Rebirth From Ordinary Person To The Strongest

Magic training was scheduled to begin the day after 'Shichi-Go-San.'

I was eager to start right away, but by the time we returned home from the festival, it was already evening. My father explained that practicing magic at the end of the day was not ideal, especially in the beginning, so we postponed it until the next day.

As a result, I spent a sleepless night for the first time in a long while.

There were many reasons I couldn't sleep: fear, anxiety, and anticipation.

I lay in bed, staring at the familiar ceiling, taking deep breaths to calm myself. The words from the Kamiarizuki woman had indeed frightened me, but my fear had subsided.

After all, I hadn't been attacked for the past three years. There was no reason for monsters to suddenly target me just because of 'Shichi-Go-San.'

The real reason I couldn't sleep was my excitement and curiosity.

In short, I was thrilled about tomorrow.

"...Magic."

Of course, as a child, I had always been fascinated by it. Growing up in Japan, I was surrounded by countless works of fiction, many involving magic.

When I was younger, I even trained seriously, believing I might have hidden powers.

Well, I gave up after two days.

Anyway, I used to dream of becoming a magician.

Not just magicians; I admired psychics, sorcerers, and any special beings.

Now, the chance to use magic was right in front of me.

How could I not be excited? That's why I couldn't sleep.

I hadn't felt this way since the school trip in elementary school.

With these thoughts running through my mind, I continued staring at the ceiling until I eventually fell asleep.

"Itsuki, are you ready?"

"Yes! I'm ready!"

The next morning, dressed in a child-sized training uniform, I stood in the dojo facing my father. This dojo was within the Kisaragi household, something I hadn't known existed.

Seriously, what kind of house is this?

"Good. That's the spirit. From today onwards, as I teach you magic, there is one thing you must follow."

"What is it?"

"While I'm teaching you magic, you must call me 'Master.'"

Wow, that sounds so cool!

My muscular father, dressed in a pristine white uniform, sat before me. Calling him 'Master' felt perfect for the setting!

Forgetting my primary goal of self-defense, I eagerly responded,

"Master!"

"...Hmm."

Despite calling him that, my father's expression wasn't pleased. Why?

"Let's not do that. Just call me Papa."

"Okay!"

What was that all about?

"Now, we begin your magic training. First, focus on the area below your navel."

"Okay..."

Below the navel… That's where magic power accumulates when I'm not doing anything.

I don't know why, but since I first sensed magic at zero years old, it's always been like this. This must be where my magic 'vessel' is.

"The warm spot in your belly?"

"Yes, that's called the 'Tanden.'"

Oh! So that's what it's called.

Linking something I'd only heard of to my real knowledge felt satisfying.

"The technique to circulate the heat throughout your body is called 'Kaijutsu.'"

"Okay."

"You probably won't be able to do it at first, but don't worry. Normal exorcists learn this by age five. It's not something you can master overnight. So, first, you need to become aware of the magic power in your body..."

"I can do it."

"What!?"

I mean, I've been using this technique all along.

Standing up quickly, I saw my father's eyes widen.

"R-really? Can you circulate the heat throughout your entire body? Even to your fingertips and hair?"

"Yes, I can."

I moved the magic power throughout my body—essentially using 'Kaijutsu'—and my father touched me in astonishment.

"...Indeed. The magic is flowing."

"It's in my fingers too!"

I showed him my feet, which he poked gently.

"Hmm… Cute toes… No, that's not the point!"

Jumping up, my father dashed out of the dojo.

"Kaede! Something incredible has happened! Itsuki is a genius!"

He ran off to my mother, shouting loudly.

Master! We're in the middle of training!

"What's going on? Isn't Itsuki already a genius, being Seventh Rank?"

"No, you don't understand! He used 'Kaijutsu' immediately after being taught!"

"What!?"

My father's voice was loud as usual, but my mother's response was equally loud. They both came running back.

"Itsuki, did you really use 'Kaijutsu'?"

"Yes, I did! Look."

I showed my mother, who cautiously picked me up.

"Really… He's using 'Kaijutsu.'"

Both my parents touched me all over, seemingly sensing my magic power.

When my father first held me as a baby, I remember feeling warmth flowing through my body. It must be normal for exorcists to sense magic by touch.

"A three-year-old using 'Kaijutsu'? Unheard of! This might be the greatest genius in the history of exorcists, not just the Kisaragi family!"

Oh no.

My father's overenthusiastic side was emerging.

Once he starts, he'll keep praising me for a long time, making it hard to continue training. I tugged on his uniform and said,

"Hey, if I can use 'Kaijutsu,' the next is 'Shijutsu,' right?"

"Y-yes, you're right. 'Shijutsu'..."

My interruption forced him to switch off his doting mode, and he sat down again.

"Itsuki, extend your hand."

"Okay."

"Gather the magic power in your palm."

"Alright."

I directed the magic power circulating in my body to my right palm, concentrating it into a strong heat.

"Now, release the concentrated magic like a thread."

"...Okay."

I tried to twist and draw out the magic from my palm like a thread, but…

"How's it going?"

"Um…"

"Haha. 'Shijutsu' is not something you can master immediately."

...Nothing came out.

"Let me try again!"

"Of course. Take all the time you need. Keep trying until you succeed!"

And so, my serious magic training began.