Oftentimes, in these trying times, when Mana became the new normal, people were clueless about how to get information on magical items. What are magical items? They are a new form of technology that uses mana as its power. However, Mana was only discovered by humans in 2020. There were already advancements originating from the Fey and Demi-Humans. As war raged on and progressed, humans became aware of the existence of magical items. They also began to research them.
By 2027, magical items were already widespread and used. Our group was given knowledge straight from the High Humans. We were given this knowledge in the form of transferred experience through our dreams—dreams that occurred for one week but contained a comprehensive guide to understanding the basic components regarding magical items.
For instance, magical items themselves are, by definition, objects that use mana as their base power to activate. A magical item is able to use mana from two sources. First, the mana is used from the user's magical energy reservoir. Second, the mana is drained from the environment due to mana residue.
Magical items vary in their effects and in how you use them.
There are magical items for households, combat, everyday use, travelling, etc.
For example, if one were to have unlimited water in a bottle, one could use a magical item named "WoW" to generate water. The mechanism is quite simple: first, WoW will draw mana from either of the two sources. Mana will power the system to suck water vapor from the air. Then the system will cool it down, much like the already discovered Atmospheric Water Generator technology. The plus side is that, as long as there's mana, one can always get water with little to no worry. Additionally, the newest model of WoW will ensure that the quality of the water produced is 100% uncontaminated.
That sounded like an advertisement. Apologies.
So then, you must wonder, what is mana?
Well, in short, Mana is just a particle that has always existed.
Even before 2020, Mana had always been there.
Mana, or Magical Energy, is a particle much like that of dark matter, neutrinos, etc.
Before 2020, the amount was too small to be noticeable. Mana requires a certain threshold before its effects can be measurable or even noticed. What triggered it was the coming of the other races—Fey, Demi-Humans, Spirits, High Humans, and Demonfolk. These races came to this world bringing their own Mana, breaking the Mana threshold suddenly and making it usable by the world.
Mana, as a particle, has a unique way to multiply itself.
Back in the High Humans' world, per the records given to us, Mana is sometimes thought to be sentient.
It is due to the fact that Mana can multiply itself that many think it is sentient.
Mana is also nigh unlimited.
When a person uses mana, their body processes it like a reactor.
The particles are not destroyed. Instead, they are released back into the environment as used mana and mana residue. Used mana, the byproducts of this process, are unstable at first. They need a cooldown period of about twenty-four hours before they can stabilize and convert back into fresh, usable mana.
Every time mana is used, the environment gains more than it started with, but there is a delay before it becomes available again.
The multiplication rate depends on physiology.
Humans are inefficient, so for every unit of mana they use, only a quarter unit comes back after the cooldown. This is also the reason why you sometimes hear of people prior to 2020 using magic, but magic never seemed to be common. It's because human physiology wasn't made to use mana, in a sense. It was never attuned to Mana. Hence Mana would not multiply but decrease in response. Due to this, Mana became less and less until it finally wasn't enough to reach the threshold of measurability.
So, unlike humans, the other races that are attuned to Mana from their respective worlds had different rates of multiplication.
Demi-Humans return twice the amount. The Fey return four times the amount. Spirits return five times. High Humans are the most efficient, returning ten times the amount. This difference is caused by variations in how each body structure processes and re-emits mana.
The important point is that mana supply does not decrease with use. It increases. The more people use it, the more particles are released into the environment, which, after a delay, multiply into a larger pool.
The world becomes denser in mana over time. However, if too many high-efficiency users are concentrated in the same area, the mana density can rise too quickly and destabilize the local environment, resulting in the tragedy we know as the Corrosive Mana incident, which occurred in 2020.
Even so, this also proved to be a benefit to the community.
According to the latest research, it appears that humans who survived that era had a multiplication rate of 1—higher than the 0.25 it used to be. So that means humans will no longer make mana disappear upon use.
"So what does this all mean?" Suiko asked.
She extended her arms to her sides and lifted her face to the ceiling.
"Of course, it means Mana is the new Renewable Energy! Mana matters more than electricity!"
Perhaps all the knowledge she had accumulated made her feel very excited to let it all go to someone.
Even then, that someone looked a lot like your average Joe.
"I mean, after hearing such a comprehensive explanation, there's no way I wouldn't buy one."
"Good choice, good choice." Suiko packed one of the WoW Flasks into a bag along with complimentary stickers. As she gave the item to the person, she couldn't help but notice that he was wearing a uniform of a civil servant from this country. "Do you perhaps work in the government?"
"As a matter of fact, I do, actually. What about it?"
"No reason. I know someone who is the representative of Humanity at the United Front Academy. Ever heard of it?"
"Hmm... I've heard of the United Front Academy for Heroes. If I am not mistaken, the name was Vanguard, right? Vanguard Academy. Their battle on the former European continent was on the news everywhere. But a representative of Humanity? What is this about?"
"I meant one of the Directors there representing Humanity."
"Hmm... I am not sure I even know we have a Director of Humanity."
"His name was Diko. Have you never heard the name?"
"Diko? What a generic-sounding name!" The man laughed.
"You're right. It sounded so generic. Forgettable also." Suiko smiled.
The man then left with the bag.
"Pffttt! Hahaha." Suiko laughed alone.
Somewhere in the Vanguard Academy office...
HUAACHUUU!!!!
Diko sneezed heavily, making Thalamik, who was slacking off at his table, startle.
"WHY SO LOUD? YOU GOT MAD AT ME OR SOMETHING?" Thalamik angrily said.
"My bad— WHY AM I APOLOGIZING? FIND A PART-TIME JOB AND HELP ME SOLVE THIS DEBT!!" Diko spat.
***
I see.
So this is their hometown.
South Jaka City.
I walked around the crowd in South Jaka City.
The architecture was similar to that of any other metropolitan area.
Perhaps magical items aren't incorporated that much into buildings.
I wonder what he is doing right now?
The last time I saw him was at the beach at Lupache.
Is he all right?
Did he... miss me?
Hmph. What am I thinking?
"Hey, miss, would you like to buy some gulai?"
"Gulai? What is it?"
"Ah! It's some sort of stew. We use cow meat as well; no pork here," the gulai merchant said.
"Hmmm..." I stopped moving.
"Hey, miss, our gulai is better than his! Eat here!" another gulai merchant, whose stall was beside the first guy's, said.
"No way! Ours is better—eat the best gulai in South Jaka here!" the other, other gulai merchant who was beside the other gulai merchant said.
Then another gulai merchant appeared again.
It went on for 3 minutes before I decided to pick Taichan satay instead.
"Miss, you are so beautiful! Your hair is blonde—are you from America?"
As the satay merchant asked, I shook my head and said, "I dyed it. I live close by."
Of course, I wasn't about to tell anyone the truth. That defeats the point of staying under the radar, of course.
Psytelier was now staying in South Jaka City.
We would move out again toward Australia after this.
Why did we choose South Jaka City, to be exact?
Well, my answer would be: because I wanted to.
In the end, I never knew much about Raymed. I was looking to find out more about him.
Of course, I didn't come unprepared.
Back at the beach after the takoyaki party.
-~
"Thalamik, I need a favor."
"What's up?"
"I want to know this and that about Raymed."
"Oh. Why don't you just visit our hometown if you have the time? Our town is probably safe from High Humans' agents."
"I see—are you suggesting that I should meet with Raymed's family?"
Thalamik gagged. "Are you serious? I mean, do you like Raymed or something?"
I didn't answer and just looked away.
"I mean... if it were 10 years earlier, that might be possible."
"What do you mean?"
"You see, Raymed is literally the only one left. His main family all died in the South Jaka City Incident."
At the time, I didn't know why, but I was too shocked. My body shivered just learning the fact from Thalamik. All this time, he had been carrying that pain alone. All this time he had put on a big smile for everyone. Being the arbiter of hope. I couldn't comprehend how amazing he was.
After that, I asked if Thalamik could help guide me to find any link to Raymed's extended family.
The answer was, "My in-laws probably know. Since we were both in the same incident. The people affected by the incident made a group chat of some sort."
-~
I thought that smartphones had become obsolete when the Mana Crystal became a thing.
But perhaps that only applies to cities using state-of-the-art magical items.
I heard from Thalamik that his in-laws frequent the street food stalls.
He also contacted them beforehand, saying that someone would need a guide in South Jaka City.
I felt a hand touch my shoulder.
"Excuse me, miss..." A woman's voice sounded from behind me. Turning around, it was a mature lady. Somehow, I couldn't believe she was in her 60s. "Are you Kourin? Thalamik's friend."
"That's right. I am Kourin." I rose from my seat and paid the merchant before leaving with the woman. As she walked with me, she said, "I heard from Thalamik you're Raymed's girlfriend?"
!!!!
"Err..." I'm not sure what to say.
A man with gray hair, whom I presumed to be Thalamik's father-in-law, was walking beside us, holding a child's hand, and suddenly spoke, "Honey, don't tease her. She's probably already married to Raymed."
WHAT!!!??? MARRIED???
"You're right, honey! Raymed is 28, right? That is the ideal age for marriage," Thalamik's mother-in-law spoke.
I stayed silent and tried to keep my poker face.
Which I failed to do.
They both guided me into a school; it was Sevental High School. Surprisingly, it was located near the gulai stalls.
"Thalamik, Amus, and Raymed used to go to this school together. Thalamik and Raymed were chairmates, but Amus was on a different subject."
"I see."
"Since this is after school, you can go ahead and let yourself in. We will speak with the security guard to obtain permission for you to look around. The security here isn't so strict."
"Thank you so much, Miss."
I went inside the school.
My first instinct was to head to the library.
I asked the librarian for the yearbook for Batch 2020 and found what I was looking for.
A picture of Raymed.
I unconsciously smiled.
Back then, Ray looked so innocent.
Also, his glasses were funny.
His hair was also still short, unlike now.
Now he looks so much more manly.
As I decided it was enough to look at yearbooks, I looked around and felt the vibe of the school. Somehow, the vibe was cool, and the students here seemed diligent. However, I also felt an eerie aura.
I went outside the school.
As I stepped outside, I saw a car parked near the entrance.
"Kourin!" Thalamik's mother-in-law spoke. "This is Raymed's cousin. His name is Ilyas."
"Nice to meet you, Miss Kourin. I never thought Raymed would land a wife."
I smiled awkwardly and turned to look at Thalamik's mother-in-law, who was showing a genuine smile.
Huft. I shouldn't get mad. How can I? Seeing that big smile.
Ilyas then drove me to Raymed's extended family's house.
Inside, I met with a tall man who resembled Raymed's cousin, Ilyas.
"Sorry for the intrusion; I am Kourin."
"Greetings, Kourin. I am Ilyas."
I stared blankly.
"You must be confused. Ilyas is a family name, so feel free to call me Mr. Ilyas."
"Alright, sir."
I was seated in the living room, with Ilyas the cousin, Mr. Ilyas, and Mrs. Ilyas.
"I was just passing by the area, actually, but since this area is Raymed's hometown, I wanted to know more about him through his family. But I found out that..."
"Yes. They are no longer with us," Mr. Ilyas said. "It's sad to think that the tragedy that led to them losing their lives had happened here in his hometown."
"That's true," I said. "I can only imagine losing a family in my hometown because of indiscriminate killers. He must have had it rough after that."
"He did. As you might know, Thalamik was convicted of a crime not long after they both became sober. He was sent to prison. Raymed had no one left to cling to. We three then, out of initiative, went to his family's household and found it in shambles."
"Raymed wasn't living at his best during those first few days."
"He hadn't felt hungry for two whole days and hadn't eaten. When he ate, he ate only Indomie."
"All he did was wake up, watch the news, visit his family's grave, and sleep. Of course, we soon took him with us."
I can't say I ever knew Raymed like that.
Perhaps those times were his lowest point.
"What made him stand back up again?"
Mr. Ilyas and Mrs. Ilyas smiled.
"You see, that's what was great about Raymed."
"One person might think he was just doing nothing but loitering in his sadness. He couldn't even function anymore. Why didn't he seek justice by capturing the people who did this to him? Why didn't he try and kill the killers? Why stand idly? Do you know the answer, Kourin?"
"He must've been contemplating everything."
"Exactly. Raymed wasn't doing nothing. In fact, he did what most people couldn't do. He thought his morals through thoroughly. He had lost everything. An event like that would make anyone lose their minds at most, redefine themselves with a new personality at best."
"He used all that grief, all that sadness, to reform his way of thinking. He created something out of all the despair he had into something positive—'Hope.' After a few weeks of staying idle, I was actually also influenced to do the same. It had been so depressing for me to lose my brother and sister-in-law in that tragedy. But one day, Raymed suddenly started running. He started waking up at the correct time. He started to eat properly. He did everything right."
"One day, I was at my lowest, and I asked him, 'How... how is it you're this strong?' His reply was unlike anything I ever imagined."
-~
"Uncle... I am only a human. I can't change the world. I can't change the past. I can only change something in the present. But most of what I can probably change is only myself. It's hard for me to accept that everything is gone. I can only cling to 'Hope' that things will be better for me. But do you know? Even if I don't have a glimmer of 'Hope' anymore, other people might still have theirs."
"Are you saying..."
"My wish is for other people not to suffer what I suffered. My 'hope' is to grant other people hope that everything will be all right. If there's no hope left for me, then I'll make sure there's hope for others. That's my answer. My answer to the life I was still given."
-~
Raymed...
"I see... In the end, he is that strong, isn't he?" I said to Mr. Ilyas.
"Yes... Yes, he is." Mr. Ilyas smiled with tears in his eyes.
"I just need one last thing before I go..."
"Oh, please do tell me!" Mr. Ilyas said.
"Is it fine here?" Ilyas, the cousin, said.
"Yes. Thank you. I'll ask my friends at the hotel to come pick me up later."
"Okay! Be safe, cousin-in-law!" Ilyas said.
I was standing in front of the grave of Raymed's family.
Here lies his mother, father, two brothers, and his sister.
Somehow, I feel very, very sad.
A man like Raymed. Somehow, I feel that fate is so cruel toward him.
A man who wants to give Hope.
Why must everything be imperfect for you?
From the bottom of my heart, I have the most admiration for you.
I knelt and picked the wild grass present on the graves.
I also wiped clean their gravestones and put flowers on them.
I gave a moment of silence before finally leaving the cemetery.
Throughout his journey, Raymed might face more and more adversaries. I swear by my soul, I will do my best to protect him. So that he can always be the Raymed I know and L-
Okay.
It's still embarrassing. I can't say that word. Not even in my mind like this.
***
Ya know, since Psytelier decided to be a traveling shop, we decided we needed to find commodities to sell. So we decided that on the white market we will sell candies, while on the black market we would sell magic items. Well, not like black markets—more like an "if you know, you know" kind of vibe.
Today I am in charge of selling candies, but because I am bored, I purchased an ice cream cart instead. It turns out to be quite cheap to buy an ice cream cart here. The original seller of the ice cream cart was quite confused, though, when I threw money at him. He was gagged, like a deer in headlights.
"Ahoy! Recca's Favorite Ice Cream Cart is selling, y'all!" I screamed at a nearby elementary school. All the kids then swarmed to my cart. But then I said, "If you all line up, I'll give a discount!" Then they instantly lined up.
I never knew making money by selling things other than magical items was this easy.
After I ran out of stock, I rode the bike on the ice cream cart and was greeted by some kids.
"Hey, miss. Is there ice cream still for sale?"
"Ah, sorry, kiddo, Recca's ice cream is out of stock," I said with a frown.
"Ahh, I see…" The kids frowned as well.
"But no worries, I'll be sure to visit you soon! I'll go around this area first thing tomorrow!"
"Ah, thank you, miss!" The kid laughed, all happy, and walked with his friend away from my cart.
But then I saw.
It turns out the kid was from an orphanage near here.
I could see their sad faces as the kid from before said I didn't have any more ice cream.
I smiled and quickly went to a nearby supermarket.
"Hey, sir, I want all this ice cream and to put it on my cart." I pointed at the mini-refrigerator of ice cream.
"Umm… miss… you want to buy all of it? But I don't think it would fit your cart."
"Hmmm, how about I buy all of it and borrow the fridge? I want you to deliver it to the orphanage nearby?"
"Orphanage? Ah, that orphanage? I see. I'll help you the best way I can!" The man suddenly became enthusiastic.
Not long after that, I laughed loudly.
"HAHAHAHA! RECCA'S FAVORITE ICE CREAM REFRIGERATOR IS SELLING, Y'ALL!" I shouted as the kid from before asked, "Miss… I am sorry, but I think only I can buy your ice cream. The other kids haven't got the pocket money right now."
"Hmm?? Is that so… Hmm, what should I do?"
-~
"Recca, I know you have a tendency to buy stuff, but please don't ever be wasteful!" Kourin said.
"Recca, the best thing you can do when you are feeling happy is to pass on that happiness. Don't ever be greedy; be generous," Suiko said.
-~
Bing bong!
I know what to do.
"HOHOHO! WHO SAID ANYTHING ABOUT BUYING? COME TAKE FOR FREE IF YOU ALL WOULD LINE UP!"
The children screamed as they lined up.
Somehow, they alerted the soon-to-be-revealed owner of the orphanage, a girl the same age as me with gray hair. "What's all this commotion?" she asked nicely.
"This girl is giving out free ice cream!" the kids said.
"My, my. That's so generous of you…" she said as she nudged closer. "Pleased to meet you, nice miss. I am Addison, owner of this orphanage."
"Hey, hey. I am Recca." I smiled.
From then on, I frequented the orphanage, bringing sweets and candies that didn't get sold.
One day, however,
"Suiko, did you buy more stock of magical items again?"
"Hmm… I didn't."
"I see." Both of them looked at me.
"Eh?? Are you blaming Recca? Recca has been a good girl."
Kourin pinched my ears and asked me, "Tell me the truth, Recca!"
"Fine, fine, fine—Recca won't lie. I treated some kids at the orphanage to ice cream a few days ago." Kourin instinctively let go of her pinch.
"Ah… so you were sharing, huh?"
"You're not mad?"
"Of course not. You are using it properly. But spend less next time. Even though giving away is good, we must be careful not to attract attention," Kourin said.
Suiko patted my head and said, "You have grown up, Recca. It's so nice to see you willing to share."
"Hehehe. Wait, what do you mean? Am I not generous?" I retorted.