Beyond M-Eclipse: Easy Mode LIVE

———Wiina———

“...Magic charms?” I said, a bit confused as to what she meant.

“Seems like some people are creating magic charms to help ward monsters or grant strength, so they say.” She said. “I’m just a frail old lady, those arts and crafts are way behind me. I know nothing about it.”

Magical items do exist, and while it has been a few months which would give time for people to hone their magic. There hasn’t really been any real guides to explaining how to create those.

Compared to just swinging magic around, creating an item with spells embedded within it is considered very advanced.

Magic isn’t exactly known for its permanence, so making it stay around and cling to an object is no easy feat. Some types of items are shown to be more conductive of these spells, but those are for whatever reason rare items like gemstones.

“I don’t think those are easy to make…” I off-handedly said.

“Well, it’s not something I know much about to make sound judgment.” She replied, not looking particularly interested in the idea.

She hasn’t been particularly interested in anything magic related, even after that incident a few months back. It’s a miracle she wasn’t killed when half of her store collapsed and could’ve easily buried her dead.

“I see… Well, I guess it is a new thing in the market, so it’s reasonable to be skeptical.” I remarked. I haven’t come across those yet, but right now it feels like a snake oil scam. “Still, why can’t they just sell it themselves instead of offering to have you sell them in their stead?”

“I don’t know, dear. That’s why I’m asking you in the first place.” She said with a small smile.

“...If you want my opinion on it. It’s probably an experimental product which might not even work, so they’re dumping it on you hoping no one would pin it to them if something does go wrong.” I gave my opinion. Considering that she is seen as an overall trustworthy member of the community, it would also seem more legitimate if it came from her store, instead of pawning them off to some schmucks.

“Is that right? Sounds rather concerning when you put it like that.” She remarked despite not sounding particularly alarmed. “I guess I’ll politely decline their request then. Thank you for the advice.”

“Why am I the one giving advice?” I can’t help but be a little bit exasperated. Someone as old as her should have plenty of experience dealing with shady customers and suppliers. I know she has been maintaining this shop for decades by this point.

“This is all new to me. These fantastical things popping out of nowhere.” She explained. I feel like you would’ve known to not trust something so hard to comprehend. That’s how people are easily manipulated, making them believe they understand a concept that they are actually inadequate in.

“I see…” I said, still finding it weird she’s asking me of all people. I guess I’m the first one she thinks she can confide some info? “...Speaking of the fantastical, how is the renovated building doing? It was quickly glued back together, practically.”

“It’s as good as new, nothing is off by the slightest.” She answered. Well that’s good to hear. I wasn’t completely sure if my building skills would hold up.

“That’s good to hear.” I replied.

“...Oh. Jass. I just realized something.” Suddenly something else came up.

“What is it, Miss Senni?” I responded, willing to kill some time and humor this old lady.

“You’re signing up for this new school, right?” Why is that the thing she’s talking about?

“Yes? What of it?” I asked, feeling a bit puzzled. She doesn’t have any relatives at my age, as far as I’m aware. At least not in this town.

“I just want to be sure you’re doing alright. You’re a good kid.” She suddenly remarked. What a weird old lady.

“T-Thanks?” I said, a bit confused. I sorta know why she’s acting like this, but I don’t want to bring it up again.

She has been in this small town operating this small private shop for a long time, with none of her family being around anymore, choosing to live in the big city far away from her.

I guess she just needs someone to look after, being alone for so long. Not completely alone, of course, her kids and grandkids still contact her sometimes, but they barely showed up here in person.

“So… Do you need to ask anything else of me? And when do they expect a reply?” I asked, just in case things might get dirty.

“Wassup! What are you two about on this fine day!” Kenni suddenly barged in, completely breaking the silence. “What is this about reply? Is something happening?”

“Oh, Kenni. It’s nothing important. I’m just talking with Jass about someone wanting me to sell their magic charms.” Miss Senni quickly spilled the beans.

“Magic charms? When did those kinds of scams come back?” She pulled zero punches upon hearing those words. She is quick on the uptake as always. “They really don’t have any respect for you if they’re making you sell it.”

“Of the same opinion, I see.” Miss Senni remarked. “Then I guess it is all the more reason to reject their offer.”

“So who is this guy?” Kenni asked, not hiding her intention in the slightest.

“I don’t know. He wore a face mask and sunglasses.” She honestly answered. There’s no way she doesn’t suspect him already, this is all just a formality isn’t it.

“Hah? Can’t even look slightly less guilty?” Kenni said, incredulous at the situation. “All the more reason to cave his face in.”

“Look, I know those police officers can’t do jack to you, but should you really do that?” I called out, wanting her to at least play things slowly. Besides, we don’t have the full picture without knowing who this person is.

“Just let me do the dirty work this time.” She said while dismissively waving at me. That could seriously implicate me if there were more people around to overhear that. “So, do you know when this guy will show up again?”

“Should be… seven hours from now, give or take.” She answered, looking rather oblivious to the possible carnage. I do trust her to at least not go too far, and more importantly not letting the poor old lady see the entire thing if a fight does break out.

“...I’ll let you do that then…” I said, feeling a bit sorry for whoever this is.

Anyway, what else am I gonna do today…

———Wiina———

“Now I don’t want to come off as ungrateful, chat…” I said to preface my confrontational question. “But why are you all here in large numbers again? What is it this time? Thought we were gonna chill.”

{what chill?}

{gets us all figured out did ya?}

{gee what could you possibly mean by all that}

“Alright you guys, just say what you wanna say.” I might as well humor them. Just gonna throw some random guesses at them to make them satisfied.

{What the school gonna be like?}

{Got some juicy info on that place}

{What’s the institute}

“Thinking about that place? Yeah, I guess you guys would.” Without Karra and her streams they came to me for info. I’m the only one aside from her to actually stream and interact with the denizens of the internet. “I’m just someone to sign in, not exactly an insider.”

{You should know something from Kara right?}

{i think you know more than most at least}

{c’mon give us something juicy}

“You guys are really hungry for info…” I remarked, wondering if they don’t have anywhere else to go. Surely you have something more important to do than watching a rando’s stream. It’s a bit concerning, to be honest. “I guess I’ll tell you something. Throw out the questions.”

{Have KaraLei say anything to you?}

{Did your streamer friend say anything?}

{What da horse girl say?}

“What did she say? Nothing. She’s been tight-lipped about anything she heard about the place. It’s basic NDAs. She’s not stupid.” I said, making it clear she’s not one to break promises.

{So nothing?}

{What are we even here for then?}

“Why can’t you guys just come here because I’m here. Isn’t that the point?” I said, my mood already starting to plummet. “For all I know, the place has some sort of magic-related study. Probably not required to graduate, considering those kinds of things are so nebulous right now.”

{Would be crazy if it did}

{why shouldn’t it be a thing?}

“From how I see it, it’s like most of the subjects which you just forget after a while. Is that how it goes, right? People always said they don’t remember what they’ve been taught in school.” I said, honestly not being sure if that’s really true or not.

{Ouch}

{Hey! That hurts my feelings, ya know?}

Guess that’s really how it goes…

{But isn’t that all the more reasons to have a separate class for it?}

“...I don’t see how it being just as pointless as the others means they should put it in. That doesn’t make sense… Also, I want to say that it is kind of an extension of learning to exercise, so it might be part of P.E.” That part is true, but they don’t know that.

{Really? Maybe it’ll be fun}

{can’t magic replace science instead?}

“Look, as it stands magic as a concept is still so unknown to many people. I don’t think anyone has a clue on how it works completely.” I said, pointing out how it is such a new concept no one can reasonably come up with a whole course for it.

{Yeah where tf will we even find textbook on it}

{There’s a bunch of random sites saying they know, but do they?}

“I honestly doubt most will even have a clue on how magic works. Think about it, if nothing else about magic works before a few months back, would any of it work now?” I asked, to see what they think.

{Fair enough…}

{I mean at least magic is real?}

{So how do you guys learn magic then?}

“How do we learn magic… I guess that’s a fair thing to ask, even if I don’t have a good way of explaining it myself.” If there’s one downside to being so attuned to mana it’s like breathing, it’s that I do almost everything by feel. It’s like I was on auto-pilot whenever I cast a spell, it comes naturally. “It’s like… I guess the best way to explain it is like those martial arts movies, the concept of ki and how to channel it.”

{Is that how it works?}

{So like… lots of concentrating?}

{How do you channel ki?}

“I don’t know how to best practice it. Maybe try holding your hand close together and imagine something in the middle?” I jokingly said. Some sort of trigger is the best way to gain access to it, and it’s vastly different for each person.

{Where have I heard that before…}

{Kinda too simple ain’t it?}

“Look, just try something that feels comfortable, and needs a lot of attention. That’s the most I can say.” Seriously, there’s not much else to say. Despite all the strength I’ve gained in such a short time, information is not included in that package. It’s why Walsuna even approached me on this topic, and the same probably goes for the others.

…Huh, looking at the time, shouldn’t Kenni be done with that scamming business or whatever? How is that going, I wonder.

———Kenni———

*Punch*

I punched him right in the stomach and he collapsed in a flash, and the spell he was forming in his hand dissipates into thin air. So much for all that cockiness earlier.

“Dear me! What was that about?” Miss Senni said, clearly disturbed at the man’s sudden turn to aggression.

“Who’s to say? These guys aren’t known for being reasonable.” I quipped before flipping him over and taking off his mask and sunglasses. “Huh. Isn’t this the scammer who got punished a few years back? No wonder he needs to hide his face.”

“I see…” Miss Senni said, not familiar with the topic with how she’s reacting.

“Anyway, I’ll send him to the authorities and he won’t be bothering you anymore.” I said before carrying the guy on my shoulder with ease. “Hope you have a good night’s sleep, granny.”

———Wiina———

“...So that’s about all I got.” I said to the chat. “...Is no one gonna at least watch me stream the games? Why is the viewership dropping already?”

{Just ignore those}

{Who knows}

I really need some way to keep the actual audience and those hungry for info separate…