{Author’s Notes}

  【The Result Announcement of the 2nd Popularity Contest has been posted in the Activity Report】


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  On the way to our next destination, we ran into the God of Earth, one of the High-ranking Gods and the one I had seen at the multiple-choice quiz a while ago. She said she came to greet me…… but why all of a sudden?

  As if she was wondering about the same thing I did, Sky-san spoke with a curious expression on her face.

  [Say your greetings to Kaito-san? Why now? No, I understand that you had some time on your hands now, but didn’t the Supreme Gods order all Gods not to bother Kaito-san with too much contact?]

  [Yes, that’s why I’ll just say a quick hello before returning to my post. I was a little concerned that I was the only one not acquainted to Miyama Kaito-sama, when God of Life-sama and God of Sky already knew him, so I asked God of Life-sama for permission.]

  [I see, so that’s how it is……]

  Speaking of which, it seems that along with Sky-san, God of Earth-san is Life-san’s direct subordinate, kinda like her close aide. Indeed, she would have been in a delicate situation where her boss and coworker have already greeted me, but don’t know when she’ll be able to greet me herself.

  [Errr, it’s nice to meet you, I’m Miyama Kaito.]

  [Nice to meet you too, I’m the assistant of God of Life-sama, “God of Earth, Gaia”. I would be happy if you could put my name in a corner of your memory.]

  A light greeting was no problem at all, so I introduced myself, to which God of Earth…… Gaia-san bowed her head in an elegant manner and greeted me.

  Her whole atmosphere is neat and elegant, and I feel like she’s somewhat mature. In terms of atmosphere, I think she resembles Life-san.

  ……I don’t know if she had something like a dark side like Life-san does…… but from a quick glance, she seems to be a good person.

  [……Well then, I finished my greetings, so I’ll be taking my leave.]

  After a brief self-introduction, Gaia-san bowed to me once more and started to walk away, when she suddenly stopped as if she noticed something.

  She then looked at the nearby Aoi-chan and kindly smiled at her.

  [……Excuse me, may I ask your name as well?]

  [Eh? Me? I’m Kusunoki Aoi.]

  [You have a high affinity with Earth. You must have a great aptitude for Earth-Attribute Magic?]

  As Aoi-chan was confused, Gaia-san asked her about her affinity with magic. Aoi-chan certainly has a strong aptitude for Earth-Attribute Magic. Moreover, it’s like a special aptitude unique to otherworlders.

  I don’t know anything about other magic, with my Sympathy Magic as the only thing I’m considerably good at, but I think Aoi-chan’s aptitude for Earth-Attribute Magic is really off the charts as well.

  After all, after a year of practice, she was able to use a very high level of magic, so I think it’s safe to say that affinity with Earth-Attribute Magic is extraordinary.

  [Y- Yes. Earth-Attribute is my forte…… so I’ve been studying about it a lot.]

  [I see, that’s very wonderful. You could say that you are loved by the earth. It makes me very happy to have met a child with such aptitude. I’d like to talk with you at length if I could, but we’re in the middle of the White God Festival…… I can’t just pull you over to talk with me, right?]

  [T- That’s true. I would also have liked to talk with you about some things……]

  Apparently, Gaia-san took a liking to Aoi-chan at first sight. I’m sure the studious Aoi-chan would have liked to talk to Gaia-san, who is a High-ranking God whose authority is close to her specialty.

  However, as Gaia-san said, we are in the middle of the White God Festival, and I’m sure Gaia-san has a lot of work to do, so it’s difficult for them to talk here.

  Though I say that, the God Realm…… or rather, the middle-level and higher-level, where the High-ranking Gods reside, aren’t usually accessible to the public, so it may be difficult for them to schedule another meeting.

  Seeing the disappointed expression on Aoi-chan’s face, Gaia-san looked like she was thinking for a moment…… and a little later, she kindly smiled.

  [You said your name is Aoi-san, right?]

  [Ah, yes.]

  [……I bestow upon you the “Blessings of Earth”.]

  [!? ]

  When Gaia-san said those words with her hand held out, Aoi-chan’s body was enveloped in a faint light.

  [Informal my blessings to you might be, I’m interested in you. If you would like, please come and visit me another day. With my Informal Blessing, you would be able to enter the God Realm’s middle-level.]

  [T- Thank you very much!]

  [I’m looking forward to the day we get to talk to each other. Well then, I’ll be taking my leave.]

  After smiling at the Aoi-chan, who was feeling obliged, but happy, Gaia-san bowed with elegant movements and left.

  Although this incident was a coincidence, I felt as if it would be the start of a very big breakthrough for Aoi-chan.

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