Summoning Magic

"Meg, we're going back to the spectator seats."

"Wah, Gil-sa…!"

The moment we were back in the waiting room, Gil-san, with practiced ease, picked me up and headed for the door that leads to the spectator seats. Well, I was expecting this, that they'd be incredibly worried. But I never imagined I'd be scooped up and taken back in less than five seconds.

"Meg-chan! Are you okay!?"

"Oi, Meg, you alright?"

"Meg, you didn't push yourself too hard, did you?"

And the moment he opened the door, they all bombarded me with questions. I guess they all realized what happened because that's the first thing they said, more than congratulating me. They're so kind.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm sorry… for making you worry."

No, really, I'm deeply reflecting. It happened because I wasn't mentally prepared. I should have accepted my fear of magic circles and prepared myself. I was careless. It's so frustrating.

"Is your magic power overflowing? Are you suppressing it?"

Schlie-san also worriedly peered at me. Well, it's true that I'm suppressing it, but I am quite stable right now. I told him that, smiling, and he let out a relieved sigh.

"Reki, do you think she'll be okay? Should we immediately return to the High Elf Village?"

The High Elf Village… does that mean another period of recuperation? I love that place, it's incredibly comfortable, and everyone's so kind, but I don't want to leave now, when the adults' division is about to start! I anxiously stared at Reki, and he, after looking at everyone with an exasperated expression, clearly said,

"There's no way to tell because I haven't even examined her yet. Can you all just leave and wait?"

He's absolutely right! It might have been a bit harsh, but everyone seemed to agree because they reluctantly left. A doctor's words really are different.

After seeing them off, Reki gestured for me to sit down. He doesn't seem to be in a good mood. I-Is he angry…?

"Give me your hand."

"Okay…"

I sat down, facing him, and placed my hand on his outstretched hand. I couldn't help but feel nervous. H-He's scary.

"…Reki, are you… mad?"

"…Does it look that way? That means you have something to feel guilty about."

Heh~, his voice is even colder than usual! But his hand, gripping mine, is warm. Reki's unique healing aura. It's incredibly soothing, like being enveloped in his beast form. He can do it even in his human form now, huh? I'm happy, but it's also a bit disappointing because he's not fluffy. …No, no, now's not the time to be thinking about that.

"I… didn't overdo it… I did lose control… but… I think I was able to trick Goot… and the others…"

"…………"

I'm not lying! I really didn't use that spirit-in-my-body technique! I just panicked when I saw the magic circle! Ah, at any rate, it's my fault for being so immature. It's depressing.

"…Well then, it's not your fault."

"Eh?"

I looked up, startled by those unexpected words. He's still furrowing his brows, he's still in a bad mood, but he continued, without looking away from my hand,

"That's… a trauma. Fear is deep-rooted, so it's only natural that it's not something you can easily overcome. But you were still able to suppress it and handle the situation… so… I think you should actually be praised."

…Eh? Huh? Is he praising me? Or rather, is he being kind? I'm not sure because his expression's still the same. He's still in a bad mood… ah.

"You were… worried, weren't you?"

"W-What!? Who's worried!?"

Ah, his magic power fluctuated. I flustered him. Straightforward comments are no good with the easily embarrassed Reki. I messed up! But I want to properly thank him, because I'm happy that he was worried.

"Thank you, Reki."

"I-I'm just doing my job! Shut up, you're distracting me!"

He really is stubborn. He might be saying that, but I can tell how he feels, so I couldn't help but chuckle. And I was glared at!

Reki then silently examined me, his cheeks slightly red. And all the while, that healing aura continued to emanate from his hand. He's incredibly skilled! He's busy taking notes and investigating my magic power with his other hand. He looks so used to it, it makes me realize once again that he's a doctor.

He let go of my hand after a few minutes, letting out a sigh. It looks like he's done. My heart had calmed down, I no longer felt the excitement, or the fear, from the match.

The amount hasn't decreased, but my magic power had calmed down thanks to the improved circulation. I feel much better.

"Good work. Reki, how is she?"

Gil-san, as if waiting for the right time, immediately spoke to Reki. He's probably been watching over us. From a distance, so that he wouldn't disturb Reki.

Reki then explained, facing Gil-san. H-Hey, it's about me, you know, so you can talk to me! This is like when a doctor explains to the parents. It's basically the same, but I also understand, you know!

"I think she'll be fine until the tournament's over. The amount hasn't increased because she didn't use that technique. But she's still at her limit. It'll be dangerous if… something happens that throws her off balance."

"Something that throws her off balance…"

So basically, it means it'll be fine as long as I stay calm. Reki then added that I should go back to the High Elf Village after the tournament. I knew it. It's not like I can return to Ortus yet… I was expecting this, so I have no choice but to accept.

Or rather, I'm grateful that he's letting me stay until the end of the tournament. Because I'm sure it would normally be better to leave right away. I kind of understand because it's my own body.

"Gil, don't leave her side until the tournament's over. And if you think it's dangerous, take her away from here, immediately."

"Somewhere… where there are no people?"

"That's right. To minimize the damage. Even you, Gil, probably wouldn't be able to handle her, if her magic power goes out of control."

"Yeah."

…So he's saying that it would be dangerous even for Gil-san if my magic power goes out of control. My magic power really is that terrifying. It sends shivers down my spine.

『It'll be fine, Master.』

"Shou-chan…"

Shou-chan, probably sensing my unease, flew over and tried to cheer me up.

『In a pinch, you can just use Summoning magic y'know!』

Summoning… that's right, you said that before. That it uses a lot of magic power, that it's perfect for me. But what is summoning? It'll be a disaster if I summon something strange. Just as I was thinking about that, Shou-chan's next words made my mind go blank.

『It'll be fine! Because, Master, you've used Summoning magic before, y'know?』

"…Eh?"

I've used Summoning magic before? That's what you just said, right? …No, no, no, no, there's no way! I've never used anything like that before! I only recently found out about it, it's impossible.

『You did use it! But maybe Master was unconscious at the time? And there were a few mishaps, and a time lag… but it worked! So I'm sure you'll be able to do it properly now!』

Unconsciously? A few mishaps? A time lag? Wh-What does that even mean? I wonder if I've done something incredible without knowing… and what on earth did I even summon?

"Meg? What's wrong? You look pale."

"And your magic power's fluctuating again. I just finished circulating it, what did you do…?"

"Eh? Ah…"

I looked up when Gil-san called my name. Even Reki, even though his words were harsh, had concern in his eyes. And I'd just heard how important it is for me to stay calm. But I can't help but worry after hearing this.

"Shou-chan just told me. That I've… used Summoning magic before…"

So I thought this was something I should tell them. When I timidly said that, Reki tilted his head and repeated, "Summoning magic?" It doesn't seem like he knows. But…

"! …Meg, I'd like to talk to your Voice spirit. Alone, if possible."

Gil-san, as if realizing something, gasped and said that. That unusual reaction made me even more anxious. Gil-san, noticing, let out a sigh and then, looking at me, knelt down and patted my head.

"I'm sorry for making you uneasy. But I can't tell you anything more… right now."

He said, "right now." So does that mean… it's something he'll tell me eventually? Is it that important? Just as my anxiety was increasing, he gently gripped my shoulders. With those incredibly gentle hands and gaze.

"I'll definitely explain. So please wait a little longer."

"…Promise?"

"I promise. So for now, please focus on calming yourself down. And for that… I'd like to talk to your Voice spirit."

Gil-san's always thinking about me. And I'm sure it's the same this time too. I feel a bit frustrated because I'm the only one who's out of the loop, but I can trust him. That this is what's best.

"I understand. …Shou-chan, is that okay?"

『It's fine! But give me a looot of magic power!』

"As much as you want."

Shou-chan happily absorbed my magic power, thanking me, but honestly, I barely felt anything. It's still a mystery to me. I'm sure it's because I have too much magic power… When I first came to this world, I was exhausted just from giving a little. Those days make me nostalgic.

Shou-chan then flew over and sat on Gil-san's head. It was a surreal sight, but only nature magic users can see it. I'm sure Asuka would be laughing, but he's not looking.

"Oi, give me your hand again. I'll circulate it, just in case."

"U-Um, but you just did it…"

"I know, seriously. Just sit down already."

I obediently sat down again and let Reki circulate my magic power, even though I was curious about what Gil-san and Shou-chan were talking about. Ugh, this is bothering me. I know he'll tell me eventually… but it's even more bothersome, now that I know a little bit!

"Oi, stop thinking about irrelevant things. It's fluctuating again. …I can have you immediately sent to the High Elf Village, you know, if this continues."

"Ugh, okay, okay."

Reki's incredibly strict when he's in doctor mode. It's true that my current goal is to stay and watch the tournament. That's right, there's no point in agonizing over it because I know he won't tell me right now. The adults' division is starting, so I'll just focus on cheering! I closed my eyes and focused on calming down, letting Reki's warm magic power soothe me.