Chapter 56

The extraordinary atmosphere of the festival has settled, and Regol has returned to its daily routine.

The streets have been cleaned up, and the pigments of the flying jellyfish have completely faded. Apparently, they lose their color in about half a day. The colored jellyfish that were flying yesterday were probably just a result of children's mischief or play.

Tourists have checked out of their inns, and the guild members have left Regol, escorting carriages.

There are still many monsters outside the town, and if we don't keep reducing their numbers, we'll face hell during the harvest season. Therefore, many hunting quests are being issued.

It's the busy season again.

...However, I only gather wild vegetables, remove the bitterness, and eat them. Moving around in the heat is exhausting. Of course, I do go hunting, but only when I feel like it. Small monsters don't yield much money...

Since I recently got a decent amount of money, albeit in a dirty way, I'm thinking of focusing on self-improvement for a while.

"Ah, ah, thank you very much. Thank you so much for the other day. You really helped me..."

"It's no big deal. I just happened to find someone I didn't like and beat them up."

I am now standing in front of a magic shop with a young man from "Young Sapling Staff."

Sally had told me that a magic shop from the capital would open a branch in the spring, and it finally opened a few days ago.

The location is near the guard post, making it ideal for security. While it's not a busy street, it's a perfect spot for a specialty store dealing in high-end items.

The girl who guided me here is Miserina, the mage I saved from a pick-up artist in an alley before. Since then, we've only greeted each other when we run into each other at the guild or elsewhere.

She's quiet and tends to stutter, but according to Sally, she's a skilled wind mage. This time, she offered to guide me to repay a favor.

"This is the Gilbert Magic Supplies Store. They sell consumables and catalysts for mages, but like in the capital, they also have beginner-friendly materials and tools. ...They're a bit expensive, but the quality is good."

"Thanks, that's a relief. When I try to buy similar things at the market, I often end up with fakes."

The store's exterior and interior are exceptionally clean, something you don't often see in Regol. Of course, it's a new opening, but it feels like a different class from weapon shops and general stores. It has an atmosphere like a department store's uncomfortable section.

"Welcome. ...Ah, 'Young Sapling Staff.'"

"Hello, Mr. Gilbert. It's Miserina."

"Yes, Miserina. I didn't expect our connection to continue even in Regol. ...Who's the person next to you?"

A middle-aged man sitting at the counter looks at me.

He has black hair with gray streaks, styled back, and exudes a competent aura.

"This is Mongrel, a guild member. I, I was helped by him before. A, and he knows Sally..."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Mongrel."

"Hmm. A guild member... But that's a sword. You're not a magic swordsman, are you?"

"I'm a complete beginner, but I thought I'd start learning magic from scratch. I heard that I can get good beginner materials here..."

"Ah, it makes me uncomfortable when a guild swordsman talks so formally. Just speak casually."

"...Do you have any good beginner materials, Mr. Gilbert?"

"Hmm."

Mr. Gilbert scratches his chin.

"First, I'd like to know what kind of mage you aspire to be. To be clear, innate aptitude is crucial for mages. It's also a mental discipline that requires long-term dedication. You look to be in your mid-20s or early 30s... At your age, it's almost impossible to become a great mage, and it won't be a viable profession."

"Ah, I understand. I just want to be able to produce a little water with water magic."

My goal is to be able to wash my hands and face whenever I want.

Or to produce drinking water. That alone would make life much more convenient.

"I see, it's convenient... However, even for such a simple spell, it's uncertain if you can learn it. As I mentioned, aptitude plays a significant role. You might spend years and achieve nothing. It's a tough world."

"Ugh."

"I can sell you the materials, but they're expensive and aimed at the wealthy. There's no guarantee you'll learn anything, so if you fail, it'll be a total loss. ...If that happens, I can buy back the materials from you..."

"...Do I need a teacher for this?"

"Usually, you learn from a private tutor. However, these materials are designed for wealthy commoners, so all the necessary knowledge is written down. If you have the motivation, you can learn on your own."

Hmm, maybe I'll buy them. I want to try using water magic.

Cleanliness is important, even outdoors. If it doesn't work out, I'll give up after trying.

"If you're introduced by 'Young Sapling Staff,' I can give you a slight discount. A practice staff, a magic stone, 10 sets of catalysts, and a textbook will cost you this much."

"Expensive... I'll buy them."

"E, eh, Mr. Mongrel, the discount..."

"No, I don't want to cause trouble for the store after you introduced me."

"...Ha. I don't mind. Out of kindness, I'll give you a 300 gil discount. Just this once. ...Grasping the feel of magic is important. Practice every day, even before bed. If you succeed, come back to our store. We have good staffs, too."

"Ah, thanks. I'll work hard to be able to shop here."

I shook hands with Mr. Gilbert and left the magic supplies store.

Well, the most fun part of buying tools for a new hobby is the moment you open them.

After parting ways with Miserina, I returned to my inn and laid out the materials I bought from the magic supplies store on the table.

"So this is a practice staff... It's like a Harry Potter wand."

The staff is a short, baton-like object. Even skilled mages sometimes use something like this.

But this one is probably pretty basic.

There are also small, mysterious catalysts, but I have no idea what they are.

However, the most important thing is the instruction manual.

The material consists of about 20 thin parchment pages, densely written with small letters, offering advice and trivia.

Compared to the manuals and introductory books from my previous life, the format is messy and hard to read, but I plan to start by carefully reading and studying this.

But, as a modern person who was reborn with a cheat, magic is the ultimate goal.

After all, with scientific knowledge, I can surpass locals in the clarity of my mental images... Who knows, maybe a little meditation and a wave of the staff could produce a great spell in a place without water...

What if I flood the inn? That would be a disaster...

I don't want to cause trouble with my overly vivid imagination... Hmm, no choice! I'll practice outside the town! It's better if my power remains a secret...

Three days after starting my magic training.

"Hey, Mongrel-senpai. I haven't seen you around lately, but it's rare to see you at the guild."

"Yeah, I've been focused on magic practice for the past three days."

"Magic! You said you'd do it, but you really started!"

I was drinking ale at the guild.

"Yeah, but I've given up."

"...Huh?"

"I might not have the talent for magic."

"...Isn't that just because you got bored?"

"You could say that."

After all, it's just meditation, and nothing happens...

What's this about imagining a vortex below my heart? There's no such organ...

"...I don't want you to give up on the bow I'm teaching you like that."

"...I'll try a bit harder."

"I'm worried."

That day, I only shared the magic learning techniques I had heard from Lina and drank with her.

Lina might have more talent for magic. She has good concentration...