Apparently, this "Void" was an aspect of the aforementioned Conjuration affinity, a type of magic in which users could create, multiply or store objects out of nowhere. He was explaining further, but my mind was already fixated on the word "magic". So it really existed! This world, known as Shyi'eld to its inhabitants, was confirmed as a parallel fantasy world in my mind at this point. Were there other races like elves or dwarves? Or folk with animal ears and tails? Or dragons in human form? Would I be able to use magic too?

I asked Deux as much, but it merely gave a big sigh after a long silence. "Clearly you haven't been listening at all to what I was saying. We don't even know which magic affinity you possess. To put it in words even you can understand, you're stuck like this until we find a mage or magic crystal that can check your affinity," it said at last.

That was disappointing, but at least it gave me some hope. The sword mentioned that everyone in this world, including Earthians (what they called people from Earth), could cast some sort of magic as long as they had some training. If I could conjure food and water, I wouldn't be in such a pickle even while lost. I decided to continue walking towards what I hoped was the lake. Meanwhile, I pestered Deux with questions about how to cast magic. It turned out to be surprisingly easy, according to the sword. One simply had to imagine the outcome they wanted and it would take shape.

There were nine types of magic, and each type had different aspects which not everyone could cast. I tried to imagine them one by one as Deux explained them to me. Conjuration was the most common affinity among humans according to the sword and seemed the most convenient, so I tried my hardest with the creation and storage aspects. Needless to say, I failed and had to lug the two swords all the way. Deux was very confused by the way I kept yelling "Item Box!" or "Inventory" as I imagined an invisible storage. So much for the standard Isekai trope.

The other types were Transportation, Light, Adaptation, Dark, Transformation, Elementalism, Illusionism and Summoning. Summoning was bloodline-related, so that was out of the question, and some of the types, like Adaptation or Dark, didn't sound very attractive to me, so I didn't try them out. The ones that interested me were mainly Transportation, Light, Transformation and Elementalism.

According to Deux, Transportation included teleportation, which was super cool, but in the end I was unable to visualise it at all. Light magic included healing, blessings and the dispelling of curses, among other aspects, which would certainly be useful, but I wasn't hurt or cursed, so I had no idea whether it actually worked. Transformation sounded cool, but I was scared to try it out since I couldnt be sure whether I could turn myself back. It would be terrifying to find myself stuck as a mouse or something.

Elementalism was about the basic elements like fire, air, water, wood, metal and such, which would also be handy, but nothing happened when I tried to produce a ball of water or air. A fireball would be disastrous in a forest, and I didnt want to mess with my swords. In the end, I didn't manage to cast any magic at all. I was disappointed, but Deux's silence was even harder to bear. Well, that should be normal for a sword though!

Anyway, attempting to cast magic helped to pass the time and before long, I could glimpse the bright blue waters of the lake. So this way led to the lake after all. The rows of trees thinned and finally gave way to a vast expanse of water. It was so large I imagined it would actually be hard to miss. I walked all the way down to the shore, which was covered in smooth dark grey pebbles. The water was crystal clear and I spied several small fishes swimming in it. Surely it shouldn't be poisonous? Just to be on the safe side, I asked Deux if he knew anything about this lake.

"Ah, judging by the colour and clarity, this should be Lake Triabit," it remarked. "It's well known for its purity, so you can drink it without worries."

Try-a-bit? What kind of a ridiculous name was that?! I stifled my rude comment and knelt by the water's edge, putting Eins down and using my right hand to collect some water to drink. The water was refreshingly cold and slightly sweet. Delicious. If I had a bottle I would have collected some to sell on the Internet. Water from an Isekai lake could probably sell for an exorbitant price. Heh.

Just as my imagination went off the rails again, I heard a shriek coming from a distance away. Grabbing Eins in a panic, I whirled around to see where it came from. It hadn't sounded human, so maybe an animal was being attacked?

Scanning the shore of the lake, I caught sight of a large something chasing something small. Ooh, survival of the fittest in action, was my first thought, but as the creatures approached, that was clearly not the case. The large thing was a green-skinned monster like the one that threatened my life previously, and the small animal that was being bullied and chased was a cross between a cat and a fox. It would have been pretty cute if it wasn't all bloodied and dirty. The creature was running for its life in my direction while the monster pursued it with a cruel grin on its visage. I refused to call that ugly mug a face.

Wait, in my direction?! Whether I liked it or not, I was going to have to make a choice of getting involved. And in the next few seconds.