Chapter 9

At the Kashiima Police Station, in the chief's office, Natsume, dressed in a gray tracksuit, sat on a sofa across from the table from Aoyama Kyuji, who was dressed in a police uniform and had a bitter expression.

"First, I want to apologize for pointing a gun at you, a minor. I'm very sorry."

"That's fine. You didn't shoot me, and even if you had, I could have handled it."

"Could you handle it...? So, can you explain to Uncle why you became a rogue psychic?"

Behind Natsume, a woman with a sword stood with the chief. She was a police officer and apparently a psychic as well. When Natsume glanced back, she maintained a smile, but she was ready to draw her sword if anything happened. Despite standing still, it was clear she was in a defensive stance.

"Well, on my way back from school, I was summoned as a hero to another world and returned to Japan after six years. I was just testing if I could use magic."

"...Are you kidding? I'll punch you if you're joking. Or do you have a habit of fantasizing?"

Natsume tried being honest, but he was looked at as if he were a pitiful child. Natsume himself would have doubted his sanity if a friend had said something similar.

"No, wait. I don't think Natsume would tell me such a ridiculous lie. To begin with, you've never had anything to do with psychics, no, we've always tried to stay away from them. But suddenly having such absurd powers... it's possible."

"Really! You believe me!?"

"What, is it a lie!?"

"It's not a lie, but..."

"To be honest, there have been people who have traveled between worlds before, though only in legends and hearsay... Uncle knows about it. You mean the isekai light novels, right?"

"Wow, you know about them? I didn't expect that!"

"I wish I could use a gun in another world and go on a rampage... But that aside, I never thought Natsume would go through something like this. The world is full of surprises."

Honestly, it was surprising. Natsume didn't expect to be believed so easily. He knew he sounded suspicious. Even if they were acquaintances, it was questionable whether a police chief should take a middle schooler's word at face value.

"Chief, shouldn't you see some evidence or something?"

"Idiot! Natsume wouldn't lie to me!"

"But, for the sake of the position, it's better to verify it!"

"Ugh... Well, if you have evidence, it would make things easier for me. What do you say?"

Responding to his subordinate's suggestion, the chief asked Natsume, who reached into the air.

"---"

"Huh."

Ignoring the surprised duo, Natsume rummaged through his 'item box' and pulled out a double-edged sword.

"What is this? I can feel a sinister power."

"Hey, wait, is this sword cursed!?"

"Well, it's a magic sword I got as a trophy when I defeated one of the Four Heavenly Kings, who was a servant of the Demon King in the other world."

"A magic sword from another world!?"

Aoyama's eyes widened as he stared at the magic sword. He reached out but quickly pulled back, regaining his composure.

"Uncle?"

"No, I was wondering if it's safe to touch."

"It's just a magic sword."

"Just a... Do you know what this is? I don't think you understand. Even psychics don't know what this is."

"Right, that's it! Uncle! What are psychics!?"

"...The returnee from another world is more impressive, though."

A sigh came from the woman behind him. It was surprising to hear about psychics, as he had no connection to them for fourteen years. The experience of transferring to another world was rarer, and he never thought such fantasy existed on Earth, making it even more shocking.

"Before we talk, put away that magic sword. I'd love to keep it, but I don't know how to store it, so I'd rather not see it."

"Okay, sure."

Natsume didn't fully understand what Aoyama meant but put away the magic sword as instructed.

"Ah, I wanted to see more! I want to get a magic sword in another world too!"

"Well, if you want, I can give you one."

When the woman said she wanted a magic sword, Natsume took out a different one he had received from a demon swordsman and handed it to her.

"Ah, thank you!"

"No! Don't take it! Natsume, don't give it!"

"But I have no use for it. It's fine."

"Don't give it away just because you have no use for it! Do you know how rare it is!?"

"Um, I think the swordsman I defeated said there are only ten in the world?"

"That's incredibly rare! Hey, give it back! Don't hug it!"

For Natsume, who wasn't a swordsman, the magic sword was a waste. He didn't need any more since he already had the Demon King's favorite sword, which had the highest power. The magic swords were just trophies, not sentimental items.

"No way! Magic Sword Tarou is my partner!"

"What a lame name! And don't name it!"

Natsume watched the chief and the female officer engage in a comical exchange for a while but eventually cleared his throat to get an explanation.

"So, can you explain about the psychics?"

"Ah, right. Sorry. I'll take the magic sword back by force later, so wait. And don't give away things from another world, got it?"

"Understood."

"I won't give it back!"

The chief, glaring at the woman hugging the magic sword, turned to Natsume with a serious face.

"Alright. Let's confirm. First, Natsume was summoned to another world, fought for six years, and defeated the Demon King before returning. And you tested your powers at sea, right?"

"Yes. Once I understood my powers, I was thinking of returning, but I was surrounded by the police. I was surprised."

"I was the one surprised. The observer felt an unbelievable power and fainted."

"I'm sorry. But I only used a little power, it's exaggerated."

"...Sigh. I won't argue now. Let's move on."

"Okay, thank you."

Natsume tilted his head as Aoyama took a deep breath. The female officer behind him was speechless.

"Listen, Natsume. In Japan, there are psychics who secretly protect people. They have spiritual power and can use various abilities. The police have always worked with them, and now there's even a special disaster department that involves psychics."

"Wow, Japan is more fantastical than I thought."

"You, of all people, saying that!"

Aoyama pointed out the irony as Natsume marveled at the hidden existence.

---

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*The chief's last name has been changed to Aoyama.