Stepping out of the tavern, Ais didn't return to the familia's headquarters.
Instead, she slipped into a quiet spot nearby.
After confirming no one was around, her gaze fixed on the floating screen in midair—one only she could see.
[Ding! You've joined the Trading Chat Group!]
[Welco to the Trading Chat Group!]
[This group exists to promote exchange and trade across the multiverse!]
Ais stared at the words, baffled by what was happening.
Just then, a stream of ssages began to scroll:
Busujima Saeko: "Another newcor. Welco to the chat."
Mikoto Misaka: "Who is it this ti? From the magic side or the science side?"
Tohru: "Newbie, report your na!"
Yukinoshita Yukino: "Don't scare the new mbers. @Tohsaka Rin, @Ais, feel free to speak if you don't mind."
Yomogawa Aya: "Welco aboard. Don't be nervous—this is a friendly group."
Tohsaka Rin: "…W-what is this thing?"
Rin's big eyes were a little dazed.
She was sure Sakura couldn't see this strange chat only she could see.
And it was claiming to link different worlds—that everyone here wasn't from the sa world?
Skeptical, Rin asked:
Tohsaka Rin: "Are we sure this isn't so nasty prank spell by a lousy magus?"
Erica: "Spell? You an magic, right?"
Tohsaka Rin: "How could 'magic' possibly exist?"
Erica: "???"
Marcille: "Of course magic exists. There's magic and black magic."
Tohsaka Rin: "???"
Shiba Miyuki: "This might just be a difference between worlds. Why don't we hear what their 'magecraft' is?"
Tohsaka Rin: "Magecraft is…"
Rin gave a brief explanation based on what she'd learned from her family:
Magecraft is a system of mysteries that artificially reproduces phenona achievable by science.
Using magic circuits to convert life force into mana, it employs specific formulas—such as incantations or rituals—to recreate phenona that science can replicate.
It adheres to the principle of equivalent exchange.
It relies on foundational systems of magecraft, like Western leylines or Eastern thought matrices.
"Magic," by contrast, refers to miracles unattainable by both science and magecraft.
According to her father, magic is also what magi ultimately pursue.
Frieren: "Got it. So the essence of 'magecraft' is imitation of nature, bounded by human technological limits."
Frieren: "In general, you might say so 'magic' degraded into magecraft as technology developed."
Frieren: "Whereas 'magic' in essence is direct manipulation of a supre power—fundantally different in chanism, form, and social impact."
Shiba Miyuki: "Looks like our definitions of magic really do vary by world."
Tohsaka Rin: "…"
Rin was at a loss for words. These people sounded so convinced.
Could they really be from other worlds?
Ais read the ssages in surprise.
After a mont's hesitation, she tried replying by silently forming the words in her mind.
Ais: "What… is this?"
Hiiragi Shinoa: "@Rei Ao, we need you here. The newcors are confused."
Hayasaka Ai: "The group owner is still in Couronne's world, right?"
Couronne: "Um… y-yes!"
Couronne replied a little bashfully.
Because at the mont she wasn't in great shape—nor were Azril, Jibril, and Schwi.
"…"
The one feeling truly unwell, though, was Michiru nearby.
Things had been fine earlier, but after dinner Rei Ao and the others had grown progressively… intimate.
By the ti she realized it, she could barely walk for fear of giving herself away.
Head down, she snuck a peek in Rei Ao's direction—and her face went scarlet.
"Has Rei Ao-kun… always been this open?"
Rei Ao: "Welco to the Trading Chat Group, Ais-san and Tohsaka Rin-san."
Though occupied with certain matters, it didn't stop him from splitting his attention to watch the chat.
The addition of these two surprised him.
He recognized Tohsaka Rin by na—though he wasn't sure which era she was from.
As for "Ais"…
There were many characters with that na. He'd need to confirm.
Rei Ao: "This is a communication platform connecting multiple universes. Through it, you can exchange knowledge with mbers from other worlds."
Ais: "Other worlds? Like different floors of the Dungeon?"
Marcille: "Wow, interesting analogy—the Dungeon. You have one too? Or are you and I from the sa world?"
Ais: "I don't know. I live in Orario."
Marushiel: "Orario… never heard of it."
Yotsuya Miko: "Then she's probably not from your world."
Rei Ao: "She isn't."
Now he knew which Ais this was.
Orario, the Dungeon, Ais—put together, it could only be the Sword Princess from DanMachi.
Frieren: "Your analogy isn't quite right. We co from entirely different universes, each with its own worldview and physical laws."
"…"
Ais mulled over what that ant.
As an adventurer who delved the Dungeon often, she was better than most at accepting the unknown.
But cross-universe communication still went far beyond her understanding.
Ais: "Prove it to ."
Bibi Dong: "Straightforward. I like that."
Bibi Dong: "But understand this: the chat group doesn't demand your belief. Whether or how you interact with us is up to you. Believe and it is; don't and it isn't—entirely your call."
Shizue Izawa: "That's about the size of it."
Rei Ao: "They're right."
Ais: "…Understood. I apologize for my earlier rudeness."
Stella: "Eh, no big deal. I'm more curious whether you two newcors have run into any trouble—or have sothing you want to do but can't. If so, you can apply for a trade with Rei Ao-kun."
~~~
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