Chapter 56: The First Year at the Academy - Being Alone
As soon as the lecture was over, Helena, the lecturer, left the classroom without a pause.
There is not the slightest hint of lingering on my memory.
Helena is the teacher for magical studies.
She is a person of conviction, a woman with a strong core who never bends herself.
However, everything she does is steered toward something than education.
Rumor has it that she only teaches to learn advanced magic.
She has flexible lecture hours. She has free access to research facilities. The students usually study independently. And since there are no classes, the student never consulted her about anything other than her academic work. There is probably no easier job in the world.
Naturally, she had not a shred of enthusiasm for education.
When she called her students, she would say "you." or "there.". If you're lucky, she would call you "boy." or "girl." by their gender.
As one would expect from an old woman, the content of her lecture is surprisingly interesting.
I was impressed by her previous comment that "Life magic should be called basic magic." but today's talk also made me think a lot.
What is magic and what is skill?
I think this is a theme that strikes at the very heart of the world.
According to common belief, we use magic by consuming magic power in our body, and we use skill by passing surrounding magic power into our body.
Roland's "Turn Over" sealed Eras Rhino. Once again, no matter how much I improve my skills, it is impossible. If I'm using my enormous magical power around me, including my "High-speed Movement" I can perform inhuman feats.
Helena said "This is a pet theory." and then added, "In this world, there originally existed only skills, and humans developed magic by imitating them. From there, she continued, "Then is magic inferior?" But that is not the case. There is a lot of overlap between skills and magic.
But this assumption raises the question, "Then why do skills have magic ranks?"
Helena assumes that skills are created when the technology to harness magic power is established.
If that were correct, a cook who could make ingredients dance wildly with magic power might appear.
"What, are you dilly-dallying?"
I noticed that Elphimia was standing next to me.
"I was just thinking back to the lecture for a minute."
"Hmm. By the way, how was it the other day? You were all excited about making magical tools."
"You know what I'm talking about, don't you?"
"Well, yes. If it were that easy to make, we wouldn't need a grimoire maker to make it."
Then how could I have stopped him at that time?
I was so preoccupied with what to make. This doesn't fool Zerett.
After my encounter with the dean, I tried to make a high-quality healing potion but failed miserably. I could make it without the honey of the Cistrus grass. It was a waste of materials.
I had a premonition that I might fail during the preparation.
It was a strange feeling. A feeling that the path I was trying to follow was somehow being forcibly shifted.
Somehow, it was similar to when I created Potion of Sharpe.
Then I realized that I had been doing only low-level mixing.
I had thought that one more material was not much different from the accompanying effect, but when I tried it, it was completely different.
If that one is an extension of the function, this one is function modification.
It was a process of dismantling the finished product and rebuilding it to a higher level.
It was such a difficult formulation that even Rackendale didn't think he would succeed. He was writhing in agony with satisfaction when I failed. I hate myself for getting used to it.
"Oh, there you are!"
I looked over at the familiar voice and saw Lambert entering the classroom.
Behind him was Felix, as usual. The two of them remind me of Roland from time to time.
"You haven't left yet?"
"I have something to do with you. Are you free after this?"
"I don't have any pressing plans…"
If I did, it would be to stop by the Larsen Trading Company.
They are taking care of the Rhino sword and stilettos. They should be done by now.
"Then hey, show me around town. I'm thinking of getting new weapons and taking care of them."
"It's been almost two months. You've at least found a store. What do you want?"
"I'd like to see your house."
"Oh, you mean that ……. I don't mind."
Lambert and Felix clapped their hands together in delight.
Elphimia looks at me.
"What's so interesting about looking at houses?"
And I left the classroom with a cold look in my eyes.
I have to admit that I agree with her.
◇◇◇◇
After leaving the academy, we turned off the main street onto a branch road.
The main street is winding, so it takes extra time.
After two months of living in Selene, I have a vague idea of where we are going, so I often take branch roads.
This was my first time in this area, but I was sure I would not get lost.
After passing through the commercial district around the main street, the number of large mansions increased.
Selene, which is a very crowded area, this area is for the wealthy, with a sense of openness and serenity. Some of these houses are rented. If Samini had recommended this place, I would not have had time to walk leisurely.
We proceeded along the cobblestone streets under the suspicious eyes of the gate guard.
Incidentally, before we left the academy, I asked Lambert if we could use a carriage.
The answer was "No.".
He said that when he was in Keten, he always used a carriage for his father's appearance, but when he went out for training, it became troublesome for him to ride a carriage for a trivial distance. I was a little pleased to find out that even the sons of aristocrats were like this.
"Well, how long have you two known each other?"
Lambert tilts his head at my question.
"I don't remember. I've always been around him when I've noticed him."
"Lambert and I are both third sons, and we were born at the same time. From a very young age, he was thrown into one room and taken care of altogether."
"That's right. I thought you were brothers back then."
Lambert laughs nostalgically.
A child of a viscount is treated on the same level as a child of a knight. It is the fate of being born into a family of status.
The first son is the heir, the second son is the reserve, and the rest are unimportant. If you don't show great value, you lose your place. And Felix, a knight, was treated more roughly, I think.
The academy students may still be better off. At least they are expected to the extent that they are invested.
Allies who have shared hardships and joys?
The bond between the two is strong. And they are already masters and servants. If Lambert were to be thrown out of Keten, Felix would probably follow him.
Even now, he is guarding Lambert's back and keeping an eye on the front.
Such a figure overlapped with Roland again.
"Yes?"
Felix asked quizzically.
It seems that my mouth had just become loose.
"Sorry, I just remembered something. My Roland used to stand behind me to protect me when I was young."
"The strongest knight in Reedwald? That's an honor."
Felix smiles happily.
Then his gaze moves.
A casual gesture.
I instantly activate "Presence Detection" and scout my surroundings.
I didn't switch my attention to the battle as Felix's gesture looked surprising.
There was no one nearby.
I followed his gaze and was convinced.
There is a small house in this neighborhood.
It was an elf woman tending to the flowers in the yard.
The woman notices us and smiles.
"Ah, I knew elves were beautiful. ……"
Lambert muttered.
"There are some at the academy, you know. The one that looks like an elf."
"They're just kids, aren't they?"
"It's a quarter."
I can say whatever I wanted to say, taking advantage of the fact that she wasn't there.
If I said it, I'll be put on ice.
Elves, like halflings, mostly live in the Mez Riez region.
They have established residences in several other forests, but their whereabouts are largely unknown. Their appearance is beautiful, so they are targeted by slave hunters.
In this respect, I can say that Selene is as good as it gets.
The ruling class here are magic supremacists, or to put it bluntly, magic lovers. For elves blessed with magical qualities, this would be a comfortable town.
However, that is only within the city.
I thought of Elphimia's small back.
Elphimia, an apparent elf, seems to enjoy her freedom in this city.
But practicing magic outside is still dangerous.
Not only monsters, but many humans harbor malicious intent.
Even if she is equipped with magical tools, she is still a magician. There is a limit to the number of moves she can make.
I still haven't advised her, wondering if I should step into her personal life, but I wonder if I should make it clear once and for all.
◇◇◇◇
"Welcome, Alter-sama."
Lauri bowed.
As soon as I enter Larsen's store, the young clerk pulls back then Lauri arrives. The only reason the head of the association bothers to show himself to a cheap customer like me is because of the difficulty of handling the Rhino sword. He was probably wondering if Ishtar could handle Egil's sword.
"It looks like you've taken care of it."
The clerk from earlier was holding a long, thin package with great care.
I pull out my Rhino sword and examine the blade.
As the white blade glinted in the magic horn light, Lambert exclaimed, "Oh, wow!"
I slowly change the angle and return the sword to its scabbard.
I also check the Rhino stiletto. No problem here either.
You're doing a good job, Ishtar.
He was about to vomit when I asked him to do it, but it looks brand new. The luster is spotless and the tarnish is gone.
"It's perfect. It's perfect. Egil won't have to yell at me."
"He's going to yell at you?"
"He's a real scoundrel when I don't take good care of it. I'm the son of a lord, you know."
Lauri smiles and nods in agreement.
Craftsmen seem to have it in common that they are
difficult. Well, Egil is probably the most exceptional of them all. To put it bluntly, I'm not good at it. Ragnidig is charming, but Egil is stubborn as hell. If he were not the creator of the Rhino sword, I think I would have refrained from contacting him.
The other thing that he offered me was a small shoulder bag.
The material is the leather of the Gowthas we defeated along the way. He had stored potions and other items in a leather bag and hung them on his belt, but it was difficult to take them out. This would make it a little quicker to respond on the spur of the moment.
The fee was six gold coins for the sword maintenance and two gold coins and eight silver coins for the bag.
It would be quite an expense, but in Selene, I couldn't trust it to anyone but Ishtar, and via Lauri, they would guarantee it if anything should go wrong.
After that, Lambert and Felix asked for care and rummaged through the store's armory.
Lambert isn't happy with the selection and is out of his mind.
We had taken care of our business and left the store immediately, the reason for this was immediately apparent.
"Wow, that sword! It was all white!"
Lambert's voice was excited as he looked at the Rhino sword at my waist.
He liked it.
"The material is Eras Rhino horn. You can ask Egil of Reedwald to make it for you. I'm sure you can get the horns somewhere. I hear they're not rare."
Lambert was delighted, "Oh!" But it was soon followed by a difficult expression.
"But I'd like to make it out of antlers I've killed myself anyway."
"That's a lot of work. It was a loner when I killed it, but I heard they usually come in packs."
Lambert was troubled by my words.
And since Lambert has the style of a royal swordsman, the lightweight Rhino sword is not for him.
If he still wants it, I'll help him as much as you want, but I think even I'd have a pretty hard time with it. If there were several Rhino swords. Eras Rhino would fill the whole area. It's hard to use "High-speed Movement," and with their physical strength, I wonder how much magic I can use to cut them down.
We continued chatting and went to the center of Selene, and then to the main road to the north gate.
On the sidewalks, residents and adventurers of Selene come and go.
After a while, the number of street stalls began to increase. And many people were attracted to the stalls and negotiated with the store owners.
While enjoying the such a lively scene, one of them caught my eye.
It is a skewer shop–the meat is wild boar and deer. There are even vegetable skewers.
Okay, let's have dinner tonight.
I ask Lambert and the others and stop at the stall.
The meat is large, so I ask for six skewers, evenly distributed, and have them stuffed into a bag.
I notice that Lambert and the others have also bought some and are chomping on them.
"You don't want some?"
"N…… yeah, I guess so."
I pull a venison skewer out of the bag.
The meat was a little tough, but as I bit into it. The meat has a unique flavor.
I savored it and looked around.
I'm eating with friends on the way home, huh?
This might be the first time for me to have such an experience.
I hadn't been home since I entered the academy, or since I left for Selene.
I rented a house, went to the academy, and now I am even an adventurer.
Living on my own and being busy with my daily life made me realize that my pride is built on someone else's support. This was only recently when I became accustomed to my current life.
When that fact hit me, I realized how much of a child I had been.
Is this also growth?
A self-mocking smile appears on my face.
"What's wrong?"
"No, just a little."
"But then again, you buy too much, don't you?"
Lambert points to a leather bag with a skewer.
"It's dinner."
"Dinner–you should eat something a little more decent."
"I'm buying vegetables, too. You're going to the house, aren't you?"
"How close are you?"
"Almost there."
I lead the way.
We turn down the main street and pass through a narrow alley.
When I arrived at my house, Lambert and the others were stunned.
"It's cracked, the wall!"
"Words exactly. I already fixed the cracked wall tho."
The wind blew through the private house and caressed their home.
Right in front of us, there was a snapping sound.
"Hey, the planks are falling!"
"Exact words. It's the roof."
"It's a shingle!"
"It's aboard!" I couldn't tell the difference, which is a shame.
I put the roof up against the wall and turned around.
"Well, why don't we have a cup of tea," I say, "It's cheap tea, though."
I invite them into my home.
And as I close the door, I look back east.
Soft clouds were slowly drifting across the pale blue sky.
Underneath that – what could it be?
"What's wrong?"
"No, nothing."
If someone had been there, it might have been different.
Whatever the case, the club is closed for a while.
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