The Definition of Magic

Naturally, I didn't understand a single word. As I stood there with a question mark floating over my head, the Librarian began to explain in a slightly lowered voice.

“Magic refers to the act of overlaying one’s inner world onto the world of reality. This personal world is called the Deep Realm, and it is born the moment one experiences the fever.”

“So that’s related to my current situation, I suppose.”

“That’s right. Every Mage’s Deep Realm, when first opened, is ordinary. How grand could a world opened by a mere 10-year-old be? It’s not much different from reality, so it’s called the Current Realm. The ultimate goal for a Mage, as they train and cultivate their Deep Realm, is to reach the Heavenly Realm. Those who achieve this can wield Magic freely, unconstrained by the laws of the world, which is commonly known as the Realm of a Great Mage.”

I listened intently to this basic magical knowledge, which was new to me, as the Librarian continued in a slightly softer tone.

“But sometimes, very rarely, if one uses forbidden methods or receives poor instruction during the cultivation of one's Deep Realm—the world perishes and falls. It descends into the Deep Realm.”

...That sounds quite ominous.

“It truly is. Ironically, the Deep Realm, which everyone shuns, is very similar to the coveted Heavenly Realm. They are unconstrained by laws, wield strange Magic of a different caliber, and impose rules on the world that even Great Mages cannot comprehend.”

“Then what’s so bad about it?”

“They are rejected by the world they created.”

“...”

“That is the only factor distinguishing the Heavenly Realm from the Deep Realm, but it is also everything. Since a Mage lives within the world one created, being rejected by such a world is akin to having a future of endless suffering and a miserable death confirmed.”

“Hmm...”

I pondered for a moment before asking a question.

“Just hearing that, I don’t quite grasp how terrible my situation is. Do you have an example?”

“One hundred thirty-two years ago, a promising fire elementalist named Roban Krunaroff, in an attempt to cultivate his Deep Realm, dabbled in black magic, summoned a demon, and drank its essence. His Deep Realm fell into the Deep Realm, and it became a forest where wildfires never ceased. The first to notice was an Academy Student who observed a constant acrid smell emanating from his body. When he was arrested and his mask was removed, it was confirmed that his entire body was covered in blisters from severe burns. During his transfer, he killed three Knights and escaped, but two months later, he was found floating in a pond, shriveled into a charred husk. Ironically, however, the cause of death was not burning, but drowning. He had thrown himself into the pond, unable to bear the pain, but his Deep Realm did not even spare his corpse, burning it.”

I was instantly horrified.

“I don’t think I’m *that* bad...”

“There has never been a single Mage in history who fell into the Deep Realm immediately upon birth. Thus, it’s difficult to speculate, but perhaps the reason you are still fine is due to your immature mind. If in the future you become accustomed to your world, and become a Mage who lives more in the Deep Realm than the Current Realm—you will meet a similar end. Since your Deep Realm is the Deep Sea, you will come to understand how a human body changes in the deepest parts of the ocean.”

I was more surprised by the Librarian’s erudition than by the death sentence. *Does an Imperial Library Librarian possess this level of knowledge?*

I sighed, reconfirming the facts.

“I think I get it. Since my Deep Realm is the Deep Sea, I’ll either drown, or be eaten by Deep Sea creatures... No, before that, I’ll be crushed to death by Water Pressure.”

“Precisely.”

“Whether I learn Magic or not, it’ll be the same?”

“Yes. An egg submerged in water would be the most fitting description of your state. It cannot hatch, and even if it did, only death awaits. Even if it refuses to hatch, the outcome remains the same.”

“...”

This really is hopeless.

I scratched my head, then bowed to the Librarian in gratitude.

“It’s terrible, but... thank you for telling me my fate.”

...I apologize. I believe it was a truth better left unknown.

“I asked, so it’s fine. It’s much better than dying without knowing why.”

I picked up the book again.

“Still, I know what I need to do.”

“There’s no need to make an extreme choice already. At least, make sure that you don’t leave any regrets—”

...No, I’m not going to commit suicide. Don’t worry.”

“Then what do you intend to do?”

“Whether it’s encountering Deep Sea creatures, drowning, or being crushed by Water Pressure, I have to try.”

I had no intention of just dying.

If this were the price for being reborn into a new world—

I would overcome it, no matter the cost.

“First, drowning—there’s absolutely nothing I can do about that right now, so I’ll put it aside. Water Pressure. Maybe I can wear some kind of suit? And Deep Sea creatures... what exactly are they? I’ve never heard of them.”

Dersia, who had been observing me impassively, opened her mouth.

“If I may be so bold, I will speak my honest opinion.”

“Yes?”

“There is no way to survive in the Deep Realm. You will face the worst imaginable death, so I recommend doing what you wish to do before that, and then throwing yourself into it. It will be far less painful.”

“Yes, it seems so. Of all things, how unlucky to get the Deep Sea!”

“It may be difficult to accept, but it is the truth. So, are you spending your remaining time meaningfully?”

The Librarian tilted her head slightly and asked.

“You understand that fact?”

“If it’s the fact that whatever I do is meaningless and its end is only a terribly painful death, then yes, I understand.”

“Is meaningless effort your goal?”

“No. It’s just unfair, isn’t it? To be 10 years old and already talking about dying. Rather than giving up and living out my remaining time before dying fruitfully, I’d rather struggle my whole life, whether it works or not, and die *ugly*.”

One was reaching for any means possible.

*Absolutely.*

The Librarian looked at me with a slightly surprised expression, then began to read another book.

“Do you intend to visit this Library again in the future?”

“Hmm, probably.”

“I will occasionally be here at this time, so please ask if you have any questions. I will answer them.”

“Oh!”

I brightened and bowed my head.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. Could you tell me your name?”

“M-my name is...”

*Right. She thinks I’m a noble.*

I racked my brain and came up with a suitable House name to add.

“I am Jereun Roosefelt. It may be a short time, but I look forward to working with you.”

For some reason, the Librarian gave me a puzzled look, but surely she couldn’t have memorized every Noble House name.

“Jereun... I feel like I’m going to die from the heat...”

“I feel like shrimp roasting in a steamer right now...”

The scorching heat had even the indefatigable kids as quiet as cats.

Such is nature. I vaguely replied, reading a book on magicology I had borrowed.

“It’s because you’re moving. If you stay still, it’s not hot.”

“I *am* staying still, and it’s hot! Aren’t you hot, Jereun?”

Linmel’s melting voice made me a little curious. I knew it was humid, but was it *that* hot?

I looked around at the other kids; they were completely drenched in sweat, and the empty spots where some had left for the Well were noticeable. At the Well, it looked like a fight had broken out while people were waiting for turns, and Linmel was still singing about how hot it was, even after dousing herself with water once.

I was not that bad.

No, I hadn’t shed a single drop of sweat.

It was definitely unnatural. Could it be related to my Deep Realm...

“...Ah.”

It’s connected.

If a person enters the Deep Sea, he or she gets crushed and dies.

If I somehow found a way to withstand that Water Pressure, I would suffocate.

Even if I solved the breathing problem, I’d have to survive the Deep Sea creatures next. Humans who can’t swim would be very easy prey.

Even if I somehow managed that...

I’d die of hypothermia.

The temperature of the Deep Sea is not suitable for human life.

*...I decided to think positively.* It’s the only element among all the things trying to kill me that actually helps me.

Thanks to it, wasn’t I cool even in this sweltering heat? As I refocused on my reading, Linmel, who had approached without me noticing, hugged my neck.

“W-what is it?”

“Wow! What? Jereun is a bit cool! Your skin is like ice!”

“...”

Not yet. My mind is still adapting to the Deep Realm, so the penalties applied to me are almost negligible, as I was told.

The Current only pushes me slightly, the creatures living in the Deep Sea barely notice my presence, and I can breathe perfectly fine. Since other things are like this, my body temperature probably hasn’t dropped enough to affect my health.

It’s probably just a perceived temperature difference of 2 or 3 degrees.

“Let’s stay together today! Don’t leave me!”

I ignored Linmel’s snuggling with all my might and continued reading the Introduction to Magicology.

Nothing changes just by reading. I can’t learn Magic through ordinary methods.

The level of where I am is too high for me. It’s like a single kid inside a spaceship built by a hyper-advanced civilization.

If the Magic I can create is what moves this spaceship, then I can do nothing. Trying to control it would only lead to terrible things.

But I can’t just do nothing and stay still. Trying to understand the engineering formulas that move a spaceship, starting from multiplication tables, might seem foolish to others, but isn’t it better than just blankly accepting fate?

And I haven’t truly achieved anything.

I’m gradually getting used to it.

“Move away. The wind will blow soon, and it’ll be cool.”

“Huh?”

I touched the current with my finger.

How it works is still a mystery, but now I understand how to apply force in a slightly more distant direction and in what manner.

Unlike at first, when I could only focus it on a single point, now I can make it flow generally over a wider area.

The Current became wind, purely due to my inadequacy.

“Wow... how did you know? That’s amazing!”

Linmel’s eyes sparkled as she moved away, spread her arms, and enjoyed the breeze.

The other groaning orphanage kids also went outside excitedly.

It’s just wind now, but if I get more accustomed to it, I might be able to make others outside the sea empathize with what I feel.

Then they, too, would experience the power of the Deep Sea.

I’m not even sure if this is Magic, but if it is, my Magic is utterly terrible.

As I sighed, someone suddenly choked me.

As I silently gasped in shock at the sudden assassination attempt, the assassin giggled.

“Still, Jereun is the coolest, after all!”

“...Th-thanks.”

Should I say my effort in manipulating the Current was worth it, or not?

It was a day that complicated my mind in many ways.