It's been one week since I've been in this village now. In this world as well of course. In hindsight, Isaac’s screwup is a lifeline of mine. It’s like all my worries are now someone else’s problems. Additionally, a healer was finally brought to the village yesterday. For someone of the 21st century I am too accustomed to not having to wait. Although I guess I got my wish since the entire healing process took no more than five minutes. It truly reminded me that I am in a world of magic. I also think now that I might have been permanently paralyzed if not for magic since science in this world seems not to have advanced as far as modern day sadly. I shutter at the thought.

Healing is best power. Truly, how nice...I wish to be able to use healing magic. 

Since Rhode is a Mage too, after all, I decided to inquire the healer about it. Turns out what magic one can use depends on their soul's compatibility with the elemental spirits. I would list all of the elements but there are over 200 types, or so it seems. Rhode could use fire magic and perhaps other magics? But for me who has a different soul, this meant I may not be able to use magic at all...

Thinking such thoughts I had asked if a soul's compatibility could change, and if so, what would happen? 

Due to the healer already knowing that I lost my memory, I think they were already expecting this question, as they preemptively told me not to worry. 

To the first point, the answer was yes, one's compatibility can change depending on their personality and life experiences. Surprisingly, or not so surprisingly, a common troupe of this is someone who embarks on the path of revenge. I don’t think the healer comparing me to someone thirsting for revenge is very reassuring though.

Concerning the answer to the second part of my question: For magic in this world, those who have ability, aka have talent, are born with clear mana streams within their body. Over time, their soul will subconsciously attract compatible elemental particles to reside in the body’s mana streams. A mage can then manipulate their mana streams to harness the power of the elemental particles that reside inside them. 

The good news is that once elemental particles have accumulated in one's mana streams, they do not leave. So it seems that as long as I can manipulate my mana streams, I will be able to use magic to some extent. The bad part is that if my soul is not compatible with say fire, then I will not accumulate anymore fire particles and my fire ability will stagnate.

But honestly, as my current goals are to not die and to return home, this is quite good news. Since it seems that I will (maybe?) be able to use magic, and thus I won’t be useless and thrown away to the goblins to die..hopefully..

Now you may be wondering why I have just been referring to this great healer without description. Especially when this healer is my savior, the one who has defied all logic by restoring me from my paralyzed state, enlightened me with knowledge on magic of this world, and has truly treated me with kindness. That is to say, my savior since entering into this world is only an eight year old girl!

It’s not that I am a particularly prideful person, but rather, there is too much of a gap between the image and reality. Okay, I lied. Maybe I am a bit prideful too. It indeed feels rough to be learning from an eight year old. 

A youthful high pitched voice definitively rings in my head with each sentence she speaks. Ah, you wonder why I say that in present tense? That is because I am currently in the middle of listening to her lecture about magic today. Yesterday, through her wonderful kindness (I may have fervently begged), she agreed to teach me magic principles for the next two days so I can “recover” my (Rhode’s) abilities, and well, at least not die while traveling.

Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

I would call myself lucky for being able to get a teacher for magic already, but she’s leaving town in three days, and additionally, I think that anyone who gets transported to another world without a cheat-like ability is too unlucky. Where’s my cheat ability! Of course if I think about cheat abilities, I can’t but help address the elephant in the room. The fact that I understand the language here, both verbally and written. Unfortunately, I don’t know the answer to this mystery yet.

“Sigh, are you listening?” (Hannah)

Her high pitched voice once again rings in my ears, jarring me from my daydreaming state. Not good, not good; if I don’t work hard now, I’ll end up as food for the goblins. And why does everyone seem to sigh now when they see me.

“I’m sorry, I zoned out for a second, could you repeat that last part.” (me)

“Hah, it’s alright.” (Hannah)

“While it is true like I said before that the soul will subconsciously accumulate compatible elemental particles in ones mana streams, there are ways to further speed up the process consciously. The main two ways are through medicine and through meditation. The former is quick and effective but the downside is that the medicine is rare and expensive. Furthermore, it can have varying side effects, so it is generally for those who have status and don’t want to work hard, living an easy life. The latter takes time and effort, but can pay off greatly if one is diligent for years.” (Hannah)

Listening to her vocabulary, it’s still hard to imagine her as just an eight year old. When I was eight years old, I don’t think I could even spell the word “because.” Because it was difficult. My terrible puns never seem to cease in my head.

“While I don’t have a way to personally test your compatibility with various elements, I will teach you the way to meditate to further the accumulation of elemental particles in your mana streams. This way, if your soul has indeed shifted its compatibility, you will be quicker to catch up to a respectable level in the new elements that you are compatible with. And if not, it’s still good since it will strengthen your current elements. This is what we will go over today.” (Hannah)

Frankly, I am more interested in how to manipulate the mana I have inherited from Rhode, but supposedly that is what I am to learn tomorrow. This is just a guess, but I’d think that since I’m a soul from a different world, I probably have zero compatibility with any of the elements. I feel if I were in elementary school still, I’d be aiming to control all of the elements, or something of that sort (got to catch them all!), but I’m not so silly to think such. But ah, if there were a ‘transporting worlds’ type of element, that would be a really nice one to be compatible with. I hope most for that one if it exists.

Thus I began my monk-like life meditating in the mountains to reach nirvana and achieve an ultimate piece of mind. Or really, at the moment I’m just learning how to sit with my legs crossed like a pretzel. I really wish I could eat a pretzel right now. No seriously, I’m craving one. As I was thinking such, my stomach seemed to respond by grumbling.

“”Ah”” (Hannah & me)

“Perhaps we should take a lunch break, eheh” Hannah said gigglingly, while looking like her age for once.

“Sorry. But yes, I would like that.” I replied apologetically while giving a smile back.