Transmigrated to a Dark Fantasy World of SSS-Rank: King of the Void-Chapter 10: The Journey Has Only Just Begun

Instead of practicing magic, Ellegaard delivered a long lecture about the origin of the universe, the stars, and the energy that flows through the world. Mitsuki knew this information was the foundation of magic, but he was more interested in casting spells than studying them.

However, the elf herself had mentioned that patience was one of the most important things when it came to using magic.

After class, the two of them walked back through the trees toward the camp.

’The universe is made of pure energy called "prana." What living beings have inside our bodies is "mana." Together, we can use these two energies to manipulate the laws of the universe and create magic.’

Mitsuki thought seriously about that. It had been an important part of Professor Ellegaard’s cruel lesson.

’Up until now, the Quick Cast skill has helped me fire off fireballs, but I was probably using only my MP instead of drawing from prana too. That’s why I passed out the first time.’

As much as it pained him to admit it, the Tsundere Professor was good at what she did. Mitsuki had understood the entire lecture, after all.

He stared at the elf’s back for a few seconds. She walked upright and resolute, unlike him, who was slightly hunched over like a frightened animal.

Then he lowered his gaze to the leaves scattered across the ground as he walked.

’This is so... strange. I feel... lighter, for some reason.’

Walking alongside someone like this, as if they were on some kind of elementary school field trip, was fun.

As fun as any video game.

A faint, relaxed smile formed on his face—but when he lifted his eyes, he met Ellegaard’s cold stare.

She said nothing and simply turned forward again, continuing on. But Mitsuki understood she had misunderstood something, and he refused to let himself look bad in front of the Witch Professor.

"It’s not what you think, I was just—"

"All men are the same," she interrupted. "Most of the time it’s Jeanne they stare at, not me. Men should learn to hide their disgusting, perverted gazes."

"No, that’s not what I—"

"Shut your mouth, dog in heat."

’Now I’m a dog?’ Mitsuki thought, feeling more pathetic than usual.

Ellegaard glanced at him over her shoulder.

"I can understand inferior humans being dazzled by my mystical beauty."

’Mystical beauty?’

"But that doesn’t give them the right to look at me with those lustful eyes. It makes me sick."

Mitsuki sighed. This elf lives trapped inside her own bubble.

’You’re beautiful—too beautiful! But I wasn’t looking at you like that!’

He shook his head.

’I need to find a way out of this. Yes, earlier I said I didn’t need anyone’s help, but that was just my ego talking. If I lose this girl’s support, I’ll die in this unknown world. So the best option is this.’

He quickened his pace and walked beside her.

’I have to use the powerful skills I learned from dating sims. She’s the tsundere type, so even if she doesn’t show it, she likes compliments.’

He braced himself. As the elf studied him analytically, he said:

"I wasn’t looking at you like that. I was just admiring the incredible mage you are."

’I said it! I actually said it!’ he screamed internally.

And although it had sounded amazing in his head, what really happened was that he stuttered so badly while saying it that he came off like a complete idiot—and a virgin.

She stared at him with murderous eyes for a moment, making him flinch.

’No! I failed! I ruined it!’ Mitsuki thought, forcing a stiff smile onto his face. ’Why did I think I could compliment a girl when I’ve spent half my life locked in my room?! Grandpa, help me!’

Ellegaard, meanwhile, looked forward again and quickened her pace.

"Is that so? Hmph. Seems you already know your place."

’What?’

"You’ve been promoted from dog to tick," Ellegaard said as they finally reached camp.

Mitsuki followed her, thoroughly confused.

’A tick? Isn’t that worse?’

What he couldn’t see—lagging behind like a snail—was the faint, satisfied smile and the blush on the elf’s face as she entered the carriage to sleep.

He then met the old man’s gaze, who nodded silently with strange wisdom.

’This night couldn’t get any weirder.’

He sat down by the extinguished campfire. Jeanne wasn’t there either.

’I guess kind Jeanne went back to the carriage on her own. And me? I’ll have to sleep out here.’

He looked at his arm. Thanks to his long and boring class with Ellegaard, his MP had partially recharged.

He pointed his hand at the campfire.

"Fireball."

The fire ignited. Mitsuki sat down close to it and leaned back against a log.

’There. Now this actually feels like an isekai adventure.’

He closed his eyes.

[ The skill "Insomnia" has been deactivated. ]

Tomorrow will be another day.

***

Splash!

Cold water hit his face, dragging him back to the realm of the living. He shot upright, looking around in confusion before finally locking eyes with the beautiful Professor Ellegaard, who was pointing her staff at him.

"You awake, rookie? Time to move. Hurry up or we’ll leave you behind," she said, heading back to the carriage.

Mitsuki stood up, slightly annoyed now that his clothes were soaked.

’If this is how it’s going to be from now on, I’d better start waking up earlier...’

After shaking out his shirt, he boarded the carriage. The coachman urged the horses forward, and the journey resumed.

"Ellegaard told me what happened last night," Jeanne said, setting her sword aside.

Mitsuki stiffened.

’Please don’t tell me she mentioned the part where she thought I was staring at her perversely.’

"You want to learn magic, and that’s impressive. I don’t think there’s a better teacher for you than Ellegaard. She taught me how to use magic with the sword. She’s very good."

"You were just a spoiled brat who wanted to split the sky in half with a sword," Ellegaard said.

"And I managed to do it, thanks to you."

’Split the sky with a sword? Just how strong is this blonde girl?’

Even if they were joking, Mitsuki still didn’t know the true power ceiling of this world’s creatures. If everyone was as strong as the Ashen Master, the entire world would be doomed.

"What matters is that Mitsuki learns properly. Ellegaard will handle that while we travel."

"Prepare yourself, tick. I won’t go easy on you."

Jeanne nodded cheerfully.

"It’ll take two weeks to reach the Kingdom of Lamus. After that, where do you plan to go, Mitsuki?"

Interesting question.

’I hadn’t thought that far. I need a way to make a living. Monsters aren’t the only things that can kill me. I also need information about this world in general.’

With that in mind, he replied:

"I’m not entirely sure yet, but first I need a way to support myself, gather information, and get a map to guide me."

Jeanne blinked in surprise.

"Wow. You say you’re not sure, but that sounds pretty clear to me."

Mitsuki shook his head. Looking at Jeanne’s elegant, flawless double-edged sword, he thought:

’That’s just common sense. I haven’t even figured out how I’m going to return home—or survive long enough to try.’

"Well, I should aim for clearer goals than just surviving."

"First sensible thing you’ve said, rookie. Looks like you and Jeanne are in the same boat," Ellegaard said, opening one of her strange books that appeared out of nowhere.

"The same boat?"

Jeanne stepped in.

"You could say I’m in a similar situation. I survive on what nature provides, but I haven’t chosen a clear direction in life. I haven’t decided whether to buy a house, retire from adventuring, or have children—things women my age would normally consider."

"You can’t really be considered a woman, Princess," Ellegaard interrupted without looking up from her book.

"Hey..."

"I say that because you enjoy killing monsters and picking fights with drunkards in bars. Those are things most men do."

’In that case, she’s kind of like my manager...’ Mitsuki thought. ’Though she’s kinder—and more feminine.’

"It’s just fun. You wouldn’t understand. You’re already old."

A vein throbbed on Ellegaard’s forehead. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"I’m only seventy-two. That barely makes me an adolescent among my kind."

"Not among humans."

Ellegaard lowered her book.

"No one cares what humans think."

"Then why are you mad? Yesterday you were pretty excited when Mitsuki complimented you. You should’ve seen your face—red as a tomato. You looked like a maiden waiting for her prince in the highest tower of a castle."

"What?! No! Were you spying?!" Ellegaard shouted, her face burning crimson as she tightened her grip on her staff.

’I think this is getting out of control. I don’t even have a say in this argument. What are you even supposed to do in a situation like this?!’

Mitsuki shrugged. He didn’t like where this was heading.

"With all the noise you were making while muttering and walking into the forest, you think I wouldn’t notice?"

"You’re wrong! It wasn’t like that! Tell her it wasn’t like that, human!" Ellegaard shot back, pointing her staff at Mitsuki.

’Why am I being dragged into this?! I’m still a stranger here!’

"Don’t say anything, Mitsuki. Ellegaard’s the kind of innocent girl who reads romantic comedies before bed."

"Shut up! Why would you tell a stranger that?!"

’Oh my God... This is horrible...’

Shrinking into a corner, the asocial virgin Mitsuki Kirishima was on the verge of a nervous breakdown thanks to two beautiful girls arguing right in front of him. One was threatening him with a staff, and the other was simply enjoying the chaos.

It was now painfully clear to him that this journey would be a true odyssey.

His story in this new world had only just begun.