The Counter-Rhythm Magic of Kamaitachi

From Akira's perspective:

My legs were spinning faster than I ever thought possible. As a member of the wind band, where lung capacity is crucial, I usually train by running long distances with the sports clubs, which is why I can keep running without running out of breath. Will we be able to escape safely to the village?

However, things didn't go as planned. Two bandits blocked the path ahead, and three more were closing in from behind, setting us up for a pincer attack. "So, they've prepared thoroughly to ambush us. They won't let us escape easily," I realized. The bandits swung their chain sickles menacingly. "Our lives are over here, aren't they?" I thought. "That's right, sister. Don't give up," I said. "LALALALALALA♪" "Ha, chanting a spell now to make your legs run faster is just a futile struggle," one mocked.

(What if I tweak the song a bit?)

"NLALALALALALA♪" I chanted at that moment. Suddenly, a wind arose around us, shaping into tiny blades. "It's a kamaitachi!" And these blades tore through the chain sickles and slashed across the bandits' chests. "Ouch!" "Let's escape now," I urged. As we chanted the spell again, Narsha and I resumed our escape.

While gasping for breath, Narsha spoke to me, "You use offbeats, don't you?" "Offbeats?" Indeed, I had used offbeats to alter the rhythm of the song, but did that really enhance the magic's effect? "Kamaitachi is not an easy spell for beginners to cast; you might have a real talent for magic," she admired.

We continued racing the bandits, but we reached the village first. The strong men of the village took us inside. "The bandits are injured," I explained. The village head laughed warmly, "You're quite kind-hearted for someone who was targeted for death. Well, for your sake, we won't take their lives."

True to his word, the bandits were captured and treated in the cells. I introduced myself as coming from Yamanashi Prefecture in Japan, and the villagers listened intently. "So, does your town, Koufu, have many great wizards?" "No, not really. We just enjoy music for entertainment, not like how it's integrated into everyday life here..." "I see. By the way, the 'black hole' you mentioned might be a portal that appears once every thousand years connecting different worlds. Given its rarity, you might not be able to return to your original world," he cautioned.

"Oh no..." I sighed deeply, weighed down by the village head's words. "I understand your disappointment. Oh, by the way, are you interested in attending a school of magic?" he inquired.