Touhou: A New Mage in Gensokyo

Two days passed uneventfully. I was tied to my bed, resulting in time stretching. My body was healing, slowly but surely, yet the frustration I felt went deeper than the bruises on my skin. Making up the lost hours will be taxing.

I listened to the wind that rustled through the ancient trees outside. I watched as the shrine's delicate paper charms fluttered in the breeze. Whenever Sanae had time, she taught me about spiritual concepts that went way over my head. I never dared to stop her since she spoke with such fervour, it was infectious by just listening.

Occasionally, the door would slide open and reveal Suwako, just checking in on me. She never stayed for long, and we never really had a meaningful exchange. Something I couldn't ignore was the way she moved though. She's very small and full of energy but the way she carried herself was different. It is hard to explain, but there was a sense of antiquity that came into my mind when I paid close attention to her.

Once the yellow light of the sun warmly touches my skin, I awake. My iris faces towards the window to see the sky gradually shifting its colours. I sit upwards, gently dismissing my blanket to the left. My legs are painless, my mind is sound and overall the torturous aching divorced my body and left me with a big list of tasks I need to fulfil.

I feel powerful, full of raw energy. The heavy contrast of the quiet shrine clashes with my mood, dampens it. Chimes dangle through the wind, capturing my attention.

Sanae's steady and peaceful breath is the only thing that is able to bring me back. She's adorable, the way she lies in the bed. Her mouth is open, just a little though. It's making her snore a little.

I can't linger here for much more though, I still need to seek out someone important.

To make sure I don't wake up the sleeping shrine maiden, I cautiously get up as quietly as I can. Swiftly I grab all my significant belongings, get into fresh clothes and leave her alone. Patchouli has been on my mind a lot, I need to talk to her properly this time.

I take a look at the teleporter. The metal hexagon is cold in my hand, it is also heavier than I remember. A faint hum is emanating from it, probably from the strange magic that is inside the device. I turn it, feeling the engraved letters on my thumb. This will spare me a lot of time, and time is the most crucial resource.

The shrine grounds are unnervingly empty in the half-light of dawn. Strong breezes first caress my skin. The shrine bells cling in a quiet melody. Kneeling down, I examine the device carefully for a way to activate it.

I notice something beneath the Latin inscription, a small button, almost too camouflaged for me to find. My fingers trace against the buttons edges, wondering what might happen once I press it. With hesitation, I place the hexagonal device on the ground with great care. Then I kneel down to press the button to lastly rush a few metres in an attempt to stay safe, if things don't go as intended.

 My pupils grow when I gaze on the things that unfold before me.

The teleporter begins to hum louder than usual, as it hovers slightly above the ground. From the top of the device, a purple laser shoots out, piercing reality itself as it creates the portal. Once it has done its job, the teleporter falls back to the ground. The vibrating portal is not transparent like in many video games, it's shrouded in shadows, its surface is like liquid darkness, nothing reflects back on it. It looks like a mix of a black hole with the "eye" thing I encountered. Maybe someone else has such a device too which could mean that the shrine is getting spied on.

My hands tighten instinctively around my magic book, the tome growing heavier in my grasp. My breath quickens. There's no way of knowing what lies beyond this portal. What if the magic is faulty and I end up lost forever?

With a deep, calming breath I test the waters by extending my right leg into the portal. I brace myself for anything, cold, heat, a pull, or even an attack. At the end there is none of that. The feeling of passing through the portal is eerily neutral, almost as though I am not passing through anything at all. Beneath my shoe, I feel something solid, though unfamiliar ground. It's not stone, nor earth but something else I can't quite discern.

Just one step left. I count down in my head. Three, two one...

I step fully into the portal, my heart hammering in my chest, it is almost painful. My eyes are closed when I commit to the unknown. For a fleeting second, it feels as if I'm weightless, suspended between worlds. Then both feet are in reality again. On stable grounds.

The library is unsettling at night, a vast unending room where the ceiling seems to vanish into the dark. Shadows cling to the towering bookshelves, stretching and shrinking creepily. There are no servants, nor echo of footsteps. The glow of scattered candles are the only thing that provide lighting in here. The flames cast a warm, dancing light across the space, illuminating the worn leather covers of ancient tomes.

The light reveals something else, or rather someone else. Patchouli, seated directly in front of me. Her violet eyes peer over her book, meeting mine with an unreadable expression. Her face, framed by soft, purple hair, is calming me down from previous troubles.

My heart races, a slight blush creeping up my face as I take in the quiet grace of her expression. Her Stoic gaze focusing on me is tickling my mind. That brief moment of joy comes to an end when Patchouli returns her view to the thick tome, as though my presence is just another part of her library's nightly atmosphere.

For a moment I feel foolish, lingering there on her table without a word coming from my mouth. My feet are rooted to the wooden plate. Her deep purple eyes dart across the yellow page with practised ease, absorbing knowledge faster than I could ever hope to. After a moment, she slips a dark brown wooden ruler between the pages and sets the book down. Her beautiful Byzantine eyes make their way towards me again, making me shiver in delight.

She slowly closes her book, folding her hands over the leather cover. The mage tilts her head slightly, one eyebrow raised in faint amusement. "I trust I'm not mistaken when I say that the table isn't the most... comfortable place to be." Her tone is calm, her words as pointed as ever. "Why don't you come down to join me properly? Surely, there's a reason for disturbing me so early in the day."

My cheeks warm under her scrutiny. "Sorry," I mumble, nodding as I step down and move to a wooden chair. Minding her discomfort when sitting too close, I decide to take a seat that is close yet still a respectful few metres away from her.

Just as I'm scrambling for the right words to describe what I encountered, Patchouli starts speaking. "Before we begin any other matters, I'd like to discuss your studies. What progress have you made?" Her calm demeanour belies a steady curiosity.

I recount my recent progress. I start with Non Statera, the spell meant to trip others off balance a basic enchantment that, while less impressive, demanded patience and practice mastering. Her eyes remain neutral until I mention Numquammovere, a more complex spell designed to root objects and beings in place. I'm cautious and don't mention the translation spell I've been experimenting with, something tells me she'd find out eventually, but I'd rather keep that secret bit longer. Finally, I end with the newest spell I learned: Obex.

Patchouli's expression remains still, her purple pupils drifting downward as she gathers her thoughts. "Good. You're making steady progress," she finally says. "Now, if you'd kindly return the book I lent you?"

I quickly retrieve the leather-bound grimoire she'd assigned, and hand it over. With a casual flick, she tosses it onto the towering pile of books beside her, where it lands perfectly balanced among the rest. Then her tone shifts, firm and serious. "Listen carefully. What I'm going to tell you is crucial for your development. I'll explain my intentions so far and outline what I expect from you."

I interject. "I need to tell you something important first."

Patchouli takes back control over the conversation quickly as she tells me. "After I'm finished. It's important to get this out of the way first, alright?" Her brows furrow as she alludes and aura of unsatisfaction, her tone is out of place compared to the urgency in her demeanour.

I give her a capitulating nod and she continues. "Good. This book has grade school spells in them." She says as she points to the magic book I read up and down. "It was to test you. Keep in mind that I'm not all too used to average humans being versed in magic. Lucky for you, this method of testing gave me satisfactory results. You seem to have normal arcane capabilities and progress like any other of my old compatriots would."

Patchouli takes a break to breathe. She lets out a cough before her lesson continues. "With all of that out of the way, we will start our first lesson as soon as you have read this book." She now retrieves two books and slides them across to me.

Both of them look old. The pages are tinted in a dark yellow and the covers are darker than the book I learned from. "The one on top is a textbook, it explains the ethics of Control Magic, the rules of a magic battle and examples of both good and bad uses of that particular manner of magic." She sits down on her wooden chair. "Also a favourite of mine." She sighs quietly, though loud enough for me to catch those words.

My limited wits is struggling to keep all of this in my head, this will be exhausting but at least it will pay off, hopefully. The book itself doesn't seem all too big, at least compared to the ones on her tower. "And the one below is a grimoire?" I ask cautiously, avoiding looking too closely at the huge book that lays below the one mentioned before.

"Exactly, this one is more advanced. It is also precisely laid out for your type of magic."

"Thank you. I promise to try my best." I say, my voice steady but my heart racing. Despite the weight of the task ahead, there's a flicker of resolve within me. This new life, this path filled with arcane magic. Unlike the stagnant days I left behind, this journey will not see me tied down. I have big goals, and I'm ready to reach them one step at a time.

Patchouli watches me intently, her expression softening slightly. "Are you fine?" She asks, her tone edged in confusion as her observant eyes notice the faint tremor in my hands.

I stiffen up as I am surprised by her perceptiveness. "Sorry." I reply hastily, forcing a small smile. "Must be the excitement of all the stuff I'll learn soon!" The words roll off my tongue smoothly, though guilt tugs at me. It's not the whole truth. Still, it's not entirely a lie either. Beneath all the unease there's a genuine feeling of excitement in my blood as I anticipate what new and powerful magic I will be mastering.

As the air between us thickens, I decide to break the silence, switching to a topic that has lingered on my mind for far too long. "I have witnessed something... an anomaly, a few days ago."I begin, my voice shaky. "It's something I can't stop thinking about."

The witch shifts, using her hands to create a cushion for her chin. Her violet eyes, half-lidded and serene moments ago, now focus on me. It's rare for me to hold her full attention, and the weight of it makes my throat tighten. I clear it awkwardly, trying to organize my thoughts. "There was a uhm... thing. I am so sorry, it's hard to describe." I stammer. She remains silent, her face calm, waiting with patience rivalling monks. "It looked like a ripple in reality, unnatural. Inside of it were countless eyes."

I trail off, my concentration failing me. The memory sends a shiver down my spine. My fingers fidget between the table. Why am I so nervous all of the sudden? I had time to prepare myself for this. I hope desperately that my description will mean something to her.

"Did it look like a portal?"

I hesitate, considering her question. "I don't know," I admit. "It might have been. However, nothing went inside or out of it, at least not while I could observe it."

Patchouli straightens in her chair, her calm demeanour is cracking just slightly. It is hard to tell if she's annoyed or perhaps even angry. "I know what it could be." She says with malice creeping in her tone. "Listen carefully: I will personally see this issue fixed. Don't worry about it alright?"

Rarely did I see her being like this. Her mind is clearly fixated on my issue, and it is honestly making me even more anxious than before. My heart pounds in my chest as she continues, her words clipped and urgent. "It could cause an uproar if too many know so keep this between us. Do you understand?"

Why is this happening now? Am I being hunted? The thought sends pure fear through me. I nod and with a trembling tone I answer. "I understand." With that time has come to depart again. The lesson was heavy but exciting.

"Before you leave!" Patchouli's voice, sharper than usual, rings out and stops me in my tracks. I turn around, my curiosity piqued despite my mental exhaustion. What else could she possibly have to add to the mountain of thoughts already weighing me down?

She avoids my gaze, her face partly hidden behind a random book she's picked up, clearly an attempt to mask her own unease. "Your gift, was pleasant on my tongue. Thank you." Her tone is uncharacteristically gentle. Her voice is soft and restrained.

I blink, momentarily stunned. Patchouli thanked me? My lips curl into a faint smile, my chest swelling with quiet joy. "I'm glad!" I manage to reply, keeping my voice steady despite the sudden rush of euphoria bubbling up inside me.

Without lingering further, I turn and step back toward the portal. The air ripples around me as I cross its threshold, and with a familiar sensation of weightlessness, I find myself back at the shrine. The serene surroundings do little to calm the storm of emotions surging within me.

I take a few deep breaths, trying to centre myself. The memory of Patchouli's shy, almost vulnerable words replay in my mind. My heart feels lighter, yet somehow fuller than it had moments before. And then, as if the realization strikes me like a lightning bolt, I leap into the air, unable to contain my excitement.

The neet witch really stole something precious from me.

I look up at the sky just to realize that the sun is high up, blessing me with it's warm beams. I spent the entire morning immersed in the vast library, time feels so different in there because of the constant dimness inside. I'm blinded by great amounts of luminosity, my pupils slowly adjusting to the new environment.

I lower myself onto a stone step, leaning back to relax in the simple weather. My pupils follow the white clouds that lazily drift across the light blue sky, my mind is trying to discern what they might resemble. Even with such a peaceful scenery, my mind still wanders. Everything is just so strange, but in a beautiful way.

It's absurd how much my life changed. Just a few weeks ago, I went to college and struggled with waking up at times. Now though, now I am a novice mage in a feudal Japanese society.

There must be a reason. I trace the texture of the stone step beneath me. This is all too good to be true. "How very strange." I whisper to myself.

"Welcome home," comes a soft but energetic voice behind me. A voice that cannot be confused with any other person I have heard before, it comes from one of the few people whose energy is as infectious as the common cold.

I whip my head around, catching sight of an upside-down Sanae as she approaches with her usual cheerful demeanour. "Glad to see you," I reply, unable to mask the happiness that is bubbling inside me. My large smile betrays my attempt at composure, spreading across my face.

The green-haired shrine maiden plops down beside me, her presence fills me with warmth. "What are you doing here alone in front of the shrine?" she asks, tilting her head slightly. "You are not planning to scare of visitors are you?" she grins as she teases me.

"No of course not!" I proclaim.

"Calm down I was just joking." She looks happy to have got a rise out of me. Sanae notices the fatigue on my face and her expression switches into a concerned look. "If you ever want to share anything bothering you, I won't judge you for anything, so just tell your big sister okay?"

Her words overwhelm me. Big sister. It's such a fitting title for her. She's been a constant support since I arrived, helping me adjust to this bewildering world. I owe her so much already. Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes to help me focus. "I... I feel weird," I admit with a pang of shame. The words tumble out, unpolished though honest. "I mean, this whole world is so foreign to me. It's hard for me to wrap my head around. One day I'm in my modern bedroom, using modern technology, wearing modern clothes... and the next day I'm here. In Edo Japan, of all places. With magic, and blessings, and who knows what else." My words aren't filled with sadness, rather with confusion and maybe even frustration. When I stop, the silence feels heavy. I open my eyes again and risk a glance into Sanae's face, unsure how she'll respond to my small rant.

She leans back, exhaling softly. "I get it," her voice calm, understanding. "I was just like you. Honestly, I was lucky that Suwako and Kanako prepared me before I came to Gensokyo. Even so, it wasn't easy." Her pristine eyes are filled with empathy. "How do you feel? Do you miss your home? Your friends and family?"

I feel her hand gently over mine, her warmth a grounding force. The touch sends a reassuring tingle up my arm, easing the tension I didn't realize I was holding. "I... haven't given it much thought until recently," I admit shyly. "Gensokyo is nice. But I guess I do miss a few things. There's some I would like to have taken with me before I came here."

Her lips quirk into a small, teasing smile. "What kind of things? Anything in particular."

I chuckle nervously, shaking my head. "I think I'll keep that private for now."

"Alright, I get it,"she says with a lighthearted laugh, standing and dusting off her skirt. She extends a hand toward me. "Come on. Let's head inside the shrine, it's way more comfortable than sitting on stone."

I nod, taking her hand as she helps me to my feet. Warmth seeps into my skin as Sanae and me walk into the shrine together, it isn't physical warmth though, but rather the comfort of companionship, of having someone like Sanae who understands. For the first time in what feels like hours, my mind feels lighter.

"I think I never told you much about my time before Gensokyo, right?" Sanae asks, her voice carrying nostalgia in her voice.

I shake my head. "Please go ahead and tell me."

Her face lights up with a bright smile as we make our way to the living room. Taking a seat around the low table, visibly eager to share. "Alright then. Let me tell you about one of my favourite things I did when I was in elementary and middle school. Trading Pokémon cards!" She practically bounces in her seat.

I can't help but grin as her enthusiasm fills the room. "I was obsessed with getting as many cards as possible," she continues. "And I'll have you know, I was really good at bargaining. Honestly, I think I got some of my best cards because I knew how to convince people!" She laughs, her eyes sparkling with the energy of fond memories. "I still have them all, you know. They're stored in a big box somewhere."

"You should definitely show me one day!" I interject, loving how intensely she talks about that topic.

"Mayhaps!" She responds cheekily. "Is Pokémon still a thing in the current world?" she asks, her head tilting slightly as she thinks. "It's been a while since I played any of the games or watched the show."

"Oh, it's definitely still a thing," I reply, "Actually, you could say it's bigger than ever. There are tons of games now, and the cards are selling like crazy I think."

Sanae's face softens. "That's great to hear," she says, her voice almost wistful.

I want to keep the conversation going so I ask, "So, what's your favourite type?"

"Isn't it obvious?" She remarks with a belittling grin. She giggles as I can not puzzle together what she hints to. "It's grass dummy." She finally reveals.

Her words cut through my confusion, and then it all clicks. The green hair, the green, and white shrine maiden outfit, the frog hairpin. "Oh! Of course!" I exclaim, feeling a flush of embarrassment as I laugh along with her. "This makes so much sense now!"

Sanae laughs harder, her joy contagious. "You're adorable sometimes," she says, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.

Suwako strolls into the room, her presence light yet full of energy as always. Her trademark hat bounces slightly as she moves. "Still up this late?" she asks, a slight smile tugging at her lips. "What's got you two night owls so busy at this hour?" She makes me look outside to realize it really is nighttime already. Without waiting for an invitation, she settles at the table with us. I notice that Sanae's eyelids droop.

"Don't worry about it lady Suwako," Sanae mutters through a yawn. "We were just discussing outside world media."

Suwako's curiousity visibly sharpens, her golden eyes glinting with interest. "Oh? Fill me in!" Her grin is infectious, and it's clear she isn't planning to let the topic slide.

Realizing that Sanae's energy is waning faster than mine, I take the reins. "Well," I begin, sitting up a little straighter, "there's this franchise about a young man and his friends exploring different regions filled with powerful creatures. They catch these creatures, train them, and form strong bonds with them. And, uh... eventually, they battle other trainers to test their strength."

Suwako stares at me with big eyes. "That's quite a unique concept..."

"And are they doing it for prestige? Power? Money?" Suwako's tone remains inquisitive and keeps probing further. Meanwhile my own energy stats wavering, as my eyelids start to feel heavy.

Sanae steps in to help explain. "It's mostly for prestige," she says, stiffing another yawn. "But keep in mind, my lady, that the battles are just the climax of a long journey. The real focus is on the bond between the trainer, their friends, and the Pokémon."

Suwako leans back slightly, resting her hands on her knees. "Huh. I don't think I completely understand it, but it does sound interesting." Her grin widens as she glances between the two of us. "Well, it's nice to hear about the outside world every now and then."

We continue to chat a little until we fall into a deep sleep in our bed. A very successful day comes to an end.