Scene

Inside the MC’s house.

The MC’s mother is shown cleaning the plates after eating using magic.
She uses water magic at very high speed to wash away the dirt from the plates, uses her hands to apply soap, and then uses wind magic to dry them.

Meanwhile, the MC is watching TV.

TV (cartoon):
“Hahaha… that hippo bit my tail and then got shocked!
He must’ve thought it tasted good!”
Other character:
“Hahaha! Idiot hippo, your tail is like trash!”
Both:
“Hahaha!”

MC (thinking):
“So these are this world’s cartoons… -_-

Anyway, I was reincarnated into this world, but I don’t have any special ability—no high IQ or anything like that.
So creating the ‘NOVA’ category is impossible for me… right?

Unlike other MCs who reincarnate and get massive powers, I didn’t get anything…”

Mom:
“My love, take Puma out for a walk.”

MC:
“Okay, Mom.”

Scene

Puma comes over with the leash in his mouth, as if saying, ‘Here, let’s go quickly.’

MC:
“Good boy.”

Scene

The MC and Puma go outside.

Outside, the world looks normal—but magic is everywhere.
People are flying low using magic, shops are using magic, and some people even use magic just to walk.

MC (thinking):
“I still don’t know if there are races other than humans in this world… like dragons or elves.
Everywhere I look, I only see humans and animals.”

Scene

A kid suddenly runs over, using magic.

That kid:
“Yo!”

MC:
“Yo!”

Kid:
“You’re walking Puma? Good boy, Puma.”

Puma:
“Woof! Ah—hah!”

MC (thinking):
“His name is Mansu.
If you want to see an ‘excellent’ kid, he’s probably one of them.

His IQ is really good, and even at 7 years old he can use strong magic.
Unlike me, who’s still learning basic magic from my mom…

And yeah, he’s my friend.
I don’t know why, but he’s my best friend.”

MC:
“Yeah, Mom told me to.”

Mansu:
“I’m getting ready for the magic exam.”

MC:
“?! But that exam is at age 10.”

Mansu:
“Yeah, but there are only 3 years left.
If I want to do well, I need to start preparing now.”

MC:
“I see.”

MC (thinking):
“Unlike me, who watches TV and learns magic casually from my mom, my friend is full of energy and already preparing.

I should learn something too…
That’s why I rest instead. -_-
Funny, right?”

Mansu:
“Hey, do you know? Sima has already started preparing too.”

MC:
“She has too?”

Mansu:
“Yup…
But wait—she’s mine, so don’t do anything wrong.”

MC:
“Huh… yeah.
Anyway, I’m not interested in your future girlfriend.”

MC (thinking):
“He likes Sima, but he hasn’t told her yet.
He also doesn’t let any other kid get too close to her.

She’s my friend too, and also a good magician—probably because her father works as a security guard at the border.

Anyway, I seriously have no interest in that girl.
If it were someone else, I might’ve thought about it once—but her? No way.”

Scene

Suddenly, a voice is heard.

Sima:
“Oh~ oh~ look who’s here… the low-key.”

MC:
“Yep. She bullies me.
Not like adults do—but she changes my name or annoys me.
She enjoys it.”

Sima:
“Hm! Oh… I didn’t see Jack was here too.” (suddenly sweet tone)

MC (thinking):
“And there’s no chance anyway…
Because she’s in love with Jack too… maybe?”

Jack:
“Don’t call him that. He’s our friend.”

Sima:
“Yeah, sorry, my low-key friend…”

MC (thinking):
“!!

Sometimes I feel like I’m just a side character in this story, and these two are the main characters.
Being friends with such powerful kids probably means this… haah…”

MC:
“So, what are you doing here?”

Sima:
“Mom told me I should exercise at this time, so I was doing that.
I didn’t expect you two to be here as well.”

Scene

Night time—almost 9 o’clock.

MC:
“This is my daily time to walk Puma.
You two are here for the first time at this hour.”

Jack:
“That’s right.”

Sima:
“So…?”

Everyone:
“…”

MC:
“Okay, I’m going back home.
See you tomorrow.”

Jack & Sima:
“Yeah.”

Scene

The MC starts walking away.

MC (whispering):
“Seriously… why am I friends with such powerful kids?”

Scene

The MC’s house.
Sleep time.
The MC’s room.

MC:
“Well, it’s not like I haven’t tried to learn magic.
The problem is—the formulas are extremely hard.

Memorizing one high-level magic formula is harder than math or science formulas.
My brain just can’t remember that many.

Yes, new magic can be created—anyone can do it in theory.
But almost no one can, because only a few people are capable of creating or reforming magic formulas.

Haah…
Why is my brain—or my IQ—so low?”

Scene

Because of the wind, a book placed beside the MC opens.
Its pages start flipping, and a loose piece of paper—one not bound to the book—flies out and lands on the MC’s face.

MC:
“?! Aah! That scared me…
Huh? … Brain… hm…”

Scene

On that paper is a strange drawing—something the MC himself had drawn before.
It looks slightly like a brain.

MC:
“… … !
Why can’t I create this magic?!
Yeah… this is actually a really good idea!!”

Scene

The MC sits down at his desk and starts writing in his book.

MC:
“So in this magic, this, this, this, and that are all compulsory.
But what exactly is the formula for this magic?

Aaaah… again this…!
Okay, wait. I still have many months—I can do it.

If I add this, then the formula won’t work…
Then this—no… that…”

Scene

The MC keeps trying.