After my conversation with the adorable Fujimaru, I went inside and decided to unpack the things I had bought during my four-week stay at the hotel. Although I didn't have many belongings, I still had clothes, towels, and other daily necessities.

After unpacking the few items I had, I came across the knife Alaya had given me for protection. It was a military knife adorned with runic symbols representing fire and knowledge.

Upon examining the knife more closely using structural analysis, I discovered that it was incredibly strong—hard as a diamond and sharp enough to make a real katana seem like a toy.

Seeing the runes reminded me that Lancer, in the 5th Holy Grail War, used rune magecraft for various purposes like tracking and enhancing abilities. Lancer's original master, Bazett, was also a powerful rune user, capable of fighting on par with Illya wielding a class card.

I realized I should learn rune magecraft. It seems to be a form of magiccraft that doesn't require memorizing spells in five different languages to perform a single spell. I decided that when the Informer came around again, I would learn rune magecraft.

It should be one or two days until then. I decided to shower and go to sleep since I was too tired to do much else. Placing the knife on my table, I went to shower and quickly fell asleep.

People have historically feared the dark because it represented the unknown. This fear gave rise to stories about beings of the night, resentful dead souls, and ghosts.

Ghosts, or human spirits, are the souls of deceased people who remain attached to the world due to past grudges, regrets, and other unfinished business. They tend to haunt places, items, or people related to their unresolved issues. Areas filled with grudges and strong regrets are like Reality Marbles to spirits.

Normally, these ghosts have low direct physical interference and usually act through a medium under their control.

Apparitions, different from ghosts, are fragments of a departed soul that wander without will, driven by a primitive desire to live. These fragments can group to form a ghost.

3:00 AM

A glowing light disturbed my sleep. As I woke up, I saw a figure made of flickering light. Jumping off the bed and stumbling, the ghost spoke to me.

Ghost: Hello there.

Boy: Hello to you too. Can I help you with something?

Ghost: Yes, you could. I need your help freeing me from this house.

Boy: You're a ghost, right?

Ghost: Yes, I am.

Boy: Okay, let's sit down so we can talk and I can stop freaking out about talking to a ghost.

Ghost: Okay.

We both went down to the kitchen.

Boy: Would you like tea or something to drink?

Ghost: No, I'm good.

Boy: Oh right, first time talking to a ghost.

Ghost: It's fine.

As I boiled water to make coffee for myself, I asked, "So, what do you want from me?"

Ghost: I want you to release me from this house.

Boy: But you're haunting this house. If you want to leave, then stop haunting it.

Ghost: It's not that simple. Souls are held in the real world through negative emotions. For me, that was anger. To move on, I either need to give up my anger or have an outside force release me.

Boy: So, is this the part where you give up your anger?

Ghost: Yes. I've been stuck here for 15 years. Over time, the rage faded into regret—regret for not doing things better or asking for help when I was alive. It's like digging your own grave even after death. I am TIRED.

Looking straight at the ghost, I responded, "Okay, I will release you from this house. I have to find a way because, to be honest, I have no clue how to do it. But I have a knife that a very magical being gave me. Maybe it can help."

Boy: Give me a minute.

I ran back to my room, grabbed the knife from Alaya, and returned to the ghost.

Boy: I don't know much about runes, but I do know that Kenaz means enlightenment and Ansuz means insight. I think combining these two runes might release you, but it could also burn you. It's your choice.

Ghost: I will do it. I don't mind getting burned as long as I can leave this house.

Boy: Alright, let's begin.

Holding the knife firmly and pouring magical energy into it, I aimed for the ghost's heart. The knife lit up with golden fire, and upon impact, the ghost was engulfed in flames.

Ghost: It doesn't hurt. Thank you for helping me.

After a few seconds, the ghost disappeared, leaving nothing behind.

Boy: What a weird day it has been.

After finishing my coffee, I went back to sleep, although the coffee kept me awake.

7:00 AM

I couldn't sleep much because of the ghost incident and the coffee.

INFORMER ACTIVE: OFF TO ON

Informer: On. I guess today marks about a month since I arrived in this world. Time flies when you're having fun, huh?

Boy: Morning. How have you been?

Informer: I've been well. Let's get straight to it. I would like to know about Nordic rune magecraft and how to best use it.

Informer: Searching for Nordic rune magecraft…done. Analyzing data…done. Ready for installation. Would you like me to provide information about rune magecraft before installation?

Boy: Yes, please.

Informer: Rune magecraft is one of the Thaumaturgical Systems that originated in Scandinavia during the Age of Gods. These symbols, once inscribed, automatically realize Mysteries according to their meaning. Composed of only straight lines, their usage is similar to Magic Crests. Modern Runes are unpopular within the Mage's Association.

It is possible to affect a target at a distance with a Rune, but success is low if the target has Magic Circuits due to Resistance. In such cases, the Rune must be inscribed directly on the body. When combined, Runes can create Bounded Fields. Each Rune's precise meaning varies by Magus.

The characteristic feature of Rune magecraft is its symbols. While it takes time to engrave them initially, they can be released as Single-Action spells by passing Magical Energy through them. The activation-completion lag is minimal.

There are three types of Runes: Primordial Runes created by Odin, Old Runes referenced by Scathach, and Modern Runes, which are mere imitations. Runes are versatile, with meanings that allow spells to take shapes imagined by their caster. Each symbol does not necessarily dictate the magic's outcome; combining Runes changes their meaning completely, allowing for numerous possibilities.

Boy: That's a lot of info, but exactly what I wanted.

I went to my room, lay on my bed, and told the Informer I was ready for the data installation.

Informer: Installation of data has begun. Installation of data has been completed.