The Ability to Shift Anything is Convenient, Even in Another World!

While following the old man, Reika noticed several familiar details that reminded her of Japan. The place resembled an older era of Japan. She saw women wearing ragged clothes similar to kimonos, along with accessories like hairpins and pottery. Others were eating with chopsticks.

"This is..."

"All of these strange architectures and materials came from my son's vision," the old man explained. "Thanks to him, life in the village became easier."

After a few minutes of walking, Reika and Soru noticed the old man suddenly stop in front of a large house. Unlike the others in the village, this house stood out. It resembled a "Minka," a traditional Japanese house. While not particularly beautiful or well-crafted, its architecture had a striking resemblance to that style.

The old man slowly opened the gate.

"Come inside."

Reika paused for a moment. Her memories of Japan tugged at her heart, and a sudden wave of sadness and longing washed over her.

Sigh... Eating ramen after school, hanging out with my friends, working those night shifts to earn extra money... even my grandparents. I miss them so much.

She stared outside the door and watched the villagers bustling about, tending to their daily chores and responsibilities.

I wonder what they're doing right now, especially Grandpa and Grandma...

Her thoughts were interrupted when her eyes caught sight of a bookshelf behind Soru. Intrigued, Reika stood up and approached it. She crouched down to inspect the contents and found a few interesting items.

Hm?

What she saw was a handmade book with a title written in kanji at the center. Intrigued, Reika picked it up and brought it to the table, where she began to read it.

"Great Forest of Drys's Records of Monster Beasts..."

So, that's what the forest is called...

Her thoughts were interrupted when the old man entered the room, carrying a wooden plate with several cups. He placed it on the table and sat down across from them.

Noticing the book in Reika's hands, the old man smiled.

"Ah, you’ve taken an interest in that book?"

"Uh... Yes."

"Well, have some tea first, before it cools down."

Reika set the book aside and picked up one of the cups. She sipped carefully, while Soru followed suit without a word.

After drinking her tea, Reika placed the cup back on the table and picked up the book beside her.

"You want to read it?" the old man asked with a curious smile.

"Mhm," Reika replied, flipping open the cover of the handmade book.

On the first page, a note was neatly written in kanji at the center:

These records are intended to help understand the species in the Great Forest of Drys. Handle with care. - Fumeirō

Reika turned the page and found herself captivated by the book's contents.

Each page revealed simple yet astonishing illustrations of various monster beasts, their features brought to life with remarkable detail. Alongside the sketches were descriptions of the creatures, detailing their appearances, known strengths, weaknesses, and even their hunting seasons. The work was meticulous, blending artistry with practical knowledge.

"Amazing, huh?" the old man said, breaking the silence.

Reika glanced at him, the book still open in her hands. "Fumeirō... is this your son's work?"

The old man smiled warmly, his eyes reflecting pride.

"Yes," he said. "My son, Fumeirō, gathered this information with the help of the villagers. He asked them about the monsters they've seen in the Great Forest of Drys—their appearances, behaviors, and traits. Some of these creatures, even our ancestors never knew existed. Yet, Fumeirō managed to document them."

"To some extent," the old man continued, his voice tinged with a mix of awe and concern, "he would sneak into the forest himself to observe these beasts up close, drawing them with his own eyes so that we might all be better prepared for what lies within that untamed wilderness."

"At first, I scolded him countless times," the old man said with a weary chuckle. "I told him that entering the forest alone was dangerous and would only bring him harm. But no matter how much I warned him, he kept disobeying me, insisting that he was careful and kept his distance to observe the creatures without being seen. I kept scolding him, over and over, until one day I grew tired and decided to let him do whatever he wanted."

He glanced at the book in Reika's hands, his tone softening.

"In the end, what he did turned out to be invaluable for the villagers. That book became a guide. It helps them decide when to enter the forest, what dangers to avoid, and which beasts are edible or poisonous to humans. His work saved lives."

While the old man spoke, Reika continued flipping through the pages of the book. When she turned to the next page, her eyes widened.

This...

She leaned closer, examining the detailed illustration of a snarling creature. Beneath it, written in neat kanji, was the name: Rabid Wolf.

The wolf we saw earlier is called a Rabid Wolf...?

Curiosity urged her to flip another page, where she found an image of a creature that sent a chill through her. It had two powerful hind legs and a massive pair of wings. She read the caption below: Wyvern.

There's no mistaking it... The flying lizard that spat flames at us—it was a Wyvern.

She turned another page and came across another familiar sight. This time, it was a lizard-like creature with menacing eyes. Beneath its image, the word Basilisk was written.

Reika's pace quickened as she flipped through more pages, searching for anything else she might recognize. Page after page turned until her hands stopped on one illustration.

The image was different—more intricate and striking than the others. Her eyes were drawn to the details, as though the artist had poured extra care into capturing this particular monster's essence. Reika leaned in as she studied it closely.

The monster depicted had enormous claws and leathery, bat-like wings. Its lizard-like appearance was strikingly similar to the Wyvern, but unlike the Wyvern, it had four muscular legs. Its body was covered in rough, jagged scales that looked as if they could deflect even the sharpest of blades.

"Oho... The Wildfire Dragon Veylir," the old man said with a nostalgic smile. "How amazing that he managed to draw it exactly as I described it all those years ago!"

Reika's eyes flicked down to the text beneath the illustration. Sure enough, it matched the old man's words perfectly.

"Did he... actually see this dragon with his own eyes?" Reika asked, her voice quiet but filled with curiosity.

The old man burst into laughter, his voice echoing through the room.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! If that were true, it would be nothing short of a miracle!"

Reika, unfazed by his laughter, stared at him with a serious expression. The old man noticed her intensity and stopped, awkwardly clearing his throat.

The old man cleared his throat, continuing his story with a wistful smile.

"Ahem! He didn't see the dragon but only drew it from what he was told years ago."

"See, when I was young, I sneaked into the forest, driven by curiosity. Somehow, I got lost, without realizing I had ventured too deep. As any child would, I panicked and cried out in fear."

"Miraculously, none of the monsters noticed me. I wandered aimlessly, unaware that I was moving deeper into the woods. The path that led back home seemed to have vanished."

He paused for a moment, his eyes far away as if lost in the past.

"While desperately searching for a way out, I noticed a shadow in the sky. It was massive—far larger than any bird or beast I had ever seen. I quickly hid under the nearest bush, fearing that the strange creature would find me."

"The creature was a dragon—a Calamity Dragon, to be exact. The Wildfire Dragon Veylir."

He leaned forward, his voice low but filled with awe.

"It was enormous—so much larger than the wyvern I had seen before. Its body was long and serpentine, with wings that stretched wide enough to block the sun. Its head was crowned with sharp crests, and its claws were enormous—perfect for tearing through anything in its path. The scales were a deep maroon, like a mixture of crimson flame and the deep wood of a burning forest."

"This dragon that you speak of—how did you know it was one you saw years ago?" Reika asked.

"Because my great-grandmother also saw it with her own eyes, too."

The old man sighed as he sipped his cup and continued talking.

"I remember that my late mother once told me that a dragon resides in the Great Forest of Drys and acts as the guardian of the forest. And it wasn't an ordinary dragon, but a named one called Calamity Dragon Veylir."

"According to what my great-grandmother told my grandmother, which she also told my mother, the calamity dragon once wreaked havoc and burned a portion of the forest. Part of the forest turned into a sea of flames, burning everything in sight. Every creature and plant was set ablaze as the fiery flames consumed their bodies and lives."

"My mother pointed out that the dragon's senses are sharper than those of an average monster. She told me that I was lucky that the dragon didn't see me, though I believed that the dragon obviously noticed my presence. Probably, I was spared because it didn't even consider me as a threat at all, or it wasn't hungry at that time."

"After the dragon vanished from my eyesight, I ran away quickly. I ran relentlessly until I stumbled upon my father, who had been looking after me for hours. He was furious at that time and gave me quite a beating afterwards."

The old man drank from his cup again and emptied it. He placed the cup on the table.

"My mother also told me that there are other Calamity Dragons besides the Wildfire Dragon. However, I don’t know what they look like because even my great-grandmother had no knowledge of their appearances—only the Wildfire Dragon."

"Although I wish to see the other dragons in my lifetime, I may never get the chance due to my age…"

Reika quietly listened as the old man lowered his head.

"Well, being one of the oldest races on the continent, they possess a lifespan greater than a human's. A century is like a decade to them, and they rarely go outside their den. Seeing one is a once-in-a-lifetime experience..."

"I see..." Reika murmured, her thoughts drifting as she processed his words.

The old man glanced down at the empty cups, and a realization seemed to dawn on him.

"Oh! I forgot to ask both of your names..." he said, lifting his head and bowing slightly in front of them.

Reika and Soru followed suit, bowing their heads respectfully.

"I am Silas, the chief of Signas Village."

Reika straightened up after the bow. "I am... Mi-Reika Mitsuha. And he's..."

"Shin Soru."

Reika gritted her teeth at Soru's lack of formality in his greeting.

Not only did he fail to greet properly, but he also introduced his last name first!

Silas chuckled softly, his expression warm as he processed their names.

"So you're Miss Reika, and he's... Mister Shin."

"Ah, no, no. His actual name is Soru. Shin is just his family name..."

"Oh..."

Silas quietly observed them, his gaze lingering on their unfamiliar clothes, a clear sign that they were from somewhere he had never encountered before. 

They must be from nobility, judging by those unusual garments and the presence of a second name. But... why are they speaking Japanese? I never expected anyone outside this region to use it so casually, not to mention on this continent...

While Silas silently pondered, Reika and Soru, unaware of his thoughts, were talking to each other. She reprimanded him for his words earlier.

"You know we're not from here, and yet you told him your family name first—"

She paused mid-sentence as a loud, piercing scream suddenly cut through the air from outside. It echoed into the room, breaking their conversation and drawing their attention.

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

Silas snapped back upon hearing a loud scream outside his house. Without hesitation, he ran out the door, his heart pounding with fear. Just then, the old man trembled, his eyes wide in disbelief at what he saw in the sky.

I-Isn't that... T-The Wildfire Dragon Veylir...?

Reika and Soru quickly followed, their steps quickening as they caught sight of the unfolding chaos. Reika's gaze swept across the village, her mind struggling to process the scene. 

What had once been a peaceful, bustling place was now consumed by flames. The fire spread quickly, devouring everything in its path. From where they stood, the heat was undeniable, its intensity a constant reminder of the danger. The air was filled with the sounds of chaos—screams, cries, and desperate shouts for help. Reika stood frozen as the shock of the moment overwhelmed her.

Soru saw the enormous monster rampaging through the village from a distance. He pointed toward the sky, his voice cutting through the silence. "Mitsuha-san, look over there."

Reika turned, following his finger. Her eyes widened as she saw the massive creature soaring above them.

"That creature... Is that...?"

The creature's colossal form hovered in the sky. Its wings stretched wide, easily spanning several meters. Its serpent-like body was topped with a crested head and formidable claws. The scales, thick and bulky, were a deep maroon, glowing ominously.

There's no mistaking it... That’s the Wildfire Dragon Veylir the old man mentioned earlier...!

Reika glanced at Silas, who was already running toward the gate. Understanding his intent, she quickly followed, knowing there was no time to waste.

"Shin-kun, come with me! We must help the village people!"

Without a word, Soru followed her in silence.

Surrounded by frantic voices and the deafening sound of crying and shouting, they managed to reach the center of the village. There, Reika saw Silas helping people escape from the burning houses. Her gaze shifted, and she noticed a child struggling to keep up with her family. Without hesitation, Reika ran to the child and offered her assistance.

Soru, meanwhile, noticed several men desperately trying to douse the flames consuming their homes. He walked toward them calmly. As he did, he heard Silas shouting in the distance. He paused for a moment to listen.

"Those who can walk properly, help the other villagers who are still trapped in their houses! Those who are injured, gather them at the center of the village!" Silas called out.

Although Soru didn't understand the language, the message was clear—save the villagers. He approached one of the men struggling with the flames and tapped him on the shoulder. The man turned, annoyed.

"Hey! What are you—"

Without a word, Soru raised his right hand and pointed it toward a burning house. In an instant, the flames that had consumed the entire structure vanished. Not just one house, but every fire raging throughout the village was snuffed out in the blink of an eye.

The village men who witnessed the miracle were left speechless, their eyes wide in disbelief. Even Reika, who had been watching closely, understood Soru's role in the sudden disappearance of the flames. The realization struck her like a bolt of lightning.

Shin-kun... Don't tell me...?!

She whispered to herself, her mind racing as she pieced everything together. "You're the one who saved me back then?!"