I Was a Dropout Who Couldn’t Use Magic for 16 Years, but Then I Remembered My Past Life as a Scientist and Became OP in Another World - Chapter 8

“Why can’t I use magic?”

“That’s right. From the moment I was born up until now, I’ve never been able to use magic. They say there’s magic power flowing through my body, and I’ve practiced. So what’s the real reason? I’ve been told I have no talent for it—up until now, that was the explanation I accepted.”

In response to my question, the floating snake-like creature grinned with its slit mouth.

“So, you think the spirit, who supposedly gave humans magic, would know the reason?”

“That’s right. If there’s a valid explanation, I want to know.”

“I see, I see. In other words, you’ve been looking into magic from a different angle, wondering if you, even without talent, might be able to use it, huh?”

“No, that’s not quite it. This research is more out of curiosity.”

“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean? You’re not exactly making sense here.”

“…Yeah, maybe I’m not. This question is more for Ronnie than for me.”

“Wait, aren’t you Ronnie?”

The snake raised an eyebrow at my nonsensical reply.

But I didn’t owe it an explanation for everything that had happened to me.

“That’s enough questions. Can you answer or not?”

“…Hmm…”

The snake nodded silently a few times, then twirled in the air, seemingly deep in thought.

Just as I was watching the snake closely, it floated toward my abdomen and said, “Pardon me~,” before biting down on my navel.

“!?”

I flinched in shock.

But when I looked down, the snake had vanished. I patted my stomach frantically, but there was neither a wound nor any pain.

“W-what? Hey, where did you go—?”

Even without any pain, the sensation was unsettling. It felt like something wriggled inside my guts. I spoke urgently toward my abdomen, but no reply came.

And so, I spent the next three minutes like an idiot, spinning around in the narrow space of the shrine.

Finally, the snake emerged from my stomach without any sensation. I instinctively scratched the spot where it had come out.

“…You’re so noisy. I couldn’t concentrate.”

“N-not saying anything and then diving into my body like that—of course I’d panic…!”

“I did say, ‘pardon me.’”

“I’m asking you to explain. Where were you and what were you doing?”

When I pressed the snake for an answer, it swayed its head side to side, saying, “Calm down.”

“I was checking things out to answer your question. You see, I can see the flow of magic power. I can see the magic in the air and in living things. In other words, I see the world very differently from you humans.”

“…You can see magic power?”

“Yup. Spirits are amazing.”

“Don’t get cocky. I haven’t acknowledged you as a spirit yet. I’ve only accepted your existence. If you want recognition, convince me.”

“Wow, what a high-handed attitude you’ve got toward a spirit! But you know what? I kinda like that about you. I think we’re going to get along great. Okay, okay. Actually, I don’t have much time left, so I’ll give you the short version. Just like you said, magic power flows through you like it does with everyone else. But—and here’s the key difference—you don’t have an exit.”

The snake twisted its long body into a circle to demonstrate.

“An exit?”

“I searched thoroughly, but it seems I’m right. With no exit, there’s no way for the magic to leave your body. It just keeps circulating inside, round and round. So, talent, practice, or knowledge—none of that matters.”

“It doesn’t matter? Then…”

“If there’s no exit, there’s no way for magic to be released. It’s like trying to drink wine from a bottle with no mouth.”

“That’s an annoyingly fancy metaphor… So, why don’t I have an exit?”

“Beats me. It’s probably just your body’s natural condition. The magic power’s exit is like an organ for most people.”

“In other words, it’s a condition?”

“No, no. You just have the kind of body that can’t use magic. That’s all. It’s like being prone to gaining weight, or being tall, or having cold hands. It’s just a physical trait. There’s no inherent superiority or inferiority to it.”

“…Hah.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

In a world built around magic, the fact that I couldn’t use magic defined how people treated me. I had agonized over it for years, and now, I’m told there’s no superiority or inferiority.

I don’t have an exit. I see now why, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t succeed.

I was born defective. So that’s the explanation. I’ve already been painfully aware of that truth.

“…So, no matter what I do, I’ll never be able to use magic. Is that it, spirit?”

“Oh, wait? Did you just call me ‘spirit’? Are you finally admitting that I’m the real deal? I thought you’d be more stubborn about it.”

“I’ve already come to terms with it. Having a third party confirm it is just a formality.”

After thinking it over for a moment, I sighed.

“Surprisingly, I don’t feel shocked. If anything, this resolves a long-standing question. That’s progress. Didn’t I tell you? I’m not studying magic because I want to use it. Understanding the nature of magic itself is the goal. Whether or not I can use it isn’t that important. It just makes the experiments slightly more tedious.”

“Ronnie, Ronnie. I hate to interrupt your introspection, but I’m not finished yet.”

“Finished? I’m already satisfied with your answer.”

“No, no, no. I only said it’s a condition that you don’t have an exit.”

“…What?”

I stared at the spirit, utterly baffled by what it was saying.

What was it talking about? Wasn’t this thing contradicting itself?

“You’ve gotta hear the whole story. If magic was given to humans by spirits, it doesn’t make sense that some people can’t use it, right?”

“But you just said… something about body conditions…”

“If there’s no exit, you can just create one. Simple as that. Ah, pardon me, yawn.”

“What you’re saying makes no sense!”

As I panicked over the spirit’s increasingly nonsensical words, I noticed it was beginning to waver in the air, its movements becoming sluggish.

Was it just my imagination, or was it flying unsteadily?

“When you come back here next time, I want you to bring something. You should be able to get it easily around here.”

“Bring something?”

“That’s right. It’s—”

The spirit whispered in my ear.

“That’s all I need? But, why?”

“Sorry, I’d like to explain it all, but I’m suddenly feeling really sleepy. Looks like I’ve hit my time limit. Too bad! But I enjoyed our chat, Ronnie.”

“Sleepy? Wait, hold on!”

“Too late. I’m about to disappear.”

Despite my protests, the spirit began floating slowly toward the crystal. Its large eyes were gradually closing.

“Come back soon, okay? Promise me.”

“I’ll come back, but—wait, one last thing!”

“One last thing? Sorry, but no more questions. I’m out.”

I grabbed the spirit’s tail just as it was about to disappear into the crystal.

It looked back at me with sleepy eyes.

“I introduced myself, but I never got your name. It’s a bit inconvenient to keep calling you ‘spirit.’”

“Ah! Hahaha!”

The spirit laughed and, at long last, introduced itself.

—

“My name is Seiryu. You can just call me that, no need for anything formal.”

—

—

On my way back to the estate, I replayed the conversation in my mind.

I never expected things to turn out like this, but meeting a spirit and becoming acquainted with one was, in hindsight, a miraculous stroke of luck.

Looking back, I was relieved Johann hadn’t been there. From what Seiryu had said, it seemed I was the only one who could see him. There was room for speculation as to why that was, but at least I’d avoided causing Johann to think his brother had gone mad from a head injury.

Next time I visit the shrine, we’ll be able to have a more in-depth conversation. I also have to bring the item Seiryu requested, though I still don’t know exactly why.

And let’s not forget the mystery of that crystal.

I need to revisit the relationship between gravity and magical power…

—

Hm?

Just as I reached the front gate of the estate, I heard the sound of cheering from the direction of the courtyard.

I had planned to head back to my room, assuming it was just another one of Johann’s training sessions, but then I remembered that Lady Fiolette was visiting.

They’d probably finished lunch by now. So what could be going on in the courtyard?

For once, I found myself feeling intrigued.

—

“Point! The winner is Johann-sama! With two wins and one draw, Johann-sama emerges victorious!”

As soon as I peeked into the courtyard, I heard the loud declaration.

In the center of the open space stood two silhouettes, surrounded by several others who were applauding.

One of the figures standing in the middle was my younger brother, Johann.

He was slightly out of breath, glaring at the tall man before him. The man had pale blonde hair, narrow eyes, and a sword hanging at his waist that looked valuable even from a distance.

I recognized his face. He was one of Fiolette’s attendants, a knight known for his skill.

Judging by the way a man standing between them, likely some sort of referee, was holding up his hand, it seemed they’d just finished a mock battle.

I noticed my parents and Fiolette clapping from the sidelines. Trying to avoid being noticed, I quietly slipped into the courtyard.

I would’ve liked to have watched the match, but it looked like I’d missed it.

From the shade of a tree, I could overhear the two competitors exchanging words.

—

“Well done, Johann-sama. Your reputation is well deserved. I, Marduk, am impressed.”

“Impressed? I don’t really like fake compliments.”

“Why do you say that? You’ve clearly bested me today.”

“I’m not happy winning against someone who was holding back.”

“Oh… You noticed?”

Marduk looked slightly surprised by Johann’s observation, but rather than placating him, it seemed to irritate Johann further. He glared at the taller man with growing frustration.

“Are you mocking me? I know you were told to take it easy on me.”

The two weren’t speaking loudly, but I could just barely make out their conversation. To my parents and Fiolette, it probably looked like they were just chatting after the match.

“I thought I had hidden it better, but you have sharp instincts. However, my admiration is genuine. The difference in our abilities comes down to nothing more than our age. In a few more years, I’ll be no match for you.”

“That’s not what I want to hear… Let’s spar again, but for real this time.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that. What if you were to get injured?”

“Then that would be the real result of the match. Even if I get hurt or lose badly, I won’t hold you responsible.”

Johann pressed on stubbornly.

Marduk smiled awkwardly.

Johann’s competitiveness wasn’t new to me. More accurately, he had a strong distaste for people going easy on him. Whether it was board games or tag, Johann always expected everyone to give their all, and he’d do the same. Honestly, I was usually the one who needed to be handled with care, so it was rare to see Johann this upset.

“Whether or not I went easy on you, it’s clear that you’re already a skilled fighter. Can’t that be enough?”

“No, it’s not.”

“Johann-sama… Please consider my position. If something were to happen to you, I’d face the wrath of Lord Dawson and Lady Fiolette.”

“But that’s not going to happen. I’m the one insisting on this.”

“This is quite the predicament…”

Marduk scratched his head, clearly at a loss for how to handle the situation. He sighed deeply, his hand brushing the hilt of the sword on his left side.

“Then how about this: Tonight, after everyone has gone to bed, we can have a proper match in the back garden.”

“The back garden? Not here?”

“It’s too conspicuous here, even at night. The back garden has hedges that will shield us from prying eyes. It’s a bit cramped, so we’ll need to be cautious, but there, I can guarantee you my full strength.”

“You promise? Alright, I can agree to that.

And don’t tell anyone. Especially not Fiolette. Or Ronnie-nii-sama.”

“I understand.”

—

Well, I heard that.

Not that it really concerned me. I understood Johann not wanting others to see certain sides of him. I might sneak a peek from my window later, but for now, I’d pretend I didn’t know anything about it.

Seeing my father and Fiolette approach the two, I quickly slipped away from the courtyard.