Our curiosity got the better of us, I suppose. Since we couldn’t get the Sonic Coaster out of our heads, we decided to drop by.
From the outside, it looked like a standard jet coaster, but there was a massive, eye-catching sign at the entrance. We were met by the Merchant Guild Receptionist, who explained the ride's mechanics.
"In this attraction, we utilize a special type of hallucination magic to adjust each passenger's perceived speed. Before we begin, please read this document covering the details of the magic formula, potential side effects, and health conditions that prohibit participation. Next to the sign, you will find the specific magic formula used for the speed adjustment. Once you have reviewed both and if you agree to the terms, please fit one of these bracelets onto your wrist yourself."
I see. I’d been wondering how they planned to make speed the main draw with such a range of physical abilities among the guests, but changing their perception made sense. That way, everyone could experience a high-speed thrill regardless of their personal power levels. While I was mulling it over, Lilia-san looked truly impressed.
"...I see. I never imagined they would adopt this method. It’s quite similar to the setup of those VR games you have, Kaito-san."
"In what way?"
"It’s most evident with people like me, Anima-san, or Caraway-san. We possess a high resistance to hallucination magic, so it is normally impossible for a magic formula contained within a common magic tool or magic crystal to influence our five senses. Of course, someone with Alice-sama’s overwhelming skill and hyper-complex formulas could bypass those resistances, but you simply cannot carve a formula of that scale into a magic crystal. Alice-sama uses it as if it were nothing, but if one were to write out her recognition inhibition magic as a magic circle, it would likely span a radius of several hundred meters."
Now that she mentioned it, she was right. Lilia-san and the others had extreme resistance to status ailments; basic debuffs didn't work on them. Unless the caster was as skilled as Alice or significantly more powerful than the target, a mass-produced magic tool shouldn't have been able to affect them.
"By providing a thorough explanation of the formula beforehand and having us put on the tool ourselves, they are establishing a magic contract. We are essentially choosing to accept the formula’s effects."
"Ah, right. The VR games also required you to step inside a kigurumi on your own."
It was the same principle. By voluntarily acknowledging and accepting the effects to form a contract, the magic could bypass even strong resistances. It was well-thought-out—they were clearly applying the new technologies tested during the Six Kings Festival, which was just like them.
"Pardon me, Miyama Kaito-sama. There is a direct message for you from the Phantasm King. Please check it before proceeding."
"Huh? Uh... Alice?"
I'd been about to put on a bracelet after hearing the explanation, but the receptionist interrupted me. I turned around and called out to Alice.
"To put it bluntly, Kaito-san, please don't wear a bracelet. It might break..."
"...Why?"
"I'm not entirely sure myself. For the VR games, you used them early on, so I could adjust things so they wouldn't affect you. But these bracelets were made later. There's a high chance they'd be neutralized the moment you put one on. You have way too many divine blessings, Kaito-san. I don't know which ones might interfere, and trying to adjust them individually was such a massive pain that I just gave up. Seriously, the sheer number of them is abnormal! Just how many blessings do you have!?"
"...I'd like to know that myself."
Right, I see. Since it was essentially a hallucination-based debuff, the blessings I'd received from the gods of an otherworld would likely negate it. So, no bracelet for me.
"Well, you'll be fine. You aren't on the side that needs adjusting; you're the one everyone else is being adjusted to. It'll feel plenty fast to you even without a bracelet, so it's not a problem at all."
...In short, she was saying I was the weakest among the group and such a total weakling that my perception didn't need any artificial help to find a jet coaster terrifyingly fast. It was an incredibly accurate and fair evaluation. I certainly didn't need the bracelet. It was meant for people who didn't find standard coasters fast; for me, even the Dragon Adventure earlier had been more than enough.
"I mean, I completely understand, but it still leaves me feeling a bit conflicted..."
"Just accept it. Anyway, that’s all for the message."
Alice gave me a bitter smile at my complicated expression and then vanished.
Serious-senpai: "Explain... Explain this in detail. I'm... currently struggling to keep my cool."