Chapter 77

As the days passed, the temperature rose, and during the day, one would start to sweat with the slightest movement. The climate was beginning to herald the arrival of summer.

In winter, you can just bundle up, and if it gets too cold, there’s always heating. But to combat the summer heat, there’s not much you can do except use an air conditioner. That’s the modern way of thinking. In this world, it would probably be the same, but fortunately, in the place where I live, Regol, it doesn’t get that hot. The only time you might suffer from heatstroke is when you’re working with a hot kiln.

Still, there aren’t many ways to cool off, so it can be tough. And you can’t even take a bath.

It might be time to exercise my right to use Artemis’s bath... but, well, it feels too precious to use. I know it’s a one-time thing during the hot season, but I don’t want to just be satisfied with one bath. I’d want to use it when I feel like I’m about to go crazy from the heat... but there are too many days like that...

“Having a bath at the clan house, that’s really great. It might be the most useful thing Nastasha has created.”

“It’s a bit complicated to hear that... but fine. If Sally wants to buy the device, I’ll be happy to sell it. The young sapling of the ‘Staff of the Sapling’ might be better at using it than Artemis. As a favor, I’ll give you a discount.”

“That’s a relief. We’ve just moved in, and we need a lot of things. It would be easier if the deputy leader, who’s handling the relocation in the capital, comes back.”

“The bathhouse will take time to build. It’s better to start construction as soon as possible.”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

When I visited the guild, Nastasha, the mage of “Artemis,” and Sally, the leader of “Staff of the Sapling,” were having a friendly conversation. Or should I call it a business negotiation? The content was a bit concerning.

“You two seem to be having a good time. Talking about the bath? Can I join in?”

“...Mongrel. It’s not exactly a fun conversation.”

“Hey, Mongrel. We were just talking about buying the water heater that Nastasha developed.”

“Buying... are you going to remove it from Artemis’s clan house? No way, that’s impossible.”

“Of course, we won’t remove it. I have the blueprints, so I’ll just have it made and sold.”

Ah, that’s a relief. I was worried that the bath at Artemis would disappear before summer.

“The public bath in Regol has gotten really dirty over the years. It’s much better to use a steam room.”

“Yeah... more people are using the public bath, so it’s probably full of mud. It doesn’t feel like you’re getting clean at all.”

“That’s why I heard about the bath at Nastasha’s clan house. I thought I might as well set up a proper environment while we’re improving our base.”

So, Sally has decided to make “Staff of the Sapling’s” base here in Regol. More work companions, that’s great!

“Man, a bath... Hey, you two. Are you planning to sell the right to use your baths for a few hundred jerry? It could be a good business.”

“Ask Shina. But no, we don’t want outsiders in our clan house. We especially don’t want dirty people coming in.”

“My place is also full of valuable items due to the party’s composition. I don’t want too many people coming in. Besides, we’re setting up the bath to be clean, so I agree with Nastasha that we don’t want it to get dirty.”

Grr... Even if you ran a small bathhouse, it would be fine...

“If you really want to use it, you could join one of our parties. Mongrel, I heard you got injured the last time you went solo against a monster.”

“Mongrel? Wow, have you declined in my absence?”

“It’s just a scratch. I’m going solo. ...But, you two seem unusually close. Do you know each other?”

When I asked, Nastasha and Sally looked at each other. They didn’t seem to be trying to keep it a secret.

“...We went to the same magic academy. I was a student then, and Sally was a senior.”

“I was raising a child, so I didn’t do field work and worked in the research tower. Nastasha was one of the excellent mages I taught at the research tower. We wouldn’t have had much interaction otherwise.”

“Both Nastasha and I were disliked by the same mentor. We often did similar odd jobs and spent a lot of time together.”

“Wow, you two knew each other back then.”

And you were both disliked by your mentor... What did you do?

Was it because you didn’t tolerate harassment? That’s common in this world. Both of you are beautiful, after all.

“Well, we weren’t that close back then. We started talking more after we joined the guild and met again.”

“...I don’t like talking about the past. Let’s change the subject.”

“That’s a pretty honest way to change the subject. But it’s fine. I won’t ask about things you don’t want to talk about. ...Hey, three ales.”

I ordered ales for the number of people, even though they’re a bit expensive. We’re not going on a mission anyway, so let’s talk.

“Hey, are you trying to hit on me, Mongrel?”

“I don’t have a thing for women who drink flat ales.”

“That’s harsh.”

“Hmm, the ale here is bad, though.”

“Nastasha, I know you have a refined palate, but please don’t say that out loud. If you don’t like it, just leave it. I’ll drink it anyway.”

I’m not sure if I want to drink flat ale...

“Anyway, I wanted to ask you two, who know a lot about magic. Look at this.”

“...It’s nostalgic. It’s an introductory book on magic.”

“Hmm. Mongrel, who are you giving this to?”

“No, I’m reading it. I just want to try using magic a little.”

“Oh... I remember Miserina saying you were serious about studying magic.”

I took a big sip of the ale that arrived at the table, feeling relieved. At this time of year, even room temperature water isn’t bad. It feels cool.

“I’ve read this, but... I can’t really understand what the author is saying.”

“...Nastasha, I want to give an honest opinion.”

“I don’t mind. If our opinion is needed, we should give it.”

“Hey, that preamble is a bit scary.”

I haven’t experienced it, but it feels like the unease of a layman’s question.

“Basically, the foundation of magic education should be instilled in the mind before the biases and common sense of this world take root. Occasionally, there are people in the wild who naturally have a ‘way of perceiving the world’ and such talents do exist... but in Mongrel’s case, it might be a bit difficult.”

“...Bias, common sense. Huh.”

When you hear those words, you can’t help but stick out your tongue.

I have too many things that come to mind. ...But if you say that, I’m already in a bind from the moment I reincarnated, right?

“Yeah. As Sally said, I don’t think Mongrel will suddenly develop the aptitude to be a mage. The less someone understands the world and thinks they do, the less suitable they are for this skill.”

“Damn... I understand this world better than anyone else here.”

“That’s the attitude we’re talking about.”

“Glad to hear that. It’s thanks to the education I gave Momo. It shows that it was worth it.”

What a terrible thing to say.

Hey, Sally, stop shaking the ale. At least stir it with a stirrer or something. Your movements are drawing attention.

“Well, to be fair. Even if you don’t have the aptitude, it’s not impossible. There are rare cases where people develop the aptitude in adulthood... though I haven’t heard of many cases where it happens after thirty.”

“That’s a comforting follow-up.”

“There are such characters in myths. ‘Artemis,’ the model for Nastasha’s party name, was originally an archer who suddenly gained magic in her twenties. But there are too many such anecdotes in the world of myths.”

“Don’t use myths to encourage me...”

Artemis. In my previous life, there was a goddess with the same name. But the Artemis in this world is quite different from the myth. However, it’s probably not a coincidence. There are quite a few names I’ve heard before, like Apollo and others.

...This is a world where elves and goblins, and other beings I’ve heard of, exist. I try not to think too much about the world’s references. At least, I don’t think the gods from my previous life’s myths exist in this world. If they do, they’re probably different from the ones I know.

“Hmm. Perhaps you should practice archery before magic. You’re learning from Lina and Ulrika, right? I think that’s a better option with more potential.”

“Wow, Mongrel with a bow... I can’t imagine it. You seem more like someone who would throw rocks.”

“Hey, Nastasha, was Sally like this when you were in the academy?”

“Yeah, he hasn’t changed much. The reason he was disliked by the mentor was similar. I’m used to it.”

“He’s a terrible person.”

“You shouldn’t say that in front of him.”

They’re such a troublesome bunch.

...So, I have no hope of developing magical aptitude.

I won’t be able to use magic and fight in a fantastic way for the rest of my life... I see...

...So, there’s no point in practicing magic anymore!

There’s no point! A Gold-class mage said so!

Alright, I’ll stop!