I don't believe in God, but I'll use the "Miracle of God" freely ~I'll increase my magic arbitrarily and become invincible in another world~ - Chapter 7

The next day, I came to the church in the morning.

 

Looking up at the roof, the “Six-Ringed Clione” was still perched there.

 

Amalia and Loretta had gone to work, and usually, it was the time when I helped the neighbors with their fields. However, today, there was something I desperately wanted to ask Radi to do for me.

 

I wanted her to do “that” one more time.

 

(Well, this… I can’t handle it on my own.)

 

No matter how hard I tried to concentrate, I felt no response. Frustrated by the lack of progress, I gave up practicing on my own quite quickly.

 

Maybe I could grasp something if I got a bit more used to it. That’s why I had come to the church again, but unfortunately, Radi wasn’t there.

 

With permission from Kifrod, the elderly priest at the church, I waited beside the building.

 

The church in Rish Village was home to two people, Kifrod and Radi. Originally dispatched as a priest from the diocesan cathedral, Kifrod was well-trusted by the villagers as he had been stationed in Rish Village for decades. He seemed to have known Radi since before she became a nun.

 

In fact, Kifrod seemed to be the oldest resident in Rish Village.

 

With pure white hair, a long beard, and a wrinkled face that carried a cheerful smile, the elderly priest looked like he could be anywhere between 70 and 100 years old.

 

While waiting, I noticed Radi walking down the main street.

 

Radi noticed me too and smiled gently.

 

(She still looks like the Madonna. Should I call her the “Smiling Madonna Lafinmaria” from now on?)

 

I was thinking rather impolite thoughts, considering I had come to ask her for help. Radi approached the church, and upon seeing me, she greeted, “Good morning, Mika-kun.”

 

I replied and gave her a slight bow.

 

“What brings you here? Please, come inside.”

 

Following Radi’s invitation, I entered the church. She gestured for me to sit in the same front row as yesterday, but I remained standing and bowed my head.

 

“Sister Radi, please, can you do it again, like yesterday?”

 

I kept my head lowered, waiting for Radi’s response, but she didn’t say whether it was okay or not.

 

I continued waiting in the same posture, and after a while, she said, “Please, raise your head.”

 

Her voice wasn’t particularly cheerful, so I raised my head with a sense of trepidation. There, as I had expected, Radi had a troubled expression.

 

“Mika-kun, your magical power isn’t abundant. We know that from the measurements. There’s no need to rush. Your magical abilities will grow gradually, and if you enter the academy or the church, you can learn how to control it.”

 

I knew it wasn’t something urgent. If the time came, I would be re-evaluated, and if deemed “talented,” I would go to the academy. Even if not, I could learn at the church. I understood that, but I couldn’t calm down. I felt restless, to say the least. It was a desire to find a new excitement and immerse myself in it.

 

My inability to switch gears was evident even here. I stared up at the ceiling, lost in my thoughts, and Radi let out a sigh.

 

“Come on, don’t look at me like that.”

 

Radi, with an even more troubled expression, ruffled my hair with a bit of force. It was an unusual, slightly rough way for her to behave.

 

“I understand, already. It can’t be helped.”

 

She spoke as if she had given up, smoothing down my hair, which had become a bit messy, and then extended both of her hands, just like yesterday.

 

“I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but Mika-kun, your magical power is not abundant. We know that from the measurements. Forcing it now won’t make much sense, you know?”

 

With a “yes” in response, I placed my hand on top of Radi’s.

 

“Here we go. Concentrate. Don’t push yourself too hard.”

 

With Radi’s serious voice urging me on, I nodded.

 

I closed my eyes and focused my consciousness on my hands and ears.

 

*Kiiiing*—a sound resonated almost immediately.

 

Following that, ripples spread from both hands and resonated throughout my body.

 

(It’s here, it’s here. This is it.)

 

A clear sound and ripples that pleasantly resonated within my body.

 

A sense of exhilaration that made my whole body tremble.

 

I was on the verge of losing consciousness and wanted to surrender myself to the pleasant resonance.

 

Suddenly, I remembered Radi talking about the love of God with a blissful expression.

 

If Radi had experienced a similar sensation, it made sense for her to look that way.

 

(…This isn’t the time to indulge. I need to find some hints.)

 

It was like trying to grasp the “sound” resonating throughout my body. I could perceive it, but I couldn’t touch it. Even if I focused my consciousness randomly, I could only feel the sound and ripples resonating throughout my body; I couldn’t do anything with them.

 

(What should I do? How can I move “this” with my own will?)

 

I concentrated even more, chasing after the “something” resonating.

 

However, it expanded and resonated on its own, without any regard for my intentions. I felt frustration welling up within me and involuntarily tensed up.

 

“Are you okay, Mika-kun?”

 

Radi noticed my tension and spoke up.

 

“Yes… I’m fine.”

 

I closed my eyes and continued to concentrate.

 

The waves of magical interference I felt in both hands. The ripples.

 

Radi had described it as her magical power being weak, fragile, and gently touching my hands like threads. It felt like something being pressed in slightly, although it disappeared immediately.

 

(…Weak.)

 

I repeated Radi’s words.

 

“Can you make it stronger?”

 

“Yes, of course. Shall we try various things?”

Radi gradually increased the magical power she sent to Mika. However, the increase was truly minimal. She started making changes, altering the strength of the magical power sent with her left and right hands, experimenting with various modifications.

 

Unlike the harmonious resonance from earlier, now various sounds and ripples were chaotic inside Mika. To put it simply, it was a mess. It wasn’t noise, nor was it particularly loud. It was just an entirely disharmonious collection of sounds resonating chaotically. These sounds moved randomly, shifting from right to left, sometimes coming from the front, other times from behind. A flood of incomprehensible noises washed over Mika, accompanied by ripples.

 

Instinctively, Mika tried to push back against the encroaching sounds with his consciousness. He felt a faint, almost imperceptible resistance. He focused his awareness in that direction, but found nothing. However, when he directed his consciousness against the invading sounds and pushed back several times, he occasionally felt some resistance.

 

(…Is this a clue?)

 

After pushing back a few times, Mika tried not just pushing back against the incoming sounds but also adding his own consciousness to their momentum. If the sounds moved right, he pushed right; if they moved left, he pushed left. As he continued, the resonance grew stronger, gaining momentum.

 

Slowly releasing his hand from Radi’s, Mika concentrated on the flow of sounds and ripples within himself. Pushing right and left without losing momentum, he found the resonance continuing without weakening.

 

“Mika-kun?”

 

Radi called out, but Mika couldn’t respond. He was too focused on the resonance and ripples within himself. The mental image he had was akin to scooping water with his hands, like stirring bathwater. There was no solid resistance, but he interfered with his magical power as if he were stirring the bathwater to the right and left.

 

By doing so, he managed to maintain the resonance without weakening it.

 

Slowly opening his eyes, Mika saw Radi looking at him with concern. Careful not to let his consciousness wander, Mika bowed his head to Radi.

 

“Thank you, Sister Radi. I feel like I’ve gained a bit of a clue.”

 

“That’s good to hear. But don’t push yourself too hard. I’m sure you’ll learn to handle magical power calmly, Mika-kun.”

 

“Yes,” Mika replied, focusing his consciousness within himself, making sure not to let it drift outward too much, and continued to manipulate his magical power, shifting it right and left.

 

“Take care on your way home. Handling magical power can be very exhausting; you might feel dizzy if you’re not careful.”

 

“I will. Thank you.”

 

With that, Mika left the church. He walked slowly, his body swaying from side to side. Radi wondered if she should accompany him home, concerned about his condition.

 

—

 

On the way back from the church, I continued to walk while directing my focus toward my own magical power, moving it right and left.

 

It felt like the water inside a tank was swaying vigorously. Aligning my consciousness with the movements to the right and left, I swayed my own awareness accordingly.

 

The fluctuations in magical power became stronger or weaker, moving as I desired. It was no longer just ripples; it was something akin to the undulations of large water waves.

 

“So, this is magical power…”

 

The sensation was still faint, but I managed to maintain the fluctuations. I had no idea how to turn this into a “Miracle of God,” but for now, I decided to practice moving it a little more.

 

As I was thinking of heading home to practice further, it was still early. I pondered whether I should just return or go for a walk. Since I hadn’t explored the eastern side of the village yet, I decided to head toward the eastern fence.

 

—

 

On the eastern side of the village, at the northeastern edge, there was a textile factory where Amalia and Loretta worked. The factory, protruding eastward from the village along the northern river, appeared quite large when seen up close. There were four buildings lined up, each with a roof slightly higher than regular houses, resembling the size of a community sports center.

 

I had seen it from afar when I visited the northern gate, but I hadn’t paid much attention at the time.

 

“It’s called a textile factory, but it seems there’s also a spinning mill attached.”

 

Cotton fields stretched on both sides of the road connecting Rish Village and Cottontesse. Apart from a small area near the village with vegetable gardens, the rest was all cotton fields.

 

It appeared that Rish Village had been developed for the production of thread and textiles. The village’s existence was supported by the vast management of cotton fields and the industries of spinning and cotton weaving. In fact, almost 100% of Rish Village’s labor force was involved in either the cotton fields or the textile factory.

 

Without dyeing the products, they delivered raw threads and textiles to the lord, receiving wages in return. They relied on Cottontesse for all other necessities since they hardly engaged in animal husbandry or other forms of agriculture. The current state of Rish Village, where everything was controlled by the lord, was unsettling. However, considering the cultural level of this world, perhaps such economic activities were still underdeveloped.

 

“With just a lord’s decision, lives can be spared or taken away… Since there’s no other connection aside from Cottontesse, there are no other options.”

 

Thinking about my future, I felt a sense of gloom. As long as I stayed in this village, there was likely no freedom in choosing my occupation. In the worst-case scenario, maybe not even in “this world.”

 

“I hope there’s no complete hereditary system…”

 

While manipulating my magical power, I pondered what to do. That’s when I noticed a man coming out of one of the buildings in the textile factory. He seemed to be heading toward the adjacent building but noticed me and walked toward me, leaving the box he was carrying.

 

The man was short but sturdy, with a

 

 somewhat barrel-like physique. He seemed vaguely familiar to me.

 

Curious, I approached him.

 

Hey, it’s you, Mika.　What are you doing here?　You want to see your mother?”

 

‘Hello, Horacio.　Thank you for helping me the other day.’

 

Mika bowed politely, and Horacio looked at him with surprise. Mika had known Horacio even before the swap had occurred. As the supervisor at the workplace of Amalia and Loretta, Mika had met him several times before. Sometimes, Horacio would even give him sweets.

 

(…I owe my life to this man’s judgment back then.)

 

Horacio had found Mika collapsed due to heatstroke and protected him. However, it wasn’t just a simple case of being saved because he was rescued.

 

The place where Mika had collapsed was closer to Cottontesse than Rish Village, located along the road connecting the two places. Moreover, Cottontesse also had a church with a user of the “Miracle of God.” Despite these circumstances, Horacio promptly decided to take Mika back to Rish Village.

 

The reason was simple: money.

 

Usually, healing with the “Miracle of God” using “healing” required payment. It was technically labeled as a donation, but without making a donation, there was a high chance that one wouldn’t receive “healing.” Additionally, the required donation amount tended to increase with the seriousness of the illness or injury.

 

Considering the risk of being refused “healing” if he didn’t pay the donation on the spot, Horacio had no hesitation in deciding to return to Rish Village. He knew Radi would never abandon a child in the village. That certainty had led him to conclude that returning to Rish Village, even if it was farther away, was the more secure choice.

 

Though Mika had met Radi multiple times since being saved, he hadn’t yet encountered Horacio. Since Horacio was mostly busy in the factory, they hadn’t crossed paths much.

 

“You’ve become quite proficient at greetings during the time I haven’t seen you. I’m impressed, young man,” Horacio remarked, chuckling.

 

He was a child-loving man, despite his appearance suggesting he could punch even a bull to death. Horacio was popular with the children and often seen playing with them during village festivals, despite his busy schedule. However, whenever he encountered a child he hadn’t met before, they invariably started crying, with Mika being no exception in the past.

 

Horacio briefly checked Mika’s condition before saying, “You seem much better now.”

 

“…I’m sorry,” Mika apologized sincerely.

 

Without him, Mika might have lost his life that day.

 

“Being healthy is good, but don’t worry your mother and sister too much,” Horacio advised.

 

“Yes…” Mika replied, hanging his head. He was aware of how much worry and trouble he had caused those around him, as Loretta had explained the situation to him.

 

“What brings you here today? If you have an errand for your mother, I can accompany you.”

 

“I’m fine. I’m just taking a walk.”

 

“I see. Well, if there’s anything, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll come get you,” Horacio said.

 

With that, Horacio started to leave, but then he stopped and looked puzzled. He stared at Mika, picked him up suddenly, and said, “Huh?”

 

“Why?”

 

“It looks like you’re still not feeling well. Rest a little. I can’t just let you go home like this,” Horacio stated firmly.

 

Saying so, he carried Mika and headed into one of the buildings. Walking down the corridor, they entered a spacious room.

 

It appeared to be more of a company cafeteria than a break room. There was a long counter where a few women were busily preparing lunch on the other side. The cafeteria had more than ten tables, and there were several long benches in one corner of the room.

 

After being seated on one of the benches, an elderly woman who had been wiping the tables approached them.

 

“Oh, Mr. Factory Manager, what happened? Is this young man… isn’t he Mika? Is something wrong?” the elderly woman asked.

 

“He seemed unwell, so I brought him here to rest for a bit,” Horacio explained.

 

“Oh my, my, my. Just a moment, please,” the elderly woman said.

 

Saying so, she poured water into a glass and brought it over. Horacio left and didn’t return, leaving Mika alone with the concerned elderly woman.

 

“Dear me, Manager. What happened? This child is… Mika, isn’t it? What’s going on?” she inquired.

 

“He seemed unwell, so I thought it best to let him rest for a while,” Horacio said.

 

“…But you can’t just let a child like him go around feeling dizzy like this,” she replied, holding out the glass of water.

 

“Please wait,” she added as Mika took the glass. Horacio didn’t return, and Mika couldn’t stand the sympathetic gaze of the elderly woman, who now seemed more concerned than ever.

 

“Uhm… I’m really fine, so please, don’t worry,” Mika tried to assure her.

 

“Well, well, well, children shouldn’t be reserved. Take your time,” she said, her expression showing that she didn’t believe him at all.

 

While Mika was contemplating what to do, he took a sip of the water in the glass. He had completely forgotten about his magical power due to the sudden turn of events. Focusing his consciousness inward, he felt his body swaying.

 

As he moved his magical power to the right, his body followed to the right; when he moved it to the left, his body swayed left.

 

“Mika!”

 

After idly swaying his magical power for a while, Amalia arrived in the cafeteria. She seemed out of breath, having hurried over.

 

(Why did you call Amalia too, Mr. Horacio?)

 

To call even parents from their work was going overboard, or so Mika thought. Amalia’s worry seemed to be nearing its peak as she interpreted Mika’s condition as being extremely severe.

 

Horacio returned as well, discussing things like taking him home, going to the church, or seeking the “Miracle of God” from Radi.

 

“Wait, wait! Please don’t worry so much! I’m really okay! It’s really nothing!”

 

“You can’t say it’s nothing when you’re swaying like that.”

 

“…Swaying?”

 

Mika looked confused.

 

Come to think of it, Horacio had mentioned something like that earlier. When he considered what Horacio had said, he realized he was indeed swaying.

 

Whenever he moved his magical power right or left, his body followed the movement.

 

(What?! When I moved my magical power, my body unconsciously swayed too?!)

 

Feeling embarrassed at such a silly reason, Mika blushed furiously.

 

“Come on, don’t blush like that. Maybe you should have Sister Radi check you—”

 

“I really am fine! It’s just, um… I’m a bit sore from exercising too much, and I can’t calm down…”

 

“Huh?”

 

“What?”

 

Amalia and Horacio both looked utterly perplexed. Strangely, only the elderly woman continued to smile.

 

Embarrassed by his lame excuse, Mika felt even more awkward. It sounded quite ridiculous and somewhat like an excuse an old man would make.

 

Seeing Mika blushing, Horacio appeared somewhat troubled too.

 

“Ah… I guess it was just my misunderstanding. I’m sorry for making a big fuss,” he said.

 

Horacio had heard that Mika had recovered, but given the incident a week ago, he seemed to have panicked, thinking something serious might have happened.

 

Though he had jumped to conclusions, Horacio was genuinely kind-hearted, considering the village children so seriously.

 

“I’m the one who should apologize,” Mika said.

 

Amalia, too, breathed a sigh of relief, hugging Mika gently. 

 

“Don’t… don’t worry so much, please,” he said.

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

Feeling increasingly embarrassed, Mika wished he could just disappear.

 

Amalia seemed to have been agitated by thoughts like, “Mika’s acting strange” or “Considering what happened last time,” which had fueled her anxiety. Realizing that it wasn’t such a big deal, Mika felt immense relief.

 

“Alright, alright. Now that I know nothing’s wrong, let’s get back to work,” the elderly woman said.

 

Clapping her hands, she changed the atmosphere with a smile. Horacio was encouraged by the elderly woman and returned to work, and Amalia saw Mika off to the exit.

 

“Be sure to stay quiet at home today,” Amalia instructed.

 

Unable to argue, Mika decided to return home. Even though it wasn’t his intention, he had caused a commotion, so he felt like he was under some sort of house arrest.

 

Since it was on his way home, he decided to take a slightly longer route, walking along the village fence. The eastern side of the village was similar to the western side; there was nothing particularly special there. There were scattered houses within a wide area, and beyond the fence, there was a forest, just like on the western side.

 

“…It’s still strange, isn’t it?”

 

Having looked around the village thoroughly, there was something that didn’t sit right with him. The village was too large.

 

Reportedly, Rish Village had over 200 residents, but the village area seemed excessively vast. Even with one-third of the current area or one-fifth of it, it appeared that there would still be enough space per household. Moreover, despite having such a large area, the vegetable fields were located outside the village. Houses were scattered throughout the entire fenced area, not concentrated within a specific region.

 

It seemed highly inefficient.

 

Although it must have required significant effort to encircle the village entirely with a fence, even more labor would have been saved if the village’s area were one-fifth of what it was. Mika couldn’t understand why such a design choice had been made.

 

“…Could it be that they didn’t plan anything?”

 

He didn’t know the village’s history, so he had no idea when the settlement had begun. It might have been a thoughtless endeavor started on a whim. With nothing here, his guess that the village was established for the production of thread and fabric was probably correct.

 

Starting something without a proper plan, then realizing the settlers didn’t gather as expected, might have resulted in an excess of unused land. The protruding shape of the weaving factory might have been to secure the village’s area. Perhaps they had planned to build more than just the current four buildings.

 

Mika didn’t know if it was the current lord or the previous one, but their domestic policy seemed quite inadequate. Well, despite that, the village had managed to avoid a breakdown, which was commendable. He wondered if it was thanks to the lord or someone else’s efforts.

 

“Well then, I should focus on some serious practice.”

 

Taking about twenty minutes observing the village on his way back, Mika returned home. He sat in his usual spot, closed his eyes, and concentrated. He moved the magical power within him, being careful not to move his body.