The Archmage’s True Power

"Phew, at least I can finish this without it going up in flames."

I let out a sigh of relief as I watch Poru’s broadcast coming to an end. I was genuinely glad it didn't end in a Red Pill disaster.

Even though I mostly watch Momona’s streams, I don't ignore the other members of Another World, so it would have put me in a foul mood if some kind of accident had occurred. Furthermore, if an irreparable disaster had happened while I was the one helping out... I didn't even want to think about it.

"Alright, now for the last one..."

I take a deep breath and move to the map. Honestly, I’ve reached a point where I can talk to the other Another World members with some degree of comfort—or at least, we’ve reached a stage where we can exchange simple greetings. Even if it’s just over the internet, we can at least hold a conversation.

I look around the transitioned map. I think this is the one I put the most effort into. Unlike the other members, who utilize the vast, open world itself rather than limited elements, this one was different. Since the activity would be contained within an inner space, there was no need to create an external map.

I check the wizard’s workshop—a space for research and experimentation—to make sure there are no issues before the broadcast starts. No matter how well I built it, there might be a hidden flaw, so I had to be thorough.

"Hmm, I don't see anything that could be a problem."

Perhaps because I built it myself, there didn't seem to be any issues. The shading was fine, and I didn't see any bugs that would cause someone to suddenly fall through the floor or get stuck outside the map.

"You."

"Eek!"

I flinch at the voice from behind me and turn around. Ah, I was just going to do a quick check and then watch from the sidelines without interacting, ready to fix things if an accident happened... but what is this?

I look at Siri, who is facing me, and offer an awkward smile. Honestly, it wasn't easy to be relaxed in front of someone who seemed to find me uncomfortable. Even now, whether it was just her personality or because she was still dissatisfied with me, she stared at me with an unreadable expression, making me even more restless and desperate to find a way out of this situation.

"……."

"U-um... is something the matter?"

"... I'm sorry."

"Pardon?"

I stand there, stiff and bewildered by the sudden apology. Why was she apologizing? No, more importantly, why apologize right before the broadcast? I didn't understand.

It didn't help that her expression didn't really look like she was apologizing, either. But then again, the other members had told me that she just didn't show much facial expression, so I should try to understand. Considering that she didn't change her expression even when screaming during horror games, I could believe that what they said was true.

"... I said I'm sorry. For ignoring you, and for all those other things."

"Ah, you mean the rude questions you asked when we first met?"

"Ugh. ... Yeah, that. Honestly, I just couldn't believe it."

I tilt my head as she scratches her cheek. She said she couldn't believe it, but we had definitely just met for ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the first time then. I didn't know why she would find it unbelievable. Aside from Momona, she probably hadn't watched my streams or known much about the content I created...

"... You don't seem to get it. I review all the members' broadcasts. So I knew what you had made before... and honestly, I thought you were a fraud."

"Ah."

"Because it didn't make sense for someone's skills to improve so much in such a short time... no, that's not it. It's just an excuse. I'm sorry. I ignored you without looking into it properly."

Seeing her apologize so shyly, as if embarrassed, a small laugh escapes me. Truth be told, I hadn't thought much of it. No, considering the situation back then, I hadn't even heard ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her properly, so I didn't even know she had said those things to me. Seeing her apologize directly for something I wouldn't have even remembered if she hadn't brought it up, I couldn't help but accept it.

"I accept your apology. To be fair, my skills did improve quite suddenly, so I think ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it was reasonable to be suspicious."

"No. I was suspicious without even seeing it for myself. Even just looking at today, you're working so hard for the broadcast, so I'm the one in the wrong."

"Hey now. Siri, you're not 'bad,' you're just serious. You were worried that something might go wrong with the broadcast, right?"

She might look young, like Momona, but she is the eldest member of Another World and acts almost like a leader, so it’s natural for her to be worried. That’s why she reviews the other members' broadcasts and points out problems or things to fix. She must have seen my content while doing that... thinking about it, it was a little embarrassing. If I had to build it now, I wouldn't do it that way, but the things I made in the past... honestly, they were pretty much failures. It ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠felt like having my diary read by someone else.

"Anyway, it was for the sake of the team, so I'll let it slide."

"You... yeah, thank you. And I look forward to working with you."

"Ah, yes. I look forward to working with you too."

I smile and shake the hand she offers. It seems like Siri’s misunderstanding has been cleared up, and her expression seems much more relaxed than before. She must have been really worried about the harsh things she said to me. She might have been wondering if I wouldn't accept her apology.

"Shall we talk about the broadcast now? It’s starting soon, so let's discuss how to begin. Should we do a quick rehearsal?"

"Sure. But isn't my part a bit boring compared to the other members?"

"Hey, it's not boring at all. I believe in you, Siri."

"Ah... then let's do it, I suppose."

I laugh again as she scratches her cheek and looks away at those words. I didn't realize it when watching her broadcasts, but now that I'm talking to her properly, she seems more kind and cute than scary or cold. Now, I just needed to do the final touches so that Siri’s new avatar debut broadcast would be a success.

Alright! It’s the last one, so let’s give it my all!

I nod at Ha-yun’s words and grip my staff tightly. Imagination—it’s something she’s been telling me ever since I first received the avatar, but honestly, I still don't quite understand it. I understand the functions, but I wonder if it’s really possible.

She did say it was a function that only interacts properly within the current map... but it’s such a mysterious feature, and since the map took a while to build, I haven't been able to practice properly, which makes me nervous. I accepted it because she said even if I failed, the failure itself would be good content, but I didn't intend to fail.

"Then, I'll start."

I signal the start of the broadcast to Ha-yun and look at the camera while sitting on the plush sofa prepared on the map. And so... the broadcast begins.

I wait, checking the viewer count as it rises following Poru’s hosting. Since not everyone has moved over yet, I had to wait so that at least most of them could arrive. Confirming that nearly 80% of the viewers have come over via the host, I slowly clear my throat and turn on the microphone.

"Did everyone enjoy the other members' broadcasts? You all seemed to show a lot of your true selves, didn't you?"

Momona showed her side as an alchemist and spirit summoner, Rin showed her dragon form, and Poru showed her form as a phoenix and hero, so it was my turn to show a form befitting my RP.

I check my avatar, which is shrouded in darkness, and slowly stand up from the sofa.

"Since everyone has already seen so many amazing things, there's no need for a sluggish start, right?"

It’s already the fourth broadcast, so it’s time to stop dragging out the beginning. If so, I should show them something they haven't seen in the other broadcasts.

I grip my staff tightly and strike the floor. The most important thing is imagination... within this map, my thoughts are law and magic.

The darkness covering the avatar is cleared away. I am pulled into the blue magic circle spinning on the staff, revealing the appearance of the new avatar.

"Now then, it’s been a while, but it’s time for this Archmage’s magic class. You’re all excited, right?"

I smile at the camera. I’m surprised and delighted that it actually moved exactly as I imagined. It was truly a special experience. I could feel the power being transmitted from something deep within my heart, making me think that perhaps I was really using magic.

"So, what shall I show you? Is there any magic you’d like to see?"

Compared to what I showed in my debut broadcast, there was a huge difference. It was fascinating that it happened spontaneously, rather than just using map effects or relying on the support of others to decorate the effects.

I smile at the viewers' chat and donations, then extend my staff forward. As they suggested, the first magic I’ll show is the performance I prepared for my debut.

I thrust the staff forward and imagine it in my mind. The clumsy magic effects from my very first broadcast... this time, I needed magic that would surpass them.

A blue magic circle floats above the staff, and I shout, eyes sparkling as I look at the empty space in front of me.

"Lightning—!"

Crackle—!! BOOM—!

Blue lightning surges and fires from the magic circle, creating a deafening roar and a gust of wind.

"... Phew. How was that? I’ve adapted to this world, so I can use magic properly now. This is a true Archmage."

I smile at the satisfying display, spin the staff around once, and hold it to my chest. It was truly perfect... and it made no sense. Even if it was a contract, to go this far... I really felt like I was piling up a debt of gratitude. Once the broadcast is truly over, I must repay this debt. I definitely will.