Volume 2 Chapter 3: 「Eye」of the skywatcher
「I believe both of us have quite a few things to ask each other but…you can go first, Slava-kun」
While I was enjoying the warmth of the cocoa, that I felt was a bit too sweet, Sonia’s beautiful emeralds turned towards me.
I should go first, huh?
It’s true that compared to the questions Sonia might have, mine may get answered faster.
Her questions are probably related to my own life after all. Talking about my peculiar life would probably take a long time.
In that case, letting me ask the questions first was honestly a good judgement.
…Well then, in that case…the things I want to ask about, can be summed up in two things.
Let’s follow her words and ask those questions first.
「Then I’ll go first. Sonia-dono, you were surprised when you saw my ears right now, but there were many chances for you to see my ears when we met. For you to say that after removing your mask, does that mean that your mask…」
「Yup, it’s probably what you are thinking. There’s no issues in regards to breathing with this mask, but there’s no holes to see things」
Sonia held the mask with her hand and raised it for us to see. The mask probably had various holes for people to breathe but…
…I see, just as she had said, there was a lack of a mechanism to see.
Thinking about it now that I’m seeing it, I could have verified it too. The fact that it wouldn’t have any holes for the eyes never crossed my mind.
However…in that case, it means that not long ago, Sonia was seeing something…
It’s not like I can’t understand how she was able verify our figures without relying on her sight when we first met. Being living creatures, me and Sheryl have a presence, and we usually don’t try to hide our presence. That means, that it is possible to discern the movements of living beings like us.
Another way would have been to feel the magic power.
This is particularly effective during battles. If you are are skilled in this method, you will be able to feel with your eyes even if your opponent moves in a violent way that your eyes are unable to keep up with. In fact, in a fight between fellow people, you would mainly use this method to understand your opponent’s movements.
However…this method doesn’t work for terrain.
Things like trees and the earth don’t have something like a presence. It goes without saying that objects don’t have a presence either…therefore, one cannot understand the terrain if they rely on presences.
Then, what about magic power? It’s true that all things have magic power.
…They do, but if we left things like trees aside for now, the earth and stones only emit a small quantity of it, it would be a microscopic amount.
Even then, I heard that if you devote all your magic power to it, it is more or less possible to understand the terrain around you.
However, that wouldn’t be called a technique anymore, it would a type of magic.
First of all, because the amount of magic power they emit is small, no matter how skilled someone is, the scope of what someone can feel will be small.
Above all that, it would take time. One would have to spend a long time concentrated for just a confined area. Being such an impractical technique, you can’t really call it a skill, right?
…Therefore, for this young lady called Sonia, though she’s currently older than the current me, to walk around nimbly without relying on her sight, is something really peculiar.
If you were unable to see things with your eyes, you would use something like a wooden stick to make sure there were no obstacles in your way when walking around, but Sonia didn’t have anything like that.
In that case…I can only think that she has some way to see that I don’t know of.
「Fufu, it’s natural for you to have your doubts because my movements didn’t seem unnatural even when I was wearing this mask. As if…I could actually see what was around me」
I believe it didn’t show in my facial expression…but Sonia’s bewitching smile when she looked at me in the eye, sent shivers down my spine.
Does this have any relation to what I was thinking a while ago?
From the way she talked, she was suggesting that she could see. However, I couldn’t feel any ill will from her eyes. …This was something that I found quite mysterious.
「If it’s OK with you, could you tell how?」
「Sure, I don’t mind」
Because of those words that seemed to see right through me, I calmed down and reorganized my discomposed mind, then asked her a question.
It’s not like I have to hide it…when Sonia stated such unexpected words, she looked as if she was having fun.
In any case, if she’s able to answer my simple question, I’d be really grateful.
While trying to calm down Sheryl, who got a bit flustered by how hot the cocoa was, I waited for Sonia to talk.
When she looked at us, Sonia made a gentle smile.
When Sheryl finally settled down, Sonia opened her mouth.
「To put it in simple terms, I’m able to sense various things that can’t be seen with my own eyes」
The meaning of Sonia’s words…even though I could understand them, I needed time to think about them.
To begin with I’m not that smart. Let’s start from what she has said.
Sonia has said that 「She can see things that can’t be seen by one’s own eyes」.
What does that even mean? If we thought about the five sense she would mean her hearing or smelling…because the answer had been really abstract, my head was going in circles.
As if she was laughing at my confusion, Sonia continued.
「I believe that was not clear enough? You could say it’s a smell or sound. I’m able to feel the magic power released by all creation carried by the wind on my skin…I’m able to feel all that. The wind and the sound tell me about the distance and the smell tells me about their shape. This world is overflowing with information. By gathering all this information I’m able to 「See」 everything around me. Fundamentally, I have no issues in my daily life even if I keep my eyes closed. That’s why I was able to see your ears once I took a proper look, but only took notice of your figure and stance when I was checking for the magic power of living beings. The reason I thought you were a human was because of the the color or wavelength of your magic power, it reminded me of that of a human」
The answer Sonia displayed to me was beyond my imagination.
Thanks to the smell and sound, she said she was able to feel the magic power carried by the wind?
How much information would that be? I’m unable to imagine that.
Even though what one sees with their own eyes is a lot already, just how much does this girl…see?
「Sonia-dono you-」
「Just call me Sonia. I get the feeling you are somehow older than me. That being said, it would be difficult for me to change the way I speak now, can I just keep talking this way?」
Then, I wonder what she has been able to see.
Even though she’s so young for an elf, to think her talent was at this level.
She’s able to see right though my spirit. While feeling rough, I tried to keep my calm.
「..Ah, please do. Then, you can see, right? Why do purposefully conceal your view?」
「Because I’m the skywatcher, maybe? You can’t really read the mood of the sky by relying only on your eyes. When looking at the sky, the strength and direction of the wind in addition to the smell, become big hints. That’s why I seal the sight I usually rely on and polish my other senses」
She said so in a careless manner, but the effort she had put to do that must have been unimaginable.
I couldn’t help but notice the shadow that was cast under her eyes.
…I wonder what it was? She seemed to have an unyielding reason for having done that. What would push such a beautiful girl that was still growing to do things to this extent?…It must be quite the special reason.
「Well then, I think that’s enough for this topic? Do you have anything else you wanted to ask about?」
It was probably something Sonia didn’t want to talk about much either.
I didn’t inquire further about this topic.
Besides…the question I wanted to ask next was also really important.
「Then, one last question. I’m a martial artist. I started this journey to train myself but…recently, I heard from a friend of mine that there was a skilled martial artist in Natoushia. From what I can see, I believe Sonia is that person…am I right?」
The magic power I felt and those movements without any openings.
Then, there’s the fact that she was able to get closer to me without me noticing, her lack of presence as if she was like the wind.
In my opinion, she’s probably the most skilled among those I’ve seen until now…
While making this question, I thought that there was no need to ask such a question.
Gauging the strength of an opponent is something really important for a martial artist. Even if you don’t exchange blows, you should be able to gauge their strength to a certain extent as long as they are skilled…that’s something that people like me can do.
For someone that has been chasing the title of strongest since the day he had awareness, you could say that it was like an instinct I had as a martial artist.
It’s telling me that there’s no better opponent to make my heart throb than this.
I let out magic power from within my body.
I can’t contain my excitement. This feeling of mine, if we leave Chester aside, is the first time I’ve felt it since I was born.
I don’t know how strong she is, but she’s probably stronger than Alma.
It’s at least not something you’d see in the surface, Sonia’s magic power was pure and calm like the water of a spring, in contrast, my spirit was trembling.
「…Oh, I apologize］
I tried to calm down as much as I could and stopped my magic power from leaking.
No good, as expected, this has been too rude.
She went as far as to invite us to her house, for me to do something like picking a fight with her…
Because of my sudden act of impoliteness, I lowered my head in a hurry.
Seeing me like that…Sonia made a smile that was a bit different to the ones she had been making until now.
「Don’t worry about it. I like these kind of challenges myself…in fact, I welcome them」
In contrast to me, who was trying to calm my magic power in a hurry, this time Sonia’s magic power raised up.
It was pure and smooth, and the shape of her magic power had not changed, it was clearly mixed with a pleasant color.
…It seems like, I had no need to apologize.
Isn’t she a respectable partner to fight with? This girl.
「A skilled martial artist…I don’t believe I see myself as such, but I believe I can say that fighting is my strong point? At the very least, I believe I’m the strongest in Natoushia」
You couldn’t feel gentleness from her narrowed eyes, they were dyed with fighting spirit.
To be able to make such eyes at this age, it was quite the impressive thing.
At this chance that I wouldn’t usually have to test my own strength, I started to tremble. I was that delighted.
「In that case, do you know what I want to say without me having to voice it out?」
「Of course…in fact, I welcome it. That fighting spirit you let out when we first met. I’ve been interested in it until now」
I gently stoop up from my chair and released the magic power I had been concealing.
The magic power I had polished in my previous life. In addition to that there was the magic power I had polished during this life, it was an amount that a kid shouldn’t have.
Even though I hadn’t gone all out yet, the amount I was letting out was probably higher than those martial artist you’d fight in the surface world…or at least that’s what I think.
However, that only applies…when we are talking about the surface world.
If you searched in the world devoid of light, you would find people like Chester. Aside from that…there’s people like this girl, people that exist in another path.
A torrent of magic power that would make many martial artist lose their will to fight just from seeing it.
Seeing that, Sonia made a surprised face for a split second…then she showed me a smile.
「…That’s amazing. You are still not going all out, right? This is quite unexpected, I don’t know what to say」
True to her words, cold sweat appeared in Sonia’s forehead.
But her face showed no signs of resignation nor despair.
She had a face I had grown accustomed to seeing.
The figure of a martial artist trembling of excitement from having found a formidable opponent.
She didn’t want to delay it any further and immediately go into battle.
I wanted to do just that…but I was kept in check by Sonia.
When she stopped me by showing me her palm…I stopped myself from saying anything.
「I want to say we should fight immediately…but it’s about time」
While pointing outwards, Sonia made an awkward smile.
Just when I was going to ask what was it. I noticed a sound I had heard before.
「Ah…rain…」
After walking to the window in an innocent manner, Sheryl said so calmly.
The sky had turned gloomy before we were able to notice and small drops of rain were gently hitting the window.
That’s what I thought, but right after…I heard a violent sound and raindrops started to get into the room in unison.
They were just a few drops, but each one had great vigor…and then, the uncountable raindrops painted the scene outside the window.
The sun that had been shining proudly until a while ago was now hidden behind the clouds, in exchange, rain had taken over it.
This is really…
「See? I told you. We won’t be able to leisurely go out like this」
While placing her elbow on top of the table, Sonia placed her palm on her cheek and cheerfully smiled.
I see…so this is a skywatcher.
The raindrops only descended right after Sonia had said those words.
Can she really predict it so accurately?
「There’s some charm in fighting in the middle of the rain, but if we are going to do it, how about doing it in perfect conditions? I bet it’s going to rain a lot tomorrow too and I’m a person with a lot of free time. I’d appreciate having someone to talk to」
Sonia’s emerald eyes narrowed in a smile.
…Good grief, I’ve found quite the interesting person.
Once I return from this journey, I should give my thanks to Chester.
「Here, have a seat. Want to have another serving of cocoa?」
「I’ll have one…it was very tasty」
「Ahaha, did you take a liking to it? Slava-kun, how about you?」
「No…but I appreciate it」
「Got it. Wait here for a bit, Sheryl-chan」
With an impish smile, without boasting about how she had been right about the weather, Sonia disappeared in the kitchen again.
…It sure is raining hard.
I did hear that the weather in mountain areas was inconsistent, but where did I hear that?
Seeing Sheryl who somewhat looked like she was enjoying the downpour, my eyes slightly narrowed.
「Sorry for the wait. Well then, I believe it’s time for me to ask the questions? Though, it might take a long time」
「Oh, ask whatever you want. If it’s something I can answer, I’ll do so」
After returning from the kitchen, Sonia placed a cup of cocoa for her and Sheryl.
As if she was being invited by the sweet fragrance of the cocoa, Sheryl separated from the window.
「Well then, first off…Slava-kun. I would like to know what kind of being you are」
「I don’t really mind…but I believe it will sound terribly absurd. It might be something that wouldn’t be able to believe」
「It’s fine. I’ve trained hard, I take great pride in being able to see through people’s lies」
「…The sounds and magic power you mentioned before, huh?」
「Yup, that’s right. So try not to tell any lies, OK?」
Sonia, who was laughing, looked like she was having fun.
…Well then, where should I start from?
Even if I say so myself, it was a strange fate, I took a breath thinking about how I should explain it.
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