Space Magic.
As the name implied, it was magic that governed space.
Although it had "magic" in its name, it was not Elemental Magic.
Its most famous techniques were Teleportation and Pocket Dimension Storage.
"Can you use both of those, Luke-niisan?"
"I can. Or rather, I've been able to use them ever since I received [Space Magic]."
"Is that so?"
With [Space Magic], techniques like Teleportation and Storage could be used right from the start.
However, the size of objects that could be teleported and the capacity of the storage space apparently depended on the skill level.
To teleport oneself, it seemed a skill level of at least 3 was required.
"So the fundamentals don't change. Well, I suppose it's the same principle as [Physical Enhancement]?"
"Right. In the end, with skills like [Physical Enhancement], leveling up just reduces mana consumption or increases the degree of enhancement, so they're quite similar."
Luke-niisan then told me that his current skill level was 6.
"...Is that high or low?"
"Even for an ordinary skill, level six is plenty high. And that's after training every single day, pushing my mana to the very brink of passing out."
Hearing that made me realize just how abnormally fast my own growth rate was.
"I've explained the basics, but is there anything else you want to know?"
"Hmm, could I ask what kind of training you did?"
"...Wait, are you trying to learn [Space Magic] yourself? Look, it's an exceptionally difficult skill, so I really don't think it's possible."
"Of course not. I'm just curious. Who knows if I'll ever meet another person who possesses [Space Magic]? You might leave the country soon, Luke-niisan, so I just figured I'd ask while I still have the chance."
Because I had gone so far as to ask about training methods, Luke-niisan suspected I was trying to acquire it.
In truth, I really was trying to pry all the details about [Space Magic] out of him so I could learn it.
However, since I was keeping [Fixed EXP] a secret, I couldn't admit that I intended to train for it.
"Well, about the training methods... In my case, I already possessed [Space Magic], so I trained by storing and retrieving items, or teleporting small objects. So unfortunately, I don't know any training methods for acquiring it as a brand-new skill."
"...Isn't there anything else? Like other training methods besides that?"
"...It's not that there are none, but it's pretty grueling. Besides, it's difficult to demonstrate here, so if you really want to try, we should move to a training ground."
Luke-niisan didn't pry any further.
Taking his advice, I decided to leave the room.
When we stepped out into the hallway, Reina-san was waiting for us.
"Reina-san, were you waiting for me?"
"Yes. I made sure to pass the message along to Olivia-san as well."
"Heh, it seems Erik is truly well cared for."
At Luke-niisan's lighthearted remark, the atmosphere around Reina-san turned slightly chilling.
"Reina-san, things are fine with Luke-niisan for now. Thank you for worrying about me."
"If you say so, Erik-kun, then I'll head back to work. If anything happens, come tell me right away, all right?"
"Yes, I will."
Once I answered, Reina-san turned and walked back toward the reception counter.
"To have a receptionist worry about you that much... Erik, are you two close or something?"
"It's nothing like that. She's just been looking after me ever since I arrived in the royal capital."
"Huh. I've never had someone assigned to look after me like that..."
"...Anyway, the training ground is this way. Also, my master is there, so you'll need to greet her first."
With that, I led Luke-niisan toward the training ground.
When we arrived, Olivia-san was sitting on a bench near the entrance, waiting for us.
"Olivia-san, I'm sorry to keep you waiting."
"Don't worry about it. I heard the gist of things from Reina-chan. So, is that gentleman over there Erik-kun's older brother?"
"Yes. It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Erik's older brother, Luke."
"...For everything I was told, Erik-kun seems to be interacting with him quite naturally. Did something happen?"
Olivia-san looked puzzled as she watched Luke-niisan and me arrive together.
There was no palpable distance between us; we had simply walked over like any normal pair.
"I suppose it's because I learned the reasons behind the way he treated me. I haven't completely sorted through it all in my own head yet, so I can't explain everything right now, but I intend to tell you and the others eventually. Please wait until then."
"You don't need to force yourself, you know. Everyone has a secret or two."
Olivia-san offered me those gentle words with a look of genuine concern.