kscans

Chapter 2 - A Beginning from the End

"...I understand. It feels a bit like excessive generosity, but... I will grant them. However, even in that world, those with such skills are rare. You must refrain from telling others wantonly."

"Thank you. I will take that to heart."

"Is that all?"

"Let’s see... I believe those are the basic requirements. After that would be the ‘cheat ability’ you offered."

"...Very well."

The god, who had already reached a state of ‘in for a penny, in for a pound,’ nodded as if to say it was ready for anything.

"This is a personal matter, but... ever since my body became like this, I’ve come to feel a longing to experience a slow life in the countryside..."

"...An ability to enjoy a slow life?"

It had fully expected a request for some kind of overpowered ability for steamrolling everyone, but this unexpected wish took it by surprise. Considering the man’s life, however, perhaps it was not an unreasonable desire. But...

"...What kind of cheat ability is suited for a slow life? I have already granted you Appraisal, Storage, Perception, and Stealth."

In preparation for this job, the god had familiarized itself with Earth’s "light novels." It had read a few stories where the reincarnated protagonist wished for a slow life. Yet... it could not quite recall what abilities were essential for that slow life. Or rather, it had already granted the abilities that seemed necessary. Other abilities that might be needed... Alchemy and Pharmacology, perhaps? Or maybe blacksmithing? Or was it a minion-related skill like Taming, Summoning, or Necromancy?

However, the man before it softly denied all of them...

"Actually, I’ve always been interested in agriculture... It started when I was a child, before I fell ill, from helping with my parents’ vegetable garden..."

"Agriculture?"

Then would he need Wood Magic? No, or perhaps Golems to act as laborers?

"Water and earth are necessary for plant growth, along with light and darkness. Therefore, if you could grant me these four types of magic, even at a low level..."

The man mentioned darkness in addition to light because he remembered learning in his biology class that photosynthesis consists of two reaction systems, the light-dependent reactions and the dark reactions. However... the Light Magic and Dark Magic in the world he was heading to were a little different from what he imagined.

"...You do not need Wood Magic?"

"If magic did all that, it would take the fun out of it."

"...I see."

Water Magic, Earth Magic, Light Magic, Dark Magic. All were certainly powerful types of magic, and many had acquired them. But... was this man not the first and last person to ever desire them as skills for a home garden? Especially the latter two. Light Magic used light to fight, while Dark Magic used darkness. How did that connect to a home garden? Or perhaps... he was acquiring them for his own security, separate from the garden? That would make sense... Well, if he wanted them, it might as well grant them...

For the record, Light Magic, aside from using light in combat, also excelled at dispelling abnormal statuses, such as through healing, detoxification, exorcism, and purification. Dark Magic, on the other hand, in addition to using darkness for fighting, also included inflicting abnormal statuses. In fact, it was rather adept at that. In either case, they were types of magic that seemed to have little to do with photosynthesis or home gardening. But a being such as a god could hardly be bothered to pay attention to such trivial matters...

"...Understood. I was the one who offered it in the first place. I will grant you those magics. Is there anything else?"

"Ah... in that case, about the place I’ll be going..."

"Hm? Do you have a preference?"

"Yes. I’m ashamed to say that my long illness has left me with little confidence in social situations. If possible, I’d prefer not to be in a place with a large number of people from the very beginning..."

"Mmm..."

The man said it so casually, but this was in fact a monumental challenge. After all, his wish was for a life of farming. He would need a reasonably suitable environment. However, such places had already been developed, and finding an uninhabited spot would be difficult.

The god pondered for a moment, but then, as if an idea had struck it, it looked up and answered the man.

"...Understood. The plan will require some adjustments, but I should be able to grant your wish."

"Thank you so much!"

The man expressed his gratitude, his face beaming with joy.

"Then, this is farewell. May your life in that land be blessed with fortune."

"I’ve caused you a great deal of trouble. ...What will happen to me here?"

"This body will die. There will be no pain. You will be reborn in the other world with your memories and spirit intact. ...Ah, but it’s a little different from what you would call reincarnation. Your mind will be installed into a body, a vessel, prepared over there. I made the body a little younger. It will be more convenient for both of us that way."

"Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness in every regard."

"Do not mention it. Now, have a good journey."

April 16th. Isarai Yuuri passed away at the municipal hospital after a long battle with illness. He was thirty-seven years old. Male. Cause of death, heart failure.