"I have these names floating in the back of my mind... Loizart, and Alban. Do they sound familiar to you?" Jin asked, deciding to test the waters.
"Loizart? Alban? No, I can't say I've heard of them..." Sergei replied.
"I see..."
Once again, Jin felt a wave of dejection wash over him as it became increasingly clear that this was not the world he knew.
"However, this is a fairly remote corner of the Pandor Continent," Sergei added, trying to cheer him up. "If you were to go to the royal capital, perhaps someone there might recognize the names."
"Haha, I suppose you're right."
Seeing Jin’s forced, weary smile, Sergei decided to end the conversation.
"It seems you're still not quite yourself. I've asked the essentials, so let's leave it at that for today. Please, get some rest."
"Ah, yes... thank you very much..."
Jin managed to squeeze out a word of gratitude before slumping back down onto the bed.
"Um, Jin-san, are you all right? Did we push you too hard?" Helga, who had stayed behind, asked with concern.
"Hm? Oh, sorry. I'm fine," Jin replied. Having forgotten she was even in the room, he felt embarrassed for letting his pathetic state show and forced another smile.
"Really? Well, if you say so... Anyway, feel free to use this room as you like for now. The toilet is at the end of the hall to the left, and the washroom is just before it. It’s just past two in the afternoon. Dinner will be around six—will the same thing as before be all right?"
Helga reeled off the information in a single breath, perhaps trying to distract him from his melancholy.
"Y-Yes, that's fine."
The sheer energy of her speech overwhelmed him, making him forget his worries for a fleeting moment.
"See you later, then! Oh, my room is at the end of the hall to the right, so if you need anything, just call for me."
"...Thank you."
Helga’s bright, cheerful smile provided a small measure of comfort to Jin's soul.
As I thought, this place is another... or rather, a parallel world.
If the village chief didn't even recognize the names of major capitals like Loizart or Alban, Jin had no choice but to accept the reality of his situation.
And my bracelet is gone... I wonder when I lost it.
The Fellowship Bracelet he always wore was missing. It served as a magi-communicator and could project a barrier through Laojun’s remote operation—or by his own will.
I wondered if it might still be around, but there’s no way to check...
In its place, his pocket held three walnut-sized stones: one white, one red, and one blue. He had brought them back as mementos of "that side."
The bracelet might have shattered during the world-crossing.
On reflection, that seemed the most likely explanation.
They did mention that moving against 'potential' would put a strain on things.
Jin recalled Ichi and the others saying that moving against the flow of potential might be difficult for an organic lifeform. If that difficulty had manifested as the destruction of his bracelet instead of damage to his own body, he supposed he had to count his blessings.
At least I made the crossing with all my limbs intact.
Besides, in a different world, the communication function was useless anyway, and he could cast a barrier himself. If he could find a magi-crystal, he could easily manufacture a magi-device to project one.
But the communication... that's the problem.
To perfectly match the magical frequency of mana waves, Jin’s method involved splitting a single magi-crystal into two and using a piece for each device. This ensured flawless synchronization. Incidentally, this method was reserved exclusively for the Fellowship Bracelets. Laojun, the magi-brain managing Hourai Island, could synchronize mana waves with ease, but for the bracelets, Jin had prioritized absolute reliability and durability.
Even if I made one and tried to make contact... what would happen?
There was a chance a version of Hourai Island existed in this parallel world. However, its master would be a "Jin" who was not him. If that version was willing to cooperate, that would be ideal; however, since he had no idea what that Jin’s personality would be like, he decided it was best to avoid doing anything reckless.
But, I suppose... that's right.
As he debated with himself, a vision began to take shape in his mind.
I need to establish a base.
It didn't need to be anything as impregnable as Hourai Island; something small-scale would suffice.
Well, more than a base, I need a place to belong.
Even if this world was foreign to him, establishing a place for himself should help him find his footing—just as it had once done in Ars.
I'll just have to take it slow and steady.
He recalled his conversation with Ichi.
If this is a different world, I have to find a way back to my original one. I've already heard the minimum necessary information from Ichi to make that possible.
Since the timeline could be adjusted during world travel, it was theoretically possible to return to the exact moment he vanished, even if fifty years passed for him here.
Though, when that happens... everyone would be reuniting with an old man.
Himself as a senior, and Elsa, not even twenty. A grandfather and a granddaughter.
I couldn't blame her if she wanted nothing to do with me then.
Only Laojun and Reiko would never abandon him, Jin thought.
...No, this is no good. My thoughts are spiraling.
He shook his head as if to physically drive away the dark premonitions.
Regardless, I have to start moving tomorrow to carve out a place for myself.
Muttering to himself, Jin suddenly remembered how Martha and Hanna had saved him back in Kaina Village, and a wave of loneliness hit him.
No, no! Reminiscing is fine, but I can't let myself be held back by the past right now.
Jin slapped his cheeks with both palms to psych himself up.
Now then, how should I proceed?
Jin’s primary tool was Craft Magic. Fortunately, this world seemed to have an abundance of free ether.
"Light Ball."
When he tested the spell, a glowing orb formed without the slightest issue.
However...
"Kyaa!"
A startled cry made him whip his head around. Helga was standing in the doorway with a look of pure shock.
"J-Jin-san, are you a magi!?"
"Ah... yes. Sorry. It seems so."
Jin had no choice but to admit it. He felt a secret dread, hoping she wouldn't fear or shun him for his power. But...
"That's amazing! It's incredible, Jin-san!"
Contrary to his fears, Helga was practically vibrating with excitement.
"There are no magi in this village! No, not just here—magi are only found in the big towns or the capital!"
"Is that so?"
"Ah... but Jin-san, that means you'll be leaving soon, won't you?"
Just as quickly as she had cheered up, Helga’s shoulders slumped.
"No, I have no intention of leaving until I've repaid my debt to you for saving me. I haven't thought about what comes after that..."
When Jin answered honestly, Helga’s face lit up again.
"Really? I'm so glad. Jin-san, if possible, I wish you'd stay forever... No, it's nothing!"
Helga cut herself off, her face flushed.
"Oh, right! I've heated up the bath. Would you like to get in?"
"Yes, I'd love to."
It seemed this village actually had a bath. Jin, a man who lived for his soak, accepted the offer immediately.