"Summer camp...?"


    I tilted my head at the unfamiliar term.


    No, I know what summer camp is. It''s that thing where strong sports teams train during summer break. A bunch of people gather to practice together. Well, I was in the "go-home club" in my previous life, so I never attended a camp like that.


    "What do you do at camp?" I asked.


    "Well, normally, you''d practice magic, learn how to move your body, stuff like that... But in your case, Itsuki-kun, you''d probably train in ''resonance,''" Renji-san exined.


    "Resonance training..."


    The word "resonance"ing from Renji-san''s mouth was familiar to me.


    It''s a technique I unintentionally used when I saved Hina. But to be honest, I don''t fully understand what it is.


    "You''ve heard of ''resonance,'' right, Itsuki-kun?"


    "I''ve heard the name…"


    "Well, ''resonance'' is a technique not many exorcists use. It''s a useful ability, but... it''s a bit underappreciated. I guess that''s understandable, though."


    Renji-san said, sipping his orange juice. I followed suit and drank mine as well.


    "Resonance is a magical technique for saving people. It''s not suited for exorcising ''Demons'' like Kaijutsu (Cirction Art) or Shijutsu (Thread Magic). Instead, it''s used for helping those who''ve be Nari (monsters) or for healing injuries… that kind of magic."


    Renji-san smiled as he exined.


    "But to be honest, using resonance requires magical talent. And exorcists with magical talent are better off learning how to exorcise Demons rather than focusing on resonance. After all, exorcising Demons can save more lives."


    "So, should I focus on learning how to exorcise monsters instead?"


    "Well, you''ve already mastered most of the attack spells at your age, haven''t you? If that''s the case, why not practice resonance? Especially considering Hina-chan''s situation."


    At Renji-san''s words, I nced at Hina—the little sister I saved from bing Nari.


    I thought about it for a moment. He was right.


    Learning the technique of resonance could help me save people who suffer at the hands of Demons. You never know when or where a monster will appear and destroy someone''s life.


    If someone who had turned into Nari appeared in front of me, I wouldn''t want to be unable to save them. And more than anything, if Hina''s condition rpsed, I''d want to be able to stop it. I want to be able to help.


    Of course, preventing a rpse is the best oue.


    But if Hina were ever at risk of turning into a monster again, and someone told me to exorcise her, I would refuse without hesitation. We''re not rted by blood, but Hina is my little sister. She''s family. I need to learn this technique to protect her.


    "And one more thing, just between us…"


    Lowering his voice as if sharing a secret, Renji-san leaned in and whispered into my ear.


    "There''s a magic known as ''Resonance Magic.'' Are you interested, Itsuki-kun?"


    "Resonance Magic...?"


    I tilted my head again at the unfamiliar term, and Renji-san chuckled with amusement.


    "Well, it''s just a rumor."


    "A rumor? So, it doesn''t actually exist?"


    I couldn''t help but be skeptical.


    The magic I''ve learned so far has been pretty well-structured and organized.


    There''s a clear roadmap for learning magic, and as long as you follow it and have some talent, you''ll be able to use magic to a certain degree.


    That''s how the system is designed.


    The only exception would be increasing magical power, but in my case, that was more like exploiting a glitch I discovered after being reincarnated. You can''t me them for not noticing it.


    But that''s why I had my doubts.


    Would there really be room for rumors in such a well-structured system of magic?


    However, Renji-san simply shrugged off my skepticism.


    "Well, I thought the Seventh Order was a legend until you were born."


    With thatment, I couldn''t say anything in response.


    It''s true that in the world of exorcists, the Seventh Order is considered a once-in-several-centuries genius. Naturally, I''m treated as one of those rare individuals.


    No one suspects that I''ve been secretly training to increase my magical power in a way that can''t be shared with others.


    Now that I think about it, maybe ''Resonance Magic'' could exist too.


    Even so, setting rumors aside, learning resonance would be beneficial for the future.


    And besides, the idea of a "summer camp" sounds exciting.


    There''s something appealing about thebination of summer and camp. Summer is the prime time for events, and camp is a significant event in itself. The idea of a summer camp is like the embodiment of those two thingsing together. I didn''t get to experience much in my previous life, but I want to make the most of things in this one.


    As I was solidifying my decision to attend summer camp for both personal and practical reasons, Aya-chan, who had just handed Hina over to my mom, came over to me.


    "Itsuki-kun, it''s been a while," she greeted.


    "Yeah, it''s been a while, Aya-chan. How''ve you been?"


    "Hmmm? I guess I''m okay?"


    Aya-chan smiled as she spoke.


    Seeing that smile made me feel nostalgic, as it had been quite a while since I''dst seen her.


    It really had been a long time since Ist saw Aya-chan.


    It might have been two months since west met. Renji-san had been busytely, so I hadn''t visited the Shimotsuki household much.


    "By the way, Aya-chan, have you made any friends?"


    "Yup! I''m friends with everyone in my ss now!"


    "…R-really?"


    I was stunned to find out that a first grader had outdone me in social skills.


    "What about you, Itsuki-kun?"


    When she asked me that with those innocent eyes, I was at a loss for words.


    I mean, sure, I brought up the topic, but I didn''t expect her to have made friends with everyone in her ss before summer break even started.


    "I-I''ve made friends with the kid who sits next to me! A friend!"


    "Oh, that''s nice. What about kids in other sses?"


    "I say ''good morning'' to them when I see them."


    I wasn''t lying.


    Nina-chan hade over to my house to y, and I greeted other kids from different sses in the mornings and afternoons.


    Speaking of Nina-chan, I wonder what her ns are for summer break.


    Will she go back to Ennd?


    Since Irena-san is in Japan, maybe she won''t go back.


    That thought crossed my mind briefly, but I quickly refocused.


    I brought up the topic of friends, but continuing that conversation would just make things awkward for me.


    So, I quickly changed the subject.


    "By the way, Aya-chan, have you been practicing magictely?"


    The moment I asked that, Aya-chan''s expression stiffened.


    With a bitter look, she responded.


    "Um, Itsuki-kun… actually, I can''t use magic anymore."