COTE: Expelliarmis… Wait, Why Isn’t It Working?! (MTL)

The final year of junior high school has arrived, and Tokyo is as crowded as ever. People are rushing to work, cars are crowded, and neon lights are flashing as if trying to send out a distress signal. As for me? I just want to get through this school year without getting into any more trouble.

No matter how bustling Tokyo is, to me, it's just the backdrop for a long psychological drama that I'm forced to watch.

No amount of neon lights could help me turn off the embarrassing memories of my past – moments I swore I would never tell anyone about.

The noise outside couldn't drown out the bored sigh in my head. I sat on the sofa at the rooftop bar, lazily looking down at the city of Tokyo that was glowing like a giant billboard.

Cigarette smoke hung in the night air, creating an atmosphere that I deluded myself into thinking was "deep."

"A year ago, I was so naive…" I muttered, taking a drag of the cigarette. I immediately frowned – it was so bitter. Who would like this stuff? But for the sake of my pride, I still pretended to be cool.

I'm not the type of person who's addicted or interested in this kind of thing, but a year ago, I was seduced by Kōenji.

'Kazuki, try it, don't you see those cool characters in movies always have a cigarette in their hand?' At that time, I sneered. Now I just want to go back in time and punch myself.

At that moment, I burst out laughing, thinking he was just exaggerating like usual. We weren't even old enough to legally smoke, but Kōenji never paid attention to trivial matters like "laws."

He laughed philosophically and said, 'Rules? Only for those who intend to follow them, but me... HAHAHAHAHA.'

And so we just kept fooling around without thinking about the consequences. Now I understand why people say smoking relieves stress – because when you cough and choke, you forget everything in the world, including your worries.

philosophical yet "salty" conversations with Kōenji – all like a slow-motion movie in my head.

"Perhaps, this time, I won't let myself be swept away by fate. If this world wants to challenge me, then I will respond with all my might."

At that moment, Kōenji, with a cigarette in his hand, chuckled at me. "Introspective again? Don't tell me you're writing a diary in your head again?"

I glanced at him, my lips curling. "Not really, just thinking about the past. What about you? Anything better?"

Kōenji leaned back in his chair, tapping his cigarette against the ashtray, looking philosophical. "Well, I just realized that people smoke not because it tastes good, but because it makes them feel like they're doing something important."

I chuckled and shrugged. "Yeah, you do look important. You look like an extra in some mafia movie."

Kōenji raised an eyebrow, smiling smugly. "Hmm? So that means I'm still in good shape?"

Roenji leaned back in his chair, took a drag of his cigarette, and replied, "Whenever I see you thinking seriously, I know something is about to happen. Is that the case today?"

I sighed, stretched, and glanced at my friend: "Not really. Just thinking about the past. What about you? Don't have anything to do?"

I was silent for a moment before replying, my eyes gradually becoming determined: "Maybe so... But this time, I won't let myself be caught up in the storm passively anymore.

If the world wants to test me, then I want to test it back. And if possible, I also want to test Kōenji's steel nerves to see if they are real."

I closed my eyes, letting the smoke linger around me, trying to act mysterious like the cool characters in movies.

Unfortunately, I was not very suitable for the role, because all I could think of at that moment was the image of the dark alleys of Tokyo and the sound of hurried footsteps behind me on that terrible night.

"Kōenji, how long have we been playing together?" I tilted my head and asked, my eyes still following the twinkling lights in the distance.

Kōenji curled his lips and tapped his cigarette lightly on the ashtray. "Hmm, let's see... It's been over a year since you almost got your nose broken in that Yakuza incident, right?"

I laughed and shook my head. "That counts? I thought we were just two guys forced to be friends for business reasons."

"Yeah, that's true. But look, you're still sitting here drinking with me. Aren't you honored to be able to talk to an outstanding person like me, Kazuki?"

I rolled my eyes and put my glass down on the table. "Well... it's a good thing I'm used to it. Otherwise, I would have thrown up from culture shock."

Kōenji laughed loudly, patting his chest proudly. "Not everyone has the chance to befriend a perfect person like me. HAHAHAHA."

I was silent for a moment, then smiled. "Well... friends. Anyway, let's finish this drink. For surviving a year of trouble. And for not going crazy listening to you praise yourself all the time."

That's right, it's been a year since I became friends with Kōenji, and my magic kept 'falling' despite my diligent training.

If there was an award for "theory guru but practice failure", I would definitely be the most promising candidate.

Tired of chanting spells and seeing nothing but dust, I decided to go out and experience life more with Kōenji. And then one fine day, while we were just planning to go out for a few drinks, fate generously gave us a free "action": being kidnapped.

"Well, that's great," I muttered as I realized we were being pushed into a black van. "I just wanted some juice."

"Kazuki, you should know that being with me is a luxury," Kōenji shrugged, looking… rather amused? While I didn't find anything to be happy about.

These kidnappers seemed very professional, orchestrating a perfect plan to take down our bodyguards. There was no one to turn to for help, just ourselves and a cool head.

Oh no, there's also Kōenji, who, even though he's been kidnapped, is busy posing as if he's taking a magazine photo.

Men in black suits stepped out of the darkness, their eyes cold as if they had already decided our fate.

But instead of panicking, Kōenji laughed – that characteristic arrogant laugh that I had learned by heart after hearing it so many times.

"This is fun," he said slowly, as if he had just been invited to a tea party rather than a fight to the death. I wasn't happy, but I didn't have time to complain.

"Ten? Or twenty?" I asked softly, my eyes scanning the crowd before me.

"More than fifty," Kōenji replied calmly. "But I bet not all of them are good at fighting."

I narrowed my eyes. "So what are you going to do? Negotiate? Or use that deadly smile of yours to make them give up violence?"

"Kazuki, you underestimate me." Kōenji sighed, brushing off his clothes as if he didn't care about the situation at hand. "Just standing here is enough to put pressure on them."

I rolled my eyes. "Okay, while you stand there applying pressure, I'll be busy keeping my teeth the same."

Soon the first blow landed. I remember the feeling of my punch connecting with one of their jaws. It felt good—like I was giving him a free jaw reset.

In the midst of the fight, one of them pulled out a knife, the steel glinting in the darkness. I instinctively lunged forward, grabbed his wrist, and twisted it behind me before he could deliver the first stab.

He screamed in pain, the knife fell to the ground and rolled a few times as if regretting choosing the wrong owner.

Beside him, Kōenji calmly dodged the attacks, one hand in his pocket, a smirk on his face. "Wow, you guys are too slow. I haven't even warmed up yet and this is already happening?"

Another man angrily swung an iron rod at him. Kōenji tilted his head slightly, letting the rod pass close to his face, then shook his head in frustration.

"This is bad. You can't even hit accurately, how can this be called fighting?"

I sighed, throwing a kick that sent another guy flying backwards. "Kōenji, stop commenting! I'm busy keeping my teeth!"

He shrugged, clicking his tongue. "Kazuki, if you lose any teeth, I'll give you a Hollywood smile – for free!"

I rolled my eyes, silently making a note in my head: "Remember to get back at Kōenji after you're done."

I gritted my teeth, feeling frustrated. If it weren't for the stupid rules of this world, if it weren't for the fact that I was forced to hide my magical powers and my family's, these guys would have been able to immediately go on a "long-term trip" to the other world.

Even though my magic can be a bit "laggy" at times, that doesn't stop me from playing dirty with little wandless tricks.

A little bit of gravity tweaked at the right moment could cause one guy to trip, and then drag the whole bunch down like a domino effect. I'm not saying I did it, but... if they fell, it wouldn't be my fault, right?

With just a snap of my fingers, I could knock everyone unconscious, or worse. But no, I had to "respect the rules", had to minimize suspicious actions, had to act like a weak, normal person. I hated this feeling, like I was dancing on a thin wire.

On the other side, Kōenji had a completely different approach. Another guy swung an iron rod at him, but Kōenji merely moved slightly, dodging the blow with an annoyingly leisurely manner.

He laughed out loud, avoiding the attack and leisurely saying: "Tsk, too slow! Maybe I can even fight and make tea at the same time."

"Pathetic! You think this thing can touch me?" Kōenji laughed arrogantly, then immediately launched a kick straight at the opponent's stomach, sending him flying away and slamming into the wall.

I sighed. Even in this situation, Kōenji still maintained his characteristic arrogant and smug attitude. But as much as I hated to admit it, I knew that if he weren't here, I would probably be in much bigger trouble.

After everything was over, I saw Kōenji for the first time look a little tense. No longer the calm, complacent look he had during the fight, he stood leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, his eyes slightly downcast, looking like someone who had just realized he forgot his wallet when going to a fancy restaurant.

I tilted my head to look at him, trying to break the rare serious atmosphere. "Hey, Kōenji, don't tell me you're pondering the meaning of life? I'm not used to seeing you like this."

He frowned slightly, then slowly let out a long breath. "Kazuki, have you ever thought... my hair got messed up in that fight?"

I almost choked on my saliva. "What the hell are you worried about? We just survived a melee, and you're sitting here worrying about your hair?!"

Kōenji gently stroked his hair, adjusted his shirt, and then smiled confidently. "No matter the circumstances, my performance must be perfect. But it's true, this match was a bit more exhausting than I thought."

I shook my head and sighed. As expected of Kōenji, no matter what happens, his narcissism doesn't decrease at all.

The bar where the fight had just taken place now looked like a battlefield: tables and chairs were overturned, the floor was littered with broken glass, and unconscious people were lying around. I sighed at the sight.

"I wonder if I should tell the owner that we just helped them renovate the interior for free?"

Kōenji, still keeping his usual calm demeanor, walked past a boss who was still lying unconscious nearby, bent down to pick up the cigarette case that had fallen from his pocket.

He opened the box, picked up a cigarette, turned it around thoughtfully in his hand, and then suddenly put it back in the box. I looked at him, raising my eyebrows. "You smoke too?"

Kōenji smirked and shook his head. "No way. This is just for show. I don't want to destroy my lungs, they're an important part of maintaining my perfect laugh."

I crossed my arms and looked at him doubtfully. "What were you pretending for just now?"

Kōenji shrugged. "Don't I look cool? How about you, Kazuki, do you want to try it? Let's see if you fit the 'cool' image."

I shook my head and waved my hand. "No, I'm afraid if I take a puff I'll start coughing and you'll have another reason to laugh at me."

Kōenji laughed loudly, patting me on the shoulder. "That's right! But hey, you should at least try it once to know how it feels. Make sure you hold it tight, or you'll drop the cigarette like the way you lost your temper every time I teased you."

I glanced at him, then quickly decided: "Yeah, never mind. I'm better off staying calm like this."

Kōenji shrugged, smiling provocatively. "What a pity. I thought the great Kazuki wouldn't be afraid of a little cigarette."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "You think I'm scared? Fine! Give it to me."

I accepted the cigarette from Kōenji's hand, lit it, and took my first drag.

Immediately, I coughed violently.

"Cough! Cough! What the hell is this!?" I grimaced, feeling my throat burn instantly.

Kōenji folded his arms and nodded. "Wow, what an impressive debut. I've never seen anyone smoke like you, looking like you're about to summon a dragon."

I glared at him while still trying to catch my breath. "Huh, I should have known you were setting me up."

Kōenji laughed loudly, patting my shoulder in delight. But then, he coughed repeatedly, his face red, looking like he had just swallowed a super hot chili.

"Cough cough… hmm… it seems I overestimated myself." Kōenji cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure, but his red eyes betrayed him.

"Anyway, I think we just marked a new milestone in our lives, Kazuki. An unforgettable night, right?"

I looked at him, trying to hold back my laughter but failing. "What are you laughing about, Kazuki?" Kōenji raised his eyebrows, glaring at me suspiciously.

I shook my head, but then couldn't help but laugh. "It's just... you look so different now from the cool way you looked when you gave me the cigarette. Who would have thought the great Kōenji would choke on cigarette smoke?"

Kōenji frowned, hurriedly adjusted his collar and smoothed his hair, trying to regain his composure. "Kazuki, you really are not good enough to understand. Even legendary characters in movies have moments of carelessness, I'm just enriching my life experience."

I laughed and patted him on the shoulder. "Yeah, that was cool. Especially the part where he coughed like he was about to expel his organs."

Kōenji glared at me, clearly not enjoying the teasing. He brought the cigarette back to his lips, inhaling more slowly this time, trying to appear calm. "Kazuki, you don't understand. This is part of my process of mastering the art of smoking. When I get good at it, I'll look even cooler than the characters in movies."

I crossed my arms and nodded. "Yeah, sure. I just hope you don't end up in the hospital with pneumonia by then."

........................

Kōenji laughed, pulling me out of my reverie. "Hey, are you lost in the past again? Don't tell me you're reminiscing about that glorious fight. Are you planning on writing a memoir about your life?"

I chuckled, stubbing out my cigarette in the ashtray. "Not exactly... But almost. Do you regret it? For getting involved with me?"

Kōenji shook his head, folding his arms. "Regret? What are you talking about, Kazuki? If it weren't for that incident, I wouldn't have had the chance to show myself. Besides, you've changed thanks to it. I see that you're at least less serious now than before."

Kōenji exhaled a thin stream of smoke, then suddenly smiled. "Hey, if there's a next time, I'll let you be the hero first. I'm getting a little bored of it. Anyway, I should give you the spotlight."

I rolled my eyes. "That's touching. You're really thoughtful, Kōenji. I almost cried."

Kōenji laughed, patting my shoulder smugly. "Go ahead and cry, I'll pretend I didn't see it. But hey, to be honest, my father already had someone investigate that matter."

I raised an eyebrow. "So what did he find?"

Kōenji shook his head, arms crossed, his face still arrogant but his voice slightly lower. "There's no significant clue. Those Yakuza are stubborn, they'd rather get beaten than open their mouths. The only thing we know is that they were hired to do this, not spontaneously."

I crossed my arms and raised my chin. "So there's still a puppet master behind it? Well, it's truly a world of surprises."

Kōenji smirked. "Yeah, but no matter what, I'll still shine. The important thing is, who's smart enough to dare to confront me and you?"

I frowned. "So that means there's still a puppet master behind it?"

Kōenji shrugged, leaning back in his chair, the arrogant smile returning to his lips. "That's true. Who would be stupid enough to cause trouble for top figures in the financial and political world like my family and yours, Kazuki?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I guess there are only two types of people: either a genius with a brilliant plan, or a reckless fool."

Kōenji chuckled, tapping his fingers on the table. "Or both. But if our family starts a war first and accidentally breaks the 'no-touching-family' rule, then maybe we should be a little more understanding?"

I curled my lips. "Sympathy? Well, I sympathize enough to not charge them for the hospital bill."

He paused for a moment, staring at the half-burnt cigarette in his hand, then chuckled. "But anyway... that was the first and last time. We don't want a situation like that to happen again. It was quite dangerous, after all. Who knows if we'll survive next time?"

I looked up at the Tokyo sky, the lights reflecting in my eyes. "Yeah, that's true. Can you imagine me running for my life from some Yakuza again? I'd rather go to school."

Kōenji smirked and patted my shoulder. "You sound so touching. But I bet you'll be back in trouble in three days."

I shrugged, chuckling. "It has to be fun. I'm not an innocent child anymore."

Oh, that reminds me, when my family found out that Kōenji and I smoked, my mother lectured me on the harmful effects of nicotine, which was as long as a documentary. My father just shrugged and said, 'If you have weak lungs, you'll have to bear it yourself. Don't cry and throw tantrums.'

As for Kōenji, he maintained his characteristic calm demeanor, nodding as if he was absorbing profound teachings, then calmly replied: 'Mom and Dad, I don't smoke. I'm just practicing the art of living stylishly.'

The result? He still got grounded for a week for his 'stylish living'. And me? I was forced by my mother to drink herbal tea for a month to 'detox', even though the only thing I wanted to detox from was the laughter I felt when I remembered Kōenji's calm face when he told me about his situation via text message.

I looked at Kōenji, suddenly remembering something. "Oh, by the way, have you decided which school you're going to go to after graduating from middle school?"

Kōenji smirked, an arrogant look on his face. He waved his hand as if it was a trivial matter.

"Kazuki, you're asking a superfluous question. No matter where I study, I'll still be me - perfect, excellent, and superior. The environment doesn't matter, what matters is whether I have time to enjoy my youth."

I crossed my arms and raised my eyebrows at him. "So you chose the school based on the criteria... of being able to enjoy life comfortably?"

Kōenji nodded without hesitation. "Exactly! If there's a school that offers daily spa services, a high-class gym, and most importantly, no teachers who bother me, then I'll seriously think about enrolling."

I laughed. "Sounds more like you're looking for a resort than a school. Are you sure you're not looking for the wrong place?"

Kōenji smirked, crossing his arms confidently. "No, Kazuki. I'm just aiming for an ideal... educational environment in my own way."

Kōenji waved his hand, looking indifferent. "My family already has plans. As long as I can still enjoy life my way, I don't really care. But I'll probably have to temporarily play the good son when I enter high school, at least to keep my old man from getting angry. I'm the heir to the family after all, and if I keep angering him, it'll be a disaster if he cuts off my allowance."

I raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were never afraid of anyone?"

Kōenji curled his lips, smiling arrogantly. "Kazuki, you misunderstood. This isn't fear, but the art of parental emotional management. I simply created the illusion that I was an obedient child. That's all."

I shook my head slightly, laughing at how Kōenji could always turn anything into a show of self-glorification. "Well, as long as you keep up your 'shining halo', I don't think the world will collapse."

I looked at Kōenji, suddenly remembering something. "By the way, do you know about the White Room?"

Kōenji raised an eyebrow, a glint of interest flashing in his eyes. "Oh? Kazuki, I didn't expect you to be interested in such things."

I took a sip of water and sighed in frustration. "Actually, I only heard about it at dinner with my family. My parents mentioned the project when they were talking about business, and all I could think was: who would come up with something so weird? Training people like raising chickens in factories?"

Kōenji leaned back in his chair, arms crossed smugly. "The White Room is a secret, extremely harsh educational project where they try to create perfect humans. It sounds grand, but I don't think it's worth worrying about. No matter how much they train, they can't create a second version of me, Kazuki. A genius like me is one of a kind!"

I raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? I heard that the people who come out of there are incredibly strong. They are trained from a young age, with no such thing as childhood or personal freedom. Don't you think such an environment can create real superhumans?"

Kōenji curled his lips, taking a stylish sip of water. "Kazuki, do you think those things can compare to a natural-born genius like me? Even if they train until they grow muscles on their eyelids, they still can't achieve the perfect demeanor like me."

I sighed and shook my head. "Oh yeah, I forgot that there's no one in this world who can reach 'Kōenji level' other than you."

Koenji laughed, tapping his finger on the rim of his glass. "Kazuki, you're overestimating the so-called 'special training'. A person who's been locked in a cage since childhood, no matter how well educated, is just a bird that doesn't know what freedom is. And me? I was born the pinnacle of perfection. Nature has bestowed me with everything from intelligence, appearance, to temperament. Who do you think is superior? A man-made product or a masterpiece of creation like me?"

I laughed and shook my head. "You're always so unreasonably confident. But thinking about it, it's true. The White Room can create monsters, but it definitely can't create another Kōenji. One version of you is enough, this world doesn't need another one."

Kōenji curled his lips proudly. "Exactly! Don't forget that, Kazuki. The world can produce countless geniuses, but only one person possesses absolute perfection – and that is me!"

I nodded. "Well, at least I have to admit that your boundless confidence is quite unique."

"It's not just innate ability or talent, but also thinking and the way of looking at the world. Those who are locked up from a young age can only become tools, while we, who are free to develop in our own way, are truly strong."

Kōenji laughed loudly, tapping his fingers on the rim of his glass. "You finally figured it out, Kazuki. But hey, honestly, if I had been locked in a cage since I was little, I bet I would still have found a way to become the top dog there. Whether in the wild or in a cage, I would still be me – perfect!"

...........................

After chatting with each other, we decided to split up and go home. I took out my phone, quickly scrolled through my contacts, and called Hayato, my personal driver.

"Hayato, come pick me up at the rooftop bar. I'll be right down. And please stop playing bolero music in the car, I don't want to get lost in my emotions on the way home."

On the opposite side, Kōenji stood up, stretching comfortably. "Well, it was an interesting night. But I think it's time for us to say goodbye. Do you plan to continue thinking about the world when you go home, Kazuki? Or are you planning to write a diary to preserve this profound moment?"

I chuckled. "Maybe so, or maybe I'll just go home, crawl under the covers, and forget about this whole mess. Anyway, see you."

Kōenji laughed loudly, turned around and left. "Don't miss me too much, Kazuki. But if you do miss me, don't hesitate to call me, I understand."

Kōenji was in no hurry, he took out his phone and called his personal driver. I vaguely heard his arrogant words: 'Come pick me up now, I don't want to wait long.'

I shook my head, watching his confident back disappear into the Tokyo night.

.........................

After the graduation exam, I got full marks in natural sciences such as math, physics, chemistry, biology. It was no surprise because to me, they were just exercises for children to color.

In the magical world, these things are introductory knowledge that everyone must know if they don't want to accidentally turn themselves into fireworks when using magic.

Social sciences like literature, Japanese, English... are not difficult for me. Honestly, if someone looked at my report card, they would probably think I was a rare genius.

But the truth is... I'm just a second grader compared to the 3rd level mage school curriculum that I had almost completed before coming to this world. The second grade knowledge here is really no different than the instruction manual for a TV remote.

The only thing that makes me feel uninterested is the dry and unimaginative teaching style of the education system here. I swear, if there was a contest of 'who can read an entire textbook without falling asleep', I would definitely not be in the top 10.

It reminded me of the days of magic practice in the old world – where every lesson had the potential to turn into an explosion. At least it was more interesting than sitting around writing down boring formulas.

Since coming to this world, I have had quite a bit of time to observe and compare the two systems – magic and technology. At first, I thought that the modern technology in this world might be superior to magic or at least equal, as it brought obvious convenience to human life.

But the more I learned, the more I realized that magic was like someone who could snap his fingers and get things done, while technology was still struggling to invent a way to automatically sharpen pencils.

But the more I learned, the more I realized that magic was still much stronger, especially when it could directly affect everything at will without going through dozens of cumbersome steps.

Still, I have to admit that technology in this world has its merits. Especially the Internet and computers – at least they don't require users to memorize a bunch of spells or draw complicated circles just to look up information.

I have to admit that the technology in this world is pretty amazing. They can create supercomputers, giant planes that help people fly through the sky, and are even tinkering with artificial intelligence—though right now, it's pretty dumb and can't tell the difference between a person writing a thesis and a cat stepping on a keyboard.

But magic is different, it can directly affect matter without the need for tons of components or fuel. Here, it takes decades to develop a new technology, while a mage can create the same thing with just one spell—and even faster than waiting for a software update!

To put it simply, let's say you want to build a house in this world. You'll need a ton of materials, heavy machinery, a bunch of workers, and sometimes even a grand groundbreaking ceremony. The result? A year later, you might have a house... or a half-finished project because you ran out of money.

But in the magical world, with just a few magical tools and a ton of similar materials and a group of mages, a house can be completed in a few days. No need for excavators, no need for workers pouring concrete for months, and especially no scene of the foreman pointing fingers and complaining about the slow progress.

In all respects, the post-revolutionary magical world had completely abandoned the old prejudices about applying magic to other fields, and as a result, they had left this world so far behind that if they were to organize a race, they would have gone to Mars to drink tea before Earth even started.

There was only one problem that both worlds had in common: resources. On Earth, in literature, magic was described as an infinite power that could create anything from nothing. Hearing this, my family and I could only laugh. If that were true, my parents would not have had such a headache over the high cost of building materials when they first got married (my father told me).

In reality, magic is also subject to matter. You cannot create something if it is not real. For example, to produce a wooden table, you need wood, the same goes for magic. The only difference is that instead of chiseling bit by bit, the magician just needs to wave his hand. There is no such thing as clapping hands to make gold or snapping fingers to create a whole house, if there was, I would have dropped out of school to become rich long ago.

Magic is actually just a tool to manipulate matter, not an omnipotent miracle like those fantasy movies on Earth often say. It still obeys the laws of physics, just makes things faster and... more stylish.

From my perspective, the magical world is so far ahead of this world that if the two sides were racing to develop, Earth would still be struggling to find a way to optimize wifi, while the magical world would be traveling across the universe to find a place with better signal.

Thanks to teleportation technology, we can send explorers to other worlds or planets to explore and mine resources. Yes, while Earth is still struggling to find ways to exploit underground mineral deposits, we have already jumped to the stage of 'space mining'.

The result? The resource issue is no longer a headache for us. Now, we not only have enough resources to develop, but are also moving towards the era of 'cheap space tourism'.

That's also why our family can appear so easily on this Earth, thanks to advanced teleportation technology—a product of the "wanderlust" spirit of our magical world.

Meanwhile, Earth is still struggling with the same old problems like resource depletion, environmental pollution, and the debate about whether to pour money into space research. I have read a lot about their space science, and while the ambition is abundant, the progress is... how to put it mildly? Like a turtle trying to run a marathon.

They still rely on fossil fuels, primitive spacecraft, and inefficient methods of transportation. I can't help but laugh – in this world, getting out of the atmosphere is harder than trying to wake up in the morning. Without magic, they must be having a hard time.

Perhaps they would have progressed faster if the Soviet Union, an interesting country with a somewhat 'harsh' political system, had still existed and was as determined to enter the space race as it was.

After all, they once amazed the world with their speed of technological development, and who knows, if they still existed, Earth might have a resort on the Moon by now.

But that's right, in this world, people are still busy fighting for immediate benefits instead of working together towards greater goals. And us? We've been out there, watching the Milky Way for a long time.

In our magical world, there are many forms of political institutions, from democracy, monarchy to dictatorship. However, there is one thing that all the countries there share in common – no one has time to argue about politics anymore after the magical revolution.

Part of this transformation came from the advancement of magic as a productive force, allowing them to achieve productivity far beyond any industry in this world.

Magic not only helps people work more efficiently but also saves them a lot of time to... sleep in or search for a universal philosophy of life.

But more important than all of this was the desire to explore the universe, a dream that drove them to cooperate and innovate. At the same time, after witnessing the devastation caused by the devastating war that followed the great revolution of the Enlightenment, no one was interested in starting a war anymore—unless someone had too much free time and wanted to experiment with the "boom effect" on a global scale.

It was thanks to these factors that we were able to complete the great project of going out to the sea of stars, expanding the magical civilization into outer space without being held back by internal barriers. Simply because when everyone can use magic to do things quickly, no one has time to argue about rights.

Meanwhile, the world continues to struggle with endless political, economic, and cultural disputes. They continue to struggle, refusing to put aside divisions and move toward a more open future. It's a shame, or perhaps… funny.

The funny thing is that people's personal desires in this world are both the driving force for development and the handcuffs that bind them. They keep pursuing personal interests to the point of destroying their own chances of progressing further.

They would rather maintain inequality and hold on to their vast wealth than invest in innovations that could lift society to a new level. If change is kept slow, just to ensure that the rich stay rich and the poor stay poor, then the whole planet is stagnant.

If they had just put aside their selfishness and got together, maybe instead of arguing about whether to put pineapple on pizza, they could have reached for the stars and solved all their internal problems. But no, it seems they prefer to do things the hard way.

While I was lost in thought, my mother suddenly called from downstairs, interrupting my train of thought. "Kazuki! Come down and have breakfast now, or I'll advertise a new job for a son!" Her voice was full of threat but also couldn't hide her familiar humor.

I sighed, shook my head, and stood up. Whether I was a genius from the magical world or a thinker of the universe, in the end, I was still just a son whose mother held the power of life and death.

While having a happy breakfast, I was about to pick up a piece of egg when my parents suddenly put down their chopsticks, their eyes serious as if they were about to announce a world-shaking decision.

I frowned, feeling something was wrong. Hopefully this time it wasn't a sudden move or some strange family ritual that would force me to participate...

My father spoke first, his tone so solemn that I almost thought he was about to make a shocking announcement: "Kazuki, we've thought it over carefully and decided to send you to a special school."

My mother smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling as if she had just found something on sale for 90% off: "To be exact, it's Advanced Nurturing High School, which gathers the best students in Japan! A perfect environment for you to unleash your full potential!"

I stopped, looking at them suspiciously. "Advanced Nurturing High School...? Wait, are you talking about a place where students have to fight with their wits like in a survival movie?"

My father folded his arms and tilted his head in amusement. "What would it be like if you were put in a place where everyone was smart, talented, and ambitious? An environment where the test wasn't just about writing answers on paper, but also about a battle of wits to see who could last the longest without getting kicked out? Sounds interesting, right?"

My mother winked, her tone filled with excitement as if she was about to sell a super bargain: "Not to mention its benefits! Students there are not only provided with high-class dormitories and monthly living expenses, but also have everything you need to focus on your studies. To put it bluntly, you can enjoy a life of studying and relaxing without spending a penny! What a bargain of the century, right?"

I raised my eyebrows and took a sip of tea. "That doesn't sound too bad. But why that school? Aren't you going to send me to another prestigious school?"

My father curled his lips, his eyes flashing with mischief. "Because Advanced High School is a free school. It doesn't cost a penny but the quality of education is top-notch. My parents thought it was a bargain so they decided without thinking."

I almost choked on my tea. "Wait, how rich is our family? Why do you care about free tuition?!"

My mother laughed and shrugged. "Frugalness is a virtue, Kazuki. No matter how rich you are, who would turn down a bargain?"

My mother laughed and shrugged, "Kazuki, think about it, a school that has high-class dormitories, provides monthly living expenses, and is also one of the most prestigious in Japan. Everything is free! If you miss it, it's like refusing an unlimited buffet coupon! We can't let you waste this golden opportunity!"

I stared at them, trying to find some sign that they were just messing with me. But no, both my parents seemed completely serious, to the point where I began to suspect that this was some kind of family scam.

I opened my mouth to protest, then closed it again. It was useless, since I clearly had no vote in this matter. In the end, all I could do was sigh in resignation.

I blinked a few times, then sighed, resting my forehead on my hand. "Our family is this rich, and yet our parents still care about tuition? Are they serious? Or did dad just do some experiment that will bankrupt our family????"

My father shrugged and calmly replied, "Money is money, Kazuki. Save every penny you can. Do you know how much a delicious free breakfast like this costs?"

My mother nodded and smiled: "Moreover, we want to see how you will manage without the support of your family. There, you will have to be more independent!"

I squinted, folding my arms and looking at them skeptically. "That makes sense, but I feel like you're just pushing me away so you can enjoy your newlywed life."

My mother giggled, winking at my father. "Oh my, Kazuki, why do you think so badly of us? We just want you to grow up and become stronger!"

My father folded his arms and nodded philosophically. "Yes. Besides... who doesn't like a little privacy, right?"

My mother chuckled, patting me on the shoulder as if I had just told a harmless joke. "Kazuki, don't think so unfairly of us. I just want you to have the best learning environment, to develop comprehensively both physically and mentally!"

My father smirked meaningfully, crossing his arms. "That's right, Kazuki. Besides... we need some privacy too. You know, after all these years of raising you, it's time we had some peace and quiet."

The corner of my mouth twitched. I thought to myself, 'Sigh, whatever.'