บท 91: [91] A Bridge Between Worlds

The room remained silent, filled only with the faint sound of Raphael and Nanahoshi's breaths as they sat across from each other. The sunlight streaming through the grand window illuminated Nanahoshi's face, her white mask barely concealing the disappointment etched across her features. Though she tried to suppress her emotions, Raphael's keen eyes discerned every nuance.

"I'm disappointed, to be honest," Nanahoshi finally said, her tone flat yet unable to mask the frustration seeping through. "I thought... I thought you'd understand. Or at least have a better answer."

Raphael raised an eyebrow, his expression unchanging as he crossed his arms. His sharp gaze stayed fixed on her. "I understand your desire to return to Earth, Nanahoshi-san. But I have to be realistic. Even if we come from the same world, that doesn't mean I have a solution to your problem."

Nanahoshi tilted her head up, meeting Raphael's piercing eyes with her own weary gaze. "You do understand, don't you? The way people here talk, act, even think... it all feels wrong to me. It's like I'm a foreign object, something that doesn't belong."

Raphael held her gaze for a long moment before responding, his voice steady. "Yes, I understand. I face the same thing, though perhaps not as intensely as you. The people in this world have a completely different perspective—on morality, ethics, and logic."

"And it's exhausting," Nanahoshi murmured, her voice quieter now. "I don't want to be one of them. But at the same time, I can't be completely alone. I need help, but every time I open up, it feels like I'm getting more trapped."

Raphael sighed softly. "That's a difficult position to be in. But let's focus on something concrete. You came to me seeking a way to return to Earth. Tell me, who's helped you get this far?"

Nanahoshi stiffened, her expression becoming guarded. "I can't tell you that."

Raphael raised a hand in a calming gesture. "I understand. You don't want to endanger them. That's fair."

Raphael leaned back in his chair, scrutinizing her with a calculating look. "Alright, let's focus on your primary goal—returning to Earth. You do realize that what you're describing is dimensional travel, don't you? Even in our world—with all its scientific advancements—that's just a theory."

Nanahoshi nodded, her expression serious. "I know that. But... I have no choice but to try."

A faint smile tugged at Raphael's lips, though his eyes remained sharp. "Nanahoshi-san, you need to understand something. Even if there are scientific theories about multidimensional travel—like string theory or the concept of a multiverse—we must remain grounded. To cross dimensions, humans like us would need resources and knowledge far beyond what we had, even on Earth."

Nanahoshi fell silent, mulling over his words. "But isn't this world filled with magic? If science isn't enough, maybe there's a way to use magic as a bridge."

Raphael nodded slightly, though his skepticism was evident. "That's a possibility. However, the magic in this world doesn't operate under the same rules as science. You might find someone powerful enough to open a dimensional portal, but would it lead to Earth? Or to yet another unfamiliar dimension?"

Nanahoshi bit her lip, frustration flashing across her face. "Then what am I supposed to do? I can't just sit around doing nothing."

Raphael studied her, his gaze probing deeper. "You want a definitive answer, but all I can offer is guidance. If you truly wish to return to Earth, your first step is to understand your limits. Don't just rely on magic or technology—learn how the two might be combined. This world may be strange, but there could be clues here that could help you create the bridge you're looking for."

Nanahoshi locked eyes with Raphael, her voice firm despite the uncertainty in her heart. "You're speaking as if I need to accept that I might never succeed."

Raphael gave a faint smile. "Not accept—prepare. There are no guarantees in a journey like this. But if you're determined, I'll assist you as far as I'm able."

Nanahoshi remained silent, absorbing his words.

After a long pause, Raphael rose from his seat, towering over her with an air of authority. "You have remarkable determination, Nanahoshi-san. But this journey will be long and arduous. If you're set on continuing, you'll need more than hope. You'll need knowledge, understanding, and patience."

Nanahoshi stood as well, adjusting the mask on her face. Her eyes, once filled with despair, now glimmered with a faint light of resolve. "I know. But I won't give up. I can't give up."

Raphael walked over to a small bookshelf in the corner of the room. The shelf was lined with old yet meticulously maintained books, some bearing titles in the language of this world, others in Japanese or even English. He carefully pulled out a thick volume and brought it to Nanahoshi.

"This book," he said, handing it to her, "is a compilation of advanced scientific principles from our world. Physics, chemistry, biology—it's all here. Maybe this will help you understand the concepts you'll need for your goal."

Nanahoshi accepted the book with trembling hands, a mix of awe and disbelief on her face. She opened the first page, her eyes scanning the familiar yet distant diagrams. "Is this... from Earth?"

Raphael smirked faintly, settling back into his chair. "Of course not. The information is embedded in my mind. I reconstructed what I could remember from our world."

Nanahoshi stared at him, curiosity lighting up her expression. "How do you know all this? Were you a scientist on Earth?"

Raphael chuckled softly, taking a sip from the tea cup resting on the table. "Oh, I didn't mention it? Before I was transported to this world, I was pursuing an advanced degree in engineering. Technically, I was a student and a researcher."

Her eyes widened slightly. "So, you really were a scientist? That's amazing."

Raphael shrugged. "Perhaps. But here, that status means little unless I can find a way to make my knowledge relevant."

Nanahoshi hesitated before speaking again. "By the way, have you ever felt... out of place in this world? Like your body rejects Mana?"

Raphael raised an eyebrow. "No. Why do you ask? Is that something I should be concerned about?"

She sighed, lowering her gaze. "So... it's just me?"

Raphael leaned forward, his tone steady. "Explain."

Nanahoshi took a deep breath before continuing. "I can't use magic. At all. My body rejects Mana because I come from a world where it doesn't exist. That means I can't use magic or combat auras, though I can use magical items since they rely on their own power source."

Raphael listened intently, his expression unchanged.

"But because of that, I suffer from something called Mana Drain Syndrome. My body constantly absorbs Mana from the environment, but since I have no natural mechanism to process it, my body reacts negatively. It feels like I'm slowly being killed by it."

Raphael leaned closer, his gaze sharp. "The symptoms?"

Nanahoshi nodded grimly. "Nausea, dizziness, sometimes high fevers. The only thing that helps is drinking Sokasu Grass tea. It forces my body to expel the accumulated Mana... through waste. But it's just a temporary fix. I have to keep drinking it to survive."

Raphael reclined in his chair, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed the information. "So the tea doesn't cure you. It merely slows the process."

"Exactly," she replied. "I don't know if there's any way to truly fix it."

Raphael fell silent, his mind racing with possibilities. "Mana Drain Syndrome," he murmured, almost to himself.

Nanahoshi's eyes widened with hope. "Do you... know something?"

Raphael's lips curved into a faint smile. "I wouldn't be too confident. But if your body lacks a mechanism to process Mana, then this isn't purely a magical issue. It's also biological. Something in your body acts as a 'filter,' but it's failing to handle the strain."

Nanahoshi leaned forward, hanging on his every word.

"Imagine the human body as a biological system designed to handle specific energies," Raphael continued. "On Earth, those energies were food, oxygen, and so on. But in this world, Mana is an additional element your body wasn't built to handle. It's trying to adapt but failing due to a lack of necessary components."

She nodded slowly. "So my body's like a machine that's incompatible with this new fuel?"

"Exactly," Raphael said. "And the Sokasu Grass tea acts as a catalyst to expel the unprocessed energy."

He stood, returning to his bookshelf and pulling out another volume, this one detailing the biology of this world. Handing it to her, he said, "If this is a biological issue, there might be a way to address it. Perhaps you'll need an artificial enzyme or a device to regulate the Mana flow in your body."

"Do you think that's possible?" she asked, her voice tinged with hope.

Raphael nodded slightly. "Anything is possible with the right knowledge and resources. But this is a massive undertaking. You'll need to start by understanding your own biology

in this world and how it interacts with Mana."

Nanahoshi accepted the book, her grip firm. "Thank you, Raphael-san. I... I'll try my best."

He gave her a small, encouraging smile. "Good. This is just the first step. Remember, progress takes time—but at least now, you're moving forward."