“Aisha-san, how is Kaede…”
As Yuma asked with a serious look, Aisha gazed directly into Yuma’s eyes.
“She’s in a separate facility. She’s properly stored in a freezing device, so don’t worry. It’s strange to say she’s safe, but decay hasn’t progressed.”
“I see.”
Yuma made an indescribable face. Aisha, with her hands in the pockets of her lab coat, approached Yuma.
“More important than her condition is whether you can use ‘Resurrection Magic.’ So, have you mastered it? White Magic?”
Yuma closed his eyes and shook his head slightly.
“I see.”
Aisha urged Yuma to sit on the sofa in the room. Aisha sat in the chair opposite him and listened to Yuma’s account of the events that had occurred during his months-long journey.
“Your White Magical Power has exceeded 50,000… that’s truly another dimension. Theoretically, you can use magic up to the Sixth Stratum. From what I hear, you’ve been able to use up to the Fourth Stratum, right?”
“Yes, I’m still clumsy, but I can produce the Fourth ‘White Flash.'”
Aisha put her hand to her chin and pondered something. After a while, she looked up and met Yuma’s gaze.
“Could you show me that magic?”
◇◇◇
Yuma was on the first floor of Aisha’s Laboratory. He was in a large room with large mechanical equipment.
It used to be a small factory. They must have manufactured various things here. Yuma looked around and let out a sigh.
–I had my muscle strength measured here in Metal Armor before.
Feeling nostalgic, Yuma turned his gaze to Aisha.
Aisha stood in the corner of the room, arms crossed, watching him. Yuma shifted his gaze to his right hand.
“Well, here I go.”
He focused his consciousness on his right hand. A faint light gathered in his hand, emitting a strong glow.
“This is the First Stratum’s ‘Recovery Magic.’ And…”
Yuma clenched his right hand and thrust it forward. The faint light changed shape, transforming into a Sword of Light.
When he focused on his left hand, a round “Shield of Light” appeared. He was satisfied that it was in better shape than before.
“This is the Second Stratum, ‘Light Armaments.'”
Aisha let out a small cheer, “Oh.” Yuma extinguished the Sword of Light and Shield, then rolled up his sleeve and extended his left arm.
He gathered Wind Magical Power at the tip of his right index finger and lightly traced his left arm.
Then a long cut appeared on his arm. Blood dripped from the wound.
“This is the Third Stratum… [Self-Regeneration].”
When Yuma wiped away the spilled blood, there was no wound there. It had healed in an instant.
“That’s amazing. It’s the same ability as the Abyssal Monsters. Truly fascinating.”
As Aisha was impressed, Yuma pointed his index finger at the Iron (Metal) frame at the end of the room. A laser-like light was emitted from his fingertip.
It hit the Iron (Metal) frame directly, but nothing in particular happened.
“The Fourth Stratum’s ‘White Flash’… it has no effect when it hits inanimate objects. It explodes from the inside when it hits living things.”
“Magic limited to living things… I see, interesting.”
Aisha nodded in satisfaction and walked over to Yuma.
“That’s all you can do now?”
“Yes, I don’t feel like I can do Resurrection Magic at all.”
Seeing Yuma at a loss for words, Aisha gently touched his shoulder.
“It’s too early to give up. There’s a good chance that Resurrection Magic exists in the Fifth Stratum and beyond. The question is how to master it.”
“Is there a way?”
Yuma asked with a desperate feeling. Aisha grinned.
“Yes, there is. And it’s a highly probable method.”
“What is it!?”
Yuma pressed Aisha. If there was a way left to save Kaede, he was willing to do anything.
“It’s a simple story. The magic of the Fifth Stratum is probably impossible for humans to master. If that’s the case, there’s only one way.”
“That method… could it be!”
Aisha chuckled.
“A powerful Monster in the White Dungeon… could probably use Fifth Stratum magic. If you defeat another Chimera, you can copy a new Monster, right?”
“I can, but…”
“If you’re going to pursue Resurrection Magic, you should find a Monster that can use Recovery Magic. If there’s any possibility in Japan… it’s probably the White Dungeon in Hokkaido.”
Yuma gulped. Certainly, he could now conquer even the ‘Depths’ Dungeon in Hokkaido.
After looking at his right hand, he clenched his fist tightly.
“I understand. I’ll go, to the Hokkaido Dungeon!”
◇◇◇
After that, Yuma stopped by D-Minor in Chiba.
President Kanzaki greeted him with great joy, saying, “Yuma! You’re safe!!” and Maika was relieved, saying, “Yuma-kun, that’s great. You don’t seem to be injured.”
Tanaka also had a big smile on his face and urged him to sit on the sofa in the back of the office, saying, “There’s no point in standing around, Yuma-kun, sit down, sit down.”
The four of them took their seats and talked for hours. About what he had seen in the world, the Monsters he had fought, and how he had managed to get the White Magic Gem.
Maika narrowed her eyes and said, “Yuma-kun, you seem more mature.”
Yuma was embarrassed and scratched his head, saying, “Really?”
Kanzaki also told him about various events in Japan, and at the end, he raised his fist and said, “Alright! Let’s go out for a drink tonight!”
Seeing that, Maika looked disgusted.
“What are you talking about, President! Yuma-kun has to go home and see his parents, there’s no way he has time for that!”
Kanzaki, who had been scolded, lowered his tension and became depressed, saying, “Oh, that’s true.” Seeing that scene, which was no different from the old days, Yuma realized once again that he had returned to Japan.