Walking along the river banks for a while, Eva soon found what amounted to the end of the river. While it did not flow into the sea, it ran into a grated tunnel of some kind, over which a highway ran, though the river failed to emerge on the other side. Instead there seemed to be various buildings and roads where the German expected the river to resurface.

Frustrated, and more than just a bit cold, Eva decided to head back for now and warm up first, before trying to find some help in figuring this one out. Picking up the box she needed to deliver into the river for some reason, she quickly made her way to a small nearby shrine. Looking around to make sure no one was around this cold Saturday, she quickly stepped through the torii and onto the fox road.

Stepping onto the grounds of her own shrine, she was greeted by Yukiko.

“Oh Hello Eva, back again already?” The Yuki-onna asked. Her eyes widening in surprise as she noticed the box Eva was carrying.

“Mhm. I think I’ll need some help with this one.“ Eva replied with a deep sigh, eyes not meeting the younger woman’s. ”But first I’ll go inside and warm up a bit.”

“Sure, see you later then.” Yukiko finished while Eva walked past her.

Inside, Eva couldn’t quite tell where everyone was. Seeing as Yukiko had stopped playing her music, that was not too surprising though. Leaving the box in the genkan, she took off her shoes and went further inside. Taking a peek into the tatami room, she saw Karasuza and Komaki sitting across a small table, both lost in thought. Not wanting to disturb them, she carefully slid the door closed again without any loud noises.

Looking into the kitchen, Eva found it empty. With Touya nowhere to be seen, and the other two busy with their game, the Kitsune decided to head back to her room for a bit. Inside she picked up a blanket and placed it over her dog bed. Eva then quickly turned into a fox, and with some help from her three tails made her way under the blanket before curling up to take a nap.

A short while later, she was ripped from her sleep by a cold, wet snout poking her in the side. Wiggling out of her little nest with a lot of groaning, Eva soon laid eyes on the offender. Sitting next to her, a sealed letter between its forepaws was a little arctic fox. It cocked its head to the side and flicked one of its lightly rounded ears. When the Kitsune did not move fast enough for, the little fox let out a shard bark before pushing the letter forward with its snout. Turning back into her usual human form, Eva picks up the letter. The little Fox, finally satisfied, rushes off. Breaking the seal, she begins to read.

Hello Eva,

I was a bit surprised by your inquiry about how normal humans can learn magic. But I did my best to get the information written down concisely for you.

The most common ways for humans to gain magic powers completely on their own are undergoing various spiritual and physical hardships over years and years. As I doubt you are looking at things operating on that timeframe, I focused more on faster methods.

The most risky of those would be putting them through near death experiences. This usually works best if they have at least a hint of supernatural heritage of some sort. It of course carries the risk of well death if things are messed up even the tiniest bit.

As a Kami, you of course have the option of granting your worshipers supernatural powers, including magic. But as you are still in the process of acclimating to all being a Kami entails, you might accidentally go too far and instead of merely granting them magic, turn them into a Zenko outright. Or maybe even leave them stuck as a human with fox traits but no magic to hide them.

Which brings me to the third and last option I know about. If you are comfortable in letting them hold onto a shintai of yours, or an object your spirit inhabited for a time. By using this as a focus, they could borrow the magical energies your presence left imbued into the object. Once they have learned to feel the magic in it, they can then learn to shape it like I showed you. Over time, the human’s body will absorb part of those energies, essentially granting them their own magic.

I hope this information can help you help your friend.

Yours Gon

‘Seems like option three it is.’Eva thought to herself as she put down the letter. ‘Though now I wonder if any Magical Girl writer knew magic worked like this’

Putting the letter away for now, the Kitsune stretched a bit before leaving her room to see if Komaki and Karasuza were done yet. Walking downstairs and looking into the tatami room again, she saw the two of them removing stones from what looked like a full board. Komaki, noticing Eva looking inside, smiled and waved her closer.

“Ah Eva, back again?”

“Yes, though I hit a problem when I tried to deliver a box earlier.” She replied as she kneeled down next to the others.

“Which would be?”

“It seems I need to deliver the box currently in the genkan into the middle of a river.” Eva elaborated with a sigh as her ears popped up, just to hang limply.

“Are you sure you need to get into the river?” Karasuza interjected.

“That is a good question.” Komaki concurs with a faint nod.

“No, but I don’t know how else to get there other than to follow my feeling pointing me towards the river.”

“Well then let us see if we can not change that.” Komaki said with a warm smile. “Karasuza, you still have the map your father used to find us, right? Mind bringing it down here so we can help Eva?”

“Not at all, I will be right back.”

“What good is that map going to do us?” Eva inquired, her ears perking up just a bit.

“Well, It might help us divine the location that box needs to go.” Komaki explained as he put the bowls of black and white stones they had played with aside. “Or at least be easier to channel some of your magic through than a modern map, or technology.”