The Last Magic Chapter 20

Interview 2

──You succeeded in casting your first spell. At that point, your initial goal had been achieved—so why did you continue practicing magic afterward?

"Because that girl looked at me with puppy-dog eyes and innocently asked, ‘What kind of magic will you try next?’ I couldn’t just say, ‘This is the end.’ So, I kept studying magic, almost out of inertia. At first, it was just that—habit."

──So, you became a sorcerer purely out of inertia?

"No, that’s not true. By the time I was in high school, I had firmly decided to become a sorcerer. I resolved to become one without fail and stand at that pinnacle as soon as possible."

Nagumo Sakurako’s eyes, just as they appeared in videos, were noble and filled with unwavering determination.

──Something must have happened in high school to make you so resolute?

"There was. But I can’t say what it was. It’s… a complicated story."

Her expression made it clear she would not entertain further probing. Pushing her now would be unwise. I decided to confirm the details later by speaking with people from her high school days and changed the subject.

──Did you make any changes in your life when you seriously decided to pursue magic?

"First, I asked my grandmother for concrete training methods to strengthen my magical power. But she was from an older generation, so many of her methods were too difficult to practice right away."

──Such as?

"Standing under a waterfall, secluding myself in the mountains, chanting incantations for three days and nights… Things you can’t do while attending high school, right? I was at a loss because I couldn’t even try them."

Nagumo Sakurako smiled wryly.

──So what did you do?

"Fortunately, at my high school, there was an senpai named Kurosaki Natsuki who was also aiming to become a sorcerer. She taught me a lot. Natsuki-senpai had been researching magical training methods independently, and her advice was incredibly helpful. Meeting her there was one of the luckiest things that ever happened to me."

Kurosaki Natsuki was only a year older than Nagumo Sakurako—practically the same generation—but she leaned toward the old-school style of witchcraft. However, she never criticized Sakurako and instead became her advocate. Though not widely known to the public, Natsuki was gaining prominence in magical circles. She and Sakurako attended the same high school and university, suggesting a strong bond between them.

──What kind of training did she teach you?

"It was less about training and more about how to live. Getting enough sleep, eating well, making time for focused magical study… Not so different from exam prep. In the end, the fundamentals matter most. She also taught me that acting like a sorcerer makes one’s magic feel more authentic. My grandmother had said similar things, but the generational gap made it hard for me to grasp at the time."

──Was Kurosaki Natsuki's advice helpful?

"It was, I believe. Natsuki-senpai was extremely conscious about beauty. Not in the sense of becoming pretty, but in making constant effort to be beautiful - not just externally, but internally as well. She believed this gave magic its persuasive power. I don't think that belief was mistaken. The support I gained through my videos was likely thanks to Natsuki-senpai's teachings."

──But that sounds like it helped more with your appearance rather than directly benefiting your magic, doesn't it?

"Magic is deeply influenced by one's mental state, so I believe pursuing beauty positively affected my magic as well. Since magic can't be quantified, it's hard to say exactly how much it improved. Also, Natsuki-senpai placed great emphasis on fundamentals - she was rigorous about meditation and incantation practice. I'm more competitive than I realized, so when I saw how seriously she practiced the basics, I found myself trying to outdo her, pushing myself to practice even more."

──You’re competitive?

"Yes. I’d been studying magic alone for so long that I didn’t realize it until high school. But looking back, even in elementary school, I worked hard in sports and academics to avoid losing. Maybe I’ve always been this way—so no one could say, ‘You’re failing because you’re wasting time on magic.’"

──You followed Kurosaki Natsuki to the same university and club. Is that true?

"It is. Continuing anything alone is hard. In elementary and middle school, my friends cheered me on, but after they left, I lost focus. When I learned Natsuki-senpai was in the literature club, I joined. Back then, I might have relied on her emotionally."

──But after university, you and Kurosaki Natsuki grew distant?

"Yes. Natsuki-senpai chose the traditional path of a sorcerer—she prioritized living as one. But my goal was different. I wanted to focus solely on magic. You could say our paths diverged. That said, I still respect her deeply, and I’m sure she still sees me as a cute junior."

Nagumo Sakurako smiled. It was the kind of smile that could enchant you if you let your guard down.

──Was there an issue with the traditional sorcerer’s path?

"This is hard to say, but… traditional sorcerers don’t prioritize magic itself. Of course, it’s better if you can use it, but networking through social connections is what’s valued. The Mystery Research Club was that kind of place—a preparatory stage for the future. It demanded too much time. Natsuki-senpai had accepted that since high school, but it didn’t align with my vision. I wanted more time for magic itself."

──Is that why you started posting videos?

"Actually, a classmate named Tanaka-san started it. He was… unconventional, in both good and bad ways. He actively shared magic online when most believed it should stay private. Back then, it was controversial, especially among established sorcerers. But it made me think, ‘That’s a valid way to live, too.’"

──What do you mean by that kind way to live? Are you talking about posting videos?

"Well... I did struggle with some internal conflict about it. Part of me believed magic shouldn't be made too public. But ultimately, I decided it was more important for people to see it and think 'Magic is something incredible.' I myself was saved when I showed magic to my friends and they understood it. Also..." she hesitated slightly, "with YouTubers and social media influencers becoming popular, I thought maybe we could create a new path for sorcerers - one where we could make a living through magic videos. That way, we'd actually have more time to devote to magical study."

──And in reality, you succeeded with your videos and streams.

"Did I? I ended up much busier than expected, with far less time to focus on magic than I imagined. Everything works that way, doesn't it? Once you start down a path, you can't simply stop. It's not just about me anymore - there are people supporting me now who'd be affected."

As she said this, Nagumo Sakurako glanced quietly at her manager Ayano, who responded with a troubled smile.

──You've successfully held magic live shows and even gone on international tours. You're what anyone would call a global artist now. How do you feel about that?

"It's momentary." Nagumo Sakurako stated this plainly.

"Being celebrated lasts just an instant. Like magical flames, it vanishes quickly. Soon enough, I'll be forgotten - just another name from the past. But..." her voice softened, "I believe something will remain. People who see my magic and decide to become sorcerers themselves, or who feel something when they watch... That much will endure. Like how my grandmother performed her last magic on television, I'm struggling to leave something behind too."

At these words, manager Ayano bowed her head sadly.

──But you're at the absolute peak of your popularity now. Surely that won't fade so quickly?

"Magical moments don't last. The ending comes swiftly."

Her words carried the weight of someone who had already accepted this truth. Not predicting the future, but stating an inevitability she'd made peace with.

──Does this relate to the "last magic"?

"......sorcerers perfect their magic to fulfill their wishes. They may be small wishes, but we devote our entire lives to them."

Her expression was tranquil. Like someone who had reached enlightenment.

She clearly had no intention of answering directly. Still, I pressed further.

──What exactly is the last magic?

"As I said, magic is about wishes. The last magic is a sorcerer's last wish. Whether it succeeds... what results it brings... no one knows. Some succeed. Some fail."

──It's said to be capable of changing the world.

"Ten seconds of magic is far too brief to change the world. Nothing so grand is possible. At most... it might let you reach just a little further. That's all. And that's why I study magic."

The conversation had taken on the quality of a Zen dialogue, yet I sensed no evasion in Nagumo Sakurako - only sincere, if cryptic, answers.

──What do you believe a sorcerer should be?

"Hmm... Our essence will always be magic, but how we live varies completely. Some work ordinary jobs and study magic in their free time. So I can't say the path I chose is the right one. But..." A faint, inevitable smile. "sorcerers love magic - helplessly, unconditionally. I don't believe sorcerers will ever disappear from this world."

──Any final words?

"Please include this in your book without fail."

She took a breath, then spoke words more heartfelt than any others:

"'I want to see you again, Rin.'"

──

After concluding all interviews, she asked me just one question:

"When will the book be published?"

"Likely in six months - assuming you don't demand too many revisions," 

I answered half-jokingly.

"Six months... I see. I'll look forward to that day."

Nagumo Sakurako's eyes in that moment were utterly serious. I found I couldn't bring myself to ask anything further.