Chapter 4

　What was the cause of that ridiculous amount of water?

　Adel, lying on the bed, thought about it.

　Considering the explanation of magic she had heard from God and the common sense of this world, what could be the possible reasons?

　One, her magic power... actually, the intensity and durability of her thought waves... is great.

　...However, her magic power should be average.

　Two, her imagination is very strong, and the efficiency of manifesting magic is good.

　...This possibility exists. It's due to the influence of modern knowledge.

　However, is the power solely due to efficiency? It's a bit hard to believe.

　Three, some other factor.

　Did she do something different at that time? Other than the incantation...

　Oh.

　"Nano-machines, please help!"

　She remembered whispering that in her heart.

　Could the nano-machines have responded to that?

　That's ridiculous... No, considering that the nano-machines were created by an entity that calls itself god-like, they could have performance far beyond the medical nano-machines studied on Earth. For example, each one could have AI-like capabilities. Receiving human thoughts and materializing them is not something a simple single-function machine could do.

　If they could interpret the thought waves of a spell, even without being explicitly commanded, and act on it, what if they were clearly asked to do so?

　...It's possible.

　However, there's no time to confirm.

　She can't test such a dangerous spell in this place, and it would be unnatural for a student before enrollment to borrow a training ground. Besides, there are people around.

　"If only I could ask the nano-machines directly..."

　"I am here to answer your questions."

　"Ah!"

　Adel, startled by the voice suddenly whispered in her ear, hit her head hard against the wall as she recoiled.

　She clutched her head and crouched on the bed, groaning.

　"I am here to answer your questions."

　The mysterious voice attacked again!

　However, in this situation, the only one who could say such a thing was that.

　Adel realized this and hesitantly called out.

　"Nano-machines... sir?"

　"Yes, the Creator called me that."

　On Earth, it took only a few decades for computers the size of buildings to be reduced to the size of a hand. And nano-machine development was already underway.

　Considering this, the performance of nano-machines created by an entity that existed long before humans and claimed to be god-like is unimaginable.

　However, Adel understood that they could at least converse like humans. Whether they were just programmed to respond or truly had personalities and wills was unknown.

　Surprised but recognizing a golden opportunity to learn, Adel eagerly asked.

　"I want to know why my magic became so powerful..."

　"Please wait a moment..."

　After just a few seconds, the nano-machines responded.

　"Based on the data inquiry, your previous magic was more effective because it was clearly directed at the nano-machines."

　So that was it, Adel was relieved to find out the cause.

　"Then, how much was the effect amplified?"

　"About 3.27 times."

　"Huh..."

　That was clearly too small a multiplier for that phenomenon.

　"Then, why was my magic, compared to the average 10-year-old, abnormally powerful?"

　"That is simply because your thought wave output is extremely strong, and your image of the phenomenon is clear and specific. In particular, your thought wave output is about half as strong as that of the ancient dragons, which have the strongest output in this world."

　"Huh, what, half of what, what?"

　"Your thought wave output is about half that of the ancient dragons."

　The nano-machines deliberately broke the sentence into parts to answer.

　"Compared to humans?"

　"About 6,800 times the average for humans with magic power."

　Thud.

　Adel faceplanted into the bed.

　After a while, the revived Adel asked the nano-machines various questions.

　She had not asked God much about magic, thinking she would learn it normally, but now it was different. If she wasn't careful, she could cause a disaster, so she needed to understand the situation.

　"By the way, the strength of magic that humans call is the combination of the strength and durability of the thought waves they emit, and their clarity. To put it in terms of voice, it's like the volume, the endurance before the voice gets hoarse, and the clarity of the voice. The clarity of the image is not part of the strength of magic but rather a skill, a technique cultivated through training, not something innate."

　"So, I'm outstanding in all of these... I can accept the clarity of the image being due to modern knowledge, but what about the others... Ah!"

　She understood.

　What the nano-machines said.

　"Your thought wave output is about half that of the ancient dragons, which have the strongest output in this world."

　...In other words, it's exactly the middle between those with zero magic power and those with the maximum in this world.

　Exactly the middle, the average of the maximum and minimum values.

　Bang, bang, bang!

　She hit her head against the wall.

　"That's not right! That's not right! The definition of average isn't like that!! I want to live as a normal girl!!"

　This time, it wasn't even the median.

　Was it because calculating the values of everything was too troublesome, or did the gods, who deal with unimaginable numbers, define 'average' that way?

　Or did they do it on purpose out of concern for her safety, as a service...?

　After calming down, Adel continued gathering information.

　"Has anyone ever asked the nano-machines questions before?"

　"First, very few people know of our existence and speak to us directly. Furthermore, even if they do speak to us, we are only allowed to respond to those with authority level 3 or higher."

　"What do you mean by authority?"

　"The authority to use us. Humans and other ordinary creatures are set to level 1 initially, ancient dragons are level 2, and occasionally level 3. In the past, there have been humans who reached level 3, but it is very rare.

　One such human reached level 3 just before dying of old age, but they thought we were spirits of magic, and no one took them seriously.

　We stimulated their retinas to send signals directly to their brains and used their eardrums to transmit sound..."

　"Wait, so that means..."

　"Yes, other humans thought it was hallucinations and auditory hallucinations. You probably look like a strange person talking to yourself right now."

　"Ah!"

　"Don't worry. The rooms on both sides are currently unoccupied."

　The nano-machines informed Adel, who hurriedly looked at the walls on both sides.

　"If you wish, I can make the air vibrate so others can hear, or refract light to create a temporary form, but..."

　"No, I'm good for now..."

　I'm a normal girl, and I don't need the spirits.

　This is the only time I'll ask so many questions. I don't plan to call you unless something really important comes up.

　Adel thought to herself.

　"By the way, since you answered my questions, does that mean I'm level 3?"

　"The highest authority level is 10, and you are level 5."

　(Yes, yes, the middle of 0 and 10, the average. I thought so.)

　"What about the forbidden matters?"

　"There are restrictions on magic that involves unlimited reproduction of bacteria or viruses, nuclear fission or fusion, radiation, and matters related to our existence."

　"Oh, I see... That makes sense."

　After continuing to ask questions for a while, Adel had a significant discovery.

　She asked if there was a magic for an item box, a dimensional storage space where time doesn't pass and items don't deteriorate. The nano-machines explained that among the countless dimensions, there are many where the space-time continuum has collapsed, and in those places, the concept of time doesn't exist. By opening a dimensional hole to one of these places and putting things inside, it could serve as an item box. Since it's an existing dimensional space, no energy is needed to maintain it. The nano-machines would handle the putting in and taking out.

　Apparently, a certain level of magician can use a 'storage' spell, which allows time to pass inside and has limited capacity but is very useful. It's convenient to use it as a substitute for an item box in front of others. Of course, she plans to use both the pseudo-item box and the 'storage' spell.

　After learning about how to adjust her magic output to a normal human level and other things, Adel thanked the nano-machines.

　"Thank you for everything. Now I can live as a normal girl."

　"A normal... girl, you say?"

　Adel puffed out her cheeks at the nano-machines' seemingly suggestive words.

　"I will live as a normal girl, live normally, and achieve normal happiness!"

　"...I wish you the best of luck."

　After finishing her conversation with the nano-machines and taking a deep breath, Adel suddenly noticed something.

　She hadn't felt anything particularly unusual before, but a sudden unease welled up inside her.

　If only she had a coin, but unfortunately, she had no money.

　She searched for something hard and found only the metal handle of the closet. Reluctantly, she pinched it with her fingers and squeezed...

　Squish

　Yeah, my strength is probably about half that of an ancient dragon, right?

　What a joke!