I sat at the library table, flipping through a book, but instead of reading, I was just looking at the pictures. Reading wasn't exactly my strong suit, and the complex magical symbols made my head spin. As I zily turned a page, my eyes nded on a particurly intricate magic symbol. My curiosity got the better of me.

  "Hey, Patchouli," I asked, pointing at the page. "Do you know any way I can get magic power?"

  Patchouli barely gnced up from her book. "You can't use magic at all?"

  "Not in my human form," I admitted. "When I turn into a vampire, I can use magic just fine, but as a human, I can't even sense it."

  She raised an eyebrow. "Have you tried using your ability to gain magic power?"

  I scratched my head. "Yeah, I tried lying that I had magic, and it worked... for a little while. But once I used up all my magic, it didn't recover."

  Now I had her attention. She closed her book and became thoughtful. "That's interesting. So your ability can create magic temporarily, but it doesn't give you an endless supply."

  "Seems like it," I said. "I even tried lying that I had unlimited magic power, but nothing happened. It's like my ability has a limit when it comes to magic."

  Patchouli rested her chin on her hand. "If you're truly interested in gaining magic power permanently, there are only a few ways for a human to do so."

  She held up three fingers and expined carefully, "First, if your parents were magicians, you would naturally have the potential to use magic. Second, you could obtain an artifact that grants magical power. And third... you could sign a contract with a demon to gain magic in exchange for something."

  I leaned back in my chair. "So basically, I have none of those options."

  Patchouli smirked. "That depends. Are you willing to make a deal with a demon?"

  I shook my head. "No way. It'd be bad if I made a contract with an ugly demon. If I have to sign a contract, I'd rather do it with a cute demon."

  Patchouli actually chuckled at that. "What you really like are cute girls, don't you?" she said with a smirk.

  "Of course," I replied proudly.

  She shook her head in amusement before returning to her book. "Anyway, putting that aside, you seem strangely interested in magic for someone who usually relies on tricks. What's with the sudden curiosity?"

  I suddenly recalled the crazy blonde girl attacking me, accusing me of disrespecting magic.

  I awkwardly scratched my cheek and muttered, "...Nothing. Just got a little curious if I can get magic power, that's all. Now that I think about it, what kind of magician are you?"

  Patchouli set down her book and thought for a moment. "I was born a magician, so I never had to become one. I don't know if my parents were magicians or not—I never met them. But I was raised and taught magic by my teacher, who adopted me."

  I blinked. "Oh? You're just like me then!"

  She raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

  "I was also adopted—by my grandpa. He taught me magic tricks instead of real magic, though."

  Patchouli tilted her head slightly, intrigued. "Your grandfather... was he a magician like us?"

  I thought about it for a moment. "I don't think so. I never saw him use magic—just his ability."

  "And what was his ability?"

  I sighed. "I don't know. He never told me. Every time I asked, he'd just say, 'It's a secret.'"

  Patchouli gave me a knowing look. "Sounds like a very magician-like response."

  "Right?!" I said, throwing my hands up.

  After a short pause, I looked at her curiously. "What about your teacher? What kind of person was your teacher is?"

  Patchouli leaned back in her chair, thinking. "I don't know much about her, honestly. She taught me magic, but it always felt like she adopted me just to keep this library safe. The only things I do know about her are that she was very old, had an enormous collection of books, and she was so strict about them that she wouldn't share her books with anyone."

  I whistled. "Sounds like a stingy person."

  Patchouli gave me a dry look. "You have no idea."

  She let out a deep sigh and asked, "So, do you actually want magic power or not? I can turn you into a magician like me."

  I ask "How?"

  "It's easy, just drink my potions I made every day."

  I frowned. "Didn't you say my parents needed to be magicians for me to use magic?"

  She nodded. "Yes, if you were a normal human, you wouldn't be able to learn it. But since you've already used magic before, your body should be able to adapt to magic power, so nothing should happen."

  Then, in a barely audible mumble, she added, "He... probably won't explode, right?"

  I stiffened. "Wait—did you just say explode?!"

  Patchouli smirked. "Don't worry, I won't let you die. And even if you do, I can just revive you."

  I immediately turned to run. "Even if you can revive me, that doesn't make me feel safe at all!"

  Before I could escape, she grabbed my wrist. "Don't be so dramatic. Besides, you've got nothing else to do here. Even if you wait for Marisa, she won't come."

  I froze. "Wait... did you just say she won't come?"

  Patchouli nodded. "Yes, is that a problem?"

  I grinned. "I forgot to mention this, but my ability has no time limit."

  Patchouli's eyes widened in realization. "You mean—"

  Before she could finish, a voice suddenly rang out from behind the bookshelves.

  "Did someone call me?"

  Stepping out from her hiding spot, there she was—Marisa.