“Uh... what’s with the reaction?”
From the look of things, something really bad was happening.
“Tsukasa, why on earth are you wearing that?!” my mother shrieked.
“It’s a long story, but...”
“Keep it brief!”
“Grandpa told me to put it on if I wanted to become a magician. I didn’t really get it, but once I snapped it on, I couldn't get it off. Mom, can you dispel this curse?”
My mom is a magician from a prestigious family, so apparently, she’s pretty high-tier. I don't know the specifics since I have no one to compare her to, though.
“Let me see!”
Mom grabbed my arm and held her hand over the bracelet. A warm light began to emanate from her palm.
“Ngh!”
The warm light continued to bathe the bracelet, but nothing happened. Gradually, Mom’s expression began to contort with effort.
“Mom, stop, you’re going to run out of mana. You don’t have that much to spare.”
Mom doesn’t actually have that much mana; I actually have more than she does.
“You just have too much! Ngh! Is this bracelet... absorbing Tsukasa’s mana?!”
She kept trying to force the warm light into the bracelet, but it was useless.
“Urgh...!”
Her face started to go pale.
“Giselle, stop!”
“Mrs. Giselle, that’s enough!”
Dad and the Principal both grabbed her arms to pull her away.
“Ngh... No way...”
Mom let go of my arm and slumped forward, her head hanging in exhaustion. Apparently, dispelling it was a no-go.
“Hey, so, what exactly is this bracelet?”
I could tell from their reactions that this was beyond bad.
“May I explain?”
The Principal looked at my parents, and they both nodded slowly.
“Is it really that serious?” I asked.
“Let me explain from the beginning. A few days ago, a bracelet was stolen from a treasury in the other world I mentioned earlier—the place commonly known as Astral.”
He’s talking about this bracelet, isn't he?
“And?”
“As a result of the investigation, the culprit was identified as Lord Kiyoshi... your grandfather.”
Well, he’s the one who gave it to me, so that tracks.
“Why would Grandpa steal something?”
I knew he was an idiot, but still.
“The motive is a mystery. After all, Lord Kiyoshi is a high-ranking official involved in the administration of Astral. Why he would do such a thing is beyond us...”
Grandpa was a big shot? So that’s why he always gave me thirty thousand yen as a New Year’s gift.
“Hmm... So this stolen bracelet is that one? If it was in a treasury, does that mean it’s a rare item?”
“Yes. It is rare. Extremely so...”
“Well, I’d like to return it. It’s in the way, and I don't want it.”
“The fact that such a thing is likely impossible was just proven by Mrs. Giselle. If it is beyond a magician of her caliber, it is likely beyond anyone else.”
So it’s stuck for good...
“U-Um, then what am I supposed to do?”
“One option is to simply cut off the arm.”
Come again?
“I’d like to flatly refuse that option...”
There was no way in hell I was doing that!
“I thought as much... However, that bracelet is quite problematic.”
“Is it expensive?”
Maybe Mom and Dad could pay for it? No, make Grandpa pay.
“You couldn't possibly put a price on it. That isn't the issue. The issue is that the bracelet takes the life of the person wearing it.”
“Wait, what?”
“Am I going to die?”
When I asked that, the Principal cast his eyes down.
“Why would I die?”
“...It is known as the Bracelet of Craving. It gradually devours the mana of the wearer, and eventually, it begins to consume their very life force.”
Yikes!
“Professor, please cut off my arm!”
“Eh? Are you sure?”
“Of course I'm sure! Which would you prefer: dying or losing an arm?!”
Was he stupid?!
“Well, that is a fair point... but actually, there is one other way.”
Wait, there is?!
“Say it sooner! What is it?!”
“I was discussing it with your parents. In short, you must use dispelling magic.”
Dispel it...
“But Mom couldn't do it. If she can't do it, surely no other magician can either, right?”
He’d just said as much.
“Yes... however, that is only when attempting to dispel it from the outside.”
“The outside?” I repeated. “What do you mean?”
“When dispelling a curse, it is far more efficient for the cursed individual to dispel it themselves than for another party to attempt it.”
I... see?
“So, you’re saying I have to be the one to do it?”
“Precisely.”
Dispel it myself...
“Uh... I can barely even use Fire Magic, you know.”
Actually, I couldn't use anything except Physical Reinforcement.
“Yes. That is why you must train. Fortunately, even to my eyes, it is clear that you, Tsukasa-kun, possess a vast quantity of mana.”
The problem was that the quantity was all I had. No matter how massive a hammer you own, it’s useless if you can’t even swing it.
“Do you think I can do it?”
“That depends entirely on you. At worst, the only option left will be to sever the limb...”
Hmm...
“I guess I’m lucky I put it on my left arm... since it’s not my dominant hand.”
“Aren’t you giving up a little too fast?”
Shut up. I just didn't have any confidence.
“Should I have Mom teach me?”
“That is one option.”
“One option? Meaning there are others?”
“Tsukasa-kun, why don't you come to our school?”
“Our school?”
“The Magic Academy I mentioned. You would learn magic there and master the art of dispelling. You haven't had any proper magical education until now, have you? Someone like that cannot suddenly utilize high-level dispelling magic. It would be best to learn the basics, such as mana manipulation, from the ground up and gradually train your skills.”
Gradually...
“I don't think I have that much time...”
“No, fortunately—and this is a silver lining—you have a great deal of mana. Your reserves won't run dry immediately, so you likely won't die anytime soon.”
Likely...
“You don’t sound very sure.”
“My apologies. Because it is an ancient artifact, documentation is sparse. However, I am certain that this is the most direct path forward.”
So that was how it was.
“At worst, I cut off the arm, huh...”
“Please take some time to think about it. I will return for your answer...”
With that, the Principal stood up.
“Eh?” I looked at him in surprise.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, it’s just... I feel like the answer is already pretty obvious.”
There was only one choice. Why bother agonized over it?
“Well, that may be, but you still need to consider the details and consult with your parents. Attending the Magic Academy means you would have to withdraw from the high school you’re currently enrolled in.”
Withdraw...
“Professor... I failed my entrance exams, so I’ve been a NEET since April...”
When I said that, my parents lowered their eyes, looking utterly depressed.
“Eh? Ah, so that’s why...”
The Principal seemed to catch on.
“My apologies...”
“N-No, it’s fine. These things happen. Regardless, please talk it over with your parents. Let me know once you have an answer.”
“Understood...”
“Well then, I shall take my leave. Makoto, Giselle, I will continue to look through our records for any further information.”
The Principal bowed to my father and mother.
“Thank you.”
“We’re counting on you.”
My parents returned the bow, and then the Principal saw himself out, leaving the three of us alone.