as a bullet. Any magic beyond that is superfluous.』
Uh.
A gun?
Huh?
Did I hear something wrong?
“Wait a second. So are we saying the wizard is just a shooter walking around with a gun that doesn’t need reloading?”
No way, right?
『Roughly speaking, yes. A gun can’t do rapid fire, so magic is even more useful.』
So now I’m……
Going to fight someone holding an automatic rifle?
In an open space, fair and square?
Really?
Pastel’s eyes rolled back.
“I-I actually preferred magic.”
She waved her arms around.
“Magnificent, fantastic, and great!”
Striking a shooting pose.
Bang bang bang.
Bang bang bang.
The demon looked down sadly.
『You have no talent for magic. You walked around without even realizing the magic etched on your back.』
“N-No way?”
My life of total leisure has barely begun and already ended?
This is how I start my laid-back life in another world, wielding an automatic rifle?
A knock came at the guest room door.
Ahhhh.
“It looks like we’re ready.”
The demon transformed into a sword.
『Let’s go.』
Wow, how decisive.
Pastel left the guest room and arrived at the training ground.
The training ground was surrounded by stairs. Nobles were huddled together, enjoying their time.
Pastel wracked her brains and shot her hand up.
“Attention, friends! Attention!”
Clapping her hands to grab their focus. Confused glances were directed her way.
“I think Pastel will win, hands!”
Pastel scanned the crowd with shining eyes.
A few hesitated before raising their hands.
Oh, oh.
“I think Melissa will win, hands!”
Hands shot up en masse.
Ahhhh.
Something’s wrong here.
Melissa Camelot.
The shining star of magic and a candidate for the great mage.
The world affectionately referred to her as:
“The Sixteen Glimmers.”
Oh, that nickname sounds harmless, right?
Feels like something achievable?
『It means she casts sixteen shots in one go.』
What kind of brutal nickname is that?
Isn’t it too straightforward?
This is totally it.
“I have a magazine of 16 shots.”
Where’s the point of view of those getting hit?
The sound of shoes approached.
Melissa walked into the training ground. Her wizard robes fluttered.
Oh.
The professor, uninterested, stood at the center.
『Magic isn’t difficult. Just read the spell, understand the trajectory, and deflect it.』
Pastel calmed her mind. This wasn’t a life-or-death scenario like in a mansion, so she had to gather her focus.
Can I even do this?
I don’t know how to predict spell trajectories.
The professor held a coin in his hand.
The demon seemed to read the expression and said,
『I’ll inform you of the trajectory.』
The coin bounced.
『Strike the light.』
The sound of the coin rang out.
Pastel stomped the ground.
The wizard swung the wand without flinching. Smooth curves left marks in the air.
Twisting, curling, swinging with grace.
In less than a second, the wand aimed roughly at Pastel.
Golden hair fluttered. The robe billowed.
The chimes of magic echoed through the air.
『Left arm.』
The voice silently conveyed its meaning.
Pastel swung her sword in a situation where nothing came flying at her. The sword slash grazed the air.
A flash of light burst from the atmosphere.
A magic bullet stormed in like lightning and brushed past her sword slash.
In that fleeting moment, the girl desperately twisted her posture. The sword path was adjusted carefully. The grazing magic bullet sliced through and exploded with light.
『Right leg.』
She swung her sword. No, intuition twisted the sword path. The magic bullet flew in and got cut as if being sucked into the sword path. Light burst.
『That’s it. Left shoulder.』
Instinct and sensation.
Intuition and certainty.
The absolute empire of talent being built up.
The precise sword strike met the magic bullet. Remnants of light rippled through the air. Pink hair danced with the light.
Sixteen times the storm.
Sixteen times the glimmer.
Waves of light adorned the pink girl.
Her footsteps crossed the training ground.
The blade flashed.
Blue eyes widened.
The sword gently tapped the nape of Melissa’s neck.
Melissa’s lips trembled.
“How did you manage to counter the sixteen flashes?”
Pastel exhaled roughly.
And while thinking, the corners of her mouth lifted.
“Talent.”
Hehe.
『Oh dear.』
Melissa let her head droop.
“I lost…….”
I won, I won.
I waved at a few who cheered for me from the start.
“Thanks to you guys!”
Cheers erupted. There were more than before.
Oh, I made more friends?
As I waved my hands, I turned back to Melissa.
I extended my hand toward the troubled girl.
“You did well too. I just happened to be your opponent. Right, friend?”
At the last word, Melissa hesitated.
Avoiding the pink-haired appearance, she lowered her gaze to the shadows and turned her head away.
“I’m not sure.”
The girl walked away without stepping on shadows.
Huh?
Was I rejected?
#
Arriving at the Sky Island, a transit point between the human world and the demon realm.
The Sky Island was vast. It seemed that just one region was bound by the name of an island, with expansive land floating above. Clouds enveloped the earth like a heavenly embrace.
“Sky Island, wow.”
A whale-like airship floated, periodically submerging and surfacing. It transported goods and raked in profits from the price differences.
“Airship, wow.”
The road was neatly covered in white tiles. Buildings with white roofs lined either side. Carriages loaded with goods endlessly left the docking area.
“A planned city, wow.”
Restaurants for merchants and sailors surrounded the docking area. Food filled the streets, and delicious scents engulfed the roads.
Chicken skewers.
Pastel swallowed her saliva trying not to drool.
One?
Just one?
“How much do I have left in gems?”
The demon pulled a pepper shaker from the luggage. As he shook it, powdered gems rattled.
Even after tearing down the gems that sealed the Great Demon, it was already running low.
Gold is melting in my stomach.
Pastel trembled and reached out but ultimately curled back up.
“I’ll save it for later….”
She staggered toward the assigned temporary residence.
“Oh dear, when are we going to take the combat practice? The demon world exam taker should be here soon.”
『If there’s a problem with the airship, it will take time to procure a new one.』
Ah-ha.
Hmm.
“Then I’ll just act like a current student.”
I won’t fail, will I?
She rummaged through the academy here and there and repeatedly explored. After sightseeing, she stumbled upon a shabby place.
Pastel carefully observed the student council corridor.
“What’s with the atmosphere?”
Why is the darling of student power so bleak?
She brushed her finger along the window frame.
Dust greeted her with a “Hello!”
“Hello to you too. So you’re the real resident? I’m a new tenant. There’s no tenancy fee, right?”
The student council door slowly opened.
Huh?
A sleepy upperclassman male student in pajamas surveyed the corridor. Then his gaze met Pastel’s.
“Don’t make noise in the corridor.”
His voice was feeble.
Oh.
“I’m sorry.”
Bowing.
The upperclassman turned toward the student council room. Small steps followed. The door closed.
Oh, the student council room.
It’s totally dusty.
There’s only one person.
Entering behind him, Pastel glanced around.
The upperclassman hesitated at the sofa with a pillow and stopped. His dazed eyes turned to Pastel.
Bowing.
“Hello, senior. I’m a prospective freshman. How do I join the student council?”
If you’re a student, of course, it’s the student council.
But why is there no one around?
The upperclassman’s expression became utterly indifferent. Ignoring her, he walked to the sofa, lay down, and mumbled.
“You’re the top student in notes, right?”
“Oh, yes.”
“As long as there are no regulations, you should pass. There’s a stamp in the drawer; just join as you like.”
Shortly after, the upperclassman fell silent as if he were about to sleep.
Huh?
Pastel walked briskly to the sofa. His breath was faint.
Upon closer inspection, there were magic thesis papers scattered around that had nothing to do with the student council.
Oh?
Digging through the drawer, she found the approval stamp.
The weight of thick authority.
Is this really here?
She pulled out the joining documents and stamped it down. The red seal completed the document.
Is it really stamping down?
She pulled out another piece of paper and stamped it down.
Thud.
Student Council President.
Huh? Huh?
Current total members of the student council.
Student Council President, Pastel.
Total, 2 members.
Huh?
Pastel absentmindedly moved the quill pen in a daze. She created a new document and stamped it.
She unfolded the completed document.
Pastel Love Craft.
Position.
Vice Student Council President, General Affairs Head, Planning Head, Public Relations Head, Service Head, and Discipline Head.
Huh?
The document sparkled.
Super item.
“Oh wow, I can’t stay here any longer.”
The student council president stood up. She patted her waist and wobbled over to pick up a wand rolling on the floor.
The wand swung around. The papers got organized and floated in the air.
A key fell onto Pastel’s head.
Ouch.
The unprecedented document fluttered.
The student council president glanced down.
“Oh, you stamp well. You’re talented, newbie. I can’t come in since I’m busy. You’ll probably have paperwork to handle. Just stamp and hand it over like this. Lock the door. Try not to call me unless it’s urgent.”
The student council president departed in a hurry.
The newbie was left holding the approval seal.
The wind blew.
Hah.
Pastel trembled, hands clutching the approval seal.
Shaking, shaking.
Whoa, power.
Student council power suddenly landed in my hands? Is this okay for a newbie?
Ahhhh.
Pastel was overwhelmed by the dazzling weight of the approval seal.
Who’s going to take this?
The power I can use as I please, isn’t this too much for a newbie? How incredible is this authority?
Suddenly, her stomach growled.
Grrr.
Her belly cried out for energy.
Specifically, for the gold known as gems.
Pause.
Is this power really something I can use freely?
Oh, oh?
『Power is money.』
The demon, who had appeared out of nowhere, took the approval seal from Pastel’s hand.
『If you look for opportunities with student council authority, you could find many that could earn you money. If you secretly abuse it, you could strike it rich—rich enough to fill your belly with gems.』
The demon looked down at Pastel, examining the seal with a complicated expression.
『Little Craft.』
The red eyes fixed on her.
『There’s an easy path here.』
The approval seal shook.
『A path filled with the immorality to fill your belly with gold.』
Wow wow wow wow.
A tempting offer of corruption!
Diabolical advice……!
Pastel clutched her head and wandered around the student council room.
So I could have money to sprinkle gem powder liberally on chicken skewers when I want to eat?
Wow wow.
Chicken skewers.
Her salivary glands tingled. Her body urged her to fill up right away.
Her hands moved frantically.
To dirty her hands or not, that is the question.
As she thought this, her hand inadvertently fished out the candy from her pocket and started munching on them.
Popping four or so into her mouth quickly, she swallowed.
Sweetness spread through her mouth.
Just as she was enjoying it, she suddenly paused.
Huh?
She looked at the pocket she was holding.
Black gem.
Carefully inspecting the pocket.
For magical academic research.
Oh dear.
When did this end up in my mouth?
Embezzlement of public funds and corruption.
Her hand unwittingly violated the rules.
Could this be fate?
Am I a genius of immorality?
『Sigh, what kind of test am I giving to a starving kid?』
The demon staggered over, looking deflated, and casually placed the approval seal onto her palm.
『You should fill your belly first. Just eat it all.』
“Oh, really?”
Munch munch.
The taste of sweetness was like a much-needed rain in a drought.
After a while, she finished the gems.
During that time, the demon organized some documents.
『You can abuse these among the student council powers.』
The autonomous budget for the student council.
The right to use the academy’s airship.
The right to enter the demon realm for official purposes.
Huh?
『Combining these authorities means you can smuggle.』
Smuggling?
What an enormous word.
『Embezzle the budget to purchase goods from Sky Island. Then sneak them onto the student council airship for official travel to the demon realm. From there, sell the merchandise and return with unprocessed gems.』
Wow wow.
『In this process, you don’t have to pay the huge taxes that legitimate trade would incur. Because it’s smuggling.』
The demon pointed at the documents.
『There happens to be a piece of official business we could use as a pretext. Due to the recent issue with the airship, a student has been stranded in the demon realm. The student council has requested emergency transport.』
She swallowed.
“How much can you earn from smuggling just once?”
『Well, it’s not precise, but it’s around this much.』
Two fingers unfolded.
Two times.
Hoooah!
“W-Wait, just once?”
『Since it’s smuggling, the student council budget will double. You can replace the existing budget and will get to keep the remaining half. That should give you plenty of room to find an immorally earned way to make money.』
If it’s double, wouldn’t the next trip be four times?
Wow wow.
“Got it!”
Pastel’s eyes sparkled.
“Let’s give it a try! Who cares, it’s money on money!”
Going back and forth between the demon realm and Sky Island doubles the capital, right?
Wow.
It can’t be harder than swimming with my feet on the ground.
Catching crabs, digging ditches, and munching on gems? Oh joy.
Now that she’s crossed the line, her thoughts flowed freely like a river.
Am I possibly destined for this?
The demon looked bewildered.
『No, just this one time.』
The voice was firm.
『Just one time.』
Pastel echoed the firmness.
“Yes!”
Of course!
Pastel nodded like a kid allowed to play games during exam season.
#
On the day of the smuggling.
One, two, three!
Pastel spread her arms wide.
Ta-da.
The airship of the dock opened before her eyes.
A tiny whale.
“My airship!”
Wow.
『…It’s the school’s.』
She flung open the hatch.
Various spices and fine fabric filled the space.
“My trade goods!”
Wowza.
I’m already stuffed.
『…It’s from the school budget.』
Our airship took flight. She was on the heavenly path to the demon realm.
Whoosh whoosh.
Leaning against the rails, she let her pink hair flow in the wind.
“Survival trade!”
『No, sigh. That is correct but……』
The demon approached with an expression of profound complexity, raising his finger.
『Just this one time.』
His finger emphasized the point.
『One time.』
“Yes!”
Pastel nodded eagerly.
“But what’s the benefit of smuggling?”
『You can avoid a 50% tax.』
Hah.
Smuggling goods under false pretenses to the demon realm means more profit than normal trade?
“Quick! Quick! Let’s stop by the demon realm and rescue our poor test student friend to bring back to the academy!”
She urged the demon, who was growing increasingly complicated in expression.
A wide blue sky spread ahead.
This has to be a bright future, right?