I handed over my sister Elinora's coaching duties to Mom Erna and went back to check on Ms. Luna.

　Then I heard a thumping sound of dirt popping and Luna-san was covered in dirt.

'How are you doing?'

"...as you can see. There's no compression.

　When I call out to her, Luna-san says grimly as she removes the dirt from her body.

''Well, compressing magic power requires quite a bit of magic manipulation skills, and it's not something you can do quickly.

"...how many days did it take you, Al?

　Luna asks me about it and I remember my past memories.

''........I think it was about three hours, right?''

　Of course, it was less complete than it is now, but it would have been enough to compress it and release a dirt bullet.

''It's ... not fair.''

'Wow!　But that doesn't mean you can't do the compression work right in front of me!　That's the one that explodes!

　When I noticed that Luna-san had started doing the compression work in front of me, I hurriedly activated my shield. The clod exploded again.

　Naturally, I'm protected by the shield, so I'm unharmed.

　It's frightening to use a self-destruct that will cause damage to me without hesitation.

''Luna-san, that magic isn't meant to be used for that kind of harassment.

I'm sorry it didn't work out and I took it out on you.

As expected, Luna says with a shuffle of remorse.

'No, but wait. We could deliberately detonate them in the process of making earthen bullets and apply them like an eye crusher or a shotgun.

"...what?　What do you mean?

I figured if I intentionally screwed up the compression, I could pull the wool over his eyes.

　I create an earthen bullet as I explain it to Luna. Then I deliberately set the magic power to compress it to bullshit and eject it before it explodes.

　Then, while the clay bullet is unstable for a while, it flies forward for a while, and then the compressed magic power explodes on the way. It bounced off as if it had exploded from within.

'Well, it's like this. But it's too unstable and there's a risk that it will explode before it flies, and once you get used to it, the clay bullets can explode with your own hands, or maybe you don't need them.

　Well, it's only to the extent that if the other party is a wizard, they might be able to catch you off guard.

''Well Al, you're always thinking about a lot of things, aren't you?

I'm just trying to figure out if I can make a little bit of use of it in my life and play.

　It's not that I'm trying to increase my fighting power like Elinora's sister. I'm not thinking for the development of the territory or the future like brother Silvio.

　I'm not sure what the reason is for being praised like that, since it's for my own enjoyment of life.

I'd like to get off topic, but I'd like to give you some advice on compression. What kind of image do you have in mind when you compress clay bullets, Luna?

"...well, like you said, Al, it's like you said, geez, from the outside in.

'Yeah, that's fine, but that's probably ambiguous. Because as Mother Erna said during the magic cycle, that's my image, not Luna's.

　It's difficult to imitate the images conveyed to me by others in a single shot. I'm able to manage it due to my vast knowledge and experience in my previous life, but for someone who doesn't use magic on a regular basis, it would be a struggle.

''........How do I solidify my image?''

Observing and experiencing things on a regular basis, I guess. I think it's about observing and experiencing things on a regular basis, because sometimes the parts of our lives that we don't expect to see are perfect for magical images. For example, with compression, you can make dumplings out of sand like this.

　As an example, I bend down and start making sand dumplings.

　After adding a bit of water from the water magic method, I use the palm of my hand to squeak and apply pressure all over to make them round.

''........I see, imagine the compression of magic power with the sand dumplings......''

　Luna-san squeals in admiration and makes dumplings as she imitates me.

''.......give me a little water.''

　I'll dig a hole with my earth magic and pour water into it with my water magic and let it pool.

''Yes, do what you want.''

Thank you.

　Luna thanked me and wet her hand in the water for a bit to make sand dumplings.

　I give them a squishy push with my entire palm and apply pressure with my hand to compensate for the places where too much force has been applied.

　For a while, Luna and I make sand dumplings in silence.

　When there is not enough water in the dumplings, we wet the dumplings with the water we have stored and slowly harden them by hand while adding water to the dumplings.

　While I was kneading the dumplings at a leisurely pace, Luna-san asked me fearfully.

''........perhaps I should compress them slowly before I get used to it?''

''Correct. If you're used to manipulating magic, but if you're not, it's better to take it slow. Even with sand dumplings, you're going to have to take your time in shaping them at first.

"...I see. Here's a hint.......

　Hmmm, Luna-san kneading sand dumplings while thinking about it.

　However, you're quite quick to notice that fact right away.

　Even though it's a straight line, he's mastered the skill to manipulate sand, and his magic skills are high. It's very different from Eric's.

　While I was thinking about this, the sand dumplings were completed.

　Hmm, it's a pretty spherical shape. It's carefully polished, so it's very shiny. It was so smooth that I couldn't help but want to rub my cheeks.

　When I was satisfied with the sand dumplings I had created, Luna-san, who was next to me, had begun work on the fourth sand dumpling.

''Well I'll make sand dumplings for a while to solidify my image, so it's okay.

　A little short on words, but I guess that means I'm free to do what I want.

''Is it okay to manipulate defensive magic and sand?''

...advise me that too. I'll find the image myself.

　I gave Luna some light advice on how to do it and then went into my free time.



　◆



　Now that I've settled in to teaching Luna, let's play with magic as we please.

　I was actually itching to play with the sand transfer I learned earlier.

　I was about to pull the surfboard I had just made up with my psychic, when I realized that I hadn't even needed a surfboard to move.

　You don't have to have a surfboard to move. Because it's the sand that moves.

　So I don't pull the surfboard in, but activate my earth magic at my feet. The magic permeates and the sand moves slowly like an escalator.

　I'm standing there, scraping through the other sand with Zuzu-Zuzu, and I'm advancing.

　If I'm supposed to be okay just standing there, then I'll be okay lying down.

　That's what I thought, and I laid down, but there was nothing wrong with me. I move despite the fact that I'm lying down. This is also because the sand underneath me does its best to move.

'This is the moment my little dream of moving while lying down has come true...'

　No one would want to move around lying down without standing up.

　Of course, you can move while lying down, even if you're wrapped in a futon and psychic, but it's a different story.

　I like the difference that the ground moves on its own for me to move around.

　Lying on my side or lying on my back, I move freely along the beach.

　Then a shadow falls on me as I'm lying down.

　I look up and there's a muzzled looking Eric looking down at me with his arms crossed.

"...you, I was watching you earlier, but don't do it because it's disgusting.

What?　Doesn't Eric have any idea how awesome this motionless magic is?

'No, I know about the awesomeness of that magic because I've seen it in the Kingdom of Rasul, but I'm saying it's weird to use it that way.

'No, no, no, it's magic that allows you to move without walking, right?　If that's the case, of course you're going to use it while lying down.

　It's a shame that such useful magic is only for combat.

''Normally I wouldn't use it that way!　And when I look at you lying on your back, all I see is a strange bug crawling around!

　This bastard called the sight of people using magic like a bug.

　Even though I'm a mild-mannered person, that kind of talk is annoying.

"Who's a bug?

　As I said that, I activated my earth magic at Eric's feet.

''Noooooooo!　The sand goes backwards on its own!

　Eric dashes against the sand as it goes down behind him.

　But no matter how much he runs, Eric's position doesn't change as the sand goes down.

　It's like a running machine.

'Noooooooooo!　I can't go on!

Look, look, look, if you don't go faster, you're gonna hit the ocean.

Bastards!　

　I had time to talk badly about me and seemed to have a lot of time to spare, so I increased the speed of the sand.

　Then Eric runs, waving his arms and legs frantically.

　He runs and runs and runs, but the sand is backing up just as fast.

　The ground will be scraped away if he keeps moving backwards from the sand in place, so I neatly gather the sand around him to help him get a foothold. It's a gentle reminder to Eric that he's running.

'Yes, yes, more speed!'

'Wait a minute, Alfried!　No more, really........!

　Eric says, dashing as fast as he can and breathing hard.

　I recognize it as a comedian's prelude, so I speed up the sand more as I wish.

'Hnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!'

　Eric, showing his last bit of resistance, dashing as fast as he could. But the sand I'm manipulating is even faster than that........



　Eventually Eric collapsed as if he had run out of steam, and then the sand moving backwards carried him carefully to the sea.