Now that I’ve become a true Time Mage, I attempt to engage in a “dialogue” with Time Magic to understand it more deeply. Well, it’s not like I’m actually talking to Time Magic or anything.

Time Magic, I’m sorry for writing you off without realizing you were just Level 0.

You hold infinite potential.

I tried being considerate like that so Time Magic wouldn’t get sulky for no reason. Not that it has a will or anything.

…Yeah, I must be seriously confused.

Alright, where should I start?

I’m curious about the leveled-up Time Magic, but first, I want to check out this newly unlocked “Status Window” thing.

I wondered how to bring it up… and as I did, a faint pink frame vaguely appeared in front of my eyes. Concentrating harder, the window materialized fully.

[Time Mage: Lv. 1
MP: 16/20
Remaining Points: 1

Available Magic List:
Time Stop: Lv. 1 (0/1000)
Next usable in: 7 min. 25 sec.

Currently Obtainable Magic List:
Time Leap: 1 pt [Learn]
Time Reversal: 3 pt]

Whoa, so this is the Status Window. It’s a pretty flashy pink, but since no one around seems to notice, I guess only I can see it.

Hmm, MP is just MP, right? Short for Magic Points? In games, it usually dictates how many spells you can cast. I don’t know how much Time Stop consumes, but… I used it twice today, right? So maybe it costs 2 MP per use? Wait, shouldn’t the Status Window display that? Just as I thought that, the words [Cost: 1 MP] appeared next to Time Stop.

Hey, it’s pretty handy that it customizes itself for ease of use.

But if it costs 1 MP, the remaining MP doesn’t quite add up. Well, whatever for now.

I sneak a glance at the older girl sitting across from me. I think she might’ve glared, but I ignore it.

Anyway, the EXP is still 0/1000. No increase.

Obviously, sneakily peeking at a girl’s chest wasn’t going to give me EXP. Too bad.

Later, after waiting for the cooldown, I used Time Stop again, and the EXP increased to 1/1000.

I see. So using it once gives +1 EXP? Meaning I’d need to use it 1,000 times to reach Lv. 2?

And speaking of Time Stop Lv. 1, how is it different from Lv. 0? It lasts a bit longer now? Right after using it, the cooldown showed 8 min. 56 sec.

Wait, the cooldown went from 10 min. → 9 min.?

Staring at the Time Magic section, a pop-up window appeared:

[Time Stop Lv. 1: Details
A time-stopping spell at Lv. 1. Cost: 1 MP. Duration: 2 sec. Cooldown: 9 min.]

Looks like it has a HELP feature—if I focus, it gives me details.

The effect duration doubled, the cooldown shortened, and with my increased MP as a Time Mage, I can probably use it about twice as much per day. In terms of raw performance, it feels like it got over four times stronger. But honestly, even with 2 seconds, it’s still not very practical. What’s the deal with that?

Huh? Is it still just disappointing Time Magic?

No, wait—I still have that up my sleeve. You all know what I mean, right?

That’s right, that spell—the still-locked “Time Leap.” This one’s gotta change the world. I mean, it’s leaping through time! Right?

While I was lost in thought, the train had long since passed my high school’s nearest station.

Eh, whatever. I’ll skip today. Exploring Time Magic’s new possibilities is way more important.