Chapter 09 The Magic Box

After learning about the ruler's impressive achievements, I mustered the courage to confess to Lumi, hoping for some reassurance. "You know, Lumi, I had an unfortunate encounter with Helen. I accidentally bumped into her, and my face ended up, well, right in her cleavage. It was purely an accident, I swear! Do you think she'll hold it against me? I don't want to start off on the wrong foot with such a powerful person on my very first day in this new world."

Lumi's reaction was quite animated as she struck a cute pose, expressing her surprise. "Ghaaa! You did what?" she yelled.

Quickly trying to calm her down, I replied, "I promise, it was a total accident. No harm was done!"

Seeing my sincerity, Lumi relaxed and spoke in a gentle yet playful tone, "Well, considering Olivia didn't cleave you in half, I can safely say you're still on their good side. Believe me, Olivia is overly protective when it comes to Helen. She may give off that flirty and caring vibe," Lumi's voice shifted slightly, revealing a hint of annoyance, "always trying to allure others with her sweet words," but then softened as she continued, "But don't be fooled. She's the second strongest person in Luminecia. And without a doubt, Helen is the number one. Those two are like monsters in terms of power. So, trust me, if you're still walking around after that, you'll be just fine."

I let out a relieved sigh before curiously asking, "By the way, Alitia used some kind of magic, right? She mentioned something about a 'magic box power.' How does one obtain such a thing?"

Lumi's face lit up with excitement as she eagerly explained, "Oh, big sister Alitia is a 5-star MBPU! MBPU stands for 'magic box power user.' You see, even if you have mana, you can't just go around casting spells whenever you want. It's important to be compatible with a specific magic box if you want to possess its powers. For example, if you want to use fire magic, you need to test your compatibility with the fire magic box, then enter the box and absorb its power for 24 hours. The same goes for other types of magic boxes. But here's the difficult part: only a select few have the ability to wield 5-star power. In our beautiful land of Luminecia, there are only eleven 5-star MBPUs, and they are all top captains under Helen's command. They maintain order in the town and protect our city from any threats that may arise."

With a hint of concern in my voice, I asked, "So, who decides who can become a magic user? Is it the ruler?"

Lumi pondered for a moment, placing her finger to her lips, lost in deep thought while her pet was soundly asleep on her head. Then, she turned to me and explained, "It's actually a complicated and lengthy story. But to keep it simple, let me explain. Firstly, to even have a chance at receiving magical powers, you need to be compatible with the magic box. You must have a compatibility rating of at least 46%. If you enter the box with a compatibility rating lower than 35%, the power within the box will consume you, and you'll be forcefully expelled. For instance, if you enter the fire box with less than 35% compatibility, your body would be expelled, charred like a burnt bag of cooked meat."

With a hint of worry in my voice, I expressed my concern, "So that means there's a big chance I might not be able to possess any magic powers at all? The odds seem quite low, don't they? So, what follows next?"

Lumi continued her explanation, trying to ease my worries, "Yes, it can be challenging to find individuals with a high magical aptitude. But there's another factor to consider: your mana capacity. Even if your magical potential is high, if your mana pool is small, it won't be of much use. You'll exhaust yourself after just a few spells."

I exclaimed in amazement, "Wow, this is way more complex than I anticipated. I wonder how large my mana pool is and what my compatibility is like."

Lumi responded cheerfully, trying to reassure me, "Oh, Kazuki, there's no need to worry. Once we have something for you to eat, we'll head back to my super awesome lab, and I'll run some tests on you! Hu hu hu." Her eyes sparkled with excitement, indicating joy and enthusiasm.

At that moment, I couldn't help but feel like a lab rat, cautiously approaching the lab table, destined to be dissected for scientific purposes. My voice trembled as I mustered the words, "Hehe, I can't wait."

Lumi continued, her voice sweet and filled with innocence. "And there's a bit of paperwork involved, you see. You'll need to become an official citizen of the town and join a guild or the Magical Investigation Society (MIS). Also, everything needs to be approved by the town ruler. Using the magic box without proper authorization is considered a serious offense, and the punishment depends on the circumstances. It can range from a simple apology and pardon from the town's ruler to... well, even death, in extreme cases."

As she spoke, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the new world's rules and regulations. It seemed like there was a lot to navigate and consider in order to obtain the magic power. After receiving short information on the matter I jokingly said, "Let's continue our trip to the kitchen, I think I feel a bit light-headed after all the information I received."

Lumi's reaction was adorable as she quickly pulled me away, her eyes widening with concern. "Oh no! We need to get you something to eat. Let's hurry to the kitchen!" With a sense of urgency, we took a short walk toward the kitchen to find food for me.

As we entered the kitchen, a cozy and inviting atmosphere enveloped us. The aroma of freshly baked delicacies and simmering stews filled the air, adding to the delightful ambiance. Lumi skillfully navigated the space, knowing every nook and cranny as if it were her own personal playground. Her excitement was infectious, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort and warmth in her presence.

As Lumi eagerly approached the beautifully presented dish, a sudden "Ahem!" reverberated behind us. Lumi trembled in her spot, freezing with an adorable sound, "Ghee!" Turning around, we discovered a man dressed in a white robe, adorned with a cook's hat. 

He scolded Lumi, "Miss Lumi Bronzeleef, attempting to snatch my masterpiece again? How many times must I remind you that it's impolite to enter the kitchen and sample the food without asking? This food is intended for our guests. How can I serve them if you take a bite out of it?"

Lumi stood there, her head lowered and hands clasped together in a shy manner. Sensing her unease, I stepped in, saying, "Ah, yes, my sincerest apologies, sir. The fault may lie with me. Lumi was simply looking out for me, although I understand that such an excuse doesn't justify our improper behavior. We humbly request your forgiveness for our lack of refinement."

The cook's stern expression softened, his gaze shifting between Lumi and me. After a momentary pause, he let out a sigh and nodded, "Very well, I shall let this slide. But remember, both of you must learn to respect the rules and etiquette of this place. If you need nourishment just say the word and I will be more than happy to prepare anything you like. There is no need to sneak in and scavenge the place like some raccoon, Miss Lumi."

Relief washed over Lumi's face, a glimmer of gratitude shining in her eyes. She murmured a soft "Thank you, raccoons are cute," before stepping back, her demeanor meek yet appreciative.

The kitchen chef let out a sigh and said, "Ughh, that wasn't a compliment."

He quickly shifted his focus and walked over to another table. Moments later, he returned with two plates, each decorated with a beautifully crafted chicken dish. The presentation was so exquisite that it seemed as if they had been plucked straight from the pages of a magazine. The dish looked like something you'd find in a fancy, five-star restaurant. My mouth watered in anticipation.

Before me lay a culinary masterpiece that tantalized both the eyes and the taste buds. A juicy chicken breast, perfectly seared to golden perfection, rested atop a bed of vibrant sautéed vegetables, each one meticulously arranged with artistic precision. The glaze glistened, delicately coating the tender meat, enhancing its flavors with a harmonious blend of sweet and savory notes. 

As I took a closer look, I noticed a sprinkling of freshly chopped herbs, adding a burst of freshness and fragrance to the dish. The aroma wafting from the plate was irresistible, teasing my senses and heightening my anticipation. 

With each bite, I could imagine the tender chicken melting in my mouth, the juices mingling with the delectable medley of flavors. It was a feast for both the eyes and the palate, a true culinary artistry.

The food we just enjoyed was absolutely delicious, and as we left the kitchen, we made our way back to Lumi's lab. Suddenly, I heard the sound of heavy, clanking footsteps approaching from around the corner of the corridor. Lumi came to a halt, her eyes widening as the sound reached her ears. In the blink of an eye, a towering figure emerged from the corner, its massive form casting an intimidating shadow over us. It was a massive beast, dressed in armor, standing several times taller than me.